Chapter 190 : Wicked Trick (9)

While the situation in the State Residence was like chickens flying and dog jumping, Yuxi was calmly reading her book. After some time, she relaxed her stiff muscles and went out for her lunch.

After lunch, she paced around in her room to help with digestion. After walking for nearly a quarter of an hour, she climbed into bed and went to sleep. Her calmness made the maids around her feel that she didn’t even care one bit about the incident of Qiu Yanfu climbing onto Second Master’s bed.

An afternoon nap should be for two-quarters of an hour or half an hour in modern times. This time was set by Momo Quan. Hence, Yuxi carried it out unswervingly.

It had become Yuxi’s habit to wake up on her own without being called. She wouldn’t laze around in bed too. When she awoke, she would immediately get out of bed.

As Yuxi rinsed her mouth and washed her face, Zisu informed her, “Miss, Qiu Yanfu committed suicide. When the Second Master got the news, he ran over there and saved her.”

Yuxi rinsed her mouth and took a towel to dry her face. After washing her face, she walked over to the dressing table and patted some moisturiser on her face. It was too dry in winter, and this aloe vera moisturiser water that Heshou had come up with was pretty good.

Yuxi gathered herself up then said with a smile, “Did Er Ge immediately go to Grandmother and Eldest Aunt and say that he wanted to take Qiu Yanfu as his concubine after saving her? Well, let me make another guess. Er Ge must have also said that he, as a man, couldn’t be an irresponsible person.”

Zisu sighed in amazement. “Miss, if I didn’t know you had been in the courtyard all this time, I would have wondered if someone had told you in advance. That’s exactly what the Second Master had told the Old Lady and the First Lady. He said that he was the one who had ruined Qiu Yanfu’s innocence, and even though he could not take her as his wife, he would at least take her as his concubine.”

Yuxi shook her head helplessly. How could she be able to predict the future? These were all things that had happened in her previous life. At that time, the difference was that Er Ge said he had ruined Qiu Yanfu’s innocence, so he had to marry her. In this life, since he had a fiancée, he could only take Qiu Yanfu as his concubine.

Zisu whispered, “The First Lady is furious, and the Old Lady has scolded the Second Master for it. But the Second Master was stubborn as he continued to kneel, saying that if the Old Lady and the First Lady disagreed, he wouldn’t get up. And he also said he couldn’t be such a person who had no emotion or sense of justice.”

This incident had repeated, and Yuxi still could not help but shake her head as she said, “Eldest Aunt must still be angry.” The Old Lady had a higher sense of self-restraint and would only sulk at most, but her Eldest Aunt was impatient and had always doted on Er Ge, so she would surely faint from anger when she heard this.

Zisu nodded, “Yes! The First Lady was so angry that she has fainted. By now, a servant has been sent to fetch a physician. While the Second Master is still kneeling in the Master Courtyard!”

Yuxi let out a long sigh and said, “To kneel in the courtyard on this cold day, even those who have bodies made of iron will freeze to death! Bring that long pelt outercoat of mine over. I’ll go and have a look.” No matter how bad the situation was, they must solve it in the end. But if one broke one’s body because of it, it wouldn’t be worthwhile.

Zisu was relieved. It was good that her Miss was willing to step in. Zisu had an inexplicable trust in Yuxi. It seemed that whatever her Miss was willing to do, there must be no problem.

When Yuxi reached the Master Courtyard, she saw Han Jianye, who was kneeling straight. He was wearing a large fur coat and thick leather trousers underneath, with a leather hat on his head, and was kneeling there fully armed. Yuxi glanced at his face that didn’t even turn white. Without saying anything to him, she went straight into the house.

Han Jianye was depressed. He thought Yuxi would comfort him, but he didn’t expect that Yuxi didn’t even look at him. Was his action that bad?

As Yuxi walked into the room, she saw Qiu Shi lying on the bed, looking very ugly.

When Qiu Shi noticed Yuxi, she urged, “You, this girl, what are you doing here? Hurry back.” This matter was too humiliating, and as Yuxi was still young, she did not want her to interfere.

