Chapter 11

Editor: DarkSapphire, Uncia

The Yu Family in Qingyun City will send someone to Xiao Lian’s embroidery workshop today to pick up the handkerchief order. Xiao Lian went to his workshop early in the morning, when water stains could still be vaguely seen on the street. 

There was an autumn rain yesterday which created a bit of chill. A lot of maple leaves in the Yan Mansion’s backyard had fallen, but after tidying up the fallen leaves, there was a sense of loss. When they were at their brightest, the maple leaves in this season were as red as fire.

After Xiao Lian arrived at the embroidery workshop, he waited, not for the Yu Family, but for Wen Yihong and Xu Shan. Because of the time he spent with Yan Xixia, Xiao Lian became more acquainted with Yan Xixia’s two friends too. Now when the two friends visited the Yan Mansion, Xiao Lian would sometimes chat and joke with them.

A few days ago, the two of them were painting in the backyard of the Yan Mansion. They painted the red maple and green bamboo. The two teased Yan Xixia for his inability to paint, and pitied him because he couldn’t see the beautiful scenery. Yan Xixia smiled without saying a word and turned to the second floor. When he came back downstairs, he held a piece of silk similar in size as their canvas. Yan Xixia unfolded it in front of the two. It turned out to be embroidery of the backyard landscape. They guessed immediately it was Xiao Lian’s work. They praised enviously, complaining that they also wanted Xiao Lian to embroider a picture for them.

During that time, Xiao Lian smiled and agreed. The two then said they would pay, but Xiao Lian refused as it was not needed. Yan Xixia added: “You are my wife and what’s yours is mine. But they don’t have such a virtuous wife. They naturally need to pay in silver.” 

After recalling what Yan Xixia said, Xiao Lian felt thrilled in his heart, and Wen Yihong teased: “Looking at Madam Yan’s expression, is he thinking about Brother Yan again?”

Slightly embarrassed, Xiao Lian denied: “No.”

Xiao Lian took the completed embroidery silks and gave it to both of them. He did not upcharge the two, only accepting money for the silk and returning the rest. The two did not stay around awkwardly. After thanking Xiao Lian for the embroidery and change, they left.

Not long after, the person from the Yu Family arrived to pick up and pay for the order. After the person left, Xiao Lian packed up his little box and prepared to return to the Yan Mansion. Upon seeing this, Xun Qiu poked fun at him: “Ever since the little boss married into the Yan Family, there would be days where we couldn’t see you. Oh dear, now that I think about it, we used to see the little boss daily in the workshop.”

In the past, Xiao Lian stayed in the workshop as long as he could instead of returning to the Xiao Mansion. But now, as long as the order did not require too many tools, he would complete them in the Yan Mansion instead of coming to the workshop. Knowing he was in the wrong, he touched his nose and said to the couple: “I would have to trouble you two to look after the shop these days. Starting this month, I will increase your wages.”

Xun Qiu hurriedly said: “Little boss, you got it wrong. I wasn’t talking about you. This embroidery workshop belongs to you. It doesn’t matter if you come in or not. I just think you looked happier than before and miss home. I am happy for you.”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

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Jin Qiao walked over to Xiao Lian and said: “Little boss, thank you so much.”

Xiao Lian waved his hand: “I did what I was supposed to do.”

When Xiao Lian returned to the Yan Mansion with his trusty small box, Yan Xixia was drinking medicine soup. The doctor prescribed the medicine twice a day, one at noon and one in the evening. He drank it half an hour before meals. Neither of them knew if the medicine was effective or not. Yan Xixia also sent someone to find Bai Zhu, rumored to be a “legendary miracle doctor among men,” but he still hadn’t found the doctor and held little hope. It would be good to be able to see the light again, but if it doesn’t get better, nothing would change. After all, for him, being alive was lucky enough.

After drinking the medicine, it was not advisable to eat food immediately afterward, even if it was sugar, as it might reduce the medicinal properties. Xiao Lian picked up a cup for rinsing that was on the table. Yan Xixia took a sip of tea, rinsed his mouth, and spat into the rinsing cup: “Did the Yu Family pick up their order?” 

Xiao Lian put the cup back on the table: “Yes, not too long ago.”

“Before, madam mentioned he wanted to visit the little fool. Is that still the case?”

“I do, but it’s been a year, and I don’t know if the little fool still remembers me.”

