Buyao lay in Xue Chuzhong's arms, coquettishly saying, "My lord, I heard from the guests in the House of Romance that your elder brother owes his good fortune to your sister - in - law. They say that the eldest mistress of the Xue family distributes porridge outside the city on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. The blessings she has accumulated have enabled your elder brother to have a smooth official career. Even your sister - in - law has two sons and a daughter..."
As she spoke, Buyao observed Xue Chuzhong's expression. Then she continued, "My lord, if you were to distribute porridge yourself, would all the good fortune come to you?"
These words struck a chord in Xue Chuzhong's heart, and he fell into deep thought.
After leaving the House of Romance, Xue Chuzhong immediately gave orders to his servant.
"Find out if the eldest mistress really distributes porridge outside the city on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month?"
The servant replied, "My lord, there's no need to inquire. The eldest mistress does go to distribute porridge outside the city on those days."
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"Master, we've piqued Xue Chuzhong's interest, but he still has some concerns."
Hearing Feiyang's report, Song Zhaoyang smiled faintly and said, "Then add more fuel to the fire."
When Xue Chuzhong returned to the mansion and was about to visit Concubine Wen, he heard two maids whispering behind a rockery in the garden.
"Have you heard? People outside are saying that the eldest mistress is kind - hearted, a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva. That's why she has given birth to two sons and a daughter."
"Indeed. The eldest mistress is very kind. She distributes porridge outside the city on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month. Which other mistress can do that? Even the second mistress can't match her."
"Yes! I heard that the eldest mistress uses her own money to buy the rice. She never touches the mansion's silver."
"You don't understand. Heaven has eyes. If the eldest mistress used the mansion's silver, the merit would go to the whole Xue family. Do you think the eldest mistress is that stupid?"
Xue Chuzhong, who was listening nearby, had a gloomy face.
"My lord, I'll go and drag out these gossiping maids."
Xue Chuzhong glared at him and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Concubine Wen was lying weakly in bed. When she saw Xue Chuzhong enter, she turned her face away and ignored him.
Since she gave birth to a daughter, Xue Chuzhong had despised her and hadn't even stepped into her courtyard.
Thinking about how she had been framed by Song Zhaoyang and might never have another child in this lifetime, tears welled up in her eyes.
The scolding words that Xue Chuzhong was about to say stopped abruptly.
He said impatiently, "I'm not scolding you. Why are you crying?"
Concubine Wen said aggrievedly, "It's been so long since I gave birth. Have you ever come to see me?"
Xue Chuzhong felt extremely guilty and argued, "Who asked you to give birth to a daughter? If it were a son..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Concubine Wen angrily pointed outside.
"Get out! Get out of here!"
Xue Chuzhong was so angry that his face turned ashen. He waved his sleeve and said, "You're really unreasonable!"
Then he left in a huff. After leaving Concubine Wen's courtyard, he said to his servant, "Let's go to the eldest mistress's place."
When Song Zhaoyang heard that Xue Chuzhong was coming, the corner of her mouth curled up. The fish had taken the bait.
She looked at Nanny Xia and said, "Nanny, go and see him."
Nanny Xia nodded.
"Second master, I'm sorry. Our mistress is still in confinement and can't see guests. If you have something to say, tell this old servant, and I'll report it to our mistress."
Xue Chuzhong nodded and directly said, "I heard that the eldest mistress is going to distribute porridge outside the city the day after tomorrow. I'd like to take over this task to accumulate blessings for my newly - born child."
Hearing this, Nanny Xia smiled and said, "Our mistress is in confinement and can't go out. Then we'll trouble you, second master. But if it's for the second young lady to accumulate blessings, the expenses should come from private accounts, not the public funds. Usually, our mistress also asks the rice shop in the mansion to deliver the rice and then pays them with silver."
Xue Chuzhong handed his money bag to Nanny Xia and asked, "Is this enough?"
Nanny Xia nodded with a smile. "Enough. Okay! Then remember to come tomorrow, second master. Otherwise, the common people won't know that it's you who's distributing the porridge."
Xue Chuzhong nodded and said, "Of course. Tomorrow is my day off. I'll definitely come in person!"
The next day, the porridge - distributing shed was set up before dawn.
Steward Qiao was afraid that the common people would find out that the rice was old, so he personally delivered the rice to the porridge shed early in the morning.
Before leaving, Steward Qiao repeatedly told the two young servants guarding the rice, "Remember, no one except the two of you can get close to this rice!"
The two young servants nodded heavily.
Seeing this, Steward Qiao left contentedly.
When the sun was high in the sky, Xue Chuzhong, wearing his favorite robe, rode his horse proudly to the outside of the city.
By this time, there was already a long queue of common people in front of the porridge - distributing shed.
"My lord, you're here!"
The steward in charge of distributing porridge this time was the one Xue Chuzhong trusted most. When he saw Xue Chuzhong coming, he quickly stepped forward to greet him.
Xue Chuzhong grunted and asked, "Is there enough rice?"
The steward replied, "Enough, enough! Don't worry, my lord. Steward Qiao delivered the rice early this morning!"
Xue Chuzhong nodded and gave the steward a wink.
The steward understood and then led Xue Chuzhong into the shed, signaling to stop distributing porridge.
"Everyone, don't be impatient. Let me say a few words first. This is the second master of the Xue mansion, the supervisor of the Imperial College. The rice porridge today is paid for by Lord Xue. He's a great benefactor."
As soon as the steward finished speaking, Feiyang, who was mixed in the crowd, spoke up, "Isn't it usually the eldest mistress of the Xue family who distributes the porridge?"
The steward said, "The eldest mistress has something to do and can't come to distribute porridge in the future. So from now on, Lord Xue will do this good deed."
Feiyang deliberately praised, "Lord Xue is really an upright official! Am I right, everyone?"
The surrounding common people echoed in agreement.
Hearing these flattering words, the corners of Xue Chuzhong's mouth almost reached his ears.
He raised his hand and said modestly, "His Majesty loves the people like his own children. I'm just responding to the court's call, doing good deeds and accumulating good karma. Everyone, rest assured. From now on, on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, I'll order people to distribute porridge here. Those in need can come."
Just as he finished speaking, a man rushed in aggressively.
He roared, "Don't listen to this corrupt official's nonsense. What good deeds! Bah! They've poisoned the porridge!"
The man's words were like a thunderbolt, making the common people on the scene unbelievable.
The steward, looking at the trouble - making man, stamped his feet in anger and pointed at him.
"Where did this trouble - maker come from? How dare you slander my lord's reputation! Someone, arrest him!"
Two servants rushed towards the man.
The man was very agile. He dodged the servants who pounced on him and rushed straight towards the rice storage area.
When the two young servants guarding the rice saw this, their expressions changed. They immediately picked up their knives and waved them at the man.
The man didn't retreat but advanced. He suddenly grabbed one of the servants' wrists and pulled him forward. At the same time, he bent his leg and kicked the servant's knee. The servant lost his balance and fell to the ground.
The man quickly picked up the knife that had fallen on the ground. Just as he was about to swing it at the other servant, he found that this servant was a coward. Seeing that the man knew martial arts, he was so scared that he threw down his weapon and ran away.
Xue Chuzhong was furious and roared, "Useless! Why don't you arrest this trouble - maker!"
The man stood on the rice pile, sneered, exchanged a glance with Feiyang, and then waved the knife in his hand to cut open the rice bags.