Currently, Zhao Feizhou was a hot-blooded and vigorous youth. He had not expected that he would be looked down upon by Jiang Ruan today, and for a moment, he felt somewhat indignant. Jiang Ruan instructed Tian Zhu to throw Guo Meng to the side of the rockery next to the pond. Tian Zhu spared no effort and Guo Meng's head hit the rockery, causing a trace of blood to flow.
Although everyone present was a little surprised, they did not stop him. Zhao Jin hated people who stabbed people in the back the most, let alone Zhao Feizhou. Tian Zhu took out a small porcelain bottle and shook it under Guo Meng's nose. She stood up and said, "Miss, she won't wake up for another four hours."
Zhao Feizhou stared at Guo Meng's every move and felt a little strange. He asked, "Your maid actually knows martial arts? Where did you find it? "Zhao Feizhou was also a martial artist, so he could tell that Guo Meng's martial arts were not weak.
Jiang Ruan looked into the distance. Dewdrop, who had been standing guard at the other end, hurriedly ran over, "Miss, the two grannies of the Xia family and several madams are heading this way."
Sure enough, it was the Xia family. Jiang Ruan's eyes flashed and she said, "Very well, let's go hide in the vicinity."
A group of people entered from the forest. Leading them was the county governor's wife. As Shen Rou spoke to her, Yu Ya's gaze was constantly scanning the forest, as though she was searching for something.
One of Yu Ya's maids, who was walking at the front, suddenly exclaimed, "There seems to be someone over there!"
The madams all revealed astonished expressions, but the maidservant seemed to have encountered something that was difficult to speak of. A hint of joy flashed past Yu Ya's eyes, but she said solemnly, "What nonsense are you shouting? Do you still have any manners?"
"Granny Xia, don't be in a hurry to teach your servants." The county governor's wife patted her hand and asked the maidservant, "What's wrong? What's there to be surprised about? "
The maidservant stammered and did not speak, only lowering her head. When the Furens saw her expression, their hearts were filled with doubt and some speculations. Today's Chrysanthemum Banquet was originally set up for those young ladies and young masters. If there were people who went out of line, privately … People generally liked to watch a good show, especially women. Moreover, these madams were worried that their daughters or sons would be involved, so they were in a dilemma.
Seeing this, Yu Ya said, "This servant girl is becoming more and more unruly recently. I'll go take a look and see what has caused her to be so panicked." As she spoke, she took the lead to go forward.
With Yu Ya walking forward, the other madams no longer had any reason to stay and could only follow her. Shen Rou looked at Yu Ya thoughtfully. The corners of her mouth twitched, and she simply revealed a happy smile.
However, when everyone walked forward, they were shocked by the scene in front of them. They saw a woman lying on the rock garden beside the pond. Her clothes and jewelry were still intact, but there was a bloodstain on her forehead. It was a shocking sight that made people suspicious.
Concubine Ru Mei of the Assistant Minister's family immediately cried out in alarm, "Meng 'er!"
The Assistant Minister's wife was currently seriously ill in bed and naturally could not attend the banquet. Only the concubine who had given birth to the Guo family's young master and young miss had brought a few people to attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet.
That assistant minister's concubine, Ru Mei, was originally a singer in an opera troupe. She was used to doing shady things to curry favor with men. Today, she had come to the banquet dressed in bright and flamboyant clothing. The jewellery on her head was so dazzling that it felt like it was going to dazzle everyone's eyes. Those who didn't know better would think that she had come to choose a husband for herself and not for her daughter. Most of the madams present were legal wives, but there were also a few concubines. They were also well-dressed and did not look at such a frivolous person. Concubine Ru Mei had been sitting on the bench since earlier and was already very dissatisfied. Now that her daughter was in trouble, she could not care about anything else. She quickly ran forward and held Guo Meng in her arms.
When she saw the scar on Guo Meng's head, Concubine Ru Mei began to curse, "Which bastard used this medicine to harm my Meng 'er like this! Her face is disfigured for no reason, how can she marry in the future? " Her voice was sharp and unpleasant to hear. Everyone frowned slightly, but Concubine Ru Mei did not realize it herself. She screamed at the County Governor's wife, "My Meng 'er had an accident in Madam's residence. Madam, you must find that vile person and punish him severely. When I find him, I will skin him alive!"
