Chapter 1946: Chapter 991: A Narrow Escape
Extra Chapter, seeking likes.
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"Oh my, the girl is back?!" Yan Daopo exclaimed in surprise.
"Why are you back so early?" Lady Zhang also raised her head and asked curiously. Lian Manman was on good terms with the Shen Family’s Shen Yi and Shen Shi, and they usually had a lot to talk about when they met. Moreover, when Lian Manman went out in the morning, she mentioned that she might not be back early.
As soon as Lady Zhang finished speaking, Maid Duofu lifted the curtain and walked in from outside.
"Madam, it’s not the girl who’s back, it’s Shan Xi who’s come back from the girl’s side." Duofu reported to Lady Zhang, "This girl was in a panic and said she came back with Shan Xi, so we thought the girl was back too."
"Oh, so that’s what happened." Lady Zhang realized.
Yan Daopo, standing on the side, also sighed in relief, secretly wiping away cold sweat.
Soon, Shan Xi entered and reported Lian Manman’s message to Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang then sent Duofu and Shan Xi to fetch something.
"The girl is really well-liked, always considering others, no wonder everyone praises her." Once Lady Zhang sent the maids out, Yan Daopo said with a smile.
"My daughter, the first thing about her is that she’s kind-hearted. As the saying goes, time reveals a person’s heart, and in our place, she’s well-liked too. Her friends all love to be with her." Lady Zhang smiled.
Yan Daopo, having just experienced a shock, saw that Lady Zhang was persuaded and was about to take her leave.
"Don’t be in such a hurry to leave." Lady Zhang instead stopped her, saying, "Today, none of the men are home; they likely won’t return by noon. It’s just me here. Keep me company, have lunch here."
Usually, even if Lian Shouxin, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi were not home, Lian Manman would accompany Lady Zhang for meals. Just now, Shan Xi said Lian Manman would be staying at the Shen Family for lunch, so Lady Zhang kept Yan Daopo.
Lady Zhang loved having a lively home, preferring to have the family gather around for meals, or at the very least, to have someone keep her company, so she could enjoy her meal.
Yan Daopo initially wanted to leave, but with Lady Zhang’s invitation, she felt obliged to stay. Besides, hearing that Lian Manman wouldn’t be back until after lunch made her feel more settled, so she sat down to chat with Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang asked for good tea and snacks, invited Yan Daopo to have some, and inquired about neighborhood anecdotes, sharing stories from her recent trip to Thirty Mile Camp.
One of the reasons Lady Zhang was so willing to host Yan Daopo and consider her a close friend was because when gathering with ladies in the Prefecture City, there was little talk about the countryside. But with Yan Daopo, they could talk a lot about these topics.
"...I’ve only heard of mothers-in-law controlling daughters-in-law; in this case, a widow of many years was actually pushed out by her daughter-in-law. With the mother-in-law gone, the couple still wanted to extort money. Don’t they fear karma?" Lady Zhang discussed a matter involving the West Village Yang Family with Yan Daopo.
"This is certainly a past life’s entanglement, foes meeting in this life to settle debts..." Yan Daopo shook her head as she spoke, taking the opportunity to give Lady Zhang some advice.
"For example, being so connected with you, Madam, surely has past life causes." Yan Daopo continued, "These pills are likely part of that destiny. Others are not fated for them, and you and the girl were meant to have them."
Speaking thus, seeing no one else around, Yan Daopo gave Lady Zhang detailed instructions on how to secretly get Lian Manman to take the Immortal Pill. Because Lady Zhang had kept her, Yan Daopo stayed, feeling uneasy and wishing to further persuade Lady Zhang to ensure she could surreptitiously administer the medicine to Lian Manman.
"Madam, make sure you remember. When the girl returns in the afternoon, she’ll surely want tea. Prepare it in advance, and help the girl accomplish this great task." Yan Daopo advised finally.
"Alright, I remember everything." Lady Zhang nodded.
Yan Daopo studied Lady Zhang’s expression, noting that she had made up her mind, which put her at ease. As it was close to noon, Yan Daopo debated whether to leave or stay for lunch as Lady Zhang had suggested, when she heard footsteps outside.
The same little maid came in to report that the girl was back.
"But Shan Xi just said the girl was staying at the Shen Family for lunch, how come you’re reporting again? Which girl has returned with matters?" Lady Zhang asked.
"Madam, this time it truly is the girl. Her carriage has already returned home." The little maid blushed and reported respectfully.
"Huh, why is she back now?" Lady Zhang wondered in surprise.
Hearing this time it was actually Lian Manman returning, Yan Daopo stood up to bid farewell to Lady Zhang.
"With the girl back, Madam won’t feel lonely. I have matters at the temple, so I’ll take my leave." Yan Daopo said.
Knowing Lian Manman didn’t like Yan Daopo and fearing she’d be unhappy seeing her here, Lady Zhang nodded.
"I’ll have someone see you out." Lady Zhang said.
"Please have a maid escort me out the back door," Yan Daopo requested. "With the girl returning unexpectedly, in my rush today, I’m not presentable and wouldn’t want to offend the girl."
"With the girl back, Madam, please don’t mention my visit. It’s best to give her the Immortal Pill as soon as possible, it’s the right thing to do." Yan Daopo reminded Lady Zhang of the important task.
"I know." Lady Zhang nodded and indeed had a little maid escort Yan Daopo to the back door.
After sending off Yan Daopo, before Lian Manman entered the courtyard, Lady Zhang sat pondering for a while and ordered a maid to bring some hot tea.
"Go out and greet the girl." With tea ready, Lady Zhang instructed again.
...
As Lian Manman walked into the Upper Room, she saw all the maids from Lady Zhang’s room standing in the outer room.
"Where is my mother?" Lian Manman asked.
"Madam is inside." The maids replied and quickly lifted the curtain to invite Lian Manman in.
Lian Manman stepped into the room, seeing Lady Zhang sitting alone on the kang, needlework in hand, slightly lost in thought.
"Mother, I’m back." Lian Manman stepped forward and paid her respects to Lady Zhang.
"Ah," Lady Zhang returned to her senses, quickly inviting Lian Manman to sit on the kang. "Aren’t you supposed to have lunch there? Why are you back?"
Before Lian Manman could answer, Lady Zhang hurriedly picked up a cup of hot tea from the kang and handed it to her.
"Why were you in such a hurry that your face is all flushed? Have some tea to refresh yourself. Knowing you’d be back, I made it just for you—not too hot, not too cold, just right for drinking." Lady Zhang said to Lian Manman.
Lian Manman sat across from Lady Zhang, over the kang table, taking the tea from her.
The cup was indeed, as Lady Zhang said, just the right temperature. Lian Manman, having rushed back and feeling thirsty, didn’t think much and lifted the tea cup.
...
After moxibustion, along with red beans and barley today, indeed felt much better, less dampness. But these things don’t seem to treat the root cause; once stopped, the dampness seems to easily recur.
Feeling slightly better, here’s an extra update. Seeking likes and official subscription support. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)
