CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: MADAM LAI’S PAST COLD RECEPTION

At 8 a.m., Nanjiang Villa.

Nanny Wu went to Madam Lai’s bedroom as usual.

But upon entering, she found that Madam Lai had already woken up and was sitting upright at the dressing table.

Her hair, although loose, was neatly arranged.

"Madam, how come you are awake so early? Did you sleep well last night? By the way, we can dry chrysanthemums today. The forecast said it will be 20 degrees without rain."

As Nanny Wu spoke, she headed toward the French window, but she didn’t hear any response. Just as her hand touched the curtain, Madam Lai spoke.

"Call me Little Minzi from now on. It’s been a long time since anyone has called me that—how long now, 25 years? No, it should be 26 years. Nanny Wu, do you think people feel anything after they die? Do they remember the past?"

Nanny Wu: "?"

"Madam, what’s wrong? Didn’t you take your medicine last night? You didn’t stay up all night, did you? How can your body take that?"

"What does it matter whether I take it or not?"

Madam Lai had been suffering from insomnia for many years and could only get a good night’s sleep by taking medication. As a result, Bie Yuan was very quiet before 8 a.m., and no one dared to make a loud noise.

To lighten Madam Lai’s somber mood, Nanny Wu deliberately changed the subject.

"Madam, look at my memory, I nearly forgot. At seven o’clock, Young Master Zishen brought over quite a few special products from Qingcheng, saying that it was Lady Tang’s gesture of filial piety, and there were also vegetables grown in her family’s garden. Oh, and there were water caltrops too, very fresh. You can try some at noon."

Nanny Wu enthusiastically rambled on, thinking Madam Lai would be pleased, but only heard a faint few words in reply: "Where is he? Why didn’t he come in?"

"He thought you were still asleep, so after leaving the things, he left again, said he had a meeting at 8."

"This child is always like this, planning his schedule so tightly. He’s just back and doesn’t even take a day off to rest. He’s really too much like his father, always putting his career first."

"That’s true, it must be exhausting."

"When he has time in the next couple of days, have him bring Lady Tang over for a meal. It hasn’t been a short time since we last met; it’s time for a visit."

Nanny Wu nodded vigorously, smiling until her mouth couldn’t close; she felt the same way.

Although Nanny Wu had not raised Li Zishen herself, and he did not visit as often as Li Zihan did, she had watched him grow up and had feelings for him all the same, always hoping for his well-being and that he would marry and have children soon.

Ever since Tang Xiaowan moved into Li Garden, Second Aunt Lai had not stopped fanning the flames in front of Madam Lai, badmouthing others. It appeared as though she was looking out for the Leng Family and for Li Zishen, when in reality, she just wanted to annoy Madam Lai and embarrass her.

If Li Zishen could bring Tang Xiaowan over—even just for a short sit-down—idle gossip would collapse on its own.

"Do you think that child would come?"

"Yes, surely he will. Maybe Young Master Zishen has been waiting for you to ask all along."

"Stop making excuses for him. I don’t know about Lady Tang, but I know my own son. If he wanted to come, he would have done so long ago. I think this is all very mysterious; likely Lady Tang doesn’t want to come."

"Look at what you’re saying, Madam. How could that be? Young ladies, no matter how outgoing and cheerful, still have to abide by their elders’ wishes. Even if she wanted to come over, it’s not easy for her to just say so!"

After hearing these words, Madam Lai’s expression gradually softened, and her mood became much lighter.

She remembered the day she first arrived at Bie Yuan.

It was windy and cold that day. She followed closely behind Li Zhenshan, her heart pounding the whole way, afraid of making any mistake that would lead to further ridicule.

Although Yuan Min came from a well-off family and was raised in wealth, some relatives in the Leng Family saw her as no better than a weed on the street, unfit to take a prominent position or to become a daughter-in-law of the Leng Family.

The first time she crossed the threshold, she was given a hard time.

"Big brother, you’ve really done it this time, you wait until her belly is that big before bringing her home. Is it because you didn’t give her enough money to shake her off? If it’s just a slight shortfall, I can lend you some. If not, you might as well sell off Li Garden; after all, that Miss Yi isn’t there anymore, keeping it is..."

Li Wanshan’s words were highly provocative.

Being the eldest son, Li Zhenshan was at an age full of fiery blood, and before his younger brother Li Wanshan could finish his sentence, he had thrown several punches landing squarely on him, drawing blood immediately.

"Dare to say another word, just try?"

"Daring deeds but not allowing mention, Miss Yi has only been gone a few days, and you with this woman..."

Li Zhenshan indeed threw several more punches, making Li Wanshan lose two of his front teeth and even breaking his nose bone.

What was supposed to be a pleasant family banquet suddenly turned into a shambles.

Those needing the hospital were sent to the hospital, the dining hall was tidied up, everything was arranged promptly and properly, except for her, the pregnant woman making her first visit, who was left out in the cold.

Neither standing nor sitting felt right.

Still fuming, Li Zhenshan drove off alone from Nanjiang Villa.

This departure was as if confirming the rumor of Yuan Min’s low status and her climbing up the social ladder through her pregnancy while the servants, ever the flatterers, treated her even more neglectfully.

"Hello, where’s Zhenshan, has he returned?"

"Hello, could you please tell me where the bathroom is?"

"Hello, could you tell me where the phone is? I need to make a call home."

The servants continued with their own tasks, ignoring her.

In the vast Nanjiang Villa, Yuan Min felt utterly alone, holding back her tears and feelings of being wronged, she sat for a long time in the dining hall.

In the end, if it were not for Nanny Wu taking her to her own room to rest, perhaps she might not even have had hot water to drink, let alone become today’s Madam Lai.

This favor, she never forgot.

It was probably from that day onward that Yuan Min reminded herself in her heart that Nanny Wu was not just an ordinary servant, but her lucky star, and that she would give her the best life possible no matter what.

Over the years, she indeed fulfilled this promise.

Even though Nanny Wu could barely recognize a few characters, she became the housekeeper of Nanjiang Villa, a position that greatly contradicted the Leng Family’s conventions. Not only her parents and siblings but even some distant relatives received excellent care from Yuan Min.

Amidst all these memories, now that she was the mistress of Nanjiang Villa, she naturally would not let her daughter-in-law suffer the cold treatment she had endured years ago.

Seeing that Madam Lai remained silent for a long time, Nanny Wu thought she had overstepped and spoke out of turn, she quickly added, "Madam, actually this matter..."

"Nanny Wu, you’re right. No matter how lively and cheerful a girl is, she does get timid when facing the matters of marriage. We really should take the initiative; it’s the most basic courtesy. Otherwise, people will say that the Leng Family, with all its wealth, is overbearing and bullies others with its power."

This statement was intended for Tang Xiaowan, but it was also a message for herself 26 years ago.

Hearing this, Nanny Wu was overjoyed and quickly agreed, "Madam has the right of it, that’s the very reason."

Laughter, hearty and clear, emanated from the bedroom.

Half an hour later, after breakfast, Madam Lai called Li Zishen to discuss the matter of inviting Tang Xiaowan over for a meal.

Her wording was sincere, and the joy was evident in every