Because the situation was at a deadlock, it wasn’t just Ruan Rui Zhong that needed something else to ease the tension, they also needed. Doing something like coercing the father-in-law, this kind of thing, in itself, was already greatly unfilial. They were merely relying on the fact that the Ruan family was a family that abided by etiquette, and that their father-in-law was further the head of the cabinet ministers, and needed face, so unlikely to do anything too overboard. If the Ruan family’s daughter-in-laws collectively ‘meet with mishap’, for the Ruan family that’s currently at the heart of a storm, this reputation afraid will be thoroughly done for. Perhaps, even Ruan Rui Zhong will all have to retire from his post early.
But, their way of doing things can be said to have already offended all the men in the Ruan family thoroughly.
For the Ruan family’s reputation to have become this bad, the effect was truly too big. Including those daughters of the Ruan family that have already married, in the past, they once would return home to visit every few days, but now, seemingly haven’t seen in a very long time. Ruan Rui Zhong although was still the Head Cabinet Minister, he has already began to decline. Also, there was a Head Minister of Appointments that was like fire and water with him. The assistance he was able to provide upon the imperial court was rapidly declining. Everyone all understood, a person that was covered all over in dirty waters and increasingly unreliable, who would still charge forward?
For the sake of their children, they wanted to divide the family, wanting to reduce this kind of influence, what was wrong with that? But, regardless whether it was their husband or son, they all didn’t support them. Mother (grandmother), younger sister (paternal aunt) are both such good people. Never mind outsiders splashing dirty, even their own family were holding them down at this time, practically just impervious to reason.
(T/N: The parts in the parenthesis are their sons’ voices or address for Ruan Old Madam and RFF, this is just how the author formats two different people talking at the same time.)
Line after line of criticism that killed the heart, making them wish for death.
Just look, this was precisely that woman’s ability. Because she was able to give these masters and young masters the things they wanted most, regardless whether it was wealth, or connections, or even official post, and regardless whether it was the di-born or shu-born, the things refused by father-in-law, as long as they look for her, for the most part, can immediately be satisfied. The scariest thing was that for the sake of suspending them, controlling their greed, aside from money, the benefits they obtained were actually, for the most part, all just little favors, yet she was able to let them not have the slightest complaint, even being deeply grateful towards her, moreover, moreover…………their mother-in-law and their husband’s intimate manner, when ‘coming across by accident’, they didn’t dare make public, later even getting provoked by their mother-in-law. This was the truth behind the Ruan family’s ‘harmony’.
———-For the wives of the grandson generation, it was still a little better, but their hearts were practically just a pool of bitter water. Clearly knowing what was going on, yet unable to catch evidence against her. There was probably no other zhoulis more harmonious than their family’s, because their enemy was the same person. But the other party was like a mountain, unable to be shaken.
They wanted to borrow this opportunity to change the predicament of being completely controlled in someone else’s hand, but without the men’s support, even if they tightly huddle together, as time pass, they will still appear isolated and without help, especially after meeting that woman’s sinister gaze. At present, she won’t do anything to them, but afterwards……………..
Their hearts couldn’t help but tremble. Even if they threatened with their life, they still knew, this matter’s chance of success wasn’t big. But they had no other way, really, no other way.
Even if they were staking it all on one throw, at this time, it was also unable to hold up anymore. If that bit of benevolence from father-in-law also disappears, then they will be thoroughly done for.
Thus, when the thing was lifted in, they just stood to the side.
Ruan Rui Zhong ordered someone to open it.
“My lord, no need to hurry.” Ruan Old Madam called out to stop him, “First ask who sent it, and what is it. Right now, it’s troubled times………..” Carrying a bit of melancholy and lament.
Ruan Rui Zhong blanked, and understood her meaning, his complexion also turning solemn. If at this time, they receive something they shouldn’t receive, perhaps it’ll be fatal. Moreover, sending something to the Ruan family at this time, either it was wanting to ‘loot a burning house’, or harboring malicious intentions. “Who sent it, where’s the name card?”
