The Farm Girl's Charismatic Fortune

Ruo Shui also saw it and said, "The butler from the General Residence is here."

After Ruo Xuan carefully climbed down the ladder, the butler from the General Residence just arrived outside the Ruo Family's courtyard.

He dismounted, politely knocked on the courtyard door, and said with as much respect as possible, "Fourth Master, Fourth Mistress, the dowager sent me to deliver a message to your esteemed residence. Our Master's funeral is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and the dowager knows everyone is busy these days; she fears you might have forgotten and specially sent me to inform you."

His eyes discreetly took in the sight of the bountiful harvest in the courtyard, noting that the Ruo Family truly had changed from before.

Ruo Shui spoke indifferently, "I truly apologize, we have been so busy these last few days, we even forgot to offer incense to Old General Jiang. In a few days, when we have a moment, we will definitely go."

The butler from the General Residence felt displeased upon hearing this, thinking that they could even forget to offer incense, which showed they no longer held the General Residence in regard. Did they think the Ruo Family was still like when the old master was alive just because they had harvested some grain?

If the dowager hadn't repeatedly reminded him to act with respect towards the Ruo Family, he could have given them a lesson about despising loyalty and good service right then and there!

It was all in vain, how the Old General always remembered past loyalty and took care of the Ruo Family.

This was truly a family of ingrates.

No wonder the dowager was angry!

If the Ruo Family was unrighteous, then they couldn't blame the General Residence for being unkind.

Remembering the dowager's orders, he suppressed the anger in his heart and then chatted with Ruo Shui about household matters for a while, talking about how the General Residence had been shrouded in gloom and sorrow recently, how distressed Madam Zhou had been recently, suffering to the point of nearly losing her life.

"... Fortunately, Doctor Qi's medical skills are superb, and he saved the dowager's life. Right, Doctor Qi has returned from the Capital City and is now staying in the General Residence. His medical skills are extraordinary; the dowager said that once the Old General's affairs are settled, she will have Doctor Qi take a look at the Master."

Ruo Shui heard this and was somewhat surprised, "Doctor Qi has returned?"

Doctor Qi was the most renowned doctor at Jishi Hall, who had been traveling as an itinerant physician in different countries these years. He had always wanted to invite the doctor to examine his elder brother but had not been able to find him.

The butler from the General Residence nodded, "He has returned. I heard he will only stay for a month before setting out to sea for another journey."

After discussing for a while, he held his belly with an apologetic face and said, "This is rather awkward to mention, but when nature calls, one must answer. May I know where the privy is? Could I borrow it for a moment?"

His gaze landed towards the back of the house, where the dowager had said the Ruo Family's eldest was locked up in the Stone House.

The butler from the General Residence headed towards the privy at the back of the house as directed by Ruo Shui.

Behind the main house of the Ruo Family, there was a row of three connected back rooms, all interconnected and modified. An additional stone wall was constructed on the outside, making it very sturdy.

On both sides, there was a privy, a bathhouse, a chicken coop, and a pigpen, respectively.

Ruo Hai lived alone in the stone room, with the door locked from outside and his feet shackled in iron chains – this was at his own request.

He feared he might go mad and hurt someone, once again forcing his family to pay reparations.

Normally, Ruo Hai appeared quite sane, spending his time in the room weaving bamboo baskets, dustpans, and other bamboo products or twisting hemp ropes; thus, the Ruo Family was never short of these items.

When he wove enough, Ruo Chuan would take them to market to sell and earn some silver.

But occasionally he would lose his sanity, destroying everything he had made, which meant there was less to sell.

The butler from the General Residence saw the row of stone rooms, and his eyes shimmered. He quietly tiptoed towards the window.

Ruo Hai was weaving a basket when he heard unfamiliar footsteps approaching and looked up towards the window.

Just as the butler from the General Residence neared the window, he was met with a pair of sharp eyes, startling him. He hastily pulled out his handkerchief, pretending to wipe off sweat, but making sure the person inside could see the pattern on it before running off.

