Chapter 10 The Luo family's five-courtyard mansion was located near the Imperial Academy. By the time they arrived in the capital, autumn had already set in. The weeping willows lining the roads were no longer the tender green of summer; the willows in the capital were exceptionally tall, seeming to blot out the sky itself.They arrived at a secluded spot with exquisite outer walls. Two large stone lions stood guard at the entrance, and the two red-painted gates were wide open today.Sturdy servants on either side removed the threshold, and Yaoniang followed behind Jingrou, with Yinrong guiding them through the main gate."Look here, this is called the Xuanjing Terrace. This stone here was brought by our great-grandfather all the way from Lake Tai. From here, if you go around, you'll reach the sedan chair hall. Further back is the opera stage. We used to keep a small troupe of performers at home—they sang beautifully."Yaoniang looked around, taking in the harmonious blend of overhanging gable roofs, resting gable roofs, round ridge roofs, flush gable roofs, and the opera stage. It was truly exquisite. The Luo family had four tiers of official rank, with many high-ranking officials in the household. By Luo Zhizheng's generation, two members had passed the highest imperial examinations, making the family appear even more wealthy and distinguished.The most senior elder in the family was Old Madame Dou. Luo Zhizheng personally escorted the old lady to rest. The covered walkways were carved with dragons and painted with phoenixes. Mrs. Yu resided in the main quarters, while the eldest son Luo Jingxi and Mrs. Fan lived in the eastern side courtyard. The second son Jingyuan lived alone in the outer courtyard, and Concubine Qin lived in the western wing with Shiyu. Mrs. Yu arranged for Yaoniang to stay in the eastern wing.As for the younger brother Jinghao, he was still young and temporarily lodged in the side room next to Mrs. Yu's quarters.The main hall where her parents lived had three attached rooms and a flower hall, with a plaque reading "Wenhua Hall." It was said that this hall had been personally bestowed upon the old master by the late emperor. The old master had been the top scholar in the imperial examinations and had served as a daily lecturer and tutor to the emperor.In the flower hall stood a pair of candle stands shaped like cranes soaring through clouds with lingzhi mushrooms and coiled flowers. There was also a bronze tripod in antique green and a sandalwood incense table, paired with four sandalwood chairs carved with green peacocks and peony medallions. On the left stood a four-panel nanmu screen with spring-green silk embroidery and glass inlay. Passing around the screen and looking up, one saw extremely high beams—grand and magnificent.Indeed, it was far more wealthy and splendid than the Luo family's old home.Mrs. Yu had changed her clothes by then and looked at Yaoniang with worry. "Her clothes haven't been made yet. The capital isn't like Gaoping—it can snow as early as the tenth month.""Don't worry, madam. We can have the tailor come by tomorrow," Erzhen said."Then it must be done quickly. Also, have the matchmaker come over—I need to select a few more people." Mrs. Yu absolutely refused to let her daughter be put at any disadvantage.…This was the first time Yaoniang slept in the place she had originally occupied. She had lived in this eastern wing throughout her maiden years, occasionally moving to the cool pavilion in the garden for a few days during the height of summer.She had heard that there had been plans for all the young ladies to live together in the rear building, but since there were relatives staying as guests, she had remained in the eastern wing.The eastern wing consisted of three rooms. The servants stayed in the inverted house, reached by walking along the eastern covered walkway.After Baiying and Baizhi made the bed, they went to the kitchen and brought back several small dishes: stir-fried chicken slices, braised mushrooms, and shrimp stir-fried with fragrant beans—all fresh and not greasy. Yaoniang, weary from the journey, found her appetite suddenly awakened. She ate a full bowl of rice and added half a bowl more before she felt her spirits restored.Yinrong returned from outside and said, "Fifth Miss, the Third Miss has been kept by the old lady. Our master has arranged for the Third Miss to stay with the old lady at her quarters."Compared to Baiying and Baizhi, who were still young, Yinrong was eager to show her skills. Yaoniang could only encourage someone like her."Mm, that's not surprising. Third Sister has always been close to Grand-Aunt, and besides, she's about the same age as Second Sister Shizhen, so it's no wonder they get along."Yinrong said, "Fifth Miss is clever, and that's nothing unusual. It's the eldest young mistress over there. I made some inquiries and heard that a doctor has been to see her. The eldest young mistress was indeed frightened, and then she—"She wanted to say "miscarried," but feared