Chapter 101

Chapter 103: Anger (Part 1)

Eleven Miss was at a loss for words.

This matter was handled so poorly... whoever caused the problem should fix it!

She said anxiously, "Since that's the case, I'll go see the elder madam. I'll go with you later to check on things at home."

But the eldest daughter-in-law tugged at her sleeve, "I was afraid you'd be anxious, so I came specifically to inform you. You're still newlywed; it wouldn't be proper to go back now..."

The bridal chamber shouldn't be left empty during the first month of marriage.

Eleven Miss smiled, "It's nearby; I'll just take a quick look and come back. Caring for the sick and preparing medicine will surely be tiring for you, eldest sister-in-law."

"It's my responsibility; no need to mention whether it's tiring or not."

The eldest daughter-in-law and Eleven Miss exchanged pleasantries, then went together to see the elder madam.

The elder madam had not yet returned from the second madam's place.

The two then went to find the second madam.

From a distance, the sound of a cheerful yet melodious zither drifted over.

The eldest daughter-in-law instinctively paused.

"It's 'Deer Cry'..." she looked towards the high steps, listening intently, "Steady yet dynamic, distant yet free, with a perfect balance of urgency and calm. Hmm, the Gong string is too soft, and the Yu string is too heavy; the technique seems a bit unpolished."

Since the technique was unpolished, it must be Zhenjie practicing the zither.

The two slowly ascended the steps. As they reached the door, the zither music stopped.

Amber stepped forward to knock, and a bright-eyed maid with a radiant smile answered.

Seeing Eleven Miss, she smiled and curtsied, "Fourth Madam, I'm Jiexiang, serving the second madam."

Eleven Miss nodded slightly to her, and followed Jiexiang through the shaded courtyard to the second madam's room.

The room was cozy, with bright, simple pearwood furniture, pristine white porcelain, elegant blue curtains, and a faint hint of pineapple in the air.

The elder madam lounged casually on the Luohan bed, smiling as she looked at Zhenjie sitting by the zither table by the window, "...Your zither skills are improving every day!"

Zhenjie looked shyly at the second madam sitting beside her, "It's all thanks to Second Aunt's teaching."

"You must also put in the effort yourself."

Chun Ge, who had been leaning against the elder madam, sprang up with a smile, "Eldest Aunt!"

Everyone in the room turned to look.

"Chun Ge!" the eldest daughter-in-law responded with a smile, and she and Eleven Miss stepped forward to pay their respects to the elder madam.

"Fourth sister-in-law!" the second madam greeted them with a smile, "The Luo family's eldest daughter-in-law." She then called Jiexiang, "Bring out the West Lake Longjing tea I purchased recently." Then she smiled at Eleven Miss, "The autumn air is dry; Longjing tea can help soothe the dryness."

Eleven Miss thanked her, and together with the eldest daughter-in-law, they accepted the younger generation's greetings.

The elder madam directly asked, "The Luo family's eldest daughter-in-law, coming at this time, is there something urgent?"

At this, the eldest daughter-in-law's eyes welled up, "My mother-in-law is ill, and my father-in-law is worried about my sister-in-law, so he specifically asked me to come and inform her."

Eleven Miss looked at the elder madam expectantly: "I want to go back and see my mother. I'll be back before nightfall."

The elder madam nodded right away and had Madam Du arrange a carriage for Eleven Miss: "...Remember to report back to me when you return."

Eleven Miss was deeply grateful, bowed to the elder madam, and didn’t even stop to sip the tea offered by the second madam. She headed back to Bowstring Lane with the eldest daughter-in-law.

The elder madam watched them as they walked away and mentioned Ji Ning coming to find Eleven Miss: "...A respectable family, genuinely devoted to Buddhism, could simply set up a home altar. I fear they're at their wits' end and are considering seeking refuge at Ciyuan Temple."

The second madam just smiled: "Every family has its own cross to bear."

The elder madam sighed: "Indeed. Everyone envies me for having a daughter who became an empress and sons who serve as officials, thinking I live a life of ease, but I have my own struggles..."

As the elder madam and the second madam talked, a sense of warmth filled the room.

*

Eleven Miss and the eldest daughter-in-law quickly stepped down from the carriage, and a quick-eyed maid had already run to announce: "Eleventh Miss has returned!"

She saw Fifth Miss swiftly pull back the curtain and step out: "Eleventh sister, you're here. Mother's been asking for you!"

Noticing Fifth Miss's red-rimmed eyes, Eleven Miss felt a pang of alarm and asked, "How is mother now?" as she hurried into the room.

Fifth Miss followed her: "She's awake but can't speak..." she said, bursting into tears.

Eleven Miss stepped into the inner room and was met with the sight of the pale-faced eldest madam lying in bed.

She hurried over and took a seat on a small stool beside her: "Mother, how are you feeling? Is it bad?"

The eldest madam's gaze shifted from joy to resentment as she looked at her, her mouth quivering as if trying to speak, but only incoherent sounds came out.

Eleven Miss's heart sank.

It was clearly a stroke...

Fifth Miss, trailing behind, quickly interjected: "Mother, the doctor advised against rushing and recommended peaceful rest. Whatever you have to say, you can tell Eleventh sister when you're better."

The eldest madam shook her head with difficulty.

Eleven Miss hesitated for a moment and said, "Are you worried about the two concubines?"

The eldest madam blinked her eyes.

