Chapter 909: Hidden Truths Traverse Rebirth (3)
Old Lady Cui enjoyed boasting about her grandchildren, but a shadow of sadness crossed her face as she seemed to recall something, "It is also my fault as a grandmother for not doing enough. I left him all alone in that separate courtyard in the south, hardly seeing him for years. When he finally returned home, yet again... This time, no matter what, I must find him a good match and not let him go back there."
Hongshang was aware of Old Lady Cui’s worries, but as a servant, it was not her place to comment on or resolve her mistress’s troubles, so she remained silent without speaking.
Just then, a woman in her thirties, dressed in plain but elegant clothes, walked in. Her dignified aura, beautiful features, and the gentle and quiet grace that flowed from her eyes were most captivating.
The woman was none other than the lady Hongshang referred to as the auntie, Cui Qingrou, Old Lady Cui’s youngest daughter. She married into the Min family in the south, another Century-Old Family, when she was eighteen. Unfortunately, she was not blessed with children and had been childless for ten years.
Not wanting to endure the silent judgment from her in-laws and even less eager to watch the man she once exchanged vows with bring concubine after concubine into the house, in hopes of passing off a concubine’s son as the legitimate heir, she requested to step down, taking her dowry and leaving the Min family. Under her mother’s and brothers’ urging, she returned to Jing City and also brought back her nephew Cui Pingan, who was adamant about not returning from the south.
Of all the people in the mansion, only she and Cui Pingan could visit Old Lady Cui’s courtyard without needing to announce their arrival.
"Daughter pays respect to Mother!" Cui Qingrou stepped forward to greet Old Lady Cui with a salute, her voice, just like her demeanor, gentle and peaceful like flowing water.
"My child, I’ve said it before, there’s no need for such formalities here with your mother," Old Lady Cui chided affectionately, beckoning Cui Qingrou to sit beside her.