Chapter 4: 4. Chapter 4: Mother and Daughter's Conversation—Who is the Husband?

Chapter 4: Mother and Daughter Converse, Who is the Husband?

The First Madam, Lady Qiao, biological mother of Ji Qingwu, felt her eyes brighten.

They had entered the city; they were not far from home now.

The person who had been complaining impatiently just moments ago was Ji Qingyuan, the legitimate daughter of the Ji family’s second branch.

The Second Madam, Lady Wu, instructed the maid beside her: "Fuling, go fetch an umbrella for the Fourth Miss." She then patted Ji Qingyuan’s hand, soothing her: "Your eldest aunt has been waiting at the gate since early morning. We have only been here for a short while; just wait a little longer."

Ji Qingyuan clung to Lady Wu’s arm, acting spoiled: "Mother is still the best to me. My skin is delicate and cannot withstand the scorching sun."

Yet, all the other women of the household were standing in the sun; only Ji Qingyuan had opened an umbrella.

The First Madam, Lady Qiao, glanced at the mother and daughter, then turned her gaze away.

She had no heart to bicker with them. Straining her eyes, she murmured, "Why aren't they here yet? Wasn't it said they had already entered the city?"

Lady Qiao was over forty. She had been waiting in the sun the longest; almost as soon as the sun rose, she had hurried to the gate to wait.

"Madam, please do not be anxious."

Nanny Li comforted her, then suddenly spotted a procession of horses and carriages. She pointed excitedly into the distance.

"They’re here! They’re here!"

As the sound of hooves drew closer, the carriage slowly came to a halt.

Ji Changlin dismounted first and bowed: "Greetings to Mother and Second Aunt."

Everyone’s gaze fell on the slender hand lifting the carriage curtain behind him.

Lady Qiao was usually reserved, dignified, and strictly observant of etiquette, but at this moment, she was too anxious to stand still. She took the initiative to step forward.

However, a pink, jade-like little toddler bounced out of the carriage and threw herself directly into Lady Qiao’s arms.

Nanny Li, standing nearby, let out a cry of surprise.

Where did such a cute, doll-like child come from?

When Lady Qiao saw the child’s appearance and the jade pendant hanging on her chest, she instantly lost all composure. She burst into tears, clutching the child tightly to her chest as if she were about to shatter from emotion.

"My little Wu, Mother has finally waited for your return, my heart..."

The hand that had been holding the curtain in the carriage lifted slightly.

From within emerged a young woman with clear, beautiful features and a gentle, soft temperament.

Ji Qingwu had not yet revealed her true face, but considering she was returning home to reunite with her family, she couldn't disguise herself too heavily. Thus, she had restored about seventy or eighty percent of her original appearance.

Since entering the city, a weight had been pressing on her heart, wondering if the Ji family would truly accept her and the child.

But as her eyes met Lady Qiao’s, her heart trembled.

The woman before her wore her hair in a coiled bun and was dressed in a magnificent dark green silk gown with gold trim. She was holding Qiuqiu, her face covered in tear tracks. The emotions in those eyes were complex, but it was not hard to see that they were filled with tenderness and regret.

For some reason, moisture welled up in Ji Qingwu’s own eyes.

Seeing the person before her, Lady Qiao’s scattered senses instantly returned.

Although the child in her arms looked exactly like little Wu had when she was young, the age did not match.

The young woman before her was her little Wu!

Lady Qiao wanted to open her mouth to call out to her, but tears gushed out again. Nanny Li quickly stepped forward to support her.

"First Madam, you will frighten the child."

Ji Changlin reached out to help Ji Qingwu down from the carriage.

She wore light makeup, her eyebrows were curved like willow leaves, and her eyes were brimming with a gentle smile.

Ji Qingwu had changed into the clothes and accessories that Ji Changlin had specifically ordered Lanling to purchase in town. She wore a pale green Han-yan gauze dress, with light pink lotus flowers embroidered on the cuffs—a look of fresh, natural beauty.

