Chapter 558: Paying Respects

Just as the saying went—

A noble household was deeper than the sea itself.

The phrase was not exaggerated in the slightest.

Even with Zhu Ping’an’s monstrous memory and sense of direction, he still nearly became dizzy from the endless twists and turns on the way to pay his respects to the Old Madam. Quiet winding paths curved one after another, hidden side gates appeared behind layered screen walls, and the scenery seemed to repeat itself in endless cycles. Only after passing through several more courtyards did he finally arrive at the residence where the Old Madam of the Marquis of Linhuai’s Residence lived.

“Young Master-in-law,” the two servant girls leading the way reminded him softly, “the Old Madam’s courtyard is just ahead.”

Zhu Ping’an nodded to show he understood. He lowered his gaze to quickly inspect his clothing once more and, after confirming there was nothing improper about his appearance, signaled the maids to continue forward.

This particular passage hall was considerably wider than the others. After crossing through it, Zhu Ping’an found himself facing an enormous jade screen wall.

The sight made even him click his tongue inwardly.

Such a massive piece of jade—

He could hardly imagine how much gold and silver it must have cost to acquire it.

After circling around the emerald-green screen wall, an expansive courtyard opened before him. This was the Old Madam’s personal residence.

The moment he entered, he saw five grand main chambers lined in a row, accompanied by side rooms, gatekeeper quarters, kitchens, and every other facility a noble estate could require. Everything was orderly and dignified, radiating the wealth and authority accumulated by generations of aristocratic prestige.

“Young Master-in-law, peace and blessings to you.”

The six servant girls busily working in the courtyard immediately stopped what they were doing upon seeing Zhu Ping’an. In perfect unison, they bent their knees in graceful curtsies and greeted him respectfully.

Zhu Ping’an nodded lightly before asking, “Is Grandmother currently free?”

After receiving an affirmative answer, he stepped toward the central main hall. The maid standing at the doorway had already lifted the curtain high before he even reached the entrance, allowing him to walk directly inside without pause.

“We heard Young Master-in-law was coming to pay his respects. The Old Madam has been delighted for quite some time already,” came a smiling voice from within. “Please come in quickly. The moment the Old Madam sees you, she’ll certainly be overjoyed.”

The speaker was Zijuan, the senior maid dressed in a dark green sleeveless over-vest. She stepped out from the inner chamber and offered Zhu Ping’an a respectful greeting with a warm smile.

“Since Grandmother thinks of Ping’an so kindly, it is only natural that I come to greet her,” Zhu Ping’an replied with a faint smile.

Zijuan laughed softly as she lifted the inner curtain for him.

“Old Madam,” she called cheerfully into the room, “the dragon-among-men son-in-law you’ve been talking about has come to pay his respects.”

The inner chamber was furnished with extravagant elegance.

Near the window sat a large heated kang bed covered with a scarlet wool carpet. Resting against it was a longevity backrest embroidered with the image of Immortal Maiden Mei offering blessings, accompanied by gold-painted cushions bearing the character Fu for fortune. Even the bedding carried the faint fragrance of incense, clearly having been carefully scented beforehand.

On the kang rested a pair of exquisitely crafted huanghuali wood tables holding dried fruits, fragrant tea, and spittoons.

The floor was covered entirely in crimson carpeting. Four armchairs with padded cushions and matching footrests stood arranged neatly nearby. Decorative flower vases filled with seasonal blossoms adorned the room, while incense burners released curling wisps of fragrant smoke into the air. Various priceless ornaments whose names Zhu Ping’an could not even identify were displayed throughout the chamber.

After entering, Zhu Ping’an took only a brief glance around before walking toward the silver-haired old lady seated prominently in the central grand chair.

Having lived in the Marquis of Linhuai’s Residence before, he recognized her instantly.

This elderly woman was indeed the Old Madam.

“Your grandson-in-law Ping’an greets Grandmother.”

Zhu Ping’an stopped about a meter before her chair and straightened his posture. Then, stepping forward with his left leg, he rested one hand upon his knee and bent down onto one knee in salute, respectfully offering greetings.

Many later generations mistakenly believed this style of greeting originated from the Manchus, but in truth, the custom predated them and came from the Great Ming itself. It was originally a military salute recorded in the Collected Statutes of the Great Ming, known as “bending one knee.”

In theory, soldiers were meant to kneel fully before their commanding officers. However, because heavy armor made full kneeling difficult, they instead bent only one knee or half-knelt in salute. Over time, the practice became customary even out of armor, eventually carrying the same respectful meaning as bows and clasped-fist greetings.

The Manchu custom, by contrast, was the full kneeling salute upon both knees—a symbol of absolute imperial authority in which all subjects, including officials, were regarded as servants of the emperor.

“An-ge’er, quickly get up.” The Old Madam stretched out her hand, her face full of concern. “You’ve suffered on this journey. That incident at sea nearly frightened your grandmother to death. Come closer and let Grandmother have a proper look at you.”