The dowager had said that once the eldest of the Ruo Family saw this handkerchief, the Ruo Family would surely come seeking them out and kneel before the General to apologize.

After the butler from the General Residence showed off the handkerchief, he ran off, only to round the corner and see a small figure curiously looking at him.

He was startled!

But then he remembered he hadn't done anything, and he calmed down.

Ruo Xuan glanced at the Stone House and then at him, "What were you just doing?"

Trying to remain calm, the butler from the General Residence said, "I was looking for the privy. Lady Xuanbao, which one is the privy?"

Ruo Xuan pointed to the one in the furthest corner.

The butler of the General Residence hurried into the thatched hut, covering his nose. After staying for a while, he left and greeted Ruo Shui with a nod before rushing off.

Ruo Xuan glanced in the direction of the thatched hut, noticing nothing amiss.

She looked at the Stone House, then sent the butler a small spell full of malicious intent.

The benefit of this spell was that as long as the person harbored no ill will, Heaven wouldn't punish them. However, the moment he thought of doing something bad, Heaven would deal with him!

After casting the Immortal Technique, Ruo Xuan curiously walked towards the row of stone houses.

Usually, except for Ruo Zhou, Granny Lei did not allow the children to approach the Stone House.

One reason was the fear that the children's ignorance might provoke Ruo Hai.

The other reason was the fear that Ruo Hai might suddenly go mad and scare the children.

Inside the Stone House, upon seeing the black dog on the rag, Ruo Hai felt an overwhelming irritation.

Clutching the bamboo strips in his hand, he struggled to repress something, his veins bulging visibly on his hands.

Just then, the window darkened and a little head peeked in, cooing sweetly, "Uncle."

This sweet call of "Uncle," laced with a refreshing floral fragrance, invaded his senses and instantly dispersed the irritability in his heart.

"Xuanbao, how did you get up to the window? Get down quickly!" Of course, Ruo Hai had seen Ruo Xuan before.

"Mm-hmm, I'm Xuanbao." Ruo Xuan took a careful look at Ruo Hai.

Huh, Uncle was actually under the control of a rabid dog's malevolent energy?

That's why he behaved like he had rabies, attacking anyone he saw once the illness struck.

Ruo Xuan's little face turned serious: Could it be that a rabid dog had cultivated to such a nearly enlightened state in this world?

Luckily, it was only half-enlightened, otherwise, she couldn't have defeated it!

At that moment, Ruo Shui came by and picked up his daughter, who was crawling on the window like a spider.

He looked at his elder brother inside the room with concern, "How are you feeling today, big brother?"

"I'm fine, take Xuanbao away from here. Keep a close watch on the children, don't let them come here." Although the irritability had subsided, he still feared suddenly losing his senses and frightening his precious niece.

Ruo Shui felt pain seeing his once formidable brother like this but still nodded, "I'll take Xuanbao first to check if Mother has finished sun-drying the grain. Then, I need to go to the village chief to pay the land tax."

Xuanbao lay on her father's shoulder, thinking about how to save her uncle.

Uncle had been affected by the evil energy of a rabid dog. To completely cure him, they would have to capture that rabid dog.

She had to make a trip to the General Residence!

Ruo Hai nodded, then he lowered his head to continue weaving baskets.

Rou Shui walked off carrying Ruo Xuan.

Only after the sound of footsteps had faded did Ruo Hai raise his head, looking reluctantly at their departing figures. The veins on the back of his hands appeared and disappeared intermittently, resembling a dog's head.

How long would he have to spend his days alone in this stone house?

He looked at his hands that once wielded the spear, invincible in battle, yet now could only weave baskets.

Was this how he was to spend the rest of his life?

At this thought, a fresh wave of irritability surged through him.

He quickly banished these thoughts from his mind and focused intently on weaving his baskets.

Yet the image of the black dog kept emerging in his mind, involuntarily, making him increasingly agitated.