Chapter 12 Transforming Mother

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree left with the yamen runners who were to administer the caning.

The imperial guards who had been guarding the courtyard had also left, which meant that the Marquis's residence had truly escaped a calamity.

Lady Anping, unable to withstand the immense shock of alternating between sorrow and joy, also fainted.

The Marquis's residence was in complete chaos.

The second young mistress, Madam Sun, hurriedly directed the servants to carry the Marquis of Anping and his wife back home.

Li Nanke jumped up from the ground and pulled Song Yi, who was still wiping away tears, towards their belongings.

"Mother, hurry up, let's move our things back home."

After a flurry of activity, the mother and daughter returned to their courtyard.

Aunt Qian, the manager of Song Yi's courtyard, came to report.

"The Song family has sent someone to say that the master and madam are very concerned about the situation at the Marquis's residence and request that you and the young lady return home."

Song Yi said, "Yesterday was the Mid-Autumn Festival. I should have gone back to my parents' home, but something happened there. I don't know how worried my parents are."

"Ke'er, hurry up and wash up. Let's go back and see Grandpa and Grandma."

Li Nanke's eyes darted around.

Yes, I really should go back.

She went back to her room to change her clothes, and when she came out again, she was stunned by Song Yi's attire.

Song Yi wore a dark brown cross-collar jacket paired with a gray pleated skirt, her hair was styled in a high bun, and she wore a dark green jade hairpin.

She had willow-leaf eyebrows, peach-blossom eyes, a slender figure, and striking features.

This drab gray outfit completely concealed all her good points, especially when paired with the dark green jade hairpin on her head, which made her look ten years older.

Li Nanke's delicate eyebrows furrowed as she looked at it.

"Doesn't Mother look good in this?"

Seeing her daughter's wrinkled face, which looked like a cute little bun, Song Yi couldn't help but reach out and pinch her soft little cheeks.

Li Nanke pouted and nodded earnestly.

"It doesn't look good. Mother doesn't look good in this at all."

“My mother used to dress like this too, and Qian Mama said it looked good, saying that it made her look dignified and elegant.”

Song Yi frowned slightly and reached out to tug at the jacket she was wearing.

Li Nanke glanced at Qian's mother peeking out from the doorway and puffed out his cheeks.

From a young age, Qian's mother took care of her mother. Later, she accompanied her mother to the Marquis's mansion and managed all the affairs in her mother's courtyard. She was also the one who earned her mother's most trust.

But it was all a dream; she already knew that Qian Mama's true master was the Song family's maternal grandmother.

In her dream, she witnessed her entire family being exiled, and Qian's mother packing her bags and returning to the Song family.

Her maternal grandmother returned the indentures of her entire family and gave her a sum of money. She returned to her hometown and lived a very comfortable life, without ever remembering the kindness her mother had shown her.

Even when mentioning her mother, she would mock her, saying, "That idiot, a complete fool."

From now on, she will not let her mother be deceived again.

The first step, of course, is to change Mother's dressing habits.

Li Nanke pulled Song Yi's hand and ran into the inner room, pleading, "Can I help Mother get dressed today?"

Although Song Yi was eager to return to her parents' home, she was unwilling to go against her daughter's wishes.

She smiled and pinched her little cheek. "Okay, Mommy will listen to Ke'er."

Hearing the commotion, Qian's mother, who was outside the door, came in and urged them to hurry up.

“This servant thinks that Madam looks fine dressed like this. Miss, please don’t bother with this, lest you keep Master and Madam waiting anxiously.”

As she spoke, she stepped forward and took Li Nanke's small hand.

"Madam must have already prepared the little toys that the young lady likes to play with. If you arrive late, the young lady will have less time to play."

With great confidence, Qian's mother pulled Li Nanke out.

Children are the most playful; the word "play" can make them forget everything in an instant.

Before the smile could even spread across her face, Qian's mother's hand was violently flung away.

Li Nanke didn't even glance at Qian's mother before running straight to Song Yi's wardrobe.

"No, I insist on dressing up my mother."

The little girl, with an arrogant tone, completely ignored her mother's calls and excitedly opened the wardrobe.

Soon her little face wrinkled up again.

The clothes in the wardrobe were either dark blue, dark brown, or sandalwood color.

It's practically a collection of all the colors that make you look older.

Li Nanke's excited heart was instantly dampened.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

Undeterred, I rummaged through the closet again and finally found a set of clothes at the very bottom.

Her eyes lit up.

It was a set of lotus root-colored jackets paired with lilac-purple pleated skirts with scrolling grass patterns.

Let's go with this one. I'm still not satisfied, but at least it's much better than those mouse gray and dark brown ones.

“Mother, wear this outfit.”

Song Yi subconsciously looked at Qian's mother.

Madam Qian frowned. "The color of this dress is too bright. It looks frivolous and undignified, and it is not suitable for Madam."

Besides, the heir apparent is still imprisoned in the Censorate; how can the lady dress so ostentatiously? What will others think?

Song Yi looked at Li Nanke with a troubled expression.

"Did you hear what your mother said? Your mother is already over twenty, and you are eight years old. In a few more years, you will be old enough to be engaged."

How can you wear such bright and frivolous colors anymore? Maybe you should just stick to what you're wearing now.

Looking at Li Nanke, a smug look flashed in Qian's mother's eyes.

She had been by Song Yi's side for many years, and Song Yi had always believed her without question.

Li Nanke felt a little sad, but not angry.

My mother lost her mother at a young age, and her current maternal grandmother is her stepmother. She is good at putting on a show and has never truly loved my mother.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been fooled by a cunning servant like Qian Mama, who misled her mother with wrong ideas, leading her to dress and groom herself in that way.

My mother was instilled with wrong ideas by people like Qian Mama for many years from a young age, and it will not be easy to change them overnight.

The road ahead is long and arduous, but she is not afraid.

She just felt sorry for her mother.

Li Nanke slowly raised her head, her round eyes brimming with tears.

Then he let out a loud cry and looked at Song Yi with a sad expression.

"Ke'er thinks this dress isn't bright at all; it's just a plain color. Mother looks very good in it."

"Mother, you believe in Qian Mama but not Ke'er. You don't love Ke'er. Ke'er is so sad."

She twisted her little body and pretended to be angry as she ran outside.

"I don't want to be my mother's daughter anymore, let Aunt Qian be your daughter instead."

When Qian's mother heard this, her face turned dark.

She's old enough to be Song Yi's mother; Li Nanke is insulting her.

Song Yi was so heartbroken by her daughter's crying that she almost burst into tears herself.

He hugged her tightly and wiped away her tears with his sleeve.

"Mother loves Ke'er the most, please stop crying, Mother will listen to you, okay?"

"real?"

"Of course, Mother will go change it right away."

"So from now on, Mother will let Ke'er decide how she dresses?"

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you, alright?"

Li Nanke burst into laughter through his tears and pushed Song Yi behind the screen to change her clothes.

The little girl added, "Although Father was punished, the whole family avoided the disaster of having their property confiscated and being exiled. It's a good thing that we escaped a calamity."

Since it's a good occasion, Mother should dress up nicely. I remember this outfit was a gift from Father; if Mother wears it, it'll be a good opportunity to pray for Father's well-being."

Song Yi was most worried about her husband. Upon hearing this, she had no more concerns and quickly changed her clothes and came out.

Li Nanke's eyes lit up, and he pushed Song Yi in front of the mirror.

"Look, Mother."

Song Yi stared at herself in the mirror, completely mesmerized.