The old housekeeper of the Hou Mansion came to open the door and was somewhat surprised to see that it was the eldest girl who had not returned to the house for a long time. He said in surprise: "Eldest lady?"

After saying that, he looked behind Rong Shu, but when he didn't see Mrs. Hou's figure, he said I feel even more confused.

With that calf-protecting style, when the eldest girl comes back today, she should also follow her back from Mingluyuan.

Rong Shu responded with a smile, and was about to step inside when he suddenly heard a sound, and a carriage inlaid with gold and jade stopped behind him.

Rong Shu looked back and paused for a moment at the wooden plaque with the word "Chiang" engraved on it.

The next moment, a handsome man wearing a rouge-colored fox fur and a hairpin with pearls and phoenix tail stepped out of the carriage with the support of two maids.

It was Rong Juan who married into the Jiang family and became the wife of the clan.

Since Rong Juan married into the Jiang family, the two sisters have not seen each other for a long time.

Rong Shu personally sent a letter to Rong Juan, asking her to come back to the Hou Mansion today.

Rong Shu never thought that a girl would be thrown away after she got married. Rong Juan also had the right to know the truth about the affairs of the Marquis of Cheng'an Mansion.

"Sister."

Rong Zhuan let go of the maid's hand and walked towards Rong Shu.

The ones who accompanied Rong Juan back today were not the maids who had served her since childhood, but two maids that Rong Shu had never seen before.

The two maids seemed to be several years older than Rong Juan, but they had learned the rules very well. When they saw Rong Shu, they bowed respectfully, then put their hands on their lower abdomens and followed Rong Juan quickly.

At a glance, these two people knew that it was the eldest lady of the Jiang family who placed her next to Rong Juan. Rong Shu knew Rong Juan's temperament very well. When the two maids stepped forward to help her, a flash of light flashed across her face. What is more is fear and impatience.

Rong Shu subconsciously glanced at Rong Juan again.

Today, her makeup is very delicate, and her clothes are also luxurious, which is what is popular in the elite female circles this year, but her usually bright eyes have lost their former sparkle.

Rong Juan probably didn't have a good life in the Jiang family.

"Second sister." Rong Shu stepped forward to greet her, and then said to the old housekeeper: "I'm going back to the house today because I have something important to discuss with the elders. Second sister and I will go to He'an Hall to find our grandmother. Please trouble Yao. "The uncle informed everyone in each room to go to He'an Hall."

The old housekeeper was a little hesitant for a moment. Neither the old lady nor the Marquis had spoken yet. If the eldest lady gave such an order and made the old lady angry, it would be enough to blame him. Drink a pot.

The old butler was about to reply, "Go to He'an Hall to report first." When he looked up, he saw Rong Shu Qing's eyes staring at him. His heart skipped a beat and he said hurriedly: "Old slave, I'll make arrangements right now."

As soon as the old butler left. , Rong Shu glanced at Yingyue and said: "Yingyue, Yingque, it's cold today, you take Grandma Jiang's maids to the Nuang Pavilion to warm up, and take the opportunity to taste the fragrance of our Cheng'an Marquis Mansion. Tea fruit."

Yingyue and Yingque responded crisply, but the two maids refused and said calmly: "Grandma, there is no one around to serve you -"

Rong Juan interrupted them coldly: "Cheng. Anhou Mansion is my natal home. Is it possible that when I come back to my natal home, I won’t be able to find anyone to serve me? As guests, how can you be allowed to question the arrangements of the master’s house? You are servants of the Jiang family, so don’t lose Jiang. The face of the family!"

The two maids of the Jiang family remained motionless after being scolded by Rong Juan. They said "yes" respectfully and followed Yingyue and Yingque to the Yanliu Hall.

Rong Shu thought that her second sister had lost her temper because of the rules set by the eldest lady of the Jiang family, but she didn't expect that her temper was still there. She couldn't help

but smile, and said, "How is the second sister doing in the Jiang family?"

"Shang Ke, after all, I am the wife of Jiang Shenglin, the matchmaker, and I have the respect and dignity that a legitimate wife should have. They dare not deny it. " "Here." Rong Juan glanced at her and said slowly: "Jiang Shenglin took his cousin as a concubine. I will simply give him two more beautiful concubines and let the three of them compete for favors. I will just do my best. Just be the wife of the Jiang family."

Not long after Rong Juan married into the Jiang family, Jiang Shenglin couldn't wait to take his cousin as his concubine. Only then did she truly understand what it was like to watch her husband doting on the woman next to her.

It doesn't feel good, it really doesn't feel good.

Fortunately, she knew that she married into the Jiang family not for Jiang Shenglin's favor, but to use the power of the Jiang family to help the Hou family.

