Chapter 247 : Calculations (1)

The ground was covered in thick white frost. Yuxi was only wearing a chang ao with a silver-grey ratty coloured jacket over it.

On the way out, Zisu tried to drape a white fox fur cloak over Yuxi, but Yuxi pushed it away, “No, I’m not cold.” The benefits of daily exercise were obvious now, as she didn’t even have to dress like a ball in the middle of winter. Compared to her previous life, when she had to take medicine every time she caught a cold, she was now so happy with her current health.

When they reached the Main Courtyard, they heard a silvery laugh before they even entered the room. As if Yuxi hadn’t heard it, she just walked in without stopping.

As soon as Wen Shi saw Yuxi, she said with a smile on her face, “It’s really true that when I speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao will surely arrive. I was just talking about the Fourth Miss with the Old Lady, and the Fourth Miss arrived.”

After greeting the Old Lady with a bow, Yuxi responded indifferently, “I wonder what San Shen said about me in front of my Grandmother?” Wen Shi had been in the family for just over a month and could coax the Old Lady so well, one could not help but say that this person had skill. As long as Wen Shi didn’t offend her and Qiu Shi, Yuxi didn’t care how she exploited the situation. If Wen Shi dared to provoke her, Yuxi would not mind letting her know that the Old Lady and the Third Lord were not the only people she should gain favour in the State Residence.

Wen Shi had dealt with all the people in the State Residence during this time. She knew a bit of the people in the Duke’s household. For example, her Dasao, Qiu Shi, was outwardly strong but inwardly weak. As for Ye Shi, Lu Shi and Yuchen, because they were the younger generation, they were all polite to her. The only exception was the Fourth Miss, who was always cold and aloof when she saw her. Just look. When she opened her mouth, she was not even polite with her.

Wen Shi replied with a smile as if she did not hear the coldness in Yuxi’s words, “I had heard that Fourth Miss’s embroidery was outstanding. But today, after seeing the Old Lady’s headband, I was truly amazed. The Fourth Miss’s embroidery skills reputation is not in vain.” The Old Lady’s forehead was made by Yuxi. Yuxi had been embroidering her dowry for over a year, and apart from making two knee pads for Qiu Shi, she hadn’t done any needlework for anyone else. The same with the translator who only posts her translation at xinshou blogspot com.

Before Yuxi could reply, the old woman servant outside announced, “Old Lady, the Third Miss and the Fifth Miss are here.” After leaving the mourning period, Yurong had gone to Tingyun Pavilion to study the art of the qin, calligraphy and qi with Yuchen. This year Yurong was different from Yurong four years ago. Nowadays, Yurong had been learning with a calm mind.

As soon as the Old Lady saw Yuchen, she pulled and asked Yuchen whether she felt hot or cold. This was also the Old Lady’s habit. Not to mention Yuxi, even Yu Rong was already used to it.

When the Old Lady and Yuchen had finished talking, Yuxi requested, “If Grandmother is all right, I will like to go back first.” It was customary for Yuxi to come over on the 15th day of the first lunar month to pay her respects. Every time she did, she would only show her face and leave. As for Wen Shi’s morning and evening visits, that was her own wish, and no one would interfere with it.

When Wen Shi heard these words, she looked at the Old Lady reflexively. She thought the Old Lady would be angry, but the result surprised her.

The Old Lady didn’t care at all. She just said, “Your wedding day is still more than half a year away, so you shouldn’t be too tired. Let Momo Quan take good care of your health condition during this time.”

Yuxi smiled and said, “Okay.” After saying that, she went out.

Wen Shi looked at Yuxi’s departing back with her heart in a million shocks. It was no wonder she was so surprised. Even Qiu Shi was always respectful in front of the Old Lady. But this Fourth Miss’ attitude towards the Old Lady was so casual. What was even more incredible to her was that the Old Lady was not angry at all.

With this question in her mind, Wen Shi returned to Biteng Courtyard and asked Ah Hui, the maid she had brought from her maiden family. “Why do you think the Old Lady is so tolerant of the Fourth Miss? Is there something here that I don’t know about?” So many years had passed since the smallpox incident that everyone had been forbidden to speak about it. Thus, Wen Shi did not inquire about it.

Ah Hui shook her head, “I haven’t heard anyone talk about it. But what happened to the Fourth Miss has nothing to do with us, and Miss’ top priority right now is to hurriedly have a son.” The Lord was so much older than her Miss. If Miss didn’t put in more effort right now, she was worried that Miss wouldn’t even be able to have a son in a few years. Ah Hui had also grown up with Wen Shi since she was a child, so she didn’t have to be too evasive in her words when talking with her.

Wen Shi, of course, also wanted to give birth to a son quickly and gained a foothold, but the problem was that she had just been married for more than a month. Even if she was in a rush, she couldn’t show it.

That evening, Yuxi was reading in her room when she heard Zisu walk in and reported, “Miss, the Duke of State has returned.”

Yuxi let out a cry, “The sun must have risen from the west.” Her uncle, eh, no, her father. This father of hers had always indulged himself in pleasures outside that he even forgot about his home and duty. He never came home for anything, and when something came up, he had to be invited three to four times before he was willing to go back. His sudden return caused others to be surprised by it.

Zisu glanced at Yuxi and whispered, “Miss, the Duke of State didn’t come back alone. He also brought back a pregnant woman.”

The first time Yuxi heard this, her eyes didn’t even waver. Dage’s position was rock solid. Not to mention that their father had brought back a pregnant woman; even if he brought back a son, there was nothing to be worried about.

