20 Secret Meeting

Beyond the rockery, footsteps approached.

Before long, two figures drew near, whispering. One said, "The eldest young lady's side is missing several people. Sister Xique has come down with smallpox; if it leaves marks on her face, I fear she won't be coming back. I heard the mistress plans to transfer help from other courtyards to fill the gap. It's a pity I haven't saved any silver, or I would surely try to make a good impression on Nanny Yu."

"You certainly have high hopes. For low-ranking maids like us, even if we scraped together every copper from between our teeth, I doubt it would be enough to catch Nanny Yu's eye. Let me tell you, I just saw Sister Qiulu from the old mistress’s side..."

The other’s voice dropped, likely leaning in to whisper into her companion's ear. Though Shen Qinglü and Xia Chan, standing on the other side of the rockery, could not hear clearly, it was not difficult to guess Qiulu’s intentions from those fragments.

Only after the two had left for a while did the mistress and her maid emerge.

Upon returning to Rui'an Residence, they spotted Qiulu standing at the courtyard gate from afar. The moment Qiulu saw them, she seemed to heave a long sigh of relief.

"Where has the young lady been?"

Shen Qinglü kept her face blank, as if she hadn't heard a word. Qiulu didn't take offense, instead casting an inquiring look at Xia Chan.

Xia Chan explained, "The young lady was tired from practicing calligraphy and wanted to get some fresh air, so I accompanied her for a stroll in the garden."

"I see."

She smiled, her eyes filled with obvious sympathy for Xia Chan, clearly thinking that serving such a mistress would surely bring endless trouble in the future. Xia Chan smiled back, saying nothing more.

Shen Qinglü entered the room ahead of them. Seeing the fatigue on Madam Xie’s face, a look of worry immediately appeared on her innocent, youthful features. She walked over, naive and bewildered, and placed her hand on Madam Xie’s head.

"Grandmother, are you ill?"

As Madam Xie met those slightly unfocused eyes, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

"Grandmother is fine, just tired."

The struggle and torment of these years—torn between her daughter and her granddaughter—left her feeling as though she were cutting into her own flesh. Both palms and the backs of her hands were her own, and losing either was unbearable. Madam Xie was truly exhausted.

"Ah Li, if Grandmother did something to wrong you, would you forgive Grandmother?"

How can the dead forgive the living? But the living have a need for this guilt!

She feigned innocence, stroking Madam Xie’s head as if to comfort her. "Grandmother, don't be afraid. To know one's mistakes and correct them—that makes you a good person."

Madam Xie felt a wave of grief, murmuring, "Ah Li is right. To know one's mistakes and correct them... it is not yet too late."

Finding comfort in these words, she thought that the most urgent task now was to properly educate this child, so that in the future, she might hold her head high before her son and daughter-in-law. With this, she gathered her strength and continued to teach Shen Qinglü to read and write.

Despite the differences in script, for someone who had lived a past life, the learning process was twice as effective with half the effort, and her speed was far beyond that of an ordinary person. In just half a day, Shen Qinglü had mastered half the book, leaving Madam Xie pleasantly surprised. She remarked to Nanny Li in private, "If this child is truly capable, she will surely be extraordinary."

Nanny Li, who understood her thoughts best, consoled her, "I see it the same way, Madam. In time, the young lady will surely make others look at her with new respect."

As they spoke, Shen Qinglü was hunched over the table, practicing calligraphy with such intense focus that she seemed entirely unaware of her surroundings. Once they left, Xia Chan came in from outside and handed her an object.

"Young lady, this is the snack Qiulu gave me earlier. She said it was a gift from the mistress and shared a few pieces with me."

Shen Qinglü looked at the delicate pastries wrapped in a handkerchief, her eyes flickering. "Is there something wrong with these?"

"I grew up on a farm. When I was a child and had indigestion, my mother would grind mang seeds into powder and mix it with water for me to drink. These pastries are coated in that powder; I smelled it at once."

The scent of paper and ink lingered in the quiet room. Shen Qinglü pondered Qiulu’s intentions, turning them over in her mind before asking, "If you were to eat these, besides a stomach ache, would there be any other harm?"

"Nothing serious, though if the diarrhea is bad, it would take several days to recover. Don't worry, young lady, I know my limits and won't eat too much."

Understanding Shen Qinglü's meaning, she ate two pieces.

By nightfall, the effect of the powder kicked in. She ran to the latrine several times, causing quite a commotion deep into the night. It was loud enough to alert Nanny Li, who immediately reported it to Madam Xie. When servants failed in their duties, a mistress naturally had to make adjustments, yet Shen Qinglü would not make such decisions herself—that was Madam Xie’s prerogative.

Madam Xie pointed to Qiulu, ordering her to temporarily replace Xia Chan. When Shen Qinglü woke up and saw the change, she only asked, "Will Xia Chan be coming back?"

"Of course." Madam Xie, touched by her loyalty, looked at her with growing affection.

Today they were to visit the Marquis’s residence. Her new clothes weren't finished yet, so she wore another peach-colored outfit gifted by Yu Liuzhu, using a matching ribbon to cover the wound on her forehead. Before leaving, Qiulu brought out a porcelain bottle, claiming she wanted to sprinkle some floral water on her clothes. Shen Qinglü appeared to accidentally nudge it, spilling the entire bottle over Qiulu herself.

