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Chapter 17: Success or Failure
October 29, 2022
“Exactly.” Auntie Xiao nodded and replied.
The Old Madam Ren was a little surprised: “When they first moved here last year, our Old Master urged the steward to send some congratulatory gifts, and the Han family also sent back gifts. It’s just that the female members of their family rarely go out, so although there are some polite exchanges between the estates, we have never met the Han family. How is the Han family related to the Yanbei palace?”
Auntie Xiao thought for a while and shook her head: “This, I haven’t heard of. I have been to the Han Estate twice, and I have met the Old Madam and Madam of the Han family. The Old Madam Han is a kind person, and Madam Han is also very capable.”
“I heard that the Old Master Han, who is now the head of the Han family, is an army recruit?”
Old Madam Ren was really curious about the Han family. It stands to reason that a son-in-law has always been looked down upon by others, and he has no status in his wife’s family. However, this Old Master of the Han family took over the Han family after the death of the previous head of the Han family. He is not the patriarch but he is better than the patriarch.
(Son-in-law = A man married into his wife’s family)
There are a lot of rumors about the Han family in Baihe Town. Some people say that the Han family was originally just a wealthy family in Jizhou and only had some assets. It was the current old man Han who had a unique vision and persuaded his father-in-law to sell a few properties to start a business, and as a result, made a lot of money.
It’s a pity that the Han family has always kept a low profile. The men go out to do business, the women stay at home, and there is almost no contact with the people in the town.
Auntie Xiao was about to answer when the curtain of the eastern room was lifted, and Ren Yaohua came out.
“Grandmother, I’ve packed everything up
 Huh? You have a guest?” Ren Yaohua has been favored by the Old Madam since she was a child, and she speaks more casually than other granddaughters.
Old Madam Ren glared at her and said to Auntie Xiao, “This girl has been spoiled by me. She doesn’t abide by rules, Auntie, don’t take any offense.”
Aunt Xiao hurriedly said: “The girls in the Ren family are either gentle and friendly, or spirited and lovely. Everyone knows this.”
Ren Yaohua came up to greet Auntie Xiao with a smile, and then said to Old Madam Ren, “Grandma, I have to go back to Ziwei Courtyard, so I won’t disturb your hospitality.”
Old Madam Ren nodded: “You can have lunch over there in the afternoon. I’m going to have a vegetarian meal with Auntie Xiao today.”
Ren Yaohua responded, turned around, and went out.
Auntie Xiao smiled and watched Ren Yaohua leave: “Is this the Third Young Lady of the estate? It’s been a while since I have seen her, and her appearance has become more and more beautiful.”
Old Madam Ren laughed and said: “The temper is too outrageous, like a monkey.”
“I think she’s a sensible one.” Auntie Xiao said and suddenly stretched out her right hand to do some calculation, frowned slightly, then retracted her hand, and calmly took a sip of the tea at hand.
Her actions were seen by Old Madam Ren.
Old Madam Ren knew that Auntie Xiao could read feng shui and divination, and read it very accurately, so she couldn’t help asking: “Auntie, what is it?”
(Feng shui = One of the five arts of ancient Chinese metaphysics. It uses formulas and calculations to observe the appearance (of buildings or landforms, etc.) and evaluate it)
Auntie Xiao was asked by Old Madam Ren, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “I remember that the Third Young Lady was born in the year of Gengwu?”
(Year of Gengwu = The seventh year of a sexagenary(60-year) cycle in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar)
“Auntie has a good memory. Hua’er was born in August of the year of Gengwu, and she is twelve this year.” Old Madam Ren nodded.
Auntie Xiao thought about it carefully, and then pondered, “Then this year doesn’t happen to be the natal year?”
(Natal year =  It is customary in China to use the twelve zodiac signs to record a person’s birth year, a person’s age equal to a multiple of 12 is called the natal year. It is often regarded as an unlucky year)
The Old Madam Ren frowned: “But what’s wrong? I remember you, Auntie, said that Hua’er’s fate is very suitable for mine.”
Auntie Xiao shook her head: “Originally, there’s nothing wrong with that. Old Master Ren was born in the year of Bingxu, and you are born in the year of Geng Yin. Bing Geng originally clashed with each other, but because the Third Young Lady was a tiger, Yinwuxu would become a Huoju, which just matched the fortune of the Ren Family’s Estate, which was a great auspiciousness. But this year is the natal year of the Third Young Lady, and if you offend Tai Sui, this auspicious omen will turn into a bad omen.”
