Chapter Eighty-Three: Decision

  "Goodness gracious, look at the fuss you're making. It was just a small matter in the Wen Dinghou household, and now it's become such a big deal. Before anyone else could speak up, the second lady smiled and said, 'It's almost like the Three Kingdoms are going to war.'"

  Everyone involuntarily looked at the second lady, and Generalissimo, who had been through many battles, was indeed different. When his eyes swept over the second lady, it was as if she was trying to make connections with the noblewomen by any means possible, and he couldn't help but stiffen slightly before continuing: "It's just a small matter from the Wencheng Hou Mansion, but this small matter involves all the young ladies' marriages, so we can't be too careful."

  "I'm not speaking unfairly, what happened earlier was indeed the elder madam being a bit biased, but after all, whoever it happens to will feel indignant for a moment, isn't that right? Third sister, you should also be understanding." The second lady's words were meant to mediate.

  The golden tortoise that could bring more benefits to the Wen Dinghou Mansion, how could she bear to ask the other party to leave the Wen Dinghou Mansion? Just for her son's future, this old thing, she also did.

  Liu Dainai was overjoyed, as long as Liu Rong stayed in the Wendinghou Mansion, when these princes and grandsons were not paying attention, whether to make them round or flat would still be up to her.

  "Rong Jie, your second aunt said it's all family matters, why make it so that everyone ends up losing face? After all, we're connected by blood. If it really doesn't work out, I'll have Big Madam set up a separate courtyard for you, and from then on, she won't interfere with the affairs of your courtyard. You can also set up a small kitchen in your own courtyard to avoid any further friction." The big madam said something practical to Liu Rong, but it made Liu Dainai's face change color, and she stiffened there.

  If none of these were her concern, how would this stepmother deal with a little illegitimate daughter in the future!

  No, even if I say all this now, what's the use? Once these people are gone, young people will just be momentarily fascinated. After a long time of fussing, they'll forget about Liu Rong and when the time comes, these rules can still be changed at will.

  Moreover, all the household expenses were managed by her, even if they became independent, as long as she said that the household expenses were insufficient, she could cut corners as she pleased.

  With this in mind, Liu Dainai finally smiled again: "Rong Jie, as long as you don't continue to ask to leave the Wendinghou Mansion, everything will go according to what your grandmother said."

  Liu Dainai smiled with a pleased expression. With so many advantages, she didn't believe that a short-sighted and inexperienced daughter of a concubine could remain unmoved. She went out to live alone.

  Dong Er's face lit up with joy, an independent courtyard, Liu Dà Niáng didn't interfere with their courtyard affairs, doesn't this mean that in the future, their courtyard will never lack charcoal fire. Winter won't be so cold anymore.

  Thinking so, Dong Er gazed eagerly at Liu Rong, wishing she could immediately agree to this matter on behalf of Liu Rong.

  Miss, once you pass this village, there won't be a store like this anymore. You'd better agree quickly, or else the ladies of Yongcheng County will leave. These things might be gone then.

  The Yongcheng County Master, Zuo Tingxuan and the General were worriedly looking at Liu Rong, they were different from Dong Er, they were worried that Liu Rong's heart would soften and agree to this matter.

  These people have all been through intrigue and struggle in secret plots and are most aware that the peace obtained at this time will not last long.

  Among these people, the one who most hopes that Liu Rong will not agree is not Zuo Tingxuan and Yongcheng Junzhu, but rather the second son of Weibei Houfu, Zuo Tingyu, who brought a little kid. Because he saw everything from start to finish on the rooftop.

  He even admired a woman who could survive for so long in such an environment.

  If it were him, with such an opportunity, he would definitely make the Dinghou Mansion a mess, making everyone unable to rest easy!

  It was as if a tug-of-war, Yongcheng County's mistress and others hoped that Liu Rong would not agree to stay, while the people of Wending Houfu were all watching Liu Rong, silently praying that she would agree to stay.

  At this moment, everyone looked at Liu Rong, waiting for Liu Rong to give a result. However, Liu Rong turned to look at Zhong Shi, gazing at that face which was as calm and composed as it was in peaceful times, without any difference.

  Liu Rong's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, with a tangled and struggling look in her eyes.

  No one knows better than her the days she spent in the Wen Dinghou Mansion, except for Liu Jie and Er Nainai, as well as Da Furen who showed some kindness to her, calling her endearing names, while everywhere else she was met with slander and harm.

  She really didn't want to continue staying in the Wen Dinghou Mansion, although the big madam's conditions were not bad, after all, what kind of things could be said with a glib tongue, but secretly cutting corners.