Thinking about it this way, her husband's favor and the intrigues in the back house seemed to be insignificant. She didn't even bother to please Jiang Shenglin. After all, she couldn't act like a weak bird who couldn't walk without a man.

It was also during these days in the Jiang family that she had other thoughts about her once tall and handsome father.

When she re-examined the entanglement between her father, her aunt and her aunt, she had to admit that Rong Shu was right, she couldn't even be as generous as her aunt.

My aunt never disturbed my father and my mother-in-law, never embarrassed Qiu Yuntang, and never took her and my brother away from my mother-in-law.

Before she got married, she always felt worthless for her mother-in-law. After she got married, when she experienced a similar situation to her aunt's mother, she suddenly felt that not only her mother-in-law was worthless, but her aunt's mother was also unworthy.

Thinking of this, Rong Juan couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you see your mother today?"

"Something happened to the Shen family, and I went back to deal with it." Rong Shu held the hand stove, looked at the withered lotus pond on one side, and said softly: "You If you don't feel happy marrying into the Jiang family, then leave. As I said before, you don't have to sacrifice your whole life for the future of Cheng'anhou Mansion. The prosperity of a family does not depend on the marriage of a daughter. Help. This kind of help can only last a lifetime. "

Isn't that the case in the past life?

As soon as something happened in the Cheng'an Marquis Mansion, the Jiang family was the first to distance themselves from each other. Rong Juan's freedom to visit his father and mother in Dali Temple Prison was deprived by the Jiang family.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, and Rong Shu's cloak was blown by the wind.

She withdrew her gaze from the dead branches and leaves in the lotus pond, looked at Rong Juan and said seriously: "The Marquis Cheng'an Mansion is not worth your life."

Rong Juan did not answer.

Unlike Rong Shu, she has been liked by her grandmother and father since she was a child. She has a much deeper affection for the Cheng'an Marquis Mansion than Rong Shu. She has also been instilled with a sense of mission to dedicate herself to the family since she was a child.

No matter what, she would never reconcile with Jiang Shenglin. She couldn't be like Rong Shu, who could get married if she liked him or leave him if he didn't.

Speaking of which, if Rong Shu had not reconciled, she would be the princess now.

"Now that Gu Changjin has become His Highness the Crown Prince, will you be in any trouble?" Rong Juan said, "When you reconciled, there was a rumor all over the capital that he reconciled with you because he was tired of you."

Rong Shu never thought that Rong Juan would be worried that Gu Changjin would cause trouble for her.

She smiled and said: "The rumors are not credible. Don't worry, Mr. Gu will not cause trouble for me. I will leave for Beijing in the spring of next year at the latest."

At this point, she suddenly stopped He stepped forward and said, "If one day the Marquis of Cheng'an's Mansion falls, you don't have to save him, just live your own life." His voice was unexpectedly solemn.

Rong Juan suddenly felt a sense of foreboding in his heart, and said hurriedly: "I haven't asked my sister yet, why did you send someone to ask me to come back to the Hou Mansion? But something happened to the Hou Mansion?"

Rong Shu thought for a while, then nodded and said: " Someone in the Cheng'an Marquis Mansion has taken refuge with the Qi family."

As soon as the word "Qi family" came out, Rong Juan's expression suddenly changed.

A few days ago, everyone in the Qi family shunned them. Even the British princes and princes, who were accustomed to being good at dancing, closed their doors and did not attend any banquets. He was afraid that he would get involved in the Qi family's affairs and make the emperor disgusted.

If Queen Qi hadn't suddenly recognized a prince, the Qi family probably wouldn't have been able to keep their incense.

Now Rong Shu actually said that someone in the Hou Mansion had taken refuge with the Qi family. If this matter was revealed, one can imagine the fate of the Hou Mansion.

Rong Juan's throat tightened and he asked, "Who has taken refuge in the Qi family?"

He'antang.

Mrs. Rong, who was sitting there, listened to what Rong Shu said just now after the old housekeeper finished reporting her. Her eyebrows were twisted like a twisted insect.

"What kind of trouble is she trying to pull? She and her mother are hiding in Minglu Courtyard. They stay away from home all day long and the people sent by the Hou Mansion don't pay attention to them. They don't seem to care about the Hou Mansion. It's really getting more and more lawless!"

Old Madam Rong said, her anger rising in clusters.

Since Mrs. Shen left the Hou Mansion, she has completely let go of the middle-aged man in the Hou Mansion.

In the past, the use of the Hou Mansion was supported by Shen's dowry, and all the food and supplies were good. Now that Mrs. Shen has returned the middle gift to her, Mrs. Rong now knows how much money it will cost to live as comfortable a life as before.

Although Mrs. Rong was born as a peasant girl and had to endure many hardships when she was young, she has become accustomed to being pampered over the years and cannot go back to the old days where a piece of silver was broken into two pieces of flowers.

