Chapter 57

Chapter 57

"Madam, the Taiyang Luo family has sent an invitation. Will you meet them?"

Xiao Luolan calculated the time, took out the contract from her makeup box to check it, and indeed, it was time for the quarterly handover. She put down her pen and said to the Zhou family's chief steward, "Uncle Sun, please lead them to the living room. I'll be there shortly."

Uncle Sun bowed respectfully with a smile: "As you wish."

Xiao Luolan, behind a string of pearls hanging as a curtain, saw him leave.

"Chunhua."

"Do you have any instructions, Madam?" Chunhua approached, kneeling in a bow.

"Ask the kitchen to prepare almond milk cheese soup, lotus seed flower rolls, and iced fruit dumplings for Qingxue," Xiao Luolan, remembering her daughter's dejected departure, felt a heavy ache in her heart.

"Yes, Madam," Chunhua, noticing no further instructions, paused and then asked, "Would Madam like some cold drinks?"

Xiao Luolan was about to decline as her room had an ice basin and the temperature was quite comfortable, but seeing the three maidservants in the room, she changed her mind: "Then bring some iced fruit dumplings, three extra servings."

Being the mistress's order, the kitchen quickly sent over the cold drinks.

Xiao Luolan sat on a stool, the round table laid with four servings of iced fruit dumplings. Various fruits were scooped into small spheres, the colorful assortment topped with honey in a glass bowl. Xiao Luolan ate one serving.

"There are three servings left; you girls can have them," Xiao Luolan said.

"Thank you, Madam," Chunhua hesitated for a moment before kneeling again in thanks.

"After they finished and tidied up, Xiao Luolan went out with Chunhua."

"Xia He held an umbrella to shield the lady from the sun, stealing a glance at her under the umbrella. Her lips curved up involuntarily; the new mistress was very kind to them. Unlike her three 'sisters' Chunhua, Qiuyue, and Dongxue, who were different, she was bought from outside due to her good looks and assigned to serve the new mistress."

"Initially, she had worried the new mistress might be prejudiced against them, but to her surprise, the mistress was unexpectedly gentle. Originally, there were only two masters in the house: the military governor, attended by servants, and the young master, who previously had a few female attendants. However, after an incident of a maid overstepping boundaries, she was severely punished by the steward."

"Since the new mistress arrived, she and three other well-connected sisters were reassigned by the steward to the mistress's side. Her peers envied her for becoming the mistress's personal maid, which raised her status and salary. She also took on the small role of a flower commandant, responsible for the flowers in Mingxin Hall, leading four maidservants. Chunhua, for instance, managed the mistress's diet and had a few underlings. It seemed she was more favored by the mistress."

"Dongxue was busy recording gifts from various families and officials presented during the grand wedding."

"Qiuyue, with her dexterous hands, was responsible for the mistress's daily attire and makeup, the most refined of the four."

"Seeing Xia He distracted, Chunhua slowed her pace and gently nudged her, giving her a stern look."

"Xia He came back to her senses and stopped daydreaming."

"Chunhui Hall."

"'Lord Luo.' Xiao Luolan was surprised to see Luo Jinhu, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. She had expected the steward of the Luo residence to handle the profit-sharing, not Luo Jinhu himself."

"'I pay my respects to the lady,' Luo Jinhu bowed deeply, his face beaming with a sincere smile: 'Congratulations to the lady on her joyous occasion.'"

"Sitting down, Xiao Luolan heard Lord Luo's congratulations and invited him to sit as well: 'Please, Lord Luo, take a seat.'"

"Luo Jinhu produced a wooden box, which Chunhua presented to the lady."

"'This is the profit share for the past three months, for the lady to review.'"

"Xiao Luolan opened the box and scrutinized the contents: the purchase numbers for the past three months. Most of the soap was bought in bulk by prominent families, with the majority of buyers being women. Sales were high in the first month but stabilized thereafter. Xiao Luolan found this normal for a new product, realizing that unless a new market was found, Taiyang was likely saturated."

"The total was over two hundred taels, adding up to around four hundred and fifty taels with her savings."

"Xiao Luolan placed it back in the box: 'Lord Luo, thank you for making the journey. It's nearly noon; why not stay for lunch?'"

"Luo Jinhu hurriedly replied, 'Please forgive me, my lady, but I have yet to properly settle my own caravan and cannot stay long.'"

