Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Gluttonous Mother (Part One)

Tao Ming followed Su Nanxing to the Moon Viewing Pavilion, where the Qin family resided. Even a few meters from the door, laughter and playful voices could be heard within, clear and sweet as crystal. Tao Ming’s heart tightened—a sudden worry struck her: could it be that Nuonuo had transformed into human form again? Her clothes were still with Tao Ming; surely she wasn’t running around bare! Though the room was filled with elders, they were all men, after all.

She hurried forward and pushed open the door. To her relief, she saw Ruanruan sitting in a chair, with Nuonuo, still in white tiger form, resting on her lap. Tao Ming exhaled, her anxiety dissipating.

The people surrounding them turned at the sound. Qin Youchuan laughed warmly, “Ruanruan is simply delightful!”

Tao Ming smiled in return, “Indeed, a child who is loved is always full of joy.”

Approaching Ruanruan, she asked what the girl had said to amuse everyone, but Ruanruan only mumbled and refused to answer. Tao Ming then asked Nuonuo, who buried her head in Ruanruan’s lap and played dead.

Su Nanxing called, “Father.” Su Yanfeng, watching Ruanruan with obvious affection, said, “Shiqi, you’ve raised a wonderful daughter! When we return home, your mother will be overjoyed.”

Su Nanxing hesitated, “Father, Mingming said she’d like to visit the Qin manor and see her parents first.”

Su Yanfeng paused, then nodded, “That’s only natural. Let her stay at the Qin manor tonight; you can fetch her at dawn tomorrow.”

Su Nanxing lowered his voice, “Father, I’d like to visit my in-laws as well.”

Su Yanfeng glanced at him, “Are you so reluctant to part?”

Su Nanxing’s voice dropped even lower, “You and Mother have been together every night since the wedding—I haven’t seen her in months.”

Su Yanfeng’s irritation faded. “Very well, go with them. Bring her back in the morning.”

Su Nanxing beamed, “Father, you’re the best!”

Su Yanfeng rose and addressed Qin Youchuan, “Master Qin, the night grows late. I shall take my leave.”

Qin Youchuan saw Tao Ming still beside Ruanruan and, feeling a hint of pride, said, “Master Su, please go ahead. I too shall be departing soon.”

Su Yanfeng swallowed his annoyance, thinking to himself that it was only one night—hereafter, Ruanruan would live at the Su manor. He bowed and left without further comment.

Once Su Yanfeng had exited, Qin Youchuan walked over, scooped Ruanruan into his arms, and announced, “Let’s go home with Great-grandfather!”

Turning, he saw Su Nanxing still in the room, and asked with displeasure, “Why are you still here?”

Su Nanxing forced a smile, “Grandfather, I wish to greet my in-laws.”

“Who’s your grandfather?” Qin Youchuan retorted, carrying Ruanruan as he walked.

Su Nanxing followed, speaking to Ruanruan, “Ruanruan, do you want to be with Papa?”

Ruanruan saw Tao Ming carrying Nuonuo and lagging behind; only Papa was nearby. She reached out her arms, “I want Papa to carry me!”

Qin Youchuan stopped, coaxing gently, “Ruanruan, be good. Great-grandfather will carry you.”

“I want Papa!” Ruanruan grew anxious, feeling she hadn’t seen Mama or Papa in ages.

With a disgruntled look, Qin Youchuan handed Ruanruan to Su Nanxing, gritting his teeth, “Once you’ve greeted your in-laws, you must return.”

Su Nanxing agreed readily, thinking, When the time comes, I simply won’t leave—what can you do, throw me out?

Tao Ming deliberately lagged behind and, hearing Qin Youchuan relent, hurried to catch up with Su Nanxing. She whispered, “Quite cunning, aren’t you?”

Su Nanxing kissed Ruanruan, “I’ll buy you an extra golden giant surprise egg!”

“Papa is the best! I love Papa most!” Ruanruan hugged Su Nanxing’s neck and cooed.

...

They took another carriage ride and finally arrived at the Qin manor.

Stepping down, Tao Ming saw the words “Silken Cave” hanging above the courtyard gate and thought, Surely, this must be where her parents lived.