Yuxi sat on the edge of the bed and asked with a smile, “Eldest Aunt must not have any lunch yet, right?” With what had happened today, it would be strange for Qiu Shi to have any appetite!

Qiu Shi shook her head and replied, “I don’t feel like eating.” From this morning until now, she had no appetite at all. She was so full of anger that she did not have any mood to eat.

Yuxi said with a smile, “If you don’t eat, you will be starving, and if Imperial Censor finds out about this, he will directly censure Er Ge for disobedience and unfilial piety. Eldest Aunt should know what will happen if he is indeed charged, right?” Once the Imperial Censor brought these kinds of charges against you, you would not be able to continue to be an officer.

Qiu Shi was startled, but when she looked at Yuxi’s smiling face, she scolded with a laugh, “This is not the time for you still in the mood to joke with your aunt.”

Yuxi winked at Mama Li, hinting that she should ask someone to bring in the food. Mama Li was not stupid. Seeing Yuxi act like this, how could she not understand? She immediately went down to make the preparations. No amount of persuasion on her part could persuade her Master, unlike Fourth Miss’s clever words.

After Mama Li left, Yuxi smiled and squeezed Qiu Shi’s quilt. “Eldest Aunt, isn’t it just Qiu Yanfu climbing into his bed? It’s not even a big deal, so why do you need to be so angry? Er Ge wants to take Qiu Yanfu as his concubine, then just let him.”

Qiu Shi anxiously said as she saw how Yuxi treat the matter like the clouds were pale and a light breeze was blowing, “Do you know how big an argument will we have with the Lu family if they find out about this?”

Yuxi answered with a smile, “Let Dage take Er Ge to the Lu family to explain the situation properly. Then, promise them that they will not take Qiu Yanfu back to the residence until Lu Xiu has given birth to her firstborn son. I think the Lu family will have no objection to this suggestion. After all, Er Ge is also a victim in this matter.”

Qiu Shi felt that Yuxi was taking this matter too simply. “Qiu Yanfu is not a maid. If she were to become a concubine for your Er Ge, she would at least be titled a noble concubine. Where would the Lu family agree to that? He has received so many favours from the Lu family. I feel sorry for them if she truly becomes his noble concubine.”

Yuxi shook her head. “Eldest Aunt, she will be a noble concubine who only serves as a decoration. The Lu family won’t mind.”

Qiu Shi said hesitantly, “Qiu Yanfu’s tricks are so high that now she can even encourage your Er Ge to mess up with me. If he takes her as a concubine, when she cries and makes a fuss, your Er Ge will be soft-hearted, so how can he still treat her as a decoration? With this woman in the house, I am worried that it will affect their husband and wife relationship in the future.”

Yuxi smiled and pointed out, “In order not to affect Er Ge’s career, he is bound to take Qiu Yanfu as his concubine.”

Qiu Shi asked, “Yuxi, your Father said he would send Qiu Yanfu back to her hometown. What do you think of this?”

Yuxi answered with a smile, “It’s not good. The consequences are too great. When the time comes, someone will attack Er Ge over this matter, and it will be a hindrance to Er Ge’s future.”

Qiu Shi was very hesitant. On the one hand, was her son’s future, and on the other was his lifelong happiness. It was a difficult choice for her to make.

Seeing Qiu Shi’s hesitant look, Yuxi said with a smile, “Eldest Aunt, if you trust me, let me handle this matter. Well, even if Eldest Aunt doesn’t trust me, doesn’t Eldest Aunt still trust Dage? With me working with Dage to persuade Er Ge, there will be no problem.”

Qiu Shi still had confidence in her eldest son. “Then it’s done. Leave this matter to your Dage, and you should not interfere. You just tell your Dage your method in private. Otherwise, your Father will be angry with you again.”

Yuxi arched her eyebrows and said with a smile, “Alright!”

Handled food box made of Chinese rosewood, Qing Dynasty

Image Credit| The real image owner (“Bento boxes” in ancient China, April 14, 2021)

At this time, Mama Li came in with a food box. When she opened the box, a fragrance came to Yuxi’s nose. Yuxi rubbed her stomach and suggested with a smile, “Smelling that fragrance makes me a little hungry. Why don’t I accompany Eldest Aunt eating?”

