Chapter 59: Pointing Out the Bright Dawn (Part 1)

  Yao Cunhui arrived at Yaofangyuan, where the sorting and distribution of gifts were in full swing. In the eastern wing of the house, the tables, beds, and floors were all piled high with things, and Yao Cunjia was directing Green Lotus and Green Leaf to sort them out one by one. The three siblings' gifts were all mixed together, making it quite troublesome to sort through and distribute.

  Green lotus, green leaves with small branches were tidied up very lively. It's rare to see so many good things, and it's also good to broaden one's horizons. When Yao Cunhui and Rongma came, Yaofangyuan was bustling with activity.

  "Hui'er is here!" Yao Cun Jia smiled and instructed Lu He and Lu Ye a few words, then went to the outer hall to talk with Yao Cun Hui, while Rong Ma waited on the side.

  Yao Cun Jia also heard that Ma Shi was going to add people to the sisters' courtyard, so the two sisters discussed it together.

  She turned her head and glanced at the east room where things were being packed, then leaned in close to Ya Cun Jia and whispered: "Elder sister, I wonder how your dowry is coming along? Did mother really prepare everything for you? The things our mother left behind, can they be added to your dowry?"

  I remembered the scene when we were trying on accessories that day, my sister and I exchanged a glance, both of us feeling uncomfortable. Our mother's belongings had been taken over by our stepmother, who was brazenly showing them off, anyone would feel bad about it!

  Now the situation is different, with Yun's family backing her up. The Yun family has a dowry list from when Mrs. Yun first married in, and Old Lady Yun wants to apply some pressure, so she won't be afraid that Madam Ma won't spit out everything she swallowed.

  Besides, Yao Cun Jia got married and used the things left by her biological mother as dowry, which is reasonable!

  After returning from the Yun family, Yao Cunhui specially brought up this matter. Yao Cunjia naturally understood her intentions and felt warmth and emotion in his heart. Who else would think like this except for a biological sister? Looking at Rong Ma as one of their own, Yao Cunjia spoke without much reserve.

  "I was just looking for an opportunity to talk to you about this," Yao Cun Jia smoothed out her hair and smiled gently: "Good sister, listen to me finish speaking. I've seen the dowry list, Father attaches great importance to this marriage, and the Xie family is a respectable family that can't be underestimated, so although the dowry list isn't particularly impressive, it's still passable, and there are many things from Mother's time. When the day approaches, Grandmother and Aunt will definitely add more dowry, and with these, it will be enough, so you don't need to worry about this matter anymore!"

  "But isn't this too cheap for the Ma family? The things Mother left behind are what we sisters should have, and Sister is being too humble!" Yao Cunhui felt stifled in her heart. From Yao Cunja's tone, even if there were a few of their mother's things in the dowry, they probably weren't any good quality goods, and Ma Shi might have kept all the good ones for herself or left them for Yao Cunmei.

  "So," Yao Cun Jia couldn't help but hold her hand, and smiled slightly: "In the future when you get married, you'll have to bring everything back one by one, not leaving a single piece for her!"

  "Big sister..." Yao Cunhui was stunned, Yao Cun Jia's words were always gentle and soft, the most elegant and dignified. Yao Cun Hui had never heard her speak like this before, and for a moment she was taken aback. Rong Ma on the side couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile.

  "Before we came back, my aunt also asked me about this matter, and I told her the same thing! Hui'er, after your sister gets married, there will only be you left in this house. You must take good care of yourself and Zan'er! If something goes wrong with Madam Ma at this time, what will happen to you and Zan'er after your sister leaves? It's fortunate that Zan'er has a father, but what about you? If she harbors resentment towards you regarding your marriage, how can I be at peace?"

  Yao Cunhui was stunned on the spot and stared blankly at Yao Cunjia.

  "Mother left us a lot of things, you think Madam Ma dares to swallow them all by herself?" Yao Cun Jia said, glancing in the direction of his father's study. "If we confront her now, it will also offend Father, and your future days will be difficult to pass! Don't worry, with Grandmother, Big Uncle, and Big Aunt around, Father and Madam Ma won't dare to be too excessive. Sister won't suffer losses and be looked down upon! As for Mother's things, how much we can get back in the future depends on you!"

  What Yao Cun Jia said is not bad, this tone can only be endured for now, and wait until Yao Cun Hui gets married to settle the account together. By then, Yao Shi Zan will be older and won't be afraid of the Ma family's revenge, and he is his father's only son, so no matter what, his father won't vent his anger on him, and there won't be any worries about future troubles.

  Besides, the things Father took away were bound to be given to Yao Shizan sooner or later, and she didn't mind much. But as for what was in Madam Ma's hands, it had to be taken back no matter what.

  "It's still Big Sister who thinks of everything! Only, it makes me feel ashamed." Yao Cunhui thought so in her heart and also said so with her mouth.

  In that case, doesn't all of it belong to her?

  Yao Cun Jia chuckled and pinched her cheek, saying intimately with a smile: "What kind of family is the Xie family? If sister marries into their household, wouldn't that be lacking in good things? You can rest assured! Besides, saying this actually makes it seem like we sisters are being petty!"

  Yao Cunhui's face turned red and she looked embarrassed, smiling awkwardly.

  The two sisters let the matter drop and never mentioned it again.