Qin Youchuan stood at the entrance and said, “You go in; it’s not proper for me to enter.”

Tao Ming nodded and entered. At the main house, Dingxiang stood guard at the door. At the sight of Tao Ming, tears welled in her eyes. Her voice trembled, “Is that you, Mingming?”

Tao Ming looked at the emotionally charged woman before her, the image of Aunt Dingxiang from her memories merging with the present. She replied, “Aunt Dingxiang, it’s me.”

Dingxiang scrutinized Tao Ming, smiling through tears, “You’ve grown so much. Madam has asked for you more than a hundred times today, wishing you’d return sooner.”

Tao Ming took a tissue from her pocket and handed it over. “I’m back now.”

Dingxiang wiped her tears and sighed, “It’s been ages since I used a tissue.”

Then she said, “Look at me, thinking only of myself. Come, follow me.”

Tao Ming followed as Dingxiang lifted the curtain and called inside, “Madam, Mingming has returned.”

A flurry of feminine voices responded from within, quick and urgent yet full of charm, “Let her in, I’m dying of impatience.”

Tao Ming passed through the hall into the bedroom. There, a woman sat propped on a large bed, a man at her side, and at the foot of the bed stood two other women—Doukou and Qingdai.

Tao Ming gazed at the woman on the bed, noticing eight parts resemblance to herself, though she seemed livelier and more playful. Tao Ming called, “Mother.”

Tao Sisi beckoned, “Mingming, come here.”

Tao Ming approached. Tao Sisi asked, “Did you bring food from the other world?”

Though surprised by the question, Tao Ming replied sincerely, “I did.”

Tao Sisi grasped Tao Ming’s hand, her face full of hope, “Did you bring hotpot base?”

Tao Ming thought, This is surely my own mother!

She couldn’t help but laugh, “Mother, I brought hundreds of packets of hotpot base, and all kinds of ingredients for dipping.”

Tao Sisi’s face lit up, “Quick, help me up—I want hotpot!”

The man beside her coughed, “Sisi, greet your granddaughter first.”

Tao Sisi playfully stuck out her tongue, “It’s been so long since I had hotpot—I’m craving it.”

Tao Ming looked at the man: his black hair was tied high with a jade crown, his complexion pale, features sharp, eyes deep black, nose prominent, lips smiling and of moderate thickness—just as she remembered her father. She called, “Father.”

Qin Siyu was deeply moved, “Mingming, you’ve grown so much.”

He looked behind Tao Ming and asked, “Where’s the child?”

Tao Ming turned; Su Nanxing hadn’t entered. She said, “Wait a moment,” and stepped out of the bedroom.

Su Nanxing stood in the hall, holding Ruanruan and Nuonuo. When Tao Ming came out, he handed Ruanruan over. “It’s not convenient for me to go in.”

“It’s my fault—I was so eager I forgot about you. Wait here for a bit.”

She carried Ruanruan back into the bedroom.

Tao Sisi, seeing Ruanruan, exclaimed, “She looks exactly as you did when you were little.”

Tao Ming placed Ruanruan by the bed. “Ruanruan, call Grandma and Grandpa.”

Ruanruan pouted, “I already have Grandma and Grandpa!”

Tao Sisi stroked Ruanruan’s head, her voice softer, “Mingming, it’s your mother who owes you.”

Tao Ming smiled and shook her head, “Mother, you have every right to pursue the life you want. Besides, Mama Banxia treated me well—I never lacked motherly love.”

Qin Siyu took Tao Sisi’s hand, “If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I caused the separation between you and Mingming.”

He looked at Ruanruan, “From now on, you’ll have two more people who love you. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Ruanruan thought for a moment, “Sounds good. Will you buy me surprise eggs?”

“What are surprise eggs?” Qin Siyu was puzzled; he’d only experienced modern life for a short while and had never seen such things.

“Surprise eggs have toys and treats inside!”

“I’ll buy them for you. If such things exist, Grandpa will buy them.”

Ruanruan’s face brightened, and she called out crisply, “Grandma! Grandpa!”

Tao Sisi laughed, “She’s definitely my own granddaughter!”