Chapter Thirty-Five: Appropriating for One's Own Use

  Pang Luoxue walked to the front of the bed and stopped, saying: "Fourth Aunt, it's so quiet here that even the sound of falling flowers can be heard."

  Yang Ying said faintly: Thank you, Second Miss, for remembering me and coming to see me. As a woman born in the dust of the world, I thought I was used to seeing the coldness and warmth of the world, the shallowness of human relationships, but I didn't expect that when it came to myself, it would be like this. How can I bear it? How can I let go?

  Pang Luoxue couldn't help but mock in her heart, but on the surface, she didn't reveal even a hint: Fourth Aunt must have had her maid invite me over for a reason, and it's definitely not to discuss the complexities of human nature with Xue'er.

  Yang Ying lifted the quilt and sat up, Pang Luo Xue took a look and knew that you had already made plans, and was pretending to be sentimental here, just waiting for the right moment. Otherwise, why would you dress up nicely and lie in bed, nostalgic for the past.

  Pang Luoxue sat on the embroidered stool at the edge of the table, her hands propping up her chin, staring unwaveringly at Fourth Aunt.

  Yang Ying thought that the second young lady was just a little maid, how could she have such a heavy mind. Even if she wanted to rely on her mother-in-law's side, she should try to get more benefits. She was actually seen through by her at a glance, and there was no need for herself to pretend anymore. It would be better to seek refuge openly and honestly, and not dare to have any contemptuous thoughts. So she knelt down in front of Pang Luo Xue and said: Please pity me, second young lady.

  Pan Luoxue knew that Yang Ying was a clever person just by looking at her, but the problem with clever people is that they think they are very clever and treat others as fools. If she didn't give her a warning, it's likely that Yang Ying wouldn't truly submit to her. Women in this kind of place have deep minds and must be given a wake-up call, otherwise, one would be deceived without even realizing it.

  Pan Luo Xue stood up and personally helped the fourth aunt, saying: "Auntie is polite, Xue Er is just a child, why should you sympathize with her? Auntie is used to joking."

  Yang Ying said: "After this miscarriage, I finally understand how much love the master has for me. It's not as clear to Miss as it is to me. Unfortunately, my status is too low to take revenge for my child, and now there's no hope left. Third Madam and I are like fire and water, I can't tell if she's being sincere or not, but it was because of her that my child died. Second Madam comes from a noble family and has cunning thoughts, plus her family's influence is growing stronger by the year, so she must be even more unwilling to be subordinate to others."

  Yang Ying finished speaking and carefully looked at Pang Luoxue.

  Pang Luoxue is a person who crawled up from the underworld, and Pang Luoxue didn't say anything, just smiled and listened.

  Fourth Aunt's heart was uncertain, and she said: Now that Master has given Second Madam the power to manage the household, surely Madam also has her considerations. Although I am not talented, I wish to help Madam in any way I can.

  Pang Luoxue smiled: Fourth Aunt is indeed a person who has experienced the cold and warmth of time, and her analysis of things in this mansion is quite accurate. However, Aunt can rest assured that Second Madam will always be just Second Madam, she will never be able to enter the ancestral hall until the day she dies. The First Madam's heart is too soft, if Fourth Aunt goes to visit her more often, it would be like having another person speaking up for you. Since Aunt has said so much, Snow wants to know what Aunt's intention is?

  Fourth Madame's heart skipped a beat, she had an ulterior motive. The favor of her husband was just a fleeting cloud, what else could she hope for? She herself was still young and beautiful, but the thought of being pregnant again was daunting. However, she refused to give up, she couldn't bear the thought of being cast aside like a cold palace, nor could she stand watching Third Madame live on. Fourth Madame seemed to have made up her mind: "I only need one place in this mansion, what's most important is that I want Third Madame's life, to offer as sacrifice for my child." She said, her eyes fixed intently on Pang Luo Xue.

  Pang Luoxue said: If you want to avenge, listen to me. Auntie is so beautiful, how can she be wronged? If it's just avenging and losing Father's favor, even if the first lady protects you, the second lady may not tolerate you. I'm sure these reasons are clear to Auntie, it's just a matter of waiting for some days. You know, one must endure loneliness in order to see prosperity.

  Fourth Aunt nodded and said: Miss, rest assured, Ying'er understands. From now on, Ying'er's life belongs to you, and she will definitely follow your lead.