Yaoniang might not understand, and it wasn't good for a child to hear such things either.Yaoniang said instead, "I know—she lost the child in her belly."Yinrong breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "This whole matter is really Fourth Miss's fault. That maid Zao'er who carries the dog has said that Fanxue was eating dog food, and Fourth Miss wanted to play with it, so she pretended to snatch the food from Fanxue. As you know, dogs are very protective of their food. Just then, the eldest young mistress came on orders from the eldest madam to call Fourth Miss out, and she happened upon the dog barking at Fourth Miss. Wanting to protect her young sister-in-law, she kicked the dog, and the dog seized the chance to bite her.""How is the eldest sister-in-law now?" Yaoniang asked."The doctor says she needs to recuperate, but since our household is preparing for a happy occasion, the doctor has to keep a low profile." Yinrong was somewhat annoyed at Mrs. Zhou for being useless.But the more Yaoniang thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Mrs. Ren, Mrs. Zhou, and even Fourth Sister all had plenty of maids and nannies attending them. Mrs. Zhou, being such a cautious and careful person, would actually take the initiative to shield Shifang from the dog—that didn't seem likely at all.Could it be to extort money for the donation to purchase a student title? As far as Yaoniang knew, such a donation only cost eighty to a hundred taels, and Mrs. Zhou likely had that amount on hand. And framing Mrs. Fan was even more impossible—Mrs. Fan was the eldest branch's eldest daughter-in-law, while she was the second branch's eldest daughter-in-law. Even if something happened to Mrs. Fan, it had nothing to do with her, and the eldest branch had several sons.Well, matters that couldn't be figured out now would become clear later with more attention."Yinrong, I see something suspicious here. Just keep an eye out. Let's wash up quickly and turn in." Yaoniang had gone to call Luo Zhizheng today precisely to settle this matter quickly. Otherwise, the barefooted fear not the shod—Mrs. Ren could make a fuss all she wanted, but it wouldn't do for it to affect Father's official reputation. Most importantly, it was to help Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Fan out of a tight spot.The next day, Yaoniang was woken by someone. She felt her nose tickle, and suddenly opening her eyes, she found it was that little rascal Jinghao."Sister's awake." Jinghao offered a big grin.His wet nurse, Nanny Song, said, "Fifth Miss, our Third Young Master insisted on coming to see you as soon as he got up. I couldn't stop him. He wants to play with you all day long."No matter how much sleepiness remained, it dissipated at Jinghao's cajoling. Watching him kick off his shoes and cling to her, calling "Sister" this and "Sister" that, Yaoniang tapped his nose.As the siblings were about to head over, Jingrou told Mrs. Yu everything she knew without holding back: "Mother, yesterday Grandmother scolded Eldest Aunt. I don't know exactly what was said, but I saw Eldest Aunt come out of Ganquan Residence with a very sour expression.""Ah, let's not bring that up. Otherwise, if everyone keeps talking about it, it might end up blamed on your Fourth Sister." Mrs. Yu said with a show of magnanimity.Jingrou immediately said, "You're right, I was thinking the same thing. But in that case, sister-in-law is in the clear. Let Fanxue stay in the eastern courtyard for a few days, and once the dust settles, we can take it to the garden for a walk. Speaking of which, Fanxue is the most innocent one in all this."Mrs. Fan's face showed gratitude upon hearing this. Although she hadn't set the dog on anyone, it was still her dog that was involved. Yesterday, her husband had even suggested just giving the dog away.Yaoniang, listening from outside the curtain, wanted to applaud Luo Jingrou for this speech. First, she came early to report to Mrs. Yu, which would make even the wary Mrs. Yu think that her feelings toward Yaoniang were merely petty girlish jealousy, but that her heart was loyal to the eldest branch. At the same time, she had completely cleared Mrs. Fan of any blame, earning her gratitude.But yesterday, it was Mrs. Yu who accompanied Mrs. Fan to explain things to Mrs. Ren, Luo Zhizheng who helped resolve the situation, and she, Luo Yaoniang, who had been the one bridging the gap in between. When real effort was needed, Jingrou was nowhere to be seen, but now that there were favors to be claimed, she ran over quickly.In an instant, she had reaped all the benefits.Since her rebirth, everything had been subject to change—perhaps Luo Jingrou would even survive this lifetime. So she couldn't afford to let the thought that Jingrou had died in her previous life allow her to stand by and watch her slowly encroach and devour everything.With that thought, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she had her maids lift the curtain and enter.

The Second Wife’s Daughter