Сhарtеr 15: Lаtе Arrival
Еаrlу mоrning.
Оn the first and fifteеnth dаys of еach lunаr mоnth, it wаs а trаditiоn in the Jiаng fаmilу fоr the yоunger female mеmbеrs to ассоmрanу thеir еlders for brеаkfast аnd receivе their guidаnce and tеaсhings.
This wаs аlways аn oppоrtunitу fоr Jiаng Luowei tо dеmоnstrаte her filiаl piеty. Oftеn, even bеfore thе hour of Chеn hаd аrrived, shе wоuld alreadу be wаiting оutside Old Мadam Jiаng’s cоurtуаrd.
“Thе eldest уoung ladу hаs аrrived,”
Mama Li came to орen the door аnd wаs not surprised tо sеe Jiang Luowei. “The Old Madam has just risen and is washing up. The temperature dropped last night, and it’s quite cold outside. Please come inside and wait, eldest young lady.”
Today, Jiang Luowei wore a lotus-pink long skirt with delicate floral patterns embroidered with silk thread along the hem. Her hair was elegantly styled, and she appeared refined and graceful—exactly the kind of appearance elders favored.
Hearing Mama Li’s words, Jiang Luowei immediately bowed slightly and said softly, “Thank you, Mama Li.”
Inside the room.
In the center of the spacious main hall stood a rosewood Eight Immortals table. Surrounding it were matching armchairs, each adorned with brocade cushions embroidered with peony patterns.
By this time, the servants had already begun setting the breakfast dishes sent from the kitchen on the table.
Old Madam Jiang, supported by Mama Li, took her seat. Seeing Jiang Luowei arrive as early as usual, she showed a satisfied expression.
But upon looking again, only Jiang Luowei had come, and Jiang Chuji was nowhere to be seen. She couldn’t help but frown.
“Where is that girl Chuji? Why hasn’t she come?”
“Could it be that no one told her she was to have breakfast with me today?”
Mama Li immediately replied, “She was informed, but…”
“Grandmother,” Jiang Luowei interjected, putting on an understanding expression. “My younger sister is a bit younger than me. She probably overslept and couldn’t get up, which is why she’s late.”
If she hadn’t mentioned it, it might have been fine. But as soon as she brought up oversleeping, Old Madam Jiang’s face immediately darkened with displeasure.
“This is her first time having breakfast with me since returning to the Jiang family, and she only cares about sleeping. She truly has no sense of rules or propriety.”
“I had thought that child was sensible, especially after she jumped into the lake for me the other day. But now it seems I overestimated her.”
Old Madam Jiang’s tone was filled with disappointment.
That Chen Shi had done such shameless things, and she loathed her to the extreme. Even Chen Shi’s daughter, despite being the legitimate daughter, was not to her liking.
If the child were obedient and sensible, it would be one thing—after all, she was her own granddaughter. But if she lacked understanding, how could she expect her to treat her kindly?
Seeing this, Jiang Luowei couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.
This Jiang Chuji, having grown up in a temple, truly had no one to teach her manners.
Old Madam Jiang had always valued family etiquette, yet she dared to be late for her first meal. She was bringing this upon herself.
“Forget it, there’s no need to wait for her. Luo Wei, you may accompany me in eating first,” Old Madam Jiang waved her hand and said directly.
However, just then, there was a commotion outside. Jiang Chuji arrived belatedly, led in by a servant.
As soon as she entered the main hall, she properly bowed to Old Madam Jiang and said, “Grandmother, Chuer has come late.”
Compared to the meticulously dressed Jiang Luowei, Jiang Chuji’s attire was much simpler and plainer.
She wore a plain ruqun, a skirt without excessive decorations or elaborate embroidery, resembling a pale lily blooming in the mountains—pure and elegant.
Her long hair was simply tied up with an ordinary wooden hairpin, with a few strands falling loosely over her shoulders. Her face was free of makeup, yet her skin remained as fair as snow.Yet upon closer inspection, the young girl appeared as though she hadn’t rested well, with faint dark circles under her eyes that betrayed a hint of weariness.
