Chapter 11: Mother Dong is Back

At this moment, regardless of the reason, the immediate problem had to be solved first. Su Ruojin spoke up again to remind her: "It is the Start of Winter. The Emperor is truly going to begin regulating the princes, generals, scholars, and officials. As the younger sister of the most capable stewardess in the Prince of Jin's manor, Old Xu, you really should..."

Old Xu felt as if she wanted to tear that brat's mouth apart, but then she thought of something. Resisting the urge to steal the fried dough stick craft, she turned her fat backside around again, wiggling her barrel waist as she departed.

Su Ruojin intentionally called out behind her, "Old Xu, do you need me to bring a gong?"

The onlookers were utterly bewildered by the dialogue between the old woman and the child. Just a moment ago, they were talking about the Son of Heaven regulating the officials; how did a gong suddenly appear in the conversation?

Old Xu's footsteps faltered. Despite her body being as heavy as a barrel of fat, she suddenly seemed as light as a swallow, vanishing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Su Ruojin understood that her "reminder" had quelled Old Xu's intentions. Her racing little heart gradually calmed down. She looked up slightly at the clear blue sky. Under the feet of the Emperor, the high and low officials of the capital were as numerous as grains of sand. Even a relative of a manor steward had to be feared; life truly was not easy!

One's official rank was not enough to contend with the people of the Prince of Jin's manor. Shu Tong looked worried, "What about our stall..."

Su Ruojin turned and entered the small shop. While using a long-handled ladle to scoop tea eggs, she spoke in a voice only Uncle Shu Tong could hear, "Don't worry. Not only will the stall be fine, but Mama Dong will also return tonight."

"Will she be willing?"

Of course, Old Xu would not be willing. Ever since the low-rent housing she had hoarded was confiscated, she had lost a massive source of income. The Xu family, including masters and servants, consisted of over twenty people, which was a significant expense. She had likely been scouting for new ways to make money for a long time, and it turned out she had set her sights on their fried dough sticks and soy milk.

So what if she was a relative of a manor steward? She had been brushed off with just a few words. Su Ruojin, who had been despondent a moment ago, regained her confidence. She was just an old shrew; if one came, she would strike one; if a pair came, she would wipe out a pair. No one could stop her from making money to support her family.

At the end of the Chen hour, they packed up punctually. They disassembled the mini shop, placed it on a flatbed cart, and pulled it back with a small mule cart.

By the time darkness fell that evening, Mama Dong truly returned to the Su family, carrying her two sets of tattered clothes.

Shu Tong was so happy he nearly jumped up. "Heavens, Second Lady is truly miraculous! Mama Dong really came back!"

Although Su Ruojin was certain Old Xu would release her, she had actually felt anxious until the moment she saw Mama Dong. Only now, seeing her, could she finally rest easy.

"Mama!" Stepping forward to take her hand, Mama Dong returned to her true home. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't help but wipe away tears. Seeing the master of the house waiting for her in the main hall, she hurriedly knelt forward. "Master..." she sobbed.

Su Yanli was also filled with profound emotion. Ten years ago, while traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations, he had saved Mama Dong, who was searching for her husband. After passing the jinshi exam, while waiting for his official appointment in the capital, he had rented a small three-room courtyard to find a cook and unexpectedly encountered Mama Dong again, thus forming their bond of master and servant.

Having lived together for ten years, they were closer than kin.

"It is good that you are back, good that you are back..." Su Yanli felt somewhat ashamed to face Mama Dong. If he hadn't been lacking in both money and ability, how could he have let her suffer in the Xu family?

Sensing her father's shame, Su Ruojin turned her small face and smiled. "Mama, let's go wash up first so you can see my mother."

Hearing the young lady's words, Mama Dong hurriedly wiped her tears in joy. "Yes, yes, I want to see the Madam."

Shu Tong stepped forward. "I'll help you carry the washing water to the dressing room first."

The young man in his twenties happily bounded toward the kitchen to scoop hot water.

Mama Dong looked at Da Lang and San Lang. "This old servant greets Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master."

Su Anzhi returned a polite bow like a little adult. "Mama, you've worked hard!"

"This old servant is not tired, not tired at all!"

San Lang was young and the weather was cold. Wrapped up like a little ball, he rubbed his eyes from sleepiness in the cold winter night. After his brother finished speaking, he followed with the same three words: "Worked hard."

His voice was so soft and sweet that it melted Mama Dong's heart, making her unable to stop her tears. If it weren't for the fact that his clothes were in such a sorry state, she would have pulled the little young master into her arms long ago.

Standing to the side, Su Ruojin also felt a pang of heartache and sorrow. The three Su children had all been raised by Mama Dong; she was more of a grandmother to them than their actual grandmother.

In the long, cold night, the oil lamp was lit.

Su Yanli picked up Su San Lang. "Now that we are all home, do not be formal. After you have washed, Mama, please go make yourself a bowl of noodles. I will take Da Lang and San Lang to rest."

"Alright, everything shall be as Master commands."

Su Yanli went to settle the two brothers.

Su Ruojin also went to the bedroom to take out the new clothes she had bought for Mama Dong on the street that afternoon—a complete set from the inside out. Mama Dong was both delighted and reproachful. "Why spend such money? I have clothes to wear."

Su Ruojin shook her head and looked at her. "You call this having clothes?"

Mama Dong looked down at her tattered rags and unconsciously shook her head as well. "Ever since the Xu family's public housing was confiscated, we servants have seen our lives get worse by the day."

Su Ruojin thought deeply. "Do you mean, Mama, that before you returned today, the Xu family had already sold off their servants?"

Mama Dong nodded. "When I first arrived at their house, there were seven or eight servants inside and out. Now, only half remain."

Su Ruojin clicked her tongue. When Old Xu had pressured Mama Dong to return to learn the craft a while ago, she had noticed that Mama Dong's clothes were in poor condition, which was why she had gone to the street this afternoon.

She would discuss the matters of the Xu family later when there was time. "My mother was very happy to hear you returned. Mama, hurry and change."

Mama Dong was as happy as an old horse returning to its stable.

Half an hour later, after washing up, Mama Dong entered the mistress's bedroom. As she reached the bedside of the lady of the house, she prepared to kneel, but Su Ruojin held her back. "Mama, we don't do kneeling in our house. Don't make your knees suffer."

Mama Dong insisted on kneeling to the mistress. "I will listen to you at other times, but I haven't been home for over half a year. Let me show my devotion."

*Sigh, these damned feudal etiquettes.*

After completing her salutations, Mama Dong sat on a small footstool and looked at Cheng Yingzhen with eyes full of smiles. "The Madam looks well. I suspect Second Lady has been feeding you plenty of delicious food lately."

"Indeed." Cheng Yingzhen looked at her daughter, who acted like a little adult, with pride and affection. "If it weren't for her, I wouldn't know how to get through these days."

Mama Dong turned to look at her little mistress, her eyes also full of tenderness. "If it weren't for Second Lady, I fear even after a full year of serving the Xus, they wouldn't have let you go."

Hearing the hint of a story in Mama Dong's tone, Cheng Yingzhen asked curiously, "What happened?"

While her mother watched expectantly, Su Ruojin merely shrugged nonchalantly. "I just gave Old Xu a little scare. Had I known she was so easily frightened, I would have brought Mama Dong back much sooner."

Whether she could have brought her back sooner was something Su Ruojin couldn't say for certain, but she knew that many things required the right timing. Perhaps the fried dough stick craft was the very opportunity needed to bring Mama Dong home.