When Wu Muyue saw Qingqing's expression, a part of his heart softened instantly. Many, many years ago, there was also a little girl with curious eyes who sat beside him, resting her chin on her hand, listening to him talk about everything under the sun.
Wu Muyue said, “Your aunt was intelligent from a young age. She could read at the age of three and write poems by herself at the age of five. I loved going to the small courtyard where your grandparents were staying. Your grandfather and I would talk and chat with your aunt. At that time, I felt that your aunt, although she was a girl and still young, was a very thoughtful person.”
Hearing this, Qingqing realized that she was almost ten years old but had never seriously learned anything. Even the few words she knew were taught to her by her grandmother in her spare time.
Wu Muyue raised his head, staring at a dot on the opposite wall with a somewhat unfocused look in his eyes. After thinking quietly for a while, he continued, "Your grandfather and I separated when your aunt was seven years old. Your grandfather wanted to be transferred to a post outside the capital, so he took your grandfather and your aunt with him to a county town in the south. After we separated that time, I gradually lost contact with him because I had no fixed abode."
Thinking of this, Wu Muyue felt a pang of sorrow for his dear friend's fate and said, "Later, after I returned to the capital and learned of your grandfather's situation, I took the opportunity of an outing to visit your grandfather and grandmother, as well as your aunt. At that time, your aunt was already eighteen years old. I kept thinking, what kind of man would a woman like your aunt marry?"
Qingqing had only heard that her aunt had passed away a long time ago, but she didn't know the specifics of what had happened to her aunt. Today, she felt it was a rare opportunity to hear Wu Muyue talk about her aunt.
Wu Muyue said, “I only learned when I met your grandparents that your aunt got married two years ago, but unfortunately she married the wrong person and was depressed all the time. She died of depression at a young age. When I went there, your aunt had just been buried, and your grandparents were very ill.”
Thinking of how that lovable little girl had passed away so young, Wu Muyue was filled with immense grief. Swallowing the bitterness in his throat, Wu Muyue said, "I stayed at your grandfather's house for several days, until your grandfather recovered, before I heard about your aunt. Your aunt, having followed your grandparents, was well-informed and always felt that girls shouldn't be confined to the inner quarters; girls should have their own world. Although your grandparents loved their precious daughter dearly, they still arranged for her to marry into a family of equal social standing due to the opinions of those around them. Unfortunately, that family had very strict rules, and your aunt was a free spirit."
Remembering the things his friend had told him through tears, Wu Muyue sighed and said, "This world is too harsh on girls. Your aunt had a bad relationship with her in-laws, and her husband wasn't a considerate or attentive person. Gradually, your aunt became more and more depressed. It wasn't until she passed away that your grandparents realized how difficult it was for their child to live in her husband's family."
Chen Zhaoci listened quietly as Wu Muyue recounted the Chen family's affairs. When she heard that Aunt Qingqing had died of depression for such a reason, she also sighed.
Wu Muyue said, “Your grandfather told me that if he had known earlier that his daughter was not doing well, he would have even risked losing face and taken the child back from her husband’s family to raise her himself. It would have been better than the child losing her life in vain. Your grandfather also said that if he had a granddaughter in the future, he must raise her well. If she wanted to get married, he should find her a good family to marry into. If she did not want to get married, he should keep her at home and raise her well. It would be better than her marrying into another family and being mistreated by others.”
Wu Muyue looked at Qingqing with pity and said, "Child, these are all the words of your grandfather. You are his granddaughter, and he naturally hopes that you can live a peaceful and happy life. Life is very short, and your grandfather hopes that you can live a carefree and joyful life."
Qingqing was already in tears. The little girl hunched her shoulders and sat against the headboard, but she didn't make a sound. Seeing Qingqing like this made Chen Zhaoci feel extremely sad.
Wu Muyue said, “My child, in my life, I have made friends all over the world, but the only one I can call a true friend is your grandfather. Of course, I cannot bear to see anything happen to his flesh and blood. You are the continuation of your grandfather’s bloodline and the hope he left behind. I want to teach you to read and write, I want to take you to see all the beautiful sights in the world, and I want you to live a good life. That way, I can comfort my good friend in the afterlife.”
Qingqing nodded through her tears, sobbing as she said, "Grandpa Wu, I'll do whatever you say."
Seeing the little girl trembling with tears, Wu Muyue sighed and said, "Good child, you don't need to do anything. Just focus on getting better. I've already prepared the memorial tablets for your grandparents and parents. Once you're better, just offer them some incense."
Qingqing was surprised that Grandpa Wu, whom she had only known for a few days, would bring up the things she had done, and she cried even harder. Wu Muyue quickly said, "Don't cry. It's bad for a child to cry too much. You need to take good care of yourself so that your grandfather and the others can rest easy."
After leaving Qingqing's room, Chen Zhaoci escorted Wu Muyue back to his own courtyard. Chen Zhaoci said, "I never expected that there would be such a thing in Qingqing's family."
Wu Muyue said, "It's such a pity that Qingqing's aunt, Haoxin, passed away like that. That girl was very talented and easygoing. It's just a pity that she married into a conservative family. At the time, Qingqing's grandfather even said that if he had known earlier, he would have let the girl divorce and return home. Later, I also thought that Haoxin's in-laws were known for their virtue in the area. They might not have let Haoxin go home. Girls, you really have to open your eyes wide when you marry."
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