“Well, at least go with them to explain.”
“But, do we really have to do this?” Caitong was still in doubt.
Ruiping nodded. “Will you go with me?”
“Yes,” the middle-aged man called for a sedan chair, and they set off towards the city. After about the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, the sedan stopped in front of a lavish mansion adorned with dragons and phoenixes. The middle-aged man dismounted, knocked on the large red door, and a doorkeeper opened it, recognizing him and respectfully bowing. The group entered the courtyard, and Xu Caitong and Ruiping alighted from the sedan, realizing they had arrived. The surroundings were beautiful, with carved walls, fluttering willow trees, and lotus flowers in full bloom, a small bridge crossing over the lotus pond. It was clear they had come to a wealthy household.
A maid carrying a vegetable basket approached, gracefully stepping over the bridge, and bowed to Caitong, “Greetings, Miss.” Caitong frowned; why did everyone mistake her for this young lady? According to the middle-aged man, the young lady had been missing for months, and she might resemble her, causing the confusion.
The middle-aged man led Caitong and Ruiping across the bridge, through several corridors, to a grand hall. Inside, lanterns with intricate designs hung high, and several pieces of calligraphy adorned the walls. A man stood in the center, hands behind his back, and a dignified woman in her forties sat on a chair.
“Reporting to the master, the young lady has returned,” the middle-aged man respectfully announced to the man with his back turned.
The woman, upon seeing Xu Caitong, joyfully got up from her chair, approached, and took Caitong’s hands, examining her from head to toe, her eyes welling up with tears of affection. “My daughter, you’ve come back, your mother has missed you so much. Why did you leave home? Look how thin you’ve become,” she said, touching Caitong’s face with a pained expression.
Caitong stood there, unsure how to respond. What kind of girl was this family’s Hong? Spoiled and willful? How could she refuse a mother’s love? Thus, she allowed the lady to touch her face.
“Kneel down,” the master suddenly turned and shouted sternly.
