Chapter 29: Acknowledged
Su Qing felt inexplicably touched. Just now, Mother Liu gave her a letter and asked her to give it to Qing Rui. She knew that Mother Liu asked Qing Rui to take care of her. Now Gu He said these words again, which made her suddenly feel that she had spent too little time with Mother Liu. Such a family is full of true nature. If they were together longer and their feelings were cultivated deeper, it would be a support.
"What are you saying, Second Brother Gu? I would like to acknowledge Second Brother Gu as my biological brother, but I'm afraid that as an orphan I'm not worthy of him." After saying this, Su Qing went to see Mother Liu.
She suddenly had this idea. For ancient people, things like godparents and sworn brotherhood were truly lifelong things. They really treated each other as family. She wanted to try it out. If Mama Liu didn't dislike her or had the same intention, she would continue to talk. If she didn't say anything, maybe she didn't want to bother.
"Speaking of which, I have actually wanted to ask you this for a long time. I don't have a daughter. Ever since we got together, your behavior has always been to my liking. I was thinking, how about I adopt you as my goddaughter?" Mother Liu patted Su Qing's hand and said with a smile.
Mother Liu actually had her own selfish motives. Wanxiang was lucky to go to the East Palace because she had the opportunity to save her master. Even if she didn't have this opportunity, Mother Yu would definitely go with her this time. Ruchun's going there was also Guangzhu's family's plan for a long time. Only Su Qing was something no one expected.
Less than two months after arriving at the West House, the maids in the house all called her a blockhead when they talked about the newly bought maids. I have also seen her a few times. Every time she walked with her head down, close to the wall, as if she was afraid of being blown down by the wind brought by others walking. Because she always kept her head down, Mama Liu never knew what Su Qing looked like.
The first time I had a different idea about her was when I couldn't find help early in the morning, so I had to carry it to the Fourth Young Lady's yard by myself. Because Qing Rui asked Gu He to bring back a message, I must not upset the Fourth Young Lady. Although I don't have to go forward, I still have to show my filial piety. This master is a person who will settle accounts later. If you give her something or say something nice, she won't mind it at the time, but if she doesn't see you doing anything when she looks back, she will hate you.
Because of this, Mama Liu thought about it for a long time. Qingrui said that the fourth young lady was a wild creature, but she looked at the yard full of flying things, running things on the ground, and swimming things in the water. There was no need for her to deliver them. Later, it was Gu He who found the pot of golden lotus for her. Unexpectedly, it caused Young Master Lang to get sick. It was scary to think about it now.
That day, Su Qing ran towards her from a distance and helped her lift the flower pot without saying anything. Mother Liu thought she had recognized the wrong person. When had this girl ever taken the initiative like this? She was sighing in her heart at that time, thinking that God had opened her eyes and she had become smarter after being sick. Otherwise, if it was still like that, when the lady returned to the East Palace, there would not be so many people here, and Mother Yu would be the first one to sell her.
Then she went to the big kitchen and was assigned to pick some vegetables from her own yard frequently. She was very forthright and generous when talking and was a very likable girl.
What really impressed me was the idea of using the water from the Broad Spring to cook. How could she come up with such an idea, and succeed? Because I was responsible for preparing the vegetables and fish, I also received rewards from the lady and the young mistress.
The incident with the golden lotus was what made Liu's mother worry about Su Qing. Thinking about that night, Su Qing accompanied him to the small garden of the fourth young lady and found the pot of flowers in the corner. The flowers on it were almost in bloom, and there were signs that they had been plucked. At that time, both of them suspected that it might be Young Master Lang who did it. Su Qing helped him carry the flowers back, dug a hole to bury them, and washed the pot clean.
Lying in bed that night, Mama Liu thought that maybe it wasn't about the flower, but Su Qing was overthinking it, and she didn't need to be so nervous. But the next day, after Gu He secretly went to inquire about it, she sat on the bed and got scared. If they really found the flower, even if it was an unintentional mistake and even if Young Master Lang didn't do anything wrong, Madam and the eldest young mistress would not let it go easily.
At the least, she would lose her power as the manager of the inner courtyard of the West Mansion, and at the worst, her two sons and Qingrui would be implicated. You know, it is not easy for her to get to her current position without a husband and two sons, especially Qingrui, who is going to get married next spring. If she causes the displeasure of the wife of the prince because of this, and if something unexpected happens, how can she face Qingrui's dead mother?
Therefore, from then on, she treated Su Qing as her own family, bringing her home to eat delicious food from time to time, and occasionally bringing her some things that girls often use from outside. And Su Qing was also a grateful child, never coming empty-handed, and even coming to help her take care of the vegetable garden when she had time. It was said that when Gu Hai's eldest son had a birthday, he used the silver awarded by his wife at the flower banquet to make a longevity lock for the child. Although it was small and hollow, it was her real love.
Therefore, Mother Liu really wanted to adopt Su Qing as her goddaughter. On the one hand, she liked her, and on the other hand, she had a hunch that this girl would have a bright future and would definitely have a bright future.
Su Qing didn't know that Mother Liu had actually had this idea a long time ago. She thought it was just because of Gu He's words, but she was unwilling to give up this opportunity. She acknowledged Mother Liu as her godmother. From now on, whether in the East Mansion or the West Mansion, she would no longer be alone. At least those who flatter the powerful and look down on the weak would not easily attack her.
"Qing'er greets godmother." Su Qing knelt down in front of Liu Mama and was about to bow. Although Su Qing hated the ancient people's kneeling, he knew that he could not escape the custom.
Mother Liu didn't expect Su Qing to be so happy, so she quickly supported her and stopped her from kowtowing to her, "No need to do that, get up quickly, get up quickly."
Su Qing stood up, turned around, bowed to Gu He, called him "Second Brother" sweetly, and then went to call Qin's second sister-in-law.
Gu He smiled and said, "My dear sister, I was able to help you with the Golden Lotus. I have always wanted to thank you in person, but I never thought that we would become brother and sister today. Since we are so hypocritical, I will not say anything. Mother also said that you have a promising future. When you go to the East Palace, you will have your sister Qingrui inside, and me and our eldest brother outside. You don't have to worry about anything, just do your job well."
Gu He's words "our eldest brother" made Su Qing's chest swell up, a warm current filled her body, and tears flowed down. After traveling for so long, she was so lonely, so helpless, and had no direction for the future. Although she knew that today's recognition of relatives was more of a mutual benefit for both parties, so what? Isn't the relationship between people something that is developed slowly? Although it was not a long time, looking at Liu Mama's family, she knew it would be good.
Mother Liu came forward and gently wiped Su Qing's tears. "Silly child, don't cry. This is fate. We were meant to meet. From now on, you will have a mother, a brother, a sister-in-law, and a sister. Forget about the past."
As they were talking, there was a knock on the door, and soon Qin's exclamation was heard, "Sister, why are you back?"