Lanyin stepped into the residence. As soon as she passed through the moon gate, she saw several maidservants standing in the courtyard, eagerly looking out. The moment they spotted her from afar, they completely disregarded Mama Sheng’s past teachings, lifting their skirts and rushing toward her, panting as they called out, “Master!”
Hong Xing and Lu Fu, the two maidservants who usually followed Shi Yu and had learned to be sharp-tongued, found themselves stumbling over their words in a panic, barely managing to say, “Master, the— the Old Madam is here.” Their nervousness was so great that they even reverted to using the old form of address.
Hearing this, Ting Yun’s expression immediately darkened. She snapped irritably, “What Old Madam? Master has long severed ties with that Earl Manor!”
Though she spoke with such conviction, her expression was evidently not pleasant either.
To them, the Countess of Earl was a truly fearsome presence. Although over the past year, she had changed her attitude toward their master and had been treating her more courteously and warmly, in the first two years, their master had suffered under her strict household rules. Waking early to attend to her mother-in-law was the least of it—sometimes she even had to serve dishes at the table. If she did not do well, she might not have been scolded outright, but being ignored with a cold face or receiving a false, insincere smile was even more unsettling.
Their master had struggled to adapt when she first married into the Earl Manor.
Once, when she woke up late, the Countess of Earl had not reprimanded her directly, but she had remained cold toward her for several consecutive days. Since their master was treated this way from above, the servants and stewards below naturally followed suit. As a result, from the moment she married into the Earl Manor, the entire Xiao household had given her a hard time. Yet at that time, the heir of the Xiao family had been occupied with official duties and was rarely home, leaving early and returning late every day, never once inquiring about their master’s well-being.
Their master’s temperament made it impossible for her to complain to her husband.
Only after slowly figuring out the Countess of Earl’s temperament and habits did her master’s situation improve slightly. But for that, she had paid a great price. Though she had not been in charge of household affairs back then, she still had to rise before dawn every day. Sometimes, fearing delays, she even skipped breakfast and could only eat a few bites after the Countess of Earl had finished her meal. But how long had that gone on? Over time, her master’s health inevitably suffered.
Thinking back to those times when their master had lain in bed clutching her stomach, breaking out in cold sweat, Ting Yun felt an uncontrollable surge of resentment.
She bit down on her silver tooth and twisted her handkerchief in frustration.
Lanyin looked at the two maidservants before her, who had turned pale from being reprimanded. In a gentle voice, she reassured them, “Alright, I understand. Don’t worry. If you don’t want to see her, go to the kitchen for a while. Just now, your Sister Ting Yun mentioned that we should have a few extra dishes for lunch. You can help come up with some ideas and pick out a few dishes for a change of taste.”
Her calm demeanor helped the two flustered young maidservants regain their composure.
Although they still feared Xiao’s mother, they mustered their courage and said, “We’ll go with you!” They were afraid their master would be bullied by Xiao’s mother again, just as in the past.
How could Lanyin not know what they were thinking? She smiled but did not let them follow her—nor did she allow Ting Yun to accompany her. Instead, she insisted that they all go to the kitchen. The three maidservants could not disobey and had no choice but to agree.
Thus, Lanyin continued forward alone.
Xiao’s mother had been received in the flower hall. When Lanyin arrived, she only saw Shi Yu and Xiao’s mother’s personal maidservant, Jinglan, waiting at the entrance.
“Master!”
Upon seeing her return, Shi Yu immediately stepped forward to greet her. She wanted to say something but, noticing Xiao’s mother’s servant standing behind her, pursed her lips tightly and straightened her back, as if determined not to appear weak before them.
Lanyin found it amusing to see her tense little face and body as taut as a drawn bowstring. She took Shi Yu’s hand and patted it gently.
As Jinglan murmured a somewhat conflicted, “Miss Gu,” Lanyin merely maintained her usual expression and nodded at her.
“Did you finish the medicine I had sent to you last time?” she asked warmly as she walked past.
Jinglan was visibly moved upon hearing this. She had not expected Lanyin to ask about such a thing. Though this was not the first time Lanyin had shown concern for her, Jinglan had once been one of Xiao’s mother’s closest attendants. Back then, even if Lanyin had expressed kindness, there had always been an underlying expectation that she might speak favorably on her behalf in front of Xiao’s mother.
But now… Lanyin had already left the Earl Manor, severing all ties with it.
This made her concern all the more touching and sincere.
She lowered her head, maintaining an extremely humble and submissive posture, her tone also very gentle. “Thank you for your concern. The medicine you had sent last time was in generous supply, and I still have quite a bit left.”
Lanyin nodded and added, “Earlier, I mentioned to Chengbi that if you ever run low, just let her know. You are someone Old Madam relies on closely—don’t harm your health just to save a few doses of medicine. The Old Madam can’t manage without you at the estate.”
Hearing this, Jinglan’s voice carried a slight tremble.
She responded softly, her voice choked with emotion, and when she looked at Lanyin again, her eyes had turned red.