Qiu Shi disagreed. “No. If you eat with me now, you won’t be able to eat much at night. You still have to eat three meals regularly; it’s only good for your body.”

With Yuxi teasing her, Qiu Shi at least ate a bowl of rice and most of the dishes. This portion was about right.

Yuxi waited for Qiu Shi to finish her meal and stood up with a smile, “Eldest Aunt, let Er Ge go back first! It’s a cold day. It will still be Eldest Aunt who will end up being heartbroken if he freezes.”

Naturally, Qiu Shi was distressed. If she hadn’t been so angry, she wouldn’t have wanted her son to suffer like this. “I’ll go and call him in right now.”

Yuxi shook her head and suggested, “Eldest Aunt, you don’t need to go out. Let me speak to him.” Seeing Qiu Shi’s eyes looking at her, Yuxi explained, “If Eldest Aunt doesn’t go out, it will be much easier to convince Er Ge when he knows you’re still angry with him.”

Qiu Shi nodded and said, “Alright, then do as you say.” After saying that, she hurriedly added, “When he returns, tell your Er Ge to immediately drink ginger soup and take a hot bath so that he can get rid of the cold from his body.”

Yuxi answered with a smile, “Don’t worry, Eldest Aunt, I will tell Er Ge.”

Qiu Shi watched as Yuxi walked out and went to the window herself, watching with bated breath. Nothing was as touching as parents’ love towards their child.

Walking out of the house, Yuxi came up to Han Jianye and looked at him. “Eldest Aunt has agreed to let you take Qiu Yanfu as your concubine, so get up!”

Han Jianye felt humiliated. It was fine if anyone else told him that, but when it came out from Yuxi’s mouth, he felt particularly humiliated for some reason.

When Yuxi saw that Han Jianye still did not get up, she laughed lightly and said, “You don’t believe me? If you don’t, then I’ll ask Mama Li to come out and tell you.”

Han Jianye lowered his head and asked softly, “How is Mother? Is she alright?”

Yuxi looked at Han Jianye’s appearance and could only sigh in his heart. That was why people said it was easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one’s character. She had made so many efforts, but she still couldn’t adjust Han Jianye’s temperament. She only hoped that through this incident, he could get a profound lesson. “I had advised her for a long time, and I could at least get Eldest Aunt to eat even for a bit. She’s currently lying on the bed, resting. Don’t go in and annoy her anymore. When Eldest Aunt’s anger subsides, come and apologise to her.”

Han Jianye quickly nodded and said, “Okay, thank you, Si Mei.”

Yuxi actually disdained Han Jianye’s thanks. “Just now, when I went out, Eldest Aunt specially told me to remind you to drink ginger soup and take a hot bath when you return to your yard. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold and have a fever. Remember to do as Eldest Aunt said as soon as you arrive at your yard.”

Han Jianye’s head immediately lowered. “It’s because I’m unfilial.” He had made his mother angry like that, and she was still worried about his health. At this time, guilt and regret filled his heart.

Yuxi stepped forward and helped Han Jianye up. “Your body is as cold as ice. Er Ge, you should hurry back and take a hot bath.”

Han Jianye whispered, “Okay.” After kneeling for half an hour, his legs were numb, and his body was chilly, so he had to take a hot bath immediately. He was going to get married soon. So he couldn’t fall ill. It would be inauspicious if he did.

Yuxi nodded a little and inquired, “Er Ge, are you going to find Dage later?” Seeing Han Jianye nod, Yuxi said, “Then, have someone give me a message, and I’ll go over there too.”

Han Jianye’s complexion changed. “What are you going to do over there? You should not interfere in this matter.” Although Yuxi was intelligent, she was, in the end, an unmarried young lady, so how could she get involved in such a matter.

Yuxi smiled a little, “I have something I want to talk to you and Dage about.”

Han Jianye said with a stern face, “No, we’ll talk about it later. You are not allowed to interfere in this.” If Yuxi was allowed to interfere, what would it look like if words got out?

When Han Jianye heard no response from Yuxi, he decided not to call her when he went to his Dage’s place later.