A carriage arrived shortly.
A woman with a luxurious appearance and a motherly face alighted. Ye Qingcheng recognized her as her grandmother.
She scanned her surroundings and saw Xiao Wangye sitting in his wheelchair. Instantly, her face lit up with a smile as warm as spring melting snow.
"Oh, my dear grandson!"
Her grandmother immediately grasped Xiao Wangye's hand and refused to let go. Xiao Wangye, in turn, showed a rare expression of pure joy in his eyes.
"Grandmother!"
Ye Qingcheng watched from the side, feeling an inexpressible emotion. It seemed Xiao Wangye deeply cherished his grandmother!
The book mentioned that Xiao Wangye's grandmother was a devotee of Buddhism. After giving birth to Xiao Wangye's father, she went into seclusion for cultivation. She only returned when her son got married, and then waited for Xiao Wangye's birth. Afterward, she took Xiao Wangye with her to cultivate. It could be said that Xiao Wangye's skills were all learned from his grandmother.
Her grandmother's eyes sparkled as she looked at Ye Qingcheng, who stood beside Xiao Wangye. "This must be your wife! Oh my! She's truly beautiful! Come, come here to your grandmother. Grandma has brought you a meeting gift." Saying this, she gestured to her personal maidservant to bring forth the items.
Ye Qingcheng watched as the gift box approached her. It was then opened to reveal a piece of jade.
Her grandmother, smiling heartily, picked up the jade and placed it on Ye Qingcheng. "This is the finest mutton-fat jade, it perfectly complements your skin tone!"
Mutton-fat jade?
Ye Qingcheng was stunned. This was a treasure among jades!
It was worth as much as her restaurants. She was essentially wearing several restaurants on her person!
Indeed, when her grandmother made a move, there was nothing to compare.
"Grandmother, this… this jade is too precious. I cannot accept it."
Her grandmother pouted like a playful child. "Are you my granddaughter-in-law or not!"
Ye Qingcheng desperately wanted to say no, but upon meeting Xiao Wangye's gaze, she immediately backed down.
She nodded vigorously in affirmation. "Yes."
Only then did her grandmother beam. "That's right. This is for my granddaughter-in-law. No one else has this privilege!"
With that, she took Ye Qingcheng's hand and refused to let go, her eyes constantly appraising Ye Qingcheng, growing more and more fond of her.
Seeing the guests gathered around, Xiao Wangye quickly interjected, "Grandmother, you must be tired from your journey. Don't stand at the entrance. Please come inside and rest!"
Her grandmother finally snapped back to attention and, pulling Ye Qingcheng along, walked inside, completely ignoring her own grandson.
Lin Xiao, standing nearby, teased, "Your Highness, look. As soon as the old madam saw the Princess Consort, she wouldn't let go. You've lost your charm."
Xiao Wangye's smile vanished, and he fixed Lin Xiao with a cold stare. "Do you want to go back to training again?"
Lin Xiao was startled and quickly shook his head. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."
Xiao Wangye's grandmother had returned; this was a major event!
Everyone wanted to step forward and pay their respects to the old madam to curry favor. However, the old madam didn't even glance at them, instead pulling her granddaughter-in-law into the room.
"Granddaughter-in-law, I've also brought back some things today." She then called out towards the door, "Chunyu, quickly, bring in the paintings I've done over the years."
Chunyu, who was waiting outside, immediately replied, "Yes."
Soon, dozens of painting scrolls were brought in.
Each one was unfurled, revealing exquisite landscape paintings.
The artworks were so lifelike, as if depicting scenes of deep forests and mystical vistas, truly beautiful.
She knew it! Xiao Wangye, such a cold individual, how could he have painted such beautiful pictures? So, his mentor was his grandmother.
Her grandmother, smiling, said, "Granddaughter-in-law, please help me hang them all in the room!"