In the end, she was a person of humble birth. Her words and actions were like those of a shrew in the marketplace. Not to mention her unpleasant words, she was so rude that even the County Governor's wife would not be able to explain herself. Although the County Governor's residence should also be responsible for this matter, Concubine Ru Mei's attitude immediately made everyone's sympathy for Guo Meng disappear.
"Madam, don't be anxious." It was the Zhao family's second daughter-in-law, Madam Yao, who could not stand it and said, "Why don't you take a look at Miss Guo's injury?"
This mother only cared about shouting and did not look at her daughter's injury. When the madams heard this, they looked at Concubine Ru Mei with even more disdain. Concubine Ru Mei had tricks in front of the assistant minister, but in front of these noble ladies, she was brainless. Naturally, she did not notice the change in everyone's eyes. She only hurriedly shook Guo Meng in her arms, "Meng 'er, Meng' er?"
Guo Meng's eyes were tightly closed and did not move. Concubine Ru Mei became anxious and did not care about being unreasonable anymore. She said in a panic, "What should we do? Meng 'er is not waking up? What's going on? "
Yu Ya frowned tightly. The servant girl who had put on an awkward posture earlier also lowered her head in panic. It should not be like this, how could it be like this? It had already been explained that when they came over, they should see Zhao Feizhou and Guo Meng together, Guo Meng being bullied and crying, and Zhao Feizhou being presumptuous and irresponsible. Why was Zhao Feizhou nowhere to be seen, but Guo Meng was so heavily injured?
Yu Ya had already asked around. Although Zhao Feizhou had a fiery temper like Zhao Yuanfeng, he was not someone who would attack for no reason. The Zhao family also did not randomly beat women. How could it be like this? She heard the County Governor's wife say, "Come, help Miss Guo into the room. Take the master's invitation and quickly call for a doctor."
When the servant girls helped the unconscious Guo Meng into the room, the doctor had not yet arrived. Yu Ya's eyes turned and she said, "That person dared to injure Miss Guo in the mansion, he must be someone from the mansion. There are so many people at the Chrysanthemum Banquet today, it is inevitable that there will be too many eyes. Why don't we find someone to ask who Miss Guo was with just now? "
The County Governor's wife felt that what she said made sense, so she sent someone to pass the message. She only asked if anyone saw Guo Meng with who she was with today.
The servant girl who passed the message quickly returned and said that the young servant girl who was sweeping the room had seen Guo Meng with Zhao Feizhou today.
When she said this, Madam Yao's eyelids twitched. Today, she was the one who had brought Zhao Yulong and Zhao Feizhou here. Zhao Yulong and Zhao Feizhou were already of marriageable age, but these two boys' temperaments were as hard as stone. They did not have any thoughts of being intimate with any of the girls. Madam Yao and Madam Zhou discussed it and decided to bring their son and nephew along. Who knew that something like this would happen.
Madam Yao came from a scholarly family and was very particular about etiquette. When she heard this, she became angry and said, "I watched Feizhou grow up, he would never do such a despicable thing!"
"You may know a person's face but not his heart." Yu Ya said, "Besides, he didn't say anything. He only saw Third Young Master Zhao and Miss Guo together. What is Grandmother Zhao worried about?"
"You-" Madam Yao was furious. She saw through Yu Ya's provocation and looked at Shen Rou, who was at the side, and suddenly remembered something. When news of Jiang Ruan's matter had reached the Zhao family, it turned out that this woman was Xia Jun's mother. Today, she was deliberately provoking them. Wasn't this revenge?
Concubine Ru Mei, who wished for the whole world to be in chaos, shouted, "So it was you! I didn't expect Third Young Master Zhao to be such a shameless person. I don't care, Third Young Master Zhao harmed my Meng 'er. I will go back and find someone to tell my family's master. Even if you make trouble at the Shangguan fu, you won't be able to get any benefits! "
"Concubine Ru Mei," Madam Yao was really angry. She spoke each word sonorously and forcefully, "May I ask why my family's Feizhou harmed your daughter? For no reason at all, there has to be a reason. "
"Perhaps your son saw Meng 'er's beauty and had a filthy heart. Meng' er didn't comply, so your son became angry out of humiliation and injured her!" Concubine Ru Mei shamelessly said these words, but the surrounding madams also began to giggle. This Concubine Ru Mei was really like a shrew. She didn't know what kind of effect these words would have on her daughter. Once today's matter was spread out, it would be very difficult for Guo Meng to find a good husband in the future. If her own mother was so shameless, how could her daughter be any better?
