Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Xiangxiang was still in her postpartum confinement period, but she still dressed up in her finest attire. She hadn't expected Gong Jianyun to invite the two of them, but to her surprise... Xiangxiang was overjoyed. She thought this was Gong Jianyun's way of showing her respect: it seemed that Liu Ye'er didn't hold much weight in Jianyun's heart after all! Xiangxiang was carefree, and Gong Jianyun was even more generous. The feast was very elaborate, with braised pork knuckle, carp, plump chicken, and tender goose all delivered from the hotel in large food boxes. Various dried and fresh fruits and cakes were also neatly arranged. Because there were only a few people, there was no distinction between men and women, and the group sat around the table.

Fengxian sent a large red silk ruler, and Liangjie sent a rose-purple silk ruler; both were pregnant and couldn't enter the ward. Meiyin, not having time, sent a box of new-style silk flowers from the capital and a large red brocade cloak trimmed with wide, snow-white rabbit fur—Xiangxiang loved it dearly. The old lady gifted her a piece of plain blue satin wrapping cloth—it had been offered before the Buddha for protection! Xiangxiang's heart warmed, and she almost cried—such a gift was only given by her closest confidants. Most unexpectedly, Young Master Liang also graced the occasion, placing a pair of silver bracelets with gold bells beside the child's pillow. Gong Jianyun was almost moved to tears—he had a rough idea of ​​Young Master Liang's status; for his son to receive such favor from a nobleman at birth was certainly a respectable thing.

Liu Lian was surprised that Young Master Liang would condescend to join in this fun—it's usually the women who visit new mothers who are married, and they knew he was here for Xiu Luan. Looking at Xiu Luan's forced composure, she couldn't help but sigh for Young Master Lin!

Xiangxiang was very excited and perked up, directing the two new maids who had been hired to work in the house like a flowing stream, shuttling back and forth between the rooms. Everyone advised her to lie down and let Gong Jianyun take care of things! But Xiangxiang wouldn't listen. "Men are all rough around the edges, how can they take such good care of me! You don't know, I'm healthy and strong, I'll be able to get out of bed the next day! Those poor women have to cook, clean, and do all the washing and chores themselves during their postpartum period! Jianyun was worried that I would get tired, so he hired two people to serve me, and there's also an old servant outside who runs errands and buys things, all to make sure I don't get too tired!"

Young Master Liang chimed in, "I think Brother Gong was afraid he couldn't compete with you, so he brought two people along for courage! But you still managed to steal all his work!" Xiangxiang laughed heartily. Inside, her son, restless, seized the opportunity to pee and then burst into tears. Xiangxiang quickly went in to clean him up, unbuttoned his breast, and breastfed him. The son ate contentedly, humming softly, glancing at the onlookers a few times, seemingly finding it uninteresting and too lazy to bother them, before falling asleep. Xiangxiang looked up at Liu Ye'er and Xiu Luan, proudly saying, "My son is very clever; he cries when he wets himself, and I have to change him! He sleeps after eating, not naughty at all! Even when Jian Yun teases him, he knows to turn his head to look!" Liu Ye'er and Xiu Luan nodded in agreement. The two stood for a while before coming out to sit down.

Xiu Luan secretly observed Liu Ye'er's expression. She saw that Liu Ye'er was nonchalant, eating her food with her chopsticks and even taking the dishes that Xiang Xiang offered her. However, she politely declined the wine that Xiang Xiang offered and even seriously advised Xiang Xiang not to drink. Everyone knew that her godfather was a famous doctor, so naturally she would not object. Xiang Xiang then ordered someone to remove the wine cup and replace it with a bowl of hot crucian carp soup.

