After dinner.

Chu Hongyu pulled Yun Chu into the room and, as if presenting a treasure, stuffed a wooden carving into Yun Chu’s arms: “Mother, do you like it?”

It was a palm-sized wooden doll. One could barely make out that it was a woman wearing a skirt and blouse, and one could also tell that this was Yun Chu.

She looked at the wooden carving over and over again with great delight: “Brother Yu, thank you. Mother truly loves it so much. Mother also has a gift for you.”

She took out a pouch and handed it over.

Chu Hongyu couldn’t wait to open the pouch and pulled out a small doll sewn from fabric scraps.

This doll was only the size of a thumb, but its facial features and expression were lifelike. The vivid expression made it immediately recognizable as Chu Hongyu.

“Wow, Mother, you’re truly amazing! I really love this doll!” the little fellow said excitedly. “It would be even better if this doll were bigger—then I could hold it in my arms.”

Yun Chu picked him up and placed him on her lap, saying gently: “I deliberately made it this small so you can keep it in your pouch and wear it every day. Remember, you cannot let anyone know you came to the Xie family, and you cannot let anyone know you call me Mother. Otherwise, I will face great disaster.”

Chu Hongyu nodded seriously, thought for a moment, then asked hesitantly: “Can I let my younger sister know?”

He had mentioned before that his sister couldn’t speak. Someone who can’t speak certainly wouldn’t reveal secrets. Yun Chu gently nodded.

The little fellow jumped up happily.

Yun Chu could see that the siblings had a very good relationship. That little girl must be just as lovable as him.

Perhaps because he would be leaving in the morning, the little fellow was particularly clingy. He wrapped both arms and legs around Yun Chu, rested his head on her chest, and refused to close his eyes and sleep no matter what.

Yun Chu told him several stories and sang several songs. It was nearly midnight before the child finally fell asleep.

By the dim light, looking at the sleeping child in her arms, somehow she gently kissed the child’s face.

With just that one kiss, she felt the empty hollow in her chest being filled with something.

She held the child tightly and also fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, weak dawn light had just begun to shine through the window when Yun Chu opened her eyes, but the child in her arms was gone.

She anxiously got out of bed at once.

“Madam, the Young Lord got up and left during the hour of the Tiger. Seeing you sleeping so soundly, he wouldn’t allow us servants to wake you.” Tingshuang walked in carrying a basin of water. “Today is the old madam’s birthday banquet. All the courtyards have gotten up and are busy. Let this servant attend to Madam’s grooming.”

Yun Chu clutched the wooden carving in her hand. Only this object proved that child had been here.

She sat before the mirror. It took great effort to drive the child’s image from her mind. She looked at herself in the mirror and said: “Keep the hairstyle simple.”

Tingshuang nodded and quickly arranged the simplest hairstyle, inserting a plain jade hairpin. Then she applied Yun Chu’s makeup, covering her entire face with white powder, without applying lip rouge or drawing eyebrows. She looked completely colorless. Finally, she put on a dark purple dress, which made her face look white as paper.

Just as the grooming ended, everyone who came to pay respects had arrived.

Because it was the old madam’s birthday, Xie Shi’an hadn’t gone to school and was waiting in the flower hall with those who came to pay respects.

Yun Chu walked out, and everyone bowed in salutation.

Xie Shi’an looked up at Yun Chu’s face and said with hesitation: “Why is Mother’s complexion so pale? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“I started having a headache in the middle of the night. Now my head feels like it’s about to explode.” Yun Chu pressed her temples. “Brother An, do you think I look suitable to go out and receive guests like this?”

Xie Shi’an pressed his lips together.

If Mother didn’t receive the guests, the gossip outside would likely grow worse.

But with Mother looking so sickly, the guests who saw her would probably also develop all sorts of suspicions.

“Madam, I happen to have brought lip rouge.” Tingyu stepped forward. “Let this concubine apply some color to your lips. Your complexion should look better then.”

Yun Chu nodded, allowing her to fuss over it.

However, after the lips were colored red, her face appeared even paler by several shades.

