Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Because of that awkward falling out, in the second year, Ming Rou hardened her heart and didn’t mention to the Old Patriarch any plans to go to Paulownia Village to see Ye Qiuniang.

By the third year, shortly after Ming Rou celebrated her thirteenth birthday, Old Patriarch Ming’s health began to suffer from various ailments. From intermittent coughing of blood, his condition deteriorated until he was bedridden. The doctor came daily with the same expression, shook his head, wrote a prescription, and left.

Ming Rou finally realized her grandfather might soon leave her. Deep fear took root in her heart.

The Ming Family had always been under Old Patriarch Ming’s command. External matters never required her or her mother’s worry. Because her father was a Live-in Son-in-law, with her grandfather gone, the family matters would naturally fall onto her mother. But her mother had never shown the slightest interest in these business affairs. When the time came, she’d likely just hand everything over to her father.

Watching her father’s smug satisfaction over the past days, Ming Rou understood perfectly who would benefit from this power struggle. She and Du Xian had never been close. She was even certain that once Du Xian controlled the Ming Family’s power, even with their biological father-daughter relationship, she might not fare well.

She could only hate that she was too young and hadn’t learned much about the family business. She had no power, no influence, and no one to rely on, utterly incapable of contending with her father. Moreover, her mother was a dead weight dragging her down.

As Old Patriarch Ming’s illness worsened day by day, the Ming Family sank into a deathly silence. Except for Du Xian, everyone’s face was etched with worry.

Over the years, Ming Rou had grown accustomed to Ye Qiuniang’s companionship. Since she left, her side had been empty, with no one to confide in.

Her mother no longer sought her out either. As the Old Patriarch’s condition worsened, Du Xian’s behavior became even more unrestrained. Her mother seemed to sense it was increasingly difficult to control this man, becoming even more irrational, clinging to him daily, unwilling to leave his side.

The mother-daughter relationship grew colder. Especially after the incident where Du Xian attempted to assault Ye Qiuniang, a deeper barrier formed between them. Ming Rou didn’t want to bother with her mother. Ming Yulan, feeling that her neglect in discipline had warped her daughter’s thinking, felt an unspeakable guilt and aversion towards her and stopped seeking closeness.

Although both parents were present, Ming Rou always felt like a piece of drifting duckweed, floating aimlessly without a harbor.

As the twelfth month approached, the Ming Family remained lifeless and gloomy. The one thing that cheered Ming Rou was that Ye Qiuniang’s three-year banishment to the estate was finally over, and she could return.

Although their last meeting had ended unhappily, leaving Ming Rou full of resentment, it didn’t diminish her anticipation for Ye Qiuniang’s return. Only, whenever she recalled Ye Qiuniang’s hesitant posture about returning to the Ming Family then, Ming Rou felt extremely sad.

Upon her return, Ye Qiuniang first went to see Old Patriarch Ming. By the time Ming Rou arrived, the two seemed to have been talking for a long while.

Ming Rou couldn’t fathom what the Ming Family’s patriarch and a lowly Auspicious Maid, exiled to the estate for so long, could have to discuss.

Meeting again after three years, Ming Rou still remembered the day two years prior when she went with hope and returned with disappointment. Thus, seeing Ye Qiuniang now, a heartful of resentment remained.

Ye Qiuniang was as calm as ever. She lowered her head, greeted her, and called her Eldest Miss.

Ming Rou gave a light snort and ignored her. She went to the small stool beside Old Patriarch Ming’s bed, sat down, and held his dry, withered hand. “Grandfather, are you feeling any better today?”

The Old Patriarch’s chest sounded like a broken bellows, breathing with a rasping, wheezing sound that immediately signaled an ominous sign.

Ming Rou was deeply worried, sadness uncontrollably showing on her face. The Old Patriarch, instead, comforted her. “Good grandchild, don’t be afraid. Even if Grandfather isn’t by your side, I will watch over you from heaven.”

These words only made Ming Rou sadder, her eyes instantly reddening. The Old Patriarch had doted on her immensely since she was a child; their bond was profound. Knowing in her heart that his days were likely numbered, grief welled up uncontrollably within her.

Just then, the voices of Ming Yulan and Du Xian were heard from afar. The Old Patriarch suddenly gripped Ming Rou’s hand tightly and lowered his voice urgently. “Rou’er, when Grandfather is gone, this family will be yours. The Ming Family signboard cannot fall. Remember to conceal your strengths and bide your time. Qiuniang can be trusted. Grandfather has arranged everything for you. Don’t be afraid.”

Just as Ming Rou was about to ask more, she saw Du Xian and her mother enter the room. She quickly fell silent, only sobbing quietly.

Du Xian entered and swept his gaze around the room. Seeing Ye Qiuniang standing like a wooden post to the side—compared to her youthful naivety three years ago, she had now blossomed into a striking woman—a meaningful look flickered in his eyes. Then, looking at Ming Rou sitting by the bed, he said with displeasure, “Rou’er, your grandfather is unwell and needs rest. You can’t be disturbing him all day long.”

His implication was clear: he didn’t want the grandfather and granddaughter to have too much contact during these final moments.

Ming Rou had always disliked her father and replied coldly, “Morning lessons just ended; I’ve only just arrived. Father comes every day, too, doesn’t he?”

“I accompany your mother to hear your grandfather’s instructions regarding the family business. What does a little child like you understand?”

