Chapter 37 Old Madam's Birthday Banquet
After dinner.
Chu Hongyu pulled Yun Chu into the room and proudly stuffed a wooden carving into her arms: "Mother, do you like it?"
It was a palm-sized doll carving that vaguely resembled a woman in a dress, and one could tell it was meant to be Yun Chu.
She examined the carving repeatedly with delight: "Yu Ge'er, thank you. Mother likes it very much. I also have a gift for you."
She took out a pouch and handed it over.
Chu Hongyu eagerly opened the pouch and pulled out a small cloth doll.
The doll was only the size of a thumb, but its facial expression was vivid and lifelike, clearly depicting Chu Hongyu.
"Wow, Mother, you're truly amazing! I love this doll so much!" the little one exclaimed excitedly. "If only it were bigger, I could hold it in my arms."
Yun Chu picked him up and sat him on her lap, speaking softly: "I made it small on purpose so you can carry it in your pouch every day. Remember, you mustn't let anyone know you've been to the Xie family, nor that you call me Mother. Otherwise, I'll face great disaster."
Chu Hongyu nodded seriously, then hesitated and asked: "Can I tell my sister?"
He had mentioned before that his sister couldn't speak, and someone who couldn't speak naturally wouldn't reveal secrets. Yun Chu gently nodded.
The little one jumped up happily.
Yun Chu could tell that the siblings had a good relationship, and that little girl must be just as likable as him.
Perhaps because he had to leave the next morning, the child was particularly clingy, wrapping his arms and legs around Yun Chu, resting his head against her chest, unwilling to close his eyes and sleep.
Yun Chu told him several stories and sang multiple songs. It was nearly midnight before the child finally fell asleep.
By the dim light, gazing at the sleeping child in her arms, driven by some unknown impulse, she gently kissed the child's cheek.
With that kiss, she felt something fill the emptiness in her chest.
Holding the child tightly, she also fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, as faint dawn light streamed through the window, Yun Chu opened her eyes, but the child in her arms was gone.
She anxiously got out of bed.
"Madam, the Young Son woke up and left during the Yin hour. Seeing you were sleeping soundly, he forbade us servants from waking you," Ting Shuang said as she entered carrying a basin of water. "Today is Old Madam's birthday banquet, all the courtyards are up and busy. Let me help you with your toilette."
Yun Chu clutched the wooden carving in her hand - this was the only thing proving the child had been here.
Sitting before the mirror, she made great effort to push the child's image from her mind. Looking at her reflection, she said: "Keep the hairstyle simple."
Ting Shuang nodded and quickly arranged the simplest hairdo, inserting a plain jade hairpin. Then she applied makeup to Yun Chu, covering the entire face with white powder, without lip color or eyebrow makeup, making her look completely pale. Finally, she dressed in a dark purple gown that made her face appear as white as paper.
Just as the toilette was completed, those coming to pay respects had all arrived.
Because of Old Madam's birthday, Xie Shi'an hadn't gone to school and was waiting in the flower hall with the others paying respects.
Yun Chu walked out, and everyone bowed to her.Xie Shi'an looked up at Yun Chu's face, hesitating before speaking: "Mother, why is your complexion so pale? Are you unwell somewhere?"
"My headache started late at night, and now it feels like my head is about to split open." Yun Chu pressed her temples. "An Ge'er, do you think I'm fit to go out and greet guests in this state?"
Xie Shi'an pursed his lips.
If Mother didn't receive the guests, the rumors outside would likely worsen.
But seeing Mother in such a sickly state, the guests would probably harbor various suspicions.
"Madam, I happen to have brought some rouge." Ting Yu stepped forward. "This humble one can add some color to your lips; it should make your complexion appear better."
Yun Chu nodded, allowing her to proceed.
However, after painting her lips red, her face seemed even paler in contrast.
Xie Shi'an spoke up: "Mother's skin is naturally fair; it looks better without the rouge."
Ting Yu, somewhat embarrassed, had to wipe off the rouge with a handkerchief.
Ting Shuang, standing nearby, felt indignant on her mistress's behalf. These people were only concerned about whether Madam's appearance would invite gossip about the Xie family, with no one genuinely caring about Madam's health.
She suddenly understood why Madam had grown distant from the Xie children—they were all ungrateful.
Even if Madam devoted her heart and soul to raising these children, she probably wouldn't receive a single word of gratitude in return.
They weren't even as considerate as the Young Son from the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor...
Yun Chu stood up, smiling as she said, "Let's go, we must offer our birthday wishes to Old Madam."
The group bustled off toward Anshou Hall.
Old Madam, dressed in new clothes and looking spirited, sat in the host's seat. Yuan Shi had already arrived, and Yun Chu's father-in-law, Xie Zhongcheng, was also present.
Among all the masters of the Xie residence, Yun Chu had the least interaction with Xie Jingyu's father, Xie Zhongcheng, as this father-in-law mostly stayed at the estate outside the city, wholeheartedly managing the Xie family's businesses.
She entered, bowed to each in turn, then turned to Old Madam with a smile and said, "Your granddaughter-in-law offers birthday wishes to Old Madam. May your happiness be as vast as the Eastern Sea, your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain, and may you celebrate this day year after year, this moment age after age."
The concubines, sons, and daughters behind her also stepped forward one by one to offer their auspicious birthday greetings.
Old Madam beamed with joy: "Good, good, good! You are all filial. Our Xie family relies on you to bring honor to our name!"
The Xie family had only this branch in the capital. After the birthday wishes concluded, the presentation of gifts began.
Xie Zhongcheng had sought a longevity talisman for his mother from a temple, claiming he had knelt for nine days and nights at the most spiritually potent Hanshan Temple outside the city to obtain it.
Yuan Shi presented Old Madam with a longevity jade vase.
Xie Jingyu gifted a painting of celestial deer that he had personally created.
Next, it was Yun Chu's turn to present her gift. Every year on Old Madam's birthday, Yun Chu's present was the most valuable among all the birthday offerings.
Old Madam watched as Ting Shuang and Ting Xue carried in a large item—clearly a screen.
"Old Madam, this is a Hundred Longevity Screen that your granddaughter-in-law embroidered for you over three months." Yun Chu pulled down the red cloth. "As the daughter of a military general, I am not skilled in needlework. I struggled to learn a little but haven't mastered it well. I hope Old Madam will not find it unworthy."
Yuan Shi remarked, "The sincerity behind a congratulatory gift is what matters most; the quality of the embroidery is secondary."
However, when she saw the individual "longevity" characters on the screen, Yuan Shi found it hard to offer praise, as they were truly unattractive.
If this screen were displayed in the room, it would likely become a subject of ridicule. It could only be stored in the warehouse, but even there, it would take up space...Old Madam's lips twitched. Even the maid with the worst embroidery skills in her chambers could embroider better than Yun Chu. If her work was this poor, she might as well not embroider at all—wasn't this just making a spectacle of herself?
Yet, embroidering a hundred longevity characters was truly no easy feat, especially for someone unskilled in needlework—it was doubly difficult.
If she voiced any dissatisfaction and wounded Yun Chu's pride, who knew what outrageous things this granddaughter-in-law might do next?
"Chu'er, your thoughtfulness touches me," Old Madam said against her conscience. "To meticulously prepare a longevity gift while still unwell—such filial piety is truly moving."
Yun Chu bowed her head in modest refusal.
Next, the concubines and younger generations presented their gifts—items like clothing and shoes, or calligraphy and paintings, nothing particularly novel.
After the gift-giving concluded, Old Madam rose. "The hour is almost upon us. It's time to open the gates and receive the guests. Let us go to the front courtyard."
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