Chapter 6: Strange Events Unfold

Zhang was somewhat angry and reprimanded his daughter-in-law: "How did you teach the child? Usually, everything seems fine, but at this critical moment, they are causing trouble!" He then asked, "Where is the wet nurse? Why is she not here at this time?"

However, that matter is of little significance; the spring grass before us is the real issue

Before long, the person sent by Zhao Zhuo returned to report: "I went to the Rejuvenation Hall to request a doctor to go to the Chen family, but the Chen family said that Uncle Chen did not fall and will still be on duty tomorrow"

Hong Ling whispered: "But the madam is probably hoping that the old lady and the second master and second madam will move out of the Hou residence soon, so how could there be any division of the family?"

Jiang slowly stood up: "Enough, this matter still needs to be resolved through the madam. As long as they do not separate, there will always be opportunities to act in the future"

Zhao Jing looked at the three of them, mother and child, speechless as they tried to excuse Jiang's strange behavior. Then she glanced at Chun Cao, who stood nearby with a pale face, and felt deep sympathy in her heart. It seemed that Jiang had already learned the truth from the maid and wet nurse afterward. It was likely that Ze Ge'er was indeed not clean, so in order to protect her son, she first silenced Hong Ge'er's wet nurse, and then spread rumors in the residence that the Duke was reluctant to part with his descendants and wanted to take one along for companionship, suppressing everyone's suspicions. Now, she had set her sights on Chun Cao. If their family were to split and move out, taking Chun Cao with them, as a woman in the inner courtyard, still under the control of her mother-in-law, it would naturally be inconvenient for her to silence anyone. It was still uncertain what tricks might be played.

Zhao Zhuo was somewhat unconvinced: "Is it really that serious for the daughter-in-law? This time, it was indeed the elder brother and sister-in-law who went too far; even the younger generation felt it was inappropriate."

The spring grass has turned red in the face, and there is a hint of uncertainty in her heart. Could it be that on that day when I was talking to my sister-in-law, the little girl who was playing nearby actually understood? Is it possible for a child who is only one year old to be so clever?

She began to choke back tears: "This is truly inappropriate; I feel embarrassed just listening to it. For families like ours, no matter how great the grievances, they cannot surpass the word 'courtesy.' However, as a junior, it is indeed difficult for me to say anything. I hope the old lady will not blame me for not daring to speak a word of justice."

In the east room, Chun Cao and Zhao Jing both let out a sigh of relief, then they both fell silent. Zhao Jing put on a naive and innocent expression again, tugging at the small shoes on her feet with her hands while flashing a toothless smile at others. However, Chun Cao scrutinized her from head to toe, left to right, for quite a while before bursting into laughter, gently patting her head: "Good girl, you are truly a clever child, and you will surely achieve great success in the future! Yes, great success!"

Mi Shi heard the noise and hurriedly ran out of the room: "What happened? Why are you crying so hard for no reason?" Zhao Jing paid no attention and simply clung to Chun Cao's sleeve, as if she had suddenly realized something, treating her little master as a lifeline. She cleverly embraced her and gently patted her a few times, and Zhao Jing cooperatively ceased her crying.

Mi hurriedly stepped forward to embrace her daughter for a check-up. Unexpectedly, as soon as Zhao Jing was released from Chun Cao's embrace, she began to cry again, and this time her cries were even more intense, to the point of gasping for breath. Upon closer inspection, it turned out she had choked on her saliva, and she couldn't stop crying, her little face turning bright red from coughing. Mi felt heartbroken for her daughter and quickly called out to Chun Cao: "Hurry and hold her, pat her gently. What on earth is going on? She usually doesn't cling to you like this."

Zhang glared at her granddaughter, then softened her expression: "Let it be so." Zhao Jing did not dare to look at her, burying her head in Chun Cao's embrace and remaining silent.

