Union

Chapter 145, Section 144: People and Affairs of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion
Afterwards, Yunying learned about it from Moxue.

Xiahou Yi was appointed as a border patrol envoy two years ago, and he has been inspecting the four borders of the Great Xia for the past two years.

He must have discovered something during his patrol that triggered the frequent pursuit by those behind him.

For example, Xiahou Yi had encountered the midnight strangulation more than ten times last night, and he was lucky to escape death every time.

It was only then that Yunying realized that yesterday's midnight horror was not an accidental incident, but rather an occasional "extra meal".

Although Xiahou Yi is quite pitiful, could we give them a heads-up beforehand so they can be mentally prepared and not be so surprised if something happens?
With these thoughts in mind, Yunying dared not complain to Xiahou Yi.

I heard that the man was ruthless in his actions. Every time he was assassinated, after the incident was over, he would skin and dismember all the assassins who had chased him and hang them upside down from the trees.

The scene was gruesome and bloody. Anyone caught off guard and witnessing it would be so horrified they'd vomit for a whole year.

Fortunately, after Xiahou Yi, they changed their route and headed north, no longer traveling the same path as Yun Ying and the others. Otherwise, just thinking about having such a powerful weapon following behind would have put Yun Ying under considerable psychological pressure.

Now that things are better, everyone is no longer traveling together, and we are getting closer and closer to the capital. The security situation is also getting better and better, and Yunying's expression has become visibly relaxed.

Another day, the group arrived at their next lodging before nightfall.

It's three days' journey from here to the capital.

But they couldn't continue their journey because the snowflakes were falling heavily, and the road quickly turned into a silvery white again.

It was now the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, which happened to be the Little New Year in the north.

Mo Xue said to Yun Ying, "Even if we walk fifty miles a day, we'll definitely reach the capital before the New Year, so there's no rush."

Yunying agreed with Moxue's words and decided to stay at the post station until the snow stopped and the road became easier to travel before setting off again.

However, considering the time they spent on the road, and that Second Master rode back at breakneck speed on horseback, Yunying couldn't help but ask, "Second Master has most likely arrived in the capital by now, right?"

Mo Xue mentally calculated the Second Master's pace and nodded, "If nothing unexpected happens, he should arrive in the capital sooner or later today."

"so good."

After being away from home for more than two years, Second Uncle is finally going to reunite with his parents and relatives.

While saying "okay" in her heart, Yunying felt an unconcealable sense of loneliness.

She knew that the Second Master had arranged for her to follow behind entirely for her own good. He wanted her to ride in a carriage so she wouldn't have to suffer from the cold and fatigue, and if he followed slowly, he wouldn't have enough time. After all, the palace would be sealed off on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, and the Second Master had to get back before then, or he would be punished.

I know in my heart that the Second Master's arrangement was not wrong, but I still feel a little disappointed.

Furthermore, when Second Master returns, he will inevitably have to face Lin Shuqing.

Even if their relationship is strained, they still have to maintain a facade of harmony with their elders in charge; in front of outsiders, they appear to be the closest of people.

Just thinking about it makes me unable to sleep tonight.

While Yunying was lost in thought, the Second Master entered the capital city before the city gates were locked.

They galloped all the way to the street where the Duke of Rongguo's mansion was located. By then, the road had already turned into a snow-white expanse. The clattering hooves of the horses landed on the snow, creating crescent-shaped patterns on the road, which were then scattered and messed up by more hooves, making the ground muddy.

The servants of the Duke's mansion waited at the city gate for several days until the gate was locked, and then they saw their second master, wrapped in a cloak, braving the frost and snow, riding into the city first.

The servants were overjoyed. Before they could even greet the Second Master, they frantically spurred their horses and galloped like a wisp of smoke towards the Rongguo Duke's mansion.

"Second Master is back! Second Master is back!"

Leaving aside how shaken the Rongguo Duke's mansion was, when the Second Master rode his horse to the gate of the Duke's mansion, the Rongguo Duke's heir and the Third Master were already waiting at the gate.

The heir of the Duke of Rongguo was born to Lady Feng. Although he and Chen Yanzhou were not born of the same mother, the two brothers had a decent relationship. As for the third master of the Duke of Rongguo's mansion, he was Chen Yanzhou's younger brother, born four years after Chen Yanzhou, and was not yet of age to come of age.

The two brothers waited until Chen Yanzhou dismounted, then both stepped forward to greet him.

Chen Yanzhou first called out "Big Brother", then looked at the young man with a frail air about him, "Third Brother".

Chen Yanqing, the heir of the Duke of Rongguo, patted his second brother on the shoulder twice and said with a hearty laugh, "It's been two years since we last met, and you look much stronger, second brother. Stop with the formalities and come inside. Father and Mother have been looking forward to your return since early this morning, but who knew they would wait until now."

