bookcurios Chapter 273 The dust has settled
Chapter 273 The dust has settled
The old lady was not one to stick to her own opinions. After the mistress was away for half a day, someone came to report that the married fifth young lady was missing.
Which of the maids around the old lady is not a smart person? After asking the person who reported the death, she found out most of the truth.
Aunt Song knelt in front of the old lady's Shou'an Hall for half the night. The parrots kneeling in front of the hall learned the words: "Please have mercy on me, old lady, and let Miss Wu go home."
Mrs. Zhao has not gone out for a long time. She eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist scriptures in Shou'an Hall every day. As she gets older, the more she can't understand why she, a child as good and upright as pine and cypress when she was young, has become so unrecognizable.
There is also a tablet for the old man of the Zhao family in the Buddhist hall. The old lady stared at the tablet with her cloudy eyes all night, and her eyes were almost blurry.
In the end, they decided to let the fifth girl from their family come back.
The wrinkled hands stroked the smooth tablet again and again, the rosary on the wrist was taken off and placed on the fingertips and flicked repeatedly.
The Shou'an Hall was filled with the scent of sandalwood, so strong that even the old lady felt a little dazed.
It seemed as if I vaguely saw the shadow of the old man of the Zhao family.
She looked at a certain place in the void and rolled her eyes unhappily. Her wrinkled face still vaguely showed some of the heroic spirit of her youth.
"After all, it's because we didn't teach our son well, and this family is getting more and more chaotic."
"You stay in the underground and watch over Xiaowu. That child has a miserable life. Be careful that she doesn't get bullied by ghosts."
In fact, the old lady didn't dislike her granddaughter. She just felt that since the Zhao family had married Lady Jin from a prominent family in Longxi, they should not neglect her in any way.
They were born in peasant families, so how could they know any rules? They only knew that if they liked someone, they should be nice to that person, and if they didn't like someone, they could be rude to them.
But the world has changed, people have become richer and more calculating.
She thought that as long as she stood behind the Madam, she wouldn't have so many worries, but she didn't expect...
He actually sacrificed his two granddaughters.
"We are not a respectable family, so we don't have to stick to the rules of those aristocratic families."
"The fifth girl has been forced to death by the rules. We can't let her body be exposed in the wilderness. She can't even die in peace."
Zhao Minshan came to Shou'an Hall and accompanied the old lady in the Buddhist hall to look at the tablet of the old man of the Zhao family all night.
The old man of the Zhao family has liked Zhao Minshan very much since he was a child. He is not only good at studying, but also has the potential to prosper the family.
The old man of the Zhao family seldom attacked Zhao Minshan, and Zhao Minshan's first half of his life was so smooth that it was beyond the reach of others.
But in middle age, after he fell from the position of Minister of Revenue, his good luck seemed to have run out.
The glorious scenes of the first half of my life seem like a lifetime ago. Now, there are difficulties everywhere at every moment.
"Mother, everything I do is for the Zhao family!"
The old lady did not answer Zhao Minshan, but pressed Zhao Minshan to recite a page of scriptures in front of the old man's tablet.
They didn’t let him go until dawn. In Zhao Minshan’s puzzled and painful eyes, the old lady sighed:
"If you don't want to, wait until I die, and ask the fifth girl to follow me into the ancestral tomb."
This is a heart-breaking statement, but if you think about it carefully, where is the Zhao family's ancestral tomb?
They were born into a peasant family, and their fourth generation could not be found in the family tree. It was called the ancestral tomb, but in fact it was just a piece of land that was bought and used as a tomb for the old man of the Zhao family. Later, the old lady, the first lady, and Zhao Minshan were all buried in this place, so it was called the ancestral tomb.
Zhao Minshan was speechless due to the old lady's blockade and finally left in anger. That was his own mother and he couldn't hit or scold her. He was so angry that he drank alone in the study.
His wine was clear and warm as it passed through his throat, but it could not wash away his boredom. The more Zhao Minshan drank, the more he felt that his life seemed to be crumbling since Zhao Fangyu entered the palace.
No one could understand his painstaking efforts. The wealth and glory these people enjoyed were all achieved by stepping on the accumulation of the Zhao family!
Everything he did was for the Zhao family. These people enjoyed the glory of the Zhao family. Why should they ridicule and belittle him because of some meaningless sacrifices?
The drunk Zhao Minshan pushed open the window and pointed at the bright moon outside, cursing.
The study is still the same study, but it no longer looks the same as it did in the past.
Back then, he was in this room and needed his training and guidance to become the Zhao Fangyu he is today. How could Zhao Fangyu take revenge on him and ignore him like this? !
"How can an official be so soft-hearted? How can his reputation be tarnished?"
He was still dreaming about the glory of being the Minister of Revenue in the court. With a wave of his sleeves, he poured out a handful of wine.
The servant outside the door was not surprised, as Zhao Minshan often did this.
