Now, Shi Ning'an had been waiting at the pendant - flower gate for quite a while. Since the people she was waiting for didn't show up, she grew anxious. Then she walked all the way to the porter's lodge and craned her neck. Finally, she saw two carriages with blue tops approaching the Rong family's residence. Two middle - aged men got off the front carriage, and a young man and a young woman alighted from the rear one.
Unable to contain herself, Shi Ning'an pushed open the door and rushed out. But she halted on the steps, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Uncle Zeng had been away on business for most of the time and rarely returned home. Usually, Second Uncle Zeng took charge of the family affairs. When he was young, Second Uncle Zeng had tested poisons and was unable to have his own children. So he treated the nephews and nieces in the family as if they were his own, and he treated Shi Ning'an the same way. Therefore, during the years she lived in the Zeng family, before she met Shi Yongtang, in her heart, the image of her biological father was just like that of Second Uncle Zeng.
However, Second Uncle Zeng wasn't blindly indulgent. When it was time to scold, he was merciless. The long rattan whip on the hand hurt badly.
When Shi Ning'an was a child, she wasn't a well - behaved girl. She often ran out to play with Uncle Four and the eldest brother. When they came back, they would be punished to stand under the eaves. Second Uncle Zeng would stand in front of them with the rattan whip in his hand, his face solemn.
The rattan whip was raised high but always fell gently. Uncle Four and the eldest brother would cry out in pain. Only she shed two tears, and Second Uncle couldn't bear to beat her anymore.
That was all from her previous life.
But it seemed like it was right in front of her eyes. It was as if Second Uncle Zeng had come in a hurry, carrying the rattan whip with him, just because of her disobedience.
Only when Second Uncle Zeng got closer could he see clearly that the young girl in the red dress was none other than Ning'an. He beamed with a smile: "Oh, where did this little kitten come from? Why are you crying like this in front of the door? You've become much uglier."
Shi Ning'an was amused by his words and burst out laughing through her tears. Then she stamped her foot hard: "Uncle!"
Second Uncle Zeng quickly handed her a handkerchief and stopped teasing her: "Alright, alright. It's our fault. We've made Ning'an wait for so long."
The nanny beside Princess Zhaoming had already come out to greet them. She bowed and said, "The master of the family is waiting in the main hall. Please follow me into the mansion."
Second Uncle Zeng patted Shi Ning'an on the head and then followed the nanny forward.
Zeng Ruoyun pulled Shi Ning'an to the back and whispered, "Ning'an, what on earth are you doing? It's only been a short time since we last met. Why are you crying like this? Has the Rong family treated you badly?"
Shi Ning'an shook her head repeatedly: "How could that be? I just haven't seen you all for so long and missed you too much."
Zeng Ruoyun didn't believe her. She sneered: "For so long? You miss us to this extent? You must tell me the truth. Did the people from the Rong family bully you?"
Zeng Haomiao beside them laughed: "What kind of family is the Rong family? And Uncle Four said that the Rong family has treated Ning'an very well. Why are you worrying blindly?"
Zeng Ruoyun snorted: "The older generation of the Rong family has a great reputation. They surely won't do such things. But the younger generation of the Rong family may not be the same. I observe..."
She got a bit too excited and her voice was a bit loud, which made Second Uncle Zeng in front turn back and glare at them. The three of them immediately fell silent.
Suddenly, Shi Ning'an burst out laughing.
Zeng Ruoyun nudged her: "What are you laughing at?"
Shi Ning'an's eyes curved into a crescent: "I'm laughing that Uncle is still as fierce as before."
There was a hint of coquetry in her tone. Second Uncle Zeng in front must have heard it, but he pretended not to and shook his head helplessly.
Since they had grown up together as children, when they met again, all three of them were overjoyed. They pushed and jostled each other and walked all the way towards the main hall.
Only Shi Ning'an was extremely excited. She asked repeatedly, "Cousin brother, cousin sister, how is Great - Grand Aunt?"
Zeng Ruoyun's eyes flickered for a moment and then she smiled: "Everything is fine at home. Ning'an, don't worry."
Shi Ning'an could tell at a glance that something was wrong. She turned around and grabbed Zeng Haomiao's sleeve: "Cousin brother, tell me. What's wrong with Great - Grand Aunt?"
Zeng Haomiao wasn't good at lying. He stammered for a long time and then gritted his teeth and replied, "After Grandmother went back last year, her health has been much worse. Now... now..."
Shi Ning'an's eyes immediately grew hot. She asked again, "Now what?"
Zeng Haomiao lowered his head and refused to say any more.
It was Second Uncle Zeng in front who turned back and smiled: "Ning'an, people are subject to birth, old age, illness and death. It's normal for your Great - Grand Aunt to be approaching the end of her life. She specifically asked us to tell you not to worry about her."
Tears welled up in Shi Ning'an's eyes and streamed down. How could she not worry? In her previous life, when Great - Grand Aunt was seriously ill, it was Zeng Ruoyun who wrote letters on her behalf. All the letters were filled with concerns about her. But at that time, she was used to reporting only good news and hiding the bad. She always said that everything was fine with her.
In fact, Great - Grand Aunt was so smart and knew her so well. How could she not know that she was not doing well? But since she blindly protected the Shi and Wei families, Great - Grand Aunt couldn't do anything about it. She could only write letters more and more frequently.
Shi Ning'an couldn't bear it anymore. She ran to a flower bed beside, squatted down and covered her face, sobbing loudly. Zeng Ruoyun and Zeng Haomiao had to follow her to console her.
It was Second Uncle Zeng in front who stopped walking. He stared at them for a while and then suddenly laughed: "Ning'an is still the same as when she was a child. She cries at the slightest thing."
The nanny heard this and couldn't help asking curiously, "Was the young lady prone to crying in the past?"
