Until the moon was high in the sky and the lampwick sputtered, the Old Madam still looked as if she couldn't get enough. "In my life, besides the Imperial Capital, the furthest I've traveled is to my old home in Cangzhou. I never imagined the outside world to be so magnificent. One truly needs to go out more."
"All of this is thanks to Eldest Sister. If Eldest Sister hadn't let me go out, I wouldn't know what the outside world is like," Xiao Ling said gratefully.
"Third girl, your Eldest Sister is not a soft-hearted person. You... you should still guard against her," the Old Madam said hesitantly. Xiao Man was ruthless, yet not entirely so. If she decided to deal with Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling would be no match for her.
"Grandmother, if Eldest Sister truly wished to kill someone, even the Emperor himself couldn't stop her," Xiao Ling said, holding the Old Madam's hand. "In my granddaughter's opinion, she is the softest person in this household. Yet, she is also the most capable. If anyone can protect the General's Estate from the turmoil of the current court, it is Eldest Sister alone."
It wasn't until the third watch that the Old Madam allowed Xiao Ling to rest in the adjacent room. She herself, however, could not sleep for a long time, tossing and turning in bed. What Xiao Ling had said had deeply shaken her. She had always thought Xiao Man to be an incompetent girl needing protection, and thus had arranged her path according to her own ideas, unaware that her eldest granddaughter had been keeping her true capabilities hidden all along!
"Old Madam, would you like some water?" Madam Xu, seeing the Old Madam restless in bed, immediately lit a lamp and came over.
The Old Madam sat up and sighed, "I thought that girl was cruel and heartless, not even sparing her own sister. Even when she said she sent Third Sister out to study abroad, I didn't believe her at all. Now, seeing Third Sister return safely, my heart is filled with emotion."
Madam Xu poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to the Old Madam, then took a padded jacket and draped it over her. "Old Madam, I stand by what I said. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. You should listen to the General and take Fourth Miss back to your old home in Cangzhou."
"You say I should take Fourth Sister back to our old home in Cangzhou. Whose idea is that?"
"Regardless of whose idea it is, it must be for your own good," Madam Xu said, seeing the Old Madam shiver slightly and pull the quilt closer. She immediately stoked the charcoal fire higher. "If you remain in the Imperial Capital, you are bound to be controlled by others. Eldest Miss being held by the Empress Dowager in the palace is a living example."
The Old Madam frowned deeply. "I am simply worried."
"Old Madam, how could Third Miss, a weak woman with no strength to even truss a chicken, travel to so many places alone?" Madam Xu saw clearly. "Eldest Miss must have sent people to protect her in secret."
"You mean, Eldest Sister..." The Old Madam still found it hard to believe. "Go and call Third Sister over. If I don't clarify some things, my heart will not be at ease."
Xiao Ling had just fallen asleep when Madam Xu woke her again. She didn't get angry and immediately put on a jacket to go over. "Grandmother, are you so happy to see your granddaughter back that you can't sleep?"
The Old Madam patted the bed. "Come, tonight, you will sleep with Grandmother. Madam Xu, you wait in the outer room."
"Yes, Old Madam."
Madam Xu brought another thin quilt for the two of them to share before going to rest on the couch in the outer room.
The grandmother and granddaughter lay on the same bed. "Ling'er, tell Grandmother honestly, did you encounter any danger during your travels abroad?"
"Yes, I accidentally stayed at a black inn and was drugged and knocked unconscious. The innkeeper was planning to sell me to a sordid place when someone wiped out the entire establishment. Later, on the road to Wei City, I encountered robbers and almost lost my purity. Fortunately, I met a benefactor who saved me..." Xiao Ling recounted the dangerous events she encountered on her journey as if they were jokes to the Old Madam. "Along the way, I encountered many dangers, and at critical moments, someone always came to save me. At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but when there were too many coincidences, I understood. How can there be so many coincidences in this world? It was merely someone's care. The reason I, a lone traveler, could return safely is entirely due to Eldest Sister."
"She sent you secret guards?"
"More than just secret guards." Xiao Ling turned to face the Old Madam. "Grandmother, you must believe Eldest Sister. She is far more capable than you imagine. Eldest Sister has countless capable people under her command."
"She is just a young lady from an official family, how much ability can she have? At most, she can recruit a few skilled individuals to do her bidding."
"No, Grandmother, Eldest Sister's strength is not here, but in the power she wields, which is far greater than you imagine. If Eldest Sister wished, she could probably overthrow a nation!"
The Old Madam quickly covered Xiao Ling's mouth and lowered her voice. "You silly girl, are these words you can speak casually? If anyone overheard this, the General's Estate could face utter destruction."
Xiao Ling removed the Old Madam's hand. "Grandmother, although Eldest Sister is not a good person, she is not a bad person either. She has always protected everyone in the General's Estate. This applies to me, Second Sister, Fourth Sister, and you as well."
"She framed me for poisoning her!"
"You did poison her, didn't you?" Xiao Ling's voice was very soft. "Eldest Sister is exceptionally lenient towards those in the household. If it were an outsider who had poisoned her, they would have long since been torn to shreds. Grandmother, do not challenge Eldest Sister's bottom line, or no one will be able to bear the consequences!"
"Where is your Eldest Sister's bottom line?" The Old Madam suddenly realized she didn't understand her eldest granddaughter at all. She remembered how Xiao Man used to cling to her when she was young. When did she stop doing that?
"Eldest Sister's bottom line is Father and Brother." After this trip, Xiao Ling finally understood. As long as Xiao Zhen and Xiao Luo were alive, Xiao Man would protect the General's Estate. Once these two met with misfortune, the General's Estate would surely head for ruin. "As long as Father and Brother are alive, Eldest Sister will protect the General's Estate."
"Does she truly have such great capability?"
Xiao Ling pricked up her ears, listening to the sounds outside, and then whispered something into the Old Madam's ear. The Old Madam's eyes widened in shock. "Is this true?"
"Absolutely true."
The Old Madam felt her heart in turmoil. Xiao Man had actually raised an army. If His Majesty were to know of this, the General's Estate would surely be accused of treason. No wonder she was asked to take Fourth Sister back to Cangzhou. Remaining in the Imperial Capital was indeed too dangerous for them!
"Ling'er, after the Winter Solstice, you will accompany Grandmother to Cangzhou," the Old Madam finally made up her mind. Without them being a burden, her son and granddaughter could be safer.
"Grandmother, Ling'er cannot leave." Xiao Ling flatly refused. "From the day Eldest Sister sent me away, Ling'er decided to follow Eldest Sister from now on. Wherever Eldest Sister is, Ling'er will be. Grandmother, please rest assured, Ling'er has the ability to protect herself and will certainly be fine."