Concubine Ru Mei continued to speak cheerfully, but she didn't know that the Zhao family had always been protective of their own people. They weren't some soft persimmon that anyone could pinch. Even Madam Yao, who looked gentle and soft, had been married into the Zhao family for so many years. She also had some of the Zhao family's valiance in her bones. She immediately sneered, "Concubine Ru Mei is used to joking. Feizhou couldn't find any kind of girl, but he insisted on finding a shu daughter. It was Concubine Ru Mei who thought that Miss Guo could sing a few songs, and Feizhou liked her very much. But I don't know how she compares to Little Peach in the opera on the east street of the capital. "
Among the surrounding furens, there were some who were on good terms with Madam Yao. Naturally, they understood that with Madam Yao's temper, she would never say such harsh words. Today, however, she had been forced into a corner and was truly angry.
When Madam Yao finished speaking, even the Prefectural Governor's wife wanted to laugh. That Little Peach in the opera on the east street sang a good song. Every day, there would be people coming and going, and who knew how many officials and old masters she had entangled. Madam Yao's words were truly vicious.
Yu Ya didn't expect that Madam Yao, who looked easy to bully, would be so eloquent. Concubine Ru Mei, who was on the other side, could naturally hear the sarcasm in Madam Yao's words. She hated her so much that her liver hurt. Unfortunately, she wasn't as quick-witted as Madam Yao, so she couldn't think of a reply.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little tense, footsteps could be heard from outside. It was the group of noble ladies who were playing in the courtyard.
Walking at the front was the Guo family's eldest daughter, Guo Xiang. When she reached the door, Ru Mei looked at her viciously and reprimanded, "Eldest Miss, how can you and Meng 'er go out to play, and if something happens to Meng' er, how can you be the eldest sister? Don't tell me you don't know how to take care of your younger sister? "
Eldest Miss Guo was only fifteen or sixteen years old this year. Because her mother was still seriously ill, she only wore a dark green gown. It was extremely plain, and her brows were as calm as her entire person. Hearing Concubine Ru Mei's vicious accusations, she shook her head and said, "Yiniang, I am not a roundworm in Wu Mei's stomach. How can I follow her all the time? Moreover, I had previously asked Fifth Younger Sister to go with me, but Fifth Younger Sister herself refused. "
Ru Mei stared blankly and saw another young miss beside Guo Xiang say, "That's right, Guo Jiejie wanted to go with Fifth Young Miss Guo, but who knew that not only was Fifth Young Miss unwilling to be with Guo Jiejie, she even insulted Guo Jiejie."
The surrounding noble ladies all nodded their heads, saying that they had seen it with their own eyes. Originally, the noble ladies didn't think much of shu daughters. Moreover, Guo Meng's temperament was indeed not very likable. Besides sympathizing with Guo Xiang, they naturally didn't leave any leeway to trample on Guo Meng. Concubine Ru Mei was so angry that she wanted to vomit blood. There were so many noble ladies, and she couldn't offend them all. She could only vent her anger on Guo Xiang and glare at her.
Guo Xiang remained unmoved, but Yu Ya's gaze flickered and fell on Jiang Ruan, who was following behind Zhao Jin. As if noticing Ru Mei's gaze, Jiang Ruan raised her eyes and smiled at her. Immediately, an ominous premonition floated in Yu Ya's heart. She felt as if she had missed something.
"Yiniang, Fifth Younger Sister was harmed by someone." Guo Xiang said.
"What?" Ru Mei heard this and immediately asked, "You know who it is?"
"This …." Guo Xiang was somewhat embarrassed. Zhao Jin said, "Because Fifth Young Miss Guo discovered someone else's secret."
"What secret?" Ru Mei asked closely. Zhao Jin was somewhat embarrassed and refused to speak further.
"What secret is it?" Seeing Zhao Jin like this, Ru Mei became even more anxious. She reached out and tugged at Zhao Jin's sleeve. Seeing this, Zhao Furen frowned slightly.
The young miss who had spoken up for Guo Xiang earlier said, "Ah, everyone heard it just now. Now it's no longer a secret."
This young miss was the young miss of a scholar-official's family. This year, she had not yet reached the age of fifteen and was only eleven or twelve years old. She did not have many misgivings and when she spoke, she was much more straightforward. The noble ladies present looked at each other and lowered their heads. It seemed that this secret was extremely difficult to speak of and really could not be mentioned again.
