Xu Mama opened the lampshade and used a hairpin from her bun to trim the wick. With a soft crackle, the flame flickered, instantly brightening the room. She replaced the shade and turned to find Old Lady Luo still sitting with her eyes closed, clutching her prayer beads in silence.
“Don’t worry, my lady. I’ve arranged for someone to keep an eye on the young miss discreetly. Nothing will happen to her,” Xu Mama reassured her gently. “You should take care of your health. You had just recovered a few days ago, and today’s agitation might cause a setback.”
Old Lady Luo shook her head with a sigh. “At my age, what difference does it make?”
Leaning wearily against the pillow, she listened to the persistent rain outside before asking, “Has Shen Yuan gone to the ancestral hall?”
“Yes, Third Young Master is kneeling there with Miss Mei,” Xu Mama replied.
Old Lady Luo nodded in acknowledgment and closed her eyes, continuing to count her prayer beads.
Her mind was in turmoil. The rain hadn’t stopped, and the ancestral hall was so cold. She wondered how Yining was faring, kneeling in that place. Would she resent her grandmother for this sudden punishment? When Yining had looked back at her before leaving, Old Lady Luo had hardened her heart and avoided meeting her gaze, fearing that even a glimpse of pleading on the child’s face would weaken her resolve. After all, Yining was the child she had cherished so dearly.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.
Old Lady Luo sat up straight, grasping Xu Mama’s hand for support as she stood. “Quick, go see if Yining has returned!”
Outside the covered walkway, a maid folded an umbrella. Luo Shen Yuan entered, carrying Yining in his arms. His clothes were almost completely soaked, but he paid no attention to himself. He walked ahead, placing Yining on the luohan bed, felt her forehead, and immediately turned to issue an order: “Prepare some ginger soup.”
A maid promptly acknowledged and ran out.
Old Lady Luo approached, her heart clenching at the sight of Yining’s dazed state. “Is it serious?”
Yining forced her eyes open, looking at Old Lady Luo’s worried expression. A wave of inexplicable dejection washed over her. She called out softly, “Grandmother… I’m fine.”
Her voice was like that of a fledgling bird, filled with affection and without a trace of resentment.
Old Lady Luo took a deep breath, tears welling up in her eyes. Her tone remained firm: “You mustn’t act like this again. If you discover anything, you must tell Grandmother. Don’t make decisions on your own. What if others take advantage and harm you? What would you do then?”
Yining understood, but faced with her grandmother’s tears, she couldn’t utter a word. She could only respond obediently, “Grandmother, I understand…”
“Let this servant change the young miss’s clothes,” Xue Zhi suggested, noticing Yining’s damp attire. She quickly instructed a young maid to fetch fresh clothes.
In truth, only the hem of Yining’s skirt was wet. It was Luo Shen Yuan who had shielded her from the rain, resulting in large patches of dampness on the back and shoulders of his robe.
Luo Shen, however, said, “Don’t change her clothes yet. Bring a brazier first.”
He stood up, realizing it would be inappropriate for him to stay longer. “Now that I’ve brought you back, Yining, I’ll take my leave.”
Yining noticed Luo Shen Yuan’s soaked shoulders, recalling how she had been sheltered in his embrace during their return, barely touched by the rain.
Luo Shen Yuan was about to participate in the autumn imperial examinations and couldn’t afford to fall ill.
“Third Brother, you should go change your clothes too,” Yining said with concern. “You need to study; you can’t risk catching a cold.”
“It’s nothing,” Luo Shen Yuan replied calmly. As he was leaving with his umbrella and cloak, he seemed to remember something and turned back to Yining. “Drink the ginger soup while it’s hot. Don’t refuse it because you dislike the taste.” With that, he departed.
Yining didn’t like ginger; she found its flavor strange and avoided it in her daily meals.
When had Luo Shen Yuan noticed this detail?
Yining didn’t know, but as she watched his silhouette disappear into the rainy night, an indescribable feeling stirred in her heart.
Old Lady Luo instructed a maid to remove Yining’s trousers, revealing her swollen, reddened knees. Xu Mama had already brought over a small porcelain box about the size of a coin and handed it to Old Lady Luo. She scooped out some amber-colored ointment, warming it in her palm before applying it to Yining’s knees.
The ointment felt cool at first, but soon began to burn!
Yining instinctively tried to pull away, but Xu Mama gently held her shoulders, smiling. “Young Miss, this medicine was procured from Guizhou when the old master was still alive. It’s remarkably effective for reducing swelling and dispersing bruises. It can even heal joint injuries. The potency is strong, so please bear with it.”
There was only a tiny box of this precious ointment, preserved for so many years without use. How could it be used for such a minor injury?
Yining quickly protested, “Grandmother, my injury isn’t severe. It will heal with a few days of rest.”
“I punished you with my own hands, so I’ll treat you with my own hands,” Old Lady Luo said, looking at her. “I disciplined you today. Do you understand why? Can you comprehend it?”
Meeting her grandmother’s gaze, Yining nodded. “I understand. Grandmother did it for my good…”
Before she could finish, Old Lady Luo continued, likely fearing what might happen to Yining after her death, leaving the child without protection. The previous indulgence could become a weapon to harm her. Hadn’t Chen Shi shown her dissatisfaction by allowing Yiyu to speak so callously? And Luo Yiling, who appeared gentle and obedient, might harbor resentment as well.
Old Lady Luo sighed, “Your Fourth Sister was truly foolish, blaming you for her own mistakes. By punishing you, I’ve ensured that your eldest aunt will come to visit you tomorrow. From now on, they won’t dare say I spoil you too much.”
Yining understood it all.
