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nChapter 53 : Things In The World Always Changing (2)

nHongshan knew that there was a grudge between Yuxi and Concubine Rong. Seeing that Yuxi didn’t take Concubine Rong’s news to heart, she felt a little strange, “Miss, I heard that Concubine Rong had asked the Lord Duke to let Second Miss out.”

nYuxi remained unmoved and only said, “Did Grandmother agree?” With the Old Madam’s temperament, it was impossible for her to go back on her own words, since this act would only damage her prestige in the residence.

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nHongshan nodded and said, “The Old Madam didn’t agree. She said it would take another six months for her confinement to complete. But, I’m afraid the Old Madam will be persuaded by the Lord Duke.“

nThere were things in your mind you should not have said it out loud. If not, that things would come sooner than you expected.

nIn the evening of that same day, Concubine Rong started having pain. When Yuxi heard the news, she looked a little odd, “Is she going to give birth?”

nMama Shen said, “Well, usually the birth of a son will be ahead of schedule, and the birth of a daughter will be delayed for a few days.” This confirmed the fact that Concubine Rong was going to give birth to a son.

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nYuxi responded with a simple ‘Oh’.

nMama Shen could not understand what Yuxi meant, so, she did not dare to say much more.

nOn the other hand, Zijin had learned to write her own name. Yuxi looked at the name written by her, nodded her head and praised her, “That’s very good.”

nZijin was somewhat shy, “No. Miss writes much better.” She was too ashamed to face anyone with these written characters that looked like a dog scrawl.

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nYuxi laughed and said, “Just learn to write like this and take your time. Don’t mind it much. Now, go and look for Moju!” Zijin was a shy girl, but she had a good relationship with Moju. In such a short time, they got along well like they were actual sisters. It also helped her integrate well into the Rose Courtyard.

nAs Yuxi watched Zijin went out cheerfully with lighthearted steps, she couldn’t help laughing. In fact, she knew that studying and reading were very painful for Zijin, which reminded her of second brother, Han Jianye. Thinking till here, an idea emerged in her mind. If she could ask second brother to guide Zijin in martial arts, when she finally learned it, her safety would be more guaranteed.

nHan Jianye, who was far away on the mountain, suddenly sneezed, “I don’t know who is missing me?”

nHan Jianye’s senior, Lin Fengyuan said with a smile, “I think, your mother? The Mid-Autumn Festival will begin next month. I think Master will give us a few days off and then we can go back home.“ He could also go back to visit his mother.

nHan Jianye really wanted to go down the mountain. It was also quite boring to always stuck up in the mountain every day.

nIn the evening, after Yuxi finished her homework, she then went to sleep. While she was lying on the bed, she saw Hongshan kept on staring at her, so, she asked, “What’s the matter?”

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nHongshan said, “Concubine Rong has not yet giving birth.”

nYuxi broke into laughter, “What does it have to do with you if Concubine Rong already gives birth or not? Go to bed. I need to get up early tomorrow!“ She had to get up early tomorrow morning to review her lessons!

nAlthough Concubine Rong and her had animosity with each other, she also wanted to take her revenge very much. Nevertheless, she didn’t have the ability to use trickery while Concubine Rong gave birth. Even if she had the ability, she still won’t do it. Yes, Concubine Rong deserved to die, but the unborn child had no enmity with her, so, she would not commit such a hideous crimes on the innocent child.

nHongshan blew out the lamp and went out softly. She said to Mama Shen who was waiting outside, “The girl has fallen asleep.”

nActually, Yuxi wasn’t asleep yet. She was thinking about things, especially about Yujing. In her previous life, Yujing always went with the flow until she got married. However, now, she was locked up in the family Buddhist hall. It was already unbearable to be locked up in a room for three days, let alone in a Buddhist hall. Because of her, many things had changed. In the end, she fell asleep as she was thinking about it.

nBy noon the next day, Yuxi heard after class, that Concubine Rong still had not given birth. Hongshan said, “Miss, the child has not yet been born. People in the residence said that Concubine Rong will have a difficulty while giving birth.”

nYuxi responded with a simple ‘Oh’.

nWhen Concubine Rong still didn’t give birth to a child after waiting for a long time, the midwife came out of the delivery room and asked Qiu Shi, “Madam, should we save the mother or the child?”