(Year of Bingxu = The 23rd year of the sexagenary cycle
Year of Geng Yin = The 27th year of the sexagenary cycle
Bing Geng = Year of Bingxu and Geng Yin
Tiger = The 3rd animal in the Chinese zodiac
Yinwuxu = a triad combination in the Four Pillars of Destiny
Huoju = Yinwuxu can be combined into a “Huoju”, which is equivalent to the power of three earthly branches being accumulated in the fire and is auspicious
Offend Tai Sui = Tai Sui is both a star and a deity worshipped by the people. It’s a violation if the natal year encounters Tai Sui. It will become an unlucky year)
Old Madam Ren became anxious when she heard those words: “Then how can we get rid of this situation? Please asking Auntie to give some pointers, I will be very grateful.”
Auntie Xiao hurriedly said: “Old Madam is too serious, I usually take care of the estate, these are all things that should be done, and I don’t deserve your thanks. It’s not difficult to get rid of this situation, let the Third Young Lady not move to Ronghua Courtyard for the time being this year. In addition, find a girl who is underage and is born during Zi shi. “
(Zi shi = 23:00-01:00)
“Born during Zi shi?” Old Madam Ren frowned and thought.
“Old Madam, Ninth Young Lady happened to be born in this time.” Momo Gui reminded her.
“The Ninth Young Lady who twinned with the Sixth Young Master?” Auntie Xiao asked.
“Auntie has an excellent memory, it is her.” Old Madam Ren nodded.
Auntie Xiao pinched her fingers and said with a slight smile: “That’s right, Ninth Young Lady’s fate is also very good. She belongs to the Wood of the Five Elements, and this Ronghua Courtyard is right in the position of Li, which belongs to Fire, and Wood can thrive
 
just right.”
(Wood/Fire of the Five Elements = The basic substances of the material world according to the Theory of the Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water
Li = One of the areas in Eight Trigrams)
The Old Madam Ren breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good. It’s just that if Hua’er has passed her natal year
”
Auntie Xiao hurriedly said: “When the Third Young Lady passes the natal year, naturally everything will be fine.”
Old Madam Ren thought for a while, then turned her head and instructed Momo Gui: “You go to Ziwei Courtyard, tell Hua’er not to move in for the time being, and we’ll talk about it after this year. In addition, go to Fangfei Courtyard and talk to Concubine Fang. Let her help Ying’er clean up, she will live in the warm pavilion in the inner room.”
Momo Gui bowed her head in response, turned around, and went out.
When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua got the news, they were talking to nĂ©e Li in the main room of Ziwei Courtyard. Ren Yaohua’s face sank suddenly, and the people in the room didn’t dare to speak up. The atmosphere was suffocating.
Momo Gui brought Old Madam Ren’s intention and afterward, backed out gently.
Ren Yaohua suddenly got up from the chair.
NĂ©e Li hurriedly persuaded: “Hua’er, your grandmother said that you will move there next year, so you should not disobey her. Your grandmother always believed in the fate of feng shui.”
However, Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi and said coldly, “Come with me.” Then she went out.
NĂ©e Li shouted at her in a hurry: “Hua’er, what does this have to do with your sister! Don’t take your anger out on her.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled and held nĂ©e Li’s hand: “Mother, don’t worry. Third sister, she has other things to tell me, not to get mad at me.”
NĂ©e Li was a little unconvinced, so Ren Yaoqi said to Momo Zhou, who was on the side, “Momo Zhou, can you come with me so Mother can rest assured?”
Momo Zhou nodded toward nĂ©e Li, and nĂ©e Li released Ren Yaoqi’s hand, still a little worried: “If your sister bullies you, you
you just run away.”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help laughing ‘puchi’, got up and winked, and said playfully: “Don’t worry mother, I run pretty fast, Third sister can’t catch up with me.”
(Puchi = Onomatopoeia of bursting into a smile or laughter)
Ren Yaoqi and Momo Zhou followed Ren Yaohua to the east room.
“Is this the original purpose of that slut? Let Ren Yaoying live in Ronghua Court?” Ren Yaohua glared at Ren Yaoqi and asked.
Ren Yaoqi sat down on the other side of the kang table and said calmly: “She set up this situation, which can not only make you and the fifth mother and daughter hostile with each other, but also increase Ninth Sister’s value.”
