The Estate of Marquis Pingning
Madam Ban went to the main courtyard for her usual inspection.
Marquis Pingning, who had suffered a stroke, had his face askew and drooled whenever he tried to speak.
Seeing him gasp and try to vocalize, Madam Ban took a nearby kerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth. "My Lord, it is as it is. Your illness cannot be cured."
"Gasp..." Marquis Pingning attempted to struggle, but his body remained immobile, only the drool becoming more pronounced.
Qiangwei quickly grabbed another cloth. "Madam, allow me."
Madam Ban, however, simply took the cloth and continued to meticulously wipe Marquis Pingning's mouth. "My Lord, stop struggling. The imperial physicians have diagnosed you. You must accept your fate. For the sake of researching your drugs, you secretly harmed so many people. Though it was never exposed, heaven sees all. Do you not think this is retribution? Do not glare at me. I wish you were dead, but you were kind to the Ban family. It is for this reason that I will ensure your funeral is conducted properly and will not let these servants mistreat you."
However, that was all there was to it.
Though Marquis Pingning was severely emaciated, he was impeccably clean, indicating that the servants had not neglected him.
After finishing wiping Marquis Pingning's mouth, Madam Ban left the room with Qiangwei, utterly disregarding the Marquis's murderous glare. Because of his lopsided gaze, the ferocity was tinged with a hint of the comical.
Now that he could not move his body or speak, he could only vent his frustration by glaring.
The mistress and her servant left the main courtyard, one after the other, and saw an old woman excitedly running towards them. Before she could even steady herself, she cupped her hands in a bow. "Madam, I bring you good news."
Qiangwei chided, "What kind of haste is this?"
"Madam, please forgive me. I am simply overjoyed and have lost my composure."
Madam Ban hummed. "Then tell me, what is this joy from?"
The old woman's face lit up. "Today, I went to the market to procure supplies and saw people from the palace walking with a long line of gifts. It was a magnificent sight. When I inquired, guess what? It turns out those gifts were all for the Princess Consort Rui. Madam, the eldest young lady is with child!"
Madam Ban was stunned, then overjoyed. "Really?"
"Absolutely true. Otherwise, why would I have run like this?"
Qiangwei laughed. "This old woman is here to claim a reward, isn't she?"
The old woman grinned sheepishly.
She usually hurried ahead of others for such rewarding occasions.
Madam Ban's smile widened. "Indeed, you deserve a reward. Qiangwei, give her ten taels of silver."
The old woman took the silver and left contentedly. The Estate of Marquis Pingning had been in decline for years, and truthfully, the servants had not received any reward money for a long time, let alone ten taels.
The one who brought the good news was happy, but the one who received the money was even happier. Madam Ban, usually composed, walked with a spring in her step. "Amitabha, the Buddha has truly answered our prayers. Qiangwei, quickly go open the storeroom and prepare a generous gift to congratulate the Estate of Prince Rui."
If her daughter was pregnant, the maternal family naturally had to show their support.
Qiangwei responded with an "Aye," her voice also carrying a hint of lightness. Ever since she learned that the eldest young lady had been married for three years without bearing children, Madam had been worried sick. Now, finally, she could rest easy.
That afternoon, Madam Ban, carrying a generous gift, went to the Estate of Prince Rui.
Mother and daughter were both more reserved than usual.
But they both had the desire to communicate. Perhaps it was due to the pregnancy, but Lu Nianfu now understood Madam Ban's actions better. If she couldn't protect her daughter, sending her far away might have been her only option.
Moreover, Madam Ban's situation back then was so difficult. To orchestrate that kidnapping plot, she must have racked her brains until her hair turned white.
She pushed a plate of osmanthus cakes towards her. "I'm not sure what you like to eat. These osmanthus cakes were just made by the kitchen. Please try them and see if they suit your taste."
Madam Ban took a bite and praised her effusively. "They suit me, they suit me very well."
Whatever her daughter personally offered, even bitter herbs would taste sweet.
Lu Nianfu tentatively asked, "Then would you stay for a simple dinner tonight? Aunt Cui is someone I brought from my hometown. She makes exquisite Huaiyang cuisine."
Madam Ban's face brightened, and Qiangwei even more so. Both saw Lu Nianfu's softening. Indeed, once the truth was known, all misunderstandings and obstacles dissolved like ice in the sun.
Mian'er smiled. "Madam Qiangwei, are there any foods Madam avoids? Perhaps you could tell me in detail?"
"Certainly."