Chapter 163.1: No Value Alive
Never mind the others, even Luo Old Madam all appeared shocked. This completely was just ‘if not dead, then would still be paralyzed’.
Luo Old Madam calmed her nerves, “Where’s your third master?”
“Replying to old madam, this while, probably about to enter the gates. This little one returned first to report. Just saw third madam, and then immediately went to the main courtyard to inform you. Learning that you came to third miss’s courtyard, this one, in a moment of panic, chased over……………”
Luo Old Madam immediately had a resolution, “Old doctor, troubling you to take a trip to the third branch. Once I have the matters understood clearly, I will immediately head over. As for the matters here, asking old doctor to look after more.” Presumably, Liu-shi has also sent someone to invite him, just mutually missed one another. This while, that servant is probably also on the way to Elegant Haitang Residence.
“Old madam is too polite.” Since he has become the manor doctor, aside from doing his best for the Luo family, his mouth also needed to be tight. Just, it was found out recently that there’s a pregnancy, yet such a disaster happened on that side. This ultimately wasn’t a good sign. “Old madam, towards this kind of injury, this one isn’t particularly adept in. This one propose, inviting an expert from the Imperial Physician Court would be more appropriate.” En, one still needed to have self-awareness.
“Many thanks doctor for reminding.” Turning her head, she let the mama at her side return to the main courtyard to fetch Luo Pei Shan’s name card.
The old doctor cupped his hand and left first.
Once he left, Luo Old Madam began inquiring the whole story, “First have this matter explained clearly, where did old three fall from horseback, and how did he fall from horseback. For old three to meet with mishap, you all as his servants won’t be able to escape from the blame either.”
That servant boy tremblingly began narrating, “Third master was invite out today, going out of the city to race horses. When they arrived at Kang Qinwang’s estate, they got worked up again, saying that they want to go hunting, thus entering the forest. Third master and them were too fast, so by the time this one caught up, the accident had already occurred.”
Luo Old Madam furrowed her brows, “Your third master never liked riding horses all that much to begin with, further don’t need to mention going hunting. Why would he participate in such for no reason? Who was the one in the lead? Moreover, today isn’t his turn to be off from work.”
“Old madam, it was Kang Qinwang’s brother-in-law[1] (wife’s sister’s husband) that made the suggestion, and also the other few families’ masters, a total of seven to eight people, all more or less people related to Kang Qinwang. Third master said, it’s not good to refuse, thus switched his resting day with someone else’s from the yamen.”
This was actively looking for ‘disaster’! However, Luo Old Madam suddenly realized that there was definitely something wrong here. As for who did it, just from appearance, it was apparent at a glance. Moreover, Kang Qinwang also had a motive to attack old three. Old three originally casted himself under him, yet now his di daughter entered Rui Qinwang Manor. In addition, his temper was bad to begin with. To dare betray him, he naturally would think of a way to retaliate, even killing the chicken to warn the monkey. But, Luo Old Madam felt this matter wasn’t that simple. Kang Qinwang’s brain indeed can’t compare to Rui Qinwang, but he still wouldn’t be this obvious. However, she didn’t rule out the possibility of him deliberately arranging it as such, making others believe that it was someone framing him. As for the specifics, afraid still need to rely on old master to go investigate. “Why have your third master sent back, and not directly look for a medical clinic after entering the city?”
The servant boy swallowed his saliva, “Old madam, they, they were unwilling to receive third master.”
Understood, this was having too serious of an injury, fearing that he would die in their clinic. Under normal circumstances, the family would all take their anger out on the doctors. This was worrying that they’ll bring disaster to the clinic? However, “The people that went together with him, not a single one came out to vouch for him?”
“After entering the city, they all returned to their respective homes.”
Luo Old Madam coldly sneered, a bunch of good-for-nothings. However, did they think that they can cleanly escape from the responsibility this way? As long as one stood out like a man and took charge, then the Luo family perhaps won’t do anything, but since they chose to withdraw like turtles, then don’t blame the Luo family for being impolite. “Directly head to the Ministry of Appointments and have this matter reported to the old master.”
“Yes.” He hurriedly excused himself.
Luo Old Madam turned towards Sun Yi Jia, who was stroking her stomach with a pale face, as well as Luo Jing Bo, who was stupidly standing next to her with his lips tightly pursed. “Don’t think too much, this has nothing to do with your child. Just, Yi Jia, over at your own mother’s side, temporarily can’t report the good news, need to wait until this period passes. Also in terms of diet, you two’s courtyard doesn’t have a small kitchen, so just use Wan Wan’s. It’s close by, so there aren’t any inconveniences either. Similarly, after this period passes, I’ll have them build one for you two. Later, I’ll let someone send you some money. You can send someone out to buy the materials.” Each branch all had the practice of buying things in private, so this wasn’t that big of a deal either.
Luo Old Madam’s arrangement, Sun Yi Jia naturally was grateful towards. She was just worried that her child would end up with a cursed reputation. Just, “Grandmother, no need to send money, this granddaughter-in-law………….”
