A life of ups and downs is pure joy

Chapter 207 Grandmother Xiao’s Regret

Half a month passed uneventfully like this. The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and Lin Qinghuan no longer had to stay confined to Luoyi Pavilion. Every morning, she accompanied Xiao Xingjian, who was already a little over one year old, as he took his first steps and babbled. In the afternoon, she went to Bixu Village to learn painting with Dong Yuange. Now, the person who guided her in piano practice had changed from Lin Qingwan to Qingmu Wenjun.

"I'm getting a great deal now. Even the master is offering a buy one get one free deal."

After Lin Qinghuan finished her song and stopped stroking her hands, she said to the two men sitting opposite her with her eyes curved and a smile on her face.

"That's because you have talent, so Qingmu is interested in you. He doesn't take action easily."

Dong Yuange was very pleased with Lin Qinghuan's growth in the past year. Even this good friend who disdained to be involved in worldly affairs was willing to teach his beloved disciple together with him, so Dong Yuange was very proud in his words and deeds.

"Indeed, Qinghuan is different from others."

Aoki Fumi-kun took a sip of tea and then spoke lightly.

Lin Qinghuan laughed even more happily after hearing this. It seemed that all her efforts in improving herself and enriching her talents over the years were useful. She was no longer the little vase with only a pretty face.

"Today is the 70th birthday of the Xiao family's ancestor. Huan'er, go home early after playing the zither. Remember what the master said, don't let others influence your mood."

Dong Yuange knew that the Xiao family still had a concubine, so he made a meaningful suggestion.

Lin Qinghuan glanced at the two of them, then nodded obediently. Yun Xiang and Chu Xia also came in from outside and helped Lin Qinghuan up. After bowing to the master, Lin Qinghuan got on the carriage back to the Xiao Mansion.

Lin Qinghuan walked in the Xiao Mansion, which was decorated with festive red lanterns everywhere. The servants saw the young lady standing there staring for a long time, so they all stopped what they were doing and greeted her.

"Keep busy."

Seeing that he seemed to have delayed everyone's work, Lin Qinghuan said something lightly and then walked towards Luoyi Pavilion. He also prepared a birthday gift for Grandma Xiao today.

In the inner courtyard pavilion of Luoyi Pavilion, Bai Zhi, the maidservant of Grandmother Xiao, had been waiting for Lin Qinghuan for a long time.

"Young lady."

Bai Zhi saw Lin Qinghuan coming in from afar. She was wearing a long light blue gauze dress embroidered with gold thread, so she stood up and walked forward to greet him.

"Baizhi, why are you here?"

Lin Qinghuan asked with some surprise. Logically, she should be the busiest in Anyou Hall at this time.

"Young Madam, if you don't come back, I will go out to look for you."

Bai Zhi stepped forward and said.

"Is this something important?"

Lin Qinghuan asked curiously, and Yun Xiang and Chu Xia looked at each other in confusion.

Bai Zhi glanced around, then looked at Chu Xia and Yun Xiang. The two of them understood what she meant and retreated first.

"Young Madam, the old ancestor wants to see you, and you alone."

Bai Zhi lowered her voice and said.

"Grandma wants to see me?"

Lin Qinghuan looked at Bai Zhi puzzledly and asked.

"Well, everyone hasn't gone to the old ancestor's courtyard yet. If the young lady doesn't need to change clothes, she can go with Bai Zhi. The old ancestor has been waiting for a long time."

Bai Zhi looked Lin Qinghuan up and down, and found her as fresh and unworldly as a fairy, so she spoke.

Lin Qinghuan nodded, indicating that Chu Xiayun didn't need to follow for the time being, and could just bring the birthday gift with him. Then he let Bai Zhi help him out of Luoyi Pavilion.

In Anyou Hall, Grandma Xiao leaned on the bed and watched Lin Qinghuan perform a solemn ceremony with her. Bai Zhi helped Lin Qinghuan stand up and then walked out.

It was the first time that Lin Qinghuan entered Grandma Xiao's bedroom. At this time, he did not dare to go too far forward and just stayed where he was.

"Huan'er, come here to grandma."

Grandma Xiao waved to Lin Qinghuan and said.

"Grandmother, what does Xun Huan'er want to ask?"

Lin Qinghuan sat obediently beside Grandma Xiao's bed and asked in a low voice.

"Huan'er, although grandma is old and sometimes confused, she is very clear-headed right now."

Grandma Xiao looked at Lin Qinghuan for a long time, then spoke slowly, her voice sounding very sad.

Lin Qinghuan looked at Grandma Xiao and said.

"Grandma is not confused."

"Good boy, it is our Xiao family who is sorry for you."

Although Grandmother Xiao never left the yard, she knew everything, big or small.

"Grandma, Huan'er is not wronged. Daddy, mother, and husband all treat Huan'er very well."

Lin Qinghuan hurriedly explained.

Grandma Xiao looked at the well-behaved Lin Qinghuan, reached out and took her hand, patting it gently.

"You have been a good child from beginning to end, and Grandma knows it."

Grandma Xiao said meaningfully.