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nQiu Shi originally wanted her to save the mother, but Mama Li was faster than her in answering. She hastily said, “Madam, it is still up to the Old Madam to make decisions, along with Lord Duke.” Duke Han had some matters to be done outside during the day so he wasn’t inside the residence, but the Old Madam was at home.

nQiu Shi suddenly woke up, then hurriedly ordered Mama Li to personally ask the Old Madam. The Old Madam’s answer was very clear – saved the child.

nWhile, Yuxi was holding a brush. She dipped it in ink and then started writing on the paper pasted on the wall. Every time she practiced calligraphy, blankets would be spread on the ground. Otherwise, the floor would be filled with a mass of black ink.

nHongshan walked in softly. When Yuxi finished writing a large character and lowered her head to dip her brush in ink, she said, “Miss, Concubine Rong has given birth to a son. Lord Duke was very happy that he named the child Chao Ger (lit surpassing brothers). “

nWhen Yuxi heard the name, her expression was very odd. Chao Ger (lit surpassing brothers)? Who was he going to surpass? Eldest brother or the second brother? She smiled as she did not know what Concubine Rong was thinking. The child was just being born, but yet, he had already offended a large number of people. “How is the child?”

nHongshan shook her head and said, “Miss, Ninth Young Master is not in a good health.”

nYuxi was not surprised to hear that. Although the child was born in full-term, Concubine Rong had two incidents while she was pregnant. Although there was no danger in the end, it was still harmful to the child.

nChao Ger’s health was not good. He couldn’t even drink milk. Whenever he had one, he would immediately vomit it out. So, to treat Chao Ger, the doctors came and left without stopping. The birth was supposed to turn the courtyard into joyful atmosphere, but ended up being with both men and horses were thrown off their feet (Chinese idiom : in a pitiful state).

nBecause of Chao Ger’s poor health, the xishan (give a baby a bath on the third day after birth) ceremony was done small, and also on that day, Yujing was finally released from her confinement.

nHong Shan said, “Miss, it was Concubine Rong who had asked the Lord Duke. She said that today is a good day for Chao Ger, and also ought to be the good time to let Yujing finally see her younger brother. When the Lord Duke found this to be reasonable, he ordered for Second Miss to be immediately released.”

nYuxi laughed and then said, “Uncle Duke had treated Grandmother’s words as winds pass his ears (to completely disregard)!”

nHongshan did not dare to comment anything on this matter between masters. She was only responsible to report these matters to Yuxi. She then told Yuxi a topic that would be interesting to Yuxi, “Miss, my brother said that the business of the baozi (steamed stuffed bun) shop is becoming more and more prosperous, and so does the business of the grocery store.” Pastries, candies and other snacks in the grocery stores were delicious and inexpensive. For that reason, they became very popular with people in that area.

nYuxi let out a cry, oh! The reason why she agreed to open the grocery store was not only because of the glorious prospect described by Mama Fang, but also because she knew how to make several kinds of fresh food in advance. As long as she had people helped her made them, by that time, she could earn a lot of money by selling them. If you had enough money to do things well, no one would worry about having no money in the future.

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nYuxi said, “I would like to look for an opportunity to visit the hamlet.” She did not care much about the baozi shop or the grocery store, so, she left them to her servants to manage. This way, she would earn more money rather than losing them.

nHongshan smiled and said, “Madam did say, when the weather gets cooler, she will let Miss go to the hamlet to have a look.” It was a pity that she knew about the grocery store news a bit too late. Otherwise, she could recommend her little brother to help her Miss ran it.

nYuxi smiled.

nThe next day after the day Yujing was released, she came to Rose Courtyard. Moju walked in nervously and announced, “Miss, Second Miss is here.”

nYuxi stood up with a smile and said, “Second Sister is not a tiger. Why are you so afraid?” At the beginning, when she was pushed down to the ground by Yujing, she was unprepared. However, if she was thinking of hurting her again, it would not be so easy.