(Kang table = a piece of furniture that serves a dual purpose of a low table and a chair-level bed)
“Now Fifth Young Lady did not only clear Third Young Lady, but she also let Concubine Fang cross the Fifth Madam and suffer the consequences.” Momo Zhou was overjoyed.
The Fifth Madam has always been vengeful, and if she hates someone, she will definitely have an unending attitude.
“Just, how did Fifth Young Lady know that Auntie Xiao would agree to help? When you asked me to send someone over, you said not to reveal her identity. You must know that Auntie Xiao’s reputation has always been excellent, and she would never talk nonsense. “ Momo Zhou wondered.
In fact, Ren Yaoying was able to move into Ronghua Court because of Auntie Xiao’s visit to Ren Estate in her past life.
In her past life, Auntie Xiao appeared after Fifth Madam had exposed Ren Yaohua and moved out of the Ronghua Courtyard. At that time, Fifth Madam had already harmed Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaoqi suspects that Concubine Fang may have already reached some kind of tacit understanding with Auntie Xiao. So she asked Momo Zhou to send someone to let Auntie Xiao enter the estate in advance in the name of Concubine Fang, so that Concubine Fang would not stay out of it.
Didn’t know whether it was because of Concubine Fang’s cautious temperament or because of some considerations, but Auntie Xiao did not have any personal contact with the maids and momos who were close to her, and this just gave Ren Yaoqi an opportunity to take advantage of.
After receiving the news, Auntie Xiao appeared immediately, and really made up a set of rhetoric according to her instructions.
It’s just that she couldn’t say these words, so Ren Yaoqi just said that she had accidentally overheard the conversation between Concubine Fang and her maid, and guessed something.
Ren Yaohua still doesn’t look good: “What about Ren Yaoying? Is it so cheap for her?”
If Ren Yaoying was raised under her grandmother’s knees, it would make her value worth a lot when discussing prospects in the future, which was a good calculation by Concubine Fang.
Ren Yaoqi smiled: “It’s true that you can see farther when you stand tall, but you will definitely become a target for others.”
Ren Yaohua thought about it for a while, and couldn’t help but sneer: “With Ren Yaoying’s temperament, I’m afraid that the higher you hold her, the heavier she will fall. Concubine Fang has been smart all her life, but she gave birth to such a waste, and it’s a pity she’s still racking her brains to scheme.”
Ren Yaoqi’s eyes flashed when she heard the words, and suddenly smiled: “Just wait, maybe you will see something interesting.”
Ren Yaohua frowned: “What do you mean?”
Ren Yaoqi smiled and didn’t answer. She just turned her head and instructed Momo Zhou: “What was moved this morning will be moved back later.”
Momo Zhou bowed her head in response, and after thinking about it, she became a little worried: “But now that Third Young Lady has left Old Madam’s side, will their relationship be cold and distant in the future?”
Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi knew what Ren Yaohua’s glance meant, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Presumably, Ren Yaohua still believes she doesn’t want to see her be good. Not only dealing with Concubine Fang, but also not wanting her to take advantage.
(She = Ren Yaoqi
Her = Ren Yaohua)
Thinking of her past life, Ren Yaoqi suddenly couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Do you really believe that as long as you have the favor of Grandmother, she will consider everything for you?”
Ren Yaohua sneered and looked at Ren Yaoqi: “What do you want to say?”
Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly, stood up, and walked out. When she lifted the curtain, she said softly without looking back: “I just think that instead of begging for others, it’s better to work on yourself. Putting all your hopes on others, and in the end, only despair will be left.”
Ren Yaohua was stunned for a moment, looked at the cotton curtain that had been lowered, and pursed her lips.
Concubine Fang, who was originally ‘sick in bed’, suddenly sat up from the bed in shock after hearing the words of Momo Gui: “What? You said Auntie Xiao is here? The Old Madam asked Ying’er to move to Ronghua Courtyard today? “
Momo Gui said with a smile: “That’s right, congratulations to Concubine, and congratulations to Ninth Young Lady.”
Concubine Fang, however, did not look happy, and said in a daze: “Why is she here today? I clearly
”
Momo Gui was a little puzzled when she saw this: “Isn’t this a good thing? Concubine had made an arrangement, isn’t it just to make Ninth Young Lady rise?”
Concubine Fang smiled bitterly: “Yes, but the timing is not right
”
When the Fifth Madam got the news, she trembled with anger: “Fang Yaru! You’re good! You are so good!”