The matter of the division of the family has naturally been settled, with the Duke of Jiannan and his wife taking charge. They only informed their son and did not think it necessary to notify their daughter-in-law, especially since she was in her own courtyard taking care of their sick son. Just as the child had shown signs of improvement and the lockdown of the courtyard could be resolved, she heard about the division of the family and hurried over without even having a moment to catch her breath

As soon as she left, Zhao Zhuo walked out from the west room, and Mi also returned to her mother-in-law's side with her daughter, looking puzzled: "Strange, although she usually behaves quite considerately, she has always been one to keep her distance and never intervenes in the disputes between our two families. Why is she so righteous and outspoken today?"

Regardless of the reason why Zhao Jing suddenly became so clingy to her, at this moment, in order to save her own life, Chun Cao could not afford to think too much. She held the young master and began to gently pat her back. Zhao Jing was usually raised by her grandmother, Madam Zhang, and Chun Cao was a capable maidservant of Madam Zhang, naturally possessing ample experience in taking care of children. The series of actions she performed was so skillful that it left no room for criticism. Zhao Jing's condition gradually improved, but she continued to tightly grasp Chun Cao's clothes, unwilling to let go.

Zhang nodded with a smile and said, "Rest assured, if there is anything you need help with, do not hesitate to speak up"

At this moment, Jiang was sitting in her room with a serious expression on her face. Hong Ling stood in front of her, feeling somewhat uneasy: "Grandmother?"

Mi smiled, and Niu's petty and discourteous demeanor truly resembled that of a nouveau riche. His family was originally a rebel from the previous dynasty, defeated by the Qing army. If it weren't for the considerable number of remnants, and the founding emperor's desire for the greater good, they would have been pacified, where would the Niu family have found a way to survive? Since they did not originate from a legitimate background, their actions lack reason, which is not surprising. The Jiang family certainly does not act as recklessly as she does.

The Zhang family was greatly puzzled, just as Sister Pearl returned. It turned out she had been forcibly taken by someone from the Jiang family to talk, which caused her to stumble. Mi instructed someone to go to the back door to inquire about the situation, but the answer received was that Mama Du had taken leave today and had gone home early, with no one knowing whether she had ever entered the inner courtyard to deliver a message.

Jiang cast a furtive glance at Chun Cao, her heart filled with anxiety. She understood that given the temperament of the matriarch, Madam Zhang, since she did not intend to continue entangling in the matter of the division of the family, it was likely that she would move out in the coming days. Naturally, those who served her would also have to leave. Whether any unfavorable rumors would emerge afterward was beyond her control. However, fortunately, seeing that Madam Zhang's expression was normal, it was evident that she was still unaware of any news.

Jiang looked at her, revealing a deeply sinister smile

Zhang frowned: "Elder sister, do not make a fuss. Chun Cao's father is ill and is anxiously waiting for her to return to visit him"

At that moment, someone else arrived, a maid named Hong Ling, who had just been brought by Jiang. She smiled and greeted Zhang and the others, saying, "Our lady just dropped a handkerchief in this room." Mi glanced over and indeed saw a handkerchief on the chair where Jiang had just been sitting, so she allowed her to take it back.

Jiang agreed, took another glance at Chun Cao, and then rose to take her leave. She needed to persuade her mother-in-law, Mrs. Niu, and before resolving the matter with Chun Cao, she could not allow the Zhang mother and son to leave the Hou residence.

Zhang did not suspect anything: "This is no small matter, Chun Cao, go home and take a look. If it is good, then fine; if it is not good, send someone in to deliver a message." He also instructed his daughter-in-law, Mi: "Reward her with ten taels of silver, so she can ask her father to find a doctor and get medicine." Mi agreed, handed her daughter to her husband to hold, and went into the house to get the silver.

Zhang had seen enough of the harsh faces of stepchildren, and today, after hearing the words of this inexpensive granddaughter-in-law, he felt much better in his heart, and his expression softened: "Well, you have your difficulties too, how can I blame you? Just go on living your life well, from now on, the one in charge of this household will be the new marquis. He is a filial son to his biological mother, and who knows what kind of jokes will arise, you will have plenty to endure.