A woman wearing a white grape pattern wide-brimmed apricot flower jacket and a pearl hibiscus gold hairpin walked slowly over: "I heard that the master was unhappy today, so I made a hangover soup myself and sent it to the master."
This was Aunt Tao, the most favored lady in the backyard, and Zhao Minshan's favorite. The servant quickly ushered her in and diligently took the food box from Aunt Tao's hand.
·
Zhao Fangyun's funeral was not a grand affair, and Song Yuan did not run far before he was chased back. That night, he was thrown into prison amid the wailing of the old lady of the Song family.
The Jingzhao Yin's men dug three feet deep into the Song family's house and found twenty-six skulls in the lotus pond.
The maids and servants were taken in for interrogation one by one. Seeing the Song family fall, the maids and servants confessed to Song Yuan and their own crimes.
Song Yuan was dissolute and had strange habits.
When it comes to love affairs, he always likes to act in a group.
However, Zhao Fangyun's identity made him cautious, so he endured it for several years and brought trouble to the maid around her.
He had not read much, but he knew that even a fair judge could not judge family disputes.
His original intention was to trap Zhao Fangyun and keep him in captivity for a few years, breaking his pride bit by bit, and then taming him into the form he liked so that he could have whatever he wanted.
However, before his plan was completed, Zhao Fangyun was lucky enough to get pregnant, which let the Zhao family find out. They didn't expect that the fourth sister, who was said to have a bad relationship with Zhao Fangyun, would personally take her to confront Jingzhao Yin for Zhao Fangyun.
Song Yuan was sentenced to death. He had murdered countless women over the years. It would have been fine if those families had endured it in silence, but if there were any stubborn people who dared to report to the police, they would be knocked on their door in the dead of night. The whole family would be forced to sign a contract to sell their bodies, and then dragged back to the Song family to be beaten and scolded. Most of them were found dead in the lotus pond.
The remaining Zhao Fangyu did not take any action. The moment he saw Mei Zhanhui, Zhao Fangyun already knew that the Mei family was watching this matter.
Over the years, the Zhao family and the Mei family have always maintained a delicate distance and a strong sense of boundaries. Mei Xunyin wrote a letter to complain to his cousin because he was furious.
Within a few days, Song Yuan was sentenced to execution.
Before the execution, Zhao Fangyu took the divorce letter that was withdrawn by Zhao Minshan and sent someone to report it to the government.
Jingzhao Yin only realized at this time that Zhao Minshan's intention was completely opposite to Zhao Fangyu's. For a moment, he was afraid that Zhao Fangyu would vent her sister's death on him, so he hurriedly handled the matter.
"What about this little girl? What's her name?"
Jingzhao Yin made a few casual remarks, and Zhao Fangyu then remembered that Baojie'er didn't have a real name yet.
After all, I have acknowledged her as my godmother, it would be bad if I didn't even give her a formal name.
But Baojie'er is also a hot potato for Zhao Fangyu.
She was not safe. Chunshao's matter had not been investigated clearly, and the Third Prince and the Emperor were still eyeing her covetously.
But the sleeping girl seemed to be aware of Zhao Fangyu's gaze. She hummed twice in a baby voice, then grabbed one of Zhao Fangyu's fingers with her tiny hands and closed her eyes and fell asleep peacefully again.
Behind Zhao Fangyu was Xingzhi, and in Liuyao's arms was the soft and still sleeping Baojie'er.
Bao Jie'er was still young and hadn't seen Zhao Fangyun for a few days. Gradually, she could no longer remember what her mother smelled like.
I couldn't sleep well in the first few days, and often even cried in my dreams with my mouth pursed, feeling wronged. Now I can't remember it clearly, but I sleep well now, and I have gained a lot of weight.
Zhao Fangyu caressed Bao Jie'er's face, thought for a moment, and decided on a name: "Zhao Xihuan."
I hope she prospers and succeeds.
In this way, she would live up to the nickname Zhao Fangyun gave her - Baoer.
Her mother gave birth to her at great pains, and in order to avoid bringing trouble to Song Yuan, she took her mother's surname.
After getting a piece of document, Zhao Fangyu put the palm-sized document into the brocade box prepared by Xingzhi.
"When Baojie'er is 100 days old, take this thing and go visit Fifth Sister."
Liuyao nodded silently, and continued to follow Zhao Fangyu with Baojie'er in his arms. The carriage creaked forward, leaving Jingzhao Yin and heading straight for Zhao's house.
After the funeral, even with Mei Xunyin's help, the lady still felt very tired.
The death of Zhao Fangyun cast a shadow on the entire Song family. Aunt Song was extremely silent. She followed the old lady every day, chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist scriptures, praying for the fifth lady.
Zhao Fangyu held Bao Jie'er and sat beside the eldest lady. The eldest lady lazily stretched out her fingers to tease Bao Jie'er who had just woken up. Then she looked at Zhao Fangyu who was dodging and said, "Xiaowu's child has recognized you as his godparent. What a big deal."
