C127

Today, on the birthday of the Old Ancestor Madame Chen, other than having a feast, he had also set up a stage in the Dian Cui Hall near the lotus pond and invited a famous pear concert in the capital to perform.

He tidied up the Jade Dining Hall early in the morning and laid out a dozen long tables carved with red wood. There were a few plates of rare fresh fruits and delicate pastries neatly arranged on the tables.

The Madame Chen was naturally seated in the middle. Beside him was Princess Mingxin, the North Prince Jing's Consort, and then there was Changping's Grand Lady, Duke An, and so on. As for the girls, they had arranged another play in the Agarwood. They didn't need to go to their elders to set up the rules.

Waiting for the maidservants to present the newly-brewed tea, Madame Chen personally ordered "Moonworshiping Pavilion" for him. The class master of the Pear Sing Class respectfully received the play paper and retreated behind the stage. Not long after, a few middle-aged men wearing blue cotton-padded jackets and holding various types of musical instruments appeared on the stage. First he kowtowed to the crowd, then he sat down on the low wooden bench to the right of the table. The gong sounded, and the show began.

For a time, the sound of the gongs and drums in Dian Cui Tang Hall was extremely lively.

The performance onstage was truly worthy of being called a top performer of a famous class. The voice was as smooth as jade, and the singing was very sincere. He raised his hands and raised his feet, wincing and wincing; it was extremely well done. Even the Madame Chen revealed a satisfied smile, the hand on his leg shook gently, as he listened to what the elder had to say, engrossed.

< Moonlight Pavilion Record > had a total of four folds. Just as he finished singing the first fold, a Little Maid with a double bun hurriedly ran into Dian Cui Hall. However, he did not dare approach and only stood on the outermost corner with his feet on the ground, looking around with a face full of urgency.

Mama Wu who was standing beside Madame Chen had her attention on the door. Upon seeing Little Maid appear, he quietly took a few steps back, and walked around the crowd from the back.

When the Little Maid saw Mama Wu, she immediately revealed a relieved expression. She hurriedly walked to a corner and muttered a few words in a low voice.

Mama Wu's face suddenly changed. She waved her hand to dismiss Little Maid, then hurriedly returned to Madame Chen's side and leaned over to whisper something into her ear.

Madame Chen's narrowed eyes suddenly widened a bit as a glint flashed past them as they reflected off the lanterns on the stage.

Although the two of them could not hear the mutterings of the Mama Wu, they could clearly feel the fluctuations in the expression of the Madame Chen. She slowly picked up the colored porcelain teacup with the words' Fushu 'in the official kiln. Her red lips were lightly pursed as the sweet and mellow tea slipped down her throat. Only then did Feng Feng, who had yet to remove her teacup from the stage, reveal a hint of joy in her eyes.

Madame Chen waved her hand and ordered Mama Wu to retreat to the side as if nothing had happened, she sat firmly on the Ink Pellet Wu, then continued to watch the show. After waiting for the maids to bring out the fresh longevity peach buns, she ate a few mouthfuls, then frowned and started feeling uncomfortable.

Everyone guessed that most likely, Madame Chen ate until her stomach broke and wanted to go to the washroom. Only the corners of North Prince Jing's Consort's mouth curled up into a faint smile.

The Madame Chen left the Jadeite Hall and went along the carpentry corridor to the east. However, she didn't return to the Longevity Hall, and instead went to the Half Moon Temple which was not too far away from the Longevity Hall.

Lixia had been waiting in front of the door. When he saw the Madame Chen, who was being supported by the Mama Wu, come in from the corridor, he quickly went to greet them, "Greet the Old Ancestor."

"Get up." Madame Chen looked at Lianxia expressionlessly, "Where is he?"

Lixia bowed his head and held his chest, "Reporting to the Old Ancestor, we will wait inside."

The Madame Chen nodded and did not say anything else. She glanced at the Mama Wu and the two of them stepped into the house. Lixia paused for a moment, but did not follow him in, and waited for Mama Wu to close the door behind him, and quietly waited outside.

Half a month was not long, but it was a rebuilt study that was part of a summer retreat. Originally, Madame Chen had married a Prince Consort in the past, but the Grand Old Master of Ye Family had personally arranged this. Although the number of books in the study was not more than ten thousand, there were still many, many of which were left behind. However, since Prince Consort Ma had left, the Half Moon Pavilion had been empty. Other than the servants who cleaned up the place, only Madame Chen would occasionally come and sit for a while.

Madame Chen entered the outer room and walked straight to the main hall. Just as she sat down, Jin Lan lifted the curtain and walked out through the curtain.

"I, Jin Lan, pay my respects to the Old Ancestor." She quickly went up to pay her respects to Madame Chen, who followed and knelt down as well.

"Forget it. Hurry up and get up." The Madame Chen was all smiles, but when she looked over the Mama Zhu, her eyes flashed with sharpness, "Why are you not going to watch the show with your sisters, and come here alone?"

"Old Ancestor." Jin Lan raised his head to look at Madame Chen, and his swollen red eyes started tearing up, "I plead for the Old Ancestor to seek justice for Jin Lan!" As he spoke, he handed the letter in his hand to Madame Chen.

The Madame Chen looked at it for a bit, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared. After a long time, he put the letter down, sighed deeply, and said: "I was just thinking of finding an opportunity to tell you about it tomorrow, but you found out."

In other words, what Mama Zhu said was true? The Old Ancestor received a letter from the Yangzhou a long time ago, and he also clearly knew that his mother was in critical danger!