After applying the medicine, a maid brought in the ginger soup. Yining drank the entire bowl and ate some snacks before going to sleep.
Old Lady Luo stroked the child’s tender face and said to Xu Mama, “When she should have been carefree, she was anything but. Now, when she has every right to cry and make a fuss, she’s become so sensible. It pains me to see this.”
“The young miss has a kind heart,” Xu Mama simply replied.
“Mei Mei is Minglang’s child, with Minglang’s temperament,” Old Lady Luo smiled, her expression tinged with melancholy. “If only Minglang were still alive to see how well-behaved and sensible Yining has become. She would surely be pleased.”
Old Lady Luo seemed to remember something and looked up. “In half a month, it will be Minglang’s death anniversary. Has Zheng Shi agreed to come?”
Xu Mama replied, “This servant received word that Zheng Shi initially didn’t want to come. However, upon hearing that your health has greatly declined, she wept and is now on her way to Baoding.”
Old Lady Luo nodded, allowing Xu Mama to help her retire for rest.
After such a tumultuous day, she could finally get some respite.
When Yining woke up the next day, she found that the medicine had indeed worked wonders – her knees were completely healed. The maids in her room doted on her, serving all her favorite breakfast foods and speaking to her in gentle, caring tones.
Early in the morning, Chen Shi brought Luo Yiyu to apologize. They presented two ten-year-old ginseng roots, a box of pigeon eggs, and an assortment of pastries, showing extreme care and concern.
Luo Yiyu, having suffered a blow to her pride, appeared subdued. She wore a light purple plain satin jacket that accentuated her slender waist. She glanced at Yining, her eyes devoid of emotion, exuding an inexplicable coldness.
Yining understood why. Yesterday, Luo Yiyu endured a significant setback and humiliation because of her. Even if Yining hadn’t been the one to expose her, Luo Yiyu’s pride would naturally make her feel uncomfortable. It was already fortunate that she didn’t hate Yining outright, let alone feel grateful.
As for Chen Shi, she had never particularly liked or disliked Yining. However, in this instance, Luo Yiyu had overstepped, leaving Chen Shi with no grounds to defend her daughter. Old Lady Luo’s treatment of Yining had put them at a disadvantage. If Chen Shi didn’t show more kindness to Yining now, it would surely displease the old lady even further.
Finally, Chen Shi removed a white jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Yining’s small wrist without hesitation. She smiled and said, “This pair of jade bracelets was given to me by my mother years ago. They’re smooth and delicate. Your eldest aunt is giving this to you today. Jade can nurture one’s temperament.”
Yining fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist and thanked Chen Shi. Inwardly, she thought about how easily white jade bracelets could break and how they shouldn’t be knocked or bumped carelessly. She had rarely seen Chen Shi wear them out. Today, she must have brought them specifically to give to her.
Before Chen Shi could leave, Lin Hai Ru arrived with her maids.
The maids carried numerous boxes of various sizes.
Lin Hai Ru sat down beside Yining’s bed. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and she seemed to have no major issues, Lin Hai Ru’s smile brightened. She beckoned to the maids, “Yining, look what I’ve brought for you.”
The boxes were opened one by one. The first contained a pair of fifty-year-old ginseng roots. The second revealed an abundance of abalone shells. The third, surprisingly, held a vibrant purple lingzhi mushroom. When the fourth box was opened, it contained a complete set of precious stone hair ornaments!
Chen Shi’s expression immediately soured.
The gifts she had just brought were still on the side table – two scrawny, pitiful ginseng roots and a box of pigeon eggs suddenly looked shabby in comparison. When she saw the complete set of jeweled hair ornaments, she could hardly sit still.
Previously, when Xuan’er had broken just one strand of aquamarine beads, she had been heartbroken. Now, Lin Hai Ru casually presented an entire set of hair ornaments. The quality of those gemstones was rare; they could easily be exchanged for ten strands of aquamarine beads, with change to spare. Not to mention the pair of jade bracelets she had given, which now seemed fit to be thrown away in comparison.
If anyone were to say that Lin Hai Ru hadn’t come specifically to humiliate her, Chen Shi wouldn’t believe it for a second.
Even Yining was surprised, let alone Chen Shi. She knew her stepmother Lin Hai Ru was wealthy and generous, but she hadn’t expected it to be to this extent. Noticing Chen Shi’s discomfort, Yining found the situation both amusing and awkward. No wonder Lin Hai Ru had arrived late today – she must have waited to hear what gifts had been sent before preparing something ten times better.
Lin Hai Ru took Yining’s hand and smiled, “Mei’er, this jade bracelet looks good on you. Though the quality is somewhat lacking. If you’d like, I have some ice jadeite bracelets that I don’t often wear. I’ll send them to you later.”
Chen Shi’s expression darkened further.
Yining immediately played along, saying softly, “Mother, this was given to me by my eldest aunt…”
Lin Hai Ru seemed to suddenly realize, covering her mouth. “Oh, it was from eldest sister-in-law… Please don’t take offense. I didn’t know it was from you. I misspoke! I’m not as eloquent as you, eldest sister-in-law. Please forgive my clumsiness.”
Chen Shi barely managed to say it was fine through gritted teeth before taking her leave with Luo Yiyu shortly after.
After Chen Shi left, the mother and daughter burst into laughter. Old Lady Luo, observing this, couldn’t help but smile. “Only you would dare to so blatantly show up your eldest sister-in-law. You should exercise some restraint!”
Lin Hai Ru retorted, “I just can’t stand them bullying Yining.” She then turned to Yining affectionately, asking, “Yining, wasn’t that fun?”
Yining nodded with a smile. Her stepmother, Lin Hai Ru, was indeed fiercely protective of her own.