Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 145 - 104 Kind Old Lady_3

Chapter 145: Chapter 104 Kind Old Lady_3

"Miss—"

The young girl hopped off the carriage excitedly and was about to call out as she entered the courtyard but saw a woman wearing a mask beside Jiang Shouzhong, and she quickly closed her mouth.

"Where is Qingchen?" Jiang Shouzhong asked.

Jinxiu did not answer, her large, round eyes suspiciously fixating on Xiahe.

Jiang Shouzhong said, "She is Miss Xiahe from Silver Moon Tower, specially here to protect me. She knows about my relationship with Ran Qingchen. Eh, for some reasons, she needs to stay close to me at all times."

Jinxiu’s head was somewhat muddled, and she dared not decide on her own for the moment.

Xiahe took out a token and tossed it to Jinxiu, "When you arrive at the Ran Family’s residence, give this to Old Madam Ran, and she will naturally let me enter."

"Oh."

The usually quirky Jinxiu was somewhat intimidated by Xiahe’s cool aura and absentmindedly let the two in the carriage.

During the ride, through a conversation, Jiang Shouzhong learned that Ran Qingchen was temporarily unable to leave due to some official business, so she had arranged for Jinxiu to receive Jiang Shouzhong first, and she would follow shortly.

Upon reaching the Ran Family’s residence, Jinxiu took the token to announce their arrival.

In no time, the little maid came running back and said to the two, "Son-in-law, Miss Xiahe, Old Madam Ran invites you."

They really were allowed to enter... Jiang Shouzhong glanced at Xiahe beside him.

Xiahe, composed and serene, stepped into the Ran Family’s residence.

After taking a few steps, she slowed down and waited for Jiang Shouzhong to walk ahead before following.

Old Madam Ran resided in a modest cabin in the north courtyard of the Ran Family’s residence. The furniture all around was simple and rustic, permeated with a sense of age and stability. The bed was laid with fine straw mats, and the bedding was plain, without excessive adornments, hardly distinguished from the homes of ordinary people.

When Jiang Shouzhong and Xiahe were ushered into the room, the old madam, who held a reputation within both the Ran Family and the Dazhou dynasty, was just as an ordinary woman sewing shoes under the lamp light.

Despite being over sixty years old, her fingers deftly maneuvered the needle and thread through folds of fabric, evidently a habitual task.

"Old Madam, the son-in-law and Miss Xiahe have arrived," Jinxiu said softly.

Old Madam Ran looked up and smiled at the two, "Come, have a seat first."

Jiang Shouzhong and Xiahe sat on stools.

The previously domineering Xiahe, once inside the room, unconsciously reined in her lofty demeanor, appearing especially well-behaved and constrained, as if she had transformed into another person.

It was no wonder she was nervous; the elderly woman before them was none other than the only granddaughter of King Wu You of the Dazhou dynasty, Commandery Princess Ming Wan.

Even members of the royal family had to show her a degree of respect.

Jinxiu offered tea and stood by respectfully.

Old Madam Ran did not speak and diligently continued with her task.

Jiang Shouzhong and Xiahe could only sit obediently.

After a long while, the old madam gently bit off the thread end and smoothed the shoes with her calloused hands. She then picked up a wooden mallet and tapped repeatedly until the sole was flat and seamlessly joined with the shoe upper. Only then did she hand a pair of completed shoes to Jiang Shouzhong, her voice tender, "Try these on the girl. They should fit."

Jiang Shouzhong was taken aback and prepared to pass the shoes to Xiahe.

However, the old madam slapped a half-finished sole on the young man’s arm, slightly displeased, "How could you let the young lady try them on herself? Go, help her see if they fit."

Uh?

Jiang Shouzhong’s face filled with question marks.

Xiahe swiftly stood up, her pretty face flushing as she waved her hands repeatedly, stammering, "No... there’s no need, Old Madam, I... have shoes, you... you don’t need to make them for me."

"Sit down!"

Old Madam Ran firmed her face.

Xiahe obediently sat down, somewhat regretting coming along.

If only she had listened to Jiang Shouzhong.

The old madam smiled and softly said to Jiang Shouzhong, "Go ahead, be considerate to the young lady."

"Old Madam, I think you’ve misunderstood, I..."

"Go!"

"All right."