Chapter 17: Why Did You Rush Out So Hastily?

Chapter 17: Why Did You Rush Out So Hastily?

The man’s words were not mistaken; he could not tolerate keeping a burden that hindered his future within the household.

“Yilang, have you ever considered how a young lady could be sent to a temple...” Aunt Qian’s words faltered as she broke down in tears, unable to finish her sentence.

This child’s fate was truly harsh—rejected by her own father from the moment she was born.

“Master, if I may speak frankly, what Aunt Qian says is not without reason. Though the monks at the Prajna Temple are compassionate, sending a girl to a place like a temple would undoubtedly make daily life and meals rather inconvenient,” Nurse Qu could not help but speak up.

Though called a nurse, Qu was only a year older than Aunt Qian, having grown up alongside her like sisters.

Madam Qian had always treated her well; she had even personally overseen her marriage and childbirth.

Grateful and loyal, she cared for Aunt Qian as if she were her own sister. When Aunt Qian married into the Ba family, she naturally followed to look after her.

Now, seeing Aunt Qian weeping speechlessly, she felt compelled to speak on her behalf.

Ba Yihuan frowned, paused in silence for a moment, then nodded slightly. “You have some valid points. In that case, the Water Moon Nunnery in the Western Mountain is also a suitable place. Take the wet nurse along and bring some maids as well. Sister Qingyun is compassionate and will surely take good care of her.”

“Yilang, this child is your own flesh and blood!” Aunt Qian, bewildered and despairing, nearly collapsed. “She’s so young and frail. Why are you so determined to send her away?”

“I have my reasons. Do as I say.” Ba Yihuan, irritated by her crying, rose to leave.

“If you truly intend to send her to the temple, then take me with you!” Aunt Qian struggled to sit up, her tear-streaked face resolute.

Raised with care and delicacy from a humble family, Aunt Qian had always been gentle and soft-spoken, never so harsh as now.

“Pianxian, why must you make this so difficult!” Ba Yihuan turned back and grasped her hand again. “Listen to me. If we keep her with us, it will be bad for both of us. When she turns five, I will send someone to bring her back.”

“No more words,” Aunt Qian wiped her tears and bowed her head. “My mind is made up.”

“If you insist on this, then I can only yield to you.” Seeing her stubbornness, Ba Yihuan’s anger flared, and he left with a flick of his sleeve.

***

At the door, he met his mother-in-law, Madam Qian, accompanied by Nurse Li, his elder brother-in-law Qian Shijiang, and a servant. He immediately felt uneasy.

News of Aunt Qian’s premature delivery must have reached them. Concerned, they hurried to check on her. Recalling his earlier words to Aunt Qian, he braced for a scolding from his mother-in-law.

“Mother-in-law, elder brother,” Ba Yihuan quickly greeted them.

Madam Qian gave him a cold glance before entering with Nurse Li. Only Qian Shijiang politely greeted Ba Yihuan, mentioning he had just returned from Laizhou with goods and was checking on his parents, having met the Ba family on the way.

After some small talk, Qian Shijiang told the servant to wait outside, and the two men walked inside together.

Before they reached the bedroom, Madam Qian heard her daughter’s sobs. Her heart ached, and she hurried to the bedside.

“Xiao Ba, you mustn’t cry after childbirth. If you ruin your eyes during confinement, they’ll be sensitive to the wind forever. What troubles you? Tell your mother; I will speak on your behalf.”

“Mother...” Aunt Qian, overwhelmed with grief upon seeing Madam Qian, collapsed into her embrace, weeping bitterly.

“Good daughter, don’t cry anymore!” Madam Qian’s heart nearly broke at her daughter’s state. “Tell me, what’s wrong?”

After a moment, Aunt Qian seemed somewhat relieved and raised her head, pointing at Ba Yihuan.

“He... he wants to send my child to the Western Mountain nunnery. Mother... what am I to do?”

Ba Yihuan lowered his head, unwilling to meet Madam Qian’s eyes. Facing the woman who once placed great hopes on him, he felt ashamed.

Madam Qian frowned, about to speak—

“Mother-in-law is here, why not say a word so I can go greet her at the door?” Ba Old Madam’s voice came before she appeared.

Madam Qian stopped speaking and watched as Ba Old Madam entered.

Looking up at the woman approaching with a radiant smile, adorned with jewels and dressed in red and green, supported by two young maids and followed by a nurse, it was clear she was accompanied by many attendants outside. This Ba Old Madam was no longer the impoverished woman of the past.

Indeed, Ba Yihuan was no longer the poor scholar he once was. He now held a position in court with his own influence. The Ba household was flourishing; his wings were strong, and no one paid heed to this old lady anymore.

Madam Qian smiled bitterly but did not rise. “Ba Old Madam, you flatter me. My unworthy daughter is but a minor concubine in the Ba household now. I hardly deserve the title of mother-in-law. Your esteemed mother-in-law sits in the Prime Minister’s mansion, after all.”

“Mother-in-law still holds resentment over past matters?” Ba Old Madam’s eyes flashed with anger but she concealed it, forcing a faint smile.

Indeed, it had been a long time since anyone spoke to her so bluntly.

“Not at all,” Madam Qian replied firmly. “If anyone is to blame, it’s myself. I was blind then and misjudged people.”

Ba Yihuan was embarrassed, glancing awkwardly around.

Ba Old Madam’s forced smile faded. She stifled her resentment. “Mother-in-law, that matter was agreed upon by the lady herself. Had she not consented, I would never have allowed you to act so.”

Madam Qian sneered but was interrupted by Qian Shijiang. “Let bygones be bygones. Come, let me see the child.”

Madam Qian suddenly remembered she had been so focused on comforting her daughter that she forgot to look at her granddaughter.

Nurse Qu quickly unveiled the swaddled baby and handed her over.

Qian Shijiang carefully took the child, inspecting her with pity.

“Indeed premature, she looks very weak,” he said, bringing her to Madam Qian.

“Oh, poor little one,” Madam Qian’s anger vanished at the sight of the fragile infant. She gently took her into her arms, her eyes filled with tenderness. “This child came out too early, even thinner than Xiao Ba was at birth. Look at that tiny face, not an ounce of flesh. How much does she weigh?”

Nurse Qu replied quickly, “Madam, the midwife weighed Ninth Miss immediately after birth—two jin and three liang.”

“My little darling,” Madam Qian was filled with sorrow. “Xiao Ba was over four jin at birth. Poor little thing, why did you rush out so soon?”

(End of chapter)