In the room, Chen Shi glared at Lin Hairu’s faint smile, feeling irritated. She couldn’t believe Lin Hairu had come up with those words on her own.
As the matriarch of the main branch, Chen Shi felt entitled to manage household affairs. After all, the elder Luo and her two sons were the pillars of the family. Why shouldn’t they enjoy more privileges than the second branch? Just because Luo Shenyuan had achieved some success, did they think they could turn everything upside down?
Punishing her maid in front of everyone was a clear slight against her. Who would serve her wholeheartedly after this?
But Lin Hairu’s arguments were sound, leaving Chen Shi no grounds for refusal. Gritting her teeth, she conceded, “Let’s do as sister-in-law suggests.”
Old Madam Luo observed Chen Shi with disappointment. Since Luo Shenyuan’s academic success, Chen Shi has become increasingly sharp toward the second branch. Though Chen Shi was strong-willed, she wasn’t malicious and managed household affairs capably. But now this incident with Luo Shenyuan’s maid…
“Daughter-in-law,” Old Madam Luo said, suddenly feeling weary, “Are you dissatisfied?”
Caught off guard, Chen Shi lowered her head. “No, Mother. I’ll defer to you and sister-in-law.”
“The maid’s poor behavior reflects on your management,” Old Madam Luo stated flatly.
Chen Shi, being clever, must have known what she was doing when she chose that maid. Perhaps she had planned this all along but hadn’t anticipated Luo Shenyuan’s utter lack of sympathy for the girl.
Chen Shi stood and replied, “I’ll return and discipline the servants strictly.”
Old Madam Luo noticed Hualu still kneeling, trembling silently. She ordered, “Take her away for a beating, as Hairu suggested. Let it serve as a warning to the other maids.”
Lin Hairu immediately instructed a servant to remove Hualu.
When Chen Shi moved to help Old Madam Luo up, she was rebuffed. “Zheng Mama, help me back,” the old woman said coolly.
Chen Shi awkwardly withdrew her hand, her expression unreadable as she watched Old Madam Luo leave.
Yining, who had been eavesdropping, finally jumped down from the railing. She was certain Lin Hairu hadn’t devised those words herself. This outcome not only resolved the issue with her third brother’s maid but also put the main branch on notice – truly killing two birds with one stone.
“Let’s head back now that we’ve finished flower-viewing,” Yining told Xuezhi. The maid tapped Yining’s forehead, smiling, “Old Madam would surely scold you if she knew!”
Yining had only been concerned for Lin Hairu, fearing her aunt might bully her again. But with her third brother’s involvement, that wasn’t an issue. Those words must have been his idea.
She and Xuezhi took a shortcut, returning before Old Madam Luo to avoid detection.
Zheng Mama supported Old Madam Luo as they walked along the corridor. The old woman paused, gazing at the moon above.
“When you left back then, did you resent me?” she suddenly asked. “We both know Minlan’s death stemmed from her broken heart over Concubine Qiao…”
Zheng Mama replied, “I never blamed you, Old Madam. Though I hated Concubine Qiao, I didn’t wish her dead. She was already the Sixth Miss’s mother by then. So many years have passed; I’ve tried to forget it all.”
Old Madam Luo smiled bitterly, sighing, “You’ve seen how things are these days, all because I’ve avoided managing affairs. Chen Shi is headstrong, and the household is in disarray. If you’d stay for Yining’s sake…”
“Old Madam!” Zheng Mama interrupted, “If you’re asking about those matters from the past, my answer remains unchanged.”
Old Madam Luo exhaled deeply and fell silent.
Zheng Mama helped her back to her quarters. Seeing Yining already asleep, Old Madam Luo stood watching the girl’s sleeping face for a while before retiring with Xu Mama’s assistance.
That night, Hualu was beaten severely. Before dawn, she was carried out of the Luo residence on a door panel. Luo Shenyuan never inquired about her again.
The incident passed quietly, but Luo Shenyuan’s servants became extremely cautious. The remaining maid, Huatang, now refused to even enter his study.
Learning of Hualu’s fate, Yining said nothing. She knew her third brother’s cold, unfeeling nature. Surely her aunt had learned her lesson and wouldn’t send more maids his way.
A few days later, it was the anniversary of Gu Minlan’s death.
Lin Hairu accompanied Yining to offer incense and pay respects at her mother’s memorial tablet. Luo Yilie and young Xuan’er followed suit. Zheng Mama also paid her respects before meeting with Old Madam Luo. Having completed her duties, it was time for her to leave. However, Qingqu, who had come with her, could stay to care for Luo Yining.
