Chapter 31: News

Heng Geer played for a while, and soon, the maids brought in lunch. Meinang carefully served Lady Zheng, all the while entertaining Heng Geer and feeding him soup and rice. Heng Geer was overjoyed to be with his mother, crawling around the couch, laughing and jumping whenever anyone helped steady him. His innocent joy delighted Lady Zheng, who grew fonder of him. Fearing that Meinang might change her mind about letting her raise Heng Geer, Lady Zheng hastily claimed she was tired after lunch, saying she’d lie down with Heng Geer for a nap. She handed him a toy to distract him and subtly signaled for Meinang to leave.

Meinang looked at Heng Geer, reluctant to go, but eventually stood up with a heavy heart and left. Just as she was stepping down from the porch, she heard Heng Geer crying inside, and she felt a sharp pain, as if her heart were being cut. The bond between mother and child is unbreakable, after all. How could any mother be willing to part with her own child?

Turning around, Meinang saw Spring Moon behind her. The girl bowed low, speaking quietly, “My lady, it’s better to leave now. Madam said it will be alright, Heng Geer will gradually adapt. If you go back in now, you might not be able to see him again in the future.”

Startled, Meinang allowed her two maids, Cui Xi and Cui Jian, to support her as she walked away, shedding quiet tears of heartbreak.

After crossing a small stone bridge and walking along a smooth stone path, Meinang gestured for the maids to release her so she could walk alone and reflect. Cui Xi and Cui Jian stayed a few steps behind. As they passed by the lotus pond, a figure suddenly appeared from behind the rockery, nearly colliding with Meinang. The person quickly stepped back, bowing apologetically, “Pardon me, sister in law. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

It was none other than Sixth Master, Xu Jun Xuan. The Xu family, known for their military background, was known for their tall and robust men. Though Xu Jun Xuan looked slender and scholarly, he stood tall and had an elegant air about him. Meinang found him pleasant and gentlemanly, a notion confirmed from that snowy night they once shared.

Returning his courtesy, Meinang said, “It was my fault for not watching where I was going.”

Xu Jun Xuan glanced at the two maids behind her, then looked at her again with concern. “Are you alright, sister in law? You seem troubled.”

Meinang lowered her head, a wave of sadness filling her heart. What kind of fate was this? Trapped in a chaotic household where she was looked down upon, her son taken away by her mother in law, a flirtatious cousin attempting to enter her home, and her husband distant and unreliable. For days, she had been holding in her frustrations, and this simple concern from Xu Jun Xuan nearly brought her to tears.

After composing herself, she looked up with a smile and said, “You must have things to attend to, Sixth Master. Don’t let me delay you.”

Xu Jun Xuan, still worried, said, “Are you sure? I heard you’ve been learning to manage the household. Since you just came from Lady Zheng’s quarters, did she…”

Meinang shook her head with a smile. “Nothing happened, Lady Zheng said I did well. I was simply thinking about a few things.”

Relieved, Xu Jun Xuan said, “As long as everything’s alright. I’ll be on my way then.”

As he walked away, Meinang couldn’t help but ask, “Where are you headed, Sixth Master?”

He turned back, explaining, “I’ve been preparing for next spring’s provincial exam, so I’ve been studying at home. Today, a classmate invited me to join some other scholars at the Drunken Fairy House, where the famed Academician Wu will discuss previous exam questions. It might help us prepare for the upcoming exam.”

Her interest piqued, Meinang asked, “Who else is attending? What’s so special about Academician Wu?”

Taken aback, Xu Jun Xuan scratched his head and replied, “Everyone going is preparing for the exams. Academician Wu is not easy to invite. Even the sons of prominent families had difficulty persuading him, but they managed to get him through the intervention of President Huang of Wan Shan Academy. They say that his predictions for exam topics are nearly always accurate.”

Excited, Meinang stepped closer to him, her eyes bright with anticipation. Poor Xu Jun Xuan didn’t know what to make of her sudden enthusiasm and, nervous, glanced back to calculate where he could step away.

Realizing she’d startled him, Meinang laughed and stepped back. “Sorry! I got too excited. Sixth Master, you might not know this, but my brother is also preparing for the spring exams.”

Xu Jun Xuan finally understood. “Oh, yes! Now that you mention it, I remember hearing Uncle Qin mention it. I’d completely forgotten!”

He smiled and reassured her, “I understand what you mean. Don’t worry. I’ll note down everything Academician Wu says and write it all out so your brother can review it too.”

Meinang bowed with gratitude, “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Sixth Master!”

Xu Jun Xuan waved it off. “It’s nothing at all.”

They exchanged a few more polite words before going their separate ways. Xu Jun Xuan’s news lifted her spirits, clearing away the gloom from her visit to Lady Zheng’s quarters, leaving her with a warm smile as she walked away, feeling much more at ease.