The next morning, when Yining woke up, Luo Shengyuan and Luo Huaiyuan had already left for the Governor’s office. As new Provincial Graduates, they were to attend the Deer Cry Banquet.
Old Madam Luo had the kitchen prepare coix seed and red bean rice porridge for Yining. As she sipped her porridge, Songzhi entered with a food box, smiling as she opened it: “Young Miss, these are pastries sent by Miss Gao from next door. I heard they’re only available in Guangdong, called durian puffs.”
Miss Gao from next door sent her pastries.
Yining paused spoon midair and beckoned Songzhi closer. She opened the box to find six golden pastries with layered crusts sprinkled with sesame seeds. They had a unique aroma and looked very tempting.
Gao Xian had never spoken to her before. Why would she send pastries?
Yining closed the box and asked Songzhi to place it on a nearby table. Gao Xian was merely trying to curry favor, even going so far as to inquire about her preferences.
After some thought, Yining told Songzhi: “Never mind, don’t put them away. I’ll have some with my porridge.”
When Old Madam Luo returned from the small Buddhist shrine, she noticed a strange smell in the room. She looked around and realized it was coming from the pastries her granddaughter was eating.
“Did the kitchen make these for you?” Old Madam Luo asked, frowning.
Yining smiled: “Miss Gao sent them. They’re called durian puffs. Would you like to try, Grandmother?”
Old Madam Luo thought the girl wasn’t being careful with her diet at all. She backed away: “I can’t stand that smell. Finish them quickly and clean up. We’re going to visit Old Madam Gao at the Gao residence soon.”
What? Why suddenly visit the Gao family?
Old Madam Luo explained: “Old Madam Gao has invited us over. Your mother is also invited.”
Yining grinned: “The visit is just a pretense. I think they’ve set their sights on Third Brother!”
Mama Xu and Xuezhi couldn’t help but smile at her comment. Old Madam Luo, seeing her mischievous expression, said irritably: “You’re a young lady too. How can you speak so freely? Look at Miss Gao…”
“If I were really like that, Grandmother, you’d be saying ‘Look at the Seventh Miss Luo, always laughing and joking around.’ Isn’t that right, Grandmother?”
Old Madam Luo was at a loss for words. She ruffled Yining’s hair, torn between laughter and exasperation: “Alright, you’re still my favorite Mei’er. Now, finish these pastries quickly. The whole room smells of them.”
Yining quickly finished the remaining pastries, and Xuezhi took her to change clothes.
Meanwhile, a carriage arrived at the Luo family gate. A stout woman lifted the blue cloth curtain and addressed the gatekeeper: “Brother, please announce that Mama Zheng from Zhending has come to pay respects to the Old Madam.”
The young gatekeeper, seeing the woman’s rustic attire, spoke disdainfully: “What country bumpkin are you? Our Old Madam isn’t someone you can just see on a whim. Leave quickly, don’t block the alley.”
The woman bristled and began to berate him: “You arrogant dog! In Zhending, everyone brings thousands of taels to beg our Mama to treat them—and you dare call us country bumpkins!”
A gentle, elderly voice came from inside the carriage: “Qingqu, don’t get angry.”
“Mama Zheng, such an arrogant dog deserves to be scolded. Why tolerate him!” the woman turned back to the curtain.
“Give him this,” A calling card was handed out from inside.
The gatekeeper lazily took the card, but after reading it carefully, he was too frightened to speak. He hurriedly apologized: “…The Old Madam had mentioned Mama Zheng’s return. I thought you’d be elderly… I’m so sorry! Please come in!”
He opened the gate and immediately sent someone to inform Old Madam Luo in the main hall.
Yining heard from Xuezhi that Mama Zheng had returned as she was changing out of her jacket.
“Is it Mama Zheng?” Yining sought confirmation from Xuezhi, who nodded and said, “The Old Madam said to postpone the visit to the Gao family. She wants you to go meet Mama Zheng right away. You know, Mama Zheng took care of you until you were about six months old.”
Yining had long been curious about Mama Zheng and everything related to little Yining’s birth mother. However, they had sent for Mama Zheng two months ago, and she only arrived now, after Third Brother’s success in the examinations. It did seem a bit late.
Xuezhi led her to the main hall, explaining along the way what Mama Zheng was like in the past. Yining listened quietly. As they turned into the corridor, she saw an elderly woman with silver hair sitting below Old Madam Luo. Her hair was neatly combed, and she wore a simple sandalwood-colored padded jacket. Her every movement exuded gentleness, and she appeared in good spirits. Behind her stood a plain-looking maid.
Old Madam Luo’s expression was somewhat indifferent as she pointed to the newly arrived Yining: “This is Yining.”
The elderly woman turned to look at her, examining her closely. With tears in her eyes, she curtsied: “This servant greets the Young Miss. When I left, you were just a tiny thing. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.” She seemed to want to embrace Yining but withdrew her outstretched hands.
Yining merely nodded: “Mama Zheng, you served my mother. There’s no need for formalities.”