The lily-scented water smelled quite pleasant. Qiulu froze, her expression shifting. Madam Xie, walking in front, turned around at the sound, and Qiulu quickly hid the bottle in her sleeve, feigning composure.

The group arrived at the main courtyard to join Shen Linlang and her daughter, Yu Liuzhu. Madam Xie frowned the moment she saw Yu Liuzhu’s attire. Usually, whenever Yu Liuzhu went out to receive guests, she wore red, but today, just like the other day, she was dressed in green, with makeup and adornments that were exceptionally plain.

"Tang'er, why are you dressed like this today?" Madam Xie asked Yu Liuzhu, though her gaze was meant for Shen Linlang.

Shen Linlang was full of helplessness; she had picked out new clothes and jewelry, but Yu Liuzhu had refused to wear any of them. Even at the last moment before leaving, she had tried to persuade her, but Yu Liuzhu remained stubborn. The girl was likely still haunted by that dream, harboring a deep-seated resistance to marrying into the Marquis's residence.

When she saw Shen Qinglü, with her rosy cheeks and peach-colored dress, looking like the most vibrant flower of spring, she felt even more dissatisfied with her own daughter’s appearance. Yu Liuzhu glanced at Shen Qinglü, then quickly looked away, her eyes brushing past Qiulu.

The Marquis of Yongyi’s residence was hosting a banquet, and the ladies of the house had been busy since dawn. Old Madam Ning, born into a prestigious family, still carried an extraordinary air despite her age. As the matriarch of the house, her mere presence was enough. Her daughter-in-law, Jiang, the current Marchioness of Yongyi, was the one managing the household affairs.

Shen Linlang was well-acquainted with them, greeting them with affectionate terms like "Old Madam" and "Ying Shui" as soon as she entered. Madam Xie exchanged courtesies with Ning and took her seat in the place of honor.

Ning narrowed her eyes, watching Yu Liuzhu and Shen Qinglü approach to pay their respects. "Old Sister, is this your Ah Li?" She knew Yu Liuzhu, of course, and pointed to Shen Qinglü while asking Madam Xie.

Madam Xie managed a smile. "This child’s temperament is a bit different from others; please bear with her."

Jiang Yingshui took several long, searching looks at Shen Qinglü, eventually remarking in a lukewarm tone, "This child looks so much like her mother." Suddenly, her expression changed; she covered her nose and sneezed several times.

"Marchioness, what is the matter?" Yu Liuzhu asked anxiously, sniffing at herself. "Is there something you are sensitive to?"

Jiang Yingshui thought for a moment. "I... I cannot stand the scent of lilies." Few people outside her inner circle knew this. Shen Linlang, clearly unaware, frowned toward Shen Qinglü, as the heavy fragrance of lilies was something anyone with a clear nose could smell.

Suddenly, all eyes were on Shen Qinglü. Shen Qinglü stood there looking blank and vacant, as if she had no idea what was happening.

"Sister Ah Li, are you wearing lily-scented floral water today?" Yu Liuzhu asked quietly.

She shook her head and pointed to the pale-faced Qiulu. "I am not. Ask her."

Qiulu dared not meet Yu Liuzhu’s eyes and hurriedly apologized. "This servant deserves to die. I didn't know the Marchioness was sensitive to lilies; I used some today..."

Yu Liuzhu’s expression darkened, and she cast a displeased glance at her. Since they were guests and had offended the host’s taboos, Madam Xie’s expression was naturally cold. "Go back at once," she ordered. Qiulu had no choice but to leave.

The atmosphere grew subtle. Ning broke the silence, smiling at Madam Xie. "You are truly blessed, Old Sister, to have two such beautiful granddaughters. It is a joy just to look at them."

Madam Xie hummed a modest reply, her expression easing slightly. Ning smiled at Yu Liuzhu and Shen Qinglü. "I suppose you find our adult talk boring. Why don't I have someone take you to stroll in the garden?" She gestured, and a dignified maid entered.

The maid led them out, dutifully showing them through the garden. The Marquis’s residence was much larger than the Yu estate, and the scenery was more refined; even though spring had not yet turned the branches green, there was much to admire.

Near the end of the garden, Yu Liuzhu said to the maid, "My cousin must be thirsty. Would you be so kind as to fetch her some tea?" The maid suspected nothing and hurried off to comply.

Shen Qinglü maintained her innocent, dazed look, peering here and there as if lost in her own world. When Yu Liuzhu told her not to move and that she would be right back after checking something ahead, she didn't respond at all. Yu Liuzhu didn't need a response and walked away.

Left alone, she looked like an abandoned child. The wind stirred the withered leaves that still clung to the trees, creating a rustling sound like someone weeping. She first looked up at the leaves refusing to let go, then turned to watch Yu Liuzhu’s departing back. A mocking curve slowly appeared at the corner of her lips, and she rose to follow.

Yu Liuzhu moved with familiarity. After exiting the garden and circling a bamboo grove, she stopped before a quiet, secluded courtyard. Several times she moved to knock on the closed door, but remained hesitant—perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of shy longing—lingering there.

Suddenly, a figure appeared before her.

With a figure as light and ethereal as falling snow and a cold, solitary back that was unforgettable even from a distance, Shen Qinglü recognized him at once.

It was that Ninth Uncle!