Blooming Dreams

Chapter 5: The Turning Point

Lu Rong remained by his daughter's bedside, listening as her breathing grew steady and deep, signaling she had fallen asleep. Only then did he pick up his bamboo cane and quietly tap his way out of the room.

The lanterns of the manor swayed gently in the cold night breeze, and the sliver of the waning moon cast a faint glow. Standing under the eaves, Lu Rong tilted his head slightly upward, as though he could sense the cold, desolate beauty of the moonlit sky.

“Third Master, may I escort you back?”

Guiyuan, Lu Mingyu’s personal maid, asked softly. Lu Rong, being blind, typically had someone by his side when he moved around the manor. However, tonight, Mo Zhu had not accompanied him for reasons unknown, and Guiyuan was hesitant to let him walk back alone.

“That’s not necessary. Take good care of Fourth Miss,” Lu Rong replied in his usual calm and detached tone. After instructing the maids, he began walking down the corridor at an unhurried pace, his cane tapping rhythmically against the stone floor—his sole companion in the solitude of the night.

Guiyuan exchanged a glance with Ganlu, another maid, both of them sharing a silent melancholy. How did things come to this between Third Master and Madam?

Lu Rong didn’t understand either. But his daughter’s words earlier that evening had compelled him to reconsider his choices. If his wife disliked Mo Zhu, perhaps it was time to let her go. After all, it wasn’t worth allowing a maid to drive a permanent wedge between him and his wife.

“Third Master, you’ve returned?”

Mo Zhu had been waiting by the courtyard gate, holding a lantern. Upon seeing him, she immediately hurried forward, her expression one of concern. She scrutinized him carefully, looking for signs of any falls or injuries, and only after finding none did she relax. “How is Fourth Miss?” she asked, her tone soft and deferential.

“She’s better,” Lu Rong replied simply. “Did you see Madam?”

Mo Zhu stiffened for a moment. It had been a long time since Lu Rong had asked about Madam Xiao voluntarily. Tonight was the first time since their heated argument over Mo Zhu. Carefully choosing her words, she said, “Yes, Madam returned about two hours ago. She didn’t seem in a good mood. Third Master, Madam has been busy taking care of Fourth Miss lately; it must be quite exhausting for her. If she’s been inattentive in any way, I hope you can forgive her.”

Mo Zhu’s voice was gentle and soothing—deliberately so. Years ago, when the old Master Lu Zhan had selected a maid for his blind son, he had chosen Mo Zhu for her attentiveness, capable hands, and above all, her calming voice. To someone unable to see, a pleasing tone could bring much-needed comfort.

Over the years, Mo Zhu had earned Lu Rong’s trust through her meticulous care and silent dedication. As he listened to her now, his resolve to send her away wavered. She had served him faithfully for over a decade, sacrificing her own prospects to remain by his side. She had refused marriage offers, claiming no one else would care for him as she did. Now, to dismiss her so abruptly—wouldn’t that be heartless?

“Third Master?” Mo Zhu’s gentle question pulled him from his thoughts.

He nodded slightly, his voice carrying a rare hint of weariness. “You may return to your quarters. I need to speak with Madam.”

Leaving Mo Zhu behind, Lu Rong tapped his way toward the rear courtyard, oblivious to the complicated emotions in her eyes as she watched him go.

In the rear courtyard, Madam Xiao had not yet gone to bed, though she had instructed the maids to extinguish all the lamps. The darkness made her intentions clear—she did not wish to entertain visitors.

Lu Rong, of course, could not see the dimmed lights. Familiar with the layout of the house, he made his way to the main hall and stopped outside the door. “Is Madam asleep?” he asked.

Bitan, one of Madam Xiao’s maids, bit her lip and glanced at her colleague Qiuyue.