Ye Qingcheng loved being around kind and approachable elders because spending time with people who had experienced life's trials made her feel very comfortable.
"Okay."
The grandmother and granddaughter then proceeded to hang paintings throughout the entire room.
After all the paintings were hung, Ye Qingcheng realized that when viewed together, all these paintings formed a single, continuous landscape.
Ye Qingcheng was incredulous. It was as if she had stumbled into a real scene!
"Grandmother, your painting skills are incredible."
The old madam's heart swelled with joy upon hearing praise from her granddaughter-in-law. Happiness caused her eyes to narrow into slits. "You like it!"
Ye Qingcheng nodded emphatically. "Yes! I like it very much."
Her grandmother then pulled her towards the writing desk. "Then I'll teach you!"
"Really?" Ye Qingcheng exclaimed with delight. This was something she had longed for, as having an extra skill was always beneficial.
The old madam began by explaining the principles of brushwork.
From outlines and contours to curves, she emphasized using lines to define form, and her grandmother's skill allowed her to achieve a "silkworm spinning silk" technique, using lines to depict the nuances of water ripples and the folds of clothing.
Ye Qingcheng studied diligently and possessed excellent comprehension. Her grandmother watched her, nodding with satisfaction.
Just then, a maidservant reported, "Old Madam, Princess Consort, you should both go quickly! The maids outside are fighting."
Ye Qingcheng was taken aback. "Who is it?"
The maidservant stammered, "It's… it's Sister Bixi, and the Old Madam's personal maidservant…"
Ye Qingcheng asked, puzzled, "Why are they fighting?"
The maidservant shook her head. "This servant does not know."
The old madam's expression grew serious. Ye Qingcheng, however, put aside her concerns and rushed out. The old madam followed close behind.
The two quickly arrived at the scene of the commotion. Ye Qingcheng looked up and saw several maids trying to break up the fight. She exchanged a glance with her grandmother and hurried forward to intervene.
It was Xiao Wangye's birthday today, and many guests were present. Not a single mistake could occur.
Ye Qingcheng shouted from a distance, "What are you all doing? Let go!"
As the others parted, Ye Qingcheng saw that the one who had been beating others was her own maid, Bixi. "What are you doing?"
She yelled at the old madam's personal maidservant.
Bixi had been by her side for a long time and knew her personality. She understood that Bixi was not someone who would stir up trouble. Furthermore, she didn't care whose maid the other person was; even if it were the Empress Dowager, she would not be intimidated.
The maidservant's eyes darted around nervously. She seemed hesitant to meet Ye Qingcheng's assertive gaze. Suddenly, she spotted the old madam emerging and acted as if she had found a savior. "Old Madam." She then cast a casual glance at Ye Qingcheng, as if implying that since she was the Old Madam's personal maidservant, Ye Qingcheng had no right to speak to her.
The old madam understood her maidservant's nature; she tended to act arrogantly, relying on her position.
Seeing the old madam arrive, Ye Qingcheng signaled Bixi to quickly come to her side.
Bixi understood Ye Qingcheng's glance and quickly moved to her.
The old madam surveyed the surroundings, noticing the scattered snacks and fruits, and also the silk clothing that had fallen into the water pool. "What happened?"
Ye Qingcheng did not want the maidservant to speak first, so she said, "Bixi, you speak first."
Bixi nodded. "Yes, reporting to the Princess Consort, Old Madam, this is what happened. This servant was bringing fruits to the Princess Consort and the Old Madam when I saw Sister here washing expensive silk in the water, scrubbing it vigorously. This servant went forward to remind her not to be so rough, but then Sister pushed this servant. This servant, unable to bear it, started fighting with her."
Ye Qingcheng looked at the maidservant. "Bixi has stated what happened. Do you have anything to deny?"
Perhaps sensing the Old Madam's displeased gaze, the maid knew she had caused trouble. Her earlier anger had vanished, and she couldn't utter a single word, looking dejected.