Chapter 8 Chapter Seven

At the gate of the Rong family, there were lights and festoons, and the decoration was full of joy.The bluestone strips on the top and bottom of the steps are washed by water so that people's shadows can be seen, and the copper nails on the vermilion lacquer gate are dazzling with gold.With the passage of time, the master's former illustrious power no longer exists, but the two delicate and carefree stone lions in front of the Rongfu gate still exude a luxurious demeanor.The aristocratic atmosphere permeating from the bones is full of a sense of superiority. The servants who looked up at each other were scattered at the intersections on both sides, and even the streets next to each other were cleaned.

The maidservants with lowered eyebrows were dressed in the same New Year clothes, with lotus striped waistcoats, floral trousers, flushed faces, eyebrow-length bangs, and a big fluffy braid, all of them looked like stickers on New Year pictures Uniform label ad girl.They stood neatly in a row, waiting for the young master who was about to return home.The radiant eldest wife and the fourth wife who were waiting in full dress had been lingering in front of the mansion for quite a while. The third wife said that she had a stomachache and could not come out of the house.I'm too lazy to watch them stage a live drama of "Mother and Child Reunion".Who told me not to live up to expectations and not give birth to a son for the Rong family.None of the two daughters is worry-free.

After graduating from Rongrong University, she had great eyesight but low abilities, and never found a good husband's family. She ate, drank and had fun with a bunch of young masters and ladies heartlessly all day long, living a luxurious "night life".Say one bad word to her, and she has ten words waiting to reply to you, and said with a gun and a stick: "The eldest wife hasn't disliked me yet, what's the matter with Mrs. Guan San? All I eat and drink are from the Rong family." The money is all gone, and it’s not my aunt’s turn to teach me a lesson. It’s a pity that I didn’t come out of the eldest wife’s house, otherwise, why would I stay at home to be an eyesore in my twenties.” The implication is that if I am not a concubine, I would have Married to a wealthy family to become a young mistress.None of these words did not touch the pain in the third wife's heart, and she was so angry that the third wife no longer cared about her.

Ronghua's personality is very restrained. Before he graduated from university, he discussed with his eldest wife about setting up a small bookstore, and the eldest wife was willing to give her the money.Ronghua didn't go home every now and then, so he slept in the bookstore.It was not easy for the third wife to talk to her.Not to mention finding a husband's family for her. Fortunately, there is a clever servant girl beside the third wife named Xing'er, who works nimbly and has a lot of eyes.However, at the moment, Xinger's heart is not with the third wife, she is also thinking about going to the front to watch the excitement.

The third wife also noticed it, and used words to run her down, saying: "If you want to go outside to see the western scenery with red hair and green eyebrows, I will not stop you. But, don't wishful thinking about who will give you a good face." Xing'er said: "I don't expect anyone to show me good looks. I just want to see what the eldest young master looks like, and that young master Ah Chu. I am not a boy. If I were the young master's book boy, follow me." The eldest young master is studying abroad, so he might be a doctor now. It doesn’t look like following you, she’ll be a girl even to the death.”

"Yo, yo, yo. You are so wronged. Then why don't you go? Go!" said the third wife. "I don't want you to serve me." "Forget it." Myolie said with a smile, "When I go, you won't cry and cry. You don't want me to serve you, but I want to serve you." The third wife also laughed. While talking, I heard firecrackers being set off outside, exploding, and the third wife thought, the young master must have arrived home. As soon as Ah Fu's car drove into the alley, a string of firecrackers exploded.A Chu slightly looked outside, and was taken aback. He saw the eldest wife and the fourth wife standing outside to greet her.This can't be done, the courtesy is too grand.He quickly told Ah Fu to stop.

The car drove straight in front of the maids, and before it stopped, Ah Chu got off. "Hi, young master!" The maids bowed in unison to greet her. Ah Chu smiled and explained: "Sisters misunderstood, I am not the young master, I am Ah Chu. The young master has not arrived yet..." Before he finished explaining, the maids bowed in unison again and said, "Master Ah Chu, hello!" Before Ah Chu could answer, the fourth wife had already rushed over with tears in her eyes. "Chu!" "Godmother." Ah Chu originally planned to meet the fourth wife and give her a big gift, but unexpectedly, when the fourth wife walked over, she hugged him tightly and burst into tears.It's not good for Ah Chu to persuade, and it's not good if he doesn't persuade, so he can only feel sad with the fourth wife.

