Chapter 220: Aunt Meng Is a Good Person
Chapter 220: Aunt Meng Is a Good Person
Aunt Wen had always suffered from a deficiency of qi and blood, which took a toll on her health.
Even on warmer days like today, her hands and feet remained icy cold.
During the winter months, even when sitting by the fireplace, her hands would sometimes feel colder than ice itself.
At this moment, as she was soothed by those around her, Aunt Wen smiled sheepishly and offered a few more words of gratitude.
Soon after, Su Yin was sent away, and Princess Qi once again admonished the crowd before allowing them to leave.
Although Concubine Meng was worried about Sui Sui, she was also eager to express her gratitude to the young girl.
So, she followed the crowd back to their quarters and then began rummaging through her private storage.
"I remember that Empress Dowager bestowed a pair of purple jade earrings a while back," she mused. "They might look a bit mature for Sui Sui right now, but they're definitely a keepsake item. Where did I put them?"
"And what about that jewel tree the Prince gave me on my birthday a few years ago?"
...
Concubine Meng searched high and low, eager to pack up all her belongings to give to Sui Sui.
Not only that, but she also pulled out all the vibrant, high-quality fabrics she could find.
After all, the Jinxiu Workshop had been busy lately, so she might as well give them a little more work.
As Concubine Meng was tidying up, a servant from the gatehouse arrived with news that someone from the Meng Mansion had come to visit.
Concubine Meng hurried off with Aunt Sun to see who it was.
The visitor turned out to be the son of the chief steward of Meng Mansion, who now served as a minor steward himself.
Concubine Meng recognized him and, after waving away his greeting, asked him with a smile if he had come on some matter.
The young steward had indeed come to deliver gifts.
After Concubine Meng's encounter yesterday, Lady Meng had returned to the mansion worried and uneasy. So, early this morning, she had prepared some items and, remembering Concubine Meng's fondness for the roast chicken from the Wangyue Lounge, sent someone to buy some, along with various other snacks.
Once everything was ready, she had sent them over to the Qi Wang Mansion.
Concubine Meng was deeply touched by her birth family's thoughtful gesture as she looked over the items.
She chatted with the young steward for a while, inquiring about his wife as well.
Learning that she had only suffered a fright and that after returning home yesterday, she had drunk a soothing soup and slept well, waking up much improved, Concubine Meng was relieved.
The young steward soon departed, carrying the news back to Meng Mansion that Concubine Meng was safe and sound.
Concubine Meng, meanwhile, returned to her quarters with the gifts.
While she loved the roast chicken, she didn't have a particular fondness for the snacks.
She had often bought them in the past because Princess Qi enjoyed them.
Upon returning, Concubine Meng sorted through the items and then brought them over to the main courtyard.
Princess Qi was currently watching Sui Sui drink her soup.
After waking up, Sui Sui's spirits were much improved compared to the day before.
Sometimes, children fell ill for no apparent reason, but they recovered just as swiftly.
Sui Sui, now awake, wanted to find her mother. Prince Qi, standing by, pouted and asked, "Why don't you look for me?"
Princess Qi couldn't help but chuckle before twisting the knife in his heart, "Because you stink."
Prince Qi nearly shattered into pieces right there!
Considering the matter of the Qingzhou charcoal mines, Prince Qi stayed to coax Sui Sui for a while before leaving the mansion.
Princess Qi played with Sui Sui for a bit before bringing her over to have some sweet soup.
Today's sweet soup was a new recipe she had learned from Aunt Xiang and Aunt Qiu.
It was a red date, longan, and goji berry soup.
The longans were sweet enough that no additional sugar was needed.
Sui Sui drank the soup contentedly, occasionally lifting her head to smile at her mother with eyes curved like little crescent moons, "Mother, you smell nice. Mother, you're pretty."
The little girl's compliments were simple but sincere.
Princess Qi's heart melted at the words, feeling happier than if she had eaten a bowlful of longans.
Occasionally, Princess Qi helped the little girl straighten her small hat. Later, she found that it was a nuisance while eating, so after obtaining Sui Sui's consent, she directly removed it.
It was at this moment that Concubine Meng arrived.
Seeing Concubine Meng, Sui Sui swallowed the longan in her mouth and smiled at her with narrowed eyes. "Greetings, Aunt Meng."
Not only did the little girl greet her, but she also hopped down from her chair and performed a respectful bow.
Concubine Meng's heart melted at the sight of the tiny figure politely greeting her.
She couldn't help but step forward and scoop Sui Sui into her arms, using the opportunity to also weigh her. "You are too light. Sui Sui, you must eat more in the future, grow taller, and build your body. Otherwise, if the windy winter days in the capital blow you away, your mother and aunts will have to come to your rescue."
Sui Sui understood Concubine Meng's teasing.
She also knew that she was too slender and that in order to protect her mother and brother, she needed to eat well.
Obediently, she nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Aunt Meng. You're a good person."
The straightforward praise of a child could make anyone blush.
Rarely receiving such praise, Concubine Meng felt embarrassed and smiled in response. "No, no, it's what I should do."
She had a soft personality and wasn't as eloquent as Concubine Ren.
At this moment, Concubine Meng was truly flustered and didn't know what else to say.
Princess Qi sat there, watching the interaction between the two. Although she felt a twinge of jealousy, she was mostly filled with contentment and satisfaction.
It was a good thing that more people loved Sui Sui.
Knowing Concubine Meng's temperament and character after all these years in the mansion, Princess Qi allowed them to interact, confident that Concubine Meng would not harm Sui Sui.
Concubine Meng played with Sui Sui for a while before putting her back on the chair she had been sitting on. Then, she paid her respects to the princess.
Princess Qi waved dismissively. "Sit down. There are no outsiders here."
Among the concubines, Princess Qi had spent the most time with Concubines Meng and Ren, and although they occasionally bickered, their relationship was better than with the other concubines.
Hence, they were more relaxed and informal when alone.
Concubine Meng smiled and took a seat next to Sui Sui.
Soon, Aunt Qiu ordered someone to bring a bowl of sweet soup.
Concubine Meng took a few sips and found it delicious. Smiling, she asked, "Is this Aunt Qiu's handiwork?"
Aunt Qiu shyly waved her hands. "Not today. It was made by Aunt Xiang."
Aunt Xiang also shyly denied it. "No, no, it was made by Aunt Qiu. I just learned it from her."
Although Concubine Meng was surprised that Aunt Xiang had learned to make this, she realized that Sui Sui was so engrossed in drinking the soup that she must truly enjoy it. This eased Concubine Meng's mind.
She chatted with Princess Qi for a while longer before having someone bring in the gifts.
Knowing that Sui Sui would be choosing a different room to stay in the West Courtyard, Concubine Meng had prepared a large box of ornaments.
In addition, there was a whole box of various fabrics, calligraphy, and paintings.
The last small box contained some valuable jewelry and a small stack of silver notes that she had saved up.
Concubine Meng's family background was not as prestigious as Concubine Ren's, and although her family was well-off, Princess Qi was concerned that Concubine Meng's generosity might strain her finances. So, she waved her hands. "You can keep those ornaments for Sui Sui. Take the rest back for your own use. Sui Sui already has enough, so there's no need to add more."
(End of Chapter)
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