Chapter 218 Punishing the Evil Slaves
The Third Master was so angry that he wanted to see the Old Lady, but was stopped by his Second Sister-in-law. After hearing what she said, he felt that he had been too reckless and asked casually, "What does the Second Sister-in-law think about this?"
Seeing the Third Master asking, Meng Xi hesitated for a moment and said:
"Come to Qingxin Temple to recuperate, it was originally arranged by the old lady. The first lady kindly did not want anyone to disturb me, which is understandable. Third Master went to find the old lady like this, it seems that he misunderstood the first lady's good intentions and created a rift. Anyway, it's good for me to be here, but I came in a hurry yesterday and didn't bring many things with me. It's very inconvenient. If Third Master can take Zhixia and Zhidong to Xiaoxiang Courtyard to pack up my things and bring them here, I will be very grateful."
"Second sister-in-law..."
"Third Master, don't worry. It will only take a few days. Once Second Master's hand is healed, I will leave here. I only ask Third Master to take the two maids to get the things and make sure to send them in. Otherwise, the gatekeeper will see that they are two maids and bully them. If they don't let you bring the things in, it will be a waste of Third Master's kindness."
Just a few days! The bloodless face of the second brother in the morning appeared in front of the third master. Can it really be cured in a few days? The first wife is narrow-minded. She has been mean to him and his son for many years. He has a deep understanding of it. With his cousin there, can the first wife let the second sister-in-law go so easily?
Is my second sister-in-law too optimistic?
After hearing what the second sister-in-law said, the third master sat there in silence, thinking about how to persuade this optimistic second sister-in-law to be on guard against the first wife. He only heard Mengxi say:
"Look at my memory. I have been talking so much. It is already noon. Third Master, why don't you have lunch here before leaving?"
After Mengxi finished speaking, without waiting for anyone to speak, he said to Zhixia and Zhidong who had already stood up:
"You two go and rush to bring the lunch over."
How could a sister-in-law eat alone with her brother-in-law, especially in a place like this? It would be fine if the brother-in-law was just a babbling child, but the Third Master was a man and even had two concubines.
It would be bad if this matter got out, as it would affect the reputation of the Second Mistress. Moreover, the whole yard is full of the First Mistress's people. Aren't they just waiting for the First Mistress to find something to hold against them?
After hearing the second grandmother's instructions, Zhixia was about to speak to stop them, but suddenly remembered about breakfast, and hurriedly responded, and forcibly dragged Zhidong, who was in a hurry to speak, out.
Seeing that the two maids did not try to stop him and just went on, Hongzhu hurriedly spoke up to persuade them:
"Second Madam, this, this..."
After hesitating for a long time, she couldn't find the right words to persuade the Second Mistress in front of the Third Master. Mengxi certainly didn't understand what she wanted to say, she just sat there looking at her, which made Hongzhu feel uneasy and speechless.
When the Third Master saw this, he said:
"I appreciate Second Sister-in-law's kindness, but we already agreed last night to go to Aunt Zhang's place today, so let's forget about it this time. I must eat Second Sister-in-law's homemade dishes when I have the chance in the future."
"Third Master has returned from a trip. Originally, Second Master should have come to welcome you personally, but Second Master is ill in bed and unable to do so. It is not in accordance with etiquette to invite Third Master to dine here today. I am thinking that I will be leaving the mansion in a few days and it may be difficult to see you again in the future. Today, I am welcoming Third Master and thanking him for taking care of me for the past two years. I am sincere in inviting you to dine despite the world's contempt. Please don't blame me for being rude. Since Third Master is busy today, I will not force you. If we meet in the market someday, he will definitely thank you for saving me today. Don't refuse him then."
After hearing the heartfelt words from the second sister-in-law, the third master's slight unhappiness about her presumptuous invitation to stay for dinner was swept away. He secretly blamed himself for being too narrow-minded and for failing the second sister-in-law's kindness just for the sake of worldly etiquette. He also remembered that the second sister-in-law was about to leave the Xiao Mansion, and hated himself for rejecting her too quickly. He felt sad. He quickly said:
"Second sister-in-law is right. If you really leave the Xiao Mansion, no matter where you go, I, Xiao Yun, will treat you as a relative. If you have any difficulties in the future and can think of me, I, Xiao Yun, will definitely help you ."
"Thank you for your kindness, Third Master. Please wait for a moment. I will leave with you as soon as Zhixia and Zhidong come back."
After hearing this, the Third Master nodded, sat down and picked up the teacup.
Hongzhu heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that Second Mistress did not force Third Master to stay for dinner. Seeing that Third Master was silent, she raised her head and said:
"Second Madam, if you have anything to say to Second Master, I will tell you when I get back."
After hearing Hongzhu's words, Mengxi felt a pang of sadness in his heart. What else could two people who were destined to be separated say at this time?
After a long silence, he looked up and said to Hongzhu:
"Hongzhu went back and told Second Master that the saints said: Your body and hair are given by your parents, and you dare not damage them. I just hope Second Master can take good care of himself and recover soon."
Seeing that the Second Madam was concerned about the Second Master's health and thinking of the distraught Second Master, Hongzhu felt sad. She nodded quickly and turned her face away.
The room fell silent. Looking at the Third Master, Meng Xi recalled the Second Master's poisoning two years ago. She wondered if the Third Master was involved. After thinking for a moment, she asked:
"What are your plans for coming back this time, Master San?"
"I was hurriedly brought back by my second brother this time, and I haven't had time to plan anything yet. Let's see. When my second brother recovers and can manage things, I want to continue traveling around the mountains and rivers and look for the traces of the God of Medicine."
