松鼠症仓库

She took out a handkerchief and extended her arm to gently wipe away the specks of dirt from his cheek. Softly, she said, “We’ll have to wait a little longer. I need to check on Old Madam Zhang’s condition first, and you…”

“I’ll go with you!” Huangfu Lingyao immediately grasped her hand.

His clinginess was just like taking a child to work!

Liu Shimei did not find it bothersome at all. She walked forward with her silly puppy following, muttering to herself, “I wonder if those two from the Miao family have left.”

“They haven’t!” Huangfu Lingyao gave her a definite answer.

Liu Shimei blinked and asked, “How do you know?”

Huangfu Lingyao replied in a matter-of-fact tone, “I overheard one of the servants passing by. That Miao fellow said he’d wait until you finished treating the old lady here and then asked you to visit his mother at their house!”

“Oh?” Liu Shimei furrowed her brows.

Although she had agreed, in her heart, coming to treat Old Madam Zhang was a matter of courtesy. Going to the Miao family… why couldn’t that wait until after her Fusheng Pavilion opened for business?

She hadn’t made up her mind yet when her silly puppy made the decision for her. “Wife, we’re not going!”

“Why not?” Liu Shimei asked, tilting her head.

She was somewhat surprised by his response.

The silly puppy had his own logic, “Because I don’t like her! So, I won’t allow my wife to treat her!”

Liu Shimei was speechless.

Well, that reason was quite firm, leaving no room for argument!

At this moment, Madam Jiang approached and said, “I apologize for the delay earlier due to a matter in the front courtyard. Eldest Miss Liu, please accompany me to the rear courtyard’s Buddhist hall.”

In the backyard of the Zhang family’s residence, a Buddhist hall had been constructed.

Spanning four generations, the elderly lady was the mother of Grand Secretary Zhang. She was quite advanced in age and, together with Grand Secretary Zhang’s wife, observed Buddhist rituals and vegetarian diets. The responsibility for providing sustenance to the Zhang family had long been entrusted to the capable hands of the eldest wife, Madam Jiang.

Liu Shimei, however, left Huangfu Lingyao waiting outside and gave her some careful instructions.

With a Buddhist hall on the premises, there was less formality among the younger generations. Liu Shimei found a cushion to sit on. At Madam Jiang’s behest, some fruits and snacks were brought to them. Liu Shimei, then, entered the inner courtyard.

Both the old lady, Madam Li, and the Old Madam Wang were in the inner courtyard. After Liu Shimei paid her respects, Madam Jiang explained the reason for her visit, and Liu Shimei came over to take Madam Li’s pulse.

“Is this the little girl from the Liu family, all grown up?” Madam Wang, watching Liu Shimei as she examined the old lady, reminisced with a deep sigh. “I still remember when you were just born. In the blink of an eye, 16 years have passed.”

Liu Shimei, while checking the pulse, smiled and replied, “So, Madam, you still remember my late mother?”

This was just casual small talk with her elder.

However, to her surprise, Madam Wang said with emotion, “Of course I remember! Lady Ruyi, I watched her grow up too. She was the darling of the Liang family. It’s a pity she married a civil servant instead of a military officer; it’s like a bird being locked in a cage!”

Liu Shimei was momentarily stunned.

“Mother,” Madam Jiang reminded her quietly.

Madam Wang paused, shook her head with a wry smile, and said, “Look at me, in my old age, I’ve become quite the chatterbox. I’ve brought up things that shouldn’t be said. I’ve committed a grave verbal indiscretion!”

Madam Li, who was already 80 years old and had a very open-minded attitude, added, “There are no outsiders here, and we’re talking about Little Ruyi in front of her daughter. There’s nothing we can’t say.”

She turned her kindly gaze toward Liu Shimei and said, “Shimei, the Liu family might not have treated you well, but your maternal family will surely take good care of you. Just lean on them as much as you need.”

Liu Shimei did not know what to say..