Chapter 87: Meeting My Mother-in-law for the First Time

The carriage came to a halt, and Tao Ming heard Feng Ying’s voice: “We’ve arrived.”

Once she alighted, Tao Ming saw before her yet another small courtyard. The sign above the gate read “The Fragrant Ivy Pavilion.” Tugging at Su Nanxing’s sleeve, she said, “Didn’t you promise to show me around the Su residence?”

Su Nanxing picked up the two little ones and headed into the courtyard. “First, let’s pay respects to my mother.”

Tao Ming had no choice but to summon her energy and follow him inside. The garden was filled with flowers and greenery, clustered in vibrant bloom, their fragrance lingering in the air. Tao Ming thought to herself that Su Nanxing’s mother must be someone who truly knows how to enjoy life.

They reached the main house, where a maid lifted the curtain. As Su Nanxing entered, he announced, “Father, Mother, I’ve brought my wife and daughter home.”

Tao Ming followed and, upon seeing Su Yanfeng and the woman at his side seated in the hall, addressed them, “Uncle, Aunt.”

Qiao Ruowei gave Tao Ming a careful look and remarked, “No wonder Seventeen can’t bear to be away from you for even a moment; you are indeed exquisite and enchanting.”

Tao Ming felt a bit awkward, unsure how to respond. She could neither agree nor disagree—it was a delicate situation.

Fortunately, Su Nanxing called the two little ones to greet their grandparents. The extra soft and sweet-natured child immediately drew their attention away.

Tao Ming breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to observe her future mother-in-law closely.

What a beautiful woman! The beauties Tao Ming had met before were alluring and seductive, their charm tinged with a hint of worldliness. Tao Sisi was lively and playful, with an innocent air. The girl struck by lightning was somewhat stiff but still fresh and pretty.

Yet the woman before her was unlike any of them. Her features were radiant, her figure graceful, her eyes brimming with affection and wit, every move exuding charm—yet there was an air about her that forbade frivolity. When she spoke, her cherry lips parted enticingly, and her sweet, honeyed voice seemed to melt into one’s bones.

A woman who had cultivated herself to such an extent was perhaps no longer simply a woman, but some blend of goddess and enchantress. Tao Ming could only sigh in admiration, feeling herself utterly outmatched.

No wonder Su Nanxing’s brothers, save one, remained unmarried. With a mother like this before them every day, their standards for choosing a wife had been raised to extraordinary heights.

Tao Ming was puzzled. Back on Earth, her own appearance had no competitive edge; she would have blended into any crowd, utterly unremarkable. Why was Su Nanxing so resolute in wanting to marry her? Could it be true, as he claimed, that he loved her soul?

As Tao Ming was lost in these musings, Qiao Ruowei walked over, took her hand, and led her to sit down. “Let them take the children out to play for a while. You and I can have a good chat.”

Tao Ming gathered all her wits, smiled, and replied, “Aunt, Nanxing often speaks of you, always praising your beauty and your kindness.”

She thought to herself that she had delivered the compliment. Surely, as the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face—no matter what, Qiao Ruowei wouldn’t make things difficult for her now, right?

Tao Ming was mistaken. Qiao Ruowei had no intention of making things difficult for her. With so many sons, and only one married, she wished fervently to see the others wed; if any son brought home a woman she approved of, Qiao Ruowei would have drums beating and the wedding arranged without delay.

Especially now, with Tao Ming having already borne a child—even if that child were not the Saint Maiden, Qiao Ruowei would still be thoroughly pleased.

Qiao Ruowei smiled warmly, took Tao Ming’s hand, slipped a bracelet onto her wrist, and said, “Mingming, I liked you the moment I saw you. I wonder if fate might allow you to call me ‘Mother’ someday?”

Tao Ming’s skin prickled with goosebumps; Qiao Ruowei’s smile was so captivating that even Tao Ming, herself a woman, felt her heart race.

Forcing herself to stay calm, Tao Ming smiled back. “That will depend on when Nanxing marries me.”

