Chapter 168: A Poem for a Woman, A Lifetime Promise
The seven-character quatrain was a masterpiece, its imagery beautiful and evocative. It painted a portrait of a loyal and selfless woman, dedicated to her family, tirelessly caring for them, her unwavering devotion evident in every line.
Even in the face of doubt and loneliness, she never complained, always wearing a gentle smile as she watched her only daughter grow.
And finally, when spring arrived, she found her own peace and happiness.
…
The Ninth Elder was lost in thought, her eyes misty.
The exquisite calligraphy and the poignant words combined to create a powerful emotional impact, a warm current flowing through her heart.
After a long silence, she couldn’t help but touch the paper, her fingers tracing the delicate brushstrokes. “Tianlu, you said that this woman… finally found her own happiness?”
“Indeed.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and nodded. “Such a kind and selfless woman deserves a happy ending.”
The Ninth Elder snapped out of her reverie, a smile appearing on her lips. “Tianlu, was this poem inspired by someone specific?”
“I was simply moved by your story, Martial Aunt. Please forgive me if I overstepped any boundaries.”
“No, I wouldn’t blame you.”
She looked at the poem again, her heart filled with awe and admiration.
For a moment, she had been completely lost in its beauty.
The poem resonated with her deeply, even lifting the burden of sorrow and loneliness from her heart. She felt a warmth spreading through her, a sense of peace and clarity. Her dormant cultivation even stirred, as if she had received guidance from a master.
To achieve such an effect with mere words was truly extraordinary!
Perhaps this simple poem wasn’t a timeless masterpiece, but its sincerity and emotional depth touched her soul. It was a treasure to her.
“It’s truly… beautiful.”
The more she read it, the more she appreciated its subtle nuances and profound meaning.
The Ninth Elder sighed inwardly.
“Tianlu, your talent is truly humbling.”
She couldn’t find any flaws in the poem, nor could she offer any suggestions for improvement. His talent far surpassed her own.
“It was just a spontaneous creation.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “And it was inspired by your story, Martial Aunt. If it resonated with you, it’s because of your own experiences.”
The Ninth Elder just shook her head with a smile.
Although she rarely interacted with the outside world, she knew the standards of scholars and poets.
This young man’s literary talent was truly exceptional.
“With such talent, Tianlu, why haven’t you pursued a career in the imperial court?”
“I prefer a simple and peaceful life. I’m not interested in the power struggles of the court.” Lin Tianlu shook his head. “To me, poetry, literature, and history are for self-cultivation, not for fame and fortune. As long as I can live an honest and fulfilling life, I have no regrets.”
The Ninth Elder was surprised.
But she nodded approvingly.
Perhaps it was his peaceful and unambitious nature that allowed him to create such beautiful poetry.
“But—”
She smiled gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Showing a woman a poem filled with such emotion… it’s a bit forward. If she misunderstands your intentions, it might stir her heart.”
Lin Tianlu was startled.
Then his face flushed with embarrassment.
Seeing his reaction, the Ninth Elder chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I was just teasing. Just be careful in the future, Tianlu. Don’t be so careless with your words. It might cause misunderstandings.”
“Thank you for the advice, Martial Aunt.”
“There’s no need to thank me. After all, I was the one who brought it up.”
She picked up the paper, her gaze lingering on the poem. “You wrote such a beautiful poem, inspired by me. I should be the one thanking you. But this poem…”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “If you like it, Martial Aunt, please keep it.”
The Ninth Elder smiled brightly, her heart filled with joy.
Creak
The sound of a door opening suddenly broke the silence.
She quickly put away the poem and turned to see Mao Ruoyu and Hua Shuya emerging from the bedroom.
“Master!”
Mao Ruoyu smiled brightly and rushed over to embrace her.
“My dear child.” The Ninth Elder smiled indulgently and patted her head.
“Senior…”
Hua Shuya walked into the pavilion.
Seeing her rosy cheeks and healthy glow, Lin Tianlu whispered, “Did you sleep well last night?”
“This place is so peaceful, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. I slept very well.” Hua Shuya touched her forehead. “Madam seems to be doing much better today. She’s back to her usual self.”
As Hua Shuya said, Mao Ruoyu seemed to have fully recovered.
Clearly, the Ninth Elder’s treatment had been effective.
“Thank you for your help, Shuya.”
Lin Tianlu patted her head gently. “I hope Madam didn’t cause you any trouble last night.”
“She fell asleep early, and she was very quiet.”
Hua Shuya blushed. “It was no trouble at all.”
But as they were getting ready for bed, she had seen Madam Mao’s alluring figure…
“Master, what were you and… Sir talking about this morning?”
Mao Ruoyu released the Ninth Elder from her embrace and looked at the stone table curiously, a hint of worry in her eyes.
She was afraid that her master had said something unpleasant to Lin Tianlu.
Even though her master was gentle and kind, she might still—
“What kind of person do you think I am?”
The Ninth Elder chuckled and tapped her nose playfully. “We were just having a private conversation, discussing some matters related to the marriage.”
“M-marriage?!”
Mao Ruoyu’s eyes widened, her face flushing crimson.
“There’s no need to be so surprised. You two are already intimate. It’s only natural for you to get married.” The Ninth Elder gently took her hands and turned to look at Lin Tianlu, a warm smile on her face. “Besides, I’m quite satisfied with this son-in-law. He’s a fine young man.
We’ll choose an auspicious date and hold a simple ceremony. Then you two can officially be husband and wife.”
Mao Ruoyu’s heart fluttered with joy and embarrassment. She lowered her head, her face burning.
Lin Tianlu said seriously, “Thank you, Martial Aunt—”
“Still so formal?” The Ninth Elder’s eyes twinkled.
“Ahem… I’ll take good care of Ruoyu.”
The Ninth Elder nodded with satisfaction. “Alright, since you’re all awake now, I’ll go prepare breakfast.”
“Should I help—”
“I’ll take care of it.”
She smiled mysteriously. “I taught Ruoyu everything she knows about cooking. Now it’s my turn to show you my skills.”
Leave a Reply to Doom Bloom Cancel reply