Matriarch Shi.
Jia Ying and Jia Tanchun's grandmother, Lin Daiyu's grandmother, the head of the Rong and Ning families. Even in Jinling, she could be said to be of great age and virtue. Her seniority and prestige were very high, and she was respected by everyone.
For the Rongguo family, she was the sky for many people.
Although she was old, she was the stabilizing force of the family. When three generations of men from the Rongguo family died on the battlefield, the huge Rongguo family could only be led by a woman. This was often a sign of decline for any aristocratic family.
But the Matriarch took on everything. From the death of three generations of men many years ago, to Jia Ying leaving 11 years ago, to the barren mountain two years ago, when people's hearts were in turmoil, it was always this respectable old woman who took on everything.
Therefore, her status and prestige in the Rongguo family was needless to say.
But she was really old. One after another, unforeseen events kept hitting this old woman. Her husband died on the battlefield, her son died on the battlefield, and her grandson died on the battlefield. For more than a decade, similar events had occurred three times. She turned the tide every time and controlled the situation every time. But everyone realized that the Matriarch was still constantly aging.
No one knew how long she could hold on, just like no one knew how many holes were in the heart under that kind face … No one dared to explore, no one dared to try.
Moreover, the Matriarch was still sick in bed recently.
Therefore, even though many things had happened, such as Wang Xifeng's disappearance, Wang Zixing's death in the East Garden, the Wang Family's visit, and now Madam Xing's death, no one had thought of using this matter to disturb the Old Madam. If the Old Madam was frightened and something happened to her, no one could bear the responsibility.
But now … she was here.
In the room, Lin Daiyu and Sun Lang looked at each other.
Sun Lang could see the panic and worry in Sister Lin's eyes.
This time was different from Wang Zixing's.
Wang Zixing died in the East Garden. There were not many people, so the news could be blocked and the matter could be hidden. But this time was different. The murder happened in the backyard, so the news spread very quickly.
Lin Daiyu whispered, "What should we do?"
Before Sun Lang could answer, Old Madam shouted angrily again, "Get out of the way!"
Thump! Thump! Thump! It was the sound of a body falling to the ground. Although the old lady was old, her martial arts skills were still there. In just a moment, she had already forced her way into the courtyard.
Then, Madam Dowager's surprised voice was heard. "Baochai … Why are you here?"
Xue Baochai first greeted her, and then said helplessly, "Grandma … It's a long story. I heard that you were sick, so I rushed back in the middle of the night. I encountered many things, so I didn't have the chance to greet you …"
The old lady said, "What is it?
Also, what happened to your aunt? "
Xue Baochai sighed and said, "Grandma …"
The answer was already very obvious. Old madam left Xue Baochai and rushed into the room in two steps.
Hearing the footsteps approaching, Lin Daiyu panicked. Turning her head to look, Sun Lang had already disappeared without a trace. She curled her lips and said something in a low voice. When she looked up, old madam had already stepped in.
Seeing her beloved granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law, Old Madam Dowager's expression softened. She wanted to say something, but when the words reached her mouth, they were immediately blocked. Because she saw the body on the bed.
It was her daughter-in-law.
Old Madam Dowager's body swayed.
Lin Daiyu rushed up and supported her grandmother. She whispered, "You'd better go back and rest. It's enough to have us here … Grandma, you can't be too sad …"
Old Madam Dowager took a deep breath. Her eyes were a little wet, but she still didn't cry. She stared blankly at the body on the bed and slowly approached. She whispered, "I don't like this daughter-in-law very much. Not to mention that she's a second wife, she's from a small family. She's greedy and doesn't do things well. Not only do I look down on her, but I'm afraid that you, the younger generation, and even the servants in the mansion, won't like her …"
"But she's my daughter-in-law after all. When I see her, I think of my son, Dalang and Erlang. I think of them going out fully dressed and coming back in a coffin. I don't have a son, and now I don't even have a daughter-in-law. What's going on?
How did she die? "
Xue Baochai and the others hurriedly followed in. They surrounded Old Madam Dowager and blocked Madam Xing's body. Xue Baochai advised, "Grandma, you're not in good health. Go back first. We'll go and report this to the officials. We must investigate this matter clearly and avenge aunt …"
Old Madam Dowager didn't seem to hear her words. She looked blankly at the people around her. Lin Daiyu's, Xue Baochai's, Jia Tanchun's, and … and … one person was missing.
Madam Xing was the daughter-in-law she didn't like, but she was very satisfied with Madam Xing's daughter-in-law. She even entrusted the family's heavy responsibility to her and regarded her as her most capable assistant.
She asked, "Where's Feng 'er?
Where's Feng 'er?
Her mother-in-law is gone. Why isn't she here? "
Everyone's expression changed at the same time, and they secretly complained in their hearts.
Wang Xifeng had long disappeared without a trace. She was suspected of killing her brother. Many people were looking for her, and even the whole Jinling was abuzz with the news … This was the first thing that everyone hid.
Xue Baochai bit her lips and decided to muddle through first. She whispered, "Sister Feng went to report this to the officials …"
"No!" Old Madam Dowager said loudly, "How can she go to the officials personally?
I've long felt that something was wrong. Today, I even asked Yuanyang why Feng 'er didn't come to visit me.
She usually comes here several times a day … Where did she go? "
Just as Jia Tanchun wanted to speak, she was fiercely glared at by the old madam. The old madam then turned to Lin Daiyu, "Pin 'er, you say it!