But Lanyin said nothing more and walked towards the flower hall. Shi Yu stepped forward, intending to lift the curtain for her, but Jinglan was quicker. She stood by the curtain, ignoring Shi Yu’s frustrated discontent. With extreme humility, she looked at Lanyin, swallowing back the word “Madam” that she had uttered countless times before, and instead lowered her gaze respectfully, inviting her inside.
Lanyin smiled and nodded at her, gently restraining Shi Yu from following, before lowering her dark, feather-like lashes and stepping into the flower hall.
Inside, a woman in her forties sat in the main seat, dressed in a crimson long robe, exuding an air of wealth and nobility. Though her age had advanced, years of luxury had preserved her dignified grace. With arched brows and phoenix eyes, her features were striking—formidable and difficult to get along with.
Yet, compared to before, there was a noticeable fatigue in her expression.
Those once-beautiful phoenix eyes were bloodshot, and dark circles shadowed her lower lids. No amount of powder could conceal the exhaustion etched into her face.
Lanyin recalled what Dan Xi had told her on the way back—the rumors circulating about the Earl Manor. She understood well the current state of affairs. This former mother-in-law of hers had always valued reputation and status above all else, and yet now, both had been trampled underfoot, with no means of retaliation.
She must be seething with resentment.
But what did that have to do with her? Lanyin felt no guilt, no sympathy.
Had Xiao Ye not gone too far, they could have parted on good terms. And just yesterday, the very woman before her had stood outside the gates of the Earl Manor, reproaching her for not showing concern for her ailing younger sister, implying that she lacked generosity and compassion.
If she had allowed herself to be swayed by those words, she wouldn’t be living in peace today.
Lanyin could understand this woman’s reasoning—after all, as the mistress of the Earl Manor, she would always prioritize the family’s interests above all else. Whether or not Lanyin had divorced Xiao Ye, there was no doubt that between Xiao Ye, the Earl Manor, and herself, she would always be the one abandoned.
But understanding did not equate to forgiveness.
Maintaining a calm and civil demeanor toward her was already the last bit of courtesy she was willing to extend.
Noticing Lanyin’s arrival, the woman sitting in the main seat straightened her back ever so slightly, her expression tightening. Though utterly exhausted, she refused to show the slightest sign of weakness.
Lanyin, however, felt no displeasure at her occupying the main seat, nor did she betray any ridicule upon observing her subtle change in demeanor. Her expression remained serene, even gentle. Under the woman’s scrutinizing gaze, she stepped forward and greeted her with the same formal courtesy as before. Yet the once-familiar address of “Mother” had now been replaced with a polite but distant “Madam.”
Even this was enough to make Xiao’s mother’s expression change.
Looking at the young woman before her, bowing in a manner that was still respectful, Xiao’s mother saw something in her that had never been there before. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it—only that something which had once bound her seemed to have disappeared.
The sunlight streamed through the redwood lattice windows, filling the air with drifting specks of white dust. Standing within the light, Lanyin appeared even more beautiful than before. Compared to the past, it was clear that she was living a far better life now.
Xiao’s mother couldn’t help but think of the rumors spreading in the city, the disorder in her household, and… her son, who had become a mere shadow of his former self, lost in aimlessness, not knowing how to move forward.
The contrast was unbearable.
Her hand tightened around the redwood armrest of the chair, and her lips pressed into a thin, rigid line.
She could not help but resent Lanyin.
If not for Lanyin’s persistence, the Xiao family would not have become the laughingstock of Bianjing, and Ye’er would not have been demoted by the Emperor.
But what use was there in blaming her? What was done was done, and since the Emperor himself had already ruled on the matter, expressing resentment now would be tantamount to defying the imperial decree.
Thus, despite the turmoil in her heart, the look Xiao’s mother gave Lanyin remained relatively gentle.
“Rise,” she said with a smile.
Once Lanyin had stood up, Xiao’s mother continued as if nothing had changed, affectionately inviting her to sit beside her. After she was settled, Xiao’s mother finally spoke of the reason for her visit.
“Though we are no longer mother and daughter-in-law, we still share years of sentiment. I thought I should come to see how you are faring and, as a mother, offer my apologies on behalf of my disappointing son.”
Her words were mild and composed.
But the arrogance ingrained in her nature ensured that even as she spoke words of apology, she would never truly bow her head to Lanyin.
Lanyin naturally saw through this but did not care. She simply shook her head and responded calmly, “There was never a matter of right or wrong between the Heir and me. Your apology is unnecessary.”
Xiao’s mother fell silent for a long while upon hearing this. After a moment, she looked at Lanyin and continued, “Child, I have always thought I understood you well, but this time, your actions have truly surprised me.”
Her voice remained gentle, yet her gaze carried a deep scrutiny. She fixed her eyes on Lanyin and spoke each word with measured intensity: “You make me feel as if you have become a different person.”
That was the real reason she had come to see Lanyin.
She wanted to understand what had changed in Lanyin to make her take such drastic actions. More than that, she wanted to know if someone had instigated her, if she had powerful backing, and whether the Earl Manor was at risk of further upheaval.