Mu Lanchuan knew Mu Zhaozhao was just trying to cheer her up. Smiling with maternal affection, she asked, “Zhaozhao, Liu Aying heard that you got married. Is your husband a soldier? How is he? Is he good to you?”
At the mention of Yue Xianzhi, Mu Zhaozhao’s expression darkened slightly. She said somberly, “Grand-Aunt, Yue Xianzhi isn’t a good man. Qi Ruobing arranged him for me on purpose. He already has someone else in his heart, and he’s even keeping that woman and her son from a previous marriage with him at the military base. I went to Changxing Island Military District to find him a few days ago, and after discovering everything, I demanded a divorce.”
Hearing this, Mu Lanchuan squeezed Mu Zhaozhao’s hand a little tighter. “Grand-Aunt supports you. How could a scum like that be worthy of my Zhaozhao? Once you’re divorced, you’ll definitely find someone better.”
Mu Zhaozhao broke into a smile. “Grand-Aunt, I’m in no rush to find anyone better. Right now, I just want to stay by your side and keep you company.”
“Look at that sweet mouth of yours—it’s like it’s coated in honey! My heart feels so sweet right now… Cough, cough!” Mu Lanchuan laughed, but soon ran out of energy and began coughing violently.
Mu Zhaozhao panicked. “Grand-Aunt, Auntie Liu spilled the medicine earlier. Wait for me a moment, I’ll go brew another batch for you.”
Saying that, she took the medicine bowl from Liu Aying, who was standing behind her, and headed straight for the kitchen.
Mu Lanchuan wanted to tell her not to bother, but before she could speak, Mu Zhaozhao was already gone. Worrying about her, Liu Aying said a quick word and followed her out.
Once in the kitchen, Mu Zhaozhao quickly retrieved some spiritual spring water and filled the entire clay pot with it.
When Liu Aying came in, Mu Zhaozhao handed her a package of Chinese herbal medicine and taught her the key points for brewing it, after which Liu Aying took over the process.
Mu Zhaozhao silently hoped that the spiritual spring water would work on Mu Lanchuan’s illness.
Once the medicine was ready, Mu Zhaozhao carefully carried it to Mu Lanchuan’s bed. “Grand-Aunt, come, take your medicine.”
With a smile, Mu Lanchuan allowed Mu Zhaozhao to tend to her as she drank it down.
Mu Zhaozhao then produced a preserved plum out of nowhere and handed it to Mu Lanchuan. “Grand-Aunt, eat this, and it won’t taste bitter anymore.”
Grateful, Mu Lanchuan nodded and obediently opened her mouth to eat the plum. It was sweet and sour, instantly washing away the bitterness in her mouth.
After eating it, she felt a surge of warmth flowing through her whole body, as if her entire frame had been injected with new vitality.
Without needing anyone to support her, she immediately sat straight up and said in astonishment, “Today’s medicine seems to have a magical effect! I don’t feel nearly as chest-tight or short of breath.”
“Really? Old Madam, it seems Miss Zhaozhao truly is your lucky star!” Hearing this, Liu Aying was overjoyed.
Mu Zhaozhao smiled and wrapped her arm around Mu Lanchuan’s. “Grand-Aunt, you still need to be careful. Don’t sit up so fast; take it slow. Your health will definitely keep improving from now on.”
It seemed the spiritual spring water had worked, allowing her to keep her grandmother’s sister in this world.
“Alright, I’ll listen to my Zhaozhao,” Mu Lanchuan said affectionately.
Mu Zhaozhao stayed at the mansion to chat with Mu Lanchuan, spending the entire afternoon there.
As dinner time approached, she volunteered again, insisting on cooking so Mu Lanchuan could taste her culinary skills.
In the middle of preparing the meal, Mu Zhaozhao replaced all the water in Mu Lanchuan’s water storage vat with spiritual spring water. If Grand-Aunt kept consuming the spiritual spring water regularly, her body would recover sooner or later.
She then prepared four dishes and a soup: Braised Prawns, Kung Pao Chicken, Flash-Fried Greens, Stir-Fried Tofu, and an Old Hen Broth. Everything was cooked until tender and soft, perfectly suited for the elderly.
