"Caihuan, go and urge the eldest lady to stop dawdling. The master is already waiting." Wang stood in front of a dressing mirror made entirely of brass. She turned around and asked two maids to tidy her up. She was wearing a crimson, gold and silver-engraved double-breasted straight jacket, and a beeswax brooch with gold filigree flowers was tied diagonally on her head.
"Mother, don't rush me. I'm coming." Hua Lan laughed as she opened the curtain. A magpie ascending a plum blossom hairpin, inlaid with a ruby, the same color as her mother's, was tucked into her hair. She wore a gray squirrel coat inlaid with rose gold and thick rose-red silk, which made her face rosy and bright. "Mother, just now I saw Ming's mother hurried to her room. Are you going to take Ming with you? Forget it. She's not feeling well and went to bed after dinner. She might be asleep by now."
"Why should she rest? She has to go today." Wang said coldly.
Hua Lan looked at Wang, lowered her head and pondered, then quietly dismissed the two maids. Then she stepped forward to Wang's side and asked tentatively, "Mother, is this because of the old lady's decision to raise a girl?"
As expected, Wang snorted coldly, "Your father is so calculating, sizing me up. I don't know what he's up to! He just suppressed that vixen for two days, and now he's thinking about how to flatter her! I didn't say anything at first because I thought the old lady had disliked her for so many years and wouldn't want her daughter, but who knew... Humph! It's really like a dragon begets a dragon and a phoenix begets a phoenix! Your good fourth sister has been serving the old lady every day these days, serving tea and water, speaking humbly, accompanying Xiaoyi and making her happy. Now everyone in Shou'an Hall praises her to the sky, saying that she is kind, filial, and sensible, and is the most filial granddaughter in front of the old lady. I guess your father will urge the old lady to make up her mind tonight."
Hualan's expression darkened. "So Mother plans to push Minglan out and let the old lady raise her?"
"No one should get any benefit except that vixen!" Wang spat.
Hua Lan thought for a moment and said loudly, "Cai Pei, come in!"
A little girl wearing a royal blue silk vest with cloud patterns came in and bowed. "What are your orders, young lady?"
"Go and tell Mama Liu to pack something for Miss Rulan. We'll go visit the old lady together later." Hualan said. Wang's face tightened and Caipei went out in response.
Wang hurriedly scolded, "Why let Rulan go there?"
"Mother, do you know what I'm going to do?" Hua Lan said quietly.
Wang looked at her daughter for a moment and sighed softly, "I know Minglan is useless, but, but how can I bear to let Rulan go? I've spoiled her and haven't taught her well. How can she go to suffer in front of the old lady?"
Hua Lan bit her lip secretly, leaned close to Wang's ear and whispered, "Do you want to see that woman succeed?"
Wang gritted her teeth. Hualan, seeing her mother's heart fluttering, said, "Even if Mother pushes Minglan forward, Father will stop her with a single word. 'Letting the old lady raise a girl is just to relieve her loneliness. Sending a sickly child will only tire her out.' What will Madam say then? Only Rulan will do. First, if Madam sends her own daughter to the old lady to raise, she'll look good in front of Father and earn a reputation as a virtuous and filial child. Second, Rulan's spoiled nature will help her control herself in front of the old lady. Third, if the old lady raises Molan, she might become close to Concubine Lin in a few years. If she raises Rulan, she'll be close to Madam. This kills three birds with one stone."
Wang's face changed, as if she was hesitant. Hualan said again, "Shou'an Hall is right in the mansion. If Madam misses Rulan, she can go visit her anytime. If she's worried, she can just recommend some trustworthy maids. Does she think Rulan would suffer?"
Wang pondered the situation several times in her mind, hardened her heart, and took Rulan and Minglan with her when she went out. Sheng Hong was waiting in the outer room, and was a little surprised to see so many people, big and small, coming out. Wang smiled and said, "The doctor said today that the old lady is much better. I'll take this opportunity to take the little ones with me so that we can show our filial piety to the old lady. Dong'er is too young, so forget it."
Sheng Hong nodded.
The group left the main house, surrounded by maids and old women in front and behind. Two housemaids in the middle carried Ruolan and Minglan on their backs and walked to Shou'an Hall. Seeing the housemaid waiting at the door, Sheng Hong and Wang immediately went up to her and exchanged a few words, and were then led into the room.
In the middle of the room stood a brass stove with the image of Vajrapani Buddha, with mist rising from the stove and the floor heater burning very warmly. There was a kang next to the window, covered with a thick stone-blue velvet blanket. Old Mrs. Sheng was lying on the kang, with a double-flowered auspicious pillow behind her and a large ginger-colored quilt with a rich flower pattern spread beside her. On the kang also stood a small black lacquered mother-of-pearl waisted table, on which were placed cups, bowls, plates, spoons, and some snacks and soups.
