Chapter 55 - 54: Request
Du Yunluo knew Du Gongfu’s temperament very well.
Mrs. Zhen’s maternal family was in Tong City, also part of Jingji Road. Although it wasn’t too far from the Capital, it would take five or six days by carriage.
However, even though it wasn’t far, Mrs. Zhen hadn’t returned to her maternal home in three to five years. After all, she was a married daughter and not living in the Capital. She adhered to the rules and usually communicated only through letters.
This year happened to be Old Mrs. Hou’s fiftieth birthday, and a full birthday held a different significance. Mrs. Zhen was very eager to return.
She could both celebrate her mother’s birthday and take the opportunity to visit Lishan Academy. Mrs. Zhen was moved and said, "That’s also good. I’ll mention it to the elderly lady tomorrow."
The next day, in Lianfu Garden, Old Mrs. Xia was sitting on an Arhat Bed while Lanzhi gently massaged her feet with a Beauty Hammer.
After Miao announced the pressing matters of the house and received a couple of instructions from Old Mrs. Xia, she left.
No sooner had Miao left than Liao came in, saying, "Old lady, I came across the delivery from the small kitchen carrying the sheep milk porridge, so I didn’t have them make a trip again. I brought it for you myself."
Old Mrs. Xia looked up at Liao, who put the food box on the table and took out the sheep milk porridge, handing it over. Old Mrs. Xia nodded, took a sip, and drank it all in one go due to its pungent smell.
After rinsing her mouth, Old Mrs. Xia smiled bitterly, "I’ve been drinking this stuff for seven or eight years, and still can’t get used to it. If it weren’t for the health benefits, I wouldn’t want to drink it at all."
Sheep milk is sweet and warm, replenishing energy and nourishing the heart and lungs.
"Old Lady, good medicine tastes bitter; just treat it as medicine," said Liao, shaking her head with a smile, "Actually, that’s not right. Medicine is three parts poison, but this sheep milk is harmless and beneficial once consumed."
"To be honest, this really is good stuff. After drinking it for a few years, my body feels much better. You should also start nourishing yourselves, don’t take it lightly just because you’re young."
"Oh dear, Old Lady, I don’t have the fortune for that, I’m afraid to drink it," Liao said with a fearful expression, which amused Old Mrs. Xia, making her laugh heartily, and then she turned to Mrs. Zhen and said, "It was your family’s suggestion for me to drink sheep milk. I really have to thank them. Has your mother been well these past two years?"
Recalling the past, Mrs. Zhen felt a bit nostalgic.
Eight years ago, Old Mrs. Xia had a serious illness that was quite dangerous. She barely pulled through but was left in a weak state and suffered minor ailments for months afterward.
With her mother-in-law sick, as a daughter-in-law, she had to work harder. Mrs. Zhen mentioned it in a letter to Old Mrs. Hou, who suggested Old Mrs. Xia drink sheep milk porridge and sent some health remedy recipes.
The first time the sheep milk porridge was served, Old Mrs. Xia could hardly tolerate it.
But recalling how vibrant Old Mrs. Hou was during their previous meeting, she was persuaded and, under the torment of her ailments, decided to give it a try, hoping for relief.
Gradually, she felt better, and Old Mrs. Xia was delighted. After hearing from the doctor about the benefits of sheep milk, she set aside a spot in the back garden to raise two sheep, using fresh milk daily.
Mrs. Zhen was contemplating how to bring up the matter of returning to her maternal home when Old Mrs. Xia initiated the conversation, making her heart fill with joy. "Grandmother, I received a letter from Tong City recently, saying that my mother is in good health. However, as you know, family letters traditionally report only the positive news, not the bad. I haven’t seen my mother in years, and I’m a bit anxious."
"I understand." Old Mrs. Xia nodded slowly, as if the letters sent to Du Huairang, far away in Lindong, also shared only good news, sparing him worry in the distance.