Lin Qinghuan smiled slightly and said nothing more, just looking at Grandma Xiao who seemed to have something to say.

"Huan'er, Grandma is old, and I don't know how much longer she has left. I can say that this life has been enjoyable, but there is one regret left."

When Grandma Xiao said this, her eyes became moist. Seeing the old lady's voice so choked, Lin Qinghuan, who was now sentimental, also felt uncomfortable.

"Grandma, please talk to Huan'er. If I have the ability, Huan'er will definitely help you resolve your regret."

Lin Qinghuan wiped the tears of empathy from the corners of her eyes, held the old lady's hand tightly and said.

"Child, tell grandma, is my grandson...my Yu'er still alive?"

Grandma Xiao looked at Lin Qinghuan expectantly with tears in her eyes and asked.

Lin Qinghuan couldn't help but tremble when he heard this.

"grandmother."

Lin Qinghuan looked at Grandma Xiao and didn't know what to say.

"Everyone says my grandson died of illness while on tour, but I just don't believe it. Yu'er is in good health and well-versed in medicine. How could he have been killed by any illness? Tell me, Grandmother, Yu'er is still alive, right?"

Grandma Xiao's eyes were extremely sad. Lin Qinghuan could sense the old lady's immense longing and concern for her grandson. The look in her eyes was exactly the same as the one his grandmother had when she was worried about his own sickly body as a child, but with an added touch of helpless sadness and unwilling despair.

"Grandma, Huan'er believes that Brother Yu is definitely still alive and well."

Lin Qinghuan thought for a moment and looked at the old lady's expectant eyes, then held Grandma Xiao's hand tightly and said.

After hearing what Lin Qinghuan said, Grandma Xiao smiled with tears in her eyes. She had gotten the answer she wanted. Now that she was old, she could not take care of her children's affairs. As long as her most beloved grandson was still alive, it would be enough.

"My child, grandma has something to entrust to you."

Grandma Xiao said again.

"Grandma has spoken, Huan'er, listen."

Lin Qinghuan said.

"I heard that the maidservant who came with you will be leaving the house soon. Baizhi has been with me since she was five years old. Although she is a little arrogant, she is a smart, capable and kind child. Grandmother gave her to you. You should treat her well and she will be of use to you in the future."

Grandma Xiao said earnestly.

"Grandma, Baizhi...she is your most beloved maid. What happened to Huan'er..."

Lin Qinghuan said quickly, she never thought that Grandma Xiao would want to give Bai Zhi to her.

"Good child, Grandma is old and can't help you with anything. Now I can only hand over my most trusted child to you. This way, I will feel at ease."

Grandma Xiao shook her head, smiled and said to the panicked Lin Qinghuan.

"grandmother."

Looking at the kind face of the old man, Lin Qinghuan couldn't help but recall the scene when her grandmother gave Hong Qi to her when she was a child. Tears flowed down her face involuntarily, and then she smiled and nodded.

In the courtyard of Luoyi Pavilion, Luo Yun, Chu Xia and Yun Xiang were walking out of the courtyard holding the birthday picture specially painted by Lin Qinghuan for Grandmother Xiao and the carefully prepared birthday gifts.

Xiao Yi and Da Yuan had been standing at the door of Luoyi Pavilion for a long time. Luo Yun was stunned when he pushed open the wooden door and saw Xiao Yi.

"Why doesn't the eldest master come into the yard now that he's here?"

Luo Yun asked after a simple bow.

"What about the young lady?"

Xiao Yi didn't see Lin Qinghuan, so he asked.

"Master, the young lady has already gone to the old ancestor's courtyard for quite some time."

Yun Xiang said behind Luo Yun.

Xiao Yi frowned after hearing this, and then asked again.

"She went by herself?"

"It was the old ancestor's maid Bai Zhi who came to look for the young lady."

Yun wanted to say.

Xiao Yi nodded and walked towards Anyou Hall with big steps. Luo Yun and the two girls behind him could only barely catch up with him by running in small steps. Da Yuan could also feel that the eldest master seemed a little anxious.

"Brother Yi."

Tao Baiwan's voice came from the corridor next to him. Xiao Yi stopped and Tao Baiwan quickened his pace and walked over. The maids who were carrying birthday gifts behind them also followed closely and had to be careful with the various treasures in their hands.

"Is Brother Yi going to Grandma's yard?"

Tao Bai came to take a look at the maids and servants of Luoyi Pavilion in the evening, then took Xiao Yi's arm and asked.

Chuxia and Yunxiang looked at each other and pouted unhappily.

"Well, let's go."

Xiao Yi nodded and said.

"Where's Sister Changping? Wanwan thought her husband would bring her along."

Tao Baiwan asked curiously.

"She's gone already."

Xiao Yi replied briefly, but he was very anxious in his heart whether his grandmother was going to make things difficult for that silly woman with a muddled brain, or why was she looking for her for no reason.

In Anyou Hall, Bai Zhi accompanied Lin Qinghuan to sit leisurely in the yard, admiring the water lotus that the Queen had sent a few days ago.

While enjoying the view, I heard footsteps coming from the door. I turned around and saw Tao Baiwan happily walking in with Xiao Yi on her arm.