After you drew the cold yin energy out of Madam Ruan, steam rose from her head. Holding up a bronze mirror, she looked herself over from side to side. Her once-protruding, bell-like eyes gradually returned to their normal size, and her eyes were filled with delight.
With a beaming smile, she imitated the way the servants in the manor paid their respects and bowed to you.
"Thank you, Master!"
When Parasol Tree called everyone to eat, Madam Ruan happily darted through the kitchen, carefully carrying dish after steaming dish to the stone table in the courtyard. Parasol Tree had specially prepared a small stool and a bowl and chopsticks for her, but she was still somewhat timid. She did not dare sit across from you and only sat close beside Parasol Tree.
Before this, she had lived on fish, shrimp, and fruit from the Zhi River. They could fill her stomach, though they hardly tasted good.
Over these past days, Madam Ruan had followed Parasol Tree around and sampled nearly every kind of food in Bianjing's streets and alleys. At first, when Parasol Tree held her hand and led her through the marketplaces, she had been quite ill at ease. Later, she gradually grew accustomed to it.
Because of you, Parasol Tree had always been unwelcome in the manor. For many years, Dew Bud had been the only one willing to be close to her. Now that you had offended Madam Zhao and Madam Yuan, not a single servant dared set foot in your courtyard.
Now that Madam Ruan had joined the courtyard, Parasol Tree was actually the happiest of all.
As you watched Parasol Tree and Madam Ruan together, a faint smile appeared at the corner of your lips.
Another month slipped by in the blink of an eye!