As Chen Yanzhou replied, "The road was muddy and difficult to travel, which delayed us a bit," he reached out and pulled his frail-looking third brother along with him into the courtyard.

Seeing this, Chen Yanqing chuckled and said, "The third son went boating on the lake with friends a while ago and developed a high fever the next day. Fortunately, the fever has subsided now. Don't blame him; I've already scolded him."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yanzhou turned his head to look at his third brother.

When the third brother, Chen Yanhuai, saw his second brother looking over, he quickly put on a fawning smile.

Unfortunately, his second brother had no intention of showing him any pity. "Going boating on the lake in the dead of winter, you've really made something of yourself."

Chen Yanhuai chuckled, "Second brother, I just did it on a whim."

"On a whim? Don't you know your own physical condition? You're not even as healthy as a young woman, yet you try to go boating on a lake in winter. You must be tired of living."

Chen Yanhuai was a premature baby. The year that Xiao Fengshi became pregnant with him, the Duke of Rongguo accompanied the emperor to the Summer Palace in Qianzhou.

Originally, they were going to take Xiao Fengshi with them, but Chen Yanqing contracted smallpox at that time.

Since the Duke of Rongguo could not refuse his duties and Chen Yanqing could not be taken away, Madam Feng stayed at the mansion to take care of Chen Yanqing.

As a result, a rebellion broke out that year, and all the mansions of nobles in the capital were besieged. The nobles of the capital were also imprisoned and held hostage to control the important court officials accompanying the emperor.

Madam Feng had to care for Chen Yanqing, who had just passed the critical period, while also taking care of her own eight-month pregnancy. She was frightened and exhausted, and on the very day she was rescued from her cage, she gave birth to Chen Yanhuai in a difficult labor.

When Chen Yanhuai was born, he was thin and small, as frail as a kitten. It was only after His Majesty dispatched a royal physician skilled in pediatrics to stay by his side at the Rongguo Duke's mansion for a whole year that Chen Yanhuai's life was saved.

Given that Chen Yanhuai's life was hard-won, and that he had suffered greatly from taking medicine since childhood, his family doted on him immensely. Even the Duke of Rongguo had never placed any demands on this youngest son. He could study literature if he wanted, enter the Imperial Academy if he wanted, and if he felt the Imperial Academy was too restrictive, they simply sent him to Yingtian Academy... In short, Chen Yanhuai could be said to be the most carefree and unrestrained person in this household.

They've been spoiled rotten, to the point of having the audacious idea of ​​taking a boat trip on the lake on a winter night.

His body is probably not even as strong as Yunying's, how dare he?

When the Second Master realized it, he suddenly thought of Yunying again, and his steps faltered involuntarily.

These past few days, he has been thinking about her constantly, and regretting leaving her behind all by himself.

Unfortunately, it's too late for regrets now.

"Second Brother, Second Brother, what are you thinking about? I've called you so many times." Second Master came back to his senses. "Why are you calling me? Haven't you had enough of being scolded?"

"No, no, I won't do it again. Second brother, your temper is getting worse and worse. It's only been two or three years since you left. I haven't noticed anything else, but your temper has really grown."

"Hahaha, third brother, shut up! Your second brother's face is turning blue with anger. If you say another word, you'd better watch out, or Yan Zhou will give you a piece of his mind."

The three brothers talked and soon arrived at Xiao Feng's residence.

As the year draws to a close, the courtyard has long been decorated. Lanterns are hung in two rows along the road, and small silk flowers or colorful ribbons occasionally adorn the treetops, shining brightly under the lanterns.

The Wenhua Garden was also brightly lit. Even as night fell and fine snowflakes fell softly from the sky, perhaps because all the masters and mistresses of the mansion were here that night, the maids and servants dared not rest for a moment. Braving the cold, they continued to clean the roads until they were spotless.

The three brothers entered Wenhua Garden. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw several people standing outside the flower hall.

Chen Yanzhou immediately recognized the person at the head of the group as his biological mother. He quickly ran a few steps, flicked his clothes, and knelt down on both knees.

"Your unfilial son Yanzhou greets his mother. I have traveled a thousand miles, causing you worry. Please punish me, Mother."

……

With Chen Yanzhou's return, the Rongguo Duke's family was reunited, and Wenhua Garden was filled with laughter and joy, truly a lively scene.

Even the usually stern Duke Rongguo felt a pang of nostalgia when facing his son who had returned from his posting away, and his eyes were filled with relief. Overjoyed, he couldn't help but drink a few more cups of wine.

The father and his sons drank and chatted, and before they knew it, they had drunk too much, and the night had deepened.

It was only when Madam Feng saw that the snow outside the courtyard had already fallen in a thick layer that she called a halt to the banquet, allowing her children to disperse and return to their respective courtyards to rest.

