Chapter 6: Grandmother

After passing through the drooping flower gate and skirting the auspicious screens, I entered a bright and orderly courtyard.

This is the Lean-on-Pine Courtyard, where the old lady resides. There are a total of five main rooms, with carved beams, painted rafters, flying eaves, and two side wings with connected rooms. Various colorful birds hung on the corridors, chirping and singing, adding a lively atmosphere to the otherwise quiet courtyard.

As I gazed at the magnificent main building, Yueyao's mind wandered to the history and current situation of the Lian family.

The Lian family started as ordinary farmers, nurturing a scholar who gradually rose to become a jinshi, and through generations of cultivation, the family grew in prominence. Later, the Lian family produced a top scholar who became the emperor's teacher. In the world of literati, there is no higher honor than being the emperor's teacher, and the Lian family firmly established itself in the capital.

The pinnacle of the Lian family's ascent was Yueyao's grandfather, Lian Cheng. With outstanding talent and early fame, he later became the top scholar, catching the emperor's attention. He eventually rose to become a high-ranking official, receiving praise from the court and the people. The late emperor was deeply grieved by his passing and personally awarded the Lian family with the plaque "House of Literary Excellence."

Yueyao's father, Lian Dong, lived up to his name, being knowledgeable and talented, and eventually became the top scholar. If not for an unexpected event, his future career would have been bright.

Yueyao was pushed by Murong, and she realized that they had reached the main courtyard. Why was the young lady lost in thought again?

Yueyao snapped out of her reverie, feeling a strong medicinal scent. She furrowed her brows slightly, realizing that such behavior was inappropriate. She couldn't afford to appear disrespectful. She coughed as a cover-up.

Zheng Mama, the personal maid by the old lady's side, raised the curtain and was about to speak. However, when she looked up and saw Yueyao, the sorrow on the young lady's face had faded a bit.

Zheng Mama had been worried before. The old lady had been grieving for a long time since the passing of the second master. Every time she saw the sorrowful and distressed third miss, her mood worsened. Each encounter seemed to exacerbate the old lady's illness. So whenever she saw the third miss, Zheng Mama felt anxious. But now, seeing the young lady looking less sorrowful, she felt relieved. "The third miss is here. The old lady was just mentioning you! Come in, miss."

Entering the main hall, Yueyao walked towards the old lady's chamber. As she entered, she saw a rosewood bed inlaid with mother-of-pearl and jade, with a screen of auspicious peonies placed beside it.

"Miss, the old lady is calling for you," Murong reminded softly. Since the young lady woke up, she had been lost in thought. Murong wondered what had happened to her yesterday.

Yueyao looked at the old lady lying on the bed. With silver hair and a weary expression, she looked sorrowful. Her grandmother had fallen ill from grieving over her father's passing. Yueyao knew that her grandmother truly loved her father.

The old lady beckoned to Yueyao, "Come here, my dear. Let grandmother have a look. Are you really feeling better? Don't force yourself and strain your health."

Seeing the affectionate old lady, the tension in Yueyao's heart finally broke, and she burst into tears, wailing loudly. She cried as if her heart was breaking, her voice hoarse and strained.

Seeing Yueyao crying so heartbreakingly, the old lady's eyes flashed with severity. "What's wrong? Has someone mistreated you?" She hadn't passed away yet, and her granddaughter dared to be so disrespectful.

Zheng Mama felt a pang in her heart and was somewhat puzzled. She had been taking care of her these days, and no one dared to mistreat the third miss!

Yueyao cried for a long time, and no one could console her. After a while, she wiped her tears and said, "Grandmother, your granddaughter is just worried about your health. No one has mistreated me. Grandmother, you must take care of yourself."

Upon hearing Yueyao's words, the old lady's complexion improved. Zheng Mama then placed a large pillow behind her to support the old lady.

Resting against the pillow, the old lady carefully observed the only direct descendant left by her youngest son. Although the child still appeared somewhat frail and sickly, her bright eyes, delicate features, and fair, smooth skin exuded the grace of a noble-born lady.

As the old lady looked at the resemblance to her youngest son, she thought of her filial and obedient son who was now separated from this world, and her heart ached deeply. Tears welled up in her eyes once again.

Even Zheng Mama, who was by her side, comforted her for a long time. Yueyao also joined in, "Grandmother, it's all Yueyao's fault. I shouldn't have caused you distress. If my parents knew that you were grieving for them every day, they wouldn't be at peace even in the afterlife. Please take care of yourself, grandmother."

