Chapter 6: with translation of chapter title

At noon, Fang Qingyan came to the Listening-to-Rain Pavilion with a smile on her face.

She comported herself with dignity, lowering herself in a curtsy: "I pay my respects to Old Madam; yesterday's journey was taxing, and I dare not disturb you."

"You have good intentions." Old Madam sat upright in her chair, her tone cold, and did not let her rise.

Fang Qingyan's smile froze, she paused, then said: "You've already seen that picked-up country girl? She actually went crazy, crawling into wall cracks! Utterly lacking aristocratic bearing, such an unknown-origin bastard…"

"Silence!" Old Madam shouted sharply, her anger suddenly flaring.

What a concubine! I originally thought she was doing this for the prince's mansion, which is why she specially sent someone to the old residence to report on the child's situation; now what else is there not to understand? This is not for the mansion—it's clearly for herself!

She wants to use her own hand to suppress the consort, unwilling to let the consort have her own direct children, and seeks to drive the child out of the prince's mansion—utterly audacious! Whether the child stays or leaves is not for her to decide!

"Affairs of the prince's mansion's inner quarters are for the consort to decide; what place do you have to speak?" Her tone was icy, her eyes full of anger: "The consort is the principal wife of the mansion; what are you? How dare you meddle!"

"Such behavior is insolent and disrespectful to the matriarch—seize her, slap her ten times!"

"Old Madam!" Fang Qingyan jerked her head up, her face turning deathly pale at once—"slap her?" From childhood she had never endured such humiliation!

"Begin!"

Shun Gu approached: "Forgive me, concubine."

Immediately, a crisp slap rang out.

After ten slaps, Fang Qingyan's face was fully reddened, slightly swollen.

Old Madam looked down at her: "Harmony brings prosperity; even as a concubine, with me present I will never let you stir up trouble and disturb the inner quarters—go away."

"Yes." Jin Xiu replied, hurriedly helping Fang Qingyan, who was still kneeling and covering her cheeks, to her feet as she fled in panic.

Old Madam watched her retreating back: "Please have the consort come over."

A moment later, Cheng Ru'an sat opposite Old Madam, gazing at her solemn expression, a hint of unease welling up in her heart.

"Mother," she said softly, slightly tentative, "Yesterday Tuan Tuan's behavior was indeed somewhat improper, but I ask Mother to consider her youth and not punish her…"

"Do you know," Old Madam interrupted her, slowly lifting her eyes, light flowing within them, her voice tinged with barely contained excitement, "This morning my eyes can see things clearly."

Cheng Ru'an froze, then bolted upright in her chair and blurted: "Really?!"

Old Madam nodded: "Last night before bed, I looked at the bronze mirror Tuan Tuan gave me, thinking it was just a child's prank, but after waking I found I could see the tiny insects on the table clearly."

The consort still found it hard to believe: "Your eye ailment—how many years have you suffered? Whether imperial physicians or famed folk doctors, all have examined you and said it cannot be fundamentally cured, yet you recovered overnight?"

"It's not exactly a cure, but it has indeed improved greatly; these past two days I have been diligently looking at that bronze mirror, and will continue to do so."

The two locked eyes for a moment, the consort's gaze sincere: "Would you be willing to enter the child into the clan register? From now on she would be my daughter, the legitimate daughter of the Ning Prince's mansion. Mother, do you now believe she is a blessing sent by the ancestors of the Xiao family?"

Old Madam pondered, then still shook her head: "This cannot be decided hastily. After all, the child is not of the mansion's lineage, her origins are unclear. The mansion's bloodline concerns the imperial house—too great a matter."

The consort's expression dimmed slightly, yet she also understood Old Madam's concerns were not without reason: "Very well, then I will follow your wishes."

"Today I, as daughter-in-law, wish to bring her to see the prince. I only hope the prince awakens soon; with him stepping forward, he can surely give the child a proper and legitimate status."

Old Madam gave a slight nod: "I will go with you."

At the shen hour, Shun Gu supported Old Madam, the consort took Tuan Tuan's little hand, and Lady Liu followed behind as they entered Yangzheng Pavilion together.

