As night fell, Madam Yue, cloaked, avoided Jing Shu and quietly made her way to Yue Ran's courtyard.
Before she could get close, she heard the melodious sound of a zither drifting from the courtyard. The melody was graceful and tender, yet as Madam Yue listened, tears streamed down her face. Though it was a piece meant to calm the soul, she found it filled with sorrow and reluctance.
"Xian'er."
A familiar voice called from behind. Madam Yue quickly wiped the tears from her face and turned around, "Husband, why have you come here?"
"I couldn't find you back in our chambers, so I guessed you'd be at this brat's place," Sect Master Yue clearly noticed Madam Yue's tears. "Why are you crying? Has that brat Yue Ran upset you again?"
Madam Yue shook her head. "This zither music sounds too sad, I couldn't help but cry. I wonder who is playing it."
"Only a few people live in Yue Ran's courtyard. He himself wouldn't be able to play. It must be Xiao Qin by his side," Sect Master Yue put his arm around Madam Yue's waist and leaped onto a nearby rooftop. From there, they could see the scene in Yue Ran's courtyard.
In the courtyard, Yue Ran was practicing his swordplay while Xiao Man played the zither. The two were in perfect harmony. However, this scene stimulated Madam Yue. She felt as if she had seen a similar scene somewhere before: playing the zither, dancing with a sword, brewing tea, and cooking wine. Suddenly, a face, familiar yet strange, flashed into her mind. Madam Yue felt a sharp pain in her chest, instinctively clutching her heart. Unable to breathe, she fainted.
This terrified Sect Master Yue. He quickly carried her back to Ziyu Pavilion and sent for a physician to examine Madam Yue. Upon confirming that her sudden faint was merely due to excessive worry, he breathed a sigh of relief. Yet, with relief came a sense of bewilderment. What could possibly trouble her so deeply?
"What has Madam been doing lately?" Sect Master Yue summoned Jing Shu to inquire.
"Replying to the Sect Master, Madam has been extremely worried about the Young Sect Master's marriage," Jing Shu replied cautiously. "Madam wishes to find a bride for the Young Sect Master that aligns with his heart's desire and the Sect Master's wishes. However, after much deliberation, she finds it impossible to achieve both, leading to sleepless nights..."
"It's my fault. Knowing her frail health, I still let her worry so much," Sect Master Yue sighed. "Go and brew a bowl of medicine for Madam to drink."
"Yes, Sect Master."
"Also, I heard that Huo Tong'er has been quite close to Yue Zhong lately?" Sect Master Yue looked at Jing Shu.
"The Young Master ignores Miss Tong'er, while the Eldest Young Master knows how to please people. Thus, they have grown closer. Should I go and admonish them?"
"There's no need. I originally intended to let Ran'er take her as a concubine if he liked her. Since she is close to Yue Zhong, so be it. They are all my sons; it makes no difference who they marry," Sect Master Yue said indifferently. "As for Ran'er, I will definitely find him a better girl."
"Yes, Sect Master."
The next morning, as soon as Madam Yue woke up, she headed straight to Yue Ran's courtyard. When she appeared, Yue Ran hurried to greet her.
"Mother, weren't you feeling unwell? Why did you come out?"
Madam Yue patted Yue Ran's hand. "It's nothing, I just haven't been sleeping well lately. Your father is just being overly dramatic."
"Father is worried about your health. If you need anything, you could have Aunt Jing Shu call me over, why come in person?" Yue Ran helped Madam Yue inside.
Upon entering, Madam Yue's sharp eyes spotted Xiao Man sitting on a banyan tree in the courtyard. Her eyes, like a deep, unfathomable cold pool, inexplicably made Madam Yue feel uneasy.
Madam Yue walked directly towards her. Xiao Man leaped down from the tree. "Madam Yue."
Madam Yue was stunned. The address was very distant, as if a thousand mountains and rivers separated them. "You just recovered from your illness. Why are you out in the cold air again? It wouldn't be good if you caught a chill."
"Thank you for your concern, Madam Yue. I am fine. On the contrary, you do not look well," Xiao Man asked with a composed expression. "Have you been taking the medicine I gave you on time?"
Madam Yue then remembered that Xiao Man had given her a bottle of medicine, but she had casually put it in her dressing cabinet and hadn't taken it at all. "Yes, I have."
Hearing this, Xiao Man was relieved. As long as Madam Yue took the medicine on time, the Blue Spirit Flower would not cause any harm to her body, and she could continue to be the happy Madam Yue.
"Madam must be here to see A'Ran, I will..."
"I haven't eaten your cooking in a long time. I'd like to taste your dishes today," Madam Yue said quickly as Xiao Man was about to leave. "I wonder if it would be too much of a disturbance."
"Not at all. A'Ran, you accompany Madam Yue. I will go see what ingredients are in the kitchen."
"Alright."
Madam Yue watched Xiao Man's retreating figure, a flicker of loss in her eyes. She had come here wanting to have a good talk with Xiao Man, but Xiao Man seemed unwilling to speak with her.
"Does she hate me?" Madam Yue asked abruptly.
"Why would Mother say that?" Yue Ran asked, puzzled. In his opinion, Xiao Man's attitude towards his mother had never changed. She was neither subservient nor ingratiating; she simply treated Madam Yue as an ordinary person.
"I just feel that this child is very distant from me."
"Mother has spent too little time with Second Brother and doesn't understand her. Her personality has always been like this; she is indifferent to everything. It's not that she's distant from you."
"Ran'er, do you understand her well?"
"More or less."
"Then do you know about her family situation?" Madam Yue asked curiously.
"I know a little. I heard Second Brother mention it before, but Mother, please don't bring up her family matters in front of Second Brother. Her clan was wiped out, and her father was killed. Her mother was abducted by villains not long after her birth, and her whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Second Brother has been secretly searching for her mother, and I was thinking of using the Heavenly Sword Sect's influence to help Second Brother find his mother."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yue's hand clutched her handkerchief so tightly it began to tear. "Her father is dead?"
"Yes. Second Brother said she is the only one left in their clan."
Madam Yue swayed, almost unable to stand. Yue Ran quickly helped her into the room to sit down. "Mother, are you really alright? Shall I ask Second Brother to examine you? Second Brother's medical skills are excellent; even the alchemists in the sect cannot compare."
"No need. I'm probably just thirsty. Please pour me a cup of hot tea."
Yue Ran quickly poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Madam Yue. "The tea in the room is medicinal tea brewed by Second Brother for me, which is not suitable for Mother to drink. I've poured you a cup of hot water."
Madam Yue nodded, holding the teacup and taking a sip. "Do you know who killed her family?"
Yue Ran shook his head. "Second Brother didn't say. However, it's likely related to the person who abducted her mother."
"Then do you know who abducted her mother?"
"Mother, if I knew, I would have already gone with Second Brother to confront them and rescue her mother." Yue Ran pulled over a nearby stool and sat beside Madam Yue. "Mother, what exactly did you want to do by coming here today?"