Chapter 8 Strategies (Part 1)

Mother Chen's eyes lit up, "There are actually such wonderful uses."

Chun Yao involuntarily exclaimed, "Is there really such a thing?"

Although the matriarch has adopted Hong Ge as her legitimate son and outwardly shows him great affection, she has always been a person who appears kind but is cold at heart, and she does not harbor any genuine feelings for Hong Ge

Mugun looked at Ronghua's expression; when she slightly opened her eyes at the mass grave, the young lady also furrowed her brows lightly, seemingly lost in thought

Ronghua felt a tremor in her heart, Hong Ge

Chun Yao entered the room after a while, walked over to the charcoal brazier, and added charcoal to Rong Hua's hand warmer, saying, "I noticed that it is a bit cold in the room today, so I had someone bring the hand warmer." While speaking, he seemed somewhat distracted.

Mugun thought for a moment and suddenly smiled, "Who in this mansion is the most fortunate"

What about the other matters in the government office

Miss

Only after handing the hand warmer to Ronghua did Chun Yao say: "I am afraid I will have to ask Miss for a leave of absence shortly"

Ronghua originally doubted why the young lady had not been pregnant for three years; could it be related to him

Chun Yao said: "Jinxiu is going to stay outside the residence for a few days. Before she leaves, I must go and see her."

Mugunghwa lowered her voice, "Once, Mama Zhou, after drinking, said that if the young lady has not become pregnant, she will definitely choose another young lady from the mansion to go over..."

Speaking half a sentence, leaving it at that, Mother Chen smiled slightly and said, "I still need to go to Second Master to deliver something, so I will take my leave now." As Mother Chen turned to leave, Rong Hua noticed a maid following behind her, carrying some jars and bottles.

That kind and well-behaved younger brother did not particularly enjoy the rigid articles found in books; instead, he often insisted that she make him a short knife out of a branch. Although they were not born of the same mother as the *picture* book, their bond was deep. Over the years, she often recalled the smile on Hong Ge's face when he looked up at her with a pleading expression, soft and warm, imbued with a sense of dependence.

She and Hong Ge are alike, having lost their mother since childhood. Whenever she looks at Hong Ge, she is reminded of her own childhood, feeling a pang of sorrow.

The embroidery is just right, with the final stitch delicately placed on the crown, vibrant and dripping with beauty

Having never lived in the residence, the Eighth Miss is truly someone who does not plan for herself

Chun Yao took the account book with some surprise

So fast

Recently, Miss Liu and Aunt Si have had two interactions

Ronghua thought for a moment, "I happen to have a string of prayer beads here." She turned and went to the box in the inner room to fetch a string of sandalwood prayer beads.

One must endure hardships in order to become more composed and resilient

Mother Chen smiled as she returned the items to Ronghua, "The eldest madam also suffers from a leg ailment and has tried many remedies without success. As the weather grows colder, it becomes increasingly concerning"

Chun Yao put away the keys and then heard someone outside say: "Mama Chen has arrived"

Just then, the maid from Madam's side came to ask Chun Yao about the patterns on the embroidered handkerchief. Chun Yao called her over and quietly inquired about Jin Xiu's situation. The two of them stood outside and talked for a while.

Chun Yao organized the items well and handed over the account book for Rong Hua to review

Of course, madam

Mugun walked in and said: "They are talking about Jin Xiu. The madam has already sent someone to notify Jin Xiu's family, asking them to come and take her back tomorrow"

Chun Yao said: "The young ladies of the Tao family each have two taels of monthly silver, along with some rare items that the madams instructed someone to bring. I have also placed them in the cupboard in the inner room for the young ladies." Chun Yao handed over the key in his hand

When Mother Chen and the librarian took a look, they found that Miss Eight's leg protector was indeed crafted with great precision. The eldest madam had a similar one before, but later found it not very useful, so she stopped using it. Miss Eight's version is exquisitely made, though it remains to be seen whether it will perform differently.

To put it simply, once she arrives outside the residence, will using her connections there to send money mean that no one will find out? Outside, there are even more people and eyes; what cannot be done within the residence will require even more effort outside. Moreover, regarding the matter of Jin Xiu, no one else can accomplish it besides her

Ronghua stood up and promptly responded obediently.

Advantech has always kept a distance from its biological mother, but suddenly there will be interactions

The maid at the door lifted the curtain, and Mama Chen walked in. Her gaze swept around the room and landed on Ronghua's face. "The madam has sent me to inform you that there will be distinguished guests arriving at the residence tomorrow," she said. Seeing that Ronghua seemed not to fully understand her meaning, she smiled and added, "The madam said that the young ladies should all join in the festivities."

The hibiscus seems to recall something, "When I was young, I heard people in my family say that those who are useless in terms of medicine and stones are because of their thin fortune, unable to overcome difficulties. Sometimes, they need to rely on the good fortune of others to recover."

In those years, they all envied her for having such a sister.

Hong Ge smiled mischievously, "It’s alright, I have my fifth sister to help me, so I’m not afraid of anything"

Mugunghwa observed Miss Ba saying this, and could only hold the prayer beads in her hand

Ronghua shook her head, and Muxin knew that she could no longer persuade her

Ronghua followed Mama Chen's gaze and smiled slightly, "When I was young, I injured my leg; my leg is most sensitive to the cold. This is used to treat my injured leg," she said, turning the item over to reveal the lining inside. "When the time comes to use it, put the hot fine charcoal ash into this bag while it's still warm, and then apply it to the leg."