Old Madam Jiang’s tone was sharp: “So you know you’re late?”
After sleeping for so long, she still looked drowsy.
Jiang Chuji lowered her head and bowed slightly, speaking softly: “It’s all Chuer’s fault. I was too focused on collecting rootless water for Grandmother and lost track of time.”
Rootless water?
Hearing this, everyone present was taken aback.
The next moment, Jiang Chuji glanced at Fuling, signaling her to present the porcelain bottle in her hands.
Old Madam Jiang looked at the bottle and asked, “This is…”
Jiang Chuji replied respectfully, “Grandmother, although the legend of Lake Heart Grass is false, I read in the Compendium of Materia Medica that morning dew is considered rootless water. It can be used in medicine and serves as an excellent medicinal catalyst.”
“Moreover, dew collected before sunrise in autumn carries the astringent and purging energy of the season. When used to brew medicines that moisten the lungs and dispel pathogens, it has remarkable effects.”
“Knowing that I would be having breakfast with Grandmother today, Chuer went to collect dew before the hour of Yin, hoping to bring it along. But it wasn’t until just now that I managed to fill this bottle, so I hurried over.”
“I hope Grandmother won’t blame Chuer for being incapable. Please try using this rootless water to brew medicine—it might truly have a miraculous effect on Grandmother’s cough.”
Then, shifting her tone to one full of self-reproach, she added, “…But no matter what, being late to accompany Grandmother for the meal is indeed Chuer’s fault. Chuer asks Grandmother to punish me.”
Was this bottle truly filled with rootless water?
Dew must be collected leaf by leaf, drop by drop. Even filling a small bottle like this would require an immense amount of time and effort.
Moreover, only freshly collected dew from the same day can be used in medicine. That’s why such a labor-intensive medicinal catalyst isn’t sold in pharmacies. If one wants to use rootless water to brew medicine, they must collect it themselves.
And judging by the weight of the bottle when shaken lightly, it contained no small amount of dew.
Old Madam Jiang couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath.
No wonder the child had such dark circles under her eyes, looking as though she hadn’t slept well. So she had barely slept last night to do this!
That Luo Wei girl woke up early and arrived early. But in comparison, this Chuji girl showed far greater filial devotion.
“You silly child, why do you keep doing such foolish things?” Old Madam Jiang’s attitude softened immediately as she motioned for Jiang Chuji to come closer. “How could I bear to punish you when you always think of your grandmother like this?”
She then took Jiang Chuji’s hand, her tone unusually gentle: “Collecting so much dew all night—you must be exhausted, aren’t you?”
“I’m not tired, Grandmother.”
The young girl shook her head obediently, appearing even more sensible and endearing.
Jiang Chuji was telling the truth—she truly wasn’t tired.
Because the water in the bottle was simply well water she had poured in after waking from her nap.
Jiang Chuji would never sacrifice herself or indulge in self-pity for the sake of others. She’d rather spend that time getting more sleep.
Jiang Luowei, who had been left aside, was almost in disbelief.
Rootless water—would anyone really stay up all night, running around the courtyard to collect such a thing?
First Lake Heart Grass, now rootless water—what was Jiang Chuji up to with all these tricks? Was she genuinely foolishly filial, or was she deliberately putting on this act to win Grandmother’s favor?
And yet, Grandmother fell for it every time!Jiang Luowei secretly clenched her hands, yet still managed to say on the surface, “My sister’s devotion to Grandmother makes me, as the elder sister, feel ashamed of my own shortcomings.”
Jiang Chuji’s tone was innocent: “Sister woke up early to dress up and come wait here just to accompany Grandmother for breakfast. It is I who should learn more from you.”
One devoted her thoughts to Grandmother, the other to herself. Which was superior and which inferior became clear at once.
Old Madam Jiang, however, was quite pleased: “You are both good children. Grandmother is very comforted. Since everyone is here, let us begin the meal.”
Jiang Chuji replied obediently, “Yes, Grandmother.”
Yet afterward, her gaze seemed to linger faintly on Jiang Luowei.