"'I am planning to gradually introduce our soap products in Youzhou. I came to inform you of this.'"

"'Understood,' Xiao Luolan, seeing Luo Jinhu was busy, said, 'In that case, I won't insist on your staying.'"

"'There’s no need for the lady to see me off. I take my leave.'"

"Luo Jinhu left the Zhou residence, guided by the maidservants, and boarded a carriage where Dou Dalang put down his book."

"Luo Jinhu glanced at Dou Dalang's official robe and smiled, 'I haven't yet congratulated my capable nephew on your promotion.'"

"Dou Shengming replied, 'I'm just an aide to Lord Xu.'"

"'I must thank you for informing me in advance about Lady Xiao’s and the military governor’s marriage,' Luo Jinhu said with a smile. 'If it weren’t for your letter, I would have missed it.' His gaze lingered on the Zhou estate, still feeling a surge of emotion."

"Luo Jinhu had never imagined that in just a few months, Lady Xiao would become the official wife of the military governor and the mistress of Youzhou! Such a powerful alliance was beyond his wildest dreams, but he reminded himself not to be complacent to avoid attracting trouble."

"Xiao Luolan returned to Mingxin Hall."

"After some thought, she decided to visit her daughter's Lumeng Garden."

"'Is Qingxue in her room?' Xiao Luolan asked Fangyun."

"'She’s resting in the inner chamber. We've delivered the sweet drink you sent. The young mistress prefers to be alone, so I and Bingqin are waiting outside,' Fangyun explained."

"'Then you may leave us,' Xiao Luolan said, pushing open the door and walking through the outer chamber into the bedroom."

"Xiao Qingxue lay on a jade couch, engrossed in a book."

"Xiao Luolan sat beside her and scooped a melon ball to feed her."

"'Mother!' Xiao Qingxue brightened up immediately upon seeing her mother and sat up."

"'I came to see how you are,' Xiao Luolan said with a smile."

"Xiao Qingxue's mood dampened again, remembering Clan Leader Zhou's plan to take her mother to Huiyi. She didn't cling to her mother every day; she spent her mornings practicing archery and horseback riding with Master Lei Ge, and her afternoons learning various subjects from Tutor Cui, who enjoyed teaching her and made her feel happy."

"But going to Huiyi was different. Unlike the modern world with video calls, once someone left, there was no contact. Even though Tuo Ba Amu comforted her with promises of sending her a snow eagle."

"'Mother, can I come with you?' Xiao Qingxue asked, knowing her mother might refuse, 'I’ll be well-behaved and won’t wander off.' Her archery skills had improved considerably."

"Xiao Luolan looked at her daughter and pinched her cheek: 'No, you cannot.'"

"Xiao Qingxue sulked: 'Then I won’t allow you to go either.' She couldn’t understand why Clan Leader Zhou insisted on taking her mother. Wars were dangerous, and in ancient times, even a tetanus infection could be fatal, not to mention other accidents."

"'You don’t know how to ride a horse,' Xiao Qingxue added, worry deepening. 'You must learn. This afternoon, I’ll take you to the equestrian center. There’s a female instructor there; she’s excellent at horse riding and can teach you.'"

"Xiao Luolan thought for a moment, then smiled: 'Alright.' It had been a long time since she had spent time with her daughter."

"Xiao Qingxue immediately cheered up."

"After lunch, dressed in a crescent-colored robe with a whip at her waist, Xiao Qingxue helped her mother change into a similar outfit, and they left the house together."

"The sound of the wind chimes echoed from the black carriage, as the Zhou family's guards, under the steward's direction, quickly mobilized."

"Xiao Luolan sat in the carriage, surrounded by about a hundred of the Zhou family's guards."

"By the time Zhou Xu finished his work and looked for his wife, he heard that she had gone to the Nanshan Equestrian Center with their daughter."

"Nanshan Equestrian Center."

"Xiao Qingxue sat astride a horse, holding the reins, guiding the horse closer to her mother."

"Xiao Luolan gripped the reins tightly, while the female instructor soothed the horse, assuring her, 'My lady, there's no need to be nervous; this horse is the most obedient in the stable.'"

"Xiao Luolan had ridden a horse a few times before but felt nervous riding alone. Seeing her daughter circling her, earnestly learning from the instructor, she smiled and gradually gained control of the reins."