Eleven Miss glanced at the eldest daughter-in-law and said, "Eldest sister-in-law has already sent someone to call for eldest brother. When he returns, he and Ji Ning will handle it. We daughters will naturally listen to you, mother."

The eldest madam's eyes showed comfort.

"Rest now!" Eleven Miss tucked in the blanket for her, "We'll discuss it when eldest brother returns."

The eldest madam closed her eyes.

The room became quiet.

Eleven Miss gestured to Xu Mama to take care of the eldest madam, then she, the eldest daughter-in-law, and Fifth Miss left the room.

The eldest master was sitting by the window on the kang in the next room. Seeing Eleven Miss come out, anger showed on his face.

"Go tell Ji Ning, if she wants to sue, the Luo family will accompany her."

Eleven Miss knew the eldest master was extremely angry. The eldest daughter-in-law, fearing to offend Eleven Miss, first comforted her: "Eleventh Miss, don't take it to heart. Father is just angry because of the second concubine." Then she said to the eldest master: "Eleventh Miss just arrived and doesn't know the whole story. If you want to vent your anger, wait until I explain it to her before you do!" She then winked at Eleven Miss: "Eleventh Miss, come with me for a cup of tea!"

She also wanted to know what Jining had come to say. With a smile, she bowed to the elder master and, along with Fifth Miss, followed the elder lady to the east chamber.

It turned out that Dongqing had just come to deliver the news, and the elder lady was unsure how to broach the subject with the madam when Jining arrived. Before the elder lady could speak, Jining mentioned that the two concubines wished to take vows at Ciyuan Temple. Hearing this, the madam turned pale with rage and adamantly refused to agree, regardless of Jining's pleas. She even demanded that Jining hand them over, threatening to take the matter to the authorities. Overcome with agitation, the madam fainted and, upon regaining consciousness, trembled and was unable to speak.

At that moment, Luo Zhenxing and Qian Ming arrived.

Eleven Miss wished to avoid Qian Ming, but the elder lady murmured, "At times like these, more heads mean more solutions. Moreover, Fifth Miss's husband is known for his sound judgment and keen interest in family affairs. If we exclude him, Fifth Miss is likely to inform him of everything upon her return."

Recalling how Fifth Miss's face brightened at the mention of Qian Ming, Eleven Miss realized the elder lady was correct and reluctantly consented.

They couldn't involve the authorities. Qian Ming glanced at Eleven Miss, "This matter is already dubious. If it reaches the authorities, rumors will proliferate, and even the most scandalous tales will spread. By then, even if it's false, it will be accepted as truth. Moreover, the Xu family has always maintained a low profile, and Tenth Miss's husband is known for his overbearing nature... something untoward might occur!"

Eleven Miss had no fear of Lord Xu. He was mature and level-headed. Her concern was Wang Lang, who might divorce Tenth Miss or subject her to severe humiliation...

Fifth Miss naturally concurred with Qian Ming.

After a moment's thought, Luo Zhenxing remarked, "Why not accede to Jining's suggestion and allow the two concubines to take vows? As the saying goes, you can't force a melon to be sweet. Since the two concubines are resolute in their decision to leave, even if we detain them temporarily, we cannot hold them indefinitely. It will only breed discontent."

Qian Ming glanced at Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss also considered this the preferable course of action.

It was akin to a clay pot striking porcelain. The two concubines had already committed such an act. If they didn't seek sanctuary at Ciyuan Temple and were apprehended by the Luo family as fugitive concubines, it would mean certain death. Yet, the Luo family still had a large household to maintain...

"Brother speaks sense," Eleven Miss concurred.

Luo Zhenxing exhaled softly, "Father is merely enraged at the moment. I'll speak with him. As for mother, let's withhold the news for now. We can inform her once she's in better spirits."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Luo Zhenxing's gaze fell on the elder lady, "Please take care of this matter. Don't let the young maids and older women gossip in front of mother. If mother asks, we shouldn't say anything. We'll use the Marquis's name to ask the authorities to capture the two concubines."

Everyone nodded.

A young maid timidly said, "Master, the Marquis has arrived!"

Everyone in the room was startled.

Eleven Miss breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, her husband had arrived and didn't put on airs, making her look bad in front of her family.

Qian Ming was the first to lift the curtain and go out, "Please come in." Then he went back to greet him.

Seeing Qian Ming go out, Luo Zhenxing also reacted and followed.

In the twilight, Lord Xu walked in with a cold expression, his gaze immediately falling on Eleven Miss.

Eleven Miss respectfully curtsied to him... since he had come all this way, she should show humility and obedience.

Qian Ming bowed, "Marquis!"

Luo Zhenxing also called out, "Marquis."

"What happened?" Lord Xu looked at him, his voice neither high nor low, but carrying a commanding and awe-inspiring authority. Luo Zhenxing was momentarily at a loss for words.

Qian Ming glanced at the surrounding young maids, older women, and servants, and quickly said, "Let's go inside to talk!"

Lord Xu nodded slightly and followed Qian Ming into the east wing. After everyone sat down, Qian Ming briefly explained the situation.

Eleven Miss felt her face burning hot.

She had always felt that Lord Xu looked down on the Luo family, and now this incident had happened.

Lord Xu glanced at Eleven Miss.

He noticed her sitting in a corner, her face flushed with embarrassment, looking very uneasy, as if she was the one at fault.

"What if we built a family shrine at home?" Lord Xu said. "If it's a matter of money, we can figure it out together."