Zhuang Ruolan didn’t know why tears started to fall when she heard those words, she had harbored resentnt towards Old Master Zhuang over the years, but she was actually sad herself, too. Now that she had beco a mother, she could understand the difficulties of her parents.
Of course, it was also because Zhuang Ruolan had a child that her heart had softened a lot; otherwise, she would never have shown such emotions.
The look on Zhuang Ruolan’s face made Old Master Zhuang and Zhuang Changhe convinced that the Ma Family had not treated her well. Both father and son looked displeased.
Brave as she was, Cai Yi also feared that the misunderstanding would deepen, so she explained, "Old Master, Eldest Young Master, the nanny who relayed the ssage said the Old Master was ill. As soon as the young lady received the news, she hurried over, worried all the way." This clarified why Zhuang Ruolan’s eyes were red—it was out of concern for Old Master Zhuang’s illness.
Actually, it wasn’t Zhuang Ruolan’s fault to misunderstand; she knew her father was a very strong person and would not have sent soone to inform her unless it was a serious illness; plus, the nanny’s solemn expression when ntioning Old Master Zhuang’s illness naturally led her to think it was severe. On her way here, thinking over her dealings with Old Master Zhuang through the years, she felt deeply unfilial and beca more and more upset until her tears flowed freely.
Upon hearing Cai Yun’s words, Zhuang Changhe reproached himself, "Really, can’t even relay a ssage properly." He had thought of using Old Master Zhuang’s illness as an opportunity for Zhuang Ruolan to visit since she hadn’t been ho for a long ti. Little did he know that the nanny’s unclear ssage would worry Zhuang Ruolan so much.
Old Master Zhuang felt relieved for so reason after hearing this. He had always known that his eldest daughter was influenced by the Yue Family and held grudges against him, which is why she had always been distant from him all these years. Seeing his daughter, who resembled his wife, he felt very guilty, so he had let things slide for years. This guilt made him particularly lenient towards Zhuang Ruolan, allowing her to decide her own marriage affairs, sothing he wouldn’t have agreed to with just a few words from Zhuang Changhe otherwise. At Zhuang Ruolan’s wedding, he had also prepared a generous dowry as compensation.
Old Master Zhuang said with a smile, "Look at you, already a mother yet still so flustered. Don’t worry, the doctor said it’s nothing serious; a couple of days of rest and I’ll be fine." It was rare to see his daughter like this, and Old Master Zhuang was happy inside. This proved that she still cared deeply for him and that it was not all resentnt.
Realizing her emotional outburst, Zhuang Ruolan wiped her tears and cald herself before saying, "Father, it was all my fault before, I made you worry." Now that she was married, she no longer focused on trivial grievances. She realized that without Old Master’s support, no matter how capable she was, she couldn’t have outwitted the cunning Madam Bao. It was just that her past experiences at Duke Mansion had overwheld her with resentnt, blinding her to what her father had done for her and her siblings.
Old Master Zhuang chuckled, "Silly girl, a parent’s duty is to worry about their children all their lives. Now that you’re a mother, you must have a deep understanding of this. Next ti, bring my two granddaughters along." Because of Zhuang Ruolan’s unresolved issues, she had never brought the children to visit, and he hadn’t even t his granddaughters yet.
Zhuang Ruolan also deeply understood the challenges of being a parent, especially when seeing her husband’s affection for their eldest daughter, recalling her own childhood when Old Master Zhuang loved her dearly. She quickly nodded and agreed, "Alright."
Because of this misunderstanding, Zhuang Ruolan dissolved more than a decade of resentnt towards Old Master Zhuang, which turned out to be a good thing.
Old Master Zhuang said, "Since you’re here already, stay at ho for a day. Go back tomorrow!" His daughter had finally softened her stance, which was a good opportunity to talk.
Zhuang Ruolan naturally agreed, staying to talk with Old Master Zhuang for a while, continuing until they had dinner.
That night, Zhuang Ruolan stayed in her maiden bedroom. Because of her previous grievances, her routine visits during festivals had been brief and she had never stayed overnight. Now, seeing her old room unchanged, her eyes grew tearful.
Zhuang Changhe said with a smile, "Father said you would definitely co back, so he kept this courtyard for you. Sister, ever since you married, father has frequently asked about you. I know he actually loves you a lot." He had never dared to say this before, fearing that Zhuang Ruolan would be upset.
Zhuang Ruolan nodded and said, "I know. It was who thought wrongly."
Zhuang Changhe hesitated for a mont and said, "Sister, I know you have always resented father because of mother’s matter. Actually, father also..." Thinking this, Zhuang Changhe didn’t know what to say next.
But Zhuang Ruolan said, "There is no perfect parent under heaven. Regardless, we have no right to ddle in the affairs of the older generation. Rest assured, I won’t be like this anymore." This emotional knot had been in her heart for so many years; having let it go, she felt completely relieved.
After a mont, Zhuang Ruolan asked curiously, "Is Madam Bao not at ho?" If Madam Bao were ho, the house wouldn’t be so quiet.
It was indeed a coincidence; Madam Bao had gone to offer incense and was staying on the mountain, only to return the next day. Otherwise, the father and daughter’s emotional knots might not have been so easily untangled.
Zhuang Changhe said with concern, "Sister, have the Ma Family people really not mistreated you? The child wasn’t even presented at the full moon celebration, and there are rumors outside that you and the child are unwell. Sister, did your brother-in-law treat you coldly because you didn’t give birth to a son?" If that was the case, he wouldn’t let Ma Peng off easily.
Zhuang Ruolan, knowing her brother was worried, smiled and said, "Not at all. Your brother-in-law treats very well and loves Yanqi dearly. I chose not to take Yanqi out during the full moon celebration because the weather wasn’t good." It didn’t matter if her father-in-law was biased, as long as her husband treated her well.
Zhuang Changhe, still unconvinced, asked again, "Really?"
Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "Can this even be lied about? Whether I’m doing well or not is evident at a glance." Although there were so troubles, overall, it was still very good.
Seeing that Zhuang Ruolan looked vigorous and healthy, Zhuang Changhe was also relieved, "Sister, if your brother-in-law ever makes you suffer, you must tell . Don’t just bear it alone."
Zhuang Ruolan, not wanting her brother to worry about her, smiled and said, "Don’t worry, your brother-in-law treats very well. And you are going to be a father soon too, so be sure to treat your wife well." Zhuang Changhe’s wife, Madam Hong, was also pregnant, though not far along, only four months.
Zhuang Changhe grinned and said, "I understand, Sister." The two concubines in his quarters were both placed there by Madam Bao, whom he never touched.
That evening, Zhuang Ruolan had a long talk with Madam Hong, then returned to her old maiden chamber to rest.
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