TCN: Mei Gongqing

Chapter 73: In the Eye of the Storm

Chapter 73: In the Eye of the Storm

As a result, Chen Rong led four carriages of grains and quietly returned to her home under the curious eyes of Chen Wei and her friends.

Once they got inside, she called for Old Shang, pointed to the carriages and said, "When we do not know what tomorrow holds, how can I leave you all, who have been with me for so many years, without any assets? Take the grains to Nurse Ping and let her decide what she wants to do with them."

And then she gave him a wink.

Catching on, Old Shang clasped his hands and loudly answered: "Aye."

He turned to the servants who had just returned from seeing Nurse Ping off, and said, "Come, now. Load the grains onto our carriages. It's getting late. We must be quick in sending them out."

"Aye."

Once the grains were moved down from Lady Li's four carriages, the vehicles turned around and went back to their owner.

As soon as they left, Chen Wei and Chen Qian circled behind Chen Rong and curiously asked, "Ah Rong, what mischief are you up to again?"

"Nothing," Chen Rong simply smiled.

"How can it be nothing?" Chen Qian was greatly dissatisfied. She glared at Chen Rong and raised her voice: "Ah Rong, you're becoming more and more unruly."

Chen Rong smiled. She turned around to give them a curtsy and said, "Cousins, there's really nothing going on."

Chen Qian stuttered for words. Faced with her displeased expression, Chen Rong kept her faint smile with absolutely no intention to explain.

The night had come by the time everybody left. Nan'yang was again awash in light.

Chen Rong was playing her zither in the courtyard. Old Shang stood behind her as he listened to the melodious music.

After a while, the music came to a stop. Old Shang approached her, remarking: "I can hear solace from your music." He had been listening to Chen Rong's music every day for the past few months and could naturally understand some of it. With concern showing on his face, he paused and asked, "Miss, how did you get the madam to return the grains to you?"

"Only Lady Li was there. I threatened her so she gave them back to me."

Astonished, Old Shang repeatedly reminded her: "Lady Li is your elder in any case. How could you think of threatening her? If she bears grudges, she'll find ways to harm you... then what will we do?" Chen Rong plucked the strings with her right index finger. After issuing a series of crisp notes, she said, "If I hadn't gone and asked for the grains, would they have left me alone? Would they have treated me better or would they not harm me?"

Old Shang shook his head and sighed, "Nay."

"That being the case, why should I have to think about all those things?" she bristled.

Old Shang kept quiet before murmuring at length: "I still don't feel very good about this."

Chen Rong did not answer him.

As darkness deepened, waves of laughter filled Chen Wei's courtyard.

After staring at the lights in her home and listening to the merry voices, Old Shang turned to Chen Rong and sighed. "It'd be great if you were with your father and brother."

The music took a quick turn in reply.

That night, the main compound was filled with music and light, but none of it had anything to do with Chen Rong.