Chapter 5: Filial Piety of the Father and Maternal Love

In order to reassure her, Hua Zhuo personally took the medicine bowl and drank the concoction completely, not uttering a single sound of bitterness. This astonished Liu Momo, who even leaned out to take a look, wondering if the sun had risen from the west today, causing the three girls in the Xiugé to laugh uncontrollably.

Hua Zhuo then noticed her, tilted his head to look at Shuang Cheng, climbed down from the bed, bowed to Shuang Cheng, and said: "Mother is in confinement, and I am unwell, so I cannot be with her often. These days, I have troubled Aunt Shuang Cheng."

What the lady said is true; we have all witnessed the hardships the concubine has endured these days, and this gift is well received, indeed.

"That's not true." Hua Zhuo insisted.

After laughing, Hua Zhuo asked Qi Qiao and Ba Xiu to help her get her clothes

Hua Zhuo knew that Shuang Cheng was a good person, but she was simply unfortunate. She had been pregnant once but lost the child, and since then, she lost the qualification to be a mother. As a result, she developed a particular fondness for children, especially her beloved younger brother, whom she regarded almost as her own. Later, when her father encountered misfortune and her mother passed away, Shuang Cheng was heartbroken. On the same day that the Fang family buried their deceased, she took her own life. Such a woman deserves respect

I do not wander around; I am going to pay my respects to my mother. " Hua Zhuo explained earnestly

Qiqiao and Baxiuxiu exchanged a glance and spoke in unison: "Miss, you are still unwell. The lady has instructed that you must not go out and run around."

Although she had instructed Liu Momo to take care of Afu, Liu Momo still felt uneasy and called a young maid to replace her. She then followed Baxiu to Xiuge, intending to supervise Hua Zhuo while he took his medicine

The master was just feeling quite helpless

Qiqiao smiled and said, "It is wrapped up tightly, so no wind can blow through. The young lady must come to pay her respects to the madam; it is always out of filial piety, and no one can stop her, so she had no choice but to come."

Upon entering the western courtyard, a maid rushed forward, exclaiming, "Miss, how have you come? Quickly come inside, do not let the wind blow any longer"

Hua Xu, with his clothes and hat askew, wore a stern expression and scolded once more before hurriedly leaving to attend to business at the government office. Once he departed, Qi Qiao and Ba Xiu burst into laughter.

The two girls blinked their eyes for a while before coming to their senses and began rummaging through the boxes for clothes. After a moment, they took out a cotton jacket with a blue base and red flowers, along with a white fox fur shawl, and helped Huazhu change into them. They styled her hair into two round little buns, each adorned with a flower made of heart-shaped beads. Still feeling uneasy, Qiqiao went back to the bottom of the box and found a rabbit fur hat, placing it on her head. The brim of the hat drooped down, covering her ears and most of her face. Finally, they wrapped her tightly in a cloak made of wild duck feathers before allowing her to leave.

Hua Zhuo took the medicine and felt a bit warm. Qi Qiao helped her lie down again, covering her with two layers of blankets to induce sweating. Just as she was drenched in sweat, the door curtain was lifted, and unexpectedly, her father Hua Xu walked in, dressed in a straightened ochre-colored official robe, looking quite spirited.

Hua Zhuo chuckled and said loudly, "I also want to take a look at my younger brother, Shuang Cheng, please bring him over."

Shuang Cheng originally intended it as a jest, but unexpectedly it led to such a situation, leaving her both surprised and flattered. She hurriedly stopped Hua Zhuo from bowing, saying, "Taking care of the lady is merely the duty of a servant; I cannot accept such a grand gesture from the young lady."

Listening to the teasing of the two little girls, Hua Zhuo buried her face in the quilt and laughed heartily

Hua Zhuo smiled and took a few steps forward, dragging her shoes as she climbed onto the couch, leaning against Fang's side, and said: "Daughter misses her mother; does mother miss Zhuo'er?"

Seeing Father, all my ailments are cured. Hua Zhuo clung to Hua Xu's neck and would not let go.

Qiqiao and Baxiuhua exclaimed in unison: "Miss, you are sweating!" At that moment, as they jumped out, all the sweat they had just concealed was in vain

The maid lifted the curtain, and the young wife, holding Hua Zhuo, lowered her head and walked in, placing her on the ground. As soon as Hua Zhuo's feet touched the floor, she took off her cloak by herself. In a flurry, Qi Qiao hurried over and said, "Miss, please do not move; let this servant assist you."

Fang smiled brightly, reaching out to pinch her nose, and said: "Little rascal, clearly unable to lie still in bed, yet you still bring your mother into it"

Nonsense

"Liu Mama, rest assured, Zhuo'er is now sensible and will not cause you and Mother any worry. After reporting back to Mother, you should go and take care of Afu. He is in worse condition than I am and has no one to look after him. I have Qiqiao and Baxiou here, and there are also four rough servant girls outside. There are so many people that I can't even manage them all."

