Scholar Wen’s carriage was parked outside the Xu Family’s Courtyard. Anning tidied up and got on the carriage. Old Madam and Xu Minruo chased after them. Xu Minruo brought the freshly made, still steaming pastries to the carriage: "Great-aunt, grandfather, these are for you to eat on the road." Scholar Wen smiled and thanked Xu Minruo, while Anning waved to Old Madam: "Mother, it’s cold outside, please hurry back home." Watching the carriage getting further and further away, Xu Minruo then helped Old Madam into the house. Old Madam was not originally close to Xu Minruo. It wasn’t that Old Madam didn’t want to dote on her granddaughter, but Mrs. Feng’s actions made Old Madam disapprove, and Mrs. Feng also prevented the children in the household from approaching Old Madam, even scaring them to believe Old Madam was terrifying, causing the kids to shrink back in fear upon seeing her. Over time, Old Madam took a dislike to the children born to Mrs. Feng. But Xu Minruo has now been in the Xu family home for some days, diligently working every day, showing great filial piety to Old Madam, and respectful towards Anning, which won Old Madam’s favor due to her likable disposition. The human heart is made of flesh, and even with a stranger, long interaction breeds affection, let alone with one’s own flesh and blood granddaughter. Old Madam saw the calluses on Xu Minruo’s hands and applied a thick layer of the face cream Anning had left behind. "Daya, you’ve worked hard during this period too, but you know our family’s situation—with the old and the young, you have to work a bit more. Let’s hold on for another ten days or so; once your great-aunt sells the embroidery, we will have money," said Old Madam. "Your great-aunt mentioned, once she makes money, she’ll buy some servants, and then you’ll truly be the young miss at home, and we won’t have to work. When you’re free, learn some skills from your great-aunt. In this world, everything is nothing; only the skills you learn are truly yours." Xu Minruo nodded with a smile: "I will listen to grandma." She cheerfully fetched snacks and brewed tea for Old Madam, then humming a tune, she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Anning and Scholar Wen traveled the entire day before they finally reached Prefecture City. Prefecture City was much more bustling than the town and county, and anyone who had never been there would likely be at a loss upon arrival. Fortunately, Scholar Wen had been to Prefecture City many times and was quite familiar with it. He took Anning first to an inn to get settled and, after making sure everything was in order, sent a calling card to his good friend. Scholar Wen’s good friend was surnamed Lu, also a scholar, who had studied with Scholar Wen at the academy in Prefecture City. Their temperaments were in harmony, and they had been close friends. Communication between them had never ceased over the years. Scholar Lu’s wife was a daughter from the Huang family, and naturally, she was not Old Mrs. Huang’s legitimate daughter, but a concubine from the second branch of the Huang family. Even as a concubine, her connection to the Huang family was close. Mrs. Lu Huang had always been on good terms with Old Mrs. Huang’s legitimate eldest daughter and frequently visited the first branch of the family. She knew that Old Mrs. Huang’s big birthday was coming up and that the grandchildren were busy preparing birthday gifts, especially Old Mrs. Huang’s eldest son, Huang Zhongren, who had been searching for gifts but had not found anything satisfactory. He wanted to find a special gift that the elderly would like, but unfortunately, Old Mrs. Huang had lived a life of luxury and had seen all kinds of fine things. Finding something that would catch her eye was not easy. Huang Zhongren was now anxious and troubled about this matter. Mrs. Lu Huang also wanted to find a suitable birthday gift for her brother and had been inquiring around. Coincidentally receiving the calling card today, Mrs. Lu Huang went to find Scholar Lu: "A card from Scholar Wen." Scholar Lu took it and looked it over, then turned to Mrs. Lu Huang: "Brother Wen will visit tomorrow. He loves fish the most, so have someone find two good fish, and since he’s bringing his daughter, you stay at home and entertain the lady guest for me." Mrs. Lu Huang smiled: "Sure, I remember Scholar Wen’s daughter is already married. Is there something special about this visit?" Scholar Lu said, "She did marry, but sadly her fate is bitter. After her marriage, she and her husband were affectionate, and her