Yu Ya's heart jumped and she looked at Jiang Ruan. The smile on Jiang Ruan's lips seemed to have deepened. No matter how she looked at it, it was somewhat strange. She stared at Jiang Ruan and her brows gradually furrowed.
"What is it?" The governor's wife said softly, "Say it, don't be afraid."
The young miss said indifferently, "Say it then. The secret is that the eldest miss of the Xia family is the child of Second Master."
As soon as these words came out, everyone present was shocked!
Shen Rou, who had originally been watching the show from the sidelines, did not expect that the topic would suddenly change and revolve around her head. Immediately, her face turned pale.
"What is going on?" Yu Ya asked sternly. She subconsciously looked at Shen Rou and saw that Shen Rou's expression was not normal. Her heart paused and her heart slowly sank. Suddenly, an overwhelming hatred rose up.
She and Shen Rou had fought for so many years and naturally understood what Shen Rou's expression meant. It meant that the young miss's words just now... were true.
When she entered the Xia family's door, she knew that Xia Tiancai was naturally dissolute and fickle. However, since she gave birth to Xia Jun, she naturally sat firmly in the position of the matriarch of the family. No matter how reckless Xia Tiancai was, he still had to take care of her.
It was just that Yu Ya was a harsh person and was naturally jealous. The Xia family's first branch, Xia Tianyi, was inarticulate, yet he married such a beautiful and delicate wife like Shen Rou. Women always had to arrogantly compare themselves. She naturally could not bear to see Shen Rou give birth to a daughter and her husband dote on her. She gave birth to a son, yet Xia Tiancai's heart was not on her. What she hated the most was that Xia Tiancai's occasional inadvertent gaze lingered on Shen Rou, full of admiration.
Now that she thought about it, it turned out that the two of them already had a head and a tail. It was no wonder that Xia Tiancai's feelings towards his eldest brother could not be said to be very close, yet he was very fond of his niece, Xia Jiaojiao. But it turned out that Xia Jiaojiao was basically their lowly child!
Uncle and sister-in-law had a head and a tail, and Xia Tiancai had been cuckolded by someone, yet he was still raising a daughter for someone else. This was truly the biggest joke in the world!
"Let me say it," Jiang Ruan said indifferently, "Just now, when we were here, a little servant girl came by, but she had a frightened appearance. She only said that Fifth Young Miss Guo had bumped into the Xia family's secret, that person had killed Fifth Young Miss Guo, and wanted to silence her as well. That little servant girl was quite frightened, and when we questioned her closely, she actually revealed the secret. This is what we see now. "
"Wow, so it was you who harmed my Meng 'er!" Ru Mei had always had a temperament of changing the direction of the wind, and as soon as she heard these words, she immediately changed direction and spat at Yu Ya and Shen Rou, "Both of you have done such a shameful and shameful thing, yet you still want to kill someone to silence them. If anything happens to my Meng 'er, my master will definitely not let you off!"
Yu Ya took a deep breath, fully aware that this was not the time to pursue other matters. If the Xia family really spread unfavorable rumors, it would not be a good thing for her. Thus, she said, "Ru Mei YiNiang, isn't it too arbitrary to judge based on a little servant girl's side of the story? Jiejie and I have been here from the beginning to the end, so how could we have harmed Fifth Young Miss Guo? "
"This..." Ru Mei was at a loss for words.
Jiang Ruan smiled, "How come I don't see the servant girl by Second Xia's side?"
Generally speaking, when a madam came out, she would bring along two servant girls to serve her. However, from the beginning until now, there had only been one servant girl by Yu Ya's side, and the other servant girl had never appeared. Even if it could be said that she had gone to fetch some other things, it was still a little too long.
Yu Ya's expression changed. She naturally knew where that servant girl had gone. That servant girl had originally hidden here to let out some wind and lead Zhao Feizhou to meet Guo Meng, but now she had not returned after so long. Naturally, she could not tell the truth, but Jiang Ruan did not give her any time to react. She then walked over to Guo Meng, who was lying on the couch, and gently picked up a silk handkerchief. In a soft voice, she said, "This handkerchief, why does it seem a little strange …"
Coincidentally, the doctor who had seen Guo Meng's injuries had finished writing a prescription and walked over to take the handkerchief from Jiang Ruan's hands. He sniffed it and said, "Just now, this old man saw that this young lady was unconscious because she had been drugged. This handkerchief has the smell of the drug."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