Young Master Liang and Gong Jianyun chatted and drank merrily. The three of them ignored them, ate their meal, and went inside to chat. They whispered amongst themselves, heads close together, completely forgetting the baby lying beside them. The baby, quite considerately, slept soundly, not disturbing his mother! Years later, Xiu Luan often recalled this scene. Having experienced the harsh realities of life, she finally understood the unspeakable sorrow behind Liu Ye'er's feigned cheerfulness, the excessive bullying by Xiang Xiang, and the hidden bitterness behind the seemingly unavoidable actions. But time had passed; she and Xiang Xiang had parted ways, and she and Liu Ye'er had drifted further and further apart. Even this last bit of feigned affection couldn't be retained.

Young Master Liang had drunk too much, and Gong Jianyun helped him into the west room to rest. The servants cleared away the food and drinks, cleaned up, brought in a pot of tea, and quietly withdrew. Gong Jianyun listened intently to the sounds inside. Xiangxiang was mainly talking, her voice rough and loud; Xiu Luan was inquisitive, her voice sweet and gentle; and Liu Ye occasionally chimed in with a clear, melodious voice. Unfortunately, she spoke very little. Gong Jianyun gave a bitter smile. He had once been so ambitious, promising to give her happiness; his words still echoed in his ears. In the end, he was simply unlucky, only realizing her value after it was too late! How laughable that he could only hide outside and secretly listen to her voice, yet she couldn't even be bothered to speak!

After finally waiting for Young Master Liang to sober up, the three took their leave. Young Master Liang rode a horse, while the two rode in a carriage back. Xiu Luan finally couldn't help but ask Liu Lian, "Ye Zi, do you really not hate Xiang Xiang at all?" Liu Lian sighed, "Xiu Luan, Constable Gong saved my life twice!"

"But, Xiangxiang..."

"Luan'er, I'm going to visit Officer Gong's wife today! Officer Gong saved my life! That's all!"

Xiu Luan hugged her arm, rested her head on her shoulder, and sighed, "Ye Zi, you've suffered so much! Gong Jianyun is truly blind! Alas..."

Liu Lian rested his head on hers and sighed.

Each lost in their own thoughts, they leaned against each other silently on the road bathed in the twilight, in the swaying carriage. Liulian pondered the uncertain future, yearning for freedom that remained unattainable! Xiu Luan thought of her sweet yet hopeless love with Young Master Liang; for the first time, the marriage to the Lin family was no longer an honor for her.

The Gong and Liu families lived not far apart and returned quickly. The two said goodbye upon entering the gate and went their separate ways. Liu Lian sensed something amiss as soon as she entered. Cui Lan was guarding the main room entrance, greeting her with a smile, but neither lifting the curtain nor inviting her in. A faint medicinal smell lingered in the air. Inside, Rui Hong heard the commotion and came out to greet her, smiling broadly, seemingly without a hint of unease. Liu Lian called him "brother-in-law" and decided not to go see Feng Xian—she generally didn't go to see Rui Hong when he was around. Rui Hong only occasionally teased Feng Xian; in private, he was very reserved and rarely smiled like this. Liu Lian felt uneasy, wondering what he was up to.

Ruihong laughed and said, "Congratulations, sister! Congratulations, sister!" Liulian was greatly surprised and asked in surprise, "I don't know what brings you this joy?"

Congratulations on becoming an aunt!

"Damn it!" Liu Lian cursed the man's awkward humor inwardly. For a moment, she almost thought he was arranging her engagement; her heart was in her throat! Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, she asked, "Elder sister...?"

"They're both safe! Mother and daughter are both safe! Do you want to see them? I'll bring them out for you."

"No, no!" Lingering for a moment, she belatedly realized that Ruihong was actually subtly telling her she couldn't go back inside! "I'll see when it's the third-day celebration! No rush! Eldest sister, what would you like to eat? I'll make it for you!"

Inside, Fengxian said weakly, "I want to eat human flesh. Go and kill one for me!"

"Sure thing! I think your brother-in-law is quite fat, enough for you to eat for several meals! Just kill him!"

Fengxian laughed heartily, "Stop worrying about this, take a break!"

As she spoke, she saw Yulan Rui coming over with a plate. She lingered for a moment, then lifted the lid and saw that it contained red date and millet porridge. She nodded and let her take it in!