Birthday

Knowing that Ge Bao'er wanted to harm Xiliu, Lin Yunwan was actually quite worried.

After all, it was a human life. She told Ping Ye, "Send another burly old Matron to secretly watch her. Follow her as soon as she leaves Rain Apricot Pavilion."

Ping Ye was afraid of scaring Xiliu, so she told her in advance.

Xiliu said, "Sister Ping Ye, you don't need to be so cautious, lest you disturb Concubine Ge. I know what to do, so you can go back and reassure Madam."

If she were that bold and calm, she wouldn't have messed things up.

Ping Ye said, "Then I'll just have the Matron keep a brief look after you; you'll have to be careful yourself."

Xiliu nodded and returned to the Rain Apricot Pavilion, where she encountered Tong Liu.

It wasn't a chance encounter. Tong Liu, carrying a plate of fruit, came over and offered her some, asking with a smile, "Wu'er, I've noticed you've been spending a lot of time with the Madam's people lately."

Xiliu was very wary.

Tong Liu then said, "Don't worry, I absolutely won't tell Concubine Ge. You know our Concubine, she's Madam's woman."

Xiliu smiled, not eating the fruit, but simply asking, "Can you swim?"

Tong Liu exclaimed "Oh!" and said, "You've come to the right person. I can swim. Do you remember when we first came to the manor, I told you that when I was a child, I used to fish in the river with my brothers on the estate?"

Xiliu said, "Then can you teach me?"

Tong Liu was in a difficult position. "How can I teach you in this weather? We're maids, we can't be soaking wet every day. The most I can teach you is how to hold your breath."

Xiliu wants to learn from her.

Ge Bao'er was embroidering insoles in her room when she got thirsty and wanted a drink. She couldn't see Xiliu for a while, and the person who came in to fetch water was a clumsy maid. She called out loudly, "Wu'er, Wu'er?"

Xiliu rushed over.

Ge Bao'er asked her, "What were you saying to them over there?" Her eyes were full of doubt.

Xiliu said, "Concubine, Aunt Concubine Zhu Qing's maid Tong Liu told me that Young Master Qing's birthday is coming up."

Ge Bao'er smiled, "I know."

She touched the insoles in her hand. In just a few months, her son's feet had grown so much. These insoles were embroidered for him.

Xiliu looked at Ge Bao'er and said, "Madam is going to hold a birthday banquet for the young master and has invited Old Madam Xia, Eldest Aunt Jia, and... Madam Lin and Young Master Lin."

"What? The Lin Family is coming too?"

Ge Bao'er's eyes widened.

Just as I was dozing off, God sent me a pillow – what an unexpected delight!

She put down her needlework and asked excitedly, "When are you coming? Where will the banquet be held?"

Xiliu said, "... This... this servant has never heard of it."

Ge Bao'er didn't want her to pour tea anymore, and pushed her, saying, "Go and talk to Tong Liu more, and find out all these things. You don't need to serve us here anymore, go quickly."

Xiliu was pushed out the door, then continued talking to Tong Liu.

She found out the news and even told Tong Liu about how they were trained by the Stewardess when they first entered the mansion.

The two women, as close as sisters, held hands under the eaves.

Tong Liu said with a smile, "Several years have passed in the blink of an eye, Wu'er. I was so envious of you back then. You had your parents to support you, and you gradually rose to the position of serving the Old Madam in the Hall of Longevity."

She didn't say much more after that; being reduced to serving Concubine Ge was certainly not a respectable thing.

Xiliu herself felt a little lonely. When they parted, she said to Tong Liu, "From now on, please just call me Xiliu."

Tong Liu glanced suspiciously at Ge Bao'er and asked cautiously, "Won't Concubine Ge be angry?"

Xiliu said calmly, "The name was bestowed by the Madam. Although I now serve Concubine Ge, Concubine is only half a mistress, and she cannot change the name the Madam gave me without my permission."

Tong Liu smiled and patted the back of her hand, saying, "Okay, whatever you say. From now on, I'll still call you Xiliu."