When the food was served, Mu Lanchuan looked at the table full of dishes—rich in color, aroma, and taste—and suddenly felt a surge of appetite.
Moved, she said, “Zhaozhao, you came to see me and even cooked such a spread for me. Even if I closed my eyes forever right now, it would be worth it.”
“Spit, spit, spit! Quick, take back those unlucky words! You still have to live to a hundred to keep me company,” Mu Zhaozhao said thoughtfully as she handed over a pair of chopsticks. “Taste it! If it’s good, I’ll come cook for you often.”
“Right, spit, spit, spit! I’m going to live to a hundred and stay with my granddaughter,” Mu Lanchuan chuckled like a playful child as she took the chopsticks.
Mu Zhaozhao called out, “Auntie Liu, come eat with us too! Grand-Aunt and I can’t finish all this.”
“Yes, Liu Aying, come eat,” Mu Lanchuan invited as well.
Bedridden for the past year, Mu Lanchuan had always been cared for in bed by Liu Aying. It had been a long time since she could get out of bed and eat at the table with anyone.
Seeing this, Liu Aying nodded hurriedly. “Alright.” Her eyes turned red with emotion. She had never expected to see the day when the Old Madam’s health would improve enough for her to get out of bed on her own.
After dinner, Mu Zhaozhao said her goodbyes. “Grand-Aunt, I have to go back to the Mu family’s old residence to stay for a while. Mu Shangyu has transferred most of the family’s assets. I need to find a way to scout out the hiding location and take them back one by one. Those assets were earned through the lifelong hard work of my grandfather and father—I won’t let outsiders profit off them.”
Mu Lanchuan nodded in understanding. Recalling something Mu Yuanqiao had told her, she said, “Zhaozhao, before your grandfather passed away, he repeatedly instructed me that your parents had a jade pendant token of love, and you must get your hands on it. He said that if you take that jade pendant to the basement of the old residence, you’ll find what you’re looking for. He didn’t specify what it was, but it must be very important. Go give it a try.”
“I understand, Grand-Aunt. I’ll take my leave today, and I’ll come visit you again tomorrow if I have time,” Mu Zhaozhao said, reluctant to part.
“Good child. It’s quite far from the city center here—just come whenever you have time.” Though reluctant as well, Mu Lanchuan didn’t want to burden Mu Zhaozhao.
Liu Aying walked Mu Zhaozhao out. As they neared the gate, Mu Zhaozhao asked, “Auntie Liu, has there been any news about Grand-Aunt’s son after all these years?”
Searching through the original owner’s memories, she knew that Mu Lanchuan had given birth to a son when she was young, but he had gone missing at just three years old. Later, her husband died in battle. That was why she had come to Hu City to seek refuge with her older brother, Mu Yuanqiao. Under Mu Yuanqiao’s care, though she lived without financial worries, she was still lonely. Because of this, she treated Mu Zhaozhao like her own biological granddaughter.
Liu Aying shook her head despondently. “No.”
Mu Zhaozhao nodded knowingly and walked straight away.
At the hospital, Mu Yunxing had waited for Qi Ruobing all day, but no one ever showed up.
She found it strange. They had clearly agreed yesterday that Qi Ruobing would bring her meals today—why hadn’t she come?
Feeling a bad premonition, she braced her arm and prepared to leave the hospital.
Mu Zhaozhao had only dislocated her shoulder, not broken the bone; after setting it, a couple of days’ rest at the hospital would have sufully healed it. But she couldn’t wait any longer.
When she rushed back to the Mu family’s old residence, she happened to run right into Mu Zhaozhao, who had just returned as well.
Mu Zhaozhao sneered down at her. “Mu Yunxing, how does it feel having your arm in a sling? Comfortable?”
“Mu Zhaozhao, did you dislocate my shoulder on purpose?!” Furious, Mu Yunxing raised her hand, wanting to smash it into Mu Zhaozhao’s face. For a moment, she forgot that her right arm was still immobilized by wooden splints.
She cried out in pain: “Ouch—!”
Mu Zhaozhao said coldly, “If you didn’t harbor the intent to hit people, it wouldn’t hurt. You brought this upon yourself!”
Mu Yunxing shot a sharp, piercing glare at Mu Zhaozhao. “Who are you? You’re not Mu Zhaozhao!”