The mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for several years, so they naturally had a lot to talk about.
As it was almost noon, Qiu Hu went in again to change the tea, so that the master and mistress wouldn't get thirsty from talking.
Shen called out to Qiu Hu, who was new to the place and did not order anything. She simply said, "Just have the kitchen prepare what your master usually likes to eat. Go on, go on."
Even in her own daughter's courtyard, Madam Shen did not put on airs as the hostess; what she ate was not so important at the moment.
She then had a chance to take another look at the decorations and furnishings of the room, and she became quite engrossed in them.
It's not that she hadn't seen these things before; even in her past life, she wouldn't have taken them seriously.
"It does resemble the layout of your old home." That was what made her somewhat lost in thought.
Li Chenjiao smiled and looked around as well, lost in nostalgia.
"It wasn't like this in the first two years; it just grew up like this without us even realizing it. Is everything alright at home?"
Madam Shen nodded: "Your brother is doing well in the south. During the New Year, he even had a lot of cordyceps from the south sent back home. Your father also misses you. On the fifteenth of the year, the whole family went to the street to see the lanterns. Your father was holding the eldest daughter of your neighbor, Aunt Li. For some reason, he remembered when he took you to see the lanterns before. He secretly teared up. I couldn't bear to laugh at him when I saw him."
They were supposed to be a family, but now only Father and Mother were left.
As Shen spoke, she put her arm around Li Chenjiao, almost bursting into tears.
As Li Chenjiao listened to her mother's words, she also remembered the days when she was still in her boudoir. Her family would walk along the bluestone path, where there were people selling lanterns, solving riddles, performing acrobatics, and setting up stalls to sell snacks. The place was bustling with activity, and rows of lanterns of all kinds hung in the street, making the lantern market lively and full of life.
She never saw such beautiful lanterns again after that. Every year during the festivals, her household was filled with banquets and feasts, while in the palace, all she saw was wealth, complexity, and intrigue.
Madam Shen pulled Li Chenjiao into her arms, her voice as gentle as water: "Have you suffered in the manor? Now that your mother is here, tell me anything that's on your mind or that's bothering you."
Li Chenjiao's tears, which she had just stopped, burst forth like a burst dam after hearing her mother's words, and she could no longer hold them back.
She hadn't actually suffered any injustice; it's just that she had to be extremely careful and think things through repeatedly before doing anything, lest she make a mistake...
She didn't want to tell her mother about the difficulties of childbirth, lest she worry her mother.
People are always like this; they only report good news and not bad.
Shen didn't ask any more questions. It wasn't until the mother and daughter had finished their lunch that Shen remembered to check on the children.
Li Chenjiao learned her dining etiquette from her mother, and even in the mansion, her mother's manners were impeccable.
The maids were naturally extremely respectful to Madam Shen.
"I've been thinking about the Second Princess ever since you said in your letter that she looks like you. Are the children still asleep?"
Li Chenjiao asked what time it was: "The Second Princess has probably just come back from playing with Persimmon and Frozen Pear, and it's probably time for lunch. Tell Granny Chen to bring the Second Princess here."
The last sentence was spoken to Qiu Hu.
While Li Chenjiao was speaking, Madam Shen looked at her with a gratified smile: "You are more reliable than your mother."
After she finished speaking, she clapped her hands and laughed.
Fortunately, all the maids were outside, and there was only Qiu Hu in front of him.
Otherwise, the image of Madam Shen as a well-mannered and dignified woman in the eyes of the maids would probably be lost.
Li Chenjiao looks like her mother. Although Madam Shen is getting on in years, she still retains her charm. She is the kind of person who doesn't cause trouble for herself and lives a carefree and easy life. Anyone who tries to guess her age would probably guess a few years younger.
The second princess was soon brought in by Madam Chen.
The little girl came back from playing outside for half a day. Chen had wiped the sweat from her forehead, but her face was still flushed.
The little girl was already walking quite steadily, but Chen still followed her closely.
The little girl ran straight into Li Chenjiao's arms as soon as she entered the house, sweetly calling out "Mother, Mother".
The little girl had never seen Shen before. She ran into Li Chenjiao's arms but still looked at Shen with curiosity.
The little girl's eyes were so beautiful that anyone who saw them would praise them, so fair and tender. Her tiny hands peeked out from her chubby sleeves: "Mother, Mother?"
She called out "Mother," but her eyes were fixed on Madam Shen across from her.
Li Chenjiao didn't hold the little girl in her arms. The little girl had run around outside and was covered in sweat. Li Chenjiao was already feeling quite uncomfortable during her postpartum period.
She decisively maintained a proper distance from her daughter.
"That's Mother's mother, what should Aman be called?"
When Li Chenjiao heard Granny Chen call Aman "Grandma" and "Grandma," she taught the little girl to call her maternal grandmother and maternal grandfather.
Actually, Li Chenjiao wasn't very familiar with the titles. Even at home, she would call her "Mother," "Father," and "Dad" in turn.
The little girl seemed to have some memory awakened upon hearing this, but the phrase "mother's mother" was still a bit too complicated for her.
Madam Shen opened her arms, her eyes and heart filled with the little girl: "Good child, come to your grandmother."
As she said this, the little girl glanced at her mother first, and seeing her mother smiling at her, she walked up to Madam Shen.
She wasn't shy and rushed into Shen's arms, but she didn't call out "Grandmother" often, finally only vaguely calling out, "Grandmother... Mother..."
Madam Shen hugged her and smiled again and again: "This child really does look like you when you were little. Qiu Hu, go and call Aci in."
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