Ronghua's fingers caressed the cloud patterns on the tea bowl

Ronghua was somewhat surprised, "Is Jinxiu's illness still not better?"

The ledger lists the items in this house and her monthly allowance.

She cannot stand by and watch the mistress manipulate everything

Chun Yao accompanied Mother Chen to the door and sighed, "It must be that Second Master didn't study well again and has been punished."

Ronghua Dao: "Indeed, I initially only heard that charcoal ash is effective. Later, I thought of this method. The lining cannot be too thick or too thin, and it is better to add some fragrant ash of mugwort along with medicinal ointment inside."

In the past, she often helped Hong Ge with his studies. Every time they finished the assignments given by the teacher, she wanted to help him review more, but he refused. She pretended to scare him, saying, "When father checks your homework, if you can't pass, you will be punished."

Whenever the servants in the manor encounter difficulties, they always seek out the second young lady. The second young lady is the most influential speaker in the presence of the eldest madam

But who should be sought to recite the scriptures

The Lord's residence is not an ordinary place; although one may enter as a concubine, giving birth to an heir will certainly lead to the eldest daughter adopting the child as her legitimate son, who will eventually become the heir to the title.

For a moment, the room was very quiet

Ronghua picked up the needle and thread to begin her embroidery, while Muxin stood by to assist her. Ronghua worked meticulously, and Chun Yao did not dare to interrupt, so he went to the outer room.

Ronghua was still bowing her head to embroider.

After saying this, Mama Chen, with her keen eyes, noticed a rare item beside Ronghua, which was beautifully embroidered. She couldn't help but ask, "What is that object on the Eighth Miss's table"

Ronghua recalled Zhao Xuanhuan's attitude towards the young lady, or perhaps the fourth concubine had sensed some signs

It is indeed as she thought

Seeing is believing, and Jin Xiu would not easily trust. If she were to be taken out of the residence like this, her family might not be able to afford her treatment again, and the conditions outside would ultimately be inferior to those within the residence. Rong Hua furrowed her brows; she could not cause a death right after entering the residence.

Chun Yao shook her head. She and Jin Xiu were both in the main lady's room. Although they were not particularly close on ordinary days, she knew that Jin Xiu was a good girl, kind-hearted and sincere. Now, seeing her in this situation, she couldn't help but feel a deep sadness in her heart

Ronghua handed the prayer beads to Chun Yao, saying, "If this method is feasible, then take my string of prayer beads. This illness of Jinxiu is always related to me, and it weighs on my mind."

Previously, the mistress instructed Chun Yao to pay more attention to the Eighth Miss. Chun Yao did not dare to be negligent. A few times, he secretly lifted the curtain to observe the Eighth Miss, only to see her diligently embroidering, with nothing else going on. He then left the room and went outside.

Mugun quietly stepped out of the inner chamber, and through a door panel, she could hear the conversation between Chun Yao clearly.

Furthermore, the second young lady, whose health is poor, rarely comes out. Everyone in the residence holds her in high regard. Every year on the anniversary of the fifth young lady's death, she always instructs her maid to burn some paper money. Although the matriarch is averse to this practice, "Mugua smiles, "But who can blame her? After all, she is the second young lady, the matriarch's beloved child.

Ronghua raised her head and asked, "What happened?"

Ronghua reminisces about the past, and then reflects on the present

Mugun then said: "It's no wonder, Jinxiu is usually quite timid. Everyone says she must have been dazzled, but she just doesn't believe it."

Ronghua nodded slightly, "I understand everything now"

Ronghua raised her head slightly with a smile, not taking the keys from Chun Yao's hand, but instead handing over the account book she held to Chun Yao. "I am new here and do not understand the rules of the residence. With you by my side, I feel somewhat at ease. This matter still requires your management; you will have to remind me when it is needed."

Mugunghwa was startled, "Miss, you must not act recklessly. Jin Xiu belongs to the main wife’s quarters, and you have no authority over her. Moreover, you have just entered the residence, and the main wife is paying close attention to your every move"

Even so, the premise is that the young lady truly cannot give birth to a boy, which is quite risky. Moreover, Yan Hua has always been a proud and ambitious person; how could she be willing to settle for being a concubine? There must be some other reason that makes Yan Hua willing to fight with all her might.

The young ladies in the mansion always find ways to keep power in their own hands... After all, money is a good means to win people's hearts, yet the Eighth Miss entrusted these things to her for safekeeping. Everyone knows she was sent by the First Madam, but the Eighth Miss seems to have no guard against her at all

From top to bottom in the residence, who does not wish to win over the legitimate young lady? Now that the eldest young lady is married, only the second young lady remains in the residence. If we can have the second young lady on our side, there will surely be a good future for her.

There is no longer any way to address the situation; everyone who could persuade her has already done so. Even if you were to say something, she would not be able to listen. If the young lady is concerned about her, it would be better to wait until she is carried out of the residence, and then find a way to send more silver to her family, in order to hire a better doctor for her treatment.

Mugun nodded, "I also heard this from the elders. First, you need to find a string of prayer beads, let a blessed person hold them and recite the scriptures, then place them beside the patient, allowing the patient to absorb the blessings. If they can recover, that would be wonderful."