Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Mother and Daughter Reunion
After walking for nearly an hour, Qin An finally brought Mrs. Dong to the entrance of Huifang Courtyard.
Chunqi, who had been eagerly waiting at the door for a long time, immediately walked over happily when she saw the lady Mrs. Dong.
She greeted her warmly.
"Chunqi, a servant, greets the lady!"
Of course, she didn’t forget Mr. Qin beside her.
"Chunqi, a servant, greets Mr. Qin."
Qin An, who was rather familiar with the servants inside Huifang Courtyard, naturally smiled and said.
"Miss Chun Qi, no need for such formality, quickly let the lady into the courtyard to have some water. In this hot weather, the walk can be truly exhausting."
"Mr. Qin, no need to be so formal, I’m not tired at all!"
From the moment Mrs. Dong saw Chunqi, she was so happy that she didn’t know where to put her hands and feet.
But mindful not to embarrass her daughter, she had to put on a brave front.
When she heard Qin An’s words, she promptly replied modestly.
Chunqi was much less reserved as she invited Qin An.
"Mr. Qin, thank you for picking up our lady so early in the morning. Miss Lin has ordered a lunch prepared for you, and if you’re free, you can come in, Xiao Luzi is waiting for you."
Qin An smiled, probably because everyone likes coming to Huifang Courtyard to send offerings.
Whether or not they receive rewards is not the main thing; what’s important is that everyone in Huifang Courtyard regards us, the servants, as real people.
Always keeping us in mind, never a mistake.
"Earlier, Xiao Luzi mentioned that Miss Chun Qi’s cooking skills are excellent, and he’s gained quite a bit of weight here with Miss Lin. I’m really fortunate today, I’ll thank Miss Lin later for the treat."
"As long as Mr. Qin doesn’t dislike my clumsy cooking skills."
Chunqi welcomed Lady Mrs. Dong inside, while Xiao Luzi had already sent news inside.
Lin Wanyi hurried out of the room, her steps brisk, which surprised even the Second Prince following her.
He had never seen Lin Wanyi looking so urgent and rushed before.
All along, she maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
He thought she would never be this way, but unexpectedly, here she is.
Since the mother and daughter separated in April, they hadn’t seen each other for two or three months.
But in their eyes, it felt as long as twenty years.
Tears welled up in their eyes.
Before any words were spoken, Mrs. Dong had already been proper in her greeting to Lin Wanyi.
"Minister’s wife greets Miss Lin, may Miss Lin be well."
These were reminders specifically given by Eunuch Qin An on the way here.
Though they are mother and daughter, rules are rules.
Lin Wanyi is now the Emperor’s Changzai, a status much higher than the mere eighth-rank chief lady.
So Mrs. Dong’s respects to Lin Wanyi were only proper.
Even though Lin Wanyi couldn’t withstand it, she had to stand firmly there.
Only after her mother had respectfully greeted her did she rush forward to help her up.
"Mother, no need for such formalities."
When Mrs. Dong truly held her daughter’s hand, tears fell like pearls.
They wouldn’t stop.
Lin Wanyi also choked up her voice.
Seeing so many people standing around, she had to say.
"Mother, let’s go inside first, it’s very sunny outside."
"Alright, alright."
Mrs. Dong suddenly remembered that her daughter had been poisoned, and she should be careful and caring with her.
She quickly said.
"Yes, yes, let’s go in, watch out for the sun!"
A crowd moved from the courtyard into the room.
As soon as they entered, the Second Prince approached.
"Greetings to Mrs. Lin."
"This young one is..."
Mrs. Dong was surprised to see such a young child in Lin Wanyi’s place.
Looking at his attire, he didn’t seem like any ordinary person.
Is he perhaps a prince from the palace?
Just as she thought that, Lin Wanyi softly introduced him.
"This is the Emperor’s Second Prince, who just turned six yesterday and is now staying in the back courtyard to recuperate."
Also recuperating.
As soon as these four words were spoken, Lin Wanyi regretted it.
Afraid her mother might discover something.
But since the words were already spoken, she couldn’t retrieve them.
So she pretended she misspoke and changed the topic.
Mrs. Dong was truly shocked by this information.
In her view, the prince should be second only to the Emperor in dignity.
Why would he come to the back courtyard of her daughter’s place to recover?
A series of questions filled her mind, but she didn’t know how to ask them.
Seeing Lin Wanyi hesitated, Lin Wanyi quickly changed the subject and said.
"Knowing Mother would come, I had Chunqi prepare a lot of food, all your favorites."
With that, she had people begin serving the dishes.
The Second Prince, being sensible, knew Lin Wanyi’s family could only visit the palace with difficulty.
His presence might make it hard for the mother and daughter to speak.
Thus, he turned to Lin Wanyi and said.
"Father asked me to practice my calligraphy, and I haven’t started. Miss Lin and Mrs. Lin should dine first, and later have Chunqi send some to the back courtyard."
When did the Emperor ask the Second Prince to practice calligraphy?
Total fiction.
But Lin Wanyi understood his intent, so she smiled and nodded.
"Then would Nanny Du kindly care for the Second Prince?"
"Miss Lin, rest assured, it’s within my duties."
Nanny Du then paid her respects to Lin Wanyi and Mrs. Dong, leading the Second Prince away.
Mrs. Dong also returned the gesture, but her respects were towards the Second Prince.
Xia An knew the mother and daughter hadn’t seen each other for so long and would surely have lots to discuss.
Thus, she excused herself to serve the dishes and left early.
After the bustling crowd passed, only Lin Wanyi and her mother were left.
The room quieted down, and Mrs. Dong finally relaxed somewhat.
Holding Lin Wanyi’s hand, she cried out.
"Qianqian, you have suffered."
In just few months in the palace, she was injured and poisoned.
Even a healthy person couldn’t withstand such torment, not to mention Lin Wanyi’s chronic cold ailment.
"Mother, don’t worry, I am doing well here. If not, you wouldn’t be able to come to the palace so smoothly to see me, right?"
Getting to this point, Mrs. Dong restrained her inner sorrow.
She immediately took down her hairpin.
Opened the secret compartment and whispered to her.
"There’s some medicine inside, let Xia An collect them later. Your health has always been poor, and now you’re poisoned. If not properly treated, the future will be very painful."
Lin Wanyi was a bit disoriented.
"Mother, how did you know I was poisoned?"
"The Emperor privately summoned your father, and he naturally told him. Moreover, this time entering the palace is completely due to the Emperor’s kindness, otherwise with our current state of having separated from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, I fear we’d never have the chance to enter the palace to see you in this lifetime."
"Separated from the family?"
Mrs. Dong’s words left Lin Wanyi completely puzzled.
How could the Emperor tell her father about the poisoning?
And deliberately arrange for her mother to enter the palace?
Also, what does the separation from the family mean?