Chapter 8 The Three Old Men

  The three old men quickly got up and thanked Old Lady Jiang, then humbly said a few words before following Ning Shilan and his brothers to Xinglin Garden, which was the residence arranged by Old Lady Jiang. The front and back courtyards were extremely large, with several rooms, including a study, bedroom, kitchen, etc., all complete. The furnishings inside were also exquisite and elegant, showing that she had indeed put her heart into it.

  The three old men were grateful in their hearts. Ning Shilan saw that San Shu was satisfied, so he and his two younger brothers returned to report to Jiang Lao Taijun. Jiang Lao Taijun said: "Alright, you've been sitting for half a day, you must be tired too, go back now. In the future, you should often visit your Third Uncle. Especially the little ones, since your Third Uncle doesn't have any children of his own, how could he not like kids? Let the younger brothers often accompany him, it will also make his later years less lonely."

  Everyone agreed and then dispersed one after another.

  The return of the three old men was like a small stone, after the two ripples that were stirred up dissipated, life returned to calmness.

  But there was one person who appeared calm on the surface but was actually not calm at all in her heart. She was Ning Fengbi.

  Before she knew it, a month had passed. Yu Shi looked at her daughter who was silent and taciturn every day, and became more worried. On this day, watching Xuan Ge'er babbling on the ground, she also heard Lan Niang saying anxiously: "Why is Xuan Ge'er so stupid? At this time, he can't even call out 'dad' or 'mom', but Liu Gu's daughter could say several words already."

  Yu's family picked up Xuan Ge'er and said to Lan Niangniang: "What are you in a hurry for? Children over two years old talk more, how old is Xuan Ge'er now? You're so anxious. Yu Ru spoke early, but what's the use? Look at her now, she doesn't say a word every day. Usually when her father comes back, she chatters on and on, how...how did she become a mute after getting sick?"

  Here is the translation:

  "Now, Lan's aunt also looked puzzled and said in a low voice: 'Yes, madam, I also think something is wrong. Sixth Miss was gentle and elegant before, but not to the extent of being like this now. Before, she used to play with Xuan Gege, but these past few days, even Xuan Gege can't get her to open her mouth... This... If it goes on like this, we'll have to think of a solution.'"

  Yu sighed and said, "Is there a way to wait until now? You also know I'm not good at talking, you're not much better than me either. Let's not mention us, the old master is actually a talkative person, have you seen him making Pinyin laugh these days? Alas! Don't mention it, my heart feels like there's a huge stone weighing on it, don't even get me started on how heavy it is."

  They were talking in the inner room, and the serving maids were also in the inner room. Ning Feng had not allowed the little maids at the door to report any messages before, but now they were all listening in the outer room, hearing every word that Mother and Lan's wife said. After thinking about it for a moment, she felt that this play was almost over. So she quietly walked in and softly said: "The daughter has seen her mother, aunt."

  Madam Lan and Mrs. Yu were startled, Madam Lan hastily bowed and said: "The concubine has seen the sixth young lady." After finishing, she quickly got up and secretly looked at Mrs. Yu, only to see that she was also somewhat flustered, as if afraid that her daughter had heard all of what was just said.

  "Mother, I feel a bit stifled today and want to go out for a walk," said Ning Xianbi with a smile.

  Yu's heart was just feeling empty, and as soon as he heard this, he hurriedly smiled and replied: "Okay, it just so happens that I don't have anything to do, so I'll go with Peony to take a stroll in the garden. Peony loves the flowers in the garden the most, unfortunately it's not the season for peonies to bloom now, or else it would be beautiful."

  Ning Xi smiled and said: "I want to go for a walk myself, Mother and Auntie take care of my brother." But then she heard Yu Shi say: "How can this be? You were seriously ill last time, do you want to get sick again this time? Oh my god, Xiaoyao, don't take your mother's life, I'm really scared."

  Ning Feng shook her head, her eyes firm, and said softly: "Mother, don't worry, with Hai Tang and Lao Tai Tai following me, nothing will happen. If mother is still not at ease, then I won't go out."

  "Oh, no... don't bother, you go out, with Haitang and Lao Tai Tai following, I'm not worried at all." Yu Shi heard her daughter's words, and her heart couldn't help but jump, thinking that it was better to go out and clear her mind than to stay cooped up in the house. It was rare for Xiangyuan to have such a mood this month.

  Ning Fengbi then used a month of almost housebound life in exchange for her first step towards a new life.

  "Miss, if we go further in that direction, it's the Apricot Forest Garden. We should head into the garden this way." Lao Lao followed behind Ning Xianbi, speaking softly and persuasively. This time after Miss got sick and woke up, her temper became even more eccentric, so she didn't dare to completely disobey Young Master's intentions.

  "Apricot Forest Garden? Isn't that where Third Grandfather lives?" Ning Xianbi tilted her head, pretending to ask innocently, but secretly amused in her heart, thinking that this young lady was indeed heading there, and she wouldn't bother with anywhere else.

  "Yes, that's where the Third Old Master lives." Lao Lao said, and then saw her own daughter walking forward with a pair of small short legs, laughing innocently: "Great, today we'll go to the Third Grandfather's courtyard to play, isn't Father a doctor? I wonder if he has planted any medicinal herbs in his courtyard."

  "Oh dear, my girl, it's only been a month since the three old men came, where can they grow medicinal herbs? Even if they did plant them, they wouldn't have grown out yet."

  Lao Lao wanted to stop Ning Fengbi, but Hai Tang laughed and said: "Lao Lao, never mind, since the young lady wants to take a look, let her go take a look. The old lady used to say that these grandsons and daughters should come to Third Master's place more often. But thinking about it, those clever people from the first and second branches of the family would not come to ask about Third Master's life. Since our young lady likes it, let her go take a look."

  Liao's aunt could only glare at Haitang and said resentfully, "You dare to add fuel to the fire, just wait till I tell your mother when I get back."

  Haitang giggled and said: "Even if the nanny tells Madam, I'm not afraid. Madam is a kind-hearted person and won't punish me."

  The old man who had been seen a month ago was airing things in the yard, and when he heard the sound of people talking, he couldn't help but straighten his waist and look over here with some doubt.

  Ning Fengbi hurried forward, tilted her head and looked at him for a while before smiling sweetly: "I know you, you're Third Grandfather, I saw you many days ago."

  "Oh, whose little girl is this? She looks familiar." The old man was delighted to see such a delicate and lovely little girl. In his youth, he also had a wife and children, but after his wife's death, his son was spoiled by excessive indulgence and lack of discipline, leading to his demise in a street fight.

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