  The most important thing is that all of this happened because of the appearance of Yongcheng County Master and his entourage, and Wending Marquis's house gave it to them, not willingly.

  One day, if her relationship with these people is no longer there, it's likely to become even more troublesome. Liu Dà Nǎi Niáng and the like may become even more overbearing towards her.

  Even now, she could still feel the icy glare of hatred from Tai Fu Ren.

  But she couldn't help but consider Aunt Zhong's feelings.

  Here is where Zhong Yiniang most wants to stay, looking at her relying on the Wen Dinghou Fu to marry a good family and have a place to rely on.

  The conversation while walking in the snow on that day is still fresh in her memory even now.

  "The outside world may be good, but it's not home after all."

  "Although this place is not good, it is still a shelter for us. Just like birds flying far away, but eventually there will be a time to return to the nest. No matter how bad it is, we can't give up!"

  "Now endure all kinds of hardships, and later you will surely reap a sweet reward."

  Liu Rong took a deep breath, her eyes scanning everyone in the room. When she saw Yong Cheng's princess, she revealed an apologetic expression before turning to face Wen Ding Hou and opening her mouth to announce her decision.

  "The third sister does not agree to stay." Zhong Yiniang spoke lightly, seemingly as if she was saying the most ordinary thing, interrupting everyone's speculation and giving an unexpected result.

  For a moment, everyone in the Wen Dinghou Mansion couldn't help but glare at Zhong Yiniang, and Liu Rong also looked at her with a face full of astonishment.

  Just now, she was about to agree to this condition.

  Aunt Zhong smiled faintly at Liu Rong, her smile plain and unadorned, revealing the composure of a middle-aged woman: "Leaving here is also good, as long as you don't mind that I can no longer provide you with a good life, from now on there will be no more luxurious clothes or fine food, only hard work to get by."

  Zong Yiniang also wanted to leave the Wendinghou Mansion, but she didn't have the qualifications to leave and wasn't at peace with leaving Lyu Rong behind. Now that she saw Lyu Rong soaring high on her own merit,

  She has already been at peace.

  Liu Rongxin nodded solemnly at Zhong Yiniang, then turned around: "Thank you for your good intentions, Grandmother, but we've already made up our minds. We'll leave the Wendinghou Mansion of our own accord and have nothing to do with it from now on."

  The sound of "pa" tea cup fell on the ground.

  Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, and then saw Liu Rong's father, Liu Zhongquan, glaring at Liu Rong: "Your grandmother has said it to this extent, yet you still dare to say such things! Do you even know how to write the two characters for 'filial piety'?"

  Liu Rong lowered her eyebrows and didn't look at her own father. When she was being bullied, where was this person? Not only did he not help, but instead he helped the bully.

  Liu Rong didn't respond, which made Liu Zhongquan even angrier. His face was filled with rage: "No matter what happens today, you won't be able to leave the Wen Ding Hou Fu. Even if these princes and nobles back you up, it's useless. You are a daughter of the Wen Ding Hou Fu for your entire life, unless you marry out of the Wen Ding Hou Fu, otherwise don't even think about leaving."

  "As for you people, how to deal with Liu Rong is an internal matter of our Wending Hou Mansion. You want to help her leave the mansion? Absolutely impossible! Even if you report it to the emperor, His Majesty will not agree! Give up on that idea!"

  "Since Uncle Liu has said so, then let's go back." A cold voice sounded, and it was the great general Shangguan Yu who spoke up.

  But this sentence made everyone stunned, and the Seventh Imperial Grandson Shangguan Chen and Zuo Tingyu couldn't help but glare at the Great General.

  Shangguan Yu pulled Zuo Tingxuan around: "Tingxuan, aren't you in charge of the big and small cases of Shuntian Prefecture? It's just right to go back and dig out the case of the Zhong family's rebellion that year and take a good look. See if it really has nothing to do with the Wen Dinghou Mansion. Maybe there was something wrong with the original case that we didn't notice."

  The general who had been silent and hadn't spoken suddenly opened his mouth, but it was enough to stun everyone in the room.

  "Alright, don't say anything more." Old Master Hou finally spoke up, his gaze falling on Liu Rong: "You can move out and live alone if you want to, but there are a few conditions. You have to agree to them, Grandfather's orders."

  PS：

  Today's second chapter, Flower Scattering, was written quite early in the evening. If possible, I'll update another chapter when I get back. By the way, being greedy and rolling on the ground wanting all sorts of things, pink tickets, rewards, come and bombard me!