Chapter 9: First Encounter with Wen Jing

That afternoon, with nothing else to do, Mu Rong Shu invited Rong Qing to accompany her to deliver medicine to Rong Yun Nan. Though she could have sent someone else, Mu Rong Shu felt it was her duty as a doctor to personally attend to her patient, so she decided to visit the Mu Rong residence herself.

When Rong Qing heard that Mu Rong Shu wanted to visit her maternal family with her, she was deeply touched. Her second brother’s illness had been the family’s top concern for years, causing much worry. Seeing her young niece so dedicated to helping her brother and personally delivering the medicine, Rong Qing silently vowed to treat Mu Rong Shu like her own daughter from then on.

Rong Qing sent a servant ahead to inform her parents and brother about their visit. By the time Mu Rong Shu and Rong Qing arrived at the Mu Rong residence, the family was already waiting at the entrance to greet them warmly.

As Mu Rong Shu stepped off the carriage with Rong Qing, she was met with enthusiastic hospitality.

“Qing Er, this must be Shu Er! Such a good child. You’ve worked so hard, returning to the capital only to start helping your Uncle Yun Nan without taking a moment’s rest. Stay for dinner tonight, I’ll have the kitchen prepare some delicious food to replenish you,” said Madam Mu Rong, her voice filled with warmth as she held Mu Rong Shu’s hand affectionately.

To Madam Mu Rong, Mu Rong Shu wasn’t just her son-in-law’s niece but also the savior of her son’s life. Ever since learning that her son’s illness could be cured, Madam Mu Rong had been overjoyed and eager to express her gratitude.

“Father, look how biased Mother is! She’s never been this enthusiastic when I come home!” Rong Qing teased her mother. In the past, her mother had always carried a faint worry due to her brother’s illness, but today she was beaming with happiness.

“You’re a grown woman now, and you’re jealous of Shu Er? Poor Shu Er has endured so much hardship over the years, and before I even had the chance to visit her, she’s already helping your brother. From now on, you’d better treat her well, or I won’t forgive you!” Madam Mu Rong replied, her protective tone making Rong Qing laugh.

“Grandmother Mu Rong, let’s head inside. I’ll take Uncle Yun Nan’s pulse and explain how to use the medicine. Soon, he’ll be able to go wherever he pleases,” Mu Rong Shu interjected with a polite smile, feeling an unexpected warmth from Madam Mu Rong’s kindness.

“Of course, let’s go inside. Thank you for your hard work, Shu Er,” Madam Mu Rong said, practically glowing as she led Mu Rong Shu into the house.

Rong Qing, Old Master Mu Rong, and Rong Yun Nan exchanged amused glances as they watched Madam Mu Rong practically pull Mu Rong Shu along in excitement.

After examining Rong Yun Nan and explaining how to use the medicine, Mu Rong Shu reassured the family about his recovery. Satisfied, Madam Mu Rong dismissed her husband and son, keeping Mu Rong Shu and Rong Qing with her to chat. It wasn’t until after dinner that the two finally left under Madam Mu Rong’s reluctant gaze.

On the return trip, the two-carriage party had grown to five, loaded with gifts. Madam Mu Rong had wanted to empty her store rooms for Murong Shu, and it was only with great effort that Mu Rong Shu managed to limit the number of items otherwise, they might have needed ten carriages.

Leaning listlessly against her second aunt in the carriage, Mu Rong Shu sighed, feeling overwhelmed. Rong Qing, seeing her niece’s low spirits, thought she might be tired from the day’s events and asked with concern, “Shu Er, are you worn out? I should have been more considerate.”

“Aunt, Grandmother Mu Rong was so enthusiastic, I could barely handle it! With all these gifts, we look like we’ve just looted the place,” Mu Rong Shu replied with a helpless expression.

Rong Qing was startled, then burst into laughter. “So you think there were too many gifts?”

Mu Rong Shu nodded, her face full of exasperation, which only amused Rong Qing further. “Oh, Shu Er, this is just the beginning! My mother would happily give you everything she owns. You’d better get used to it, she adores girls and has always wished for a granddaughter. Now that you’ve fulfilled her wish and cured my brother, her enthusiasm is only natural.”

“A little enthusiasm? Aunt, that was over the top!” Mu Rong Shu groaned.

“Don’t worry, my mother is wealthy, and the storeroom keys are all with her. You’ll just have to adapt. She doesn’t have a granddaughter, so she’s going to pour all her love into you.”

“Then, Aunt, maybe you and Uncle should work harder and give her a granddaughter to share the burden!”

“Oh, Shu Er, if we could, we would! No need to nag,” Rong Qing sighed deeply.

“Why not? You’re both still young, there’s plenty of time!” Mu Rong Shu teased.

“No, no. Your grandmother says that having you has already used up eight generations’ worth of our family’s good fortune. Your uncle and I have accepted our fate, you’ll have to be my little sweetheart from now on!” Rong Qing declared.

“Well, I could check Uncle and see if I can help. I might have a secret formula for having daughters!” Mu Rong Shu said mischievously.

“Stop right there! We already have three troublemakers, and if there’s another one, I won’t survive. Spare me, please! And whatever you do, don’t mention any secret formulas to your uncle!”

“Wait, Aunt, did Uncle actually try something before? Tell me!” Mu Rong Shu asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You’re just like him, always curious about everyone’s business. Fine, I’ll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell him. If he finds out, it’ll be my head on the line!” Rong Qing relented, shaking her head at her niece’s playful persistence.

“Second Aunt, don’t worry, I’m just being nosy. I promise I won’t ask Uncle about it,” Mu Rong Shu said, almost swearing on it.

With Mu Rong Shu’s assurance, Rong Qing began to share in detail with her little niece the foolish things her husband had done in the past in his obsession with having a daughter.

Mu Rong Shu couldn’t help but laugh at the stories. It wasn’t that she lacked self-control, it was just that her second uncle was too amusing.

“Second Aunt, does Second Uncle still have that obsession?” Mu Rong Shu asked, still chuckling.

“He’s probably given up after all that trouble,” Rong Qing replied with a smirk.

“Thank goodness Second Uncle married you, Second Aunt. If you weren’t so patient, I’m afraid Second Uncle would have been beaten to death by now!” Mu Rong Shu couldn’t help but express her admiration.

“You little rascal,” Rong Qing blushed slightly from the compliment.

“I’m just speaking the truth. Second Uncle marrying you wasn’t just his luck, it’s also my good fortune. Otherwise, how could I have such a good Second Aunt?” Mu Rong Shu said with sincerity.

“Being your Second Aunt is also my good fortune,” Rong Qing said, her words genuine. They both shared a smile.

Just then, a voice came from outside the carriage.

“Second Madam, Fifth Miss, we can’t move forward!”

“What happened?” Rong Qing asked, a little anxious.

“It seems like it’s the Wen family’s carriage, we’ve collided with them. Should we acknowledge them?” the coachman asked uncertainly.

“Turn around!” Rong Qing, thinking about how her husband and the second master of the Wen family always had a rocky relationship, immediately felt a headache coming on. To avoid causing trouble, she quickly ordered the coachman to turn the carriage around.

Inside the opposing carriage…

“Third Brother, your bell… it’s ringing… it actually rings! Third Brother, pinch me!” The second master of the Wen family exclaimed, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. The man sitting opposite him also had an expression of utter astonishment.