For the past two days, the entire Mo Residence had been enveloped in a festive atmosphere, surpassing even the recent New Year celebrations by a good measure.
Even the old madam, who had habitually worn a stern face these past two years, often smiled now. The servants no longer felt their usual nervousness when they saw her, and could even exchange a few cheerful words with her.
The Mo family's sedan chairs made no stops on the way back from Lady Shuntian's temple. By the time they reached home, lunch was already prepared.
The old madam had personally supervised the kitchen and even given the cook a red envelope.
When a servant reported that the sedan chairs had returned from fulfilling their vow, the old madam hurried to the front courtyard with her walking stick. She arrived just in time to see her son helping her daughter-in-law inside.
"You're back?"
The old madam approached with a broad smile, and the younger couple hurried to greet her formally.
"Greetings, Mother!" "Hello, Mother!"
"Oh, Wanrong, why are you bothering with formalities? You must be exhausted after going out! Come, come, sit down and rest!"
The old madam personally helped her daughter-in-law into a chair in the hall.
"Mother, I rode in a sedan chair."
The old madam's attitude toward her daughter-in-law had regained all the warmth of when she first married into the family. Just as back then, everything about her pleased the old madam.
"Did you draw a fortune stick? How did it turn out?"
Master Mo hurried to answer.
"We did. The very best fortune, and the verse was excellent too. It said our child would have great prospects. We also asked the temple keeper to light an ever-burning lamp!"
"Oh, good, good."
The old madam smiled and nodded repeatedly.