Second Uncle Zeng smiled slightly: "Judging from what the nanny said, she doesn't cry easily now?"
The nanny replied, "The young lady has a strong - willed personality. She is very determined. Even the master of the family doesn't treat her like a child. The mistress often asks the young lady for advice when she has something to do."
But after hearing this, Second Uncle Zeng didn't beam with joy because of the child's good behavior. Instead, his brows furrowed a bit and he sighed softly: "Ning'an has suffered a lot since she returned to the capital a year ago."
He didn't wait for Shi Ning'an. Instead, he went in with his younger brother to meet the elders of the Rong family first.
Shi Ning'an was crying pitifully. Finally, she was somewhat consoled by her cousin brother and cousin sister. She wiped her tears and sobbed, leaning on Zeng Ruoyun's shoulder and asking, "Great - Grand Aunt is not well. Why aren't you at home taking care of her? Why did you come to the capital?"
Zeng Ruoyun reached out and tapped Shi Ning'an on the forehead: "It's all for you, you heartless girl. Grandmother is most worried about you now. She wasn't at ease even after sending Uncle Four to check on you. She thought Uncle Four was too naive and might not be able to see the real situation, so she asked Uncle Two to come and take a look. We just came along as company."
When saying this, Zeng Ruoyun and Zeng Haomiao glanced at each other. They knew Grandmother's intention even though she hadn't said it clearly. But since this matter hadn't been settled, they wouldn't talk nonsense. Moreover, they didn't know what Ning'an thought.
Zeng Haomiao held Shi Ning'an's hand, feeling a bit awkward inside. In his heart, this young girl in front of him was just like Ruoyun. They had grown up sleeping on the same couch as children. But now the elders in the family wanted to match them up as a couple. It seemed a bit strange no matter how he looked at it.
But then he thought that his cousin was so pitiful. Because of his uncle's actions, it was difficult for his cousin to find a suitable family. If he didn't help his cousin, what could she do?
So, Zeng Haomiao thought that he should put aside his misgivings and try to get along with his cousin in a non - sibling way.
Zeng Ruoyun supported Shi Ning'an and led her towards the main hall. But Shi Ning'an wasn't willing. She said that she felt stuffy in the chest and wanted to sit by the pond for a while.
Zeng Haomiao hesitated for a moment. He thought it was inappropriate for him and his sister not to meet the host of the family on their first visit. But he couldn't leave his cousin alone either. So he said, "A Yun, accompany Ning'an to take a rest. I'll go over first to explain."
Shi Ning'an was deeply sad. In her previous life, when Great - Grand Aunt passed away, the Zeng family sent a message to the Shi family. But at that time, Wei Hongmiao's mother was seriously ill. She took care of her day and night and also had to look after the younger sister - in - law and younger brother - in - law. By the time she knew that Great - Grand Aunt had passed away, half a month had already passed. It was too late for her to rush back.
She still remembered that at that time, she was also extremely sad. But Wei Hongmiao's mother actually said that she was being overly sentimental. As a wife of the Wei family, she always thought about outsiders.
Even Wei Hongmiao disliked that she was in a bad mood and couldn't take good care of his family for him. And she had to suppress her grief for Great - Grand Aunt and manage the whole family for Wei Hongmiao.
But Great - Grand Aunt was the one who had taken care of her for fourteen years, closer than her own grandmother.
Seeing Shi Ning'an looking pale and unable to control herself, Zeng Ruoyun repeatedly advised, "Alas, Grandmother knew that you are kind - hearted. She knew that you would be extremely sad when you heard the news of her serious illness and impending death. She was right. But Ning'an, when we were young, Grandmother said that death is inevitable. There's no need to be sad. The most important thing is the present and the future."
Shi Ning'an was listless. She understood the truth, of course. But just thinking about how unfilial she was in her previous life made her heart ache. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she asked, "Cousin sister, when are you going back to Nanling?"
Zeng Ruoyun was taken aback: "What did you say? I just came, and you're already thinking of driving me away?"
Shi Ning'an lowered her head and didn't answer.
Zeng Ruoyun didn't dare to joke anymore. She just asked, "Do you want to go back to Nanling with me?"
Shi Ning'an nodded: "Cousin sister, I'm no longer a member of the Shi family. For me, the Zeng family is my home, and Great - Grand Aunt is my real grandmother. I want to go back and accompany her!"
Since Shi Ning'an wanted to take a breath of fresh air by the pond, Zeng Ruoyun had supported her all the way here and they sat on the stone by the pond.
Hearing Shi Ning'an say this, Zeng Ruoyun suddenly stood up and asked angrily, "The Zeng family is your home? Has the Rong family treated you badly?"
"No, no." Shi Ning'an quickly stood up too. But because she hadn't slept well for two consecutive nights, she felt dizzy when she got up. Unfortunately, Zeng Ruoyun didn't notice. In her anger, she even pushed Shi Ning'an.
Shi Ning'an let out a scream and fell backwards towards the pond.
In the blink of an eye, a figure in black leaped up. Rong Sui steadily caught Shi Ning'an, and they both returned to the shore.
Shi Ning'an was still in a state of shock. Her face was as white as a sheet, and she tightly grabbed Rong Sui's lapel.
Unlike the last time when she deliberately jumped out of the carriage, this time, she really didn't do it on purpose. In just a moment, she had broken out in a cold sweat, and there were tears in her eyes. She looked extremely pitiful.
At the same time, Rong Heng also leaped up, but he rushed towards Zeng Ruoyun on the shore. With a simple move, he dislocated Zeng Ruoyun's arm.
Zeng Ruoyun grimaced in pain. Her other hand reacted extremely quickly and threw a handful of powder over.
"It's you?"
"It's you?"