Chapter 452: Deep Mother-Daughter Bond

Chapter 452: Deep Mother-Daughter Bond

Lou Ruhui and Xingxing were laughing and playing when a group of maids carrying trays approached from the covered walkway.

The woman leading the group was somewhat older, with a smile at the corners of her eyes. Her clothes and jewelry were noticeably fancier than the other maids'.

The maid who had been leading Lou Ruhui and Xingxing quickly bowed: "Hello, Aunt Jingchun."

Lou Ruhui greeted the woman with a smile: "Aunt Jingchun, it seems the entire household is mobilized to celebrate Mingzhu's birthday today. Even you are here to help personally?"

The woman called Aunt Jingchun smiled even more warmly upon seeing Lou Ruhui and gave a slight curtsy: "Hello, Miss Lou. The old madam has been talking about you to our lady lately. Since you're here today, have you visited the old madam yet?"

Lou Ruhui rubbed the back of her head. She had been so caught up in touring and chatting with Xingxing that she had completely forgotten: "I just got here. I’ll go see the old madam in a bit."

Aunt Jingchun nodded with a smile and was about to leave when her gaze inadvertently fell on Xingxing. She looked visibly startled, as if she had seen something astonishing. Her eyes widened slightly, which was unusual for her typically composed demeanor.

Lou Ruhui exclaimed, "Huh? Aunt Jingchun, what’s going on?"

Aunt Jingchun blinked slowly, still somewhat shocked and amazed: "...And who is this young lady?"

Lou Ruhui enthusiastically introduced Xingxing once more.

Aunt Jingchun murmured "General of the Western Garrison's residence" and, having regained some composure, curtsied to Xingxing: "Hello, Miss Yu."

Xingxing, seeing that even Lou Ruhui showed respect to Aunt Jingchun, did not act arrogantly and nodded in return: "Aunt Jingchun."

Aunt Jingchun's gaze lingered on Xingxing's face, filled with reminiscence and emotion.

"Similar... really quite similar..."

Xingxing and Lou Ruhui exchanged glances.

Lou Ruhui, always curious, quickly asked Aunt Jingchun: "Aunt Jingchun, what do you mean by 'similar'?"

Aunt Jingchun, still examining Xingxing, didn't hide her thoughts and smiled: "...I mean, this Miss Yu looks very much like our lady when she was young."

Aunt Jingchun had been a maid brought along by the lady of the Duke of Xinguo's residence when she married and had been by her side since she was a child.

Miss Lou, aware of this, also began to scrutinize Xingxing's face: "...Huh, really?"

Aunt Jingchun couldn't help but laugh: "Miss Lou, you might not know this, but our lady looked quite different when she was young compared to how she looks now. It’s like her features suddenly came into their own."

Miss Lou nodded: "I see. That’s why I thought Xingxing doesn’t look much like my aunt now... But if Aunt Jingchun says Xingxing resembles my aunt when she was young, then it must be true."

Aunt Jingchun's gaze at Xingxing softened with affection: "Yes. It really is quite similar..."

Xingxing smiled generously: "It’s an honor to look like the lady."

Aunt Jingchun took a few more glances at Xingxing before finally bidding farewell to Lou Ruhui and Xingxing.

...

After delivering the trays, Aunt Jingchun returned to the main courtyard where Jiao Shi, the lady of the Duke of Xinguo's residence, resided. She found Jiao Shi looking at herself in the mirror, trying on various pieces of jewelry. Unable to hold back, Aunt Jingchun called out with a smile: "Madam, you won’t believe who I ran into today!"

Jiao Shi, looking at Aunt Jingchun's reflection in the mirror, smiled: "You can tell me who you ran into later. First, come help me decide. It’s Mingzhu's birthday today. Do you think this hairpin looks good on me?"

Aunt Jingchun stepped forward, carefully looked over the options, and finally picked out a phoenix hairpin.

Jiao Shi looked at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied.

In her younger days, she was a celebrated beauty in the capital. Though she has aged, her life after marriage has been smooth and prosperous, with few worries, allowing her to age gracefully. The face in the mirror still reflects timeless beauty.

Jiao Shi touched her hair, smiled contentedly at her reflection, and then turned to Aunt Jingchun. "You just said, who did you see?"

Aunt Jingchun smiled. "...I saw a young lady who looks just like you did in your youth." For a moment, I thought I was seeing you young again."

Jiao Shi's interest was piqued. "Oh?" she turned with a smile, "Really, that similar?"

Aunt Jingchun nodded firmly. "You know I never exaggerate."

Jiao Shi laughed. "Oh my, now you've made me want to meet her." Be sure to point her out to me later."

As they spoke, a soft "Mother" came from outside the door.

Hearing this, Jiao Shi beamed with joy, her eyes turning to the door. "Pearl!"

A young girl in a red brocade cloak entered, her skin as white as snow, her bones as fine as jade, dressed in luxurious attire. As she walked, her jewelry tinkled, as if beauty itself had taken form.

Jiao Shi beckoned the girl over lovingly. "Pearl, today is your birthday. Why aren't you outside with your friends? What brings you here to your mother?"

The girl was none other than the renowned Yu Mingzhu of the capital.

True to her name, she smiled radiantly, like a dazzling pearl, her eyes sparkling.

The girl leaned on Jiao Shi's shoulder and whispered. "Mother, though today is my birthday, it's also the day you suffered to bring me into this world. Naturally, I must come to see you first."

With that, Yu Mingzhu had her maid bring a brocade box. Inside was a beautiful piece of red coral.

The coral was small, but its shape remarkably resembled a phoenix about to take flight.

Jiao Shi, who had always loved coral, was moved to tears by the phoenix-shaped red coral.

"My child, where did you find such a beautiful piece of coral?" Jiao Shi's voice trembled slightly.

Yu Mingzhu smiled gently. "Mother, don't worry about that. Just tell me if you like it."

Jiao Shi looked at Yu Mingzhu, her eyes filled with deep maternal love. "My child must have gone through great lengths... I love it, of course I do."

What child, on their own birthday, would remember the mother who went through so much to bring them into the world?

Jiao Shi felt both proud and honored.

This was her most beloved daughter, her most considerate little darling.

In her joy, Jiao Shi had Aunt Jingchun fetch the land deeds from the storeroom.

Seeing Jiao Shi happy, Aunt Jingchun didn't say anything to dampen the mood and cheerfully went to get the land deeds.

Jiao Shi held Yu Mingzhu's hand. "Pearl, originally I said I would give you three estates to manage when you turned twelve. Since you are so sensible and obedient, I will add two more estates. The jewelry shop and the silk shop you liked before, I will give them to you as birthday gifts, how does that sound?"