Qiuyue, more vocal in her dissatisfaction with Lu Rong, stepped forward. She had long resented the way Mo Zhu had driven a wedge between her mistress and the master. However, she still hoped for reconciliation between the couple, so she replied coolly, “Madam is about to retire. Does Third Master need something?”

“I have something to discuss,” Lu Rong said evenly, ignoring her frosty tone. “Please inform her.”

Qiuyue feigned courtesy as she went to relay the message, leaving Bitan outside to steal a glance at the Third Master. In the dim light, he looked almost otherworldly, his fine features accentuated by his green robe. Such a pity he’s blind, she thought.

“What are you doing here?”

Inside, Madam Xiao lay on her side, her back to the door. Her voice was indifferent, but the lack of light meant she felt no need to adhere to formal decorum. In front of him, she could recline as she pleased—it wasn’t as if he could see her.

“I’m tired. Speak quickly if you have something to say.”

Lu Rong sat down in a chair by the bed, the faint scent of her perfume reaching him. It stirred memories of their early days—when they had shared a bed and she had playfully rested her head on his chest, calling him handsome. That tenderness now felt like a lifetime ago.

“I... Ah-Nuan wasn’t very clear earlier. I wanted to confirm some details with you,” he began quietly, brushing aside his wistful thoughts.

Madam Xiao, her eyes closed, succinctly recounted their daughter’s account, including details about Lu Mingyu’s eventual marriage.

Lu Rong was stunned. His daughter had married?

“Why Chu Sui?” he murmured. Having lost his sight, Lu Rong had limited understanding of Chu Sui, even less than his wife. He was curious—what made this young man special?

Madam Xiao, naturally, had no answers. “Ah-Nuan didn’t say much about that,” she admitted. Her tone grew heavier. “But no matter the reason, her marriage brought her death. We must be cautious this time. If possible, it’s best to choose another family. Even if it must be Chu Sui, we need to investigate the Chu family thoroughly before agreeing.”

Lu Rong nodded solemnly, his blind gaze directed at the edge of the bed. “Don’t worry. Whether it’s Ah-Nuan or Ah-Jun, this time, I will protect them both.”

Madam Xiao’s gaze softened for a moment at his words. There was a flicker of something—regret, perhaps, or nostalgia. For a brief instant, she considered telling him the truth: I died too. But her pragmatism won out, and she swallowed the confession.

“Is there anything else? It’s getting late,” she said finally.

Underneath his sleeves, Lu Rong clenched his hands. On one side was Mo Zhu, his loyal servant of many years; on the other, his wife, the mother of his children. If he had to betray one...

“Xianxian,” he said at last, his voice tinged with exhaustion, “Mo Zhu has served me since she was fifteen. Once my sight is restored, I’ll personally find her a good match.” He hesitated before adding, “This isn’t because I don’t trust you. I simply don’t want people speaking ill of you behind your back.”

His intention was clear—by taking responsibility himself, he hoped to shield his wife from gossip.

Madam Xiao raised an eyebrow in surprise. So he’s willing to part with Mo Zhu after all?

As if sensing her thoughts, Lu Rong said earnestly, “Xianxian, you’re my rightful wife. I want us to live well together.”

Madam Xiao stared at him. She believed his sincerity, yet she couldn’t shake her unease. Would he truly let Mo Zhu go, or would this decision linger like a thorn in their relationship?

Rather than answer directly, she slid off the bed and, before he could react, perched herself on his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in close, her voice soft. “Why send Mo Zhu away? Do you think I dislike her?”

Lu Rong froze, overwhelmed by her sudden closeness. Her warmth, her scent—it was intoxicating. His hands trembled as he hesitated to embrace her fully.

“Third Master,” she whispered, her tone carrying a hint of vulnerability, “I’m not jealous of her. I’m grateful for her care over the years. I only envy that she could serve you while I, your wife, couldn’t.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him. Without thinking, he tightened his arms around her. “Xianxian, I never wanted to burden you—”

“A wife caring for her husband is no burden,” she interrupted softly.