The residence of the old Marquis and his wife was in the main courtyard of the Marquis estate, called “Fu’antang.”
Ruan Geng was too old to take the battlefield, so the Emperor entrusted him with the two major military camps on the outskirts of the capital—essentially placing the safety of the capital region in his hands. This showed considerable trust.
Most days, Ruan Geng stayed at the camps outside the city, returning to the Marquis estate only for brief stays. That left Old Madame Ruan alone at Fu’antang, which felt rather desolate.
After waking from her afternoon nap, Old Madame Ruan sat alone in the main hall, propping her cheek on one hand as she sank into thought.
The eldest and second branches each had two young masters, all studying at the royal academy “Tiandao Xueyuan” and only returning home once every ten days or half a month.
Qin Ruolan used to visit Fu’antang every few days to keep Old Madame Ruan company, but recently she had been confined to her quarters for self-reflection and hadn’t come by in quite some time.
Thinking of the third branch, Old Madame Ruan naturally pictured Ruan Mianmian’s little face. He bore a six or seven-tenths resemblance to Ruan Qi, and the little milk ball was even more refined-looking than his father. As for the spirit in his brow, the resemblance was even stronger.
Old Madame Ruan let out a long sigh. Sitting up straight, she extended her hand, and the maidservant attending her presented a teacup.
After taking a few sips, Old Madame Ruan handed the cup back, and the maidservant quickly received it with both hands.
“Why is Nanny Yun not here?” Old Madame Ruan had barely finished speaking when Nanny Yun walked in from outside.
“Madame, the old Marquis has returned.”
“That old thing—he remembers to come home?” Old Madame Ruan scolded, yet a smile crept onto her face involuntarily.
Nanny Yun opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
Old Madame Ruan noticed. “A’Yun, you’ve learned to hem and haw too. Surely the old man hasn’t brought a woman back with him?”
Hearing this, Nanny Yun burst into laughter. “Madame, what are you saying? Even if the old Marquis had the desire, he wouldn’t have the nerve. He didn’t even in his youth, let alone now.”
The maidservants attending in the hall and the servants waiting outside the door all covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.
“You and your glib tongue—at your age, still so unserious.” Old Madame Ruan’s gloom was swept away, and her gaze fell on the doorway. “Has he gone to his room to change?”
“The old Marquis hasn’t reached Fu’antang yet.”
“Did he send a servant ahead to announce his arrival?”
“No, not that either.”
Old Madame Ruan looked at Nanny Yun with surprise. Nanny Yun stepped forward and said, “The old Marquis is walking toward Fu’antang right now, holding the hand of the young master.”
“Young master?” Old Madame Ruan was astonished. “You mean Mianmian?”
“Yes.” Nanny Yun paused here, then said, “All of you, withdraw.”
Watching the maidservants file out one by one, Old Madame Ruan sat upright, waiting for Nanny Yun to explain.
“The whole estate is buzzing. The old Marquis held the young master’s hand the entire way here, smiling the whole time. They say the two of them were chatting quite happily.”
Old Madame Ruan was also taken aback. “You mean the old man and Mianmian were getting along famously?”
“Yes.” Nanny Yun couldn’t help but praise him. “All the other young masters are so stiff and formal around the old Marquis, but it seems the young master has caught his eye.”
“Never mind the grandchildren—the eldest and second masters are decades old now, and they still tremble before the old man.”
“The third master was rather close to the old Marquis, though.”
“Qi’er was afraid of his father when he was young too. It wasn’t until he was in his teens and communicated more with the old man that the father and son grew closer.”
“Madame, there’s all sorts of talk spreading through the estate right now.”
“Spread the word: this Marquis estate has no place for loose tongues. Let it stop here.”
“This servant understands.” Nanny Yun lowered her voice. “It’s just that I worry about the eldest and second branches…”
Old Madame Ruan said with displeasure, “Whether we old couple choose to favor someone or not, who would dare to object?”
“It was this servant’s overthinking.”
