Chapter 135: A Match Made in Heaven (Part 1)

  Ronghua glanced at Gao Jinrui behind the screen and said, "It's not that we want all of you to go, just need to choose a suitable person to come out."

  Gao Jinrui hastily said: "My family used to have a farm, but it went bankrupt later and I was sold into the mansion. Although I was young at that time and shouldn't understand those things, for some reason, I took a liking to farming. People usually say I'm useless, but when it comes to farming, I have some understanding. In my free time, I like to buy seeds to study them. Also, in the past, I helped out on the farm, so although I don't know everything, I do know a thing or two. If madam lets me go, without mentioning other things, I will definitely be diligent in my work."

  Rong Hua heard this and asked Gao Jinrui, "Once we arrive at the Zhuangzi, they are all old ladies who often serve, I'm afraid there won't be a position for you."

  Gao Jinrui said: "I am clear about what is small, I dare not ask for anything else."

  Rong Hua nodded, "After all, the Zhuangzi is not as good as the mansion, so don't bring your daughter, let her stay here, and I'll have Chunyao arrange a task for her tomorrow."

  Gao Jinrui was overjoyed when he heard this and hastily thanked Rong Hua before leaving his house.

  Gao Jinrui returned to the temporary residence, Gao Jinrui's father was lying on the kang, not eating or drinking. Seeing the triumphant smile on Gao Jinrui's face, he couldn't help but sneer: "You must have gotten some good news, what are you so pleased about?"

  Gao Jinrui also sank his face, "We just arrived, what good or bad things can we get? If we don't really do something in front of the young mistress, how can we have the face to manage anything? At this moment, if you can find the eldest lady and bring her back to the Tao family, I will still listen to you as before for everything. If not, then you should listen to me. Besides, what's wrong with going to the Zhuangzi? If we really help the young mistress do something good, are we afraid that she won't reuse us in the future?"

  "Where did you hear that, Gao Jinrui?" she said, picking up the broom from the kang and tossing it at him. "You're lucky to have thought of it, but if it's really good, why didn't anyone else go for it before you?" She glanced over at the neighboring house.

  Gao Jinrui said: "Then what about you? Are you really not going?"

  Gao Jinrui's family remembered the expression on Ronghua's face that day.

  "I met Mrs. Young today, don't think she's young in years... haven't you suffered a loss from her yet?"

  Gao Jinrui's heart gradually cooled down.

  "You've heard it before, when something happens at home, we have to rely on the young mistress. Think about it carefully, in the mansion you can serve the elder mistress well, how come over here and be left aside by the young mistress? Do you consider the young mistress as your master?" After a pause, she continued: "The young mistress said that our daughter should stay and work in the mansion."

  Gao Jinrui's family was suddenly filled with mixed emotions, "What's so good about that? What if we can't do well on the estate, who knows how we'll be treated. And besides...if I go to the estate, what will happen to me in the future when I need to speak to the mistress?"

  Gao Jinrui said: "Isn't it better this way? We are not in the government, and we don't know what's going on inside. Whether good or bad, nothing can be pinned on us."

  Gao Jinrui's family heard these comforting words for a moment, and suddenly remembered the prosperity in the government office before, and his heart was also unknown what kind of taste.

  ……

  Rong Hua had some tea, and Mu Jin came back from outside and said: "Gao Jinyu seems to be really willing to go to the Zhuangzi, but his family is not happy about it..."

  Rong Hua nodded, and at their first meeting, she had already formed an initial impression of this seemingly introverted and honest man. Although he was looking down and not speaking, he showed great respect and solemnity.

  Sometimes lowering one's head doesn't necessarily mean being servile, showing weakness makes others unable to see through oneself, but can carefully observe others. When acknowledging the master, the only smile in his eyes is this honest person, it can be seen that he is truly willing to leave the Tao Manor.

  Rong Hua had Mu Ge go back to gather information, and found out that Gao Jinrui was not being utilized at the Tao Manor, and everything had to be done according to the wishes of the Gao family. On the other hand, he got along well with several attendants on the Zhuangzi estate.

  As expected, Gao Jinrui came to find her after a slight hint.

  Everyone in the Zhuangzi is from the Xue family, and Gao Jinrui's family has become her natal family's accompanying house. This way, it's also good to let Madame Gao know that since she became a concubine, there can only be one master, otherwise relying on others would make it difficult for her to stand firm in the Xue family.

  As long as Gao Jinrui has something to do with the Zhuangzi, she will not willingly submit to the Gao family again, and naturally, she will take charge of the Gao family for her.

  Deng Gaorong and his family went to Zhuangzi, and Feng Lichang's family would also have changes in their hearts.

  Rong Hua smiled slightly.

  Ronghua was speaking when Chunyao came in and said, "Mother Chen has arrived."

  Ronghua's eyes sparkled, and anyone who encountered such a thing would be frightened in their heart. She just didn't expect Chen Mama to be so unable to hold back.

  Ronghua said: "Quickly let Chen's mother come in."

  Ya Tou led Chen Mama through the corridor and into Rong Hua's small courtyard.

  Madam Chen raised her head to look, and saw several young maids standing outside changing the summer curtains. The beautiful lotus flower pattern was refreshing and elegant, and the material used was extraordinary. Whether it was satin or embroidery thread, they were not something that ordinary families could use.

  Madam Chen couldn't help but take another couple of glances.

  The little maid who was changing the curtains hurried down from the stool and gave way to Chen's mother.