It is clear that one could easily pull the young lady away with a simple gesture, yet one insists on saying it is nonsense while holding on tightly.

Mrs. Fang was reclining on the couch, conversing with Shuangcheng. Upon hearing San Chun's startled exclamation, she immediately sat up. Shuangcheng hurriedly stepped forward to support her, but Mrs. Fang brushed her hand away, preparing to get up and put on her clothes. At that moment, Hua Zhuo had already walked in from behind the large screen, bowing respectfully and saying, "Zhuo'er has come to pay respects to Mother."

Just a step too late, Hua Zhuo had already removed the cloak and was reaching to take off the hat

In the past, Hua Zhuo would have been so frightened that she might have let go. However, having returned from the dead and reunited with her dearly missed family, she was in a state of emotional excitement and was unwilling to let go. She stubbornly lingered in Hua Xu's embrace for quite some time, until she felt a bit cold, and only then did she obediently lie down under the covers. Yet, this commotion caused the effects of the medicine to wear off, and she could no longer break into a sweat.

Father! Hua Zhuo jumped up from the bed, wanting to leap into Hua Xu's arms

Hua Xu was also startled by his daughter's actions, hurriedly embracing her and tucking her into the quilt. With a stern face, he admonished, "As a young girl, how can you be so unruly? Not to mention that you are still unwell; even if you were not sick, you should lift your hands gently and take your steps slowly. Quickly lie down properly, or you will catch a chill again. And *illustration*"

The illness has worsened again, do not cry or make a fuss

Liu Momo finally tasted the warmth of the heart, wiping her tears while murmuring, "The young lady has become understanding." She still took a long time to instruct Qiqiao and Baxiuxiu before leaving the Xiugé and heading to the west courtyard where Fang was resting after childbirth. She detailed how the young lady took her medicine without complaint and recounted every word she had said, leaving no detail omitted. Fang was filled with mixed feelings of joy and surprise, unable to hold back her tears. This frightened Liu Momo, who repeatedly exclaimed, "You must not cry during the confinement period; it will harm your eyes. You already cried yesterday, so you absolutely cannot cry again." After comforting her a few more times, she finally left the west courtyard, fetched the medicine she had prepared for her son, and hurriedly went to take care of him.

Seeing Shuangcheng's panic and reluctance to accept the礼, Sanchun exchanged a glance with Qiqiao. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, restrained Shuangcheng, preventing her from moving, and forcibly made her accept all of Huazhuo's礼.

After the sun rose, a layer of snow on the ground had melted away, but the weather remained cold. Just as the snow had melted, it froze again. Carrying the delicate young wife, he walked cautiously. By the time they reached the west courtyard, a full tea time had already passed.

Fang observed their back-and-forth with great interest and laughed, saying: "Shuangcheng, you just endure it. These days, you have been serving me during the day and the master at night, managing everything inside and out all by yourself. Even if there is no merit, there is still hard work. It is only right that you receive a courtesy from Zhuo'er."

Shuang Cheng's face turned crimson, truly feeling guilty and unable to continue the conversation with *Tu* *Shu*. Taking a few steps back, he bowed to the other party and said, "I will go check on the young master." With that, she seemed to flee.

At that moment, sounds were heard from outside the inner room, and Fang indicated for San Chun to take a look. Upon seeing that it was Hua Zhuo who had arrived, San Chun exclaimed, "Miss? Madam, it is the Miss who has come."

Fang was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Zhuo'er, you are unwell; instead of taking care of your illness, why have you come here to seek my comfort? If you catch a chill, your condition will worsen, and wouldn't that break your mother's heart?"

Although Hua Xu is a man who dotes on his daughter to the core, he never easily reveals it on his face, and immediately scolded her with a remark

Shuangcheng was originally a maidservant by Fang's side, and there was another named Dushan, who had married outside. Shuangcheng was known for her loyalty and meticulousness, and her appearance was considered quite delicate. When Fang was pregnant with Hua Zhuo, Shuangcheng helped her with her beauty regimen and became a concubine to Hua Xu. However, since Hua Xu and Fang had always shared a close relationship, he rarely visited Shuangcheng's quarters. Nevertheless, Shuangcheng bore no resentment and continued to serve Fang with utmost dedication. As a result, both Hua Xu and Fang placed great trust in her, especially Fang, who regarded her as an indispensable right-hand support.

Shuang Cheng smiled from the side and said, "Miss has this filial piety, so Madam should just accept it. Why poke holes in her intentions?"

Hua Zhuo was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, as she was wrapped too tightly and could hardly walk. In the end, Qi Qiao went outside to call a maid, who carried her to the west courtyard, while Ba Xiu stayed behind to guard the door, and Qi Qiao followed along.