Old Madam Ning stroked Ning Wanwan’s head and said earnestly, “At seventy-three, my body is worn out. After you marry into the King of Yi’s residence, I can’t help you much. I can only leave the entire Ning Marquis Mansion to support you.”
“Grandmother!” Ning Wanwan sobbed, unable to hold back her tears.
Seeing her cry, Old Madam Ning’s eyes reddened. “Oh, don’t cry. Your tears burn my heart.”
Ning Wanwan quickly wiped her tears and smiled, “Grandmother, don’t be sad. Wanwan won’t cry anymore.”
They looked at each other and laughed. Old Madam Ning then took Ning Wanwan’s hand to another box filled with gold, silver, jade, jewelry, and other treasures.
“Come, look.”
These are Grandmother’s private collection, treasures passed down through generations of the Ning Marquis Mansion. Now, I’m handing them to you, hoping you can continue to pass them down.
Seeing her grandmother take out the treasures hidden at the bottom of the box, Ning Wanwan’s emotions collapsed. She burst into tears and tightly hugged her grandmother, “Woo… Grandmother, I don’t want to get married. I want to stay with you…”
“Are you talking nonsense again? Don’t you want to marry the King of Yi?”
Ning Wanwan was tongue-tied. She wanted to marry Si Zhan, but the thought of leaving her grandmother alone in the Ning Marquis Mansion broke her heart.
“Can I bring Grandmother with me when I get married? I can’t bear to leave you…”
Old Madam Ning chuckled at Ning Wanwan’s words. She lovingly patted her back and said, “Silly girl, who brings their family with them after marriage?”
Worried that this might upset her more, she cheerfully said, “Alright, stop crying! The King of Yi’s residence is not far from the Ning Marquis Mansion. If you miss me, just visit Grandmother every few days.”
Ning Wanwan managed a smile and nodded repeatedly, “Mm-hmm.”
April 28th, early summer, with gentle winds and a clear blue sky.
In Biandu City, peonies bloomed everywhere, filling the city with fragrance.
Between the Ning Marquis Mansion and the King of Yi’s residence, a ten-mile stretch of red brocade connected them. Crowds gathered on both sides to watch the spectacle.
