Chapter 8, Visitation

As Zhao's mother spoke, she wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief. Chu's mother sighed deeply, while Song's mother could only feign sympathy, secretly grinding her silver teeth in frustration. Zhang Han, however, did not even glance at her, deliberately steering Zhao's and Chu's mothers to reminisce about Madam Gu's past. Whenever the conversation became emotional, tears would flow, prompting sighs from the two women. They sat like this for a quarter of an hour before Bi Yin's voice finally emerged from within.

The leisurely sound of reading drifted into everyone's ears. Even though Mother Song despised Zhang Han's pretentious elegance the most, at this moment, accompanied by guests, she could not display her countless grievances on her face and could only stand there with a wooden expression. The mother dressed in a blue jacket stood motionless as soon as she entered the room, waiting for Zhang Han to finish one chapter before moving on to the next. Only then did she gently nod to her companion beside her.

To hold on to what is full is not as good as letting it go; to sharpen what is dull cannot be maintained for long. A house full of gold and jade cannot be kept safe; wealth and honor, when accompanied by arrogance, invite self-reproach. To achieve success and then withdraw is the way of Heaven

Miss, the young lady has awakened

Zhang Han sneered coldly and then said lightly: "Although he is eager to seek a future, he is not a fool. If his own daughter sees her maternal grandmother sending someone to fetch her and follows without a second thought, it not only shows a lack of filial piety towards her deceased mother, but if this matter spreads, he, as her father, will also be the subject of gossip behind his back. As for Mama Song, I actually hope she goes to the master to stir up trouble... Don't think too much about it. With these extra days, you can just familiarize yourself again with what I taught you before; practicing these on the way will only be a hindrance. Once we reach the capital, there can be no room for error.

It cannot be blamed that they walked slowly on the road. After resting for a night in Xuzhou, they set off again, coinciding with the season when the Yellow River often floods in summer. The flood had destroyed the road, forcing them to take a detour through Suzhou before heading to Guidufu, which delayed them by a full seven days. Normally, seven days would not be significant, but for the Zhang family, which had undergone great changes, these seven days were crucial. Zhang Han had basically taught the two maids the proper manners and conduct, while Zhang Qi, under Zhang Han's guidance, diligently studied etiquette and practiced writing every day. Normally, seven days would not be significant, but for the Zhang family, which had undergone great changes, these seven days were crucial. Zhang Han had basically taught the two maids the proper manners and conduct, while Zhang Qi, under Zhang Han's guidance, diligently studied etiquette and practiced writing every day.

Zhang Han hurriedly sat down in front of the bed and gently tried to comfort the person for a while, finally managing to calm Zhang Yu down. Mother Chu and Mother Zhao exchanged a glance, feeling that the situation was exceptionally tricky. After a moment, Zhang Han stood up and approached them.

"I won't go..." Zhang Yu suddenly turned over, completely ignoring the piercing gaze of Song Mama behind her, and began to sob, "Mother is gone, I won't go anywhere, I will stay here in the Guide Mansion to accompany her..."

This herbal tea is ... ...

Mother Song had no kind words for Fangcao and was about to scold her again when the mother beside her, dressed in a blue tunic, gently cleared her throat. Then, with a kind expression, she said: "The young lady has been frail since childhood, and now that she has lost her mother, it is not surprising that she is lacking in spirit. In this case, let us not disturb her; we can just take a look inside. We can wait to pay our respects until the young lady wakes up."

"What a lowly person, to my sister, the two mothers are like relatives who have come from afar." At this point, Zhang Han lowered her head and said, "However, my sister has suddenly lost her closest kin, and her temperament has changed quite a bit recently. I hope the two mothers will not take offense when they meet her... She has always been of a fragile disposition; even in this sweltering summer, she does not dare to use ice in the house, nor does she dare to drink cold tea. It is already harder for her than for others, and who would have thought she would have to endure such a devastating blow as this..."

