Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 536 - 278: Who Could it Be (Happy Birthday Cake for srrsrg +)_1

Chapter 536: Chapter 278: Who Could it Be (Happy Birthday Cake for srrsrg +)_1

The summons from Prince Ning’s Mansion explicitly requested the presence of Old Madam Qian.

Upon hearing this, Old woman Qian was both excited and afraid. With a crooked mouth, she said to Qian Sangui, "I’ve heard that behaving improperly in the presence of the royal family is also a crime. My mouth is crooked, and I drool, unable to speak clearly. Will Princess Consort punish me for impropriety?"

Qian Sangui laughed, "Of course not. Your condition is an illness, not something you’re doing on purpose. Besides, Princess Ning is generous and easygoing. She’s inviting you as a gesture of thanks for the care you provided to Prince Ning’s Heir back in the countryside, so why would she blame you?"

After hearing this, Old Madam finally felt at ease.

Two afternoons later, Qian Yixiu, dressed neatly, first went to the courtyard of Old man Qian and Old woman Qian, where Lady Wu had already arrived, dressed and ready. Old woman Qian had been well groomed, wearing a brown brocaded satin garment with interwoven lotus patterns, a horse-face skirt with purplish-red cloud patterns, a red-gold chrysanthemum-inlaid pearl hairpin, and a forehead band studded with jewels. She was also wearing a gold-inlaid jade bracelet on her wrist.

She was also made up, and she was uncomfortable with the makeup on her face.

Seeing Qian Yixiu, she spoke with a lopsided mouth, "Yixiu, dressing up an old face like Great-grandma’s, I look like an old demon. Oh my, I’m so embarrassed."

Qian Yixiu replied with a smile, "Great-grandma looks pretty like this; you seem several years younger. The makeup of other Old Madams is even thicker than yours."

Old man Qian also laughed heartily, "I think it looks good. The old woman looks just like the Madame of a distinguished family after getting dressed up."

A few servants added their flattery, "Old Great-grandpa, the Old Madam is indeed the Madame of a distinguished family."

Old man Qian laughed heartily at this, "Indeed, indeed."

After comforting Old Madam for a while, Qian Yixiu went to Xiyue Pavilion. Little mother and Mingming, Jingjing were already well prepared.

After that, they took a carriage to Prince Ning’s Mansion.

Xiao Lei and Eunuch Guo, the chief eunuch of Princess Ning, were already waiting at the side gate. As they got off the carriage and were about to take the sedan chairs, they saw Qian Manxia and her two children arriving.

Since coming to the capital, Qian Manxia had only visited her parent’s home once. Now that she had a mother-in-law, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to visit as frequently as she did back in the countryside.

After exchanging greetings, they all took the sedan chairs directly to the main courtyard where Princess Ning resided.

Once out of the sedan chairs, Qian Yixiu helped Pan Yue, while Lady Wu assisted Old woman Qian. Led by Eunuch Guo, the group entered the main house of the central courtyard. They turned left into the East Room, where they saw a woman in her forties sitting on the kang near the window.

On the chair to the left were three more people, who appeared to be a mother and her daughters.

The group approached the woman sitting on the kang and bent their knees in salute, saying, "We pay our respects to Princess Ning."

Although several mouths seemed to move, only Qian Yixiu’s voice could be heard. Pan Yue and several young children were unable to speak, and voices of Lady Wu, Old woman Qian, and Qian Manxia were choked with anxiety.

Assisted by Sister Wang, Princess Ning rose from her seat, first stabilizing Old woman Qian and Lady Wu, then holding Pan Yue with one hand and Qian Yixiu with another, she said with tears, "We finally meet. After so many years, I have been longing to see you all, to personally express my gratitude for the care and love you showed to Jinjin." Then turning to Pan Yue, she asked, "Yueyue, do you still remember your elder cousin?"

Pan Yue blankly shook her head.

Eunuch Guo and Sister Wang assisted Princess Ning to the pit to sit down, then consoled her with a few words.

