Chapter eight

At the house, lady Chen sat on the chair in her room. Once in a while, she got up to stand by the door and looked out, after that she took a very long and heavy breath and returned to sit on the chair.

In the morning, when she had come back from the pagoda, she had heard an argument between her husband and her daughter. She had rushed to husband's working room and when she had arrived at the door, Lantian had come out. She had wanted to call, but she had seen her girl was holding an angry face, so she had halted her lips, and stood by the portal sadly.

Xiaolan told that Lantian had not eaten, so she cooked soup and waited for her to come to eat, but it was very late evening, yet Lantian didn't arrive home.

Knowing that sister was having worries, lady Mei came to visit, "Eldest sister."

"Sister Mei." Lady Chen grinned. "Come in."

With a smile, lady Mei sat on a chair next to her sister. At that time, her eyes caught a pot of soup on the table, so she asked, "Are you waiting for Lantian?"

"Um." Lady Chen nodded and whined very long before she said a sad voice, "Yesterday, master was not happy with Lantian because she left the party without informing. Moreover, she did not come home last night. This made master angry. So, in the morning, I went to the pagoda to pray for happiness in the family, but when I came back, I heard them arguing, it makes me unhappy."

"Don't worry. They are father and daughter."

"Because they are father and daughter, that's why I am worried. Both of them are stubborn and do not agree to lose."

"Lantian is really like master. That is the reason he adores her the most."

"And he is disappointed the most." Lady Chen took a heavy breath. "It has been five years already. I don't know when they put down that story."

"Eldest sister," lady Mei put hand on lady Chen's hand to comfort her, "don't worry. Everything will be fine. Lantian is a good child. I am sure she will drop it, and our family will live happily like before." She paused for a few seconds before she added, "Actually, the cause of today's problem is me."

"Don't put mistake on yourself. I know what was going on. I told off fourth sister and I warned her already; she will not bother you anymore."

"Thank you, eldest sister."

Lady Chen patted on the hand of lady Mei, "Don't mention it. We are family. No need to say thank you."

"Though, I have to say. For all these years, you have taken care of me and son very well. You are kind to us, and you love Longwei like your son. I am really thankful for your kindness. This family can escape from problems because of you."

"Don't lift me so high. I'm not great like you said."

"It's true."

The two ladies smiled at each other. Afterwards, lady Chen whined, saying, "Being a woman, when we are single, we follow our parents; when we have a husband, we have to follow our husband. We are women, our mission is to bring happiness to our family. Stay at home, serve husband, and give birth. When we have children, we have to take care of them, educate them, and find a future for them. Every single breath of woman is about family. Happiness of husband and children is happiness of woman. If the husband or children are not happy, we cannot be happy." She took a break before she grabbed the hand of lady Mei gently and continued, "In fact, fourth sister is not a bad person. She just has a narrow mind. She is a mother. It's normal that she protects her daughter and finds good things for her daughter. Just sometimes, she does over. To maintain peace in the family, I hope you forgive her and don't remember in mind."

"I understand, eldest sister. I never hold a grudge against her."

"Good then."

"Soup is cold now. I take it to heat," lady Mei said and was about to take the pot, but lady Chen told, "Let the maid do it," then she called, "Xiaolan."

Hearing the call, Xiaolan came in fast, "Yes, madame."

"Take the soup to heat."

"Yes." She hurriedly held the pot in hands and left for the kitchen.

After that, lady Chen and lady Mei continued chatting. Later on, Longwei arrived.

"Eldest Mother. Mother," he paid respect.

"Good. Sit down," lady Chen said.

"Thanks, eldest mother," Longwei said, then sat on a chair next to his ma.

"Today, you came home late. Are there a lot of works?" Lady Mei asked.

"The workload was quite big, and I had to attend a meeting with father and other ministers. We just finished discussion over changing some rules," Longwei narrated.

"Don't work too hard. Take care of your health."

"Yes, mother."

"You are lucky. Longwei is a good son," lady Chen stated. "If Lantian works as hard as Longwei, it will be good."

"Lantian is great," lady Mei said.

"Great in hanging out. Now, it is almost midnight, yet she does not come home."

"Who is talking behind my back?" Voice of Lantian echoed.