Thinking through this point, Minglan became even sadder and looked at Old Madam Sheng with her tearful eyes. Her face full of wrinkles was as calm as rock. She quietly articulated, "Remember—You don't have uncles or brothers but a cruel legal mother and outstanding sisters. You have to let it go if you want a comfortable life."

Minglan never heard Old Madam saying something like this and choked on her words, stunned.

At this time, Fang Mama came in with a basin of hot water and carefully moistened a towel before wringing the water out. Old Madam Sheng took over the warm towel and helped clean Minglan's face with great care. Her move was gentle and loving but her tone was surprisingly icy, "If you're Madam's own child, how would you need to bear with others? You would just lead a patronizing life. If you're Concubine Lin's birth child, others wouldn't dare to mess with you. If you have brothers, you could depend on them...Except for me, an old woman who has few days left, what else do you have? But for being calculative, you have to succumb to others' bully and stoop down all the time. Are you willing to live like this?"

Minglan, whose mind was in chaos, wasn't able to speak out a word. Old Madam Sheng handed the towel back to Fang Mama and took over a white jade box, picking pearl power and almond oil to apply to Minglan's soft tiny face. Attentively polishing the face which got much skinnier, Old Madam felt sorry for the granddaughter and said slowly, "Don't judging yourself for being calculative as long as you don't intend to hurt others. This time, except for those girls, no one is hurt. It's already a good result."

Fang Mama stood by and looked at Minglan. With pity in her eyes, she told Minglan in a gentle voice, "Listen to your grandma, my young lady. She wishes best for you. You must learn to be clever, figuring out how to discipline servants in the future....You may read the left chapter on Flying Lines (click the link below) :D