ebookland What did I see in Chapter 118?
What did I see in Chapter 118?
Inside the food box, several pieces of golden osmanthus cake were neatly arranged, their color enticing and their fragrance wafting through the air. Su Muya's gaze fell on the osmanthus cake, but after just one glance, she quickly turned her head away, her eyes reddening, and tears silently streamed down her face again. Her thin shoulders trembled slightly, as if she were trying her best to suppress the grief in her heart.
Seeing this, Su Daya felt a pang of heartache. She reached out and stroked Su Muya's hair, saying softly, "Muya, eat if you want, don't be sad..." Her voice trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes. She understood that Su Muya was thinking of Hongmei, and of the osmanthus cake that Hongmei had made by hand.
Su Daya put the osmanthus cake back into the food box, gently closed the lid, and set it aside. She didn't want to force Su Muya to eat; she just wanted to make Su Muya feel better.
Old Madam Lin stood quietly by the bedside, observing everything. She walked to the table, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and examined it carefully. The osmanthus cake was small and delicate, adorned with a few dried osmanthus flowers, emitting a faint fragrance. She gently sniffed it, and a familiar osmanthus scent filled her heart. This fragrance was exactly the same as the osmanthus cake made by Hongmei.
Madam Lin put the osmanthus cake back where it was, her suspicions deepening. She called over the maid who had delivered the cake and asked in a calm tone, "Who made this osmanthus cake?"
The maidservant replied respectfully, "Reporting to the old lady, it was made by Chef Zhang from the kitchen."
Madam Lin then asked, "Is the process and ingredients for making this osmanthus cake the same as usual?" As she asked, she carefully observed the maid's expression.
The maidservant thought for a moment and replied, "Madam, the ingredients and preparation are the same as usual, but... the osmanthus flowers seem to be more fragrant than usual today." The maidservant lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Madam Lin.
Madam Lin waved her hand, signaling the maid to leave. The maid curtsied and turned to leave the room.
Madam Lin turned and returned to the bedside, quietly watching Su Muya. Su Muya noticed Madam Lin's gaze, her body trembling slightly. She buried her head in the blankets and began to sob softly. The blankets rose and fell slightly, revealing her emotional turmoil.
Old Madam Lin's gaze was deep, as if she could see through Su Muya's thoughts. The room was silent, except for Su Muya's intermittent sobs and the pattering rain outside the window.
Su Daya hugged Su Muya with heartache, gently patted her back, and whispered to comfort her, "Muya, don't cry, everything will be alright..." Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if she wanted to give Su Muya strength.
Looking at the scene before her, Old Madam Lin was filled with mixed emotions. She felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. Hongmei's death, Su Muya's "poisoning," and this osmanthus cake all seemed to conceal some secret. She decided that she must find out the truth and give Hongmei an explanation, as well as the Lin family an explanation.
“Muya…” Old Madam Lin spoke softly.
"Why are you crying?" Old Madam Lin's tone remained calm, but her sharp gaze swept across Su Muya's face. Su Muya flinched, and tears flowed even more fiercely, wetting her cheeks and the stray hairs at her temples.
Su Muya sniffed, trying to speak, but she couldn't utter a sound because she was crying so hard. She wiped her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand and said intermittently, "I...I'm scared..." "Muya..." Old Madam Lin called softly again, her voice tinged with difficulty.
Old Madam Lin remained silent, simply watching Su Muya and waiting for her to continue. The room was quiet, save for Su Muya's sobs and the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. The setting sun seemed to sense her worry. She reached out and gently placed her hand on the blanket covering Su Muya.
Su Muya's body trembled slightly, but she didn't get out of bed. Her sobs gradually subsided, turning into suppressed whimpers. The light in the room gradually dimmed.
Su Daya stood to the side, watching Su Muya cry so heartbrokenly, and her heart ached as well. She sighed softly and took a handkerchief from her sleeve.
Su Daya grasped Su Muya's hand, feeling its coldness and trembling. She looked up at Old Madam Lin, her eyes filled with worry and inquiry. She handed the handkerchief to Su Muya. Su Muya took the handkerchief, covered her face, and continued to sob softly.
"What are you afraid of?" Old Madam Lin finally spoke, her voice low and firm. She reached for the food box on the table, opened the lid, and a rich fragrance of osmanthus wafted out.
Madam Lin withdrew her hand from the quilt and sat down on a chair beside the bed. She sighed softly and said, "Muya, I know you're sad, but you must take care of yourself. I will thoroughly investigate Hongmei's matter and make sure it spreads again. This osmanthus cake is your favorite."
Hearing Old Madam Lin mention osmanthus cake, Su Muya trembled again. She buried her face in her handkerchief and cried even harder. Old Madam Lin looked at Su Muya, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "She'll give you an explanation."
Su Muya remained silent, her trembling intensifying. The rain continued to fall outside, the raindrops tapping against the windowpane, seemingly whispering tales of endless sorrow. Inside, the candlelight flickered gently. He closed the food box again, placed it on the table, then sat down on the edge of the bed and gently patted Su Muya's shoulder.
"Tell Grandmother what happened?" Old Madam Lin's tone softened slightly, but it still carried an undeniable air of authority.
Su Muya raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears as she looked at Lin, reflecting the different expressions of the three women. Su Daya's worry, Old Madam Lin's solemn expression, and Su Muya's sorrow hidden under the covers intertwined to create a somber scene.
Old Madam Lin looked at Su Muya, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She thought of Hongmei, the old lady. She opened her mouth, as if wanting to say something, but hesitated. She looked at Su Daya, then at Old Madam Lin, and finally lowered her head, whispering, "I...I saw it..."
"What did you see?" Old Madam Lin asked urgently.
Su Muya's maid, who had served her since childhood, was clever, quick-witted, and utterly loyal. Her sudden passing is truly regrettable.
“Muya,” Madam Lin spoke again, her tone even gentler, “I know you and Hongmei were like sisters, and her departure must have been a great blow to you.” But she took a breath, seemingly trying to calm herself. She gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly, her knuckles turning white.
She recounted what she had seen in the garden that day in broken sentences, her voice trembling and her words incoherent.