Four Seasons Brocade – CH 031

Chapter 31 ☆、 Confrontation on the Rooftop: The Brave Wins (Part 1)

Third Master Rong returned home early today, an exception. The couple had not been intimate for a long time, so their conversation was naturally quite intimate.

“Why are you back so early, My Lord?” Lady Cui asked, wringing out a hot handkerchief to wipe Third Master Rong’s face.

“The past few days have been filled with invitations from colleagues and fellow graduates to dinners. I finally had some free time today, so naturally, I wanted to come back and keep you company,” Third Master Rong said, giving Lady Cui a quick kiss on the cheek.

Hanlin scholars were high-ranking officials with little to do. Third Master Rong, however, had some official duties. He was helping Scholar Luo compile the Tonghai Dian, a compilation ordered by the Emperor, which collected many Han texts from vassal states. The current Emperor was a wise ruler; he not only ordered the compilation of the dynasty’s classics but also learned from foreign cultures. His most frequent saying was, “Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me; and among three kingdoms, there must also be one who can teach me.”

Because Hanlin scholars were generally idle, their colleagues who had entered the Hanlin Academy and the Shujishi Hall in the previous year often gathered to criticize current affairs and discuss politics. Third Master Rong was the top scholar in his class and the third master of the Duke’s Mansion, so he naturally had to attend every gathering; otherwise, he would be seen as arrogant and disdainful.

“Where do you all gather every time? I’ve heard that you scholars are quite refined, and you love to meet at brothels and pleasure houses,” Lady Cui said with a hint of sarcasm.

Third Master Rong laughed heartily, hugged Lady Cui, and kissed her. “How could that be, My Lady? You’ve been reading too many plays. Officials are strictly forbidden from visiting brothels—I mean those brothels and pleasure houses you mentioned. How could we knowingly break the law?”

“Then where do you all gather? Restaurants are not cheap; a meal can cost several taels of silver,” Lady Cui asked curiously.

“Some go to restaurants, others to neighborhood eateries; it all depends on the host’s family’s wealth. Lately, many people gather at their homes—it’s convenient and inexpensive to chat. You bring a jug of liquor, I bring a piece of braised meat, and that’s it for a feast.”

“Oh, so which woman do you think cooks the best feast and keeps the house the cleanest?” Lady Cui, being a woman confined to the inner quarters, naturally cared about others’ domestic affairs, always wanting to outdo her husband and gain some face.

Third Master Rong kissed Lady Cui again. “No other woman is as good as mine. If they saw you, they’d all envy me for being so lucky.”

Lady Cui playfully punched Third Master Rong. “You are so glib. Why not invite them over?”

Third Master Rong’s smile faded. “It’s not easy for others to come to our house, and even if they did, they would not have a good time.” He sighed. He longed to host a banquet at home. Lady Cui was incredibly virtuous and could manage the household perfectly. Their three children were intelligent and obedient; everyone would envy them. It was just a pity…

“Do you think it’s possible for us to separate?” Lady Cui asked softly. She also yearned for that kind of carefree life; even if it was just a small house, it would be much more comfortable than living in the Duke’s Mansion.

Third Master Rong remained silent. He was educated in loyalty, filial piety, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness; the teachings of the sages emphasized filial piety towards parents, brotherly love, and not traveling far from home while parents were alive. How could one separate the family while both parents were still alive? But in his heart, Third Master Rong might not have thought that way. However, how could a scholar like him utter the word “unfilial” about separating the family? Would that not be tantamount to cutting off his own future?

Lady Cui knew she was indulging in wishful thinking.

The previously harmonious atmosphere between the couple suddenly turned cold.

Just then, Ah Wu entered the room and greeted the couple.

Lady Cui hurriedly inquired about Ah Wu’s experiences at the Tang residence. Ah Wu answered in detail, saying everything was fine and that Tang Yin and the others treated her sincerely and warmly.

After saying this, Third Master Rong tested Ah Wu’s recent studies. Ah Wu answered fluently, making Third Master Rong very happy for his daughter. “If you were a boy,” he said, “you might even wear the top scholar’s hat in twenty years.”

Of course, Third Master Rong’s praise was somewhat exaggerated, but he simply thought his daughter was wonderful no matter what. Ah Wu, however, was far from happy. She poured out everything Fourth Young Lady Rong had said and done since returning home that day. In truth, given the current situation of the third branch of the family, Ah Wu did not need to sow discord between the others and Third Master Rong and Lady Cui. Both of them harbored considerable resentment towards the Old Madam and disliked Fourth Young Lady Rong even more.

But being bullied and having nowhere to confide in, unable to seek comfort through coquetry, was not in Ah Wu’s nature. Although Ah Wu was already in her twenties in her previous life, in a sense, she was still innocent and carefree.

The Imperial Princess had pampered her, practically building her a golden palace. She indulged her every whim, ensuring Ah Wu had no worries whatsoever. Her only wish was for her to be happy, calm, and healthy—that was her greatest blessing.