The little fool was searching for someone, and it was natural for people to remember their benefactor who provided help during their hour of need, but for an intellectually impaired person, Yan Xixia thought: “It is really hard to say.” 

“I don’t know if he has a name now. He always called himself the little fool, and he didn’t think ‘little fool’ was a bad name at all—instead it was simple and cute.”

“It’s only bad if said with malicious intent.” Yan Xixia pulled Xiao Lian to sit down with him: “If madam wants, I can send someone to deliver a greeting card.”

Xiao Lian thought for a moment and sighed: “I don’t know what the little fool has to do with the Yu Family. Disturbing them hastily won’t be good either.”

“No matter what their relationship is, since the Yu Family was willing to come to your embroidery workshop to return the kindness, it must be important.” 

Xiao Lian’s heart trembled: “You’re right, then please send the greeting card first. If I can really meet him again, it would be a blessing.”

Yan Xixia replied smiling: “Alright madam, follow me to the study.”

Yan Xixia wrote the greeting card and handed it to the Yan Family’s manager who had someone send it out tomorrow.

In the evening, after everyone in the Yan Mansion finished their dinner, a loud knock was heard from the closed gate. Housekeeper Yan went to open the gate to see three men standing outside. There was a carriage in the back, with a coachman. Among the three standing, Housekeeper Yan knew one of them was Jin Qiao from Xiao Lian’s embroidery workshop. He asked Jin Qiao: “What’s the matter?” 

Jin Qiao pointed to the two people around him: “They said they were from the Yu Family and they wanted to see Madam Yan.”

Jin Qiao came closer and whispered: “I don’t know whether or not it is true, but they are insisting on coming over. Something is not right with one of them.” He pointed to his head.

Housekeeper Yan knew about the Yu Family. He looked at the clothes of the two which were not ordinary, and the carriage was also extremely luxurious. It didn’t look fake, so he said to the two: “I’ll inform my master of this. Please wait a moment.”

The tall young man looked impatient, but he still cupped his hand respectfully: “Please.” 

The shorter young man next to him asked the impatient young man: “I want to see Brother Xiao Lian! When can I see him! I miss him so much!”

The impatient person suddenly changed his expression and coaxed softly: “You will see him soon. Be good and wait.”

Housekeeper Yan turned and walked back in. He informed Yan Xixia and Xiao Lian that someone from the Yu Family was waiting at the door. Xiao Lian was a little agitated, clutching Yan Xixia’s hand tightly: “Are they real?”

Housekeeper Yan: “No identification, but looking at the texture of the clothes, they don’t look like impersonations.” 

Finding this strange, Yan Xixia questioned: “But the greeting card is going out tomorrow, so how come they came today?”

Xiao Lian asked no more. He stood up and pulled Yan Xixia out: “Let’s go out and see.”

Yan Xixia allowed Xiao Lian to pull him to the main entrance. Xiao Lian saw the people standing at the entrance. Because it was night, the stone lamps in the courtyard were lit, but it was still hard to see. Xiao Lian hurried toward the door and found that it was the little fool who was standing there.

Seeing Xiao Lian, the little fool immediately rushed over and hugged him. Xiao Lian let go of Yan Xixia’s hand and hugged back. The little fool was still as silly as ever, and, without caring about the surrounding people, he started bawling: “Brother Xiao Lian, I really, really miss you!” 

Xiao Lian was also a little teary for a while, as his eyes quickly turned red: “I miss you too.”

The person who was standing next to the little fool frowned when he saw his small companion holding Xiao Lian and ratted him out: “You forgot him a long time ago. You won’t remember him if you didn’t see the handkerchief.”

The little fool cried louder and even hiccuped: “No! You are bullying me again! I don’t like you anymore! I like Brother Xiao Lian now! You are bad!”

Xiao Lian quickly stretched out his hand and cupped his hands toward the person behind the little fool. Yan Xixia followed and said: “This humble one is called Yan Xixia, Xiao Lian’s husband.” 

The man returned the gesture: “Yu Luyuan.”

Housekeeper Yan made arrangements for the coachman and thanked Jin Qiao. Xiao Lian took Yan Xixia with his left hand and the little fool with his right hand as they walked into the Yan Mansion. Yu Luyuan followed behind them, looking at the little fool’s back, displeased.