Chapter 216 The Third Master is Back
Xiao Yun came out of her second brother's room and as soon as she walked out the second door, she saw Hongzhu rubbing her hands and walking back and forth like a headless fly. It was obvious that she was in trouble.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun waved his fan, walked forward in a square step, and stood in front of Hongzhu. Hongzhu, who was thinking about something with her head down, almost bumped into him. She jumped in fear, and when she saw that it was the Third Master, she hurried forward and bowed gently, saying:
"Third Master, are you okay? I was so scared."
"What are you thinking about so intently?"
When the Third Master asked, Hong Zhu's eyes lit up, she fell to her knees and begged:
"I beg the Third Master to save the Second Madam."
When the Third Master heard that Second Sister-in-law had something to do, his eyes widened and he asked:
"What's going on? Get up first and tell me slowly. If you kneel down at the gate, the servants will see you and think something is wrong."
After hearing this, Hongzhu hurriedly thanked him, stood up, brushed off the dirt on her body, and said:
"Second Madam was sent to Qingxin Nunnery by the old lady yesterday. This morning, when Second Master woke up, he told me to go to Qingxin Nunnery to see if Second Madam was used to it and if she had been wronged. He also told me to bring her anything she needed. But when I got there, the person at the door had been replaced by the first lady. When she heard that I wanted to see Second Madam, she refused to let me in no matter what. She said that the first lady had ordered Second Madam to meditate in the nunnery and not be disturbed by outsiders."
"What do I think? Qingxin Temple is where my family worships Buddha. The expenses there are higher than those of the concubines, but the three meals are vegetarian. Second sister-in-law is indifferent by nature, so I think she will adapt quickly. I heard about Second sister-in-law's situation as soon as I came back yesterday, and I also went to the old lady to ask for help. The old lady said that she just wanted Second sister-in-law to rest there for a few days. She has already instructed the servants not to treat her badly. Hongzhu, don't make a fuss."
"What the Third Master said makes sense. I thought so at first, too. But I dared not disobey the master's order, so I went there in person. However, it was not the case at all. Seeing the tough attitude of the old woman, I guessed that the Second Madam would not have a good time in there either. I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to send the letter. I dared to say a few words in front of the Third Master. In the past two years, everyone with eyes has seen that the First Madam hates the Second Madam because of the cousin. The Second Madam is not someone who would give in easily either. Fortunately, she has the support of the Old Madam. Now, because of her status as a concubine, she has fallen out of favor with the Old Madam. How could the First Madam let her off easily? Although the Old Madam has something to say, the First Madam is the housekeeper. If she treated her harshly in secret, who would dare to tell others? I also beg the Third Master to find a way to take me there to see her. What if she really gets hurt in there? Not to mention the relationship between master and servant, I would not be able to bear it, and I would not be able to explain to the Second Master either."
"You're right. I'll just have to ask my second brother to tell the old lady about this. Qingxin Nunnery is full of women, and it would be illogical for me to go visit my second sister-in-law. If it gets out, it will ruin her reputation."
"Third Master is right. It's not that I don't know the rules. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I will never resort to such a desperate measure. Second Master was forced to divorce Second Madam since he woke up yesterday. He hasn't eaten anything until now. Today he even refused to take medicine. This morning he is not as energetic as yesterday. He can't even sit up. He just lies there, staring at the roof in a daze. Second Master is worried about Second Madam. If he really tells him about this, I'm afraid it will really cost him his life."
After hearing what Hongzhu said, the Third Master thought of his second brother's unfocused eyes and his face full of ashes. He looked like a half-dead man without any life at all. He also thought of how the First Madam had treated them harshly. With the First Madam's character, she could really do such a thing. So he believed Hongzhu, lowered his head, thought for a while, and said:
"Come on, I'll take you to Qingxin Temple."
Qingxin Temple was originally a deserted place. Except for the occasional people who came to worship Buddha and burn incense, there was no one around. Unexpectedly, with the Second Mistress moving in, it became lively. Several groups of people came in and out in the morning. Standing outside the gate, watching the group of people who had just been sent away to see the Second Mistress, Mrs. Qian complained:
"I was ordered to guard Qingxin Temple early in the morning. I thought it was an easy job, but I didn't expect that I would be busy all morning."
Grandma Sun on the side said:
"If we just worry about it and spend some time on it, it's fine. But if something serious happens, we can't escape responsibility."
"What are you afraid of? Anyway, we just need to follow the orders of the eldest lady and guard the door to prevent anyone from entering or leaving. Even if someone dies inside, it has nothing to do with us!"
"It might just come true. Didn't you see that not only the doorman, the cook, the night watchman, but also the maids and servants were replaced this time? Although the eldest wife didn't say it explicitly, you see, this mansion has made such a big move to transfer personnel. There have been several such moves over the years. Don't you understand?"
As Mrs. Sun spoke, she made a gesture of wiping her neck with her hand. When Mrs. Qian saw this, her face changed. Just as she was about to speak, she saw another horse coming from afar. It stopped near them, and the Third Master and Hongzhu got off the horse. They didn't look at them and went straight to the gate. When they saw that it was the Third Master, they secretly groaned, and stepped forward to stop him, saluted and said:
"Third Master, how are you? This Qingxin Temple is inhabited by women, so it is not convenient for you to go in. I don't know why you are here. I have a message for you."