Qingqu, raised by Zheng Mama, was young but kind-hearted and knew some basic medical skills.
Seeing Zheng Mama’s determination to leave, Old Madam Luo said nothing. She didn’t want Qingqu either, as the household had many well-trained maids who were easier to manage.
Hearing that Old Madam Luo didn’t want her to stay, Qingqu’s face reddened. “Fine! I didn’t want to stay anyway!”
Zheng Mama sighed quietly but didn’t insist.
Yining silently observed Zheng Mama, who had packed her wooden chest and was truly leaving.
This Zheng Mama had always been kind to her, often sending small gifts through Qingqu – trinkets and snacks. Whenever she saw Yining, her expression was complex, eyes reddening and gaze flickering. Yining always turned away, pretending not to notice.
Though aware of Zheng Mama’s disappointment, Yining hadn’t shown her any particular affection.
Qingqu, however, seemed intent on befriending Yining, often coming to chat. Once, pointing at Yining’s pet turtle, she said, “Why keep that? They’re everywhere in the river. No one eats them, and their meat isn’t even tasty!”
Yining practiced her calligraphy, trying to ignore her.
Seeing Yining writing, Qingqu laughed, “Only you noble young ladies learn to write. What’s it good for? Can you eat it?”
Yining nearly lost her patience but, being well-mannered and gentle, rarely lost her temper unless pushed to the limit. She simply instructed the door guard, “Don’t let Qingqu in next time.”
Later, returning from Lin Hairu’s quarters, Yining found Qingqu waiting at her door. The maid approached, opening Yining’s hand to place a handful of small red fruits in her palm.
“These are wild berries, sweet and sour. I saw many growing in your courtyard, but no one picked them. So I gathered some for you to try,” Qingqu explained. “I’ve been waiting for ages. Your maid wouldn’t let me in.”
Yining almost lost her composure again, clutching the berries.
These were ornamental tree fruits, not meant for eating! They were purely decorative.
She returned the fruits to Qingqu, saying, “I don’t eat these. Please take them back.”
Puzzled, Qingqu replied, “What’s wrong? Do you look down on them? In famine years, these saved many lives as food!”
Yining knew she meant well, but these weren’t famine times. As the legitimate daughter of the Luo family, she couldn’t eat such things.
She continued instructing her maids not to let Qingqu in.
After being turned away several times, Qingqu’s visits became less frequent.
Yining, mindful that Qingqu was Zheng Mama’s maid, didn’t want to completely reject her. She had snacks sent to Qingqu daily.
So when Old Madam Luo declined Zheng Mama’s suggestion about Qingqu staying, Yining felt indifferent. This Qingqu was truly difficult to deal with.
Old Madam Luo asked Yining to show Zheng Mama around the estate one last time, to leave her with some memories before she potentially never returned.
Yining agreed, touring the grounds with Zheng Mama. They eventually reached Gu Minlan’s former residence.
Gu Minlan’s quarters had remained unoccupied, but Old Madam Luo had them regularly maintained. The grounds were lush and serene.
It was Yining’s first visit here. She observed the courtyard quietly, noting the abundant flowers and plants. A chaise lounge sat under the veranda, and through half-open window lattices, she glimpsed a basket on a small table containing an old cloth tiger and several rattles. Everything was aged. Though uninhabited, the house showed inevitable signs of decay.
Zheng Mama was visibly moved. With reddened eyes, she said, “Those were your childhood toys. You loved the rattles, always shaking them noisily.”
Approaching the wooden daybed, she continued, “You learned to crawl early and were quite mischievous. Once, you fell from this bed and cried loudly. Your mother could barely console you…”
Yining seemed to envision a gentle woman cradling a small child, lost in thought.
Zheng Mama crouched down, speaking softly to Yining, “Young miss, many people in this world care for you. Old Madam will protect you, and your elder sister in the capital loves you dearly… I care for you too, but I must leave now.”
Yining reflected silently. Indeed, many people cared for young Yining. But how long could Old Madam protect her? Her married elder sister could hardly look after her now. And Zheng Mama was leaving immediately.
Yining nodded, asking quietly, “Zheng Mama, shall I see you to the gate?”
Zheng Mama shook her head with a bitter smile. She instructed Qingqu to gather their belongings and bid farewell to Yining. Only after Yining’s small figure disappeared did she exit through the side gate.
Though initially relieved, just past the gate, she encountered Xu Mama waiting nearby.
Smiling slightly, Xu Mama said, “Zheng Mama, please wait. Our Old Madam requests your presence.”
Zheng Mama clutched her sleeves tightly.
What could Old Madam Luo want now? Was she still unwilling to let her leave?