“Yes.”

Zhu Ping’an rose smoothly at her words.

As he stood there, he noticed the Old Madam continuously studying him from head to toe. In response, he simply smiled calmly and allowed her to examine him openly.

“How have you become so thin?”

After a long moment of scrutiny, the Old Madam finally sighed in distress. Before Zhu Ping’an could answer, she immediately turned toward Zijuan.

“Zijuan, go to the storeroom and divide half of the bird’s nest, lingzhi mushrooms, deer antler, ginseng, snow lotus, and the other nourishing medicines recently bestowed by the palace. Send them over to An-ge’er and Fifth Girl.”

No sooner had her words fallen than a delicate, coquettish voice drifted in from outside.

“Old Ancestor is truly biased. I begged for ages and only received a tiny bit, yet Brother-in-law has only just arrived and Grandmother is already giving him half without him even asking!”

The voice sounded aggrieved on the surface, but the tone was clearly one of playful spoiled affection.

Zhu Ping’an turned his head just in time to see Sixth Miss enter the room in a flutter of pale pink gauze skirts, accompanied by a wave of sweet perfume.

Her round baby-faced cheeks were full of lively smiles, revealing two adorable little tiger teeth as she hurried over to the Old Madam and wrapped herself around the elderly woman’s arm.

“You little monkey, your ears certainly are sharp,” the Old Madam laughed fondly, patting her fragrant shoulder. “And look who’s here—you still have no shame, acting spoiled like this.”

Only then did Sixth Miss raise her head from the Old Madam’s embrace. Looking toward Zhu Ping’an without the slightest trace of shyness, she giggled sweetly.

“Grandmother is just changing the subject. Brother-in-law isn’t an outsider anyway, so why should your granddaughter feel embarrassed?”

Her bright black eyes boldly lingered on Zhu Ping’an.

There was a naturally flirtatious sparkle in her gaze. Her round oval face flushed with rosy color, making her resemble a lively little sparrow bursting with youthful sweetness and vitality.

Yet Zhu Ping’an remained utterly composed.

His eyes observed propriety, his mouth remained silent, and his heart stayed unmoved.

Not a ripple appeared in his expression.

“You little monkey, now you’re even finding fault with your grandmother.” The Old Madam pinched Sixth Miss’s plump cheek helplessly. “Fine, fine. Later I’ll have Zijuan send that box of eastern pearls you’ve been coveting to your courtyard.”

“Hehe, then your granddaughter thanks Old Ancestor!”

Sixth Miss immediately beamed with delight.

“You’re already a grown young lady preparing to marry, yet you still have no proper decorum. Go sit properly to the side.”

“Yes, Old Ancestor.”

Sixth Miss rose gracefully and performed a perfectly proper young lady’s salute before taking a seat beside the Old Madam, still smiling brightly.

“You little monkey…” the Old Madam said, caught somewhere between laughter and exasperation.

“Ping’an thanks Grandmother for your kindness,” Zhu Ping’an said with a smile, shaking his head lightly. “But these supplements were bestowed by the palace for Grandmother’s nourishment. No matter how unfilial I may be, I would not dare take Grandmother’s tonic medicines.”

“You child.” The Old Madam waved her hand dismissively. “Since the palace rewarded them to me, they belong to me now. If Grandmother gives them to you, then you should accept them. You and Fifth Girl should nourish your health well—that would be the greatest filial piety to Grandmother.”

Zhu Ping’an declined once more.

The Old Madam insisted again.

After several rounds of polite refusal and insistence—until the Old Madam even pretended to become displeased, quoting the saying that one must not refuse gifts bestowed by elders—they finally reached a compromise.

In the end, Zhu Ping’an accepted one-third of the supplements.

“Where is Shu’er?” the Old Madam asked with concern. “Why didn’t she return together with you?”

Zhu Ping’an explained the reason Li Shu would be returning several days later. After hearing the explanation, the Old Madam nodded approvingly.

“It’s good for her to come back later,” she said. “At least she’ll avoid some hardship from the journey.”

After chatting for a while longer, the conversation eventually turned toward Zhu Ping’an’s memorial to the throne.

The Old Madam advised him earnestly to lower his head somewhat before the Yan Residence.

“Though our noble house may not be inferior to them in military merit,” she sighed, “times have changed. An arm cannot twist a thigh. For the sake of your official career, you should make peace with the Yan family. If things escalate too far, it will do you no good.”

Zhu Ping’an’s eyes shifted slightly.

“Grandmother may rest assured,” he replied ambiguously with a faint smile. “Ping’an understands his limits.”

Hearing this, the Old Madam assumed he had taken her advice to heart. Satisfied, she nodded approvingly.

They continued talking for some time afterward. The Old Madam asked him many questions about his experiences at sea, listening with great interest before finally instructing Zijuan to escort Zhu Ping’an back so he could rest properly.

Buy me a coffeeBecome a Patron!Buy me a coffee

Become a Patron!