"Under the clear blue sky, amidst lush green grass, the horse leisurely grazed while walking. Xiao Qingxue shared with her mother about receiving a snow eagle from Tuo Ba Amu."

"Xiao Luolan remembered Tuo Ba Amu as a quiet young man from another tribe. Hearing her daughter's story, she frowned slightly, concerned about his apparent attentiveness towards her daughter, recalling how he had informed her about Jun Liang on the boat."

"Observing her daughter closely, Xiao Luolan saw bright, clear eyes and no signs of embarrassment when mentioning Tuo Ba Amu, which eased her worries."

"This is ancient times, where many young girls marry and have children before coming of age. However, she doesn't want that for her daughter. The identity that Master Zhou helped them fabricate was that of the Xiao family from Qinghe, a family of scholars. Xiao Luolan harbored a plan—if there's a chance in the future, she hoped her daughter could attend the academy."

"After her daughter finished speaking, Xiao Luolan took out a silver note and handed it to her."

Xiao Qingxue joyfully accepted it: "Mother, why are you being so generous?"

Xiao Luolan smiled and said, "This is our share from Mr. Luo, consider it your pocket money."

"Xiao Qingxue skillfully dismounted and tied her mother's horse to a willow tree. She put away the silver note, planning to buy something tomorrow to thank Tabaga Amu."

"Although Master Zhou gave her many shops in the market, Xiao Qingxue still felt more secure using her mother's money."

"Xiao Luolan sat on a stone by the creek, the babbling water and the shade of the trees shielding her from the summer heat."

"Xiao Qingxue took off her shoes and socks, dipping her feet into the creek and swinging her legs. 'Mother, come join me, there’s nobody else around.'"

"Xiao Luolan moved to sit on the grass, extending her feet into the water."

"The pebbles at the bottom of the creek, warmed by the sun, contrasted with the coolness of the water."

"'Mother, do you want some peaches? There's a peach tree bearing fruit in the valley ahead. Last time, Zhou Shenzhi took me there and we picked some,' Xiao Qingxue said, unable to sit still, turning to her mother."

"'Is it far? Should I come with you?' Xiao Luolan looked ahead. The valley her daughter mentioned was right in front, complete with a waterfall. The creek's water probably flowed down from there."

"'It's not far, I'll be back soon,' Xiao Qingxue said, rolling up her trouser legs and running off."

"Xiao Luolan sat by the creek for a while, feeling a bit worried, and then stood up."

"Madam."

"The sudden voice startled Xiao Luolan. She turned around to see Master Zhou dismounting his horse, approaching with a smile."

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to the horse field?" Zhou Xu, seeing his wife's feet in the water, extended his hand, "Let me help you up."

Xiao Luolan accepted his hand to get up: "Thank you."

Zhou Xu raised an eyebrow, noting that his wife was still upset.

"Xiao Luolan sat on the stone, preparing to put on her shoes."

"Zhou Xu sat opposite his wife, placing her feet on his robe and gently wiping them."

"Xiao Luolan looked at Master Zhou, pursing her lips."

"Zhou Xu gazed at his wife's pale, jade-like feet, even her toes a delicate pink, and playfully tickled the sole of her foot."

"Xiao Luolan withdrew her foot, her face flushing red, and bent down to put on her silk stockings."

"Zhou Xu held her hand, preventing her from moving."

"'Master Zhou, please don’t,' Xiao Luolan said, worried her daughter might return any moment. In her haste, she blurted out her heart's address, and then her face turned a bit pale."

"Zhou Xu's eyes narrowed slightly: 'What did you call me, Madam?'"

"Xiao Luolan's eyelashes trembled, and she finally said, 'Zhou Lang.'"

"Zhou Xu bent down to put on her silk stockings and shoes, then held her hand and kissed it."

"Xiao Luolan turned her head away, avoiding him: 'Qingxue will be back soon.' Seeing Master Zhou's increasingly bold actions, in a moment of urgency, she bit him hard and retreated back to the stone."

"Zhou Xu stopped his actions and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth."

"Seeing the madam stand up, distancing herself from him, she tidied her disheveled clothes, regaining her usual stunning, noble elegance."

"Untouchable, unattainable."

"A flame ignited in Zhou Xu's heart, the stinging on his tongue reminding him of a cold reality."

"He had never won Madam Xiao's heart."

"Zhou Xu smiled faintly, his face calm."