“Old master, they other party didn’t leave a name card.”
“Useless thing, something with no name card you even dare to carelessly accept? Where’s the person that sent it? Also gone?”
“Old master, this little one also let someone block them, but weren’t able to block. Moreover, the other party said, it’s best to quickly lift it in and hand over to old madam. If outsiders were to see, it won’t be good. This little one truly had no other way.”
Ruan Rui Zhong narrowed his eyes. This was clearly just telling them, this thing wasn’t anything good. He turned and puzzlingly glanced at his wife. The other party also had a look of confusion. In reality, how could she not know. Knowing that this was specifically designated for her, Ruan Old Madam’s heart grew increasingly restless.
“My lord, how about lifting it down first.” There were too many people present. If it really is something bad, it won’t be easy to deal with.
Ruan Rui Zhong nodded his head, “Lift to the rear court.”
The previous two were just about to go forward to retie the ropes, when suddenly a person charged out from the side, having the chest pushed backwards forcibly. And the wooden chest that wasn’t locked to begin with, after overturning, naturally opened up, and two three round things just rolled out. There was a split second of silence, “Ahh———” The frightened scream sounded in succession. The people surrounded nearby immediately frantically escaped in all directions. Even Ruan Rui Zhong abruptly retreated a few steps, his face deathly pale.
Previously, when they were on the road, the three human heads that appeared in Ruan Fang Fei’s horse carriage, aside from the mother-daughter pair, the rest of the Ruan family just knew that there was such a thing that appeared before, and never clearly saw. Now, this amount was even doubled of that, so this impact wasn’t a small matter.
Ruan Old Madam was also deathly pale, her legs going limp, half feigned, half real. The so called real really wasn’t because she was scared of these human heads, but rather, without needing to confirm, she already knew whose head these belonged to.
She should’ve long known, should’ve long known, since the other party was able to scheme against Fang Fei there, then they’ll most likely leave behind a second hand. What was she thinking at the time? Just a bunch of lowly peasants, so what if they’re killed, could it be that the other party would even save them? How come she didn’t think that perhaps the other party won’t save, but will kill, kill her people! With the precedence of those three from when they were on the road, the other party clearly knew the situation on her side, so how come she was just this stupid?
Because she needed to hide herself, for many things, she was all unable to do anything about. Grooming these people, as well as having them secretly inserted in the various places of the Ruan Manor, can be said to have exhausted all her energy. Yet in the end, she just lost nine this easily. While endlessly heartaching, she also possessed a deep restraining fear, this feeling of where her everything was all under the other party’s eyelid. If the other party is clear about what kind of people are by her side, then the things she did, was the other party also clear about?
Ruan Rui Zhong saw his wife tottering on the verge of collapse. Recalling a few days ago, clearly she was quite frightened, yet for the sake of Fang Fei, forcibly put on a brave appearance. Her spirit these days haven’t been well at all, so for this to happen again, who knows what will happen. He hurriedly covered her eyes, “Someone come, where did everyone all die off to? Quickly have these filthy things taken away———–” Ruan Rui Zhong roared.
Two servants frantically entered, tremblingly having the human heads picked up and thrown into the wooden chest. However, if one carefully paid attention, one would notice, these two people’s eyes were very tranquil, like as if they weren’t facing terrifying and creepy human heads, but rather just something very normal. Moreover, for these two people, only their hands were trembling. Their feet were very firm and steady. However, in this current situation, no one would go pay attention to these.
The wooden chest was closed shut, but even so, still no one dared to get near.