Meanwhile, the three women from the Sun family, seated amongst the noblewomen and already acquainted with those from Lord Xiangen Mansion, were filled with contempt. They offered a slight bow and a nod as a form of greeting. They felt that the Marquis Mansion ranked higher than the Baron’s residence, and considering they were the Princess Consort’s mother and sisters, saw no need to stand. Especially upon seeing Old Madam Qian’s appearance, they wrinkled their noses disdainfully, the two young ladies even covering their noses with handkerchiefs.

Suppressing his irritation, Eunuch Guo addressed them, "Madam Sun, Sixth Miss, Seventh Miss, this is Princess Zhenyue, and this is Old Madam Qian."

In terms of rank, the princess held a higher status, and by seniority, Old Madam held greater respect. Madam Sun should have stood up, and the two misses should have offered their respects, even vacating the seats to their left for them.

Besides, the Qian family were guests personally invited by the Princess Consort today, certainly far more welcome than these three uninvited individuals.

Madam Sun, Lady Jin, and Suns Xiaolu and Xiaochen had no choice but to rise, their faces red, and bowed slightly to Pan Yue and Old Madam Qian. Sister Wang came by to help Old Madam sit in the second chair to the left and gestured for Yixiu to help Pan Yue sit in the first chair. They were followed by Lady Wu, Qian Manxia, Yixiu, then Mingming, Jingjing, Fangfang, and the wet nurse holding Fufu, who sat on the cushioned stool at the back. The Suns took their places on the right.

Princess Ning smiled and waved, summoning Yixiu and her two brothers and Fangfang to her side. She pulled Yixiu to sit on her left, then had Mingming, Jingjing, and Fangfang lifted onto the heated brick bed to eat fruit.

She held Yixiu’s hand and chatted with Pan Yue and the others. Because of her amiable attitude and gentle tone, and with much contribution from Zhu Sujin, it wasn’t long before Lady Wu, Old Madam Qian, and Qian Manxia joined the conversation, and even Pan Yue occasionally chimed in with a remark.

They talked about Zhu Sujin’s childhood antics, how he "bullied" little Yixiu, how he would run to the village to beg for food, how sweet-talking he was, how in a family where everyone was thin and yellow-faced, he was the only one chubby and plump... All of this brought both tears and laughter to Princess Ning.

Yixiu glanced at the profile of Princess Ning: a pitiful yet great mother. Having missed out on her son’s growing years, she always sought to hear from others what her son used to be like, how he lived, and just how lovable he was...

Princess Ning should have been thirty-five this year, yet she looked considerably older and was quite thin. She wore even more layers than Master Sangui, donning even a leather jacket and heating the brick bed. Her hands were dry and icy, with bulging veins on the backs. But to Yixiu, her grasp felt unsurpassably warm, a warmth that penetrated her heart.

Yixiu thought, this was the woman behind a man nearing success. Not even the Red Demon Fruit could extend her life by much—her body was completely run down, even worse than Master Sangui’s.

Looking at the two impatient girls awaiting their turn, one as beautiful as a blooming flower and the other like a bud yet to blossom, Yixiu felt like cursing. The three of them were utterly despicable.

For years, Prince Ning carried his burden in silence, enduring humiliation. Only in the last couple of years had his days become somewhat better. She wondered if she would be able to see the day when he reigned supreme and his mother held the highest esteem as the empress mother.

One could tell from Princess Ning’s gentle disposition that she wasn’t necessarily the type of woman set on becoming the empress mother. But as the man grew ambitious, the woman also had to progress alongside her husband.

However, it was uncertain who would sit beside him once that day arrived...

Yixiu’s contemplation was interrupted by their laughter. Princess Ning patted Yixiu’s hand and said, "Good child, Jinjin took many treats from you, making you go hungry."

Yixiu laughed, "My brother didn’t just take my treats; occasionally, he would give me some candy. But that candy came from his mouth, complete with teeth marks, so I refused it."

Upon her words, everyone burst into hearty laughter once more, and Princess Ning’s tears joined the mirth.

PS: Thank you for your monthly ticket, much appreciated!