Chapter Two
Because of Yan Jiawang's passing, even though she entered the palace, which she had never dared to look at before, the old woman didn't feel much joy. In her eyes, the food and lodging were not as important as her eldest grandson. Because she had lost one grandson, she held her youngest grandson's hand tightly and wouldn't let go. The little boy was also sensible and stayed by his grandmother's side.
Yan Chao and Yan Zhili tried to get close to the old woman, but she wouldn't let them. She felt that it was all her two sons' fault for not taking good care of their eldest grandson, and that they hadn't even told her that their grandson was gone.
However, the old woman still held her eldest daughter-in-law tightly with her other hand, so tightly that Chen Qiu felt pain, yet also felt a sense of security.
The old woman wasn't entirely blameless for her eldest daughter-in-law's failure to take good care of her grandson, but she wasn't an unreasonable person either. With Jiawang gone, the most heartbroken person besides her was Jiawang's mother.
Yan Chao had intended to arrange for the old woman to wash up and rest first, but after learning that her eldest grandson was gone, the old woman insisted on going to see him first. Seeing his mother's expression, Yan Chao didn't say anything more.
Baojie had actually seen dead people before. She was by her grandfather's side when he died. She had also seen dead strangers, and even... the dead were really ugly. But she never thought that Jiawang would die and become such a small memorial tablet.
Yan Jiawang always wanted a younger sister. He treated Baojie very well, would carry her out to play, wouldn't allow others to bully her, and would secretly give her delicious food.
Even when leaving with his parents, Yan Jiawang held Baojie in his arms and promised to save any good food or toys he came across for her.
But when she saw him again, Jiawang had become a small memorial tablet, and there was no longer a brother who would hold her and comfort her.
For a moment, Baojie was somewhat bewildered. She stared blankly at the memorial tablet, not even knowing how to cry.
Chen Qiu felt sad looking at Bao Jie's appearance. Her son was still thinking of Bao Jie in his final moments and had saved up many things for her. However, she didn't want to tell Bao Jie these things now. Bao Jie was still young and had suffered too much. Knowing these things would only make her more sad.
By the time the family finally sat down, it was past lunchtime, and the joy of reunion was somewhat diminished.
Chen Qiu stayed by the old woman's side and advised, "Mother, why don't you eat something first? Don't let yourself get sick from hunger."
The old woman felt so upset that she couldn't eat.
Yan Chao also chimed in, "Mother, please eat something, the two children need to eat too."
The old woman looked at Bao Jie and her grandson sitting to the side and said, "Okay."
Chen Qiu asked, "Mother, what would you like to eat?"
"Let's have some noodles," the old woman said. "Sister Bao said she wanted to eat beef noodles on the way here."
Chen Qiu quickly sent someone to make arrangements. The old woman looked at the several unfamiliar women and children in the room, and then at her eldest son.
Yan Chao beckoned the woman and children over. The children were two boys and a girl: "Mother, this is General Liu's daughter. She gave me a son and a daughter. Chenxu is seven years old this year, and Zhen'er is six years old."
The old woman still liked the two children; they were her grandchildren: "Good children."
Yan Chao then pointed to another woman standing next to a child: "She's from the Han family. She gave birth to a son for me, Dongsheng, who is four years old this year."
The old woman didn't know anything about the Han family, but she liked the children: "They're all good children, come and let Grandma take a look?"
Liu quickly nudged the children, and the two children stepped forward, calling out, "Grandmother."
Yan Chenxu said with a grin, "My sister and I are really looking forward to seeing our grandmother."
Yan Zhen'er also said coquettishly, "I also made a forehead band for my grandmother."
The old woman said repeatedly, "I like it, I like everything Sister Zhen makes."
Han was stunningly beautiful; at least Baojie had never seen anyone more beautiful than Han, just like the peony she had seen at the landlord Wang's house. However, compared to the smiling Liu, Han's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and it seemed that her relationship with the other two was just so-so.
Seeing the old woman looking at her son, Han reluctantly said, "Dongsheng, this is your grandmother."
Yan Dongsheng gripped Han's sleeve tightly, glanced at the old woman, and called out, "Grandmother."
"Yes," the old woman agreed.
Yan Chao then introduced the last woman, who was also quite pretty, but compared to Han's beauty, she seemed rather ordinary: "Her surname is Zheng."
Before the old woman could react, Baojie realized that Zheng was the surname of the previous dynasty.
Yan Chao said with a smile, "She was a princess of the previous dynasty."
Baojie pursed her lips. She didn't know the former dynasty princess, and this was the first time she had met this Zheng Shi. However, she felt that her uncle's words were a bit strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.
The old woman was also startled and looked at Zheng Shi. She had never met the princess before, and she never expected that the princess would become her son's concubine.
Zheng bit her lip, twisting the handkerchief between her fingers without saying a word.
The old woman found it fascinating and looked at it a few more times. No matter how she looked at it, she felt that her second daughter-in-law was prettier: "My Baojie will be a princess in the future too."
Upon hearing her name, Baojie looked at the old woman and said, "Grandma, I'm not. My uncle's daughter is the princess."
Yan Chao laughed and said, "Of course Bao Jie is a princess. Our Bao Jie is the most precious one."
The old woman was finally satisfied: "Baojie and Guige haven't been given formal names yet. Zhili, don't forget that once they have names, we can put Guige in the family genealogy."
Upon hearing this, Yan Zhili said, "I understand. I've already gotten up quite a bit, and I'm just waiting for Mother to come so we can discuss choosing one for them."
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