The Cui family’s residences were frighteningly numerous. As a prestigious family that had accumulated wealth over hundreds of years, the Cui clan was prosperous with abundant descendants, and they also had extremely many dependent clan members. The residences alone occupied a full dozen or so acres of land. Even so, many distant clan members had built houses on the outskirts, just so that when they went out, people could say they came from Qingyuan Ward.

Qingyuan Ward was the place name. Because it was entirely inhabited by Cui family members, with two main streets front and back, and rivers flowing around north and south, it earned this name. The people of Jinzhong were all accustomed to calling it by its alternative name—Cui Family Village. This couldn’t be helped—there really were too many Cui family members.

Song Chuyi’s carriage traveled on the stone-paved road for who knows how long before she heard the nanny outside say they had arrived.

But Nanny Xu held Song Chuyi back and shook her head with a smile: “We haven’t arrived at the house yet—we’ve only reached the main gate. We’re going around to the side gate to enter. It will probably still take the time for two cups of tea to reach the second gate…”

Qing Ying, Ziyun, and Qing Tao all exchanged glances, inwardly clicking their tongues. They knew the Cui family was wealthy and prosperous, but hadn’t imagined it was to such an extent.

Once they entered the side gate, sedan chairs were immediately waiting. Nanny Xu helped Song Chuyi into the sedan chair. After another journey of two cups of tea’s worth of time, they finally reached the hanging flower archway. Inside this hanging flower gate of the Cui family was also a winding spirit screen wall. Looking in from outside, one felt unable to see the end at a glance. No matter how wealthy the Song family was in the capital, they couldn’t create such a residence. Song Chuyi’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she couldn’t help but feel somewhat amazed.

The one who came to greet them was the Cui family’s Second Madam Xie, who was also her second maternal aunt. Upon seeing her, she immediately took her hand and praised her profusely, then laughed: “We’ve finally gotten you here! These past few days, Old Madam couldn’t eat or sleep—she’s lost several circles of weight. I wished I could personally go wait at the dock to carry you here myself!”

Yu Shi caught up from behind and tapped her forehead with a finger: “You’re the only one who knows how to talk! We waited at the dock for so long, and yet we didn’t see you come carry anyone?”

Cui Huayi and Cui Huaying both stepped forward with smiles, calling out “Aunt.”

Old Madam Cui lived in the main courtyard at the back—a three-section compound. One had to turn through a covered corridor and enter through an archway before reaching the main courtyard where Old Madam Cui currently resided. All around the covered corridor were placed blue and white porcelain pots planted with camellias. In the center of the courtyard were two intertwined Western crabapple trees, now in full bloom. At first glance, one felt surrounded by endless rosy clouds with no end in sight, as if entering a celestial realm. Below, a fence had been put up to keep two white peacocks, which were now leisurely pacing beneath the trees.

Under the corridor, five or six maids wearing indigo vests over white silk jackets with daffodil skirts underneath caught sight of this group of people. All their faces carried beaming smiles—those who lifted curtains lifted curtains, those who greeted people greeted people. Someone else came out from inside—a nanny in her thirties or forties with inexhaustible joy in her smile. She swept a glance through the crowd and immediately came forward to take Song Chuyi’s hand: “This must be Sixth Miss?!”

Madam Xie covered her mouth and laughed: “Only you, Nanny Qian, have such sharp eyes. This is indeed Little Yi!”

“Come in quickly, come in quickly!” Nanny Qian held Song Chuyi’s hand, momentarily becoming somewhat dazed. She pressed her lips together before recovering her composure: “Old Madam has been anxious beyond measure!”

Song Chuyi was led by Nanny Qian into the main room. Circling around an antique shelf, she entered the eastern side chamber and saw an old lady with graying hair but still vigorous spirit sitting on the upper kang. Estimating this must be her maternal grandmother, she was just about to bow when the Old Madam Cui who had rushed over quickly embraced her fully.

Old Madam Cui had waited for this day for twelve years. She had never seen her own granddaughter. And even separated by these twelve years, even never having met, with one glance at Song Chuyi’s shimmering eyes, she knew this was her granddaughter—the bloodline her only daughter had left in this world.

She held Song Chuyi, scalding tears dripping onto Song Chuyi’s hand, unwilling to let go for a long while.

Only when Madam Xie and Yu Shi came forward together and desperately tried to persuade her did Old Madam Cui finally come back to herself.

“Today I didn’t have them come—the noise and commotion would give one a headache. Tonight at the welcoming banquet, I’ll introduce everyone for you to meet.” Old Madam Cui held her hand and patted it, then turned to Madam Xie and asked: “Has the location been decided?”

This was asking about the location for the welcoming banquet—how could it not be decided? The menu had begun to be drafted a month in advance, and three locations had been designated, fearing that if the weather turned bad they would need to change locations at the last minute. Old Madam Cui valued these two bloodlines left by her only daughter like the pupils of her eyes. Madam Xie dared not be anything but devoted. Hearing this, she hurriedly smiled and nodded: “It’s been decided—it will be at Yanshuang Studio where the young madam used to live.”

Old Madam Cui touched Song Chuyi’s hair, seeming to look at her without blinking, yet also seeming to see someone else through her. After a long while, she pressed her lips and sighed: “That’s good, setting it there. If Tingting returns together with Little Yi and A’Yan, she can have a good night’s rest there… She hasn’t been back in twelve years…”

Yu Shi was moved to tears, exchanging a glance with Madam Xie before hurrying forward to wring out a hot towel and personally hand it to Old Madam Cui, while also desperately trying to persuade her: “Today Little Yi and A’Yan have come—this is a joyful occasion. Why is Mother-in-law becoming sad instead?”

The corners of Old Madam Cui’s mouth pulled into a trace of a smile as she nodded: “Brother Ting’s wife speaks correctly—this is a joyful occasion… Don’t keep me company. Go to the manor on that side to pay respects to your mother-in-law. Come together again this evening.”

After Yu Shi took the Cui Huaying sisters to the eastern Cui manor, Old Madam Cui asked Nanny Qian: “Who came along?”

Nanny Xu led Lianyi, An’an, and Luyi in together, respectfully kowtowing to Old Madam Cui.

Old Madam Cui’s expression was complex. Looking at Nanny Xu and Lianyi who couldn’t help but cry, her lips trembled, but in the end she said nothing. She sighed and smiled again: “Good, it’s good that you’ve returned. You’ve all come back—Tingting should return with you as well…”

She knew about Lianyi’s matter and specifically called Lianyi’s name warmly: “Lianyi, I must thank you as well… If not for you, I wouldn’t know how Tingting passed away, much less be able to avenge her. Now that you’ve returned, never leave again. Your parents and brothers are all currently serving in the household. Today when they heard you were coming back, they’ve been waiting for you. In a moment, have Nanny Qian take you to see them.”

Lianyi prostrated on the prayer cushion and kowtowed several more times to Old Madam Cui. Her tears were like pearls on a broken string, unable to stop no matter what. She had never imagined there would be a day when she could return and see her family. She covered her throat, sobbing out a breath.