"Therefore, I have a matter to discuss with you, Grandmother," Mrs. Zhen cautiously began.
Old Mrs. Xia raised an eyebrow and said, "Go ahead."
"In September, it’s my mother’s birthday, precisely her fiftieth full birthday, and I’d like to return to bow my head."
"That’s only right," Old Mrs. Xia immediately said, "Not only you, but also ask Huaili if he can make time to accompany you."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen was overjoyed and repeatedly agreed.
Du Yunluo was also very happy that Old Mrs. Xia agreed so readily, rendering her prepared persuasion unnecessary.
Liao sat on a chair, bent her lips, and said, "Third Sister-in-law is very filial."
Liao smiled superficially but her words carried a certain sour undertone.
Mrs. Zhen ignored her, thinking that step by step. With Old Mrs. Xia’s permission to return to Tong City, she could bring up the visit to the academy after departure, avoiding any appearance of premeditation.
Liao, feeling unsatisfied and bored, got up and left, wondering why Old Mrs. Xia was so agreeable today, agreeing immediately to everything Mrs. Zhen proposed.
Old Mrs. Xia, in high spirits, held Du Yunluo’s hand and said, "Yunluo, what do you think I should add as a congratulatory gift for your maternal grandmother? How about that Jade Ruyi?"
Du Yunluo smiled, thought for a moment, and said, "Grandmother, the last time I saw my maternal grandmother, I was only eight or nine years old, and I barely remember her face, let alone her preferences. This time, I want to go with Mother to celebrate her birthday."
Old Mrs. Xia was taken aback and was about to disagree, but looking into Du Yunluo’s bright eyes, she held back her words.
She agreed with Mrs. Zhen out of empathy; if it were her own full birthday, and despite the relatively short journey, her in-laws wouldn’t allow her daughter to come back and celebrate, she’d be furious.
Asking Du Huairang to return too was a sign of the Du Family’s respect for the Zhen Family, avoiding any idle gossip. After all, it would be laughable if Mrs. Zhen returned alone after so many years.
But as for Du Yunluo...
By September, Du Yunru would be married, Du Yundi focusing on studies, leaving only Du Yunluo as the child Mrs. Zhen might take along.
However, considering that Du Yunluo was already engaged, the half-month journey made Old Mrs. Xia hesitate.
"Grandmother?" Du Yunluo called again, waiting for a response.
Old Mrs. Xia, coming back to her senses, thought of Du Yunluo saying, "I barely remember Grandmother’s face," and she couldn’t bear it. "You can go, but you must remember to behave during this time," she said.
Du Yunluo beamed, wittily saying, "Grandmother, when have I ever not behaved?"
"Oh! People say you’re thick-skinned, and they’re right!" Old Mrs. Xia playfully chided, giving Du Yunluo’s hand a pat. "There are plenty of times you don’t behave."
Old Mrs. Xia was delighted, and the maids and servants around joined in the merriment, setting the plan in place.
Mrs. Zhen, reassured, waited on Old Mrs. Xia for lunch before returning to Qinghui Garden with Du Yunluo.
𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
In the blink of an eye, it was the Ghost Festival.
During the Ghost Festival, Miao, who had been managing the household for years, kept everything orderly despite the busyness.
In front of the ancestral hall, Du Gongfu read the sacrificial rites, kneeled, and offered incense.
Only vegetarian meals, along with pastries for a bit of sustenance, were served that day.
Du Yunnuo, eating mung bean cake, asked Du Yunluo quietly, "At night, when the river lanterns are set afloat, are you going, Fifth Sister?"
On the Ghost Festival, people would float lanterns by the riverside outside the city from late afternoon until around 11 PM, with the city gates closing later than usual.
Though Du Yunluo wanted to go, she had promised Old Mrs. Xia to behave, and only a few days had passed since. Going back on her word was out of the question, so she could only shake her head: "I’m not going."