Sheng Hong and Wang shi bowed to Old Madam Sheng as soon as they entered, followed by the younger ones. After Old Madam Sheng finished accepting the greetings, she had a maid bring in two straight-backed chairs with thick cotton pads, as well as several warm cotton cushions. Everyone sat down in order. Sheng Hong smiled and said, "You seem much better today, and in high spirits, so I brought the younger ones to see you, as we were afraid to disturb your rest."
"I'm not that delicate. I just caught a cold. I've taken more medicine these days than I did in the past few decades!" Old lady Sheng wore a dark headband with gold and silver double happiness patterns on her forehead. Her face was still a little pale and her voice was weak, but she seemed to be in a good mood.
"They say illness comes like a mountain falling and goes like a thread being pulled out. The old lady has always been in good health. She is just tired from moving. She might as well take this opportunity to have a good rest and take more tonic medicine to strengthen her body." Wang said with a smile.
"It's fine for me, but I've made you two busy all the time. I haven't had a good sleep these days, and you look thinner. This is my fault." Old Mrs. Sheng said lightly.
Wang quickly stood up and said, "Mother, what you said is really disheartening to me. Serving the elderly and serving medicine is a daughter-in-law's duty. How can you say that it's the last one? I'm so scared." Sheng Hong was very pleased to see Wang so respectful.
Old Madam Sheng smiled and waved her hand, her eyes turning to the window frame: "I've really felt better these past two days. Today I even opened the window for a while and looked at the white snow outside."
Hua Lan smiled and said, "The old lady's yard is too plain. If she planted some red plum blossoms, wouldn't it be beautiful to see them reflected against the white snow? When I was a child, the old lady taught me to paint red plum blossoms. The furnishings in my house are all arranged according to what the old lady taught me."
There was a hint of warmth in Old Lady Sheng's eyes: "I'm old and too lazy to move. You young ladies are at the age when you need to dress up and be taken care of. How can you compare with an old woman like me?"
As they were talking and laughing, the door curtain was lifted and a maid carrying a tray came in, followed by a small figure. Wang took a look and saw that it was Molan. The smile on her face immediately froze.
Molan came forward with a sweet smile, took a lotus porcelain bowl with a white bottom and a shallow mouth with a cloud pattern from the maid's tray, and said with a smile: "Grandma, this is the freshly stewed glutinous rice and golden jujube soup. It is warm, sweet and soft, and will not cause food accumulation. It is best for moisturizing your lungs before going to bed." As she spoke, she brought it to Mrs. Sheng, and Mama Fang took over.
Seeing her like this, Wang felt her teeth itching, Sheng Hong felt his eyes getting hot, Hualan turned her head away in disdain, Rulan and Minglan looked sleepy.
Old Lady Sheng took a bite of the stewed candied dates and said with a smile, "Look at this child. I told her not to come, but she insisted on coming. It's so cold, and I was afraid she'd freeze. I pity her filial piety."
Mother Fang was handing over candied dates one spoonful at a time, smiling as she said, "I'm not bragging, but Fourth Miss is truly considerate and filial. Whenever the old lady coughs, she rubs her back; whenever she frowns, she offers her a teacup. I've been serving the old lady for half my life, and I'm never as attentive and considerate as you."
Sheng Hong said with relief: "It is Mo'er's blessing to be able to serve the old lady. After all, she is my granddaughter. It doesn't matter if she is a little tired. Mo'er, you must serve the old lady well."
Molan replied in a sweet voice, her smile warm and charming. Wang Shi also smiled and said, "That's true. After all, Aunt Lin has been with the old lady for many years. Mo'er has been influenced by her and knows a little about the old lady's hobbies and habits. Naturally, she can serve her well."
When these words were spoken, several people were stunned. The atmosphere in the room became a little cold. Molan lowered her head and said nothing, her eyes a little red.
Sheng Hong ignored Wang Shi, leaned forward, and said directly, "I've told you before that you're old and have no children. It would be better for you to raise a child by your side. What do you think, old lady?"
Old Madam Sheng shook her head and said, "I'm used to being alone and quiet. I don't want to bore the child. No need."
"Mother, what you said makes me even more worried," Sheng Hong continued. "Mother, you were ill this time, and several reputable doctors in Dengzhou said that your illness was largely due to depression. You've lived alone for years, without anyone to talk to. Your liver and spleen are blocked, and you're feeling depressed. Excessive loneliness is not good for an elderly person, and you can't always keep the door closed. That's why Mr. Bai from Baohe Hall suggested that you raise a well-behaved child to keep you company. First, it would help relieve your loneliness, and second, it wouldn't be too taxing on you. Besides, you're well-read, and it's a blessing for your child to receive your guidance."
