Aristocratic Family - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 : Grandmother

After passing through the Chuihua Gate, bypassing the auspicious screen in front of the gate, and walking through the corridor, a bright and tidy courtyard came into view.

This was Yisong Courtyard, the residence of Old Lady Lian. There were five main rooms, with carved beams and painted rafters, and flying eaves with curved corners. On both sides, there were verandas and rooms, with various birds hanging in cages on the corridors, chirping crisply and pleasantly, adding a touch of vitality to the quiet courtyard.

Looking at the grand and luxurious main rooms, Lian Yueyao’s mind wandered to the history of the Lian family’s rise to prominence and their current situation.

The Lian family was initially an ordinary farming household that focused on cultivating talent, producing a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and gradually growing in power. Later, a member of the Lian family became a top scholar and imperial tutor, earning the family a revered place in the capital.

The person who brought the Lian family to new heights was Lian Yueyao’s great-grandfather, Lian Cheng.
Lian Cheng was a renowned scholar who became a Zhuangyuan in the imperial examinations and caught the emperor’s attention. He eventually became a high-ranking official and died of exhaustion, earning praise from the entire court. The emperor was so saddened by his death that he personally wrote the inscription “Scholarly Family” and bestowed it upon the Lian family.

Lian Yueyao’s grandfather was a famous scholar in his time, who later became a Bangyan in the imperial examinations. However, he didn’t face many challenges in his life. After Lian Cheng’s death, the family lost their protector and was implicated in a lawsuit. Fortunately, the emperor remembered Lian Cheng’s contributions and only stripped her grandfather of his official position.

Lian Yueyao’s father, Lian Dongbo, was a talented and handsome man who became a Tanhua in the imperial examinations. If not for an unexpected turn of events, his official career would have been bright…

Mu Qiu nudged Lian Yueyao, reminding her that they had arrived at the main courtyard. Why was she spacing out again?

Lian Yueyao came back to her senses, and a strong medicinal smell hit her face. She frowned slightly but quickly realized that she shouldn’t show any discomfort, as it might be seen as unfilial. She coughed slightly to cover it up.

The maidservant, Zheng Mama, who was attending to Old Lady Lian, lifted the curtain and was about to speak, but before she could say anything, she looked up and saw Lian Yueyao’s expression change. The sadness on the third young lady’s face had lessened.

Zheng Mama had been worried, as Old Lady Lian had been grieving for a long time due to the second master’s passing. Every time she saw the third young lady looking sorrowful and painful, her mood would worsen. Seeing the third young lady like this made her anxious every time. But now, she seemed much better, without the overwhelming sadness. “The third young lady is here, and Old Lady Lian was just mentioning you. Please come in, young lady.”

As they entered the main hall, Lian Yueyao walked towards Old Lady Lian’s room. Inside, she saw a purple sandalwood bed with inlaid marble and a matching couch, along with a screen featuring a prosperous peony design.

“Young lady, Old Lady Lian is calling you,” Mu Qiu reminded her softly. The young lady had been spacing out since waking up, and now she was doing it again in front of Old Lady Lian. Mu Qiu didn’t know what had happened to the young lady the previous day.

Lian Yueyao looked at Old Lady Lian, who was lying on the bed, her hair gray, her face worn, and her expression sorrowful. Her grandmother had fallen ill due to grief over her father’s passing. Lian Yue Yao knew her grandmother truly loved her father.

Old Lady Lian beckoned her over, “Third child, come here. Let grandmother see if you’re really better. Don’t force yourself and overexert yourself.”

When Lian Yueyao saw her loving grandmother, the tension in her heart finally broke, and she burst into tears, wailing and sobbing uncontrollably.

Old Lady Lian’s expression turned stern when she saw Lian Yueyao crying so desperately: “What’s wrong? Has someone been mistreating you?” She wasn’t dead yet, and someone dared to bully her granddaughter?

Zheng Mama felt a pang in her heart and became puzzled. She had been making sure everyone treated the third young lady well these days. Who would dare to mistreat her?
Lian Yueyao cried for a long time, and no one could console her. After a while, Lian Yueyao finally wiped away her tears: “Grandmother, I’m just worried about your health. No one is bullying me. Grandmother, you must take good care of yourself.”

Old Lady Lian’s expression improved slightly after hearing Lian Yueyao’s words. Zheng Mama handed her a large pillow, which Old Lady Lian leaned against.

Old Lady Lian carefully examined Lian Yueyao, the only remaining bloodline of her youngest son. Although Lian Yueyao still looked a bit weak and thin, her eyes were bright, her nose was delicate, and her skin was smooth and fair. Every move she made exuded the elegance of a noble family’s daughter.

Old Lady Lian’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Lian Yueyao, who bore a striking resemblance to her late son. She remembered her filial son, now gone forever, and felt immense sorrow.

Zheng Mama comforted her for a long time, and Lian Yueyao also tried to console her: “Grandmother, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have made you sad. If Father and Mother knew you were grieving for them every day, they wouldn’t rest in peace. Please take care of yourself.”

Even Old Lady Lian was surprised, not to mention Zheng Mama. After Lian Yueyao returned from the temple, the abbess said that if Lian Yueyao truly had filial piety, she should copy scriptures to atone for her parents. Lian Yueyao believed this and had been copying scriptures every day without asking anyone for help.