Therefore, the resentment towards Mr. Shen in his heart grew day by day, and he became more and more dissatisfied with Aunt Pei.

The Shen family, a merchant girl, could manage the middle-income family so well, but Aunt Pei, a noble girl from a wealthy family, could not manage everything well. Forget it if you can't manage the toilet well, but you can't save more.

Rong Xun always responded to Aunt Pei's requests. When painting, she should use good ink and good paper. Madam Rong didn't know it until she became a householder, but once she became a householder, she realized that a stick of ink and a knife of paper cost at least one gold. No matter how rich her family background was, she couldn't bear such trouble.

It is said that Aunt Pei has superb painting skills. If these paintings can be sold, it will be good to say that she can at least get a lot of money back. However, she was proud of her status and was unwilling to sell her paintings, only willing to reward herself with them.

Every time she saw Rong Xun asking someone to buy good ink and good paper, Mrs. Rong felt as if her heart had been cut by a knife.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

The same is true for He'an Hall, and the same is true for Qiuyuntang.

Mrs. Rong knew what kind of life she would have without Mrs. Shen. After so many years, she was used to being aloof in front of Mr. Shen, how could she lower her head and beg her to come back and take charge of Zhongfu?

I originally thought that next month I would use the New Year's Day as an excuse to make Rong Xun feel aggrieved, admit his mistake, and coax Shen back.

The nanny next to her saw her dissatisfied face and was afraid that she would give the eldest girl a cold face again, so she hurriedly took over the words: "When the eldest lady comes back this time, you can just take the opportunity to ask her to come back to the Hou Mansion early. Mrs. Hou If the eldest girl comes back, Mrs. Hou will naturally follow her. "

Mrs. Rong also knows this. When Rong Shu comes back, Mrs. Shen will naturally come back if she can't bear to leave her daughter.

Furthermore, her eldest granddaughter's former husband has now become the prince, and Mrs. Rong plans to ask her to find the prince and get back together.

Even if they can't get back together, they still want to rekindle their old relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince. As long as His Highness the Crown Prince can remember the good things between her and the Rong family and take care of the Rong family, then there is no need for the Rong family to worry about being able to establish a firm foothold in the honor of Shangjing. ?

Old Madam Rong felt regretful when she remembered the scene in the past when her eyes were not eyes and nose was not nose to Gu Changjin.

Who would have known that such a poor and humble family turned out to be a noble prince? If Rong Shu had not reconciled, the Rong family would now be the Crown Princess’s maternal family!

When she thought of this, Mrs. Rong's heart ached even more. Grandma Gu was right. Not only could she not be cruel to the eldest granddaughter, she also had to lower her body and coax her. It was best to coax her back to live in the Marquis Mansion.

"Go and take out some of my cakes and dragon balls and make them. Shen loves this tea, and I think she also likes it."

The grandmother beside her hurriedly agreed and went out, while the people in the small kitchen brewed the tea and served it. When we came up, people from each room arrived at He'an Hall one after another.

The people who came to the eldest room were Mrs. Zhu and the eldest man Rongze, the second house was Mrs. Zhong and the eldest man, Mr. Erlang, the lord Sanlang and the third girl. The people in the third house were Mr. Rong Xun, Aunt Pei and the eldest man Rongqing.

It's obviously not a reunion day, but today it's a rare gathering of people. The only exceptions are Rong Yu, the second master who works in Liaodong, and Shen, who went to Mingluyuan.

Everyone paid their respects and saluted, and as soon as they sat down, they heard the announcement from the mother-in-law outside that Rong Shu and Rong Juan had arrived.

Mrs. Rong took a few deep breaths, forced a smile, and said, "Invite Zhao Zhao and Juan'er in quickly."

The last time Rong Shu came into He'an Hall was the day Rong Juan got married. He looked at the familiar yard in front of him, There was no wave in her heart at all.

After lifting up her skirt and entering, she and Mrs. Rong bowed to each other and said, "Zhao Zhao has invited everyone in the Rong family here today because he has important matters to discuss with the elders. I'd rather trouble my grandmother to let everyone out.

" The old lady was very unhappy when she saw her expression was indifferent and she was not warm at all when she saw her grandmother.

"Who will serve the tea when the people below are out?" She took the tea cup from the nanny on the side, took a sip slowly, and said: "You are a little girl, what's the big deal? You can mobilize people like this. Everyone is asked to come to the He'an Hall, and the people who are waiting are kicked out. If you don't know, you might think that something serious has happened to our Cheng'an Marquis Mansion. "

Mrs. Rong is used to not being able to understand the seriousness of things, and Rong Shu has always been confused. She was prepared and was about to speak when Rong Juan, who was beside her, was one step ahead of her and said with a solemn expression: "Grandma, what I'm going to say today is related to the reputation of the Hou Mansion. I hope grandma will listen to my sister and let her The people below should get out first! "

Rong Juan grew up under the old lady's knees, and the relationship between his grandfather and grandson has always been good. But this time Rong Juan spoke for Rong Shu and refuted Mrs. Rong's words, which was really rare.