Under such circumstances, Ah Wu had almost never been mistreated. Even when she was temporarily unhappy, the Imperial Princess and her two brothers would always find ways to amuse her. Now, the past could not be retrieved. Although Ah Wu recognized her situation, she still lacked the timeless ability to endure. So, she could not help but complain and whine to the equally doting Third Master Rong and Lady Cui.

Upon hearing this, Lady Cui immediately embraced Ah Wu, calling her “My child,” and carefully checked her from head to toe. Finding not a single hair missing, she stopped, still holding her close and comforting her.

Although Ah Wu disliked being touched, she thoroughly enjoyed Lady Cui’s pampering. While Princess Fuhui also doted on Ah Wu, she had never held her like this, allowing her to shake and wriggle like a piece of candy in her arms.

Princess Fuhui was always dignified and graceful, every movement exuding noble royal dignity, flawless; even the strands of hair at her temples were perfectly combed.

Princess Fuhui would not tolerate Ah Wu wrinkling her clothes while in her arms.

When Third Master Rong heard Ah Wu’s words, he did not call her “darling” or “precious” as Lady Cui did; instead, he frowned.

“What do you plan to do about this?” Third Master Rong asked Ah Wu.

Ah Wu rolled her eyes in her mind and pouted. “What else can I do? I can only endure it. Talking to Second Aunt will not work, and if I go to the Old Madam, she will definitely side with Fourth Sister. It’s the same as saying nothing.” Ah Wu did not even consider asking the old woman to stand up for her; she might just get scolded instead.

Third Master Rong shook his head; Ah Wu was still a bit childish after all.

“Tomorrow morning, take Ah Wu to pay her respects. Yilan, tell the Old Madam about today’s events,” Third Master Rong said, turning to Lady Cui.

Lady Cui shared Ah Wu’s attitude. “It’s pointless to say anything.” Lady Cui was somewhat afraid of the Old Madam. That old, gourd-like face was frightening to everyone.

“But if you do not say anything, will Yue’er not be even more unrestrained in humiliating Ah Wu?” Third Master Rong said in a deep voice. “This matter must be fought for. No matter what the Old Madam says, they must know in their hearts that Ah Wu is not someone Yue’er can bully at will. Otherwise, today’s humiliation will surely come again and again.”

Ah Wu lowered her head and thought for a moment. Third Master Rong was indeed more experienced. If the weak never learned to fight back, they would only be bullied and trampled upon more. The other party would not thank you for your forbearance just because you remained silent.

Thinking this, Ah Wu raised her head. “Ah Wu will listen to Father.” She did not want to get entangled with that annoying old woman, but she could not let herself be beaten for nothing.

Seeing the clarity in Ah Wu’s bright eyes, Third Master Rong knew she understood; she was indeed a teachable child.

The next morning, Lady Cui led Ah Wu to the Old Madam’s room to pay her respects.

Afterwards, Lady Cui did not lead Ah Wu away as usual. Instead, she stepped forward and said to the Old Madam, “Please, Old Madam, do justice for our Ah Wu.”

A mother’s strength was boundless. Although Lady Cui was gentle by nature, when it came to her child, she possessed an unbreakable, unwavering resolve. Furthermore, Third Master Rong had carefully explained to her the reasons for going to the Old Madam to complain the previous night. Lady Cui understood; she listened to Third Master Rong the most.

Ah Wu was their beloved daughter, whom even her parents could not bear to lay a finger on. It was highly unlikely that Fourth Young Lady Rong would so easily beat her, let alone Fifth Young Lady Rong.

The Old Madam glanced at Lady Cui, thinking, “What an ungrateful girl.” Someone had already told her about the conflict between Fourth Young Lady Rong and Ah Wu yesterday, and the Old Madam had no intention of punishing either of them.

“What are you doing? Always with that long face! Is this household starving or thirsty? What right do you have to make decisions?!” the Old Madam said sharply.

Fourth Young Lady Rong stood to the side, a smug look on her face. Only with the third branch of the family could she find a distorted sense of superiority.

The Old Madam’s outburst immediately dampened Lady Cui’s momentum, but she still managed to recount the events of the previous day, her voice trembling. “Fourth Young Lady, you casually hit your younger sister! This is contrary to the virtues of a young lady and disobeys the teachings of the sages. The sages emphasized filial piety and brotherly love; how can an elder sister slap her younger sister so easily?” These righteous words, spoken so softly by Lady Cui, lost much of their weight.

“Oh, Third Brother has become the top scholar, and Third Sister-in-law is starting to talk about the sages too,” the Second Madam said sarcastically.

“How did I hit you? Where are you hurt? You are making false accusations; I will not let you get away with this!” Fourth Young Lady Rong suddenly erupted, radiating a fierce aura. Although the Old Madam was biased, she still disliked this illegitimate granddaughter.