"Grandmother, the Madam came to tell me today that Grandfather and the others have returned. I originally planned to go tomorrow, but since Grandfather is injured, Jiu'er would like to go see him now."
"They returned today? Didn't the Old In-law attend the imperial banquet?" Old Madam's eyes darkened as a realization dawned on her. She was certain that Madame Xue, being the mistress of the house, had deliberately kept the servants from reporting it. Her reach was getting rather long, and now that she had let Jiu'er know, what scheme was she plotting this time?
"Of course you may go. I'll have a mammy fetch some nourishing medicinal herbs, and you can go after you've had your meal..."
"Grandmother, let us go with Elder Sister too!"
Old Madam let out a soft laugh. So they were setting their sights on the Protectorate General's Estate, not even fearing a snub. Even she wasn't certain what kind of attitude the in-laws held toward Jiu'er, yet this concubine-born daughter actually wanted to tag along. Wasn't this slapping their own General's Estate in the face? She looked at Wen Jiu with a smile and said, "Jiu'er can decide."
"Thank you, Grandmother. I won't eat; if I go now, I'll make it in time."
"Mother, I think we can let the three siblings go together. They haven't seen their grandfather in over a dozen years, and this is a good opportunity to visit and let him recognize the children. It's a pity that Mo Liang is still at the Imperial Academy with heavy studies, or he could have gone along. It's all a bit too rushed today." Madame Xue was still vigorously promoting her own daughter, conveniently mentioning that her son's studies were important so as to leave no room for criticism. Old Madam knew that Wen Xi was merely an afterthought; Madame Xue just wanted her own pair of children to show their faces in front of the Old General, figuring that her son and daughter were superior to these two siblings in every way—one having been raised to uselessness, and the other being a sickly invalid.
Old Madam could not help letting out a cold snort. "Jiu'er will decide for herself. Even if anyone goes, it should be the two siblings. Why would you have Qier go? He isn't without a grandfather of his own."
Upon hearing this, Wen Ziqi swayed as if about to collapse.
"Qier!" Madame Xue cried out in alarm.
Wen Xi quickly rushed to steady her. "Grandmother, Qier simply wishes to see a grandfather she hasn't laid eyes on in over a decade. Why must you speak to her this way?" With that, she turned to Wen Jiu and asked, "Will you take us or not?"
"Older Brother, since Younger Sister is unwell, you both should stay home. I am not going on a social call today; Grandfather is injured, and I must go see him. Younger Sister, you should rest well. Grandmother, I won't disturb you any longer."
"Go on, then."
Receiving the reply, Wen Jiu turned away feebly, her expression reverting to cold indifference. *How much longer do I have to keep up this frail act? I'm almost regretting choosing this persona.*
Right now, she had the urge to march right over and slap Wen Xi across the face. If she didn't know how to speak, she should just keep her mouth shut. She hadn't counted on her for anything anyway.
Xuanling supported the "frail" Wen Jiu as they walked outside. Wen Xi watched her leave the Old Madam's courtyard, her gaze extraordinarily complex, as if suppressing something.
"Madame Xue, your hands are reaching into my courtyard now."
"Mother, this daughter-in-law doesn't understand what you mean."
"All of you leave. Stay out of my sight; I am going to chant Buddhist scriptures."
"Mother, you..."
"Mammy Gui, help me inside..."
"Madam, please." Mammy Gui supported Old Madam and made a gesture inviting Madame Xue to leave.
"Mother, this daughter-in-law takes her leave."
"Yes, it is the fault of your grandson and granddaughter. I hope Grandmother will not be angry with Mother..."
*Tap, tap, tap* — the sound of the wooden fish drifted out.
"Let's go back."
"Mother, you take Younger Sister back first. I will stay here until Grandmother's anger subsides," Wen Xi said to Madame Xue.
