Chapter 2808: Chapter 3809: A Good Cry
Bai Ruozhu continued weaving the story with determination, "Ayan has a kind heart. She helped shield me, but her own soul was drawn in, unexpectedly revealing her past and present life. In her past life, she had a lover but they separated due to misunderstandings. Later, after the misunderstanding was resolved, her lover was killed by his enemies, and Ayan also committed suicide out of love."
"At the time, we could only see a hazy shadow, and thought her past lover looked familiar, unexpectedly..." Bai Ruozhu smiled at Madam Meng, "When I met my adoptive father, it became clear. Ayan said she had met my adoptive father before, and he seemed to have an impression of her. I think Ayan is a good person, and my adoptive father has always been alone. Perhaps this is destiny."
"Is there truly such a treasure?" Madam Meng and Nanny Lu were both very surprised, but they trusted Bai Ruozhu completely and did not doubt it at all.
This made Bai Ruozhu feel a bit guilty; was it really right to deceive the elderly this way?
But she couldn’t tell Madam Meng that Ayan was the thousand-year-old ancestor of the Merfolk, nor mention Meng Liangshen was the reincarnation of the Xuan Gui, and that they were star-crossed lovers who could finally be together?
How could ordinary people accept spirit creatures, let alone such an ancient existence like the ancestor of the Merfolk?
Madam Meng and Nanny Lu contemplated for a while and eventually accepted Ayan.
Perhaps with the change in perspective, they no longer found Ayan peculiar, but rather admired her intentions. If she could become the mistress of the residence, Madam Meng would have less to worry about in the future.
While speaking, the sisters Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia arrived, with Meng Jinse smiling, "When did Ruozhu return? You didn’t even send a message beforehand."
Bai Ruozhu smiled and went to hold her hand, "By not sending a message, I could surprise you. How have things been recently?"
Meng Jinse smiled, "Creating scents and brewing teas, enjoying my own pleasure."
Her smile was bright, but it didn’t reach her eyes; she was not genuinely happy.
Bai Ruozhu sighed silently, unwilling to expose her facade. This was all a play, the actors performing to prevent family worry, and the family, seeing through the act, played along hoping she would soon break free.
This scene was heart-wrenching, yet one couldn’t help but be moved by the Meng family’s affection.
Bai Ruozhu also held Meng Jinxia’s hand, checking her pulse.
Jinxia was doing well, but her heart disease was congenital and difficult to heal.
Everyone was aware of Meng Jinxia’s condition, which made her marriage prospects bleak. Good families were hesitant to consider her, not wholly because of her health, but fearful that if anything went wrong and she died in her husband’s house, the City Lord’s residence would become an enemy.
Lesser families were not considered by Madam Meng either, fearing Meng Jinxia would suffer from a poor marriage, preferring to keep her at home where she could be comfortable.
Soon, the servants laid out the feast, and Madam Meng pointed to a dish, "This is what you made when you first came here. The kitchen learned from you, and they’ve practiced it repeatedly over the past two years. See how it’s turned out?"
Bai Ruozhu used chopsticks to taste it, smiling, "The student surpasses the master."
Madam Meng chuckled and patted her, "You child, always choosing flattering words, can’t you point out some faults?"
"It’s perfect, truly better than mine, impossible to find flaws." Bai Ruozhu didn’t lie; the kitchen was professional; after two years of researching a dish, how could it lack refinement?
At this point, someone entered, hand suddenly reaching for Bai Ruozhu’s head.
Bai Ruozhu smiled but did not dodge.
The hairpin was removed, letting a few strands of her hair fall.
"Bai Ruozhu, you actually didn’t dodge!" Xu Huilin laughed.
Bai Ruozhu rose to fix her hair, "Since it’s Senior Fox, why would I dodge?"
"You underestimated me, not wanting to dodge for fear I couldn’t remove it, right?" Xu Huilin joked.
"How could that be? I feared us starting a fight and ruining the meal." Bai Ruozhu said as she arranged her hair.
Madam Meng laughed, "Huilin came back without saying a word; come, sit down and eat."
"I wanted to surprise grandma, but as soon as I entered the residence, servants told me Ruozhu and Achun had returned." Xu Huilin said.
"Achun went on some errand; later I’ll have him find you." Bai Ruozhu said.
"Alright." Xu Huilin sat and skillfully picked up the chopsticks, "Indeed, grandma favors Ruozhu; the dishes are this plentiful as soon as she arrives."
Under the table, Bai Ruozhu kicked him, "Senior Fox, don’t overdo it; those arms seem increasingly nimble."
Xu Huilin shook his arms, now adept at controlling his mechanical arms, thin silk gloves covering them; unless told, who would notice they were mechanical and not real arms?
"Not just nimble, but much stronger. Let’s spar later." He said proudly.
"Alright." Bai Ruozhu agreed immediately.
After the meal, the two went to the yard to spar, Xu Huilin indeed masterfully controlled the mechanical arms; combined with his martial arts and long practice of leg skills, he was now much more versatile.
Neither emerged victorious, Bai Ruozhu avoided using poison, and Xu Huilin refrained from harsh moves, yet the spectacle stunned all onlookers in the yard.
However, Meng Jinse’s eyes darkened, memories of that day resurfacing, two sides clashing, ending with her...
She clutched her head, crying out, her body collapsing to the ground.
"Sister, sister!" Meng Jinxia rushed to support her, but lacked the strength, both falling to the ground, the yard servants thrown into chaos, rushing to help.
Bai Ruozhu hurried over, "Clear out, it’s alright, don’t panic. Help the old lady to rest in the room."
Seeing Madam Meng’s pale complexion, fearing she’d faint as well.
"I’m fine, survived through storms, I can handle it." Madam Meng waved but looked extremely weary, she was indeed aged.
Bai Ruozhu had Meng Jinxia moved aside; she was not seriously hurt, just a few bruises on her arm.
Meng Jinse’s condition was worrying, her expression tense, and if left unchecked, while physically unhurt, mentally she might collapse.
Bai Ruozhu applied a needle to wake her; Meng Jinse instantly burst into tears, holding it in too long, almost collapsing.
Nanny Lu quickly dispersed the onlooking servants, Bai Ruozhu silently embracing Meng Jinse, letting her sob.
Meng Jinse cried for a long time, eventually exhausted, falling asleep in the old lady’s side room.
Everyone in the room was clouded with worry, all concerned for Meng Jinse’s state.
"Grandma, don’t stress; it’s good she cried. Holding it in led to this; she’s too troubled inside." Bai Ruozhu said.
Xu Huilin sighed, "Today’s matter should be forgotten; no one should try to comfort her. Through my hardships, I learned sometimes being comforted is actually the hardest to bear."