Seeing she couldn't refuse, Old Lady Sheng sighed and looked around the room full of people, seeming somewhat helpless: "Which child do you think would be good to come to my place?"
Sheng Hong was delighted: "Of course, it's up to you, Madam, to choose one yourself. Find someone who is well-behaved and suitable, and who suits your taste, so that you can live a more enjoyable life."
Wang smiled and continued, "Yes, with so many girls in the family, there must be one you like. Hua'er is as knowledgeable as she is today thanks to staying with the old lady. Now, Li Ru'er is naughty and Ming'er is ignorant. If the old lady can give them some guidance, it would be a blessing for them."
Old Madam Sheng looked at the couple with different expressions, stretched herself, and sat up a little straighter on the kang. "Let's ask the child." Then she looked at Molan and asked, "Sister Mo, let me ask you, are you willing to live here with me?"
Mo Lan blushed and replied in a soft voice, "Of course I'm willing. Not to mention that the old lady is the ancestor, and a granddaughter should be filial to her, but also, the old lady is knowledgeable and kind-hearted, and has done Mo'er a great favor. Mo'er is willing to receive some teachings from the old lady. Now, except for my eldest sister, I am the oldest among the sisters. If I don't contribute, my younger sisters will suffer."
Wang smiled and said, "Sister Mo has really improved. She has come up with so many excuses in such a short time."
Old Madam Sheng nodded and turned to look at Rulan: "Ru girl, tell me, are you willing to live here with grandma?"
Little girl Rulan was dozing off when her name was suddenly called. She stood up in a panic, looked around, and looked confused. Wang broke out in a cold sweat, regretting that she had not taught her daughter how to speak well before going out. She really didn't expect that the old lady would ask questions in public. Now she could only let her daughter speak freely.
Seeing Rulan's bewildered expression, Old Lady Sheng smiled and asked again. Rulan turned to look at Wang Shi, hesitantly asking, "...Why do you want to move in?...Will Madam move in too? Can I move all my room in?"
Although Sheng Hong had already chosen the candidate, he still couldn't bear to see Ru Lan like this and scolded her, "The ancestor asked you to come here to honor you, why are you being so rude?!"
Rulan was scolded by her father. Tears welled up in her eyes and her face turned red. She was about to cry. Wang felt distressed but did not dare to comfort her in front of her. Hualan went over gently, brought her sister back, and took out a handkerchief to wipe her face.
Old Madam Sheng smiled and waved her hand, then turned to look at the last one: "Ming'er, come out, yes, stand out, don't be afraid of me asking you, are you willing to live here with me?"
The fake classmate Minglan was actually dozing off just now, but she was fully awake now. Unlike Rulan who was in a mess, she had long experience of dozing off. People who study law know that politics and law are inseparable. The long battle line of political class was full of her battle marks. After practicing for the second semester, her magical skills were initially formed. She could answer questions clearly even if she was called at any time while dozing off.
As the saying goes, "It's always good to have many skills." I didn't expect that the skill of sleeping well in my previous life could be put to use in this life. When her name was called, Minglan calmly moved to the front and replied, "Yes."
It's like when someone asks her if she wants pork hind leg or pork front leg, she calmly replies, "I want pork head."
Old Madam Sheng seemed to be caught off guard. She paused and looked at everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Sheng Hong and several young ladies all had the same expression. It was obvious that the silly image of the Sixth Miss had been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Andy Lau had transformed from an idol to a powerful actor and had released several announcements. Why didn't this Sixth Miss shoot a trailer in advance?
The old lady was silent for a while, then cleared her throat and said, "Tell me tomorrow why you are willing to come to me."
Wang was a little nervous. The old lady and this silly girl hadn't even exchanged a few words. How could Minglan explain it? She couldn't say that the two of them had a telepathic connection, so their love was stronger than gold.
Minglan was very reluctant to pretend to be innocent, as it would be too fake, but the greatest advantage of human beings is to compromise with reality. Even if she was a Martian, she had to adapt to the local customs.
So, Minglan suppressed the cries of self-contempt in her heart and stammered in a soft voice, "Father said that the old lady was sick because no one was with her. If someone was with her, the old lady wouldn't be sick. Being sick is very painful and requires taking bitter medicine. Please don't be sick, old lady."
This answer was perfect, combining both artistry and practicality. The room was quiet, Mrs. Sheng felt a little touched, Sheng Hong was relieved again, Wang heaved a sigh of relief, Hualan had secret hopes, Molan was surprised to find that there was a hidden talent among the sisters, Rulan began to doze off again, and Minglan was jealous of herself.
She sincerely admires those talented actresses who are in their forties but still insist on playing eighteen-year-old girls. Their spirits and gums must be unusually strong.
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