Chapter 789: 330 Captivity (Part 1)
The scorching sun burned like fire, and the earth was like a steaming basket, making it hard for people to breathe. Even by the evening, Xiang Wei was still sweating profusely.
Yueyao watched in the courtyard as she read the letter from Mingzhu. After reading the letter, Yueyao laughed and said, “Xiang Wei, Mingzhu is pregnant, over two months now.” Mingzhu had wanted to write to Yueyao as soon as she found out about her pregnancy but was stopped by Niu Yanghui. Niu Yanghui felt that according to tradition, she had to wait until the three-month mark before telling others. It was believed that the child was fragile, and sharing the news too early could bring bad luck. The letter of good news was written by Mingzhu behind Niu Yanghui’s back. Mingzhu wanted Yueyao to share in her joy.
After finishing a bowl of chilled green bean soup in her hand, Xiang Wei said in surprise, “Mingzhu has only been married for a little over two months, could it be that she got pregnant on the wedding night!” That was quick.
Yueyao chided with a laugh, “Watch your mouth.”
Xi Yu, swatting mosquitoes next to Yueyao, laughed and added, “With the Picture of Guanyin for Blessing with Children being so miraculous, isn’t it common to conceive right after the wedding? The lady has given away three pictures, and the first two recipients both had sons. Miss Mingzhu will surely give birth to a son too.”
Yueyao laughed and said, “Nonsense, whether it’s a boy or a girl is up to destiny, where can we guarantee it will definitely be a son.”
Xi Yu confidently stated, “It will be a son for sure.”
Yueyao was left speechless.
Meanwhile, Mingzhu was also taking a stroll in her own garden, accompanied by her husband, Niu Yanghui. Mingzhu sighed, “I wonder if Yueyao is also looking at the moon right now.”
Hearing this, Niu Yanghui couldn’t help but laugh, “Mingzhu, you can’t seem to stop talking about Miss Yueyao. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get jealous?” Niu Yanghui had always known about the close relationship between Yueyao and Mingzhu, but he never expected it to be so strong that it overtook him, her husband, in priority.
Mingzhu cheerfully said, “You are my husband, and Yueyao is my best friend, both of you are irreplaceable, so there’s no need for you to be jealous.”
Niu Yanghui was only joking and wouldn’t actually be jealous. In fact, he was quite pleased that his wife had such a good friend.
The couple walked for half an hour and returned to their room. Niu Yanghui looked at the Picture of Guanyin for Blessing with Children on their bedside and asked, “Mingzhu, did Miss Yueyao really recite the Fertility Sutra a thousand times while painting this?”
Mingzhu smiled slightly, “Is there any doubt? I’ll tell you, Yueyao painted three such pictures, one for the Eldest Madam of the Ma Family, one for my sister-in-law, and this one for me. Not long after the Eldest Madam of the Ma Family and my sister-in-law received their pictures, they conceived, and they both had sons. This child of mine will certainly be a big chubby boy too.”
Niu Yanghui, caressing Mingzhu’s yet unseen belly, laughed and said, “Whether it’s a boy or girl doesn’t matter, as long as the child is healthy.”
Mingzhu wouldn’t accept that, “No, it must be a son. He’ll be able to protect his sister well in the future.” Mingzhu deeply appreciated the benefits of having a brother. She had lived comfortably for many years largely because she had a caring older brother.
Niu Yanghui said with a suppressed laugh, “Boy or girl is of no consequence.” Niu Yanghui was just worried that if they had a daughter in the future, Mingzhu might be disappointed. But really, for the first child, Niu Yanghui felt it didn’t matter the gender.
After hearing Niu Yanghui’s words, Mingzhu laughed.
Following a restful night, early the next morning, after the couple had finished breakfast, a young maid came to say, “Eldest Young Master, Madam invites you and the Eldest Young Madam over.”
Mingzhu affectionately took Lady Niu’s hand and called out, “Mother, have you had breakfast?” After the three ceremonial visits post-wedding, Mingzhu took charge of the Internal Affairs. Her handling of the affairs remained quiet for half a month. Just when everyone thought Mingzhu would be as easy to deceive as Lady Niu, Mingzhu started to have the accounts checked, from the Procurement department to the Kitchen Maids, every place was scrutinized.
This investigation unearthed many issues. Mingzhu didn’t punish these people herself but handed over the evidence of their embezzlement and bribes to Old Master Niu.
With irrefutable evidence, Old Master Niu had no choice but to punish them. He had several of the most corrupt individuals receive twenty heavy beatings and sold them, along with their families. The others were either sent to the manor or sold directly.
Mingzhu took this opportunity to plant her own people and established new rules. Mingzhu’s decisive action impressed Niu Yanghui greatly.
Mingzhu found it amusing. Most of the corrupt individuals were from Maternal Aunt Liu’s camp, naturally, she wanted them gone. Of course, there were also people from Maternal Aunt Liu’s camp in other positions, but as they were clean-handed and diligent, Mingzhu didn’t dismiss them all in one swoop.
Who would have thought that just after sorting out the Internal Affairs of the Niu Mansion, Mingzhu would discover she was pregnant. Nevertheless, Mingzhu didn’t hand over the internal matters but let the maids and old nannies handle them. She only consulted on major issues, and nothing had gone wrong.