Old Lady Lian stroked Lian Yueyao’s head, thinking about what would happen after she passed away. Her eldest son didn’t manage internal affairs, and his wife was kind on the surface but poisonous at heart (after all, older people were wiser¹).

She trusted her own children, but Lian Yueyao’s situation was uncertain. She couldn’t rest assured. The family’s wealth was currently in Lian Yueyao’s hands, and Madam Mo didn’t dare touch it. But after Old Lady Lian passed away, Madam Mo would have complete control over the inner courtyard.

Could Lian Yueyao avoid her?
Old Lady Lian knew her physical condition and that she didn’t have many years left to live. Every extra year was precious, and she needed to make arrangements for this child: “Yueyao, you’re eight years old this year. In a few days, we’ll invite a Momo² to teach you etiquette. Yueyao, you’ll learn rules together with her.” Old Lady Lian thought Lian Yueyao was getting stuck on something. The abbess said copying scriptures was a way to show filial piety, but it didn’t have to be completed within a year.

As long as one was sincere, it could be done within three years. However, when Old Lady Lian mentioned this to Lian Yueyao before, she didn’t listen. Now, seeing the change in Lian Yueyao’s demeanor, Old Lady Lian tentatively brought it up again.

Lian Yueyao remembered that in her previous life, the Lian family had invited a governess to teach etiquette, but she was too focused on copying scriptures for the deceased and didn’t want to spend time learning rules. She didn’t take the governess’s teachings seriously because her mother had taught her etiquette, and no one had pointed out any mistakes.
However, she missed out on many things.

Old Lady Lian saw Lian Yueyao’s silence and thought she was unwilling: “Yueyao, learning more from the Momo will be beneficial for you. If you’re lucky, they might take a liking to you and mentor you, which would be a blessing for you. You can avoid many detours in the future.”

Lian Yueyao felt heartbroken after hearing Old Lady Lian’s words. Her grandmother truly loved her and wanted the best for her. These Momos were usually experienced and knowledgeable. If she had accepted their teachings and been more open to the outside world, her fate might have been different.

Lian Yueyao composed herself and said softly: “Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ll learn well when the Momo comes. But you need to take care of yourself. Father and Mother are gone, and I only have you left.” These words touched Old Lady Lian’s heart again.

Old Lady Lian’s personal maid, Qiao Hui, brought a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. Lian Yueyao took the bowl and tested the temperature before feeding it to Old Lady Lian.

After Old Lady Lian finished the porridge, Zheng Mama took out a scripture book and prepared to read it to her. Listening to scripture was a daily routine for Old Lady Lian.

Lian Yueyao asked Zheng Mama to hand her the scripture book, and she read it to Old Lady Lian. After copying scriptures for ten years, Lian Yueyao could recite the scriptures used by the women in the inner courtyard fluently. Her reading was particularly smooth and natural.

Old Lady Lian looked at Lian Yueyao with some surprise. She was amazed at how well this child knew the scriptures. However, thinking that Lian Yueyao had been copying scriptures every day, Old Lady Lian closed her eyes and continued to listen attentively.

Lian Yueyao noticed that Old Lady Lian’s entire body seemed to be surrounded by a aura of death, and she felt a sudden shock. She realized that the most important thing for a person was their vitality, and without it, they would rapidly decline.

Old Lady Lian suddenly stopped hearing the sound and opened her eyes, asking: “Third child, what’s wrong?”
Why had the reading stopped?

Lian Yueyao came back to her senses: “Nothing, I was just wondering what the meaning of the previous scripture was.” She continued reading the scripture to Old Lady Lian.

Old Lady Lian was a bit puzzled, but seeing Lian Yueyao’s calm face, she didn’t ask further questions. Instead, she continued to listen to the scripture with her eyes closed.

The room was attended by maids and servants on both sides. Lian Yueyao sat on a small stool, reading the scripture in a soft and gentle voice. The soothing sound made people feel at ease.

On the long table, a three-legged bronze incense burner with enamel inlays emitted a fragrant aroma. As Old Lady Lian listened, her eyes grew heavy.

After Lian Yueyao finished reading a passage, she whispered to Old Lady Lian, who had her eyes closed: “Grandmother, I will take good care of myself and fulfill my filial duties to you on behalf of Father and Mother.”

Old Lady Lian grasped Lian Yueyao’s hand, and a faint smile appeared on her face: “Yueyao is growing up.” Although she didn’t know what had caused the change in this child, she was glad that Lian Yueyao had changed for the better.

Lian Yueyao smiled along with Old Lady Lian: “Grandmother, when the weather gets better, I’ll accompany you to go outside for a walk. It’s stuffy in the room, and it’s not good for your health.”

Old Lady Lian observed Lian Yueyao’s change in expression and wondered what had happened to this child. She had suddenly become more open and carefree.

Zheng Mama smiled and said: “The third young lady is truly filial. Old Lady, when the weather gets better, let the third young lady accompany you to go outside for a walk. You always say it’s boring to stay in the room.”
Old Lady Lian would definitely listen to the third young lady’s words. Moreover, the third young lady no longer looked as sorrowful as before, which put Old Lady Lian’s mind at ease. This was good news for the people serving them.

—