Hatred was like a tidal wave, instantly extinguishing the last of her reason. She trembled and looked up to the Old Ancestor with a determined expression, saying each word clearly, "Old Ancestor, I want to regain my Yangzhou!"

These trembling words carried an incomparably firm tone. Regardless of whether it was Madame Chen or the Mama Wu, or even the Mama Zhu who was still kneeling on the ground, their hearts couldn't help but shiver.

Madame Chen stared at Jin Lan's slim body and pursed her lips without saying a word. Mama Wu beside her realised that her expression was growing darker and darker.

Jin Lan was filled with grief and indignation, she never thought that the Old Ancestor would hide such news from her for his own benefit. According to the Mama Zhu, she had not been gone for long, and her mother's body was growing weaker and weaker, and within a few days, she was lying on her bed. At that time, Ye Lin had personally written a letter and sent someone to quickly send it to the capital. Other than mentioning his mother's body, he had also faintly mentioned a few things about wanting her to return to the Yangzhou as soon as possible.

However, the Old Ancestor did not say a word about them. If not for the appearance of Mama Zhu, it would have been too late by the time she found out.

When he thought of his mother's unknown fate, Jin Lan felt as if a knife was being twisted into his heart. His already slim body trembled and seemed to be on the verge of collapse. But she did her best to stay on her feet, not wanting to look away.

Jin Lan didn't know that the letter had long ago been burnt by the Madame Chen, so the news was naturally concealed.

Madame Chen's face was as dark as water. She looked at Mama Zhu coldly, and said in a low voice: "Mama Zhu, you go out first. I have something to say to Girl Lan."

The Mama Zhu's protector was anxious, she did not dare leave Jin Lan alone in the room, and immediately kowtowed to the Madame Chen, her eyes red as she said: "Please forgive me, First Princess, please allow this servant to stay. This lady is still young, there are some things I am afraid I cannot explain, this servant will wait at the side, if necessary, I can also tell a little, and will definitely not disturb the First Princess and the young lady."

The title changed from Old Ancestor to First Princess, from pro-disciple to pro-disciple. The Mama Zhu then made a decision.

"Old Ancestor, please let Mama Zhu stay behind." Jin Lan lowered his eyelids and bent his knees in a seemingly respectful manner. However, everyone could hear the persistence in her voice.

Ever since she entered the Marquis Runan' Mansion, no matter what tricks the Old Ancestor used, she had always taken detours and evasion, and never once directly confronted him before. But at this moment, it was already too late for her to take even half a step back.

She definitely could not let the Old Ancestor think that she was weak enough to bully, otherwise, walking out of the Marquis Mansion's gate would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens!

Jin Lan clenched his hand into a fist, his nails digging into her flesh. It hurt, but she didn't feel it. She stared at the ancestor in the hall.

Madame Chen looked deeply at Jin Lan and his heart suddenly skipped a beat. It was as if he could see his own face when he was young, as unyielding as his mother's concubine, with an unyielding gaze.

As though the age of water, royal father and mother had long passed away. Even royal brother and consort …

Seeing that the Madame Chen was lost in thought, she hurriedly lifted up the teacup and said softly, "Master, I'm afraid that I've gotten tired of the food just now. Here are some freshly stewed melon slices.

Madame Chen suddenly regained her senses, and when she lifted her head, she saw Mama Wu's eyes filled with worry. She raised her hand and accepted the teacup, nodding slightly, as if she had given Mama Wu a peace of mind. She then turned to Jin Lan. "Since that's the case, let her stay." He was just a servant, how could she overturn the heavens?

"Thank you for your grace, Old Ancestor." Madame Chen's retreat, allowed Jin Lan to calm down. From the moment she knew the truth of the matter, she had quickly made a decision in her heart. No matter what, she had to hurry back to the Yangzhou!

After thinking for a moment, she took a deep breath and said: "Jin Lan came here to congratulate the old ancestor. Now that mother is lying ill on the bed, I hope the old ancestor can forgive Jin Lan's wish to return.

Madame Chen never thought that Jin Lan would speak in such a straightforward manner.

She stared at Jin Lan for a long time before slowly lifting the lid of the cup and saying helplessly, "Girl Lan, it's freezing cold now, and your body's just gotten better. If there's any delay along the way, wouldn't that make your mother more anxious? Furthermore, after I received the letter, I had already sent someone to deliver it to the Imperial Hospital, requesting that Dr. Hua personally head over to the Yangzhou. During the journey with Imperial Physician Hua, you can take good care of me, and let me feel at ease. "

She knew that the Old Ancestor would not let her go so easily.

Jin Lan didn't even think as he directly kneeled down towards Madame Chen. The sound of his knees hitting the green brick floor made everyone's teeth ache.

"Old Ancestor, mother is sick in bed. As a child, how can you be indifferent to your own safety? His mother had once told Jin Lan about the matter of the emperor's filial piety in the past, when he was sick and served at the front of the emperor's bed. Even though he was a girl, he knew to be filial. Otherwise, he would not have travelled thousands of miles to the capital to congratulate the old ancestor. Now, I beg that the old ancestor grant me the honor of showing filial piety! "

Since the Old Ancestor's name was love, then she would follow the path of filial piety.

After the banquet just now, His Majesty had ordered everyone to congratulate the Old Ancestor on his death and brought up filial piety. Coupled with the early benevolence and filial piety of His Majesty, she didn't believe that the Old Ancestor would forcefully stop her from returning to the Yangzhou!