Chapter 131: Sorting Out

Luo Jing Qiang getting married, although was far less lively than when Luo Jing Bo got married, but what was required, not a single one was lacking. Even the groom's side, when they received the dowry yesterday, they were all very surprised, mainly because it was much more generous than they'd anticipated.

Directly sighing that the Luo family as expected was a generous family that even a shu-born's shu daughter was regarded this highly.

How would they know that this was completely because Liu-shi failed in scheming against Jing Wan's mother, and thus damaged her wealth, giving Luo Jing Qiang a thirty percent increase in dowry. However, it was also because of these additional dowries, the groom's side became aware of the Luo family's care towards their own young miss. In addition, the day prior to Luo Jing Qiang marrying, Luo Pei Shan was promoted to the position of Head Minister of Appointments, so Luo Jing Qiang's status also drastically rose a level. After all, the Ministry of Appointments was the one with the highest authority among the six ministries. Towards the fourth-rank and lower officials, the Ministry of Appointments has direct authority in appointing and dismissing. Climbing onto such an in-law family, that was still being much much more advantageous than people under equal circumstances.

Have to say, Luo Jing Qiang also never thought that on the day before her wedding, there would even be such a good thing. As long as her grandfather was alive and well, firmly sitting on the position of head minister, then her days in the future at her husband's home will all be very comfortable. The person that will soon become her husband was still just a bai-shen[1], and that father-in-law was also merely just a starting from fifth-rank[2] official. Although above her there were still a mother-in-law and a grandmother-in-law, but they were both still looking forward to the Luo family's support, so regardless of who, all will have her carefully cupped in the palm. Moreover, according to her understanding of her grandfather, as long as she didn't court disaster herself, her grandfather was still willing to help support her.

Luo Jing Qiang happily got on the marriage sedan. As for her birth mother, Hua Yiniang, because she shouldered the crime for the di wife, she can also be considered to be clutching onto the di wife's handle. She will be able to peacefully guard her small lot in a corner of the third branch, and won't suffer deliberate torment anymore. Quietly living out the latter half of her life won't be a problem at all. She also can be considered to have thoroughly escaped from the di wife's evil clutches at last, and in the future, she'll have much to hope for.

After busying for an entire day, another major event was settled. If no mishaps occur, the Luo family, for a period of time afterwards, should be relatively peaceful. However, Luo Pei Shan probably will be very busy. Not just at the Ministry of Appointments, even at home, there will still be many people coming to pay him a visit. At least, the people of Rui Qinwang's faction will repeatedly come visit.

All say, only without mishap would there be peace, but having a certain living Enma watching from the side, how could there not be mishaps? Unless someday, that certain someone that he's been thinking about for a very long time is finally taken back to his nest and confined in his arms, only then will it probably truly be peaceful.

At night, when everyone went to pay respect to Luo Old Madam, she had everyone else all sent off, only leaving behind Luo Jing Ying as well as her parents.

Luo Rong Ping and Liu-shi didn't know what was going on and was still somewhat confused, only Luo Jing Ying alone was very nervous inside.

Just when Luo Rong Ping wanted to ask, the two mama's by Luo Old Madam's side suddenly went forward, "Fourth miss, please come with this servant to the inner room."

Luo Jing Ying subconsciously backed away, tugging the corner of her mouth, "Don't know what mama needs?" That gaze however unconsciously looked towards Luo Old Madam. Luo Old Madam, who was quietly sitting there, didn't have the slightest warmth in her eyes. Luo Jing Ying's heart couldn't help but beat wildly.

"What are you wasting time with her for." Luo Old Madam very coldly spoke.

Since Luo Old Madam has said it as such, who would still be courteous with her(LJY). The two mamas each grabbed an arm of hers, dragging her towards the inner room.

"What are you doing, let go of me." Luo Jing Ying struggled, but it was all to no avail. "Father, mother.............."

Luo Jing Ying's parents simply didn't know what exactly happened, wanting to open their mouths to say something, but they were instead met with Luo Old Madam's dagger-like gaze. The couple could only swallow back their words.

