Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapters 117 - 118

Cheng Yujin didn't refuse this request. She did it with the intention to strengthen her relationship with Shu Consort and even with the Chang Duke Manor. Relationships between people were started from such exchanges, so doing this small errand was nothing to Cheng Yujin.

Qingfu Junzhu and Ruan-shi watched as Cheng Yujin and Cheng Min exchanged information about the palace. Their conversation was full of Shu Consort, Empress, Empress Dowager. In the end, Cheng Yujin handed Cheng Min a package in front of everyone. Cheng family's womenfolks looked at each other, feeling a bit awkward about being slipped behind by others.

Cheng Min was delighted upon receiving Shu Consort's package and letter. More than anything, she was satisfied. Handing this letter and package to her mother-in-law and eldest sister-in-law would definitely give her much prestige in the Xu family. Therefore, Cheng Min's smile towards Cheng Yujin became even more enthusiastic.

Cheng Min had just put away the package when a voice came from outside. Ruan-shi stood up enthusiastically, almost knocking over the teacup: "Mo'er is here!"

The two servant girls waiting outside the door opened the hanging curtain and said simultaneously: "The second lady is here."

Ruan-shi walked quickly to the door, but the rests were much less enthusiastic. Although they showed welcoming gestures, no one stood up to greet Cheng Yumo as Ruan-shi did. Ruan-shi missed her daughter so badly, but the people here were of a higher status than Cheng Yumo, and there was no reason for them to greet her. As for Cheng Yujin, she sat unmoved on the main seat and slowly turned her gaze to the door, which was already giving Cheng Yumo a face.

When Cheng Yumo entered the hall, she saw Ruan-shi and immediately called "Mother," with red eyes. The mother and daughter walked into the inner hall holding hands, then Cheng Yumo greeted the people inside one by one: "Mo'er greets grandmother, eldest aunt, maternal aunt. This subject's wife greets the Crown Princess."

Old Madam Cheng frowned slightly. Cheng Yumo was too disrespectful; how could she put the Crown Princess the last? Old Madam Cheng quietly glanced at Cheng Yujin and found that the latter was still smiling gently, without seemingly any intention to blame Cheng Yumo's rudeness. Seeing this, the Old Madam could only suppress her worries and keep silent.

All the people here had a higher status than Cheng Yumo, and Cheng Min and the children she brought were not of Cheng family members, so Qingfu Junzhu could only replace Old Madam Cheng to open a conversation: "Second lady, you are here. It's freezing outside. Do you feel cold on the way?"

"No, many thanks for eldest aunt's concern."

Qingfu Junzhu nodded and asked again, "This cold winter has made me too lazy to go out. It's been a long time since I have seen Old Madam Huo. How is she recently?"

Hearing Huo Xue-shi was mentioned, Cheng Yumo's face slightly stiffened. She nodded slightly: "Mother-in-law has always been in good health."

Everyone in the Cheng family knew the story behind Cheng Yumo's miscarriage. Now Huo Xue-shi was suddenly mentioned, the atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Cheng Min quickly smiled and tried to soothe the atmosphere: "Alright, Mo'er has just arrived and hasn't taken off her cloak yet. The inner hall is very warm, so she should quickly take off her cloak lest the cold enter her body."

Everyone nodded with a smile. Cheng Yumo sighed in relief, then began to take off her cloak with the help of a servant girl. An observant servant woman moved a stool next to Ruan-shi's seat, and Cheng Yumo then was helped by her servant girl to sit next to her mother.

The cloak Cheng Yumo took off just now was thick and heavy, making others feel tired just looking at it. In order to hide her wan complexion, Cheng Yumo deliberately wore a long red shirt trimmed with squirrel fur on the collar and cuff. The already bright shirt was paired with an even brighter red pleated skirt, contrasting each other.