Yangzheng Pavilion is the estate where Ning Prince Xiao Yuanhang recuperates; ancient cypresses stand thick in the courtyard, and the air carries a fresh, herbal fragrance.

"Mother, it smells wonderful here."

"This is your father's courtyard." The consort lowered her head and whispered: "Your father is ill; for the past two years he has lain in bed, unable to open his eyes or speak, so he cannot keep you company."

The three entered the inner chamber; servants brought chairs and placed them beside the bed, Old Madam and the consort sat down, and said: "All of you may withdraw."

Cheng Ru'an's eyes reddened: "Come, Tuan Tuan, let's see your father."

Tuan Tuan's little face scrunched up; she tiptoed, leaned against the bedside, gazing wistfully at the man's face on the bed, and softly called: "Father."

Xiao Yuanhang's brows and eyes were tightly shut, his complexion pallid, as if he slept in another world.

"Mother, Father is truly handsome!"

Cheng Ru'an gave a faint smile: "Mother also thinks Father is handsome; if he could wake…" she said, and tears began to flow.

Tuan Tuan leaned in closer: "Father! Father! I am Tuan Tuan! The Taoist Priest Grandfather said, Tuan Tuan, the round little Tuan Tuan!"

Hearing those words, Old Madam could not hold back her tears either; they burst forth in a rush—this was her own born son! Once a valiant warrior, how could he now lie silently upon the sickbed?

For the family to be reunited and whole is also her greatest wish.

Tuan Tuan pushed against Xiao Yuanhang, but it budged not at all: "Why won't you wake, Father? I've come." She muttered, then suddenly wrinkled her nose, tilted her head, and sniffed: "Mother, Father smells bad."

"Huh?" the consort blinked.

Tuan Tuan continued to sniff, her little face solemn, and said seriously: "Father's body has a foul odor, like… rotten tree branches in mud!"

Both the consort and Old Madam rose, leaned close to the bed, and sniffed carefully, but detected nothing; Cheng Ru'an shook her head, puzzled: "There isn't any."

Tuan Tuan lowered her head, untied the small embroidered pouch at her waist, rummaged through it, and produced a tiny green stone, placing it in Xiao Yuanhang's palm, speaking in a soft, childish voice:

"Father, for you."

The man's large hand was pallid yet sturdy, almost able to envelop Tuan Tuan's two small hands; she pressed his hand together firmly, gripping the tiny stone, as small as a bead.

Suddenly, a soft green light seeped from between Xiao Yuanhang's fingers—at first faint, like fireflies just appearing—but then the brightness grew, and soon rings of rippling light haloed out, flowing around his palm.

Tuan Tuan pointed her little finger at the light and giggled: "Mother! Grandfather! Father's hand is shining!"

Old Madam and the consort held their breath, staring, not daring to make a sound.

After a moment, the light turned white, gradually faded, and then vanished completely.

Xiao Yuanhang's palm slowly opened; the green stone had turned black and showed a few cracks.

The consort leaned forward, gathering Tuan Tuan into her arms, her voice soft but grave: "Tuan Tuan, where did this stone come from?"

Tuan Tuan looked at her: "I picked it up by the stream when I was looking for my parents."

Old Madam glanced at Cheng Ru'an and called out: "Lady Liu, take Tuan Tuan out to play, be careful, don't let her bump into anything."

Lady Liu entered at the words, took Tuan Tuan's little hand: "Shall we go play in the courtyard?"

"All right!" Tuan Tuan nodded obediently and followed her out.

The consort thought of something and quickly added: "If she wants to pick something up, let her; if she can't lift it, help her carry it."

Tuan Tuan heard and instantly became happy; mother said, "Everything will be picked up by her! If she can't carry it, someone will help her carry it! This is wonderful!" She turned around and shouted loudly: "Father, I'll come see you again tomorrow!"

Seeing them walk out, the Old Madam hurriedly ordered: "Quick! Quickly summon the Imperial Physician Chief Guo Taiyi to the Prince's Mansion!"