Because of his status as a Live-in Son-in-law, the Ming Family, both inside and out, had never truly respected him. Usually, only his wife clung to him. Du Xian often felt resentful. His daughter also turned her elbow outward, siding with that old relic of the Ming Family, treating him, her biological father, with distant coldness.

Now that the Old Patriarch was bedridden and too weak to manage him, he was full of swagger, even speaking harshly to his previously little-scolded daughter.

Before Ming Rou could respond, the Old Patriarch in bed erupted in a violent coughing fit, drawing everyone’s attention.

Ming Rou fell silent, head lowered, lips pressed tight, gaze downcast. Her hand nervously clutched a crumpled piece of Xuan Paper—the one the Old Patriarch had secretly slipped her moments before.

Beside her, Ye Qiuniang stood unmoving, as if the surrounding events had nothing to do with her.

When the Old Patriarch’s coughing subsided, Ming Rou, feeling at odds with Du Xian in the room, gave a light snort and turned to leave, leaving Du Xian with a twisted expression.

Although just returned, Ye Qiuniang was from Ming Rou’s courtyard and naturally followed her out.

“I thought after being out there for two or three years, your wings had grown stiff enough that you wouldn’t need to return and face my displeasure.” Ming Rou still harbored resentment over the incident two years ago.

Ye Qiuniang’s expression remained unchanged. She merely bowed slightly. “Qiuniang is a servant of the Ming Family. Wherever I go, I remain a ghost of the Ming Family. Whether outside or back by the Eldest Miss’s side, all my actions are for the Ming Family’s benefit. I would never dare act on my own.”

Seeing her unruffled expression and this long speech, Ming Rou grew angry. “That wasn’t your attitude two years ago.”

Ye Qiuniang smiled helplessly. “Qiuniang was away but always thought of the Eldest Miss. That has never changed.”

Her smile dazed Ming Rou. Now, at thirteen and twenty, one showed the first tender bloom of maidenhood, the other had quietly matured. Every gesture of the latter held a mature, flowing charm, radiating brilliance from within, making one want to look at her again.

Ming Rou stared for a moment before snapping back to her senses, annoyed at her own reaction. To cover her earlier lapse, she retorted, “Easy to say. If you thought of me so much, why were you unwilling to come back?”

Ye Qiuniang’s eyes narrowed slightly. She seemed to want to say something but hesitated, finally sighing softly. “The Old Master originally decreed I be sent to the estate for three years. Returning before the term was up would inevitably invite discontent from others.”

“What do you mean, ‘on one’s own authority’? Naturally, it’s because you performed well and were allowed back early. So what? Can a minor master like me have my decisions questioned by others?”

“Eldest Miss—” Seeing her aggressive demeanor, Ye Qiuniang called out once, then simply fixed her gaze on her, falling silent.

Seeing this familiar gesture, Ming Rou became even angrier. Jiujiu used to be like this; when she couldn’t win an argument, she’d just stop talking and look at her. It seemed like submission, but it always made Ming Rou feel she was bullying her, using her status as a young master to oppress her.

“You’re so mean—” Ming Rou finished, her eyes instantly reddening. But not wanting the other to see, she turned her back, feeling incredibly wronged inside. She felt that over these three years, this person, supposedly doing hard labor on the estate, had actually been free and easy outside, distancing herself and treating her with indifference.

Upon seeing this, the previously composed Ye Qiuniang finally broke. Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, reached out quietly, gently touching that delicate little fingertip.

Feeling the warmth on the tip of her little finger, Ming Rou’s heartstrings couldn’t help but tremble. She knew this villain was using that old little trick to coax her. Her grievance eased slightly. But she was far too proud to be placated so easily.

She quickly pulled her hand back, gave a humph, and crossed her arms.

The area near her eyes was still red, and her pout could hang a quarter-pound of meat.

Ye Qiuniang’s lips curved up, but she dared not show it, biting her lip to suppress the emotion. After steeling herself, she said cautiously, “When Qiuniang was away, my heart was full of thoughts about the Eldest Miss, only hoping you ate and slept well. Everything the Old Master instructed was for the Eldest Miss’s good. Naturally, Qiuniang dared not disobey.”

Even with such coaxing, thinking back to that day’s rejection still pained Ming Rou. She wasn’t ready to forgive quickly. She huffed angrily and walked ahead, unwilling to walk side-by-side.

Ye Qiuniang said nothing more and followed closely behind.

Returning to their original small courtyard, three years had passed, yet within the house and yard, every flower, tree, and blade of grass, every furnishing remained unchanged. Memories flooded back as if it were just yesterday.

Now, with the Old Patriarch critically ill, a change of power in the Ming Residence was imminent.

Both Ming Rou and Ye Qiuniang knew this clearly. Even anxious, they could do nothing but hide their worries deep within their hearts, digesting them silently.

Because of the three-year separation and the resulting misunderstandings, the two were no longer as carefree in their talk as they used to be.

Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Ming Rou pulled a book from the shelf. “You’ve been at the estate for three years. I wonder if you’ve kept up with your reading. I have to test you.”

Ye Qiuniang smiled bitterly. “Eldest Miss, please spare me. During the day at the estate, I planted rice and harvested grain. At night, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was asleep. When would I have had time to study?”

“Then why didn’t you come back to find me!” Ming Rou cried out again, both ashamed and angry.

Jiujiu would rather toil in the fields with bare-chested men, laboring under the sun, than return to her side. This was the fundamental truth Ming Rou held in her heart now, a truth that made her breath catch in her throat and her eyes sting.