Madam Tang looked at Manbao for a while, then suddenly tapped her on the forehead and laughed, "You’ve grown up, and you know to be considerate. Let ask you, is it true that Tang Zhihe called for perforrs?"
Manbao imdiately raised two fingers and swore, "This is what Bai Shan and the others saw when they passed by the Primus Pavilion. It’s absolutely true. At that ti, there were perforrs in Senior Brother Tang’s box, and they even leaned out of the window to greet Bai Shan and the others, asking them to co up for a drink. But Bai Shan and the others were in a hurry to go ho, so they didn’t have ti."
After going back, Bai Erlang talked about it for a long ti because he was really interested. He even heard the singing from upstairs while he was downstairs and thought it was wonderful.
Bai Shan was also very interested and had agreed with Manbao to pool money next ti to call perforrs for a show at the Primus Pavilion, or just go to the Spring Breeze Pavilion directly.
It’s said that the performances at the Spring Breeze Pavilion are much cheaper.
Madam Tang listened, gritting her teeth, and only let Manbao off at a fork in the road, saying, "It’s a pity you’re entering the palace every day recently; otherwise, we could visit Cousin Cui together."
Madam Yang has been pregnant for over three months, and it was announced so ti ago. She is currently nurturing her pregnancy at the Yang Residence and rarely goes out.
Manbao thought for a mont and then said, "Let’s wait a little longer until I have so free ti. Then I’ll arrange with Sister-in-law to visit her."
Madam Tang smiled and agreed, saying "Alright," but when her carriage left, she set it down and the smile promptly faded from her face.
The maid beside her sat with her head down, not daring to make a sound.
Madam Tang, while fiddling with her nails, asked, "I suddenly rembered, has Doctor Zhou Junior been going to the palace every day for more than a month?"
"Yes, last ti on the Shangsi Festival when you sent to give the red eggs to Doctor Zhou Junior, she had gone to the palace. It’s said she has been entering the palace every day without cease." She added, "Therefore, consultations at Jishi Hall have been pushed to the afternoon. Now, it’s hard for families to invite her for house visits, saying she needs to teach a few disciples at Jishi Hall and has no ti to make calls unless it’s an ergency or a case that requires her specifically."
What are cases that specifically require her?
Of course, they are won’s ailnts that are hard to speak of, but if not urgent, one might still not get her at this ti.
Madam Tang, thinking of sothing, returned ho silently.
When Madam Tang left, Lord Tang let out a great sigh of relief, wiped his forehead though there was no sweat, and hurriedly greeted Minister Feng.
Minister Feng laughed and asked, "What, got scolded by your wife again?"
Lord Tang firmly denied, "How could a virtuous wife scold ? She ca to bring tea and also to send so clothing to the Marquess. As you know, my wife is sowhat related to the Marquess."
Actually, it was several branches apart, but they are of the sa clan. Madam Tang also felt she was wronged, considering now the whole Hou Family had been raided, their lives uncertain. So she sent so things, which was also a statent, so the guards wouldn’t insult them.
You should know, families of convicted officials have no dignity. Being confined in the mansion, who knows what might happen?
With Madam Tang gone, Lord Tang waited until everything from the Hou Mansion had been confiscated, and only then did he take a bundle inside.
The people of the Hou Family were all confined in one yard, where there was no distinction between master and servant. He handed the bundle Madam Tang prepared to the Marquess.
The Marquess took the bundle, and Lord Tang said, "It’s guarded by people from the capital prefecture outside. The case is still being investigated, so Madam, you might as well wait patiently for a while."
It was only then that the Marquess began to cry, hugging her two granddaughters with great relief.
Even if they would be executed in the end, at least during this period they need not suffer humiliation; otherwise, it would be better to die imdiately.
Lord Tang sighed, then turned to leave, instructing the soldiers outside not to harass the people inside the yard.
Lord Tang was very busy, almost only returning ho when night fell.
He spoke with his father for a while and then returned to his own quarters, where Madam Tang was already waiting.
He was a bit apprehensive but still went in.
Upon entering, Madam Tang grabbed him by the ear and dragged him into the inner room. Lord Tang cried "ow ow," his head obediently bent down, quickly saying, "Wife, wife, that’s Zhou Man, why are you jealous of her?"
The servants, seeing them make a fuss, withdrew with a smile, thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
Madam Tang dragged Lord Tang into the room, gave his arm a few twists to relieve her anger, and asked, "Let ask you, what were you saying to her in secret?"
"Nothing, just so small talk, she’s just a child, your husband isn’t that cold-hearted..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Tang knew he was trying to placate her, and asked coldly, "Did you ask her if the Crown Princess is pregnant?"
Lord Tang was choked on his saliva and started coughing violently in fright.
He quickly looked around, seeing that the servants had all retreated far away, and then leaned close to Madam Tang’s ear, whispering, "How do you know, did she tell you?"
Madam Tang nonchalantly said, "Guessing!"
Lord Tang imdiately collapsed onto the footstool in front of the bed, speaking softly, "This matter must not be spread outside."
Madam Tang frowned and said, "If we can guess it, can’t others also guess it?"
Lord Tang said, "It might not co to mind for others right away; we need to wait a bit longer."
He explained, "After the Crown Prince’s poisoning incident, people outside have been assuming she’s entering the palace daily to detoxify the Crown Prince."
Only he and Lord Yin knew that the Crown Prince’s toxin had long been dealt with. He had a hunch because, during a review of the case last night, he noticed sothing was not right.
In the past month, the Crown Prince seed much calr, oddly enough rembering to recruit scholars under the guise of the Chongwen Pavilion;
And calculating carefully, it seed Zhou Man had entered the palace for fifty-four consecutive days, even though the Crown Prince receives acupuncture every other day. So what was she doing there every day?
Lord Tang whispered, "These are just our guesses, I haven’t even told father, so don’t you say a word outside."
"I know, I am not foolish." Madam Tang pulled her hand from his palm, asking, "Can we discuss this matter of hiring perforrs?"
Lord Tang lay down imdiately, exclaiming, "I’m so hungry, wife, right now I’m both tired and hungry and can’t move."
anwhile, Manbao was opening the packet of herbs Daji had brought back. She poured all the herbs into a large pot, added water, and boiled them.
Zhou Wulang personally rolled a large jar back for her, asking, "What do you want this jar for?"
Manbao replied, "To soak stones."
Once the dicinal decoction was ready, it was poured into the jar, followed by all the stones Teacher Mo had given her, soaking inside. A large group gathered around curiously.
Even knowing these stones were toxic, Bai Erlang and a few others couldn’t resist coming to watch. Seeing barrel after barrel of dicinal decoction drown the stones, he looked confused and asked, "Is that it?"
Manbao nodded, "Just seal it for seven days and then it’ll be ready."
User Comments
0 comments from readers