  After dinner, she returned to Luomei Courtyard. Yao Cunhui had already dismissed the maids and turned off all the lights in the house except for one lantern with a shade placed in the corner of the room. She lay half-reclined on the couch, pretending to sleep, waiting for the right moment to quietly open the door and let Rongma bring Mingxia in.

  "Slave gives the second young lady a salute, has seen the second young lady!" Mingxia came up and made a big courtesy, kneeling on the ground respectfully and knocking her head to Yao Cunhui.

  "Ming Xia sister, this is not allowed, hurry up!" Yao Cunhui smiled and leaned forward, lifting her hand slightly. "You are the first-class maid beside the madam, how can you show me such great courtesy?"

  Yao Cunhui looked at Mingxia with a mixture of surprise and concern. Under the dim light, he noticed that in just a few days, Mingxia's originally youthful and radiant face had become pale and haggard, her skin dry and rough, her oval face now pointed like a melon seed, her eyes sunken, her eye sockets swollen, with large dark circles under them, wearing a white silk skirt and a light blue vest, looking simple yet evoking a sense of sorrow.

  Rong's mother also smiled and persuaded, personally helping Mingxia up, but unexpectedly Mingxia resisted to the death and refused to get up, kneeling in front of Yao Cunhui, tears streaming down her face, biting her lip and suppressing her sobs, begging in a low voice: "I beg Miss Second to save my life, I beg Miss Second to point out a way for me to live!" As she spoke, she kept kowtowing, her forehead knocking against the back of her hands, which were clasped together on the ground.

  Yao Cunhui couldn't help but glance at her twice: What a delicate mind, she's indeed worth cultivating!

  "What are you doing! What injustice have you suffered? Just tell me, I'll help you if I can. If not, I can at least comfort you a bit. Stop this! Quick, get up!" Yao Cunhui was shocked and hastily instructed Rong Ma.

  Rong's mother nodded, while helping Mingxia up and advising: "Mingxia, this is not right of you. Whatever the matter is, can't it be discussed properly? Why cry and kowtow like this? Isn't this making things difficult for Second Miss?"

  "It's the slave's fault, please forgive me, Second Miss!" Mingxia stiffened and didn't kowtow, still refusing to get up. She quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away her tears, composing herself as she choked back sobs: "Second Miss is wise and kind, I have no one else to turn to but you! Please point me in the direction of a way out, I'll repay your great kindness by being your servant forever!"

  Yao Cunhui stared at her for a long time without speaking, his profound and cold eyes seeming to see through her. Ming Xia's heart skipped a beat as she felt timid, knowing that she had been too abrupt. However, at this moment, apart from Yao Cunhui, there was no one else she could turn to! No matter what, this last straw, she must use all her strength to grasp it!

  "Second Miss!" Ming Xia bit her lip, her voice mournful, wanting to swear her loyalty. She herself felt too empty and hollow, and for a moment didn't know what to say.

  "You're usually a steady and wise person, how come you're speaking so inappropriately today? What do you want me to help you with, if you don't say it clearly, how would I know? You're someone close to Mother, even if it's for Mother's sake, I'll naturally help you!" Yao Cun Hui said with a smile.

  When Yao Cunhui mentioned Deng, Mingxia's face turned pale and she bowed her head: "Madam, Madam wants to marry me off to Warm Mother's sixth son, but I don't want to, please help me, Second Miss!"

  Thinking of spending her whole life with such an uncoordinated and incompetent man, Mingxia suddenly felt a chill in her heart, deep fear swept over her, and she couldn't help but shudder.

  Although this matter has not been explicitly stated, Yao Cunhui had already known it in his previous life. As for Rong's mother, she had also learned about the two shadows from a small path behind her back since childhood. At this moment, when Mingxia spoke out, the master and servant exchanged a glance, but both were expressionless, without even raising an eyebrow.

  "Second Miss, please, Second Miss! I'd rather serve you for the rest of my life and never get married. I swear that in this lifetime, I will be loyal to you. If I break my vow, may heaven strike me down and I won't die a good death. Please, Second Miss!" Mingxia saw that Yao Cunhui and Rongma were both unresponsive and immediately became anxious again.

  "What are you talking about!" Mrs. Rong's face changed slightly, and she rebuked sternly: "This kind of talk can be said in front of the second young lady!"

  Yao Cunhui was a young lady from a noble family who had not yet been betrothed, and Mingxia came to her crying and complaining that she did not want to get married, saying things like she would rather serve as a maid for the rest of her life than get married. This was extremely impolite behavior.

  Ming Xia's face turned waxen yellow, and she herself was aware of it. At this moment, she felt both ashamed and guilty, holding back tears to say: "Slave, slave knows her fault, but slave really had no other choice! Second Miss, slave didn't intentionally offend you!"

  "With your character, appearance and behavior, it's a pity to marry someone like him. I don't blame you for feeling wronged! You're anxious and flustered, speaking without thinking, but I'm not petty enough to argue with you about this!" Yao Cunhui let out a light sigh, her eyes filled with sympathy.

  "Second Miss!" Yao Cunhui's words struck a chord in her heart, Mingxia lifted her head, her eyes blurry with tears, the scene before her fragmented and disjointed, her eyes grew hot, and she couldn't help but shed more tears.