“Who knows what benefits the Third Branch has given you? These past few days, you’ve been saying nothing but good words on their behalf.”
“This servant has served you for decades. Aside from what you’ve bestowed, I wouldn’t dare accept any benefits from anyone else.”
“If anyone else had said that, I wouldn’t believe it. But since it’s A’Yun who speaks, I trust it.”
“To be honest with you, Old Madame, the other day I caught a glimpse of the young master’s features. The Third Master is someone I watched grow up, and seeing that little face so strikingly similar to his, I felt an overwhelming warmth.”
Old Madame Ruan nodded and fell silent. After a moment, she let out a long sigh. Nanny Yun suddenly knelt down.
“A’Yun, why are you kneeling all of a sudden?”
“This servant presumes to speak from the bottom of my heart, even if it oversteps my bounds. Old Madame, the departed are gone. I beg you to cherish those before your eyes.”
Old Madame Ruan’s expression turned grim in an instant, and pain flickered in her eyes.
Nanny Yun’s eyes brimmed with tears. “A’Yun speaks not for anyone else—I only ache for you. I cannot bear to watch you torment yourself like this.”
“Only you would have the audacity to speak from the heart to my face. I will give it careful thought. The ground is cold—rise quickly.” Old Madame Ruan extended a hand in a gesture of support.
“Thank you, Old Madame.”
Nanny Yun rose to her feet, and both mistress and servant had tearful eyes. Ruan Qi’s drowning was a wound that weighed heavily on the hearts of the old Marquis and his wife.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Nanny Yun lifted her sleeve to dab at the corners of her eyes and walked toward the doorway.
“Who has come? Making such a commotion.” Old Madame Ruan furrowed her brows slightly.
“Miss Ruolan has arrived.” From a distance, Nanny Yun could vaguely make her out. “Oh! The maid beside her seems to be carrying Xue’er in her arms.”
Just as Qin Ruolan reached the outside of the main hall, Ruan Geng, holding Ruan Mianmian by the hand, happened to step through the gates of Fu’antang.
Ruan Mianmian, like a curious little child, looked around in every direction. She had never been here before, but she could tell that this courtyard was more exquisite in every way than anywhere else.
“Grandfather, if you live here, you must be an honored guest of the Marquis.”
“Wrong, wrong—I’m not a guest. I’m the master here.”
Her short little legs came to an abrupt halt, and Ruan Mianmian’s mind raced.
The old gentleman was neither a servant nor a visitor. There was only one master of the Marquis who matched his age.
Ruan Mianmian knelt down respectfully and kowtowed. “Greetings to Grandfather. I pay my respects to Grandfather.”
Seeing this, Ruan Geng looked utterly bewildered. “Little one, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”
“Didn’t you just say this is your home? Then you must be my grandfather, the retired Ding’an Hou.”
“You’re calling me grandfather?”
“You are my father’s father—aren’t you my grandfather?”
“Who is your father?”
“Ruan Qi.”
“You’re Third Brother’s son! You can talk!”
“Reporting to Grandfather, my name is Ruan Mianmian. I can speak—I just wasn’t very willing to talk in the past.”
Ruan Geng scooped up Ruan Mianmian and studied her closely, murmuring to himself, “No wonder she resembles Third Brother when he was little. This old man’s eyes failed him—couldn’t even recognize his own grandson.”
“Then look carefully and remember me well.” Ruan Mianmian brought her little face closer to Ruan Geng and casually grabbed hold of his beard. “Next time, you won’t make that mistake again.”
“You little imp, how bold!” Ruan Geng raised a hand and tapped Ruan Mianmian on the forehead.
Grandfather and granddaughter looked at each other and burst into laughter, unknowingly drawing closer in their bond.
“Grandfather, since I’ve come to your courtyard, Mianmian thinks I should go pay my respects to Grandmother as well.”
“Mm, you’re a sensible child.” Ruan Geng looked up at the sky. “Your grandmother must be in the main hall by now. Come, Grandfather will take you there.”