As we walked through the courtyard where the leaves were turning yellow and the wildflowers were losing their color, two young maids knelt to greet us at the door and lifted the flower-strewn curtain.
Hearing the noise from inside, a maid dressed in a light blue jacket and looking rather presentable came out to greet her. Upon seeing Shi Lan, she quickly stepped forward with a smile, half-holding the curtain and making a gesture to invite Shi Lan in.
Shi Lan smiled and nodded at her, then followed her into the hall.
As soon as she stood still, before she could even check the room, a warm current rushed towards her. Shi Lan subconsciously turned her eyes to look at the source of the heat.
A brazier burned beside the couch by the window. A kind-faced old lady sat on the couch, while a pretty little girl with her hair in a bun, wearing a peach-colored blouse with Tibetan flowers, leaned against her knees, her eyes delicate and pretty. Judging from her age, she was about the same age as the old lady.
Shi Lan blinked. Although the young ladies in the mansion were all around her age, they were still a bit different. The eldest daughter-in-law, Pan Jinxuan, was twelve years old, the second daughter-in-law, Pan Jinyao, was ten years old, the fourth daughter-in-law, Pan Jinyan, was six years old, and the fifth daughter-in-law, Pan Jinjing, was still learning to walk. Only the third daughter-in-law, Pan Jinyue, was about the same age as her.
The old lady held prayer beads in her hand, her face smiling, but her eyes scrutinized Shi Lan with a critical gaze.
Shi Lan smiled coldly to herself, but on the surface she bowed respectfully, stepped forward, knelt down on both knees, and gave her a deep bow, saying loudly, "Your unfilial granddaughter Lan Niang greets the Ancestor!"
The old lady was startled by Shi Lan's call and couldn't help but turn her gaze to Ms. Wang, who had been following closely behind.
Ms. Wang smiled, but a strange glint flashed quickly in her eyes.
The child doesn't trust her and is trying to force the old lady to acknowledge her.
Ms. Wang sighed inwardly, but she also understood her actions and admired her spirit. If it were her, she probably wouldn't have dared to do that.
As soon as Shi Lan's head touched the ground, she lifted it up, her small body standing tall like a pine tree braving the wind and snow.
The old lady recovered very quickly. When Shi Lan got up, she saw that the old lady's face was full of relief and her eyes were even a little red.
The old lady pretended to get up and said, "You child, it's autumn now, and the ground is cold. How can you kneel like this?" Then she scolded the maid who had just lifted the curtain, "You lazy bum, you know perfectly well that the lady is paying her respects, yet you didn't prepare a cushion."
Bao Ping was quick-witted; she hurriedly helped Shi Lan up and apologized to her.
Shi Lan shook her head, touched her tear-filled eyes, looked at the old lady, and said, "It's not my fault, sister. I was just too excited to wait for the arrangements when I saw my grandmother."
The little girl helped the old lady sit up on the couch again.
The old lady patted her hand affectionately and beckoned to Shi Lan.
Shi Lan took two steps forward and walked up to her.
The old lady looked her over carefully for a while, then suddenly sighed and said, "You've really suffered these past years."
A sudden surge of emotion welled up in Shi Lan's heart, a sour feeling rushing to her nose, making her eyes moist and watery, and causing her pink lips to pout unconsciously.
Looking at her like this, the old lady couldn't help but think of her own daughter when she was little, and her heart softened. Suddenly, she felt a warmth in her palm. She turned her head and saw Pan Jinyue staring at Shi Lan with wide eyes and curiosity. She didn't know what to feel.
They were clearly each other's own flesh and blood, but because of the child's mother, they had been separated for nearly ten years.
She wanted to blame her, but knew it wasn't her fault, and the years of grandmotherly affection made her unable to bear abandoning her.
Her mind was racing, but after a long while she simply held her hand loosely and introduced her: "This is your fourth sister, born of the same mother as you. She has been following Master Mingzhi on his cultivation journey all these years. Now that she has returned, you must get close to her."
Pan Jinyue smiled and said yes, then turned to look at Shi Lan, curtsied and said, "Fourth Sister".
Shi Lan grinned and called her "Third Sister".
Pan Jinyue carefully examined Shi Lan, then turned to the old lady and said coquettishly, "Grandmother, Fourth Sister is so beautiful. She looks more like Aunt than Eldest Sister and Second Sister." She tugged at the old lady's skirt and said, "Unlike me, only my hair is a little bit like Aunt's."
The old lady's back stiffened slightly, then she quickly smiled and patted her head, saying, "You look like your mother, and Lan Niang looks like your father. They're all family, so what does it matter if they look alike or not? No matter what your appearance is, it's all given to you by your parents. You can't say things like that again."
Pan Jinyue puffed out her cheeks, nodded, and said softly, "Grandmother, I know I was wrong, I won't say it again."
The old lady smiled and stroked her hair, while Pan Jinyue tilted her head back and chuckled at the old lady.
Shi Lan narrowed her eyes slightly, watching this interaction between the grandmother and grandson. She felt a lump in her throat, and the feelings of admiration that had just arisen instantly vanished.
Ms. Wang couldn't bear to watch the scene any longer. What should have been a heartwarming reunion of grandmother and grandson was turned into a casual chat by that bastard who appeared out of nowhere.
Lady Wang was an official, and compared to others, she had some right to speak. Therefore, after thinking for a moment, she still spoke up rashly: "Madam, it's getting late. I wonder where Fourth Miss should settle down?"
The old lady thought for a moment, and was about to speak when Pan Jinyue interjected, "Grandmother, why don't we let her live with me in the Bisha Pavilion?"
The old lady looked down at her and said, "The place is small. It's enough for one person, but if we add another one, it will be a bit cramped. How about you squeeze in with me for one night and let your fourth sister have your own private room?"
Pan Jinyue smiled and tugged at her sleeve, saying, "Good grandmother, I haven't seen my younger sister for so many years, please let me have a good chat with her in the Bisha Pavilion."
The old lady smiled, her eyes crinkling, and nodded, saying, "Alright, as you say."
Shi Lan's face was tense, and her lips were pressed into a thin line.
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