Luo Old Madam waved her hand to interrupt her, “What the family should give you, naturally can’t be missing, it’s the same for every Luo family daughter-in-law. Your own dowry, that’s a separate matter, and how you want to use it is also your own business. How can that be mixed with the share you deserve? This bit, you especially need to take note of, only taking it out when you should bring it out, and when you should accept, you absolutely must accept. If you only put out and not take in, then as time goes on, it’ll make others feel that this is how it should be, and will also increase some people’s appetite. Then, when you’re unable to put forward, it’ll instead become your fault.”
“Many thanks for grandmother’s teachings.” If not an elder that genuinely considered for her wellbeing, they definitely wouldn’t say something like this.
“Alright, quickly go have your makeup washed off. Jing Bo, properly take care of your wife. I’m going to head to the third branch for a look.” With Jing De’s wife as an example in front, Luo Old Madam right now can’t bear seeing pregnant people wearing makeup. Moreover, Sun Yi Jia didn’t just use makeup powder for her look. Who knows if there’s anything harmful inside. Although she knew, for the things that Wan Wan dared to use on the face, she should have long considered this, and usually won’t have any problems, but right now, the mother and child were both ‘delicate’, so they have no choice but to guard against.
Little Wang-shi’s matter, who in the Luo family didn’t know about, afraid even quite a few relatives were all aware. The couple finally came to realization and immediately called for someone to bring water for her to wash her face. Afterwards, for a long period of time, she all can’t wear makeup. Originally, every time after returning from outside, Sun Yi Jia would always have her face washed first thing. Just, today, she was worried about Jing Wan, feeling fretful inside, and thus forgot.
“Grandmother, I’ll also go.” Jing Wan followed after.
Luo Old Madam glanced at her, “Come over after changing your clothes.”
Although these words were very common, Jing Wan still couldn’t help blushing, having that uncomfortable feeling of being seen through completely. Moreover, third uncle’s injuries were that serious, don’t even know if he’ll be able to endure through. This outfit of hers was indeed too bright. “Then, grandmother head over first, I’ll come after changing.”
Luo Old Madam nodded her head, taking the people and leaving.
“Jing Bo, why don’t we also go have a look?” After Sun Yi Jia finished washing her face, she softly spoke.
Luo Jing Bo subconsciously frowned, “That side is probably in a busy mess right now, so we won’t be able to see third uncle anyways. Moreover, if by chance you were to get knocked against or bumped, how can that be good? I suppose, this while, the younger generation of each branch still haven’t received news yet. Let’s just wait, if there’s anything, grandmother will probably send someone to inform us. Besides, little sis will also go, and she has always been dependable in handling things. Even if grandmother forgets, she definitely won’t.”
Sun Yi Jia also felt he was right. Right now, it was still the child in her stomach that was the most important.
Jing Wan came out from her room after changing. Her attire all changed into something simple and light, yet it didn’t decrease her bearing in the slightest.
Luo Jing Bo repeatedly warned her a few words.
Jing Wan nodded, “Don’t worry, elder sister-in-law, just focus on taking care of yourself. Everything else, no need to bother with.”
By the time Jing Wan arrived at the third branch, her eldest aunt Wang-shi, fourth aunt Wu-shi, and also her mother (Zhang-shi), were all present. As for the other group of women, presumably were third uncle’s concubines. Heh, this amount really is quite a lot. The other three brothers’ concubines added together was probably also just this much, right? Have to say, grandfather perhaps disliked third uncle somewhat, but in terms of guidance, it shouldn’t be too different from the rest. But how come the final outcome was like this? As expected it was still his own problem? These women were weeping endlessly, but with grandmother keeping watch outside, they didn’t dare cry too loudly, just softly sobbing.
Just don’t know whether these women were genuinely heartbroken, or just worrying for one’s future? Those with child were still fortunate. If Luo Rong Ping dies, the Luo family wouldn’t go as far as to not care for them, but those without child will be in danger. Among these people, there weren’t any high concubines or noble concubines[1]. If Liu-shi hardens her heart, she can have them all sold off. That’s why, they didn’t wish for Luo Rong Ping to die the most. That’s right, just not wishing for him to die, that’s all. In any case, even when he’s well, they are still just neglected, so it was best for him to just be paralyzed on the bed.
Jing Wan didn’t see that Huan Yiniang that made third uncle and third aunt thoroughly shed all pretense of cordiality. She was probably also in the room serving. Right now, she was also pregnant, and to think that she actually wasn’t scared of accidentally getting bumped during the chaos.
Have to say, these women really dressed quite plainly. Truthfully speaking, Jing Wan felt, they were even inferior to the servant girls in charge of sweeping in her courtyard. The third branch, compared to the other branches, was indeed quite tight on money, but it shouldn’t be to this degree, right? This was Liu-shi docking the money, or was it that they really don’t have the money to raise? Or perhaps both were true.
[1] 连襟 (Lian Jin)- This term is sort of the sister term of zhouli, used to describe the relationship between the husbands of sisters. So in this case, the husband of the previous Kang Wangfei’s sister and Kang Qinwang would be this.
[2] Concubines in ordinary families can be given special ranks to elevate their status. The terms used are [良妾] ‘good concubine’ and [贵妾] ‘noble concubine’. I think it should be pretty obvious that noble concubine is the higher of the two. I changed ‘good concubine’ to high concubine because good concubine just sounds weird on its own.
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