Chapter Thirty-Two: Rumors in the Mansion (Part Four)

Tao Ming listened humbly, realizing that her own optimistic attitude was still so young and naive! Back on Earth, life was simple—work hard, earn money, live sincerely; the most powerful official she’d ever met was the neighborhood committee director.

She pressed on, “Then how did the White Tiger get across?”

The Ancestor glanced at Nuonuo and replied, “That must be kept secret. Everyone believes the sacred beast remains in the imperial clan’s sanctuary; no one knows the Celestial Emperor sent it to another world.”

He paused before continuing, “The Celestial Emperor had intended to send the Seventh Prince to the other world to retrieve the Saintess. However, the teleportation array he established wasn’t powerful enough. In the end, he had to suppress the White Tiger’s cultivation and send it instead.”

Tao Ming thought, if Su Nanxing truly belonged to the Su family, then the imperial clan’s resources couldn’t compare to theirs. Su Nanxing managed to cross over alive and whole, but the Celestial Emperor could only send a White Tiger whose powers had been suppressed. The disparity was enormous.

Moreover, if the Su family had means like this, yet kept them hidden from the Celestial Emperor, clearly they had their own calculations—perhaps even grander schemes.

“Aren’t they afraid the White Tiger might never return?” Tao Ming asked, though she already guessed the answer.

“Of course they are. The Celestial Emperor placed a binding on the White Tiger—if it doesn’t return, it’ll die for sure.”

Tao Ming became even more puzzled. “Then how does the Celestial Emperor know they’ll definitely come back?”

The Ancestor reluctantly handed her mobile phone back to Tao Ming. “That I don’t know. The Celestial Emperor personally sent the White Tiger; who would dare stand in his way?”

“Grandmother, if you like it, just keep it and play with it. I’ll leave you a solar charger—you’ll be able to use it for a long time,” Tao Ming said, amused by her grandmother’s expression.

The Ancestor shoved the phone back into Tao Ming’s hands. “No, it might cause you trouble. Just remember to take me with you someday, that’s enough.”

Tao Ming’s curiosity was piqued. “Grandmother, how do you know I’ll be able to take you there?”

Her grandmother wagged her eyebrows. “Your mother’s letter said you have a way to come and go as you please. But you must keep this hidden—never let others discover it.”

So, her mother already knew she’d certainly come to Weishui. But then why hadn’t she returned to the Qiluo tribe?

She asked, “Why hasn’t my mother come back?”

“Your mother sent word that the head of the Qin family entrusted her with an important task, so she can’t return for the time being.”

Tao Ming felt a sense of foreboding. What could be more important than her own granddaughter being the Saintess? Could the message have been tampered with?

She voiced her concern. “Is there a chance my mother’s message was altered by someone else?”

“The Qiluo tribe has their own secret methods; even if someone got hold of the message, they wouldn’t understand it.”

Well, she was probably just worrying needlessly.

Tao Ming decided to change the subject. She started recounting amusing stories about Ruanruan’s daily antics, making the Ancestor laugh heartily.

As they were enjoying themselves, someone outside reported, “Ancestor, Fifth Master has arrived.”

The Ancestor quickly told Tao Ming to put away all the curious gadgetry. “Let him in.”

Chuncao led the Fifth Master inside. The Ancestor said, “Mama Li, have Xia He and Dong Xue accompany the young miss to rest. Wait outside.”

Tao Ming curtsied as etiquette demanded, took each child by the hand, and left the room.

Once they were alone, Fifth Master spoke. “Mother, why did you summon me?”

The Ancestor’s face darkened. “Fifth, what have I always taught you? Harmony in the family brings prosperity! Yet you dare lay hands on your wife’s maids?”

Fifth Master immediately knelt. “I was momentarily foolish.”

“I’ve said long ago—as long as I live, none of you are to take concubines. Can’t you just live peacefully with your wife? Why must you bring in more troublemakers to stir chaos in this household?”

Fifth Master thought, even the best people get tired after several centuries. Out loud, though, he begged, “Mother, I truly was momentarily foolish!”

“You chose your wife yourself, and now you’re dissatisfied? If that’s the case, divorce her and leave the household.”

Resentment simmered in Fifth Master’s heart. In other families, having multiple wives was common. But for him, not only would he be divorced, he’d be thrown out? Whose mother was this, really? It must be that meddling woman who reported him!

