Chapter 675: 282 Bagua
Mingzhu was currently pulling Yueyao along to catch fireflies.
In the hazy night, green lamps floated silently over the stream and among the grass, flickering on and off. When one light went out, another would light up. Looking around, the lights twinkled and danced…
Just as Mingzhu was about to speak, she suddenly gasped, scaring away the firefly she was about to catch. Annoyed, Mingzhu said, “Who has been mentioning me after a full meal, really.” She had planned to catch a hundred fireflies and release them in the courtyard, which would certainly be very beautiful.
Yueyao laughed, “It might be your father or mother talking about you. Mingzhu, it’s been over a month since you left, let’s return tomorrow!” Mingzhu had been fretting over the Lady of Marquis Jingning these past few days and even had a nightmare at noon. Yueyao felt this was an ill omen, so she decided to send Mingzhu back. No matter how foolish the Lady of Marquis Jingning was, she was still Mingzhu’s own mother and loved Mingzhu dearly. If something really happened, Mingzhu being by her side would leave no regrets.
In her previous life, Yueyao didn’t care about the Lady of Marquis Jingning, so she also didn’t remember how the Lady of Marquis Jingning died. Thinking of death, Yueyao couldn’t help but think of Ma Chengteng.
Suddenly, Yueyao shuddered. No, her uncle had died from illness when she was twelve years old, which by calculation would be in two months. Things had been going too smoothly recently, and Yueyao had almost forgotten this crucial matter. If her uncle were to die prematurely, what would she do?
After thinking it over, Mingzhu said, “Hmm, I will go back tomorrow. I’ve been restless these past few days, worrying that my mother’s chronic illness has relapsed. It’s better to go back and see for myself.”
Yueyao said, “I will also return tomorrow.” Although many things have changed in this lifetime, many events from her previous life still occurred, so Yueyao couldn’t guarantee that her uncle would survive this ordeal. She must stay at Lian Mansion and keep a close watch to feel at ease.
Mingzhu, thinking that Yueyao was doing this for her, hugged Yueyao tightly, moved. “Good, let’s go back together tomorrow. For now, let’s hurry and catch more fireflies!”
Before arriving at the other residence, Mingzhu didn’t know there were tiny, glowing insects. She had quite a cheerful time during this period.
The next day, Yueyao and Mingzhu returned to the Capital City.
Upon Mingzhu’s return to the Marquis’ household, she learned that her mother’s condition had suddenly worsened that morning and she was still unconscious. If it hadn’t been for Mingzhu’s own return, the Marquis’ household would have had to send someone to fetch her.
Mingzhu sat by Lady Bai’s bedside, full of self-reproach. “Mother, wake up, I won’t go out anymore. Mother, wake up, from now on I will stay by your side.”
Upon returning to the Ma Family, Yueyao went to find Ma Chengteng, who, despite being badgered by many people recently, still looked well.
Ma Chengteng asked surprisingly, “Weren’t you supposed to stay until the Mid-Autumn Festival? Why did you come back so soon?” Ma Chengteng knew Yueyao liked to travel around for scenery and wouldn’t hurry back if not necessary, so he was quite puzzled by her early return.
Yueyao hesitated.
Ma Chengteng smiled, “What is it? Just tell me.”
Yueyao thought for a moment then decidbrike to share her worries, although her second cousin had improved and no longer gambled, she couldn’t guarantee that there wouldn’t be other mishaps. “Uncle, I dreamt you had a mishap.”
Ma Chengteng’s expression changed slightly. No one would be pleased to be dreamt of as dead. If it had been someone else, Ma Chengteng might have laughed it off as just a dream, but it was different considering Yueyao had such a dream. “What happened?”
Yueyao had to attribute it all to a dream. “Yesterday, I dreamt you were in danger. Uncle, out of the blue I had such an ominous dream, and I’m really worried. Uncle, how is your health?” Yueyao only knew Ma Chengteng died of anger in her previous life, not of illness, hence she only mentioned an accident.
Ma Chengteng shook his head, “Uncle is very healthy. Doctor Zhang even took my pulse a few days ago, and everything was fine.”
Yueyao, still very worried, said, “Uncle, this dream is too ominous. Uncle, I’m going to Zhaohua Temple tomorrow, please join me!” Seeing that Ma Chengteng was hesitating, she pleaded, “Uncle, it’s better to err on the side of caution. If something happens to you, what am I to do? Uncle, please come with me to Zhaohua Temple!” Ma Chengteng was her legitimate uncle and rightfully defended her honor. If it had been Ma Peng, his relation would have been much less significant. If something really happened then, Ma Peng would be incapable of helping.