Before long, the elderly maid appeared again. “Eldest Miss, Madam says to go to the private room at the tea house across the street—Xiangyun Pavilion—and wait for her there.”
“Ah, alright!”
Min Ruolan’s face lit up with a smile. She knew her mother would never truly abandon her.
Lan Shuang, however, wasn’t as optimistic, but she said nothing. A brief moment of happiness for her sister-in-law was enough.
The three of them waited in Xiangyun Pavilion for about half an hour before the door finally opened. Madam Min arrived, fashionably late.
She was dressed plainly, with a veil over her head, clearly not wanting anyone to know she had come to see Min Ruolan.
Once the maid closed the door, Madam Min removed her veil, revealing her well-maintained face.
“Mother!”
Seeing her mother, Min Ruolan was deeply moved. She flung herself into her mother’s arms like a young swallow returning to its nest.
“My child, you’ve suffered,” Madam Min said, hugging her tightly. Mother and daughter cried together, while Lan Shuang held Su’er with a complicated expression.
After they had cried enough, Madam Min looked kindly at Min Ruolan.
“Ruolan, don’t blame me. I am representing the entire Min family today. Hundreds in the Min clan cannot come to harm.”
“I understand, Mother,” Min Ruolan said, her voice hoarse. “But I’ve come to you today with one request.”
She gestured to Su’er. “Su’er, come over.”
“Auntie,” Su’er said, holding Lan Shuang’s hand tightly. Children are sensitive; he knew his maternal grandmother didn’t truly care for him.
“Go ahead,” Lan Shuang said, gently patting his hand. “Auntie is here with you.”
“Mm,” Su’er replied, then obeyed and walked to Min Ruolan and her mother. Min Ruolan lovingly held him.
“Su’er, quickly call your grandmother.”
“Grandmother,” he said politely.
Madam Min sighed softly. “Su’er is a sensible child.”
“Mother, today Su’er nearly died. He was poisoned!”
Min Ruolan took the handkerchief Lan Shuang handed her to wipe her tears. “I nearly lost my mind. They wouldn’t even spare such a young child. Mother, I beg you, please protect Su’er.”
Her words were filled with anguish. Madam Min furrowed her brows, helpless.
“Ruolan, it’s not that I am heartless. Su’er is still a Lan. If the Min family were to shelter him, we would be going against the emperor. I cannot be selfish; I must consider the entire Lan family.”
“Mother…”
Min Ruolan knelt before her mother, clutching Su’er. “I have no other way. I beg you, save Su’er’s life.”
“Mother, I will not leave.”
Though small, Su’er was not foolish. He knew his grandmother didn’t care for him, so he clung tightly to Min Ruolan.
“I want to stay with my grandmother, mother, and aunties.”
“You see, the child doesn’t even want to leave me,” Madam Min said, finding a convenient excuse.
Min Ruolan’s eyes were red as she scolded Su’er. “Su’er, do you think I want to be separated from you? I’m doing this for your own good!”
“Ruolan, don’t blame the child,” Madam Min said, glancing at Lan Shuang. In the past, Lan Shuang had been soft-spoken and quiet, so Madam Min didn’t mind if she overheard.
“I have a good plan. Would you like to hear it?”
“Yes, Mother, please tell me,” Min Ruolan said, thinking her mother had changed her mind. She was delighted.
But Lan Shuang sensed otherwise. She sipped her tea and nibbled on a snack—if nothing else, she would eat for free. After all, the Min family was paying.
“You are to divorce Lan Xiao, Ruolan. I cannot bear to see you suffer any longer,” Madam Min said.
Min Ruolan’s expression, which had been smiling moments ago, froze. She stared at her mother in disbelief.
“Mother, then what about my Su’er?”
“Su’er is a Lan. That will never change.”
Madam Min wiped away Min Ruolan’s tears. “Ruolan, my child… I am selfish. I only want what’s good for you.”
“But Mother, I am a mother now too,” Min Ruolan said, her eyes complex. “You want what’s good for me, but all I want is what’s good for Su’er. I will not divorce Lan Xiao. In life, I am a Lan; in death, I am a Lan ghost.”
Her tone was firm, making Madam Min uneasy. “Ruolan, why must you be so stubborn?”
“Mother, today, just pretend I never came.”
Min Ruolan knew what her mother meant—she had essentially been given two options: either divorce, or sever all contact.
“Ruolan!”
Madam Min tried to speak again, but Lan Shuang stepped in front of Min Ruolan and said firmly, “Madam, everyone has their own difficulties. We understand you, and we ask that you understand the bond between my eldest sister-in-law and eldest brother.”
“Enough. Ruolan, if you regret it, come to me quietly,” Madam Min said, handing her a small purse.
“This is all I can do for you. Take care!”
She didn’t dare stay longer; after giving some tea money, she left hastily. In the private room, Min Ruolan—who had pretended to be strong—was already in tears.
“Mother, don’t cry. Once Su’er passes his exams, I’ll make sure you live well again.”
The little Su’er, small as he was, wiped Min Ruolan’s tears. Moved, she cried even harder.
“Shuang, can you believe how sensible Su’er is? How could I possibly abandon him?”
This child was part of her own flesh and blood. How could she bear to let him be harmed?
“I understand, eldest sister-in-law,” Lan Shuang said gently, patting her hand. Meanwhile, the second servant brought four dishes and one soup.
“Guest, this was sent over by that Madam just now,” he said.
Madam Min, despite everything, still cared for her daughter. This was the only thing she could give.
“Shuang, let’s pack some to take back,” Min Ruolan said.
But her thoughts also went to the pregnant Xu Chahua and Grandmother Lan. Nowadays, it was hard for them to even eat a decent meal.
“Alright, let’s follow eldest sister-in-law’s lead,” Lan Shuang said.
Lan Shuang didn’t intervene. Each of the three ate a meat bun, and by the time they brought Su’er home, it was already mid-afternoon.
Xu Chahua helped Grandmother Lan sit under the big tree at the village entrance and chatted with the neighbors.
Aunt Hua, ever talkative, asked Xu Chahua, “Chahua, why didn’t your husband come back with you?”
“My husband has affairs to attend to,” Xu Chahua replied bitterly, tugging at her lips.
Grandmother Lan looked toward the village entrance. She hoped Shuang and Ruolan would return quickly, but at the same time, she didn’t want Su’er to come back—at least this would show that the Min family had accepted him.
Yet when they saw Min Ruolan returning with Su’er in her arms, a strong sense of disappointment arose in them.
“Grandmother.”
Xu Chahua helped Grandmother Lan to her feet, stepping closer. Min Ruolan awkwardly said,
“Su’er doesn’t want to stay in the Min household.”
“I understand,” Grandmother Lan said. She was a woman of dignity; she knew the reason, yet did not press for more.
As they walked back, Xu Chahua whispered to Lan Shuang,
“Shuang, eldest sister-in-law doesn’t look very happy. Is it because the Min family won’t accept Su’er?”
Lan Shuang sighed. “Yes. He’s been protected too well by his second uncle.”
They reheated the meals they had brought back for dinner. Everyone was in low spirits. Lan Shuang informed them,
“Grandmother, I’ll be going out tonight.”
The Dog Emperor… her revenge was about to begin.