Chapter 59: with translation of chapter title

Although Li Qingluo had returned to Jinling in her previous life, she remained deeply trapped in the Li family's inner quarters, so most of the capital's aristocratic clans and noble families were not very clear to her.

But she knew that her grandmother's natal family held a very prominent status.

It is said that when grandmother married into the Li family, she did so solely because she fancied grandfather's face; otherwise the Li family paled in comparison to the Pei family in every respect, so her marriage was always considered a marrying down.

Pei Lao Furen said: "My natal family has three brothers and two sisters. My three brothers are all mighty and vigorous, full of heroic bearing, highly skilled in martial arts; they are among the top enemy‑slaying commanders on the battlefield!"

But when your father was one year old, continual bad news came from the frontier: my second brother died on the battlefield, and your grandfather's fate was unknown. I voluntarily requested an imperial order, and together with your great uncle and third great uncle I entered the battlefield to rescue your grandfather and salvage the DaLiang troops and situation.

But the result… during one campaign, your great uncle held the rear while I and your third great uncle charged into the enemy camp. There I discovered that your grandfather was still alive, having been captured there as a prisoner.

I wanted to rescue your grandfather—not only because I and your grandfather were then deeply devoted husband and wife, but also because I did not wish him, at a critical moment, to be used as a hostage to threaten our army, affecting the battle and morale.

But the result was that grandmother's obstinacy annoyed your third great uncle, who did not want to invite complications.

In the chaos, he—he, because of his hot temper, left the ranks on his own to go slay the enemy commander… the result was that he walked into an ambush and suffered grave wounds.

Although I and your grandfather brought him back to the camp, in the end he died for lack of some medicines, which the quack doctors could not treat… he was literally dragged to death.

I could not tell the truth to my elder brother, so I silently endured his reproach. Finally your grandfather spoke the facts, but your great uncle still ignored me for a long time.

It is my fault. I should not have quarrelled with your third great uncle on the battlefield; otherwise he would not have lost his life. I admit this.

Five years later, although I and your grandfather returned home alive, your great uncle also suffered grave wounds in a battle and could never again take the field.

Of the Pei family's three sons, only one returned alive—and he was someone who could no longer bring glory to the family.

Yet the Li family, including myself, are all still alive and well. How could this be?

Even I do not know whether it is my inadequacy, my failure to protect them! Why did they die and not I?

Your great‑great‑grandfather and great‑great‑grandmother, your two great‑aunt grandmothers, your great‑uncles' wives… they all resent me in their hearts, and naturally their attitudes have gradually grown distant…

During those years, after my parents passed away, I returned from the QingSong Temple to mourn them, yet they hardly acknowledged my presence, refusing even to speak a word to me.

No matter when, a woman's heart always holds her natal home; but I know that my natal home, I can never return to it…

This matter has become my heart‑knot.

Luoluo. Grandmother knows this is difficult, but grandmother… wishes, while she yet lives, to return once more to the Pei Duke's mansion, to share a reunion meal with my elder brother.

Could you possibly help me?

Li Qingluo had tears streaming down her face.

It turns out that grandmother's heart is likewise full of bitterness.

Moreover, it is also because of kin that she seeks but cannot obtain.

I fear that these years spent in cultivation at the QingSong Temple are also because of the great uncles, perhaps?

Li Qingluo hastily wiped her tears and asked curiously: "Grandmother, why do you believe in me? Clearly, Luoluo has no talent at all…"

Pei Lao Furen laughed and shook her head: "Who said that? Our Luoluo is quite capable! You merely needed a few days at first to win grandmother's heart and coax her down the mountain back to the Li household."

As for my elder brother, perhaps he is just a hard nut to crack, but I feel that in this world only you can accomplish this for me.

Li Qingluo thought: Since grandmother trusts her so much, even amid myriad difficulties she must fulfill grandmother's wish, as a repayment for grandmother's loving care.

"Good. Grandmother, await my good news! Luoluo will certainly do her utmost to accomplish this!"

Li Qingluo grasped Pei Lao Furen's hand; Pei Lao Furen turned and patted the back of her hand: "I am not in a hurry; grandmother's health is sound, with at least ten good years left. I have merely heard that my elder brother… his condition has not been good these two years. Luoluo, this matter cannot be delayed."

Li Qingluo took this to heart.

However, only when she returned to Hongfenguan did she feel completely at a loss regarding this matter.

She needed to think it over carefully and devise a thorough plan.

While she was pondering, Qingyi led several maidservants from outside Hongfenguan.

Que'er did not let her in, and Qingyi did not mind.

Smiling, she handed over the box she held and the long line of boxes carried by the maidservants behind her to Que'er.

"The mistress said, earlier household affairs were too numerous, so she had not thought things through thoroughly. Now seeing that the young lady has returned after this long, yet she still lacks even two decent pieces of jewelry, she only now realizes that she has neglected the young lady."

"Besides, the mistress personally selected many items from the storehouse last night—jewelry she liked in her youth—to give to the young lady."

"Furthermore, the mistress said that the autumn and winter garments must be hurriedly made for the young lady, but first the tailor must take her measurements."

Que'er, bewildered, clutched a heap of jewelry boxes, almost unable to hold them.

Only after Deng Mama and Cui Er hurried out to help did they manage to pile Li Qingluo's desk full.

Opening each one in turn, Que'er exclaimed in astonishment: "Miss, this time they are not junk; they are genuine pearls and jade, gold and silver fine silks!"

Li Qingluo saw them all.

The pearls and jewels were about to illuminate her room.

Li Qingluo was also bewildered by Qu Shi's conduct.

A sudden awakening of maternal love?

She felt it must be impossible.

Therefore, when things go awry there must be a demon; Qu Shi perhaps is scheming something against her.

She looked to Deng Mama: "Go borrow two maidservants from grandmother's courtyard to keep watch over Chunzaitang."

Deng Mama: "Yes."

The next day, Deng Mama came to find Li Qingluo and said: "Miss, Liu Sui'er is weeping and carrying on, saying she wishes to see you."

Liu Sui'er is precisely the girl who, last time, disguised herself as Li Qingzhu to lure Li Kechuan out of the mansion.

Li Qingluo had long known that Liu Sui'er would be unable to restrain herself and would come to seek her.

It happened that she herself also wanted to meet her.

"Then please have Granny make the arrangements."

Cui Er and Que'er, standing nearby, exchanged a glance.

Just who is this girl?

Could she really be that much like the eldest daughter?