Even the old lady was somewhat surprised. Since Yueyao went to the Hualin Temple, the nun there said that if Yueyao truly had filial piety, she should transcribe scriptures for her parents' salvation. Yueyao believed this and had been transcribing scriptures every day with her own hands.

The old lady touched Yueyao's head. Once she passed away, the eldest son would neglect the household affairs, and the eldest daughter-in-law, though appearing filial and charitable, had a venomous heart. She wouldn't harm her own children, but Yueyao was uncertain. She truly couldn't rest assured. With all the family assets now in the hands of the second branch, the Mo family wouldn't dare to act recklessly. But what about the future? Once she was gone, the inner courtyard would be under the control of the Mo family. Could this child avoid their influence?

The old lady also knew her own physical condition and didn't have many years left. Every year she could live longer was a blessing. She had to make plans for this child: "Yueyao, you are eight years old this year. In a few days, we will invite a nanny to come and take care of you. Yueyao, you should learn the rules with her." The old lady felt that Yueyao was being stubborn. The nun said to copy the Classic of Filial Piety, but didn't say it had to be completed within a year. As long as one was sincere, it could be completed within three years. However, when she mentioned this to Yueyao before, she didn't listen. But now, seeing Yueyao's expression different from before, she tentatively said a few words.

Yueyao remembered that in her past life, when her family invited a nanny, she was busy copying the Book of the Dead and was unwilling to spend time learning the rules. She didn't take the teachings of the nanny to heart. She had her mother's guidance in etiquette, and no one found fault with her, but she missed out on a lot.

Seeing Yueyao silent, the old lady thought she was unwilling: "Yue'er, learning from the nanny will be beneficial for you. If you have the opportunity to learn from them, it's your fate. In the future, you can avoid some detours."

Yueyao felt even more heartache after hearing the old lady's words. Her grandmother truly loved her and wanted the best for her. These nannies were usually experienced people. If she had accepted their teachings in her past life, and been more open to the outside world, the outcome would have been different.

Yueyao adjusted her thoughts and said softly, "Grandmother, rest assured, I will learn well when the nanny comes. But grandmother, you also need to take care of your health. With my parents gone, you are all I have." These words made the old lady's heart ache again.

The old lady's personal maid, Qiaohui, brought a bowl of bird's nest porridge. Yueyao took the porridge and tested the temperature before feeding it to the old lady.

After the old lady finished the porridge, Madam Zheng took out a scripture book to read to her. The old lady listened to scripture every day; it was a daily routine.

Yueyao asked Madam Zheng to give her the scripture book, and she read it to the old lady. She had been copying scriptures for ten years, and she could recite the scriptures used by the women in the inner courtyard fluently. At this moment, her recitation was particularly smooth.

The old lady glanced at Yueyao, feeling somewhat puzzled. How could this child be so knowledgeable about the scriptures? But considering that Yueyao had been copying scriptures every day, she continued to listen attentively with her eyes closed.

Yueyao noticed a sense of lifelessness emanating from the old lady and was startled. The most important thing in life is one's spirit. Without it, one would quickly decline.

When the old lady suddenly didn't hear any sound, she opened her eyes and asked, "Third girl, what's wrong? Why is it so quiet?"

Yueyao replied, "Nothing, I was just wondering about the meaning of the scripture I just read." Then she continued to recite the scripture to the old lady.

The old lady was somewhat puzzled, but seeing Yueyao's calm expression, she didn't ask further. Instead, she continued to listen to the scripture with her eyes half-closed.

In the room, the maidservant and the nanny were on either side, attending to them. Yueyao sat on a small stool, softly reciting the scripture, her gentle voice bringing a sense of peace.

On the long table, a tripod gilt bronze cloisonné incense burner emitted a captivating fragrance. As the old lady listened, her eyes narrowed.

After Yueyao finished reciting a passage of scripture, she gently said to the old lady, "Grandmother, I will take good care of my health and fulfill my filial duty to you in place of my parents."

The old lady held Yueyao's hand and a faint smile appeared on her face. "Yueyao, you have grown up." Although she didn't know what had caused this change in the child, she was glad for it.

Yueyao also smiled and said, "Grandmother, when the weather is good, I will accompany you for a walk outside. It's stuffy in the room, and it's not good for your health."

The old lady noticed Yueyao's change in demeanor and wondered what had happened to her. Suddenly, she had opened up.

Madam Zheng smiled and said, "Third Miss is truly filial. Old lady, when the weather is good, let Third Miss accompany you for a walk outside. It's better than staying in the room all the time." The old lady would listen to what the Third Miss said, and seeing that she no longer showed signs of grief as before, the old lady felt relieved. This was a good thing for the people serving them.