It is none of your business to meddle in the affairs of the young lady

Ultimately, it is the result of the teachings of Second Aunt over the years. Second Aunt often recited Laozi's "Tao Te Ching" back in the day. Even I, who can barely read a few characters, have heard it so much that my ears have developed calluses, and I can recite a few lines. Indeed, I have also taught this to Miss Han.

Since the day Mama Song was humiliated, Zhang Changyong was persuaded by Zhang Han to let Zhang Qi and her sister live together, and she had not appeared before the two sisters for several days. On this day, when the people from the Hou family arrived, she personally accompanied them to the separate courtyard. There were two matrons, four maidservants, and a coachman along with several others, totaling more than ten people and three carriages. However, when she brought the two matrons into Zhang Qi's room, she found that the person was not in the main room at all. Angered, her heart trembled, and she called her niece Yingcao, asking sternly: "Where is the eldest young lady?"

Madam Song, on her way, first lamented the loyalty of Madam Zheng to her master, and then mourned the unfortunate fate of Miss Zhang Yu, who had lost her mother. During this time, she considered slandering Zhang Han in front of the two women, but she recognized that one was Madam Chu, who was quite capable in front of the matriarch, and the other was Madam Zhao, who served the wife of the Marquis of Wuning. Not knowing what Madam Gu had previously written in her letters to the matriarch, she dared not go too far and could only suppress her anger as she followed along. When Yingcao and Fangcao brought in the tea one by one, she took a sip and felt that the taste was somewhat off, at which point Madam Chu exclaimed in surprise.

The young lady is feeling unwell and is resting in her room

This is a recipe that my godmother taught me, said to be commonly used in the marquis's residence. It includes summer withered grass, chrysanthemum, moneywort, monk fruit, and summer withered grass... along with various other medicinal herbs. It is especially effective in clearing heat and detoxifying during the summer. You two mothers have worked hard along the way, so drinking some of this to clear heat and soothe your throats is the best.

Seeing that Mother Song had left with them, casting a sinister glance at her as she departed, Zhang Han let out a slight sigh of relief. She then returned to sit at the edge of the bed, sending the maids out before gently patting Zhang Qi's back.

Get up, everyone has left

Sister has always been strong-willed and quick-tempered, but this time, after encountering a major change, her temperament has altered significantly. Whenever she thinks of her godmother, tears flow incessantly. After just a few days, it seems as if her tears are about to dry up. All of this was said in anger, and I hope both mothers will not take it to heart. At this point, Zhang Han turned to look at Zhang Yu, who still had her back turned to the outside, and sighed again, saying, "Moreover, the weather is hot; it would be too much for Sister to set off at this time. I kindly ask both mothers to wait a few days, allowing Sister to calm her emotions before proceeding." Zhang Han turned to look at Zhang Yu, who still had her back turned to the outside, and sighed again, saying, "Moreover, the weather is hot; it would be too much for Sister to set off at this time. I kindly ask both mothers to wait a few days, allowing Sister to calm her emotions before proceeding."

Jian Fangcao silently retreated to the door of the west room, lowering her head and lifting the door curtain with both hands. Although Mama Song was filled with anger, she noticed that the two other maids beside her were also standing with their heads down and hands hanging, so she refrained from saying much. Once she entered the west room, she saw Bi Yin, who was sitting on the footstool in front of the bed, fanning herself and seemingly about to fall asleep, while Zhang Han was sitting on the brocade stool at the head of the bed, leaning against the bed frame and softly reciting a text.

Miss Biao, the two servants have come at the behest of the matriarch to visit Second Aunt and Miss Biao, but unexpectedly... " After a slight pause, seeing that Zhang Yu on the bed showed no reaction, she continued in a low voice, "Before leaving, the matriarch had mentioned that the two of us should escort Second Aunt and Miss Biao to the capital. Now that Second Aunt has passed away and the mourners have already set out, after discussing with Second Master, we thought it best to first escort Miss Biao back to the capital.