Yining remembered that Old Madam Luo had once mentioned that Mama Zheng left after little Yining’s mother died, showing a fair-weather nature. Although she didn’t fully understand Mama Zheng’s situation, she didn’t feel particularly close to her.
Hearing her young yet clear voice, Mama Zheng seemed moved: “The Young Miss has been well-taught by the Old Madam.”
Old Madam Luo beckoned Yining to her side, and Yining obediently complied. Seeing that the little girl wasn’t very close to her, Mama Zheng appeared somewhat dejected. Old Madam Luo spoke calmly: “Back then, I advised you not to leave, but you left without looking back. Now I’m old and sick, and can’t manage things anymore. No grudge can’t be resolved. I’ve called you back partly to look after my health, but also to ask if you’re willing to stay by Yining’s side. She currently… has no one capable of taking care of her affairs.”
Mama Zheng seemed to regain some composure.
She had long guessed the real reason Old Madam Luo called her back, and initially couldn’t return. But hearing that Old Madam Luo was gravely ill, she couldn’t bear to stay away. Although this return… might be a mistake, she had to come back to see.
“Old Madam, let me examine your illness first,” Mama Zheng said softly. “Though I’ve been living on a farm in Zhending these years, I haven’t neglected my medical skills. I can still be of some use.”
Old Madam Luo looked at Mama Zheng, saying nothing, then slowly sighed.
“Very well, come with me to the inner chamber.”
Mama Xu supported Old Madam Luo as they went to the inner chamber. Mama Zheng’s maid followed, carrying a wooden box.
Yining stood alone in the main hall, seemingly in a daze. She immediately tried to follow them into the inner chamber, but the maid at the door stopped her, saying gently: “Seventh Young Miss, please wait here. The Old Madam doesn’t want anyone to enter.”
“I want to go in,” Yining said, looking at her. “Move aside.”
The maid just smiled but didn’t budge.
Yining paced outside, unable to hear anything from inside—she suddenly realized that if Old Madam Luo didn’t want her to hear their conversation, she certainly wouldn’t be able to.
She sat on a chair outside the main hall, not knowing how much time had passed or what Old Madam Luo was discussing with Mama Zheng.
The mansion had been lively just yesterday, but today it was so quiet she couldn’t hear a sound. This silence made her feel uneasy.
Finally, the door to the inner chamber opened, and Mama Zheng came out first. Old Madam Luo didn’t emerge.
Mama Zheng saw little Yining sitting on the tall chair and was reminded of Yining’s mother, Minlan. Yining looked just like Minlan when she was young, whom Mama Zheng had raised. How could she not feel affectionate towards Yining? She longed to hold and comfort her.
She approached Yining, crouching down to ask gently: “Has Mei’er started her studies?”
Yining simply said ‘yes,’ her gaze still fixed on the inner chamber.
Mama Zheng smiled: “Your mother loved reading from a young age. Her room’s shelves were filled with books.”
Seeing Yining staring at the inner chamber, she felt even more dejected.
Children are indeed closest to those who raise them. Yining was extremely close to Old Madam Luo, though Mama Zheng remembered that when Yining was very young, she didn’t want Old Madam Luo to hold her.
After a while, Yining turned to ask Mama Zheng: “How is Grandmother’s illness?”
Mama Zheng sighed, patting her head gently after a moment: “Don’t worry, dear.”
In the inner chamber earlier, she had examined Old Madam Luo’s condition. After enduring for so many years, the Old Madam was indeed at the end of her rope. Living another year or two would be difficult. But how could she tell this to Yining, who was still so young?
How could a child bear knowing that the person closest to her, whom she relied on most, would soon pass away?
When Old Madam Luo heard this, she was startled. Although she had long suspected it, hearing someone else confirm it definitively felt different. Her voice became hoarse: “Don’t… tell Yining.”
Mama Zheng nodded with difficulty.
Old Madam Luo managed a smile: “At least I have two years. Yining will be ten by then. It’s just a pity I won’t see her on her wedding day. I wonder what kind of person she’ll marry…”
Mama Zheng felt distressed hearing this: “Old Madam, nothing is certain. I might not be right.”
“You’ve never been wrong,” Old Madam Luo shook her head, interrupting her. “There’s no need to comfort me.”
Old Madam Luo then lay down to rest, asking Mama Zheng to leave first.
Yining’s heart sank upon hearing Mama Zheng’s words. She wasn’t truly a child and understood what those words implied.
She ran into the inner chamber, this time not stopped by the maids. Yining climbed onto her grandmother’s bed and lay beside her: “Grandmother… did Mama Zheng say your illness is serious? Do you need any medicine?”
Old Madam Luo slowly grasped her hand. “Yining, I have a task for you. Can you do it?”
Yining said: “Just tell me, Grandmother. I’ll do it well.”
“You must make sure Mama Zheng stays,” Old Madam Luo said. “Mama Zheng cares for you deeply. If you ask her, she won’t be able to leave you.”
Yining didn’t want Mama Zheng; she didn’t even know her. She only wanted her grandmother.
Old Madam Luo’s tone was very serious, insisting that Yining promise. “Did you hear me?”
Yining finally nodded reluctantly, and Old Madam Luo sighed in relief.