You usually don't lie. Tell me, where did your sister Feng go? "
At this moment, Jia Tanchun suddenly knelt down and said, "Grandmother, don't make things difficult for my two sisters-in-law. They just came back and don't know the cause and effect of many things … Granddaughter should say it."
Old Madam Dowager took a deep breath and slowly said, "Say it."
Tanchun lowered her head and gritted her teeth, "Grandmother, please report that sister Feng has gone missing … The Wang family suspects that sister Feng killed her brother, Wang Ren. Sister Feng went missing at the same time, so it's not clear …"
These words were very skillful. She avoided the important points and dwelled on the trivial. She only talked about Wang Xifeng's situation and hinted that she was persecuted and wronged. She didn't mention Wang Xifeng's suspicion of "spreading the news of the old madam's illness all over the city" … With such quick wit, Tanchun could be considered very amazing.
When Old Madam Dowager heard this, she asked anxiously, "Then have you sent people to look for her?"
"Yes, we have mobilized all the forces that can be mobilized. The Wang family is also looking for her, but there are no clues …" Jia Tanchun said in a low voice, "Grandmother, don't worry. Since my two sisters-in-law have come back, they will help to settle everything."
Old Madam Dowager's expression eased slightly and sighed, "Did the Wang family … Did the Wang family send people to make trouble?"
Xue Baochai nodded and said, "Yes, granddaughter-in-law blocked them."
The old woman was silent for a moment and then said, "Not good, not good. You child, soft on the outside but hard on the inside. You must have offended someone … They said that Feng girl killed her brother. Do they have any evidence?"
Jia Tanchun said softly, "There are some …"
"Then that's it. The Wang family cares about their face. If they don't have any evidence, how would they dare to come and make trouble … Wait?"
Old Madam Dowager frowned, "Wang Ren … I remember that Wang Ren is just a useless playboy. His sister killing his brother is a scandal between the two families. The Wang family cares about their face so much, why would they come and make a big fuss, to the extent that they need you, Baochai, to block them?"
The older the ginger, the spicier it was. The girls' expressions changed again.
Old Madam Dowager had watched these girls grow up. Their cleverness was still not enough to look at in front of her. She only needed a moment of change in their expressions to detect the strangeness of the matter.
Her voice became colder, "What's going on?
What are you hiding?
Why, you think that your wings have hardened and you think that I'm old, that I'm about to die, that I'm already muddle-headed and useless, so you're raising me as an old and muddle-headed person? "
These words were too harsh, and they all lowered their heads.
The anger in old Madam Dowager's words became more and more intense, "Are you going to say it or not?
If you're not going to say it, I'll go out and find someone to ask. If you insist on hiding it, just kill me with one palm! "
Tanchun hurriedly hugged old Madam Dowager's legs. Her voice already had a sobbing tone as she said, "It's not that granddaughter doesn't want to speak frankly, but this matter is too troublesome and I don't dare to disturb grandma … Grandma, the Wang family indeed didn't come for Wang Ren's death. It's because the acting head of the Wang family, Wang Zixing, mysteriously died in our family's East Garden …"
Old Madam Dowager's body swayed again and leaned back.
Xue Baochai hurriedly supported her. Old Madam Dowager's eyes were filled with shock and astonishment. She looked at the few girls in front of her and her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something. However, with a 'wah' sound, she spat out a large mouthful of blood.
This unforeseen event happened very quickly. When old Madam Dowager spat out blood, time seemed to have stopped for a moment. Then, the sky fell and the earth cracked.
Jia Tanchun's cries made Xue Baochai's face turn pale. Someone rushed in from outside, but Lin Daiyu rushed out. Old Madam Dowager's personal maid, Yuan Yang, took out a medicinal pill from her bosom. Younger sister Lin shouted outside to call for a doctor. Meanwhile, Xue Baochai hugged old Madam Dowager and slowly sat down on the ground.
Sun Lang, who was secretly watching all of this, almost couldn't control his emotions.
He felt his blood boil for a long time. At that moment, he had the urge to rush out. However, he couldn't. The elderly must avoid great joy and great sorrow, especially in this kind of situation. Old Madam Dowager had spat out blood because of great sorrow. Then, when she saw her grandson coming back, if she were to be overjoyed, her entire life would probably be gone.
There was another point … it was useless for him to come out.
He couldn't hold her hand, check on her injuries, or help her heal.
Therefore, Sun Lang could only watch all of this quietly. He couldn't do anything. He was powerless. This kind of feeling hadn't appeared for a long time …
However, he still calmed down and softly transmitted his voice, "Don't panic. She's fine. Press on her Yuzhen acupoint and use the method I taught you to raise your vital Qi …"
The house was in a mess. Everyone was busy, as if the sky had collapsed.
However, even Sun Lang didn't notice that old Madam Dowager, who was being treated, had fallen into Xue Baochai's arms. She opened her eyes slightly and looked at everything around her.
She didn't pay attention to Jia Tanchun's call, nor did she cooperate with Xue Baochai's inner breath. She didn't eat the medicine Yuan Yang handed over. She only looked around, her slightly opened eyes revealed an indescribable expectation. It was as if she was waiting for someone to appear. It was as if she was waiting with her entire soul.
However, what she was waiting for didn't happen.
Therefore, her eyes gradually turned cold. From expectation to disappointment, from disappointment to pain, from pain to hatred, from hatred … to killing intent.