The Spirited Daughter-in-law and the Mountain Man

Chapter 857: 857 Rong’er schemes successfully1

“Third Brother…” Xiao Qinghe’s eyes brimmed with moved tears.

“Eat your meal properly.” He decisively pulled over the entire table, “Fourth Brother, both Second Brother and I care a lot about you. Don’t starve yourself.”

Second Brother was not good with words. Xiao Qinghe had been closer to Xiao Yuchuan since childhood. Seeing Third Brother so concerned about him, he picked up his bowl and earnestly shoveled the rice into his mouth. Even if he couldn’t swallow it, he didn’t want Third Brother to worry.

Xiao Yuchuan watched until he finished an entire bowl of rice, then asked, “Do you want me to get you another bowl?”

“No need.” He gave a slight smile, “I’m truly full.”

Xiao Yuchuan knew he had little appetite, so seeing him eat a bowl, he didn’t insist anymore. He picked up the bowl and chopsticks with a tray, said “Fourth Brother, go to sleep earlier,” and then left the room.

...

Xiao Qinghe watched his retreating figure and secretly vowed to keep the secret in his heart.

Li Rong’er was pacing around in her own room.

She paced anxiously, worrying about her schemes now that Xiao Yishan had become aware of them, trying to think of countermeasures.

As soon as she thought of a plan, she heard a knock outside the door, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” Xiao Yishan’s cold voice came from outside the door.

“Second Young Master, at this late hour, do you have instructions for your servant?”

“Open the door.”

“Please wait, your servant was sleeping, and I’ll come as soon as I put on some clothes.” She loosened her outer garment, draped it on her body, pretending like she had just gotten up, and opened the door to see Xiao Yishan’s livid face outside. She was scared witless, but managed to appear calm, “Second Young Master, what brings you here so late?”

Xiao Yishan, clutching his chest, entered with a glum face and sat down on a chair before the table.

Li Rong’er hurriedly acted flustered and modestly fixed her clothes, then went to the table and took the water pot to pour him a cup of water, “Second Young Master, please have some water.”

Looking at her beautiful face, Xiao Yishan found it hard to believe that beneath such a gentle exterior lay nothing but schemes. He didn’t take the cup she offered and said in a cold voice, “Rong’er, be honest, are you hiding something from me?”

Even though what Xiao Yuchuan said was true, she wouldn’t admit it, “What do you mean by that, Second Young Master?”

“What do you think?”

She feigned sudden realization, immediately knelt, and said, “Your servant has received great kindness from the Second Young Master. You spent twenty taels so that I could avoid being sold to the kiln. Although I serve as a maid in the Xiao Family, I have not signed a deed of sale. I meant to remind you today to sign the deed of sale for your servant, but since you are injured, your servant thought to wait until you recovered to bring up this matter.”

Surprise flickered in Xiao Yishan’s eyes. He had been convinced that Third Brother’s suspicion was correct, that Li Rong’er had resorted to cunning, and yet she was willing to sign the deed of sale, which meant she could be ordered around or even killed at the Xiao Family’s whim. “Is that the only thing?”

She nodded, “Otherwise, what else would your servant hide from you, Second Young Master?”

“In the Fang Mansion, why were you willing to help… let’s say help me, and give that one tael of silver? That one tael of silver represents several months’ wages for you, doesn’t it? Why would you be so generous?”

She looked ‘honestly’ at him and said, “I had heard about the Second Young Master’s situation long ago. The Third Young Master frequently fell ill, and the Fourth Young Master is even disabled in both legs, all relying on the Second Young Master to support this family, never abandoning his brothers. Your servant admires your character.”