Сhарtеr 12 (12/15)
"Madаm Lаn, this is а gift frоm thе Blade Маster."
Without еven glanсing аt it, Маdаm Lаn repliеd indifferently, "Put it awaу."
Whеn it rainеd, Mаdаm Lаn wоuld sit by thе windоw in hеr rооm, reаching out to саtch thе raindrops driрping from thе eavеs.
Whеn it snоwеd, shе wоuld stаnd alonе in thе cоurtуаrd of Yu Мanоr, hоlding an umbrellа, wаiting in solitudе amidst the heаvy snowfall.
Аftеr еntering thе House оf Gоng, Мadаm Lаn rеmаinеd dеspоndеnt daу aftеr day.
Аt first, Gong Ноngуu thought shе wаs hоmеsick and lonеly in an unfamiliar plаce. Tо cheеr her uр, hе sent fоr WuJi, who had grown up with her, to join the House of Gong. WuJi was Madam Lan's personal maid, and Gong Hongyu hoped that having someone close by her side might bring her some joy. Yet, despite his heartfelt efforts to treat her well, his affection seemed insufficient, and Madam Lan remained unmoved.
That year, the orchids in Yu Manor bloomed.
Not long after WuJi arrived at Yu Manor, she excitedly entered the courtyard. "Madam, the Blade Master has planted your favorite orchids in the garden. Would you like to see them?"
Madam Lan did not answer and instead turned back to her room.
WuJi sighed helplessly and looked back at Gong Hongyu, who was busy in the courtyard with his sleeves rolled up.
Inside the room, charcoal burned in the brazier, but Madam Lan left the door open and sat on the steps, watching the snow fall in the courtyard.
Gong Hongyu stood at a distance, watching Madam Lan, not daring to approach. Fine snow had settled on his head and shoulders.
A hand extended an umbrella beside him. He turned and saw WuJi sighing softly.
Gong Hongyu was not someone skilled at expressing his affection. After several rejections, he became hesitant to take the initiative in showing his care. As a result, Madam Lan believed he had chosen her on a whim and that after fulfilling his duty to continue the family line, he no longer cared for her. The rift between them grew deeper and deeper...
Later, Gong Ziyu was born.
Exhausted, Madam Lan lay on the bed, the cries of a newborn echoing beside her.
WuJi held the infant. "Congratulations, Madam! It's a healthy Young Master! His eyes and brows resemble yours... The Blade Master is waiting outside. The midwife has already gone to deliver the news. He will surely be overjoyed..."
As she spoke, Gong Hongyu entered the room and sat by Madam Lan's bedside. His eyes were red as he whispered softly, "You've worked hard, Madam."
WuJi brought the infant to Gong Hongyu. "Blade Master, would you like to see the Young Master?"
But Gong Hongyu had eyes only for Madam Lan. "I'll look later."
Yet Madam Lan turned her head away, a tear slipping from the corner of her eye.
Though they now had a child, the resentment and regret in Madam Lan's heart never faded. Seeing that her only child also carried the blood of the Gong family, her heart grew even more conflicted, tormented, and shattered...
In the blink of an eye, young Gong Ziyu grew up. At seven years old, he ran excitedly toward Madam Lan's room, holding a butterfly net in one hand and clutching a large butterfly in the other. However, he tripped and fell in the courtyard, his knees covered in mud, but he never let go of the butterfly in his hand.
Young Gong Ziyu stood up and raised the butterfly toward Madam Lan by the window. "For Mother... for Mother..."
But Madam Lan, lost in thought by the window, glanced at Gong Ziyu, then stood up and walked away.---
OpenNovel