Chapter 46

Chapter 46

For two days straight, whenever Meng Huaiqing came to check my pulse and administer treatment, I made sure my maidservants were present in the room to serve us.

He was anxious, searching for an opportunity to speak with me alone, but he didn’t dare show it openly.

Seeing that I was ignoring him, he performed the acupuncture in silence and left immediately after finishing.

Having stopped using the Jade Beauty Cream and taking the medicine for two days, the rash on my face had subsided significantly.

On the afternoon of the third day, my father came to visit me.

Yuan Heng was actually in the manor, but he couldn’t be bothered to see my father. Claiming a headache and a need for rest, he ordered the kitchen to prepare several exquisite dishes and told me to entertain my father well.

The meal was set at Tinglan Pavilion.

The pavilion was built over the water, surrounded by a lush grove of trees and flowers with a rockery nearby. It was an excellent spot for viewing the scenery while dining.

My father was slightly stiff, smiling as he stroked his beard and looked around, nodding repeatedly in admiration.

“Father, please take a seat. The food is getting cold.”

I waved my hand, dismissing the other maids and leaving only Cuinong to serve us.

My father hurried to say, “Good, good.”

I looked up at the man across from me.

My father likely thought he would see Yuan Heng today, as he was wearing that sapphire-blue satin robe he usually couldn’t bear to wear. When I was young, I often heard my grandmother nag about how my father was a renowned handsome man in his youth, only to end up marrying a ‘yaksha’ of a woman.

Heh, weren’t you the one forced to marry that yaksha?

Today’s father still had thick eyebrows and large eyes, but years of burying his head in paperwork had etched wrinkles into the corners of his eyes and slightly bowed his back. He looked exactly like any other ordinary minor official in the Capital City.

I personally poured wine for him. “This is fine wine from the Marquis’s private collection. He told me to host you well.”

My father held the cup with both hands to receive the wine, nodding repeatedly. “Many thanks to the Marquis, many thanks.”

Keeping the matter of contacting Song Yan in mind, I asked softly, “Father, last time…”

My father drained his cup in one gulp and asked with a smile, “Qiu’er, are you well-acquainted with that Zhenfu Envoy, Lord Cheng?”

I frowned. Why on earth was he bringing up Cheng Wei?

“Lord Cheng and the Marquis are as close as brothers, but he is very busy. I’ve hardly seen him in the Marquis Manor.”

I picked up a piece of roasted venison with my chopsticks and placed it in my father’s bowl. “Why do you ask about him?”

My father’s expression remained normal, even appearing a bit bashful as he laughed. “When I entered the manor earlier, I saw Lord Cheng. Oh, he was so handsome and imposing. I just wanted to ask if he’s betrothed yet.”

I shot him an annoyed look. “That’s right, Third Younger Sister was born to my legal mother, and you’ve doted on her since she was small. When she put bugs in my blankets and secretly slipped croton seeds into my food, you protected her then, too.”

As I spoke, I stepped on my father’s foot.

My father’s old face turned bright red. “That was just children playing around.”

He lightly stepped back on the tip of my shoe.

I understood.

My father was reminding me that he had encountered Cheng Wei and that I needed to be careful with my words.

I took a bite of food. “Don’t even think about Lord Cheng; he wouldn’t be interested in my sister. Besides, she is still young. I’ll keep an eye out for a good match for her over the next two years.”

My father raised his wine cup and smiled. “Then I shall have to trouble you.”

I picked up my teacup and clinked it against his. “By the way, how is that matter I asked you to handle last time?”

“It’s done.”

My father ate as he spoke. “We can move your mother’s grave after the New Year. As for holding the Buddhist rites at Ci’en Temple… sigh, Qiu’er, don’t blame your father for overstepping, but you have married into a high-ranking family after all. The temple is crowded with many eyes and ears; people will inevitably gossip if they see you.”

His meaning was that he had contacted Song Yan, but Song Yan had refused to meet at Ci’en Temple.

I had Cuinong bring over a bundle I had prepared beforehand, containing clothes, shoes, socks, and jewelry.

“These are some of my mother’s old belongings. I brought them with me when I got married.”

My fingertip brushed over a simple silver hairpin, and I tapped it. “I must trouble Father to make another trip. When the grave is moved, bury my mother’s old things with her. Many of these were given to her by you back then; consider it a way to fulfill the sentiment between you.”

My father looked up, sighed, and said, “I understand.”

Father and daughter fell silent for a moment. A breeze blew past, sending ripples across the surface of the water.

I had no appetite and stared blankly at the table full of food.

My father also set down his chopsticks. “Qiu’er, there is something Father would like to ask your help with as well.”

“Go ahead.” I sneered inwardly; here comes the request for payment.

My father rubbed his hands together. “Filial piety comes before all else. I want to bring your grandmother to the Capital City, but regarding your legal mother’s side…”

I took a sip of tea. “I understand. Just say that I was the one who brought Grandmother here. I will be the one to speak to Mother about it.”

My father was overjoyed. “That would be wonderful.”

I thought for a moment, then turned to instruct Cuinong. “The Marquis mentioned before that if my mother’s grave needed to be moved or rites performed, I should simply withdraw the funds. Go find Steward Li later and tell him I want to buy the residence next to my family’s house and renovate it properly for Grandmother to live in. Have him arrange the silver for it.”

My father was both shocked and delighted, waving his hands frantically. “Is that quite right? The house next door belongs to the Han Family, the Taichang Temple Assistant. They’ve lived in that old residence for over a decade; why would they be willing to sell? Furthermore, there are fixed standards for officials’ residences. As a mere Sixth-rank Official, it wouldn’t do for me to be too conspicuous.”

I said indifferently, “Everything is negotiable. Once the house is bought, it will be registered under my name, so you need not worry too much, Father. This way, you avoid conflicts between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law living in the same courtyard, while making it convenient for you to show filial piety to Grandmother. It serves both purposes.”