The Ancestor, reading his thoughts from his changing expression, scolded, “It wasn’t your wife who spoke up! I may be old, but nothing in this household escapes me—have you forgotten my abilities?”

At the mention of his mother’s skills, Fifth Master shuddered. Even his father, when alive, couldn’t best her! He hurriedly pleaded, “Mother, forgive me just this once!”

Just as she was about to reply, Mama Li hurriedly announced from outside, “Ancestor, something serious has happened! A maid in the First Lady’s court jumped into the well, but fortunately, she was rescued in time.”

Fifth Master breathed a sigh of relief—now someone else would be in trouble too!

The Ancestor stood up and addressed him, “Go back and reflect on your actions.”

She quickly strode out, calling, “Chuncao, Qiuyue, come with me.”

When the Ancestor arrived at the First Lady’s courtyard, she saw a drenched little maid lying unconscious in the middle of the yard. Looking around and not seeing the First Lady, the Ancestor asked, “Where is the First Lady?”

A small maid replied, “She’s inside talking with the Master.”

Suppressing her anger, the Ancestor ordered, “Quick, carry her inside and change her clothes. What kind of sight is this, lying on the ground?”

Several maids moved at once. The Ancestor glanced around. “Take her to the east room.”

She was about to enter and ask about the matter when someone else rushed in, shouting, “Ancestor, another maid just jumped into the well!”

...

Tao Ming returned to the Brocade Courtyard with the two little ones. Upon entering, she noticed many new items—tea sets on the table, a vase by the window. She pursed her lips but said nothing.

Xia He was delighted. “Cousin, I gave the glass cups to Mama Li, Chuncao, and Qiuyue. They were overjoyed!”

Tao Ming smiled at Xia He’s cheerfulness. This girl was truly lively—wait, over five hundred years old, does she still count as a girl?

Dong Xue interjected, “Cousin, would you like to rest for a while? You usually nap several times a day, but you haven’t slept yet today.”

Tao Ming did feel a bit drowsy. The two little ones were also yawning, so she took them both to bed. As soon as they lay down, Ruanruan and Nuonuo fell asleep. Tao Ming covered them with a summer quilt, lay on the outer side, and gazed at the two children beside her. The days here were so long—when would she ever get used to it?

For safety, Tao Ming produced a protective array from her interspatial ring, one marked to withstand attacks below the Sun tier. She had nothing better.

She took off all the cumbersome headgear and lay down to sleep.

She dreamt that she and the two little ones were in a pitch-black room, the temperature so low it was unbearable. All around came the sound of chewing, and in the darkness, some creature seemed to lunge at them. Ruanruan shrieked, and Tao Ming woke with a start.

Moonlight spilled into the room, making everything hazy and indistinct. Tao Ming listened to her own panicked heartbeat, then turned to see the two children sleeping peacefully. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Gently, she reached out and drew them both into her arms. Tao Ming stared at them, afraid that if she blinked, they would vanish.

Soon, Nuonuo woke and, finding Tao Ming’s arm draped over her, whispered, “Mama, what’s wrong?”

Not wanting to worry her, Tao Ming replied, “Mama just likes holding you while you sleep.”

Nuonuo beamed, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Ruanruan opened her eyes and pouted. “Mama, you’re squishing me!”

What a little rascal—why was she so hard to please?

Just then, someone called from outside, “Cousin, are you awake?”

Tao Ming put away the protective array. “I’m awake. What time is it?”

Xia He entered carrying a lamp. “It’s already the twenty-fifth hour. The kitchen has sent supper twice, and both are being kept warm on the fire. We all took a nap—now it’s Dong Xue’s turn to sleep.”

Tao Ming realized she’d slept nearly ten hours—no wonder she was so refreshed! But then she remembered she hadn’t washed up before bed and felt uncomfortable.

Noticing the dim lamp in Xia He’s hand, she asked curiously, “I heard you have fluorite lamps here. What is that in your hand?”

Xia He replied, “It’s a lamp made of cotton with a candle inside. The Twelfth Young Lady’s courtyard has fluorite lamps, but…”

Tao Ming cut her off, “Never mind, it’s a small thing.”

She took out a forty-watt rechargeable emergency bulb and hung it on the bed canopy. The room was instantly flooded with light.

Xia He squinted at the bulb, fascinated. “Cousin, what is this? It’s much brighter than fluorite!”

Tao Ming grinned. “Xia He, remember—science and technology are the primary productive forces!”

“Cousin, what is science and technology? And what do you mean by productive forces?”

...