Chapter 55: Eavesdropping

◎ He sorrowfully fabricated several more scenarios in his mind ◇

Upon returning home, Yu Lian and Hua Zhan first freshened up before entering their chambers to visit Mrs. Chen.

Mrs. Chen was already awake but still feeling unwell, thus she remained in bed and skipped dinner.

Yu Lian sat by her mother-in-law's bedside, tucking the blanket around her and pouring a cup of water for her to hold and drink.

Mrs. Chen's face was pale, and after a moment of silence, she looked at Yu Lian with a hesitant expression, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.

Yu Lian understood that although Mrs. Chen was timid by nature, she was still the wife of a nobleman and had a certain pride. Even if today's incident was an attempt to protect her daughter-in-law, the fact that it wasn't directed at her personally didn't alleviate the discomfort in her heart.

Taking the empty cup from her, Yu Lian placed it aside and said calmly, "Mother, don't worry. Tomorrow, when Hua Baogui's wife returns to the village, I'll make sure she comes to apologize to you."

Yu Lian felt that a refined lady like her mother-in-law, who seemed detached from mundane matters, would not be interested in material compensation such as chicken or meat. Thus, she didn't dwell on it and instead reassured her, "Lian'er won't let you suffer this injustice in vain."

Mrs. Chen smiled slightly, "It's nothing really..." But then, something seemed to cross her mind, causing her eyes to well up with tears once more.

Yu Lian: "Is there anything else bothering you, Mother? I'll ask Sanshu to come back tomorrow, and I'll take you to the clinic to see a physician."

Mrs. Chen shook her head. "I'm fine, no need to waste that money. What about that man? Can he be treated?"

This was the first time Mrs. Chen had shown concern for someone outside her family. Yu Lian, wanting to gradually involve her in village life, explained in detail.

"Hua Baogui wasn't originally hired by us. He saw the outcomes with Dashu's wife and Sanshu and attempted to profit from it, but unfortunately, his plan backfired, causing harm to both himself and others, leading to his current situation. The doctor says his injuries are severe; if he makes it through tonight, he may survive, but if not, he won't."

Mrs. Chen, already timid, covered her mouth at the news, taking a while before she spoke. "Then, what should we do? What if he dies?"

Even she knew that, regardless of any connection to their family, if a life were lost on their property, the consequences would be significant.

Yu Lian sighed. "Don't worry, it won't be our problem if he does. Father and I will handle it. Just focus on your health, Mother."

Hua Zhan had been standing by for a while, but his wife didn't glance his way, engrossed in her conversation with their daughter-in-law. After a moment of silence, he quietly left.

In the main hall, the elderly matriarch sat at the table, and the three children arranged themselves neatly nearby.

She beckoned her son over and asked for the details. Hua Zhan concisely recounted what his wife had said, then added, "Don't worry, Mother. Your son is here."

The matriarch nodded repeatedly. "Mother knows, my child. Though you're in a difficult situation now, your spirit and abilities remain. You can protect our entire family."

To uplift her son, the matriarch refrained from expressing her concerns and changed the subject. "Your foolish wife has truly surprised me this time. I used to think she was timid and couldn't handle responsibilities, but she bravely stepped forward to shield Lian'er during this crisis. For that, Mother will reward her handsomely."

"In a family, unity and mutual support are crucial for harmony and prosperity to endure."

"She's a fortunate fool. By risking herself for Lian'er, with Lian'er's character, she'll surely be treated like a birth mother in the future and be respected accordingly."

Hua Zhan smiled. "Your wife is an emotional person, much like Hua'er."

Upon mentioning her eldest grandchild, the matriarch pondered. "Perhaps it's because of Hua'er that she put herself in harm's way to save Lian'er. It shows her love extends to those Hua'er cared for."

In the room, Yu Lian hesitated before asking, "Mother... Why did you shield me?"

Mrs. Chen lowered her gaze, her fingers gripping the edge of the blanket tightly. Her eyes were red, though she managed not to cry. She spoke softly, "Though Mother doesn't possess great strength, I wanted to care for you on behalf of Hua'er... If Hua'er's spirit watches over us and sees you injured under Mother's watch, she would blame me for not protecting you well enough."

Yu Lian hadn't expected Mrs. Chen's maternal love to overcome her inherent vulnerability. Startled, she held her hand after a moment. "Mother, from now on, I'll protect you too."

Mrs. Chen lifted her head, looking at her daughter-in-law with tearful eyes. The two women gazed into each other's eyes for a moment before they both broke into smiles.

Outside, the matriarch called out, urging Yu Lian to come out for dinner.

Aunt Mei also knocked on the door, mentioning that she had brought food to serve Mrs. Chen. Only then did Yu Lian bid her farewell to leave.

The moment Yu Lian stepped out, the three children surrounded her with questions. "Is that person dead?"

"One of them said he deserved it, and we don't need to bother about him! Father also mentioned that he brought it upon himself."

Hua Zhan glanced down at the twins, who promptly covered their mouths, too afraid to continue speaking.

The two boys had been cautious not to be disrespectful in front of their biological father earlier, refraining from incessant questioning. However, they seemed to have quickly picked up the art of mimicking others.

After Yu Lian sat down, Hua Yan tugged at his sister-in-law's sleeve and whispered, "Did you buy us any treats when you went to the town, Sister-in-law?"