  Pang Luoxue nodded: Don't let the lady know about these things, and I brought some supplements today, hoping that you will recover soon. The most important thing is this pipa.

  Yang Ying's eyes lit up as soon as she saw it, this was her beloved object before marrying the old master, later it was included in the dowry and stored in the warehouse by the old master, and she herself had not touched it again in order to make a break with the past. Unexpectedly, the second miss personally returned it to her, lightly plucking the strings with her fingers, the pleasant sound came out. Yang Ying tightly hugged the pipa, tears welling up in her eyes: "I thank you, Miss."

  Pang Luoxue said: It's just a matter of lifting one's hand, Auntie is an expert in the pipa, they say that all qin masters regard their qins as their lives, I suppose Auntie is the same. Father was also moved by Auntie's "Pipa Xing" back then. Auntie is a clever person, she should know what to do. Alright, today has also troubled Auntie for quite some time, Auntie should hurry up and take care of her body, Xue'er is waiting for Auntie's good news.

  Yang Ying nodded and personally sent Pang Luoxue to the door, then returned to the room, holding the pipa and sobbing quietly, accompanied only by this wind and frost companion.

  Pang Luoxue brought Zi Juan back to Luoxue Pavilion and saw Lian Ye and Lian Ou holding a picture book comparing something.

  Pang Luoxue said: What are you guys looking at? Let me take a look too.

  Miss, come and take a look. This is the new wine shop built by Elder Sister Yao, called Wang Jiang Lou, right across from Lin Jiang Lou. Business has been booming, it's making a fortune every day. These are the account books for Wang Jiang Lou over the past few days. I saw that you were busy, so I took the liberty of going through them first and marking everything down, so it won't be too much trouble for you to look at.

  Pang Luo Xue was deeply moved. These two little girls were indeed business geniuses, and they were willing to work hard and suffer hardships, saving Qi Yao and herself a lot of trouble.

  Lotus leaf walked up to me and lowered her voice: "Young Master Mu Yang has arrived, I've already cleaned out the Listening Wind Pavilion at the back of the courtyard. The courtyard is quiet, Elder Sister Yao has prepared a medicine stove for you, there are also some flower beds in front, Lotus Root has had someone move all the flowers to plant medicinal herbs, saying it's for Miss to cultivate medicine, and the drying field has been tidied up too, Miss just focus on studying."

  Pang Luo Xue's heart felt warm and cozy. She nodded at Lian Ye and Lian Ou, saying: "Don't let anyone else approach Ting Feng Tower."

  Lotus leaf and lotus root said: Got it.

  Inside the Wind Pavilion, Chu Moyang sat in the living room with a cup of tea in hand. Fortunately, his lightness skill was not bad, otherwise he would have been exhausted from all the running around. Although taking in Pang Luoxue was done for Qi Yaoke's sake, it was more because he was attracted to a certain charm on her body. Chu Moyang was very curious about what kind of power could make a noble lady have such big ambitions. Women rebelling against their families were common, but one being the daughter of a general and the other being a county princess rebelling together was rare in history. Yaoke had almost given up her life for revenge, yet she could swallow her hatred and listen to a younger girl's words, truly a strange thing.

  Chu Muyang was immersed in his own thoughts, but after all, he was a high-ranking martial artist. As soon as Pang Luoxue entered the courtyard, she felt it. The days were still long, and with such an apprentice, it didn't feel bad to have plenty of time to uncover her secrets.

  Pang Luoxue said to Chu Muyang: Master, you came so early today. Is the place Snow prepared satisfactory?

  Chu Muyang said: As long as there is a place to settle down, it's enough. Moreover, my dear apprentice has prepared such a large courtyard for me. It's just that Xue'er's tea leaves are not bad, and I have some aftertaste.

  Pang Luoxue said: This is the snow-capped jade from the palace, as long as Master likes it.

  Chu Muyang nodded: Of course, good boy, I see that there are many hawthorn trees in your yard, would you mind if I move a few?

  Pang Luoxue didn't know what she meant, and didn't ask further: "This is natural, for any matter, I can just instruct Lian Ye and Lian Ou directly, these two girls can now take charge of big or small matters on my behalf."

  Chu Muyang opened his fan and said languidly: I've already given orders.

  Pang Luoxue widened her eyes and thought to herself: You've already made arrangements, what's the point of hesitating here? She helplessly rolled her eyes and sat down beside the table.