Chapter 78 The Old Lady Wakes Up
Wen Ning bowed slightly upon hearing this, her voice somewhat respectful, "It's all thanks to the old lady that I've been eating well and living comfortably in the mansion these days, which is why I'm in such good spirits."
She sat down as she was told. At this moment, under the corridor on the west side of the yard, the air was filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus.
In the flower bed not far away, late chrysanthemums are in full bloom, with dark red petals curled at the edges, showing a kind of lazy beauty under the autumn sun.
Xibao fluttered his arms like lotus root nodes and rushed into Wen Ning's arms, rubbing his little head against her chest.
"Mother, are you fully healed?"
Without waiting for anyone to answer, the little hand poked the side of the mother's neck with its fingertips.
A few days ago, he saw the female doctor carrying a medicine box on her back. She was holding a cotton cloth soaked in medicine and gently applying it on his mother's skin. His mother frowned at the time, and he thought it must be very painful, so he kept it in mind.
Wen Ning took the opportunity to hug his soft little body, her heart warmed, and she smiled and pinched his cheek, "The scars are all healed now."
The old lady's eyes fell on Xi Bao in her arms, then raised her eyes to look at Wen Ning, "You have raised this child very well. I also heard about what happened in Yuezhou. In such a dangerous time, you were able to calm your mind and fight off the disease. Afterwards, you took the examination for female officials with your own ability. It is not easy."
Wen Ning was stunned when she heard this, obviously not expecting such praise.
She originally thought that the old lady would blame her for not keeping her promise and getting entangled with the Marquis again.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, hiding the surprise that flashed across her eyes, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
"You are too kind, old lady. I just happened to remember a method from an old book. In fact, there is no difference between saving one person and saving millions. It's just that the epidemic is rampant and everyone is afraid, so I have gained a prominent reputation."
"As for the examination for female officials," she lowered her eyes, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks, "it was largely thanks to the help of the Marquis. If it weren't for his thoroughness, I, an ordinary woman, would never have understood these rules."
The old lady nodded, a barely perceptible trace of approval flashed across her eyes, then was quickly hidden by a gentle smile.
Don't take credit for your achievements, but remember the help of others.
She has neither the arrogance of an ordinary woman nor the hypocrisy of deliberate modesty, which is quite rare.
Wen Ning raised her eyes to look at the old lady, her voice filled with guilt. "I was not feeling well a few days ago. I'm really sorry for bothering you at the mansion these days. I'm almost well now. As soon as we find a suitable place to live, I will move out with Xibao. I dare not trouble you any more."
Upon hearing this, the old lady's eyes fell on Xi Bao's delicate little face. Seeing his black eyes looking at her, she felt reluctant to let him go and then thought about how to keep him there first.
She pondered for a moment before smiling and saying, "There's no need to rush. My birthday will be in a few days. When you get old, you just love a lively atmosphere. You two stay here for now. It won't be too late to make plans after my birthday."
Wen Ning originally wanted to ask, "When is the old lady's birthday?", firstly so that she could prepare a small gift in advance, and secondly so that she could make plans to leave early, but she swallowed the words back when they reached her tongue.
He simply lowered his eyes and replied, "In that case, I will follow the old lady's arrangements."
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard, accompanied by a servant's low announcement, "The Marquis is back."
Xie Jinglan, dressed in dark casual clothes, turned the corner of the corridor and saw the mother and son there. His eyes lit up.
He bowed slightly to the old lady and said in a low and steady voice, "Grandma."
The old lady looked up at him, smiled and nodded, "You're back. You're back early today."
He responded and then turned his gaze to Wen Ning.
The sun was shining warmly in the corridor, and the golden light slanted down on her.
Wen Ning sat upright on a padded pearwood chair, her cheeks naturally rosy, and her lilac-colored skirt made her look even more elegant.
That perfect complexion actually made Xie Jinglan's eyes darken slightly, and he forgot to look away for a moment.
Wen Ning quietly raised her eyes and glanced at him, her gaze meeting his bottomless eyes.
Her heart tightened, and she quickly stood up holding Xibao, knelt down and bowed, "The Marquis is back. I think the Marquis and the old lady must have something to say. I will take Xibao back."
She turned to the old lady and bowed, "Madam, please take a rest. I will go down first."
Xibao was held by Wen Ning. She twisted her little body and quickly stretched out her chubby little hands to wave at the old lady. She said in a baby voice, "Old lady, Xibao~ I'm here to see you again."
The soft voice, wrapped in childlike innocence, melted the old lady's heart. She smiled and waved her hands, "Hey, I'm waiting for Xibao to come."
Wen Ning carried Xibao around the corridor, and Xie Jinglan slowly withdrew his gaze.
The old lady said to Nanny Zhou who was standing by her side, "Bring the Marquis a cup of fresh tea."
Nanny Zhou stepped forward and poured amber tea from a plain white porcelain pot. Amidst the rising steam, she gently placed the teacup on the small table beside the Marquis.
Xie Jinglan then turned to the old lady, his tone apologetic, "I've been meaning to come and explain everything to Grandmother for the past few days, but I got entangled in trivial matters and only had time today."
The old lady tapped the stone table lightly with her hand twisting her Buddhist beads. Her eyebrows raised slightly, with a hint of elder's disapproval, "Hmph, I think the Marquis has put all his thoughts on that girl. How can he still remember an old woman like me?"
She raised her eyes to look at her grandson, adding a bit of seriousness, "Your Majesty, you don't need to explain other things to me. I just want to ask you, Your Majesty, what are your plans for them, mother and son?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Jinglan's dark eyes were filled with stubbornness and deep emotion. "Grandson must marry Ning'er, and her child will be his. Grandmother, please grant my blessing."
The old lady sighed, her voice filled with helplessness. "What about the Fifth Princess? His Majesty has repeatedly attempted to grant her marriage. If the Princess is a strong person, she will certainly object. Even if the Princess agrees, this girl will have to be her concubine. You let a woman with a child enter the palace and suffer this injustice. You might as well let her go now."
"My grandson has never thought of letting her be his mistress." Xie Jinglan's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly, and the warm tea created tiny ripples.
"I will find a way to deal with the Fifth Princess. If it is really difficult to do so, I will request to be transferred to Cangwu Pass. Three years at the border will be enough time for Your Majesty to choose another good husband."
If he could come back alive in three years and the poison in his body was cured by chance, he would marry Wen Ning in a grand ceremony and never let her suffer any grievances again.
If the poison takes hold and they are unable to recover, they will ask Grandmother to look after them. With the tree in the Marquis' Mansion, it will always protect them from the wind and rain, allowing them to live in peace.
The old lady shook her head helplessly, her hand twirling the Buddhist beads paused slightly, and her tone was half scolding and half understanding, "You child, your mind is really all on that girl. Let's not talk about the matter of the fifth princess for now. I'm afraid you can't even understand what's going on right under your nose."
Xie Jinglan was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he heard the old lady continue slowly, "I want to ask the Marquis, has anyone around you said that the Marquis looks like that little Xibao?"
Hearing this, he frowned slightly, thought carefully for a moment, and then shook his head, "No one has ever mentioned it."
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