Yu Lian asked them to sit properly and focus on their meal. "Going to the town was a matter of life and death. How could it be taken lightly? Father and I didn't even have time for a sip of water before returning. You still expect treats?"

Hua Yan pouted but didn't say anything. He already knew this. If he and Hua Xing didn't tag along, their sister-in-law and father would never think of bringing them treats no matter where they went.

The food on the table was already served, with full bowls placed before Hua Zhan and Yu Lian, indicating hearty portions. The matriarch smiled warmly. "You've had a tough day. Eat more. Once all this is over, I'll ask Aunt Mei to prepare some extra delicious dishes to calm our nerves."

After the family finished their meal, Hua Qiushou, the eldest son of Second Uncle, rushed over. "My father has been preoccupied with this matter. When Third Brother returned and said that Hua Baogui's fate won't be known until tomorrow, he was deeply concerned. It seems the injury is severe. Well, my father mentioned that you all should rest assured. Although Hua Baogui's mother can be difficult to deal with, this incident isn't your fault. He will support you and prevent her from causing trouble."

Hua Zhan politely thanked Hua Qiushou and asked him to convey their gratitude to Second Uncle. Hua Qiushou's slightly tanned face flushed slightly. "Why are you thanking me? It's no big deal."

"Hua Baogui, that child... I've watched him grow up, and fundamentally, his character isn't bad. It's just that his parents and sisters have spoiled him, making him think he can do anything. If he doesn't get what he wants, he resorts to cunning and underhanded methods. If he survives this, it'll serve as a lesson and perhaps make him wiser."

"I heard from Third Brother that the medical fee was five taels and half? That was paid by Yu Lian, right? If everything is alright, we'll help you retrieve the money even if Hua Baogui's mother tries to avoid paying."

"But if... something happens, it would be difficult to ask for it."

If Hua Baogui died, the villagers would naturally sympathize with his family. Since he died on the Mu family's property, insisting on the payment could lead to accusations of heartlessness.

Yu Lian responded, "Life is a favor, death is a grudge. I understand that. If he dies, I don't intend to pursue the matter."

Hua Qiushou nodded. "I've conveyed all the messages my father wanted me to. Would you like me to join you in town tomorrow?"

Yu Lian shook her head. "I've arranged for Sanshu to keep watch tonight. Tomorrow, regardless of the outcome, bring Hua Baogui back to the village."

"That's a good plan. You're reliable, Yu Lian. No wonder my father keeps praising you at home. My mother says she's tired of hearing it; she wishes he'd come up with something new to say, ha ha."

After Hua Qiushou returned, the family washed up and retired to their respective chambers for sleep.

Yet, Yu Lian found herself unable to doze off. She sat by the window in the darkness, discontent with the gloominess of the room. She opened the window, revealing a clear night sky illuminated by a bright moon. Leaning her delicate, fair hand on her chin, she tilted her head slightly to gaze at the heavens.

She seemed lost in deep contemplation, remaining still for a long while.

Zhu Ying, with a grimace, endured mosquito bites without daring to swat them. Peeking discreetly at the young mistress from below, he couldn't see her eyes or expression from this angle. However, the sight of her staring at the sky in such a motionless manner stirred a poignant narrative in his mind.

He let out a long sigh inwardly, assuming that the young mistress must be troubled by the events of the day, perhaps even yearning for her husband.

How could such an incident occur if his Master, a formidable figure, was present? How could his Lady be subjected to the insults of such vulgar, peasant scoundrels?

Reflecting on the recent events, he now believes he should have waited before sending that last letter. He wonders if his Master has even received it. He should have held off and included these new developments, allowing his Master to understand the kind of life the Young Lady is leading.

Zhu Ying still has a homing pigeon at hand, but it's reserved for emergencies. He dare not release it casually, for if anything were to happen here, it would be difficult to report back to his Master. He will wait until he receives a response from his Master before dispatching the bird again. He is eager to see if his Master replies and what might be written in the return message.

If his Master has a conscience, they should commend him for his efforts in protecting the Young Lady.

Zhu Ying recalls how he spoke up for the Young Lady in his letters, feeling rather pleased with himself. He is certain that when the Young Lady learns of this, she will be grateful to him.

Yu Lian's mind was occupied, contemplating the worst-case scenario involving Hua Baogui. If he were to meet with an unfortunate end, how could she maintain stability and minimize losses?

After pondering carefully, she decided that tomorrow she would summon the foremen to guard their territories, forbidding outsiders from entering freely. Otherwise, any future incidents would undoubtedly be blamed on her.

Lost in these thoughts, Yu Lian suddenly sensed someone watching her. Glancing outside at the tree in her courtyard, she noticed it was a mature tree, its foliage too dense to reveal any observers.

A moment later, a cat's meow echoed in the night. Yu Lian smiled softly, realizing it was just a stray kitten.

The tranquil night, coupled with the day's events, sparked some interest within her. She prepared her ink, laid out paper, and began writing, her brush dancing across the page for a full incense stick's worth of time before setting it down. Once finished, she blew on the ink to hasten its drying and carefully stored it in a cabinet nearby.

Zhu Ying was astonished by the young mistress's sharp senses; she almost got caught. It had been a close call before as well.

After the young mistress finished writing and put away the document, Zhu Ying found himself fidgeting with curiosity. What had she written? Was it a poem expressing her feelings towards her master, or perhaps a record of daily affairs?