At this moment, Lishui happily ran to meet the eldest lady, cried and laughed while hugging the eldest lady, and told the eldest wife about Rongsheng in every detail.It is said that Rongsheng Wharf met a fainted girl and insisted on sending her to the hospital.Everyone knows Rongsheng's temper, and no one can restrain him. He will have to wait for a while before going home, so the eldest wife needn't worry.The eldest lady let out a sigh of relief. The fourth wife cried for a while, suddenly thinking of the eldest wife, she felt that she was being impolite.Quickly ask Ah Chu to kowtow to the eldest wife.When Ah Chu came to salute the eldest wife, the eldest lady smiled and said: "It's different now, anyway, Ah Chu is also a doctor who has studied abroad, and there is no need to follow the old rules." The fourth wife wiped her tears and said: "Eldest madam is merciful." , without the eldest wife, how could we, Ah Chu, stand out today, the old rules don’t have to be followed, and the kindness must be remembered.” Saying, talking, the fourth wife knelt down first, and Ah Chu quickly followed the fourth wife. Kowtow to the eldest lady together. "That's all, that's all. I know your hearts." The eldest wife helped the fourth wife up, told Ah Chu to get up, and said, when the eldest young master comes back, the family will go to offer incense to the ancestors.

A bustling homecoming drama, because of the absence of the main character, seemed anticlimactic.Rong Sheng didn't come back until it was time to light the lights.Naturally, the eldest wife couldn't avoid the cliché of crying with joy. The mother and son were both happy and sad.After offering incense to the ancestors, the mother and son had a long talk, talking about the joys and sorrows of the past few years, and the vicissitudes of life.Seeing that Rongsheng's voice was clear and his description was not haggard anymore, the eldest wife thanked God secretly, and finally got back the blessings of Hepu, and she was satisfied.

The weather seems to be still early spring, chilly.The air outside the window is particularly fresh, and a large piece of lush green leaves is swaying outside the window sill, and the spring smoke moistens the green leaves, which is attached to the fun of life. When He Yashu woke up, he was in a trance and confused.She opened a pair of worried eyes, first staring at the pink and white ceiling above her head, and then slowly moved her gaze to the infusion bottle.She didn't dare to act rashly, she felt that her body hurt and she was weak.She saw a thin man sitting on a chair in the ward reading a newspaper. The man's hair was combed meticulously, he was wearing a blue satin gown, and his body was filled with the faint scent of jasmine tea, although the newspaper blocked his face , she could also feel the gentleness and elegance of this person from his sitting posture and clothes.