Ruan Rui Zhong inhaled a few breaths, “Someone come, immediately send someone to go search, see if the person that sent the thing over is still nearby. If discovered, quietly follow them, and determine the other party’s place of stay.” Right now, it was already confirmed, the person that has been repeatedly targeting the Ruan family, was precisely among those that came along from the capital. Previously they didn’t find them, so this time, definitely can’t let them get away again. Although, going to search now, the possibility of finding them was zero, but, “Prepare the sedan.” Le Cheng Emperor sympathized with him, letting him rest for a few more days, but now, he couldn’t sit still anymore. If this goes on any longer, before he falls, this family will have already scattered first. “Madam, if you still have the energy, call someone to investigate if there are people missing in the home. If not, just go back and rest, won’t force you.”
“My lord, where are you going?” Ruan Old Madam tightly grabbed onto him, seemingly as if this can bring her a sense of security.
Ruan Rui Zhong patted her hand, “This husband will go meet his Majesty. For the other party to be this ruthless, since their person was seen, then definitely need to have the person behind the scenes dragged out altogether, else how will our family still have peaceful days.”
Ruan Old Madam’s lips trembled. She was very clear, since the other party dared to openly and brazenly ‘deliver the things’, and they didn’t detain the person on the spot, then in hindsight, don’t count on being able to catch them. However, in the end, she didn’t say anything to stop him, because there was completely no reason to stop him from doing this. Right now, what she was worried about the most was just how much the other party knows about her background. If it was just that bit on the surface, then it was still good, if not……………..
Everyone all retreated out. Inside the hall, just a wooden chest with six human heads remained.
For this kind of thing to appear repeatedly, quite a few masters and servants of the Ruan family all felt exceptionally terrified. First it appeared in the daughter’s horse carriage, and now, it was specifically designated for the mother. Seemingly this mother-daughter pair was the source of everything. When they saw Ruan Old Madam, they just instinctively backed away a little, as if there was something dirty on her, and if tainted, perhaps the one to get sent human heads next time will be them.
A menacing look appeared on Ruan Old Madam’s face. This kind of her, they really have never seen before. Her stepsons, who were originally thinking of going forward to console her, all subconsciously retreated a step. She knew that she lost her bearing just now, and somewhat out of control. She hurriedly curbed her emotions, her complexion pale and weak, appearing very haggard. Glancing at them, especially that ‘daughter-in-law’ that pushed the chest earlier, her gaze stopping on her momentarily, “Go back to rest, and have the children restrained a little. Also the people below, beat those that need to be beat, don’t let their big mouths scare the children.”
Regardless whether what they saw earlier was an illusion or not, at this time, no one stayed behind. Between certain couples, whether or not they will quarrel into the heavens after going back, or even get physical, no one went to question.
Ruan Old Madam ordered someone to go investigate. While she herself had an understanding inside, she still needed to go through the motions.
After having everyone all sent away, Ruan Old Madam stood outside the door, staring at that wooden chest inside the room, her gaze dark and serene. Just when she was about to turn and leave, she instead saw her daughter walking over like a wandering soul. “Fang Fei, weren’t you resting, what are you doing here?
Ruan Fang Fei stood next to her, turning her head to look towards the room, “Human heads? Same as last time?”
“What human heads? Who did you hear this nonsense from? Fang Fei, come, return with mother. Mother is a bit tired and want to rest for a while.”
Ruan Fang Fei avoided her hand that extended over, stepping over the doorstep, walking in, and reaching out to lift open the chest.
“Fang Fei——-” Her mother hurriedly stopped her, “Be good, return with mother.”
Ruan Fang Fei fixedly looked to her mother, those eyes like dead waters. Afterwards, Ruan Old Madam released her. Ruan Fang Fei lifted open the chest, and what entered her eyes was just that familiar, sinister and terrifying face. Her face was instantly drained of blood, but she was resolute and didn’t advert her eyes, even slowly bending down, tremblingly extending her hand………………..
Ruan Old Madam watched from the side, tightly gripping her handkerchief, but she didn’t stop her anymore.
Ruan Fang Fei’s hand landed on that torn up flesh, and suddenly, her hand no longer trembled. Her complexion also gradually recovered, “Heh, so it’s this kind of feeling, seemingly not bad.” Her finger even poking.
