Chapter 66: Nightmare
These words touched a sore spot for the old lady. She was born and raised in the capital city, and even after marrying into the Hua family, she represented her husband's family in the homes of the nobility. She had seen all kinds of servants, and while she couldn't compare to those in the palace, even the ones in the Prince's mansion couldn't match up to Ying Chun and the others.
Even if she pretended to be incompetent, very few could maintain consistency for ten years. But in the Hua family, not only did her eldest granddaughter hide her abilities, but even her maidservants were not able to discern anything.
That was a true skill!
Suyun Mama could tell from the old lady's expression that she had spoken the right words, so she continued to express her true thoughts. Although she couldn't match the capabilities of the other maids, she believed that her loyalty to the old lady could hold its own.
"You are always worried about no one supporting the eldest young lady. From my perspective, there's no need to worry. Not to mention her four major maids, even the second-tier maids in her room are all capable and can support the eldest young lady. Moreover, the eldest young lady's talent for arranging people has not gone unused even now. The people she employs now are all full of energy. In my opinion, the others are not reliable, so it's better to let them listen to the eldest young lady. The eldest young lady will not mistreat them."
The old lady's heart gradually became clear. Instead of forcing someone to stay by Zhi'er's side and restricting her, it was better to follow Zhi'er. With Zhi'er's gentle nature, as long as it was family, even if she didn't like them, she wouldn't ignore them. So why bother trying to do things that would make Zhi'er uncomfortable in the name of the Hua family and Zhi'er's well-being?
A call for greetings came from outside, and Suyun Mama quickly tidied up the room and placed a pillow behind the old lady before heading to the door.
Hua Zhi and the veiled Shao Yao entered hand in hand, "Zhi'er greets grandmother."
Shao Yao also followed suit with a formal greeting.
"Get up quickly, Shao Yao's courtesy is something this old body cannot bear."
Zhi'er helped Shao Yao up, "You don't need to elevate her status. She is a friend of mine, so treat her like a junior."
Shao Yao's veiled head seemed to sway up and down in response.
The old lady smiled and nodded, "Then this old body won't be polite with Shao Yao anymore. As long as you are willing to come to the Hua family, you are welcome at any time, and no one can stop you."
"Thank you, old madam."
Although the old lady smiled kindly and Shao Yao seemed obedient, she had no friendly feelings in her heart. The only outsider she was willing to be close to was Hua Zhi.
"Cao Cao, go check on grandmother."
Shao Yao took the pulse for a moment and said, "It's better now. You don't need to force yourself. If you want to sleep, then sleep. Resting well will help your body recover."
"Alright, alright." The old lady looked at her granddaughter, "You don't need to stay with me. Go back and rest. No one in the family is as tired as you."
"We will leave after you have rested."
The two did not leave. Hua Zhi had great faith in Shao Yao's medical skills, so if she said that her grandmother would have nightmares, it was sure to happen. By all accounts, it was difficult to find peace after a scare especially for an elderly person with delicate health.
Suyun Mama and Ying Chun prepared the bed on the floor for the two, and Shao Yao whispered to Hua Zhi, "Hua Zhi, you sleep for a while first, I'll keep watch."
Hua Zhi suppressed a yawn, patted her back, and said, "You've had a more tiring day than me. You sleep first, we can take turns."
"Don't underestimate me. After all, I've been practicing martial arts for so many years, and my body is strong. Sleep soon."
The two stared at each other with widened eyes for a while, and Shao Yao covered her mouth and giggled first. The amusement in Hua Zhi's eyes blossomed too. Finally, they looped their arms and closed their eyes. They couldn't stay up all night; they had to seize the opportunity to sleep.
When there was movement on the bed, Shao Yao was the first to react. Hua Zhi, who was startled awake by the movement, also woke up and they both hurried to the bedside.
The old lady, with a pained expression, closed her eyes and uttered in a low voice, "Husband... husband, come back, don't go, don't go... I'll go with you, husband, husband, Yu'er, Yan'er, Yang'er, where are you, where are you, come to Mother, come to Mother..."
Shao Yao whispered, "Hua Zhi, you call her."
Hua Zhi nodded, approached her grandmother, and softly called out, "Grandmother, grandmother, can you hear me? I'm Zhi'er, we are here, we are all here, grandmother, grandmother..."
Shao Yao poured a few drops of liquid into her palm, rubbed her hands together to warm it up, climbed onto the bed, gently massaged her grandmother's neck, and a long-lasting fragrance slowly diffused. After a while, the emotionally agitated old lady gradually calmed down, with furrowed brows but no longer screaming.
Shao Yao stopped her actions, "It's enough."
"This is enough?"
"I mean for this time." Shao Yao yawned widely, returned to her bed, and lay down, "There will be several more repetitions tonight. You should quickly seize the opportunity to sleep."
Hua Zhi gestured to Suyun Mama, who had been waiting in the room, to bring water. She wrung a towel and wiped Shao Yao's hands, "Go to sleep."
Throughout the night, the old lady had four episodes of nightmares, and by the last one, it was almost dawn.
"It's almost over." Shao Yao looked somewhat dejected as she took out a piece of incense from the medicine box and handed it to Suyun Mama, "This incense can last for three days. Just let it burn on its own, it's for calming the mind."
Suyun Mama solemnly accepted the gift and bowed deeply, "I thank you, Miss Shao Yao."
"Thank Huahua instead," Shao Yao lay motionless on Peony's chest, "I'm so hungry."
"...You ate more at dinner than I do in a day."
"But I'm still hungry."
Hua Zhi embraced her and stroked the back of her neck like petting a cat, "You're just tired, not hungry. Go back to sleep, I'll be there soon."
"Let's sleep here, together."
Hua Zhi was indeed tired as well, so she didn't say anything more and laid back down on the mat with Shao Yao.
She had to wait until her grandmother was truly safe before she could leave. She had already taken ninety-eight steps of the hundred steps, just two steps left.
The old lady was lightly asleep, even after a night of tossing and turning, she woke up at her usual time.
A faint unfamiliar fragrance lingered in her nose, very pleasant. The room was dimly lit and she couldn't see clearly.
Soon, she saw Cui Xiang approaching with a small lamp in hand, tiptoeing and gesturing silently, pointing to the ground.
The old lady sat up and looked over, under the dim light she saw two girls sleeping soundly leaning on each other.
What was there for the old lady to not understand?
The old lady had no more doubts, feeling annoyed at herself for being a burden, yet also feeling warm inside. Her granddaughter was truly good in every aspect, with admirable character and behavior.
She gestured for Cui Xiang to leave, and closed her eyes to rest. Her health was deteriorating, she didn't know how much longer she could hold on. If she continued to burden Zhi'er, it would be better to pass away peacefully, but...
She couldn't bear it, her husband, her son, and her grandsons were still not back.
How could she give up now?!
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Blossom in Adversity
AdventureAfter hiding her skills for fifteen years, Hua Zhi thought she could live a peaceful life as a proper daughter of a prestigious family. However, when the Hua family's fortune began to decline, she had to reveal her true abilities to support the crum...