She thought that she was perverted and helpless, tears rolled down her eyes, and she choked up. "Are you awake?" Her sadness was met with greetings from Rong Sheng.Rong Sheng didn't know why, the moment he saw He Yashu fainted, he had the illusion of being reborn in his body. "How are you feeling? You've been comatose for three days." "I feel so hard..." He Yashu couldn't continue speaking sadly. "Is it hard?" "It's hard to survive." Yashu said. Rongsheng was silent. Facing someone who doesn't want to live reminds him of his former self. He looked tenderly at Yashu who was lying on the bed with a pale face, and said, "Have you lost the most beloved person in your life?" Yashu shook her head. "Then why don't you want to live?" "My family forced me to marry someone." "You would rather die than marry?" "yes." "why?" "We have no feelings." "Emotions can be cultivated," Rong Sheng said.When he and his wife got married, they didn't know each other. "He keeps a concubine outside." Yashu's voice was a little excited. "He is a lazy man, and he smokes opium." Rong Sheng's face became gloomy, and he suddenly stood up straight, facing the wall, without speaking.Yashu sensed his unhappiness and asked him, "What's wrong with you?" "I have also smoked opium." Rong Sheng's voice was deep and cold. Ya Shu let out a long sigh.Said: "Quit." "I've already quit." Rong Sheng said, "But I really want to smoke again. It's very difficult to control mentally." "Mr. saved me." Yashu suddenly changed the subject. "But I don't have the ability to repay my husband's kindness." "I didn't save you." Rong Sheng said flatly, "You don't have to pay it back." He walked to the door of the ward, turned around again, and said, "I've prepaid your medical expenses in advance, and when you recover, you don't have to pay back." Just leave the hospital on your own." "Wait a minute." Yashu supported herself and sat up. "Are you still here, sir?" "If, if I come, I don't bring you any pressure..." "Then, sir, please come again." Yashu expressed her attitude. "Okay, then, goodbye." Rong Sheng walked out of the ward and closed the door. Yashu saw a large eye-catching photo on the "Shanghai Vernacular News" that was overturned on the chair. It was the tragic image of her fainting and a message: the head of the big family of Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, Young Master Rongsheng, and a mysterious The woman was secretly admitted to the same ward three days ago.The woman is suspected to be Young Master Rong's secret lover... Under the carved railings of "Liyun Pavilion", Chan'er and Xing'er, maidservants of Rongfu, are feeding the red-billed green parrots.The two were laughing and gossiping. "Is the young master still staying in the eldest wife's room?" Xing'er asked. "No. The eldest wife has been thinking about her son for so many years, and she has collected a lot of tears. It is so hard to look forward to the return of the young master intact, so she will not give it up like a treasure." "Maybe it's been half a month since Eldest Young Master came back?" "Yes." Cicada's hand was pecked by the parrot. "Oh, I really deserve it. You are reborn as a starving ghost." Cicada hit it on the head with a golden spoon. The parrot cried: "The young master is back, the young master is back." "The young master is back, I will beat you as well." Chan'er said arrogantly. "Haven't you heard? The second young master is here too." "He's not here to ask for money, the eldest lady is bothering him." "I heard from the old man in the mansion that when the old man passed away, he loved the second wife the most." "Nonsense. The fourth wife is what the master loves the most." Chan'er said. "Otherwise, can Master Ah Chu go abroad?" "That's right." Xing'er thought about it, and said, "Master Ah Chu is really a blessing from the previous life. A little beggar who was begging along the street forced the fourth wife to pick him up and become his godson. Why did no one recognize me when I went home to be a master?" Miss." "The same people have different fates." Chan'er suddenly laughed mysteriously. "Do you know? The eldest wife wants to take a concubine for the young master." "A concubine? Why don't you marry the young master?" "The eldest young master has high vision, but this incense must continue. I wonder if that girl is lucky enough to fly on a branch and become a phoenix." "Why are you looking at me?" Xing'er was flustered by Chan'er. "Aren't you looking forward to marrying a young master?" "Who is the scorer? If it's the young master, I won't take eight sedan chairs to carry me in." "You've lost your mind and gone crazy. Even the young master refuses to marry, who do you want to marry?" "Marry Ah Chu." Myolie laughed happily. "Dream you." Chan'er pushed Xing'er, coincidentally A Chu came in from the side door, and Xing'er bumped into his arms.Ah Chu took a few steps back apologetically, Chan'er laughed, Xing'er rushed over to hit Chan'er unconvinced, Chan'er took the opportunity to run behind Ah Chu, and said: "Xing'er girl wants to marry and wants to go crazy, Ah Master Chu, find a husband's house for