  "Wait, wait, girls first," said Chen's mother with a smile. She looked up and saw that these two were the young maids brought by Ronghua from the Tao family, wearing newly made summer shirts, each one was exceptionally pretty.

  Mrs. Chen entered the house, where Ronghua was talking with Chunyao and Jinxia, while Hongyu and Hongying were working on something nearby.

  Madam Chen hurried forward and greeted Ronghua with a bow, calling out in a proper manner, "Young Madam."

  She was originally a member of the Chen family, but she called her Young Madam, it can be seen that Chen Mama came for what purpose.

  Rong Hua had someone serve tea, and Chen Mama didn't dare be presumptuous, so she only sat on the embroidered stool.

  "What's going on at home?" Rong Hua asked.

  Madam Chen smiled and said: "No, I just remembered that the young mistress used to eat this pickled dish, so I specially sent some over. I thought maybe the young mistress still likes this flavor."

  Ronghua smiled, "The last time I had it at home, it tasted just the same."

  Two people were talking here, Chunyao and Jinxia led Hongying and Hongyu down.

  Madam Chen lowered her voice and said: "The mistress asked me to bring Langzhong back to the mansion, just saying that we will go to the Temple of Bliss tomorrow."

  Rong Hua nodded, "Yesterday, both Father and Mother spoke with me." But she refused to continue speaking.

  Madam Chen suddenly became anxious, "Young Mistress, look at this matter... I've never been to the government office before, and I don't know how to ask questions, thinking about it makes me feel strange..."

  Rong Hua raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, "Just tell the truth, it's just a misunderstanding, once explained, it will be fine." His tone was very relaxed, "Shun Tian Fu often handles such cases, as long as you speak the truth, it will be clear what is true or false, Chen Mama doesn't need to worry too much."

  Mrs. Chen nodded, but her expression turned strange, and she smiled awkwardly, "The young lady is right, I was overthinking." She said a few more words, and it was inevitable that her mind was elsewhere, "I heard that the second master is coming to this side to study."

  Ronghua said: "The government has invited Western teachers."

  Madam Chen said: "The old master's intention is for my grandson to be a study companion."

  Rong Hua smiled and said, "That's a good thing, listening will naturally bring some benefits."

  "Please trouble you, young mistress, to take good care of me from now on."

  Ronghua politely said: "Aunt Chen, what are you talking about?"

  Chen Gui's family sat for a while and then left. When they came, they were preoccupied with worries, and when they left, their hearts felt even heavier, as if carrying a heavy stone. Eighth Granny was younger and not as composed as Old Master or Eldest Mistress, so she didn't show her feelings on her face. After talking to Eighth Granny for a while, she had already keenly sensed that Eighth Granny's attitude towards her was somewhat different from before.

  The look of the eighth lady was not because she married into the Xue family and became proud after being conferred a noble title, but rather since her conversation with Master yesterday, her eyes seemed different.

  She always felt that this matter was not so simple, letting her go to the Shuntian Prefecture government office as a witness, but suddenly bringing her grandson to the government office to be a study companion for the second master. The old lady knew that she cared most about this grandson in her heart. She had to think ahead, what if the Shuntian Prefecture side didn't let go, and the government office insisted on pinning the crime on someone, would they frame her? After all, there were not many people who could be completely controlled by the old lady.

  Chen Mama left, Chun Yao went into the inner room and asked Rong Hua to buy a book and take it over, saying: "The next house has been cleaned up."

  Rong Hua nodded and let Chun Yao sit down.

  Chun Yao said, "The young mistress has been away from home for several days. I have already asked about some things and made them clear."

  "The fifth young lady is not fond of speaking and only gets along with the sixth young lady. The family also hired a female teacher for the young ladies, but did not allow the fifth young lady to attend school. There are all sorts of rumors in the household, saying that the fifth young lady was born at an unlucky time and suffered some damage."

  Ronghua was taken aback, "Is this really happening?" But in her opinion, Xue Yishuang was just timid and didn't like to interact with people. Last time when she mentioned reading books with Xue Yishuang, he was still enthusiastic, where did it seem like there was another problem? On the contrary, Mrs. Xue looked worried.

  It's probably Mrs. Xue worrying that Xue Yishuang won't adapt well to studying with the young ladies in the mansion.

  Chun Yao looked outside, her voice even lower, "And also, someone said that when the lady gave birth to the fifth miss, apart from the fetal position being incorrect, it was also because the lady didn't want to give birth and refused to let the midwife approach. This delay almost resulted in both the mother and daughter... It wasn't until old lady repeatedly comforted her that the lady finally gave birth to the fifth miss."

  What was the reason for Mrs. Xue's two lives?

  Ronghua couldn't help but think of the sudden death of Xue Chongli, Duke of Anguo. There must be something that could link everything together.

  Ronghua was just thinking when Jinxiu came in and said, "There's a guest at home, looking for the second madam. I heard she's the wife of a supervisor from the sixth department of the Imperial Censorate."

  Many ladies usually come to visit Mrs. Xue, but this time it's so grand and publicized that everyone in the courtyard knows about it already.

  Rong Hua thought for a moment, then called Hong Yu over. "Take out the cloak I made for Old Madam and I'll deliver it later," she instructed Chun Yao, "and tell the small kitchen not to prepare lunch for me today." It seemed she was going to eat at Old Madam's place. After finishing her instructions, Rong Hua walked out of the inner room and looked up at the sky outside.

  Yesterday was still fine weather, but today there are many thick clouds in the sky.

  Time flies so fast.

  This month is the busiest, and I still have to take a train tomorrow.