Liu-shi, regardless how deep her mind was in scheming, and regardless how much she would put on an act normally, towards Luo Old Madam, she nevertheless possessed a deep-rooted fear. This fear wasn't just a daughter-in-law facing a mother-in-law kind. Towards her daughter-in-laws, Luo Old Madam has never treated them badly. It was purely because of Luo Old Madam's absolute suppression towards her in certain aspects. Setting aside her bearing and cultivation, at certain times, she seemingly was able to see through her at a glance. In front of her, it was just like getting stripped naked, with nothing to hide behind.

As for Luo Rong Ping, his birth mother refused to live out her days peacefully, discontent with her place, and continuously looked for trouble, as a result, don't know where Luo Pei Shan threw her. So when he was a few years old, he was just given to Luo Old Madam to raise. Because at the time he also wasn't considered small anymore, in addition to listening to his birth mother's nonsense all day, he hated Luo Old Madam inside. And what kind of person was Luo Old Madam? Since you already hate her, how good can you still hope for her to be towards you? Letting you eat your fill and giving you warm clothes to wear, then when you reach that age, inviting a teacher for you was enough. This was precisely how Luo Rong Ping grew up, and he too strangely became fearful of Luo Old Madam inside. In front of Luo Old Madam, he was even more obedient than in front of his father.

Not long after Luo Jing Ying was taken away, she was brought back again.

And the Luo Jing Ying that was brought back looked just like she was subjected to some cruel torture. Her hair was messy, her clothes loose, and her entire person appeared as if she was hallowed out inside, directly sitting onto the floor.

Seeing her like this, Luo Old Madam was very displeased, "So?"

"Replying to old madam, fourth miss has already lost her virginity, and there's still markings on her body."

These words, for Liu-shi, were practically just like thunder from a clear sky, and Luo Rong Ping was also full of shock.

"Speak, who is that man?" Luo Old Madam wasn't angry, just detached.

Luo Jing Ying blankly sat on the ground, not saying a word.

Luo Old Madam was unfazed, "Someone, go to Luo Jing Ying's room and search, see if there's anything special. Also the people serving in her courtyard, have them all tied up. Bring her mama and first-rank servant girls over.

"Don't you dare go, don't you dare go............" Luo Jing Ying suddenly went mad, wanting to stop the mamas from leaving.

With this reaction of hers, to say there weren't any skeletons in her room, no one would believe.

Liu-shi at this time just hated she can't strangle her to death. Because of the matter last time at the Grand Elder Princess Manor, she was already very disappointed towards her, planning on being cold to her for a while. Yet as a result, just when she wasn't paying attention, this unfilial brat actually, actually..............Liu-shi felt everything go dark before her eyes, nearly fainting.

And Luo Rong Ping just directly went forward and kicked Luo Jing Ying. His plans! His dream of becoming the Emperor's father-in-law! How was a broken good going to enter Rui Qinwang Manor?

That kick was carried out under raging anger, using all his strength. Luo Jing Ying sharply screamed out in pain.

"Now you're flaunting your might? Whatever were you all doing earlier?" Luo Old Madam coldly reprimanded.

Luo Rong Ping rigidly retracted his foot, retreating to the side. However, when looking to Liu-shi again, those eyes were like dipped in poison. In his eyes, this behavior of his daughter's was all due to her(Liu-shi), this mother, not educating her right. Look at how good his eldest son was, and his eldest daughter wasn't considered bad either. Only this di daughter alone made him lose all his face. However, he seemed to have overlooked the fact that Luo Jing Ming, aside from his teacher, the one that gave him even more guidance was Luo Pei Shan, and not him, this father. And Luo Jing Qiang similarly was raised by her yiniang. In his eyes, that shu daughter of his has always been small-minded and unpresentable, only having some small changes recently. With just this, he even had the nerve to stick gold to his own face?

Liu-shi simply didn't pay attention to his gaze. After a spell of dizziness, she suddenly threw herself forward, firmly grabbing Luo Jing Ying's arm, "Who is that man, speak, quickly speak, who exactly is that man?" As she questioned, she pulled on Luo Jing Ying's arm with all her strength. Luo Jing Ying was just like a broken doll, swaying along her strength.

"Mother, mother, let go, let go, it hurts.........." She'd just gotten kicked by Luo Rong Ping a moment ago. Luo Jing Ying was still heavily gasping in pain, those tears falling one after the other. And now, she was being shaken up by her own mother in such a sorry state.