Though the dress was not as ornate as those of the other Ji women, it was exquisite and had a certain charm.

Just then, a breeze blew, stirring her skirt. The flowing fabric clung to her, revealing a graceful and slender figure.

"The Fifth Miss looks like a lotus fairy," an unknown young maid sighed in a daze.

Lady Qiao had already wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. She looked at Ji Qingwu, then stared blankly at the little toddler in her arms.

"You are... and this is..."

Ji Changlin quickly explained with a smile: "Mother, the person in front of you is Fifth Sister, and the one in your arms is little Wu’s daughter, Qiuqiu."

Lady Qiao was greatly shocked and stood stunned for a long moment.

Because in his letters home, Ji Changlin had only said he had found little Wu, that she had lived a hard life in a border town, relying on grinding tree bark to sell for money, and had even learned acrobatics like splitting a table with one hand...

But he hadn't mentioned that little Wu was already married, or that she even had a child.

Seeing the gate crowded with people and the onlookers gathering, Ji Changlin said: "Mother, let us go inside and sit down first. We can talk later."

Looking at the daughter she had lost and regained, and holding her heavy granddaughter, Lady Qiao finally felt at ease.

Though her throat was tight, her tone was firm as iron.

"Yes, let’s go home."

As she spoke, Lady Qiao took the initiative to take Ji Qingwu’s hand.

Both mother and daughter had sweaty palms, and both were taken aback for a moment.

Then, the women of the household watched in stunned silence as the usually stern First Madam walked back into the manor, holding the child in her right arm and holding her daughter’s hand with her left.

The Old Madam of the house was taking her afternoon nap and had not yet risen.

Thus, everyone returned to their own quarters, intending to go to Shou'an Hall together later to pay their respects to the Old Madam.

In Anju Courtyard.

The small garden was lush with flowers and plants, and the servants were busy sweeping and pruning in an orderly fashion.

In the main room, Qiuqiu was nestled in Ji Qingwu’s arms, her little eyes losing their luster as she grew drowsy.

Nanny Li approached softly and whispered: "Fifth Miss, you must be tired from the journey. Let me take the child to get some sleep, so you and the Madam can talk."

Lady Qiao also spoke softly to Ji Qingwu: "Nanny Li once looked after the three of you siblings. She is very experienced; you can rest assured leaving the child with her."

Ji Qingwu had no reason to worry and handed Qiuqiu over.

After a moment’s thought, she took a piece of old cloth with faded patterns from her bosom.

"Nanny, this is something Qiuqiu likes to clutch when she sleeps. Please just place it beside her."

Nanny Li withdrew, leaving only the mother and daughter in the room.

Breathing in the scent of gardenias on Lady Qiao, Ji Qingwu felt her spirit begin to relax, no longer as tense as before.

Seeing her daughter remaining silent, quiet, and well-behaved, Lady Qiao asked hesitantly: "Little Wu, since you are married and have a child, where is your husband now? Why didn't he return to Lin'an with you?"

Ji Qingwu had long anticipated being questioned by her family about Qiuqiu’s father.

She lowered her eyes, bit her lip, and said: "Ever since Qiuqiu was born, her father has been stationed at the northern military camp, guarding the border."

Lady Qiao nodded and continued: "Did you notify your husband about your return home?"

"I have had no news of him. I do not know if he is alive or dead," Ji Qingwu sighed feignedly. "Perhaps he has long forgotten us, or perhaps he has already died in battle."

Lady Qiao frowned in heartache.

For so many years, little Wu had been drifting outside without her parents to support her. She must have married some man who didn't care about her.

Her daughter’s clothes were simple, and she wore no pearls or jade; compared to the other girls of the Ji family of the same age, she was far too plain.

How could such a man be worthy of her little Wu?

Lady Qiao’s gaze shifted, and she said with a firm expression: "Little Wu, he is dead."

Ji Qingwu’s eyes widened

Emperor Wusu: I heard I’m dead?

Ji Qingwu: If a woman wants to look pretty, she wears mourning clothes.

(End of chapter)