However, why do you insist on teaching me to say this? Father knows that I am unwilling to go to the capital, and if Mama Song speaks a few more ill words, he will surely fly into a rage

Even if I cannot express it, I must say it! Once we arrive in the capital, we will meet more people. Even if I tell others that you have changed significantly, you cannot possibly keep yourself locked away in your room forever

Alas, Miss Biao truly has a hard life

Mother Song had long heard that ever since Madam Gu's elder brother, the Marquis of Weining, Gu Changxing, passed away, there were no legitimate sons. Consequently, the Marquis of Weining's residence was embroiled in a dispute over the succession of the title. The legitimate eldest daughter and the third young master vying for the title were at odds, treating him and his half-sister as if they were enemies. Moreover, Mother Zhao, being from the Marquis of Wuning's household, naturally enjoyed watching the spectacle. Such topics were ones she would not normally involve herself in, let alone now, as she had no intention of embellishing Zhang Hanjin's reputation. Thus, she merely smiled superficially and said, "One knows a person’s face but not their heart; as the young ladies grow up, it is only natural for each to have their own thoughts."

Zhang Han quickly stood up, apologized, and then entered the west room. Seeing that Yingcao and Fangcao followed her in, Mama Zhao smiled at Mama Song and said, "After all, one is the biological daughter of the Second Aunt, and the other was raised by the Second Aunt herself. Their closeness is such that even the two young ladies in our East Mansion are not as intimate with each other as they are"

Primrose has always been most afraid of Mother Song. After answering a question, she was met with a fierce glare, which startled her momentarily. At this moment, however, Fangcao explained, "The young lady did not sleep well last night and barely managed to eat a few bites for breakfast. Miss Han accompanied her for a short walk, but the young lady suddenly felt a bit drowsy, so she returned to her room to rest. At this moment, Miss Han is right beside her keeping her company"

Zhang Qi finally turned over, pressing one hand firmly against her chest. After a while, she grasped Zhang Han's hand tightly and said, "If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know how to deal with them!"

Mother Chu cleared her throat and, noticing that Mother Zhao seemed to regret her words and fell silent, she continued to sit quietly and sip her tea. It was not until Zhang Han came out again with the maids to invite them inside that she was the first to stand up. Upon entering the inner room, she saw the young girl leaning languidly against the bed, looking listless. Unable to help herself, she gazed at her for a moment, only to find the girl’s face full of fatigue, her eyes not looking at them. She couldn't help but frown, yet still knelt first to pay her respects.

This can be attributed to Zhang Yu's previously capricious nature, as he never wrote letters to the elders of the two marquis families. Otherwise, he would have had to imitate that handwriting before arriving at the marquis's residence, which would have been an exceedingly difficult task

"This is the truth." Mother Chu nodded and, holding Mother Zhao's hand, they both bowed and took their leave

Madam Gu passed away on July 12. The family members sent by the Weining Marquis's residence and the Wuning Marquis's residence only arrived at the Guidé residence on July 24

Mother Chu smiled and nodded, drinking more than half of the cup in one go, and then said: "In the past, when Second Aunt was still unmarried, I had the fortune to taste this in front of the Lady. Who would have thought that today I could still savor this old flavor? If the Lady knew, she would surely feel comforted, for others cannot replicate this taste... Thank you, young lady, for your efforts; we are merely servants, how can we bear such a burden?"

As soon as the words fell, the two saw Zhang Han at the head of the bed suddenly wake up with a start. She immediately turned her head and slightly bent her knees to pay her respects. At that moment, Zhang Han quickly stood up and walked briskly to the two, bowed her head in greeting, and then softly said: "Sister has just fallen asleep; she probably won't wake up for a while. In the past, when she had trouble sleeping, her godmother often read this to her, so I thought I would give it a try... Please, both mothers, serve tea outside."