Huo held Yu Ning’s hand the entire way, only releasing it once they reached the main hall and everyone had settled.  Yu Ning’s seat was next to Huo’s, still within easy reach.

“Little Miss is sleepy. There are many people here. Miss, you can talk with Madam while I take Little Miss to Madam’s courtyard to find a room to rest,” Lin Mama said, stepping forward with the child.

Yu Xiaobao was nestled against Lin Mama’s shoulder, looking drowsy.

Yu Ning nodded. “Good, thank you, Mama.”

The women in the hall were stunned, watching as Lin Mama carried a “Little Miss” away.

A Little Miss? The Yongning Marquis Manor had no grandchildren. Who was the child in Lin Mama’s arms?

After Lin Mama left, Huo finally reacted, hesitantly asking, “Ning’er, this child is your…”

“My daughter, my own.”

Huo was surprised, pausing for a moment. The letter from the servants said Ning’er lived alone in Qingyun City, unmarried, and there was no mention of a man.

“So Ning’er is married. Where is your husband? Why didn’t he come to the capital with you?”

Yu Ning’s eyes shone brightly, her smile carefree. “He…died.”

“Yes, he died a long time ago.”

Yu Ning sighed softly, lowering her eyes, her voice melancholic. “We married in Qinghe County on the border. Shortly after our wedding, war broke out, and life became difficult.

My husband was frail and passed away soon after. I then settled in Qingyun City and raised my daughter alone…”

Huo’s heart ached as she listened. She quickly took her daughter’s hand, comforting her, “My child, you suffered. It’s all my fault. I didn’t take care of you, causing you to endure hardships.

Those who are gone are gone. Don’t dwell on these sad things. From now on, you’ll be by your mother’s side. Mother will take good care of you and your granddaughter.  Things will get better.  I’m here for you, just relax.”

Having slightly misled Huo, Yu Ning felt a little awkward and added, “It wasn’t that hard, actually. I have some skills to make a living, and I’ve been able to support myself. I’ve lived a peaceful life these past few years.”

Her “skills” referred to working as a bodyguard for escort agencies or protecting wealthy merchants. She was skilled and could earn a good income.

Yu Ning was literate, but that was about it.  She didn’t know any traditional women’s crafts; her expertise lay in martial arts, which was how she earned her living.

Huo’s eyes still held tears, mixed with guilt and affection.  Despite Yu Ning’s repeated assurances that she was doing well, Huo felt her daughter had suffered greatly.

Her daughter was born into a noble family, surrounded by love and support, deserving a life of luxury and pampering.  Yet…

The other women in the hall, all from noble families, were perceptive. Seeing Huo’s weariness and her focus on her third daughter, they refrained from disturbing her, offering comforting words before dispersing.

Huo arranged for Yu Ning to stay in Chang Huan Pavilion, next to the main courtyard.

Chang Huan Pavilion was enormous.  While intended for a junior member of the family, it had both front and back courtyards, resembling a luxurious three-courtyard mansion, complete with artificial hills, ponds, pavilions, and exquisite landscaping.

Combined with Huo’s genuine affection and the kindness of her family, Yu Ning, who initially felt little connection, gradually softened, truly feeling the presence of her family.

Perhaps it was blood ties.  Within days, the mother and daughter grew closer.

“These past few days, I haven’t heard you call Xiaobao by her given name. I plan to go to Mingde Temple to pray for blessings for you and Xiaobao, to ask Master Baohua to bestow a name. I need Xiaobao’s name and birthdate to take there.

It’s also a way for me to fulfill a vow.” Huo held a jade brush, sitting on a purple sandalwood bed, writing at a low table.

“Well…Xiaobao was originally a nickname.  Later, I was too lazy to think of another name, so I just kept it.” Yu Ning looked up from a pile of snacks, chuckling nervously.

She had called her daughter Xiaobao since birth, intending it as a nickname, but later grew accustomed to it and found it quite suitable, so she hadn’t bothered to choose a formal name.

She realized she hadn’t been a very thoughtful mother.

“Eat slowly, it’s all for you.” Huo put down her brush, wiping her daughter’s lips with a handkerchief, her eyes full of smiles.  She suggested, “Then, why don’t you and Xiaobao come with me to Mingde Temple? We can ask Master Baohua to give Xiaobao a proper name?”

“Great! A name given by the Master will surely be full of blessings.”

True to their word, the next day dawned bright and clear.  The Yongning Marquis’ carriage carried several women towards Mingde Temple.

The centuries-old temple was bustling with worshippers, often visited by renowned masters.

The grand main hall stood before them. Huo and Yu Ning walked slowly towards it, Li Mama leading Yu Xiaobao, followed by four of Huo’s senior maids.

After offering incense in the main hall, the mother and daughter took Yu Xiaobao to the back hall to meet Master Baohua.

“This child only has a nickname, no given name. We brought her to meet the Master today, hoping he will bestow a name, a blessing for a safe and prosperous life, under the protection of Buddha.” Huo led Xiaobao forward, presenting her to Master Baohua.

Master Baohua was the abbot of Mingde Temple and a renowned monk in Daye, famous for his accurate fortune-telling.  People often said he had attained spiritual enlightenment, able to see past and future lives.

“This child is well-favored. Come closer, let this monk take a good look.” Master Baohua, with kind eyes, beckoned Yu Xiaobao.

Yu Xiaobao was not shy and approached obediently, smiling at Master Baohua. “Master, I want a majestic name, one that sounds powerful and imposing!”

Master Baohua smiled gently, carefully studying Xiaobao’s face and then her palm. He fell silent, his expression growing serious.