ng Qianqian went to Yanyu Pavilion.
Everyone already knew she was the closed-door disciple of the owner, and also knew that Wu Xiuniang had been expelled from the sect for framing her. As such, they were all exceedingly courteous to her.
Shopkeeper Liu smiled and said, "What wind has brought the Young Owner here?"
"Please, I don’t deserve the title," ng Qianqian replied politely. "Is Master around?"
Shopkeeper Liu said, "The Capital City is too cold. The owner couldn’t endure it and left for the south to spend the winter; she just departed the other day. She left this key and instructed to give it to you, saying that you can enter her quarters anyti and take whatever you need."
ng Qianqian took the key and said, "Master is so thoughtful. And really, you don’t need to call Young Owner."
Shopkeeper Liu said firmly, "Young Owner, I, Old Liu, have a good eye for people. One day, Yanyu Pavilion will surely be passed into your hands!"
ng Qianqian replied, "Even if that were true, you still shouldn’t call that."
Shopkeeper Liu relented, "Alright, alright, I won’t call you that."
ng Qianqian picked out a few outfits for Shang Wuyou and settled the bill.
Shopkeeper Liu muttered, "Settle what bill for family... Young Owner, take care!"
ng Qianqian pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Sugar hawthorn! Sugar hawthorn! Sugar hawthorn!"
Tan’er leaped joyously down the bustling street, searching for the sugar hawthorn she had been craving.
ng Qianqian carried a handwarr and followed unhurriedly behind her.
She raised her eyes inadvertently and caught sight of a familiar figure.
It was Lu Mother.
Lu Mother was walking out of a spice shop with her personal maid, Jade Lotus.
It had been so ti since they last t, and her cheeks seed noticeably thinner.
She was the only person, other than the Old Madam, who had truly cared for ng Qianqian when she was with the Lu Family. ng Qianqian wanted to step forward and greet her.
Suddenly, a flowerpot ca crashing down, aiming straight for Lu Mother’s head without warning.
Neither Lu Mother nor Jade Lotus noticed a thing.
In a flash, ng Qianqian quickly shot out a silver needle, hitting the edge of the flowerpot and deflecting its direction. The pot smashed onto the ground beside Lu Mother.
Lu Mother and Jade Lotus were startled out of their wits.
"Madam!"
Jade Lotus quickly embraced Lu Mother, shielding her with her body.
ng Qianqian looked up at the building. The second-floor windows were shut, but those on the third floor were wide open.
Tan’er also heard the sound of the flowerpot shattering, but she paid it no mind.
The affairs of others did not concern her.
However, she soon noticed the silver needle embedded in the wall.
"Sister’s needle!"
She plucked the needle out, turned around, and noticed Lu Mother, whose face was drained of color. "Huh?"
Then, she glanced toward ng Qianqian.
ng Qianqian signaled to her with a look.
"Got it!"
Tan’er stored the silver needle, used her Qinggong to leap onto the third floor, and disappeared.
ng Qianqian quickly walked up to Lu Mother. A shard of porcelain from the flowerpot had grazed the back of her hand just monts before.
ng Qianqian hurriedly pulled Lu Mother’s hand closer to examine it. "You’re bleeding."
Lu Mother, still shaken, looked at ng Qianqian. "Qianqian..."
"Young Madam!"
Jade Lotus bowed excitedly.
Lu Mother corrected Jade Lotus’ address. "It’s Lu Young Madam."
This Lu, not that Lu.
Lu Mother did not dislike ng Qianqian. On the contrary, she cared for her deeply, so much so that she didn’t want ng Qianqian to beco the subject of rumors, which could bring her unnecessary trouble.
ng Qianqian said, "Madam, you’re injured. Let take you to Yanyu Pavilion to treat the wound."
"It’s nothing serious."
Lu Mother responded.
ng Qianqian said softly, "I’m not comfortable leaving it this way."
Lu Mother’s expression turned complicated as she sighed. She followed ng Qianqian to Yanyu Pavilion.
Business at Yanyu Pavilion was booming today, and all the private rooms were fully occupied. ng Qianqian, therefore, led Lu Mother to Yun Xiyao’s room.
Yanyu Pavilion was the largest embroidery house in the Capital City. Ordinary custors had to wait even for the private rooms on the second floor, let alone the owner’s exclusive rooms on the third floor.
Despite her noble background, this was Lu Mother’s first ti visiting.
"I heard the shopkeeper calling you Young Owner earlier."
ng Qianqian opened her pouch, took out the golden sore dicine she always carried, along with so clean cotton cloths, and began cleaning Lu Mother’s wound. As she worked, she explained, "The owner of Yanyu Pavilion took as her disciple. I’m not really the Young Owner—Shopkeeper Liu just speaks carelessly. Does it hurt?"
Lu Mother shook her head. "It doesn’t hurt."
After bandaging her, ng Qianqian checked her pulse. "Madam, did you not take the dicine I sent to your residence?"
Lu Mother subtly pulled her hand back. "The end of the year has been busy. Sotis I forget to take it. By the way, with the weather getting colder, is your grand-greatmother doing well?"
ng Qianqian, knowing her temperant, guessed that it wasn’t forgetfulness but an unwillingness to take the dicine.
She no longer seed to care about her own illness.
ng Qianqian replied, "Grand-Greatmother is doing very well. So am I."
Lu Mother let out a relieved sigh. "Then I’m at ease."
"Pardon my intrusion."
Shopkeeper Liu entered cheerfully, carrying a pot of tea. "Young Owner, Madam Lu, have so tea!"
ng Qianqian responded politely, "Thank you for the trouble."
Shopkeeper Liu smiled widely. "Not at all! If there’s nothing else, shall I take my leave?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)