Still looking! Seeing the seriousness of the Third Master, Meng Xi almost cried out. After a moment of silence, he advised:
"As the saying goes, everyone has their own aspirations. If Third Master wants to travel the world, I shouldn't have dissuaded him. But a real man should put his career first. Moreover, Third Master was born into a noble family and has his own family responsibilities. How can he learn from the God of Medicine and live in the mountains and forests for nothing, and fail the kindness of the old lady and the eldest master?"
Family responsibility! The second brother was originally a very filial person. He had shouldered the responsibility of the head of the family since he was a child. In the end, wasn’t he forced to disobey his parents? Just for the position of head of the family, he and the second sister-in-law were a perfect match, but they were forced to separate. One was lying in bed, feeling sad, and the other was alone in this cold and lonely place facing the green lamp.
Is it worth it?
When I was a child, I often saw my biological mother, Aunt Zhang, crying alone in the dead of night. Why? It was because my father was the head of a noble family, shouldering the entire family, but he could not protect his concubine from being abused, leaving her alone in the long, lonely and cold nights.
The second sister-in-law's words made the third master feel deeply moved, and he murmured:
“Is it really good to be born into a wealthy family?”
Mengxi was shocked by what the Third Master said. Could it be that the Third Master...
Just as I was thinking about it, I saw Zhixia walk in, looking at the Second Madam and the Third Master with an unnatural expression, and bowed and replied:
"Replying to Second Madam and Third Master, lunch has been served. I asked them to wait at the door. Should we serve it now?"
Mengxi glanced at Zhixia and saw her nod slightly, then he spoke:
"The Third Master has already made an appointment to have dinner with Aunt Zhang, so he won't be here anymore. Let them wait outside. You've come just in time. Call Zhidong as well. The two of you can follow the Third Master to Xiaoxiang Courtyard and pack up my daily necessities. Oh, and I thought I'd bring the birds I keep in the backyard with me as well. It's too boring here."
Zhixia hurriedly responded and turned to call Zhidong who was outside the door. Seeing that Zhixia had a strange look on her face, the Third Master wanted to ask something, but when he heard what his Second Sister-in-law said, he shut up.
After a while, Zhixia and Zhidong walked in together and greeted the Third Master. When the Third Master saw them, he stood up, said goodbye to his Second Sister-in-law, and walked out the door with his three maids.
Zhixia took a quick step forward and lifted the curtain. The Third Master stepped out, looked up, and froze in place. He saw two maids standing outside the door, each holding a tray with a lunch that looked like pig food on it. He guessed that it was prepared for the Second Mistress.
Looking at the food in front of him, the usually good-tempered Third Master couldn't help but look at the two old women with veins popping up on his face, and he looked at them coldly.
Why is the Third Master here! The two maids were stunned when they saw the Third Master come out. Facing the Third Master's intimidating gaze, they were so scared that their legs trembled. They couldn't help but kneel down to the Third Master with the tray in their hands.
The Third Master stepped forward, stared at the two maids, and asked word by word:
"Is this the lunch prepared for my second sister-in-law?"
After hearing the Third Master's question, the two maids were trembling with fear, secretly wondering why the gatekeeper let the Third Master in without telling him. Seeing that the Third Master was staring at them, they could only respond in a low voice:
"yes"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Master kicked over the food in the old woman's hand. The steamed buns and pickles rolled all over the floor. The black stuff in the soup bowl, which could not be distinguished as soup or swill, splashed all over the old woman. The old woman shuddered violently and knelt there without daring to say a word.
"Third Master, what's wrong?"
Mengxi, who followed the Third Master out, asked a question. When he looked down and saw the old woman on the ground, he was startled. He stopped suddenly and looked up at the Third Master.
Hongzhu, who was following the Second Madam, turned pale instantly when she saw the food kicked to the ground by the Third Master. No wonder the Second Master was determined to write the divorce letter and send the Second Madam away immediately yesterday. It turned out that the Second Master had guessed that nothing good would happen to the Second Madam after she was sent here, and they were trying to punish her to death!
He took a step forward, supported Second Grandma with his trembling hands, and said with trembling lips:
"Second Madam, don't take it to heart. You'll get hurt. Third Master is here and will take care of it for you."
Seeing a flash of anger in the eyes of his usually calm second sister-in-law, the Third Master's heart trembled violently. He just forgot that his second sister-in-law was following him, and she saw this unbearable scene. She must have been disappointed with the Xiao family.
Looking at his second sister-in-law, he stammered and wanted to say something, but then stopped.
He raised his foot and kicked a hard bun that had rolled to his feet in front of the old woman , and said viciously:
"It's hard for you to show your filial piety by bringing such delicious food to Second Grandma. Second Grandma is happy today, so I'm giving you a reward. Eat it here!"
After the Third Master finished speaking, he kicked another steamed bun and some pickled vegetables in front of another woman.
Seeing that the two women just knelt there without saying anything, the third master continued:
"Rewarding you is a compliment to you. Normally, you can't even count on Second Madam Qing's reward. So, you can't use the things Second Madam uses? Or is this food poisoned? You can't use it! Hmm!"
The third master's last "hmm" was raised an octave, which startled the two maids so much that they shuddered and kowtowed repeatedly, saying:
"I am only following orders. How dare I harm Second Madam? Please spare my life, Third Master."
"When did I ever ask for your lives? I just let you eat. Could it be that the food is poisonous?"
"Please spare me, Third Master. It should not be poisonous. This is all prepared by the cook. I am only responsible for serving it to you."
"So there's no poison in this meal ?"
"Replying to Third Master, it should be so."
After hearing what the mother-in-law said, the third master nodded, said a few good words, and suddenly shouted:
"eat!"