nHowever, when Yuxi saw Yujing, she got a fright. Yujing’s once ruddy little face had lost two ounces of flesh, making her face much thinner, and she also did not look disdainful as before. She used to be as proud as a peacock, but now she bowed her head and even apologised to her.

nYuxi secretly admired the Old Madam’s method. However, she didn’t expect that in just less than half a year time, Yujing could turn around this much. She called out to Yujing to sit down. She then answered with a smile, “Second Sister, the original incident is already in the past. I have long forgotten about it.”

nYuxi accompanied Yujing for a little while before sending her out.

nWhen they arrived at the gate of Rose Courtyard, Yujing said sincerely, “Fourth Sister, when you have time, come and play in my courtyard.”

nYuxi did not directly answer the offer, she instead said, “These days, I’m very busy. There is even no time for me to walk around.”

nThe smile on Yujing’s face froze. That darn girl was showing off that she could learn from Teacher Song. However, Yujing still remembered her current situation so, she did not dare to let her temper prevail. She suppressed her anger and said, “Then, I’ll wait until you have time to come.”

nAt first, when Yuxi looked at the changes of Yujing through her eyes, she thought it was true. It turned out to be just a mask, “Well, I will surely visit Second Sister when I have the time.”

nYunqi had served Yujing for so many years, so, she knew her temper best. When she saw that the veins stood out on Yujing’s hand, she could not help but let out a small cry, “Miss…”

nYujing gritted her teeth and said, “I’m all right.” In order not to be locked up again, she had to endure. She had no one she could rely on, not even her own mother. She could only rely on herself.

nAfter the group of people left, Hongshan said, “Miss, it seems like Second Miss has changed into a new person?” Now, Second Miss had truly shed her mortal body and exchange her bones (Chinese idiom : turn over a new leaf).

nYuxi said indifferently, “Whether she has changed or not, it will soon be known.” Yujing had only learned to pretend now. The old wisdom even said it was easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one’s character (Chinese idiom : you can’t change who you are). Sooner or later, her act would surely be exposed.

nHowever, Yujing’s change also alerted Yuxi. First, it was Mama Fang who changed, now, it was Yujing. The people and things around her had changed because of her. As she secretly warned herself to be more cautious, she heard that Chao Ge had a fever.

nHongshan said, “Miss, Ninth Young Master has a fever after been exposed to blowing wind.” He was already weak. Nowadays, even with his nickname, he hanged entirely on medicines. Now that he had a fever, Hongshan guessed that he wouldn’t be able to stand it.

nEven when it was already evening, Chao Ger’s fever still would not subside. After seeing this situation, Doctor Bai immediately said, “Prepare for the worst!” Since doctors often saw children died young, as a result, the sad situation didn’t effect them much.

nConcubine Rong passed out when she heard Doctor Bai’s words. When she woke up, she knew that her son whom she had worked so hard to get, had finally gone. She vomited one mouthful of blood and passed out again.

nYuxi’s look didn’t change even for a bit after she heard the news.

nHongshan looked at Yuxi and felt that she could not grasp her Miss current emotion even if she dig deep inside her Miss heart, “Miss, Concubine Rong gave birth to a child while in her old age. This is actually very dangerous for her. Now that she is too sad and heartbroken, I’m afraid she will suffer from illness in the future.“ This was what she heard from those experienced mamas.

n“The debt owed is finally being paid,” said Yuxi indifferently. Concubine Rong’s victims were not only her, but also her uncle’s dead concubines and their unborn children.

nHearing this, Hongshan shuddered and did not dare to speak anymore.

nChao Ger died young. Children who died young weren’t eligible for formal funerals, and also could not be buried within family ancestral graves. They had to be packed into a thin little coffin and sent outside to be buried instead.

nConcubine Rong cried for half a day when she knew her son’s funeral was so shabby. She even begged Qiu Shi to invite some monks to chant sutras for her son to cross over. Since Qiu Shi wasn’t a person who would throw stones at Concubine Rong who fell down a well (Chinese idiom : hit a person when he’s down), she didn’t stop her. She just went along with Concubine Rong’s flow.

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