Duke Rongguo is definitely not leaving tonight; he'll stay here with Madam Feng to rest.

The only daughter in the manor, Chen Yanxi, was born to the Crown Prince's wife, Lin Shuqing, and Xiao Fengshi. The three women—aunt, sister-in-law, and daughters-in-law—walked in front, while the three Chen brothers, Chen Yanzhou, walked behind.

After leaving Wenhua Garden, Chen Yanxi was to turn left.

Chen Yanxi was the youngest daughter of Madam Feng, and the only girl in the household. She was beautiful and eloquent, and although she was a little spoiled, she was not unreasonable.

Madam Feng doted on this daughter, so she allocated the nearest courtyard for her to live in.

This courtyard was not in the same direction as her brothers' courtyards. Chen Yanxi bid farewell to her brothers and sisters-in-law, and then returned to her own courtyard with her maids and servants.

The rest of the people went west.

First, they arrived at the residence of Chen Yanqing and the Crown Prince's wife. Chen Yanqing stopped to say a few words to his two brothers, patted them on the shoulder, and then led the Crown Prince's wife into the courtyard.

Next is Chen Yanzhou and Lin Shuqing's courtyard.

However, not only Lin Shuqing, but also Chen Yanzhou did not stop.

Lin Shuqing went straight into the courtyard without saying a word, while Chen Yanzhou, perhaps blind, went straight ahead.

The only one who remained in place was Third Master Chen Yanhuai.

Chen Yanhuai called out "Second Brother," but no one answered. Frustrated, he grinned and stomped his foot before chasing after his second brother.

After Chen Yanhuai's figure disappeared, Lin Shuqing stopped in her tracks.

She glanced back and saw that the courtyard gate was spotless. There wasn't a single person, not even a cat or dog.

Lin Shuqing's beautiful face immediately turned pale.

Ruizhi served Lin Shuqing closely, witnessing everything that happened that day.

From the moment the Second Master entered the flower hall, he didn't glance at his own daughter even once.

I really didn't even glance at it.

I don't know if they can't see it, or if they see it but choose to ignore it.

The Second Master's coldness was obvious to the naked eye. Perhaps his young lady felt embarrassed, or perhaps she wanted to compete with the Second Master. The Second Master ignored her, and she ignored the Second Master in return.

Even when the couple is seated together for a meal, they wish they could stay as far away from each other as possible.

They didn't even exchange a glance or make any physical contact, let alone serve each other food. It was as if they had the words "we're not familiar" plastered on their faces.

What's even more interesting is that even in this situation, everyone at the banquet pretended not to see it. No one offered the girl a way out, nor did anyone step in to help resolve the awkward situation, so the girl's resentment only intensified.

But who can blame this?
Who told the girl to believe Ruizhu's fabrications, first disregarding the Second Master, and then making her mother-in-law sick?
The Duke's Mansion did not divorce her outright, all out of consideration for the Marquis of Chang'an's reputation.

At this point, she was too busy being subservient to even think about it, yet she was still putting on airs, waiting for the people from the Rongguo Duke's Mansion to coax her... She probably doesn't know her own worth.

Two years ago, if this predicament had occurred, Ruizhi would definitely have gone up to offer some advice. But ever since Ruixue was hit on the head by the enraged girl last year, and she followed the girl back to the Marquis of Chang'an's residence, only to be pushed off the carriage by the girl on the way back, causing her to hit her head, feel dizzy, vomit, and almost die.

At that moment, Ruizhi truly understood.

The girl can't be relied on anymore; she needs to find a way to get out of this quagmire as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, she is not Ruijin, nor does she have Ruijin's decisiveness, which is why she is still stuck in the mud.

However, given the current situation, there's really no point in her staying. The sooner she gets out, the sooner she can be free; she needs to seize the opportunity and find another path for herself.

Ruizhi had a complicated mind, but appeared honest and obedient on the surface.

Lin Shuqing became increasingly angry when the maidservant offered no words of advice or a way out.

She suddenly slapped Ruizhi across the face, saying, "You arrogant bastard, I'll beat you to death one day."

Ruizhi was slapped for no reason, but dared not offer any explanation or complaint. She could only kneel on the ground, saying in fear and trepidation, "Your Highness is right to punish me. It is all my fault."

She agreed verbally but kept quiet in her heart, wondering if the Second Master and Third Master had heard what the young lady had said.

Whether Chen Yanzhou heard it or not is unknown, but Chen Yanhuai heard it clearly.

He suspected that his second sister-in-law was making veiled accusations, but how could she dare to?

The husband is the head of the household, and her second brother is practically her everything. Doesn't she fear that her second brother will grow cold-hearted by how she treats him like this?