Lady Niu, after getting along with Mingzhu for over two months, also came to regard her as a daughter. After inviting Mingzhu to sit, Lady Niu said, “Hui’er, Mingzhu, mother plans to visit Hualin Temple in a couple of days.”
Mingzhu didn’t think too much and said with a smile, “Alright, I’ll have someone prepare the things for Mother.”
Niu Yanghui, however, knew Lady Niu’s temperament very well. “How long does Mother plan to stay at Hualin Temple this time?” Niu Yanghui had always been worried his mother might choose to become a nun, but fortunately, she had not, because she couldn’t bear to leave him.
Lady Niu laughed, “I’ll return after the New Year. Hui’er, let Mother go! The mountain is serene, and Mother feels much more comfortable there.”
Mingzhu glanced at Niu Yanghui; this matter required her husband’s decision. Having been in the Niu Mansion for over two months, Mingzhu finally understood why Lady Niu was forced by Madam Liu to retreat to the Buddha hall. It wasn’t that Madam Liu was formidable, but that Lady Niu was too weak. A woman who only knew how to avoid conflict and not fight for herself was bound to come to such an end. Sometimes, Mingzhu really couldn’t understand what Lady Niu was thinking. Her son was successful, and her daughter-in-law was filial to her, yet Lady Niu still allowed herself to be bullied by Madam Liu. As for these matters, there was truly nothing Mingzhu could do. If Madam Liu aimed at her, she wouldn’t let Madam Liu get away with it. But she couldn’t intervene in the issues between elders.
Niu Yanghui also knew his mother’s nature, and after thinking for a moment, he said, “Mother, it’s alright for you to go to the mountain. But you must return to the mansion before the cold winter. Anyway, Mother and Father maintain only a relationship in name, so going to the mountain would indeed bring her tranquility.”
Lady Niu laughed, “Agreed.”
As Yueyao was packing up her painting tools to go out, she saw Xiang Wei make no move.
Unwilling to go out, Xiang Wei persuaded, “Miss, why don’t you paint in the courtyard today? The weather is too hot, and you’ll be sweating profusely as soon as you step out.” Xiang Wei did not understand why everyone felt the heat, yet the Miss seemed unaffected. Otherwise, the Miss wouldn’t insist on going out to sketch sceneries despite her persuasion.
Yueyao laughed, “It’s just at the foot of the mountain. Gu You and Gu Lan can accompany me there.” It wasn’t that Yueyao wanted to suffer the heat; she had spotted a peculiar tree two days ago. It grew twisted like braided ropes and, according to the manor’s farmers, was at least three hundred years old. Yueyao found it interesting and wanted to paint it. The early morning was cooler, and she wouldn’t bear it if it were any later.
Xiang Wei was heat sensitive, but hearing that Yueyao would only be at the foot of the mountain eased her mind, “Alright then. But you must return early, Miss. Don’t get heatstroke.”
Yueyao nodded and then ordered Gu You and Gu Lan to pack up the painting tools. She then led four guards skilled in Kung Fu up the mountain.
Yueyao could not be disturbed while painting, so after finding a suitable spot, she began to paint. Gu You and Gu Lan stepped aside while the four guards kept watch on the perimeter.
Yueyao was engrossed in her painting when suddenly she heard Gu You shout, “Miss, run…”
Upon hearing this, Yueyao’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to see Gu You and Gu Lan fighting two men, while a tall and stout man had already approached her.
Yueyao was just reacting when the man struck her with a palm. She fell to the ground and passed out. In the moment before she lost consciousness, a thought flashed through Yueyao’s mind, what was meant to come, had finally arrived.
Xiang Wei muttered to herself as she saw Xi Yu bring a plate of watermelon chilled in well water, “The sun could bake a person alive, and she’s not bothered by the heat. She hasn’t returned yet.”
Xi Yu laughed, “The Miss always loses track of time when she’s painting. Sister Xiang Wei knows that.”
Xiang Wei was just complaining, and she didn’t think much about it. As she was eating the watermelon, Gu You was brought into the room supported by an old nanny.
Seeing Gu You covered in blood, Xiang Wei immediately dropped the watermelon slice, “What happened? Where’s the Miss?”
Gu You struggled to speak, “The Miss was kidnapped by two men, one of whom has a long scar on his right face.”
Xiang Wei, though enraged, knew the gravity of the situation and immediately sent four people up the mountain while the others followed her in pursuit. There was only one exit from the manor, so there was still a chance to catch up if they hurried.
Xiang Wei caught up to a carriage and forcefully demanded to see the occupants, only to find a young woman accompanied by a little girl.
As Xiang Wei was about to leave, she let out a soft sigh. After being by the Miss’s side for so many years, even her instincts were nearly forgotten. Xiang Wei turned her head and said, “Seize these people.” These people were scheming, deliberately using the carriage to delay those pursuing them.
When Xiang Wei reached a fork in the road, she realized it was hopeless to continue the pursuit. Decisive in her actions, she didn’t continue the chase but immediately returned to the capital.
Unfortunately, the Marquis Jingning was not in his residence; he had gone to the imperial palace.
Without any other options, Xiang Wei informed Madam Ping, hoping that Madam Ping could urgently summon the Marquis out of the palace. This matter required the Marquis’s assistance to be resolved.