her." "You're still chewing your tongue!" Myolie protested with her hands on her hips. Ah Chu smiled and said, "I'm just kidding. Sisters, let's take care of me and stop making trouble." "She just wants to see your face." Chan'er still smiled. Xing'er was really angry, she turned her head to leave, but Ah Chu hurriedly called her to stop. "Sister Xing'er, I have something to look for you." Xing'er stopped in her tracks, feeling a little complacent, and asked, "What's the matter?" "I've been back for so long, and I haven't seen the two ladies. I think it's better to say hello. I'm bothered to take care of me. When they come back, call me." "Missy is a night owl, so I can't see you during the day. Missy 2 spends her time in the bookstore and doesn't like to go home. If you go to her bookstore, you will definitely meet her." "Which bookstore?" Ah Chu asked. "Huamei Bookstore." Myolie replied. "Master Ah Chu, are you going now?" Chan'er asked. "You're going, bring Xing'er with you, she also wants to go out with the young masters to walk around the streets in her dreams..." Xing'er raised her head. "You think I dare not, as long as Master Ah Chu is willing?" Eighteen and nine-year-old maids are the most innocent. They are eager to express their love and please the man they like, but they don't have the slightest "distraction" or "fascination". This makes Ah Chu feel their simple beauty. "I'm not in a hurry. Let me see the eldest young master or the eldest wife's room?" Ah Chu said. "Eldest young master, I went out again early in the morning. Second young master is in the eldest wife's room right now." Chan'er made a grimace. "The second young master is here?" Ah Chu was about to go in.Cicada grabs Ah Chu. "Don't go in. The eldest lady doesn't like the second young master, you go in now, and you're making yourself miserable." "Then I'll go back to the study first." Ah Chu knew that these maidservants were the ones who could figure out the master's mind best, so he did as they said, that's right. However, it is not uncommon for people to meet each other without seeing each other. Not long after Ah Chu returned to the "Mojuzhai" where he lived, he found a person standing in the yard, looking around.This man was in his twenties, wearing a white-washed blue shirt, his hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a pair of good-quality cloth shoes. He was very clean from top to bottom.Ah Chu's first reaction was that the second young master had returned. "Is it the second young master?" Ah Chu asked. "Yes." Rong Gui replied somewhat cautiously. After getting an affirmative answer, Ah Chu hurriedly came out with a smile, and said, "You didn't expect to be greeted when you came, please come in and sit down." Ah Chu Nei was wearing a brand new shirt, a jacket with a pressed western back, a golden tie clip glowing, and a pair of shiny leather shoes under his feet.Rong Gui was very ashamed of himself, lowered his head, and blushed before he could speak. "I, I'm looking for my elder brother." "He went out early in the morning, come in and sit down." "I'm afraid, I'm afraid to disturb you." Ronggui shrank back involuntarily. "What bother you?" Ah Chu smiled very brightly. "I'm bored by myself. You're here, just to talk. The eldest young master mentioned the second young master to me yesterday." "My elder brother mentioned me?" "Yes, I also said that I made a special trip to see you on Qingming Festival." Ronggui was suddenly moved. "Brother really said that?" "What did I lie to you for?" Ah Chu sympathized with the second young master from the beginning to the end. "You'd better come in and wait, he'll be back soon." Under the warm invitation of Ah Chu, Ronggui walked awkwardly into the eldest brother's study. The study room is very elegantly furnished. Although the layout is simple and clear, anyone with a discerning eye can tell that everything in this room is "very valuable".The so-called rich and noble family, "rich and noble" is compelling. "What do you drink? Coffee? Or tea?" Ah Chu asked. "No, I don't bother you. Whatever you want, just have a glass of water." "What's the trouble? You are a guest when you come." Speaking of this, Ah Chu stopped talking suddenly.Ah Chu felt that his words were a bit abrupt. If he was a guest, who would he be?He is not the host himself, but he is a guest?So, he smiled perfunctorily. A cup of fragrant and delicious coffee was served. "Where is the second young master on business?" "Teaching in the countryside." "Which class do you teach?" "Chinese history." Rong Gui sat very well and answered seriously. "I heard, Mr. Chu, Mr. Chu is a doctor who studied abroad?" Ah Chu nodded. Ronggui said enviously, "Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to study abroad." "How is Second Young Mistress?" Ah Chu deftly changed the subject. "Fortunately, she is about to give birth recently. I, I came to my elder brother just for this matter. Think, think." Ah Chu looked at him.Sweat broke out on Ronggui's forehead, and he took out his handkerchief to wipe the sweat. "I want to ask my elder brother for some money for milk powder." The words