Zhao Fangyu also laughed and lazily curled up on the Luohan bed. Beside her lay a chubby cat, which lay lazily next to her, rubbing its head against Zhao Fangyu gently, and then sleeping directly on Zhao Fangyu's legs.
Zhao Fangyu's hands stroked the smooth and soft fur of the raccoon slave, pinching the light pink little pad to relieve the pressure: "Aunt becomes godmother, I don't know which one is closer."
Zhao Fangyun was really desperate at that time. The only way she could think of to tie Bao Jie'er to Zhao Fangyu was to make her her godchild.
One of them was teasing a child, while the other was teasing a cat. They looked strangely alike.
Mother Cui brought a bowl of fresh and hot osmanthus milk pancake, with some fresh golden honey poured on it.
"The prince sent someone to tell her that the princess is taking medicine now and should drink less tea."
Zhao Fangyu met Mother Cui's teasing eyes, lowered his head silently, and scooped a spoonful of fresh curd.
She likes snacks, but doesn't like anything too sweet, except for milk pancakes.
But the cat in her arms smelled the fragrance at this moment, stood up in a daze, moved close to Zhao Fangyu's chin, and kept sniffing the milk cake that Zhao Fangyu was eating.
The cat was very well behaved and didn't make any noise. He opened his big watery round eyes and squatted obediently beside Zhao Fangyu, constantly watching Zhao Fangyu licking his nose.
Mother Cui smiled and hugged the raccoon away: "Little monkey, this is what the fourth uncle gave to the fourth lady. You can't eat it."
The voice of Cui's mother teasing Zhao Fangyu was still echoing in his ears, and Zhao Fangyu's face turned red.
For a moment he wanted to stop drinking, but before he put down the spoon, he caught a glimpse of the eldest lady's smiling eyes from the corner of his eye, and Zhao Fangyu's face suddenly turned red.
"That's fine. If someone cares about you, I'll feel more at ease."
The palace is not a good place. When Zhao Fangyu was in the palace, the eldest lady worried about her more than anyone else.
Now I have a new identity, but I have to face more dangers. It is better to have someone caring about me than to be alone.
Zhao Fangyu picked up a few spoonfuls and then stopped moving. The servants took the food away and Mother Cui brought the cat back.
Apparently, the little cat slave had also gone down to have a snack. He was still very energetic and was playing with Zhao Fangyu by grabbing a handkerchief.
Zhao Fangyun's death did not cause much commotion, at least on the surface.
Zhao Fangyu told the eldest lady about Chunshao's strangeness. The eldest lady lowered her head and slowly taught her a truth.
"It's not the lack of wealth that's worrying, but the inequality. Diecui and Suer both got good jobs, which is like getting a mountain of gold and silver. How can she be willing to accept this?"
Zhao Fangyu still remembered how helpless she felt when Chunshao told her that an old lady in the mansion wanted her child to marry her.
Now that life was getting better and no one was forcing her, she began to relax.
Zhao Fangyu assigned Chun Shao a task, and she would assign someone else to do it. If the other person was perfunctory, she would assign it to another person...
After being passed around in circles and passed through countless hands, the message was no longer useful.
After all, it was her own fault.
Xuanbi did not find any suspicion of rebellion in her. It was just that there were three new maids around her. Chunshao was the most senior one, so she usually acted in a pretentious manner.
Most of the things you need to do to show your face are done by yourself, and the rest is left to others.
Since she was the only one with seniority, the three newcomers were also very tolerant of her.
The only one was Xingzhi. Because she was the youngest, everyone in the yard favored her a little bit, so Chunshao never ordered Xingzhi around. As long as Xingzhi didn't complain, the matter was suppressed.
Chun Shao's carelessness, the perfunctory attitude of her subordinates, the illness of the eldest lady, and Zhao Minshan's madness...
Layer upon layer of events led to Zhao Fangyun's tragedy.
But the person who cared about her the most was the powerless Concubine Song, so this matter was destined not to cause much waves.
After punishing Song Yuan and the old lady of the Song family, the rest will be over.
Zhao Fangyu told the eldest lady Baojie'er's name, and the eldest lady praised it as a nice name.
"You and King He don't have a child yet. If you like her, take her home. If you don't like her, she can stay in the Zhao family."
If he stayed in the Zhao family, he would naturally be raised by the eldest lady.
This is also what Zhao Fangyu hesitated about.
She really... doesn't know how to teach children.
She likes to play with other people's children, but if she really wants to raise one of her own, she may not have the patience.
The next moment, I heard Mother Cui come to report that Zhou Qinghe had arrived.
In the past, Zhou Qinghe always liked to wear dark clothes, but now he has changed into a light-colored round-necked robe with dark edges, which has a different charm.
Zhou Qinghe first paid his respects to the eldest lady, then saw Bao Jie'er, and could not help but ask someone to bring her to him for a look.