husband was also extremely talented. Within a few years of getting married, they had twins, a boy and a girl, seemingly about to enjoy their life. However, during her husband’s journey to the exams, he encountered robbers and ended up sacrificing his own life to save a fellow student." Mrs. Lu Huang was actually unaware of this. Upon hearing this, she was shocked: "Is there really such an unfortunate event? This child truly has a tough fate." Scholar Lu continued, "The child is skilled in embroidery. This time she has embroidered an image of Guanyin. Her family is currently facing hardships, so she is thinking of selling it in Prefecture City. Brother Wen wishes for us to help see if anyone would like to purchase it..." Upon hearing that it was an image of Guanyin, Mrs. Lu Huang had an idea: "Let her bring it so that we can take a look. If it’s of quality, why don’t we buy it to use as a birthday gift? I too am lacking a birthday gift." This was exactly Scholar Lu’s intention: "The two of us think alike. I only fear Brother Wen might overthink." Mrs. Lu Huang smiled and said, "When the time comes, I will talk in detail with Mrs. Wen." Scholar Lu found this fitting and nodded in agreement, then discussed the matter further with Mrs. Lu Huang before sending a reply to Scholar Wen. On the morning of this day, Anning took her embroidered work and followed Scholar Wen to the Lu Family. Scholar Lu had already tidied up and was waiting for them. These good friends, having not seen each other for over a year, naturally had endless topics to discuss once they met. Mrs. Lu Huang warmly invited Anning into the house for a conversation. She found Anning’s appearance refined and graceful, her demeanor generous and even, yet she also carried a gentle manner about her, which instilled fondness in Mrs. Lu Huang. "Now that you’re here, you should stay for more days. In the future, when you come to Prefecture City, just stay at our home. Even your father, having been a close friend of our master for many years, is too courteous, always insisting on staying in an inn each visit. The inn cannot compare to the comfort of a home, inconvenient in all aspects." Anning smiled and replied, "Aunt, your kind offer should not be rejected. However, my father always dislikes troubling others. Moreover, our sudden stay would only tire you with arranging accommodations. If it were a longer stay, it would be another matter, but for just a few days before returning, it truly isn’t worth the inconvenience. Staying in an inn is simpler." "You are truly a considerate child." Mrs. Lu Huang held onto Anning’s hand, not wishing to let go: "No wonder your father keeps you so hidden, hardly ever bringing you out. This is my first time seeing you now that you’ve grown up, and just seeing you this once makes me adore you." She said this while slipping a bracelet onto Anning’s wrist: "This is a meeting gift from your aunt. Take it." Anning stood up to thank her: "A gift from an elder should not be declined. I shall accept it without shame." Anning talked with Mrs. Lu Huang for a while before finally taking out the embroidered image of Guanyin. Chapters first released on novel·fiɾe·net As the embroidery was unfolded, a beam of golden light appeared, startling Mrs. Lu Huang. Then, she focused intently on the embroidery, and was amazed to see, like never before. She considered herself to be quite knowledgeable, often followed her legitimate mother in her maiden home to socialize, and had seen many exquisite embroideries. However, she had never seen one Guanyin image. In the embroidery, Guanyin seemed to come to life, as if looking at her with a compassionate gaze. This made Mrs. Lu Huang involuntarily clasp her hands and silently recite a passage of scripture. She took a few steps and looked at the embroidery again, Guanyin’s gaze still upon her. Mrs. Lu Huang startled, moved to another position, and yet saw the same compassionate gaze from Guanyin. Anning smiled and said, "It’s a special technique I’ve developed. No matter where aunt stands, it appears as if being watched over by the Bodhisattva." Mrs. Lu Huang nodded, and upon a closer look, she noticed that the Guanyin in the image and her lotus pedestal were glowing, lending even more sanctity to the entire figure. "This, this image is too marvelous." Mrs. Lu Huang dared not touch it, hurrying Anning to put it away: "I will have someone send a message to my elder sister-in-law. My elder brother is currently seeking a birthday gift, and if he gets this embroidery, I fear he won’t appreciate anything else."