Returning to the Plum Garden, Madam Lu locked herself in her room and cried bitterly, feeling truly wronged.
Mama Zhou and the two head maids stood outside, exchanging glances and sighing.
It’s no wonder Madam felt so wronged and uncomfortable. On returning, she only saw the First and Second houses harmoniously united with frequent joyous events, while she was alone, guarding an empty room. How could she not feel miserable?
But there’s no choice. The Young Master and young Miss are gradually growing up. Coming back to study in the clan school, learning rules for a few more years, makes discussions of marriage easier in the future, especially now that the Head of the First House has become the Prime Minister. It’s all the more necessary for the Third House to maintain close ties.
Everyone knows it’s good to rely on a big tree for shade.
"Fetch water." The crying inside gradually subsided, followed by Madam Lu’s instructions.
Mama Zhou signaled the two maids with her eyes, then entered by herself.
With the maids’ assistance, Madam Lu reapplied powder and sat dazed on the Arhat bed by the window.
Mama Zhou personally brought the tea over, advising, "Madam, don’t think too much. You just need to remember that the hardships and loneliness you endure are all for the Young Master and young Miss. Bear with it, and it will pass."
Madam Lu gave a bitter smile. "Easier said than done. How can I not think about it? Mama, I’m only 27 this year, yet I must be separated from my husband, alone in an empty room, watching others being lovey-dovey, and my heart only grows lonelier."
If she were living alone in her own residence, it might be bearable, but living with the whole family, seeing that the First and Second houses are all pairs, made her heartache unbearable, especially at night, feeling the long nights endlessly, sleepless on a lonely pillow.
Mama Zhou sighed, "I know your heart aches, but it’s all for the young Miss and Young Master. There’s no choice. Madam, while you may worry about the Young Master, the young Miss is already eight, a nominal age of ten. In a few years, discussions of marriage must commence. If she stays in Shanxi, what good family can be found? Could you bear to really let her marry over there in the future? It’d be too difficult even for a glimpse."
Madam Lu shook her head, "I know, that’s why I came back; otherwise, why shouldn’t I enjoy being the mistress of my own household?"
Returning to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, there’s always the feeling of living under someone else’s roof, living by the First House’s mood.
The sacrifices she made were all for the children, for her husband.
"Indeed. Madam, you need to look on the bright side; it’s not even been half a year." Mama Zhou continued, "Next year, maybe if we plead with the Prime Minister, we can get the Master transferred back to a position in the capital, then the family can reunite."
"That makes sense." Madam Lu sighed, needing to find a way, for a married couple perpetually separated isn’t right, nor does it set her mind at ease.
She felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest when she thought of her husband far away in Shanxi.
"Hasn’t anyone been sent to deliver Autumn Festival gifts from my husband?" In a few days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it wasn’t usual for the gifts to be delayed .
Could something have gone wrong?
Mama Zhou said, "It should be on its way, after all, the distance is far. I guess it should arrive in a few days."
Madam Lu pursed her lips and said, "Even Qiu Chan’s letters have become infrequent."
Mama Zhou’s heart skipped a beat, unsure of how to comfort her. After hesitating for a while, she said, "Qiu Chan is your most trusted maid, honest and sincere. You left her to serve the Master, so she shouldn’t betray you."
Madam Lu’s face turned pale.
Just as Mama Zhou wanted to further comfort her, Jixiang walked in, saluted, and said, "Madam, gifts have arrived from Shanxi. The steward and maid are waiting outside in the courtyard."
Madam Lu’s eyes lit up, "Quickly, bring them to the main hall."