The spring grass had long lost its color, and for this reason, whether true or false, she could not refuse. At this moment, she only regretted not having informed the Zhang family of the truth earlier; otherwise, the mistress would have at least shielded her a little.

Mi did not dare to argue and merely said: "What was just here, I fear, must have received news and gone home." Zhao Jing's wet nurse, Lady Chen, known as Sister Pearl, was originally the sister-in-law of Chun Cao.

Mi expressed her displeasure, saying: "This is most likely that Du's mother wanting to wander into the inner courtyard, but was caught by the maid beside her daughter-in-law, who then hastily concocted a reason to cover it up. Cursing someone's father to be critically ill is rather lacking in virtue." One can imagine that if it were not the maid of the Jiang family who encountered this matter, but rather someone from the Niu family's courtyard, it would probably have escalated into a commotion regarding Chun Cao being the mother-in-law's maid.

Chun Cao quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but Hong Ling's expression turned unpleasant, and her smile became somewhat stiff. However, since Zhang had given the order, Zhao Zhuo took the notice and sent someone to invite the doctor. As a mere "messenger," she could only temporarily withdraw and return to discuss countermeasures with the mistress.

The Jiang family once again played the part of the pitiful: "As younger generations, what can we do besides respecting and following the wishes of our elders? I believe that the old lady is not unreasonable; after all, our elder brother is also her flesh and blood." Then she smiled and asked, "When does the old lady plan to move? Moving is not a trivial matter; it requires manpower. Since the lady is busy, she might not be able to manage it, but the daughter-in-law can lend a hand."

Zhao Jing hesitated for a moment, then suddenly reached out to grasp Chun Cao, exclaiming "Ah, ah". Zhao Zhuo, puzzled, asked, "What is happening?" He took a step towards Chun Cao, and with that single step, Zhao Jing seized Chun Cao's sleeve and would not let go.

Zhang advised his daughter-in-law: "Regardless of whether she has other intentions, since she has come to comfort you, do not jump to unfounded suspicions about her. Perhaps she truly means well? She is the daughter of a respectable official family, and cannot be compared to the ostentatious manner of your sister-in-law's family, who are newly wealthy."

Zhang furrowed his brows, always feeling that something was amiss

Chun Cao trembled as she knelt down to bow her head in gratitude to Zhang, and when she got up, her face was pale and gray. Everyone noticed something was amiss, but they only thought she was worried about her mother. Thus, Zhang comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid, your father isn't that old; perhaps he just fell hard and will wake up soon." The expression on Chun Cao's face was on the verge of tears.

Zhao Zhuo hurriedly mediated: "Instead of letting mother remain angry, why don't we use our post to invite the doctor from the Rejuvenation Hall to visit Chun Cao's home? Once things are settled here with elder sister, it won't be too late to send Chun Cao back."

Hong Ling smiled and said: "To inform the old lady and the second madam, I encountered Mama Du, who is on duty at the back door, as I was returning. She was about to come in to deliver a message to Sister Chun Cao, saying that someone from her family had arrived, reporting that her father had suddenly fallen and was unconscious. The doctor said the situation was not good and advised her to hurry home to check on him. I thought that since Mama Du is from the back door, she should not enter the inner courtyard, and as she was delivering a message for the old lady's sister, if someone were to see her, it could cause quite a stir. So, I volunteered to deliver the message for her."

Jiang felt even more depressed, and was this not also her own thought? However, now that Aunt Qian had fallen ill due to the rumors, it seemed that for the time being, she would not be able to cause any trouble. Once she recovered, if more rumors were spread, she would likely behave herself.

Zhao Jing suddenly began to make a loud commotion and even cried; after all, she is still a child, and it is common for children to cry and make noise

Zhao Zhuo sneered: "In the past, when my mother was in charge, did such troubles ever occur? What else can this Madam of the Jian Nan Marquis do besides quarreling and competing for trivial matters?"