"Very well then, Xier, your grandmother is in your hands now. I'll help your sister back first. I wonder what on earth Jiu'er said to your grandmother? Wouldn't it have been better for all three siblings to go back? Why did it have to turn into such a mess?" Though the last sentence was spoken very softly, Wen Xi still caught it. She knelt on the ground, clenched her robes, and then slowly relaxed her grip.
On the other side, at the gates of the Protectorate General's Estate, the main doors were tightly shut. When Wen Jiu's carriage arrived, Xuanling was just about to help her down when a gatekeeper stopped them. "The Old General is seeing no one today. Please come back another day."
Too many people had been turned away today; everyone was just trying to bring gifts now that the Old General had returned.
"Xuanling, go tell the gatekeeper that Wen Jiu from the Prime Minister's Estate is here to see her grandfather."
Receiving her orders, Xuanling ran over to inform the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper hurriedly exclaimed, "Ah, it's the Eldest Miss!* This one deserves death!"
"Never mind. You were only following orders. Help me announce my arrival." Wen Jiu also got down from the carriage. Today she wore a goose-yellow outer vest over a simple, plain white inner garment. Her hair was tied in a simple, ordinary maiden's bun. Yet, her appearance was breathtakingly stunning—she looked like a pristine, vibrant snow lotus upon a towering peak, both sacred and exquisite. The gatekeeper was utterly dazzled by her face and quickly replied, "The Eldest Miss need not wait for an announcement. Please, follow this humble servant inside."
"Very well. Sorry to trouble you, please have someone unload the things from the carriage."
"Yes, yes! You lot, go fetch the Eldest Miss's things from the carriage!"
"Greetings, Eldest Miss."
Wen Jiu paused. Before coming here, she had no idea whether her grandfather would welcome her or loathe her. But seeing this now, she wouldn't be unwelcome.
"Old Master, the Eldest Miss has arrived!" The servant in the lead ran ahead to report, while Wen Jiu followed behind them at an unhurried pace. After all, she was still playing the frail invalid!
"Who? The Eldest Miss?" a deep, powerful voice demanded.
"The Prime Minister's Estate's Second Miss, Wen Jiu."
"Second Miss? What is the meaning of this?"
"Old man, is this really the time to quibble over that? You, you, you—hurry up! How is this supposed to go? I, I, I..." The Old Madam was agitated, nervous, and even terrified. She was afraid this granddaughter might not like them, especially since they had never even met, not even returning when their daughter died...
"You, what are you nervous about? It's nothing, just a small matter. Sit properly," the Old General comforted himself, though the trembling hand he kept behind his back betrayed him.
"Eldest Miss, we have arrived. Please."
"Jiu..." The Old General hastily pressed down on his wife's hand, signaling her to maintain her dignity. But how could she possibly keep her composure? This was the child of her beloved daughter, a child who had suffered for over a dozen years.
"Your unfilial granddaughter, Wen Jiu, pays her respects to Grandfather and Grandmother." Wen Jiu dropped to her knees and performed a deep, formal bow, keeping her head lowered against the ground the entire time. Her grandfather was the "old fellow" he always talked about, meaning he and the old man were dearest friends. Having been back for days, she had already found out everything that needed investigating. That old man turned out to be the Imperial Tutor—no wonder his literary talent was so exceptional, a true Confucian scholar of natural grace. He had originally resigned to travel and take in this magnificent realm, though partly, too, because he had grown somewhat disappointed in the reigning Emperor.
Along their journey, they had picked up Xuanling, and later, when they reached Nanhua Mountain, they had very coincidentally and unluckily picked her up. If he hadn't picked her up, the old man would have had a wonderful twilight years, and the Emperor would not have spent everywhere searching for his whereabouts, hoping he would return to office.
So, old man, Master—how much of a misfortune was it that you picked me up, sacrificing your own life in the process?
Longing rolled over her like a tidal wave, sweeping her away. She remained kneeling there, hands crossed over her knees, resting her head upon them...
*Old man, Master, I have come back. I have come to see your dear friend. Today, I can almost picture whether you would have rushed forward to embrace him or simply teased him with a couple of remarks. They... should like me, right?*