Legend of Concubine's Daughter Minglan 知否知否 应是绿肥红瘦

C99. Returning to Ancestral Mansion (1)

This time when Minglan returned to ancestral mansion, she was in sombre mood because the whole mansion was overlaid with a certain nervousness, completely different from the joyful atmosphere two years ago. Servants went in and out of the inner mansion cautiously without making any noise, and no one dared to laugh or frolic.

Minglan first visited Sheng Wei and Li shi who were both pale and thin. Li shi looked haggard and worn.

As the old saying goes, there are no dutiful children at the bedside of chronic ill parents.

But First Old Madam Sheng was in no way representative of parents in general. In those years she had gone through all kinds of hardships and brought her young children up. She was indeed the biggest contributor of the prosperity of the Sheng family. As the eldest daughter-in-law of the first branch of Sheng family, Li shi should attend upon First Old Madam Sheng heart and soul. After months of looking after her mother-in-law, Li shi felt half dead with tiredness.

"Father, Mother, you two have been nursing Grandmother in front of sickbed for a long time. Thank you for your hard work. I am sorry I come back late." Changwu cried and fell to his knees at Sheng Wei's feet. Kang Yun'er also knelt beside him. Li shi hastened to help her son and daughter-in-law up, and took Yun'er to sit down on a soft couch. Then she said with concern, "My dear child, you are pregnant now. After the long journey, you must be tired. You can have a break after meeting Old Madam. Our family won't mind that."

Kang Yun'er firmly declined Li shi's suggestion. Sheng Wei urged, "Listen to your mother-in-law. It's what Old Madam hoped you to do." Li shi turned around, took Minglan and Changdong's hands at the same time and said lovingly, "Good children, you two must be tired too. Come on, follow me."

She led them to First Old Madam Sheng's bedroom. After walking in, Minglan was acutely aware of the pungent odor of herbal medicines. In the middle of the bedroom, there was a five-layered lotus-shaped gilding brazier, in which charcoals burned brightly. It was cold outside, but in the room it was warm. Changdong couldn't help but shiver because of the sudden change in temperature. Minglan reached out and gently stroked his back.

Old Madam Sheng, who sat on the edge of the bed with a solemn expression, broke into a faint smile at the sight of her grandson and granddaughter. She just nodded to Minglan without saying anything. Changwu walked quickly to the bedside and dropped to his knees, crying sadly, "Grandmother, I'm back."

Minglan came up and saw First Old Madam Sheng lying on the bed with her gray hair neatly combed, her eyes sunken and black-ringed, the bridge of her nose sunken slightly too, her eyes closed tight. When she heard Changwu's voice, she struggled to open her mouth slightly but no sound came out because she was too weak. Finally, with the help of an old female servant who was in charge of decocting herbal medicine, she nodded with difficulty. But soon she slipped into a coma again.

Wen shi, who was waiting upon beside the bed, gently wiped tears off her face and sobbed, "Grandmother has been unable to speak since a few days ago. She can only swallow some porridge. Today she's better than the last few days." Changwu immediately bowed to her and said, "Sister-in-law, you must be tired from looking after grandmother. Thank you."

In order to give First Old Madam Sheng an undisturbed rest, they all walked out of the bedroom and went back to the main room. Changwu, Kang Yun'er, Minglan and Changdong greeted Old Madam Sheng by dipping a curtsy or making a bow. Old Madam Sheng asked a few questions about current affairs in the capital. Changwu answered her one by one. Li shi was surprised to see lots of big boxes and bags stacking in the courtyard. Changwu said evasively, "... I have asked for a funeral leave of nine months..."