were finally spoken, and Rong Gui was not nervous anymore. "That's it." "Have you spoken to your wife?" "yes." "What did the lady say?" "My wife said, after all, we are the flesh and blood of the whole family, so we should help. However, the big family has difficulties, and they will have cash until after the autumn when the rent in the country is collected. I, I think, I can do it." Wait, but children don't wait for anyone. So, so come to Big Brother and try your luck." "How much do you need?" "Three hundred yuan." "Please wait a moment." Ah Chu turned and went into the back room. After a while, Ah Chu took money and a beautifully decorated pen out from the inside. "You take the three hundred yuan first. This pen is a gift from the young master brought back from England to the young master." "How can I get your money?" "It's right that I honor the Second Young Master and the Second Young Mistress. When I'm free some other day, I'll go to the mansion to pay my respects to the Second Young Mistress." Ronggui was really moved, he was full of thanks, and he was short of bowing to Ah Chu.Having achieved his goal, Ronggui was in a hurry to go back, fearing that he would be too late to catch the last train back home.Ah Chu didn't force her to stay anymore, so she sent her out.Rong Gui repeated his thanks again and again, and hurried to go. In the evening, when Rongsheng came back, Ah Chu casually mentioned a few things about Ronggui to him, Rongsheng hummed a few times indifferently, but Lishui came over, nagging that Ronggui was short of money, and asked if Rongsheng had any money. No cash, after all, is a family.Rong Sheng only said a word lightly. "I live here with a Guanyin Bodhisattva who is used to building bridges and paving roads. Are you afraid that he will go back empty-handed?" The weather in April is a bit cold.However, for Ah Chu, the enthusiasm for work far outweighed the coldness of the weather.Not long after returning to China, he found a job in the "Tongji" hospital. Originally, the eldest wife and the fourth wife wanted Ah Chu to work in the Rong family pharmacy, but Ah Chu said that it would be better for the future to go outside to practice. Working for the Rong family was helpful, so the eldest wife readily agreed. The breeze is like this, and the bright moon is in the sky.In the "Red Pear Pavilion" where the fourth wife lived, there were bursts of elegant foreign classical music. It was Ah Chu playing with the phonograph brought back from England. The fourth wife couldn't help humming along with the music. Ah Chu asked very curiously: "The fourth wife can also dance?" "Do you underestimate me? I think I followed the Queen Mother, Lafayette..." The fourth wife suddenly stopped talking. "Yes, who are you? You are Ah Chu's godmother." Ah Chu turned his back to her and fiddled with the record, unable to see the fourth wife's face, and the beautiful music passed through the fourth wife's eardrums. "What can bother you?" Ah Chu turned around and made an extremely elegant inviting gesture in line with the rhythm of the music.Said: "My dear lady, I sincerely invite you to dance together under the moon—" The fourth wife was unknowingly led to the courtyard by Ah Chu, who smiled and hugged the fourth wife's waist. The wife lightly supported Ah Chu's shoulders, and danced to a gentle beat.Under the moonlight, Ah Chu's face became clearer. The Fourth Wife didn't even dare to look him in the eye, but she pressed close to his chest. In an instant, the teardrops in her eyes were like countless sand-drilling reptiles, and quickly broke through the last corner of the eye socket. Defensively, the fourth wife cried. "Mother." Ah Chu tentatively asked, "Are you my real mother?" The fourth wife was astonished. "Why do you have such an idea?" "You just need to answer: 'Yes' or 'No'." Ah Chu looked seriously at the expression of the fourth wife. "No!" The Fourth Wife replied. Ah Chu's dance steps stopped abruptly.He could see that the fourth wife was telling the truth, and because it was the truth, Ah Chu was somewhat disappointed. "Although I am not your biological mother, I can tell you with certainty that I am your relative." The Fourth Wife buried her head on Ah Chu's chest again, letting tears flow down to her heart's content. Ah Chu started dancing again, leading the fourth wife into the graceful world of music.Ah Chu felt that only in this fantasy world of music could he have the lost maternal love. "Bah! What is it!" The third wife spat hard through the carved window. "Anyway, they are two thieves of unknown origin!" "Third wife, don't talk like that." Xing'er frowned and said. "Why don't you talk about it? A man and a woman, don't even think about their generations or identities? The master and the slave are just circling around like this..." "Walking around with your arms around, it's a ballroom dance. I heard from the eldest lady that this is the most popular and fashionable thing outside. If you don't understand it, don't talk about it." Xing'er never left the carved window. "Look!" The third wife dragged Xing'er through the corridor in a vicious voice.