Xie Shi’an spoke: “Mother already has fair skin. It would be better not to apply lip rouge.”

Tingyu awkwardly had to use a handkerchief to wipe off the lip rouge.

Standing to the side, Tingshuang felt it wasn’t worth it for her madam. These people only worried about whether Madam’s appearance would cause gossip about the Xie family. Not a single person truly cared about Madam’s health.

She suddenly understood why the madam no longer showed affection toward the Xie family children—because every one of them was an ungrateful wretch.

Even if the madam devoted her heart and soul to raising these children, she probably wouldn’t receive a single kind word in return.

Better than the Young Lord from Prince Pingxi’s manor…

Yun Chu stood up and said with a smile: “Let’s go. We’ll go wish the old madam a happy birthday.”

The group went in a flurry toward Anshou Hall.

The old madam was dressed in new clothes, sitting spiritedly in the seat of honor. Yuan Shi had arrived early, and Yun Chu’s father-in-law, Xie Zhongcheng, had also arrived.

Among all the masters of the Xie residence, the one Yun Chu had the least dealings with was Xie Jingyu’s father, Xie Zhongcheng, because this father-in-law spent most of his time lodging at the estate outside the city, wholeheartedly managing the Xie family’s properties.

She walked in, bowed to each person in turn, then looked toward the old madam and said with a smile: “Your grandson’s wife wishes the old madam a happy birthday. May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, may your longevity compare to the Southern Mountain, may you have this day every year, and this morning every year.”

The concubines, young masters, and young ladies behind her also came forward one by one to speak auspicious birthday wishes.

The old madam’s face was full of smiles: “Good, good, good! You all have filial hearts. The Xie family depends on you all to bring glory to our family name!”

The Xie family had only this one branch in the capital. After the birthday wishes concluded, they began presenting congratulatory gifts.

Xie Zhongcheng had gone to a temple to pray for a longevity talisman for his mother, claiming he had knelt for nine days and nine nights at Hanshan Temple outside the city, the most efficacious temple, before obtaining one.

Yuan Shi gave the old madam a longevity jade vase.

Xie Jingyu presented a painting of immortal deer that he had painted himself.

Next, it was Yun Chu’s turn to present her gift. Every year on the old madam’s birthday, Yun Chu’s gift was the most valuable among all the birthday presents.

The old madam saw Tingshuang and Tingxue carrying in something large, and could tell at a glance it was a screen.

“Old Madam, this is a Hundred Longevity Screen that your grandson’s wife embroidered for you over three months.” Yun Chu pulled down the red cloth. “Your grandson’s wife is the daughter of a military general and is not skilled in needlework. I barely learned a little but didn’t learn it very well. I hope the old madam won’t disdain it.”

Yuan Shi spoke: “Congratulatory gifts are valued for their sincerity. Whether the embroidery is good or not is secondary.”

However, when she saw the individual longevity characters on the screen, Yuan Shi found herself unable to praise it, because it was truly too ugly.

If this screen were displayed in a room, it would likely become a laughingstock. It could only be stored in the storeroom, but keeping it in the storeroom would also take up space…

The old madam’s mouth twitched. Even the maid with the worst embroidery skills in her rooms could embroider better than Yun Chu. If you embroider this poorly, just don’t embroider at all. Isn’t this simply embarrassing?

Yet embroidering a full hundred longevity characters was indeed not easy, especially for someone unskilled in needlework—it would be even more difficult.

If she said anything expressing dissatisfaction, it would hurt Yun Chu’s face, and who knew what outrageous things this grandson’s wife might do.

“Chu’er has put her heart into this.” The old madam said against her will, “You prepared this birthday gift so carefully while ill. This filial devotion is truly moving.”

Yun Chu lowered her head, saying she didn’t dare accept such praise.

Next, the concubines and younger generation presented gifts—clothing, shoes, and similar items, or paintings and calligraphy. Nothing seemed particularly novel.

After the gift-giving ended, the old madam stood up: “The time is about right. We should open the doors to receive guests. Let’s go to the front courtyard.”