After taking a look at the two women, the Third Master said coldly:
"I heard that my second sister-in-law was sent here yesterday, I came to see her"
The Third Master is a serious master, whom they cannot afford to offend. However, the First Mistress has issued a death order. During the period when the Second Master is recuperating, not even a fly is allowed to fly out of Qingxin Temple, and outsiders are not allowed to visit him.
After hearing what the Third Master said, the two maids were so shocked that their faces changed. They secretly complained and said with a smile:
"Third Master is the master, and I would not dare to stop you even if I had ten guts. However, firstly, the nunnery is inhabited by women, so it is not convenient for Third Master to go in. Moreover, it is not reasonable for Third Master to see Second Madam alone. Secondly, First Madam has ordered me to guard here and no one is allowed to enter. If Third Master really wants to enter, please don't make it difficult for me. Go and ask First Madam. With First Madam's warrant, I will definitely let you in."
Upon hearing this, the Third Master's heart skipped a beat. It seemed that what Hongzhu said was true. He had met the old lady yesterday. This was definitely not what the old lady meant. What exactly did the First Lady want to do by putting so much thought into it?
As soon as he thought of this, he had an ominous feeling in his heart, his face darkened, and he said coldly:
"It's not logical! I'm going to see what the etiquette says today. It won't allow me to see my own sister-in-law!"
After the Third Master finished speaking, he nodded to Hongzhu, ignored the old woman on the side, and tried to force his way in.
When the two maids saw this, they immediately knelt down on the ground, blocking the Third Master's way, and said:
"Third Master, I am just following orders. Please don't embarrass me!"
When the Third Master saw this, he frowned, and without saying a word, he kicked the old woman away. He strode to the door, kicked it open, and walked in. Hongzhu glared at the old woman who was lying there holding her chest and calling for her mother, and followed him in.
The two men entered Qingxin Temple and found out after asking that the Second Madam was arranged to stay in the East Zen Hall. They found a maid to lead the way and went directly to the East Zen Hall, asking the maid to go in and pass on the message.
Mengxi was reading a book alone in the room when she saw the maid come in and tell her that the Third Master had arrived. She was surprised. She had heard from Ouyang Di a few days ago that the Third Master was still near Baicao Garden and asked her whether she should teach him a lesson. How come he came back so soon? She paused for a moment, then thought of her current situation. Her eyes lit up and she hurriedly said, "Please come in," while she put down the book and stood up.
The Third Master and Hongzhu walked in and looked up to see his second sister-in-law, whom he had not seen for more than half a year. She was wearing a plain white narcissus brocade long gown with a pastel pink open gauze dress on the outside. She had her hair tied up in a simple lily bun with a butterfly hairpin casually inserted on it, making her look even more elegant and refined. She stood there looking at him with a smile, but was speechless for a moment and stood there in a daze.
"Second Grandma is well"
Seeing the Third Master standing, Hongzhu stepped forward and greeted the Second Madam first. Mengxi nodded and signaled her to stand up. She walked forward slowly, bowed to the Third Master and said:
"Third Master, be well"
Seeing the second sister-in-law bowing, the third master stretched out his hand to support her and said:
"No need to be polite, sister-in-law"
"I heard that the Third Master went to the martial arts world to gain experience and to search for the trace of the God of Medicine. He came back so soon. Did he gain anything?"
After hearing this, the Third Master's face turned slightly red. He opened and closed the folding fan in his hand, and then opened and closed it again. After a long while, he coughed lightly and said:
"I originally admired the Medicine God for not marrying the rich and powerful, and for being free and easy in the mountains and rivers, that kind of unrestrained and carefree, that's why I traveled through thousands of mountains to look for him, hoping to become his disciple. Unfortunately, the Medicine God has disappeared, and there has been no news from him for half a year. I wanted to continue looking for him, but more than ten days ago, my second brother sent someone to deliver a message to me, saying that there was a change in the family and asked me to come back quickly. I rushed back because I missed home, but I didn't expect it was still too late, my second brother and his wife..."
The third master did not say the following words, and was speechless, but the three people in the room understood what he meant. The air was frozen for a moment, and only the sound of cicadas could be heard from outside the window. After a long while, Mengxi said:
"It's not easy for Third Master to come here, don't just stand there, come, sit down first. This place is not as simple as Third Master 's Sunset Garden, so please don't be so formal."
After hearing what the Second Mistress said, Hongzhu came to her senses and hurried over to move a chair for the Third Mistress, wiped it with a towel, and waited for the Third Mistress to sit down. Mengxi also sat down on another chair. The maid who had just left had brought tea. Hongzhu took it and poured it for the two of them, then stood beside the Second Mistress with her hands down.
Mengxi knew that the Third Master had been out of the house for half a year and had gained nothing. He had been hanging around the branch of Yichuntang and Baicao Garden. Mengxi knew his whereabouts very well. Seeing this unruly Third Master looking for her everywhere, she felt amused and wanted to tease him, so she asked that question. Unexpectedly, the Third Master turned the topic to her and the Second Master, and she didn't know how to start the conversation.
She sat down and looked up at the Third Master, wanting to ask him when he came back. She suddenly remembered that the Third Master had just said that the Second Master had sent someone to give him a letter more than ten days ago, saying that there had been changes in the family. However, her identity as a concubine's daughter was revealed four or five days ago. She remembered that the Second Master asked Xiao Xia to tell her that day, "Don't worry, he will take care of everything." Her heart trembled suddenly. The Second Master had already expected what happened today. Did he know that she was a concubine's daughter?
As soon as he thought of this, his hand holding the teacup trembled, and he took a sip and put the cup on the table. He asked:
"Third Master, what's the matter with you?"
