Madam Jiang was overjoyed. She quickly walked to the side of Xiuqiu and softly called out, "Xiuqiu?"
But Xiuqiu stopped moving again.
Madam Jiang paused for a moment and waved at Gu Liyue. "Miss Gu, come here."
Gu Liyue walked over as told and crouched down beside the couch. Summoning up her courage, she reached out and stroked Xiuqiu, whispering, "Xiuqiu."
Sure enough, Xiuqiu opened its eyes and meowed.
Madam Jiang was extremely happy. She immediately sent someone to call back the veterinarian and asked him to continue examining Xiuqiu.
The doctor examined it carefully and nodded with a sigh. "Madam, this is definitely not a flash before death. In fact, animals also have spirituality. It was already very old, and it would be normal for it to pass away. But for some unknown reason, it has the will to live on."
Madam Jiang was even happier. She quickly asked, "Then... how much longer can it live?"
The doctor replied, "Madam, it is rare for a person to live to be seventy. It has reached that advanced age and is a sign of longevity. But no matter whether it is a human or an animal, their lifespan is not something we can control. I only know that it is currently fine, but I don't know how much longer it will live. However, I think that in the future, we should try to let it walk more, play more, and not feed it too much greasy food."
After seeing off the doctor, Yuan'er, who took care of Xiuqiu, reached out and picked up Xiuqiu. Her face was full of joy as she said to Madam Jiang, "Madam, what kind of will can Xiuqiu have? In my humble opinion, the doctor just misdiagnosed and found an excuse."
Madam Jiang just shook her head. "No, you don't understand, but I do. It's because its master has come back that it can survive."
Yuan'er was about to leave with Xiuqiu in her arms when Madam Jiang spoke again. "Let Xiuqiu stay with me today. You can go back first."
Yuan'er hesitated and said, "Madam, just now Miss Xing'er, who serves the young lady, said that the young lady originally planned to have dinner with you."
Madam Jiang shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I want Xiuqiu to accompany me today."
Yuan'er didn't say anything more. She left Xiuqiu and retreated with the other maids.
Madam Jiang looked at Gu Liyue lovingly. After sizing her up for a while, she asked, "You... are fifteen this year? When is your birthday?"
Gu Liyue lowered her eyes respectfully. "Replying to Madam, I'm fifteen this year. My birthday is on the third day of the second lunar month."
Madam Jiang's tears welled up suddenly. She murmured, "The Flower Festival on the third day of the second lunar month..."
Gu Liyue nodded honestly and didn't say much.
Madam Jiang asked further, "Which year?"
"Gengwu Year."
Madam Jiang tightly grasped the hand of the old nursemaid beside her. Her tears flowed even more fiercely, and she couldn't stop sobbing.
The nursemaid stroked her chest to comfort her. "Madam, this is God's will. He has sent the young lady to your side."
Madam Jiang's sobs gradually stopped. She stared at Gu Liyue intently. After a long time, she nodded and said, "On the day of the Flower Festival in the Gengwu Year, Yue'er left early in the morning. A-Chao, do you remember? At that time, the fortune-teller said that Yue'er didn't leave but just went to another place..."
The nursemaid nodded with a smile. "Yes, Madam is right. The eldest young lady surely didn't leave. Not only didn't she leave, but now she's back, isn't she?"
Madam Jiang waved at Gu Liyue to come over. She stroked her hand and pointed at the embroidery beside. "Did you embroider this?"
Gu Liyue nodded. "Yes."
Madam Jiang stroked the cat on the embroidery and asked, "Why did you embroider this cat?"
Gu Liyue thought for a while and said, "I had a cat when I was a child. It passed away very early, and I don't remember its color and appearance anymore. On the day I entered the mansion, I saw the sister just now holding a cat, so I took a few more looks and remembered it."
Madam Jiang stared blankly at the embroidery. After a long time, she asked, "Is it you and your mother in the embroidery?"
"It's my aunt." Gu Liyue explained. "I don't have a mother. I've been dependent on my aunt. That day, Sister Tangyuan gave me a topic. I... missed my aunt and remembered the way she made clothes for me under the lamp."
"You're a filial child." Madam Jiang looked at Gu Liyue carefully. "What's your name?"
"Gu Liyue."
Madam Jiang's face changed greatly. She suddenly let go of Gu Liyue's hand and looked at her warily. "Who gave you this name?"
Gu Liyue looked up blankly and frowned. "My parents gave it to me."
"Since you were a child?"
Gu Liyue nodded.
Madam Jiang sat on the chair and looked at Xiuqiu on the couch. After taking the pills given by the doctor, Xiuqiu was much more energetic. It stretched and then lazily lay down in another direction.
Seeing that Madam Jiang didn't say anything, Nurse A-Chao smiled. "Madam, in my opinion, Miss Gu is a spiritual girl. She does excellent embroidery, and Xiuqiu is very close to her. Why don't you let her live in Xiaoyuan Courtyard? She can accompany Xiuqiu on one hand and do some embroidery for you to relieve your boredom on the other."
Madam Jiang took a deep breath and waved her hand. "No need. Let Liyue live in my courtyard."
Gu Liyue had no idea what was going on. She just stared blankly at Madam Jiang and Nurse A-Chao.
Madam Jiang thought for a while and said, "Clean up the west wing room. Move Xiuqiu there too."
Nurse A-Chao responded.
Just then, Gu Liyue's stomach growled, which startled her. She covered her stomach embarrassedly, took a step back, and smiled awkwardly at Madam Jiang and Nurse A-Chao.
Madam Jiang couldn't help laughing. "If it weren't for Liyue, I wouldn't even know it's time for dinner. Liyue, stay and have dinner with me."
Gu Liyue was very nervous. She remembered the extremely beautiful young lady she saw in the courtyard. It seemed that only someone like that was worthy of having dinner with Madam Jiang.
The dining hall was in another place. Madam Jiang sat alone at the head of the table, and the others stood beside. Nurse A-Chao led Gu Liyue and let her sit beside Madam Jiang.
Gu Liyue was very embarrassed. She whispered, "Madam, I... I come from the countryside and don't know much about the rules. How about I go back to my room later and eat something casually?"
In fact, Mrs. Feng was very meticulous, and the nurse she invited was also very particular. But she didn't expect that Gu Liyue would have dinner with Madam Jiang as soon as she came. She didn't teach her the dining etiquette in detail.
But Madam Jiang didn't care. "It doesn't matter. In front of me, you don't have to be so cautious. Just sit down."
Gu Liyue sat down nervously. Although she didn't know the rules, she was too embarrassed to act rudely. So she secretly watched how Madam Jiang did things and imitated her.
Although she looked like Dongshi imitating Xishi, after all, the servants in the mansion were well-trained, and no one showed the slightest sign of disgust.
Even so, Gu Liyue didn't enjoy this meal very much.
After the meal, a maid personally led her to the west wing room.
"Miss Gu, it's only roughly cleaned up for now. You can rest here first. In the afternoon, we maids will rearrange it properly."
Gu Liyue couldn't help being amazed. This wealthy family was so particular. Such a delicate and magnificent place was only a rough arrangement?
Moreover, Madam Jiang was very considerate. Knowing that she didn't eat well, she specially sent some dishes over so that she could eat alone in the room.