Chapter Seven: The Old Lady Returns

  After dinner, Father went to Fourth Aunt's place, while Luoxue worried that Mother would accompany her back to the Jinxiu Pavilion. Mother smiled slightly and said, "Is there something on your mind?"

  "It's nothing, I just wanted to accompany my mother for a walk."

  "Fourth Aunt has been in the mansion for three years now, she should have a son or daughter by now, so as not to be lonely in her old age. Mother is not that kind of narrow-minded person, go back and rest early, we'll talk about it another day."

  Looking at Yang's gentle face, I suddenly felt desolate. I suppose my mother was also looking forward to a lifelong companion, but unfortunately, she was a traditional lady of the house, and her husband and children were everything to her. From his eyes, I saw helplessness and compromise. I smiled and bid farewell, retreating.

  All the way back to Luoxue Pavilion with Zi Juan, I thought about it all the way. If in this life, he can't be devoted to me wholeheartedly, then I, Pang Luoxue, would rather be single and alone. Nor do I want to share a husband with others.

  At nightfall, Lotus Leaf came back and told me that the girl had woken up once more before fainting again.

  "The doctor said she needs rest. Lotus root is taking care of her there. The slave has come back to tell Miss a message, but Miss shouldn't worry."

  "Okay, help me remove my makeup first."

  Lotus root quickly brought hot water, helped me remove the hairpin, and then hit rose juice with a hot towel to apply it to my face. I changed into my nightclothes, entered the inner chamber, lay on the bed, looked at the carved flower big bed, thinking about what happened today. What was that woman's identity after all? Why did she appear near the Qi mansion? As I thought and thought, I fell asleep.

  The wailing of the infant in my dream echoes beside me, is it the child I never gave birth to in my past life? As I try to move forward, I suddenly intrude into a strange territory, filled with despair everywhere, heartache accompanied by anger that wants to annihilate me.

  Pang Luoxue on the bed furrowed her brow, sleeping very restlessly. Lian Ye heard Pang Luoxue's murmurs in bed and lit some calming incense. After being fumigated with the fragrance, Pang Luoxue finally slept soundly.

  The next morning, Pang Luoxue woke up early, perhaps the calming incense had taken effect, and she looked particularly spirited. She called in Lianye to attend to her washing and dressing.

  "Today Old Lady is coming back, go to He Xiang Garden early and pay respects. Then think of a way to leave the mansion. Go take a look at how Lotus Root is doing."

  "It's a miss, miss today should put on some makeup, the old lady has high standards and many requirements."

  Then lightly apply some rouge and bring me that lily-patterned dress I like.

  It's alright

  I casually applied some lip balm and looked in the mirror, seeing a beautiful me made me smile to myself, this way grandma won't say so much anymore.

  "Let's go"

  Along the way, holding onto Lianye's hand, they arrived at He Xiang Garden. Father and Mother were already there. The aunts were all dressed up and standing off to the side. Pang Luoyu was wearing a crimson pleated skirt and stood behind Father, with a warm and gentle smile on her face.

  "My sister is late."

  I snorted inwardly, how come I didn't find you so disgusting in my past life, pretending to be elegant.

  "I have seen Father and Mother. Yesterday, I went to prepare the tea leaves that Grandmother likes. I was afraid that others would not do a good job, so I did it myself, which is why I came late. Please ask Father to punish me."

  "It's rare for Xue Er to show filial piety, Grandmother must be very happy." Father said with a warm smile.

  "Sister, you're so sensible, getting up so early today, it's clear that you miss grandma a lot. You must have some surprises for grandma. What is it, sister? Xue'er is really curious." I said with a smile.

  "I..."

  "Yu'er has also prepared it, what a filial child." The mother's timely interruption made Pang Luoyu hesitant.

  "Hmph, I naturally know you're not prepared, otherwise this loss wouldn't have been inflicted on you. You think it's easy to find me early in the morning and get away with it? Do you really think I'm easy to bully?"

  Pan Luoyu looked at Wang Niang with an awkward face, and Wang Niang smiled and said, "The young lady must be missing her grandmother very much."

  "Hearing this means that thinking is just thinking, nothing has been prepared, and the young lady is really a good role model, truly virtuous."

  Pang Luoyu heard this and had already killed Third Madam's heart, how could she still care about me?

  Indeed, Pan Luo Yu's face turned gloomy at this moment, and she secretly scolded San Niang in her heart for always causing trouble. Not letting herself live in peace for half a moment, Pan Luo Xue stealthily raised her head and glanced at her father, seeing his obvious displeasure, her heart skipped a beat, thinking that she was in trouble now, her father was already unhappy, what to do? She hadn't prepared anything, wouldn't it make her father dissatisfied with her? Thinking of this, she couldn't help but grit her teeth.

  "Alright, mother should be back by now. Let's all go together to welcome her home. Yu'er, as the elder sister, you need to learn more about being a good daughter and set an example for your younger brother."

  "Yes, Father, Yu'er knows."

  "Alright, let's go."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Yes, Father."

  I followed Mother to the front gate with Father, and then the butler came to report that Old Lady's carriage had arrived at the entrance. Father hurriedly got up to greet her.

  "Welcome mother."

  "Welcome back, old lady."

  A woman over fifty years old wore a Fu-style jacket with golden embroidery, a skirt with mud gold, and a phoenix hairpin on her head. Her white hair was strikingly eye-catching. The old lady had a serious face, and her sharp eyes scanned us from top to bottom. My father and mother personally came forward to support the old lady.

  "Mother, it's been a hard journey. I and Yang have waited for you for a long time. Mother should take care of your body and return to the mansion soon."

  "Respectfully welcoming grandma, wishing grandma good health and well-being." I offer a grand bow with palms together.

  "Get up, it's been a few days since the old lady hasn't come back. The mansion is lively, I heard that Fourth Aunt is pregnant. You should go back and rest early today. Later, I'll have Yang Mama send some nourishing food to you. By the way, there are some top-grade donkey hide gelatin in the warehouse, we can go get it together later. Don't overexert yourself while pregnant."

  Fourth Aunt blushed and said, "Thank you, old madam. I also want to give birth to another grandson for the old madam. The mistress has already rewarded me with many nourishing foods."

  The old lady seemed very satisfied and nodded in approval, saying "Yang Shi Rong is a magnanimous child, with proper manners, Yang Guo Gong has taught her well. She has the demeanor of a noble family. Rong does things properly, mother is very satisfied." Then she looked at me and said "Xue Er, you're also dressed properly today, it's just right for my eyes, accompany your grandmother to eat breakfast first before going back."

  "Yes, grandmother, Xue'er has prepared the tea set and will brew some for you later. I hope you won't mind that Xue'er's technique is a bit rough."

  "Grandma, Yu'er also wants to see Xue'er's sister's tea art. Can you let Xue'er serve by our side?"

  Pang Luoxue said with a look of unwillingness, but she ignored her grandmother's expression. The old lady was the kind of person who liked to talk about rules and etiquette, distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate children, let alone in a large and powerful family like theirs. How impatient. Sure enough, the old lady's face sank.

  "This crimson, bright red is mainly worn by legitimate daughters, you've been raised under the care of the first wife for a few years, but after all, your birth mother was a concubine, and you don't even understand half of the rules. Later, go back and study with the second concubine and learn from her, without my permission, you're not allowed to come out, you may withdraw."

  "Yes, Mother."

  The second aunt pulled away with a reluctant Pang Luoyu, while we followed Old Madam back to the He Xiang courtyard.