After Xiliu returned from this side, Concubine Zhu Qing called from inside the house, "Tong Liu, come back."

"They've arrived."

Tong Liu ran inside and immediately closed the door.

Zhu Qing offered her a seat and let her eat the snacks on the table.

Tong Liu was quick-witted and blurted out everything she had figured out.

After listening for a while, Zhu Qing sensed something was amiss and muttered to herself, "What are they all trying to do!"

How come she can't tell at all?

Tong Liu, unaware of the details, said, "Young Master Qing is about to celebrate his birthday, shouldn't we prepare a birthday gift for him too?"

Zhu Qing showed no interest and said indifferently, "Take a look and see if there's anything suitable, just pick one for him."

He specifically instructed Tong Liu, "Don't make it too expensive; he won't need it."

After all, Young Master Chang Gong is the real son in Madam's heart!

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"Madam, both the Xia family and Young Master Yi have replied, saying they will come."

Tao Ye delivered two letters.

After reading the letter, Lin Yunwan gave instructions regarding the banquet.

Ping Ye came in from outside, and said in a surprised tone, "Madam, Xiliu has arrived."

Why did she come here?

Lin Yunwan was also surprised. She had told Xiliu to pretend that nothing had happened, Xiliu shouldn't have come over so openly at this time.

"Let her in."

Xiliu came in, holding a pair of insoles, and said, "Madam, Concubine Ge sent me to ask you if it's appropriate to give these insoles to Young Master Qing for his birthday?"

Lin Yunwan glanced at it casually; it was just an ordinary insole.

Tao Ye was also puzzled after seeing it. "Does such a small matter really require you to make this trip?"

Everyone with eyes can see that no one in the manor likes this Concubine came from an illegitimate background. If she had any shame, she should stay obediently in the Rain Apricot Pavilion and not provoke anyone else.

However, people don't do things without a reason.

Lin Yunwan said, "Go back and tell her that if she wants to send it, she can."

Xiliu nodded and left.

Lin Yunwan instructed Ping Ye, "Open the window."

Ping Ye the window, Lin Yunwan turned her head to look out. Sure enough, she saw Lu Chang'gong and Qing arrive.

When Qing saw Xiliu come to Lin Yunwan's place, his face was ashen.

Could this maid be here to complain to her mother?

Lu Chang'gong nudged Qing's shoulder. "Why aren't you leaving?"

Qing hurriedly came to his senses and said, "Nothing." He forced himself to go in and pay his respects to his stepmother. He felt very uncomfortable when he saw Xiliu and even felt guilty when he spoke to Lin Yunwan.

"Mother, Mother."

He didn't dare to look up.

Lin Yunwan asked calmly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Qing shook his head and said, "No."

Seeing that there seemed to be nothing wrong with his stepmother's face, he breathed a sigh of relief.

His mother probably doesn't know about his background.

When he sat down with his mother again, he was definitely distracted. Before long, he made an excuse to leave and went to find a way to see his mother.

"Mom, I... I'm so scared! I want to tell Father, but I'm so afraid that Mother and Brother will find out."

I was so anxious I almost cried.

Ge Bao'er felt extremely sorry for her son. "My son, don't be afraid. Mother will take care of it. Mother won't let your... your mother know that I am your mother."

Qing lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Mother."

Ge Bao'er hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Good child, call me 'Mother' one more time, call me 'Mother' one more time."

"Mother."

Qing also put his arms around her neck.

Ge Bao'er cruelly pulled his hand away, wiped away her tears, and said, "Mother knows you're scared. Don't worry, Mother will never let you worry or be afraid again." She reluctantly touched his face, "Have a good birthday, a lively and joyous birthday."

She turned and walked away sadly.

Even if Qing is slow-witted, he can tell that something is wrong with his mother.

What does Mother want to do?

He waited anxiously for his birthday banquet.

"Qing, why do you seem so restless?"

Lin Yunwan sat beside him, showing concern.

Qing looked up, looking distracted, and said, "N-nothing."

He was thinking about his own mother.

His mother was also coming to give him a birthday gift, but where is she? Why hasn't she arrived yet?