CHAPTER 571: CHAPTER 560: THE MARCHIONESS’S MAID

Just when the two children had turned one month old, the capital suddenly experienced a disturbance.

"Dong... Dong..."

While having breakfast, the Old Marchioness heard the sound coming from the direction of the Imperial City and stood up in alarm: "Second Mrs. Shen, was that just the death knell ringing?"

"Yes, Mother." Second Mrs. Shen also put down her chopsticks in panic.

"How many times?"

"This daughter-in-law counted, it seems to be nine times."

Nine times?

That signifies the demise of the Emperor!

A tear suddenly rolled down the Old Marchioness’s cheek. His Majesty was a good Emperor in his lifetime and wasn’t stingy towards their Marquis Mansion, but he became somewhat confused about the succession in his old age, and the position of Crown Prince has remained vacant until now. How could he have passed away so suddenly?

But now, what’s of utmost importance is the safety of their Marquis Mansion: "Inform the second son and the steward to close all the mansion’s main gates, and do not respond to anyone knocking."

The Eldest Prince’s men are waiting outside. She must act before those outside receive orders; otherwise, it will all be too late regardless of how Rong Jing returns, whatever his status may be.

Meanwhile, Zhong Lan, who was breastfeeding, also heard the death knell, and her face was full of worry as well.

"My Lady, don’t panic. The Old Marchioness is accustomed to handling major events; she will surely have a plan. You need to trust her," Ye Qiu comforted her.

Ever since giving birth, Zhong Lan particularly trusted Ye Qiu. Her words were like a stabilizer, sometimes even more powerful than those of Second Mrs. Shen. She had now become the leader among all the maidservants.

"Mhm, I’m not worried; nothing will happen."

Luckily, the Old Marchioness had given the order in time. Soon after the gates were closed, it seemed the soldiers outside had received some command and began to smash the doors.

Being close to the outer courtyard, Qingfeng Courtyard could hear the heavy sound of the doors being battered very clearly.

"What should we do?"

"Those people won’t really break in, will they!" The maidservants in the courtyard were thrown into chaos. Ye Qiu furrowed her brows.

"What’s there to panic about?" Ye Qiu scolded everyone as she stood at the courtyard gate, "The Lady has ordered; all servants who volunteer to block the gates will be rewarded with one year’s annual salary. If anyone unfortunate dies, the Lady will give them a decent burial and their family one hundred taels of compassionate silver."

"Sister Ye Qiu, can we maidservants do it too?" After a moment of silence, a daring maidservant stepped forward.

"Yes, everyone will be treated equally."

"This servant will go right now." That maidservant must have had some difficulties at home, as she was very resolute.

Seeing that even the frail maidservant had gone, the rest gained some courage. After all, if those people break in, it would mean certain death, so they might as well take a risk. If they succeed, they could save their own lives and earn an additional year’s annual salary. Even if they fail, their families wouldn’t lose out; there would still be one hundred taels of compassionate silver. With that resolve, they decided to fight against those men.

With Ye Qiu’s words, more and more people joined in, and the gates, which were previously on the brink of collapse, became unbreakable.

"My Lady, you won’t blame me for taking the initiative, will you?" Ye Qiu let out a sigh of relief.

"I won’t blame you. If we get through today’s difficulties, I will reward you handsomely," the Old Marchioness said as she walked into the courtyard from outside, her gaze upon Ye Qiu growing more and more admiring.

Then she ordered the people behind her: "Notify all the servants in the mansion, those who volunteer to block the doors shall all follow this policy."

"Blessings to the Old Madam." Ye Qiu knelt down to pay her respects.

"Stand up!" There was a smile in her eyes, "Lan’er has a good servant!"

"I dare not claim such credit, I am only doing what a servant ought to do." Ye Qiu replied humbly.

Old Madam still sighed, "There are many servants in the house, but very few have reached the level of your dedication."

"Indeed, this is why I find it so hard to let her go. I had intended to give her the deed of her indenture, but this girl wouldn’t take it no matter what. She said she wouldn’t know where to go if she left the Marquis Mansion, insisting on staying by my side to serve me," Zhong Lan said with a smile, having just finished feeding the baby and coming out.

"I am originally an orphan; luckily, in those years, it was the mother of Lady who took me in. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have today," Ye Qiu’s attitude remained very humble and respectful.

"I’m naturally happy if you wish to stay by my side, but should there come a day when you want to leave, just let me know," the elderly lady replied.

"Thank you, Lady."

"Come inside quickly, your confinement period isn’t over, you mustn’t catch a chill." After their conversation ended, Old Madam hurried Zhong Lan inside. Once they were indoors, she quickly checked on the two children, completely relieved when she saw them sleeping soundly after eating their fill.

"Seeing them, all my troubles disappear. I am thankful that at the beginning of this year, I had sent Rong Yu and his wife to Jiangnan. Otherwise, I’d have been even more worried about Jie if he were here," Old Madam shared, still on edge.

Second Mrs. Shen felt the same, "At first, I had only sent Rong Yu to visit his uncle in Jiangnan, but halfway through, it was discovered his wife was pregnant again. It wasn’t wise to travel back, and that turned out to be a stroke of good fortune."

"We can only hope this turmoil passes quickly."

Throughout the day, everyone at Marquis Weiyuan’s Mansion was fraught with worry, but fortunately, by the afternoon, the knocking sounds stopped and there was a clamor outside on the streets, as if weapons were being handed over.

"Why has it gone silent?"

"Who won?"

The servants of the Marquis Mansion still dared not open the door.

"Uncle Zhong, open the door." After a long while, a magnetic heavy voice came from outside the door.

The butler called Uncle Zhong could hardly believe his eyes: "Marquis?"

"It’s me."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhong opened the grand door and the moment he saw the visitor, his aged eyes filled with tears.

"The Marquis, the Marquis has returned!"

"Hurry, go tell the Lady and Old Madam!"

The chattering outside carried into the courtyard, Old Madam and Zhong Lan stood up, "What’s going on? Why all the noise?"

"To report to Old Madam, the Marquis has returned!" The servant who came in to report was so excited he knelt on the floor.

"You said who?" Old Madam nearly lost her footing, Zhong Lan also staggered before leaning on Ye Qiu for support.

"It is the Marquis, the Marquis—he isn’t dead, he has truly returned!"

With those words, a tall and sturdy man entered from the courtyard. Although he appeared disheveled with an unkempt beard, as if he hadn’t been able to groom for a long time, everyone recognized him at first sight.

"Rong Jing?" Old Madam’s voice trembled.

"It’s me, Grandmother, I’ve returned." Duan Rongjing knelt down before Old Madam instantly, and bowed his head in contrition, "Grandmother, I’ve caused you worry during this time."

"Get up quickly, it’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back."

At this moment, Zhong Lan was leaning on Ye Qiu as she looked at the man who was both a stranger and a familiar figure. He had gone to the border two days after they were married, barely exchanging a few words with her, but subsequent letters made them closer. Yet now seeing him in person, everything seemed so unreal.

Duan Rongjing happened to look up at that moment, his eyes met Zhong Lan’s, filled with eagerness and apology, gone was the sternness and formal attitude of a new groom.