Mrs. Rong narrowed her eyes, glanced at her beloved granddaughter, and said after a while: "Everyone, go out."

With the order, the servants and ladies serving in He'an Hall, as well as the maids brought from each room, all filed out of the house. .

Luo Yan handed the pile of documents in his hand to Rong Shu, followed the servants of the Rong family with Liu Ping and walked out, then stood guard outside the door. "Didn't you say that there is something important to discuss?" Mrs.

Rong put down the tea cup in her hand and said calmly: "Now that everyone is gone, come and let me hear what is so important."

Shu looked calm, his eyes passing over Mrs. Rong who was holding back her dissatisfaction, and slowly scanning everyone in the main room.

In the previous life, these people were all sent to Dali Temple Prison. On the day they were imprisoned, the old lady suffered a stroke and almost died.

Rong Shu's eyes finally fell on Zhu. She took two steps forward, stood in front of Zhu, and said softly: "Auntie, Qiu Shiyang is in my hands now, and he has done all the moves he needs to do. Auntie, do you want Zhaozhao to tell you, or do you want to say it yourself?" Mrs.

Zhu raised her eyes suddenly, shook the hand holding the tea cup, took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in her eyes, and said, "What are Zhaozhao talking about? " Why can't aunt understand?"

"How can aunt not understand? Qiu Shiyang is from the second uncle. He was a military householder in Qingzhou Guards Station. In recent years, Qiu Shiyang changed his name and worked in your village. Zhuangtou, it is to quietly carry out the orders of the second uncle. You, the second uncle and the uncle have been secretly working for the Qi family and Xiao Yu, hoping to regain the title from my father after Xiao Yu ascends the throne. "

Rong Shu said calmly: "I originally thought that if there is any grudge between the first, second and third bedrooms, you could take advantage of today to make it clear. Every injustice has its owner, and you will seek revenge on whomever you hate. We shouldn't have to pay for the entire third bedroom. Grandma, Aunt Pei, the second sister, the fourth brother, and I have never owed anything to the first bedroom or the second bedroom!"

As soon as he said this, the room suddenly became silent.

Suddenly there was a "crack", Mrs. Zhong stood up, frowned and said: "Zhaozhao, what are you talking about?"

His eyes flicked between Mr. Zhu and Rong Shu, and then said: "What did you say your second uncle did? ?"

Rong Shu looked sideways, looking at Zhong's shocked expression, and pursed his lower lip.

The second aunt really didn't know anything. The second uncle and her father kept her in the dark. Over the years, she willingly stayed in Shangjing, serving her mother-in-law and taking care of her three children. She rarely even went back to her parents' home.

Little did she know that her husband and father were seeking refuge with the Qi family without telling her, and were involved in party strife.

Rong Shu thought for a while and said, "Second aunt shouldn't ask me these things."

Zhong's eyes darkened, and her teeth almost shattered. Seeing that Rong Shu didn't respond, she turned her eyes and stared at Zhu Mrs. Zhu: "Sister-in-law, is what Zhaozhao said true?"

Mrs. Zhu did not respond to her words. She just looked at Rong Shu quietly, wondering in her heart how much Rong Shu knew.

Is Qiu Shiyang really in her hands, and has he really admitted everything?

Qiu Shiyang was very loyal to Rong Yu and would not betray Rong Yu even if he died.

Zhu comforted herself that Rong Shu was just deceiving her. If he wasn't deceiving her, there was no need to panic.

They just chose to support Xiao Yu. They have been secretive over the years. How easy is it to find evidence? Qi Heng was imprisoned, Xiao Yu was imprisoned, and the court liquidated the Qi family, but they never found the Shen family or the Rong family.

Besides, Zhao Zhao holds evidence in her hand, does she really dare to hand it over?

She is also a Rong family member!

If these evidences are handed over, the entire Cheng'an Marquis Mansion will suffer, and neither she nor her mother will be able to escape!

Thinking of this, Mrs. Zhu stabilized her mind and was about to say "no" when a broad hand suddenly came over from beside her and gently held her trembling hand.

It's Rongze.

"What Zhaozhao said is true, but the person who cooperates with the second uncle in the big room is not A Niang, but me."

Mrs. Zhu was stunned and looked at Rong Ze in astonishment, "Da Lang——"

"A Niang, do it If you do something wrong, you have to correct it and bear the consequences." Rong Ze looked at Zhu, with a smile on his elegant face, "This is what my mother taught me when I was young, and I have never forgotten it."