Zisu was not so optimistic as she said, “Miss, I heard that woman is very enchanting and does not look like a good person. As soon as the Lord Duke returned, he took her to see the First Lady.”

Initially, Yuxi didn’t put the pregnant woman in her eyes. Still, after listening to Zisu’s words, she worried that Qiu Shi would be in an unfavourable situation. She immediately put down her book, stood up and spoke to Zisu, “Let’s go.”

Zisu froze and asked, “Where to?”

Yuxi said with amusement, “Naturally, I’m going to the Master Courtyard. Where else would I go?” As far as her mother’s combat effectiveness was concerned, she couldn’t fight anyone who was a little scheming. So Yuxi better went over there and helped her mother out.

When they reached the Master Courtyard, they heard the sound of sobbing. Yuxi flashed a smile and walked in two to three steps. Once inside, she saw Qiu Shi standing there with a face full of anger.

Yuxi walked over, bowed towards the Duke of State and called out, “Father.”

The Duke of State did not look kindly at Yuxi as he asked, “What are you doing here?” He didn’t need to think that she was here to help Qiu Shi.

Yuxi replied with a smile, “I haven’t seen Father for more than a year. When I heard that Father was back, I quickly came over.”

An angry fist would not hit a smiling face. Moreover, Yuxi’s words were also pleasant to his ears, making the Duke’s expression eased a lot. “It’s kind of you to have this intention.”

Yuxi smiled while glancing at the girl in tears, just like raindrops on a pear blossom, standing behind the Duke. Hence, Yuxi’s smile became even sweeter. “I’m not the only one thinking of Father, but Grandmother and Dage are also thinking of Father all the time! Two days ago, Grandmother told me that she didn’t know if Father would come back for New Year’s Eve. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a whole family dinner and New Year reunion celebration. If Grandmother knew that Father was back, she would be so happy.”

Although the Duke had many complaints about his old mother, he was still his birth mother in the end. When Yuxi said it this way, he felt a little apologetic towards his mother. “This year, I’ll spend New Year at home.”

Concubine Mei, who was standing behind the Duke, was a little anxious. She did not expect this girl who had just emerged to be a formidable character even though the lady in charge was not that great. With a few words, she had made the Lord’s anger subside and brought the conversation off track. Concubine Mei put her hand on her belly and was about to talk about it.

Yuxi spoke up one step ahead of her, “Father, your concubine’s face was a bit pale. Is she not feeling well? Should we hurry and ask for a physician?” After saying that, she turned to Qiu Shi and said, “Mother, it’s better to hurry up and ask the physician to come! Father’s concubine still has a baby in her belly!”

Qiu Shi would not have listened if someone else had said this, but Yuxi was a different story. She knew that Yuxi was definitely on her side and would not favour this woman she had never even met. Even though she was reluctant, Qiu Shi instructed with a cold face, “Mama Li, hurry up and have the physician take a look at the Duke’s concubine. This is the bloodline of the Han family. We can’t afford to delay!”

Mama Li accepted the order and immediately went out. With the Fourth Miss around, whose words carried more weight than her, she was not worried about her own Lady being at a disadvantage.

While waiting for the physician to arrive, Mama Li went to alert the Old Lady first. The Old Lady then asked Mama Luo to personally invite the Duke to the Main Courtyard. Qiu Shi and Mei Concubine followed from behind. While Yuxi went back to her own courtyard. It was not appropriate for a daughter to get involved in her father’s bedroom affair.

Zisu looked at Yuxi, who was frowning, and knew what she was worried about. “Miss, it’s useless for you to worry about this.” If a father wanted to take a concubine, how could a son or daughter stop him?

Yuxi shook her head and said nothing.

That evening, Yuxi found out that the Old Lady had asked Concubine Mei to offer tea to Qiu Shi. Offering tea was tantamount to being given a clear pass to set her status in the family. This did not surprise Yuxi. The Old Lady was a woman who cared about the family heirs and would give that woman a position for the sake of the child in her belly.

Zisu whispered, “Miss, when the First Lady came out of the Main Courtyard, her face was very ugly.”

Yuxi shook her head. “Oh, Mother, you are too honest.” All these years, Mother’s filial piety towards the Old Lady was so evident to Yuxi. It was just that no matter how obedient her Mother was, everyone had close friends and acquaintances. In the eyes of the Old Lady, no matter how filial her daughter-in-law was, she was no better than her own son. If she were in her mother place, she would be able to get through this. She would not take the trouble to serve her mother-in-law as if she were her own mother. Of course, this was something that Yuxi only thought about in her mind and never said out loud.

Zisu stated, “Miss, it looks like that woman is not a content person. I’m afraid there will be no more quiet days in the Main House.”

Yuxi nodded a little. “You’re right. I’m afraid there will be no more quiet days.” That woman couldn’t shake her mother’s position, but she could give her a hard time. Concubine Rong had been in her father’s favour for more than ten years and had made her mother suffer for more than ten years.

Yuxi’s eyes flashed with a stern look. She would never allow another Concubine Rong to come into the Main House. She wanted her mother to live happily for the rest of her life instead of being angered by some unknown women. However, Yuxi had to think of a way to settle this once and for all. Otherwise, even if she took care of Concubine Mei, other women would appear. She didn’t have the time to fight with all of them. Besides, she would be out of the house on the fifth lunar month next year and would not be able to take care of many things.

Zisu saw that Yuxi’s expression did not look right. She asked, “Miss, what are you thinking about?”

When Yuxi heard Zisu’s question, she just smiled. “I didn’t think of anything.” She couldn’t do it by herself. It could only be done by Dage personally. There was no other way. Those who were able should do more. Who let Dage be so impressive?