"Why won't you say it, quickly say it, who exactly was it?" Liu-shi's voice became increasingly sharp. Her other hand even directly clutched onto Luo Jing Ying's face.

"Who are you acting for? Get lost to the side."

Liu-shi froze, and somewhat tremblingly retracted her hand. Her heart just tumbled into the abyss. This time, it really won't be that easy to settle.

Luo Jing Ying was unwilling to say, and Luo Old Madam wasn't in a hurry either. Just wait, Luo Jing Ying's bones weren't that hard anyways.

Very soon, Luo Jing Ying's caretaker mama, along with her four first-rank servant girls, were all brought over. As for the others, they were all tied up and locked into a shed. One of the mamas had a bundle of things directly placed before Luo Old Madam.

Luo Old Madam's gaze directly landed on Luo Jing Ying's caretaker mama. After studying for a moment, her gaze landed on Liu-shi, "You sure found a good mama, even able to think of ways to help your daughter escape from the manor."

Liu-shi tightly clenched her teeth trembling, not daring to utter a single word.

That caretaker mama although already thought of the possibility of getting discovered, but when things came to a head, she still couldn't help panicking.

"That old servant woman guarding the back gate, prepare to sell her with a criminal servant status, as for you, why don't you go with her to keep her company."

That caretaker mama really became scared now. She probably didn't expect that Luo Old Madam would be this vicious. She violently lifted her head, "Old madam, you can't do this."

"Can't?" Luo Old Madam indifferently looked to her, "Just a guilty servant that committed a crime, what can't be done? What, you're even a non-slave[3] class mama that Liu-shi invited back to be worshiped? In that case, immediately get lost from the Luo Manor. I rather want to see, after leaving the Luo family gates, which family you will still be able to get invited back to."

For a caretaker mama that was kicked out, moreover even appearing to be quite elderly, there really weren't anyone that would invite her back. Generally speaking, for any dignified family, encountering this kind of person, it was usually to quietly send away. For one to not leave any face, it was clear that they really must have angered the masters. Inviting this kind of person back, did one want to have their own young misses led astray?

"For old madam to be this heartless, aren't you afraid of this old servant having fourth miss's matter spread out?"

"All say, 'to have such masters, there will inevitably be such servants'. Every one of you all sure know how to threaten people, and even all use the Luo family's reputation to draw blood. Good, really is very good." Luo Old Madam nodded her head.

Liu-shi uncontrollably trembled. Luo Old Madam's words were clearly directed at her. Because of Huan Yiniang's matter, she'd once threatened the old madam, and now, every time the old madam brought it up, she would both regret and worry.

Luo Old Madam used her hand to lift open the bundle on the table. Seeing the things inside, especially one of the phoenix tail hairpin, her eyes grew exceptionally cold. Sweeping her hand, she had everything all swept to the floor.

"Ah——-" Luo Jing Ying screamed out, rushing forward to quickly have those things gathered up. Seeing that broken bracelet and scattered pearls, that heartache seemingly was even more painful than when her father kicked her just now. Lifting her head, she looked towards Luo Old Madam, unable to conceal her hatred, seemingly wanting to pounce forward and bite Luo Old Madam to death.

Luo Old Madam rather laughed in anger, "Never thought that such a thing as yourself would come from the Luo family."

[1] Baishen - It literally just translate to 'white body' and I couldn't think of a creative way to translate it. This term means someone who is a 'commoner scholar' that doesn't work for the imperial government, and doesn't have the qualifications for the imperial exam yet, aka he hasn't received his recommendation for the imperial exam. For comparison, Luo Jing Bo is a 'juzhi' or 'scholar graduate' which is like a level higher because Luo Jing Bo has been recommended for the imperial exam, just has chosen not to take it yet.

[2] This means that for whatever position he's working in, the fifth rank is the lowest rank for that post or office.

[3] Generally there's two types of servants, those who have sold themselves into slavery and those who are free but work as a servant.

T/N: Have to say, Luo Jing Ying's love for materialistic wealth really puts a lot of gold diggers to shame. I mean you could say that although Rui Qinwang is obviously using her, she is also using him to get what she wants, it's kinda funny that her biggest dream is to step on everyone and have them under her foot, especially Jing Wan, I feel like I have translated that line multiple times now. She's definitely one of those who'll take pleasure in abusing those who she has an inferiority complex towards if she ever obtain power.