Qiao Ruowei gave her a coquettish glance, and Tao Ming felt her heart beat even faster!

Oh heavens, Tao Ming thought, could it be that I’m attracted to women, too? The notion was terrifying!

Then Qiao Ruowei said, “Mingming, I’ve already chosen an auspicious day—nine days from now is ideal for a wedding. In the next few days, Seventeen will send over the betrothal gifts. How about you marry into our family then?”

Tao Ming was stunned. Nine days? That’s so soon! Will there be enough time?

Seeing Tao Ming silent, Qiao Ruowei asked, “Mingming, is Seventeen not good to you? Is that why you’re reluctant to marry?”

Tao Ming shook her head repeatedly. “He’s very good to me—it's just that everything’s happening so quickly. I’m worried my parents might not approve.”

Qiao Ruowei replied softly, “If they feel it's rushed and worry the wedding won’t be grand enough, they needn’t worry. I’ve been longing for my sons to marry, and all the preparations are ready.”

Tao Ming tried to protest, but Qiao Ruowei added, “Besides what the Su family provides, I’ll give half of my private treasury as a dowry. Surely that will show my sincerity.”

“Isn’t that a bit much?” Tao Ming was startled. Private savings were usually reserved for a woman’s own dowry, weren’t they? She quickly tried to dissuade her. “Aunt, Nanxing still has so many unmarried brothers. It truly isn’t appropriate.”

Qiao Ruowei laughed. “You don’t know. Seventeen came home at dawn, acting spoiled and obstinate, hinting that if he couldn’t marry you, he’d become a son-in-law in the Qin household instead.”

Tao Ming could only smile wryly—this was indeed something Su Nanxing would do.

“Well, I’ll ask my parents their thoughts. But there’s no need for so much dowry,” she said.

Qiao Ruowei looked at Tao Ming in surprise, silent for a long moment.

Tao Ming touched her face and asked, “Aunt, is there something on my face?”

Qiao Ruowei shook her head and smiled. “You grew up in another world, so perhaps you don’t know—the betrothal gifts become your own private savings, so the more, the better.”

Tao Ming admitted honestly, “I didn’t know. But as for money, I prefer to earn it myself; that way, whatever I use it for in the future, I won’t have to depend on anyone else.”

Qiao Ruowei was full of admiration. No wonder Seventeen isn’t interested in other women. A woman raised in another world was truly remarkable.

She said, “I’ll give orders soon for the wedding preparations to begin. Once your parents agree, the arrangements will be made right away.”

What more could Tao Ming say? Anything further would seem excessive, so she simply nodded.

Qiao Ruowei changed the topic. “When you had Suan Suan, we weren’t by your side. You must have suffered.”

Tao Ming remembered the day of the cesarean, when Su Nanxing was on the verge of tears, and her heart softened. “Not at all. Nanxing was so frightened he nearly cried.”

Qiao Ruowei was curious. “Tell me all about it.”

Tao Ming explained the situation with the breech birth and the necessity of surgery. Qiao Ruowei’s pretty face grew tense, and only relaxed when she heard that the baby was delivered safely. She exclaimed, “To think that in another world, one can open a woman’s abdomen with a blade to deliver a child—it’s truly incredible.”

Tao Ming laughed. “There are many illnesses over there that require surgery.”

Qiao Ruowei touched Tao Ming’s hand affectionately. “You’ve suffered so much. It must have been terribly painful.”

“It was pretty painful. The first time I got out of bed, it took a full half-hour just to stand up—I cried from the pain.”

“But seeing Suan Suan’s little face made it all worthwhile.”

Qiao Ruowei agreed, “Suan Suan is clever and adorable—she’s impossible not to love.”

Tao Ming recalled how ugly Suan Suan was as a newborn and laughed. “She was terribly ugly when she was born.”

Then she remembered her confinement and laughed again, “Aunt, you don’t know—when I was in confinement, I put my hand under Suan Suan’s nose countless times a day to check if she was breathing, terrified she’d just slip away without a sound.”