Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 429 Three Agreements in the Bridal Chamber

In the bridal chamber.

Daiyu, dressed in a bright red phoenix coronet and wedding gown, with a veil over her head, sat properly on the bed. Madam Liang, Jiaoxing, the concubine of Prince Yanping, Madam Shao, and others accompanied her inside, chattering idly.

Suddenly, a young maidservant approached and whispered a few words to Jiao Xing. Jiao Xing was startled, then exclaimed in annoyance and got up to go outside. There was a side gate next to the rear building of the west courtyard, leading directly to the back garden.

The maid helped Jiao Xing through the side gate, and in the distance, they saw Xiang Ling standing gracefully beside the bamboo grove.

Jiao Xing, her mind in turmoil, gave a brief instruction to her maid and went to greet her alone. Soon, the two were together, and Xiang Ling quickly curtsied to Jiao Xing, saying, "Greetings, Madam Zhen."

Just as he bowed, Jiao Xing helped him up.

"Good child, get up quickly."

Jiao Xing, now surnamed Zhen, was originally a maidservant of Zhen Fengshi. Later, she caught the eye of Jia Yucun and became his concubine before being elevated to the position of principal wife after the latter's death. Now, with a son by her side and the imperial court bestowing upon her an imperial decree, she is a dignified second-rank lady, no longer the lowly maidservant she once was.

Xiangling rose timidly, and her delicate eyes scanned her closely, immediately noticing the beauty mark between Xiangling's eyebrows. The sight stirred a flood of emotions within her.

After a while, Jiao Xing smiled and said, "Back then, my sister and brother-in-law spent all their wealth to find you. Who knew that their family would suffer another unexpected disaster and my brother-in-law would disappear without a trace? So my sister took me to Fengjia Village in Ruzhou to stay."

It is a joyous occasion that my lord has been promoted to Prefect of Jinling, just in time for your case. Because he fears criticism from the court, he is reluctant to acknowledge you, but he showed some leniency during the trial. Afterwards, I specifically sent someone to the Xue family to inform them of your mother's whereabouts, but to my surprise, the Xue family dismissed their servants and the entire family went to the capital.

Later, when I learned that you had ended up with Chen Hanlin, the master also said that Chen Hanlin was no ordinary person, so I didn't go over to disturb you.

Years have passed, I wonder how you are doing now?

Jiao Xing's words were half true and half false, but Xiang Ling had no choice but to accept them. She curtsied again and said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Madam, and thank you for your care back then. Everything is going well for me now with my master. A few years ago, my master even specially arranged for someone to take me to Ruzhou to see my mother. It's just that my mother has been unwilling to come north these past two years, otherwise I might have been able to meet with you, Madam."

Jiaoxing smiled and said, "That's good. You should follow Chen Hanlin well. If you have many children in the future, you might have a bright future."

Xiangling agreed to everything, and their conversation, though polite, was tinged with distance. Xiangling wasn't stupid; so what if Jiaoxing came from her family as a maid? Today, Jiaoxing was a noble lady of high rank, while at the height of her family's power, her father was merely a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations. How could they compare to Jiaoxing's illustrious status?

It's already a miracle that Jiao Xing gets to see him even once and exchange a few words. If it were someone who despised his previous misfortune, she probably wouldn't even see him once. This isn't an isolated case; it's just how the world is.

After exchanging a few words, Jiao Xing took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Xiang Ling's wrist, saying it was a gift for their first meeting. Afterwards, she bid farewell to Xiang Ling and led her maid back to the front.

As soon as Jiao Xing left, Wu'er came over with a smile and teased, "So it turns out that you and the Grand Marshal's wife have a past relationship."

Xiangling smiled and shook her head, never harboring any hope of marrying Jiaoxing. Just then, a servant came to say that there weren't enough dishes in the kitchen, so Xiangling hurriedly went to the central courtyard to get some more, and then busied herself tending to the kitchen. Immediately afterward, Wu Jun's wife arrived shouting: "It's incredible! The lady of the western courtyard has received an imperial decree and has been granted the title of Ruren!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiangling and Wu'er exclaimed in surprise.

It followed the Ming system, but with slight differences. Although the regular salaries of officials in the Great Shun Dynasty were not high, officials in the capital received ice and charcoal allowances, while local officials received allowances to maintain integrity.

The imperial consorts received annual stipends according to their rank—generally between 30% and 50% of the regular salary of officials of the same rank. In addition, they were exempted from taxes on land and labor service, which amounted to between 30% and 40% of the salary of regular officials.

Therefore, when the imperial court bestowed titles or gifts upon officials' wives and mothers, it was tantamount to a disguised salary increase, which could be described as both a substantial benefit and a matter of prestige.

It was certainly a joyous occasion for Daiyu to receive an imperial title. However, the second young lady, Yingchun, was still a commoner, while Daiyu, who had entered the family later, had received such a title. This... it just felt awkward no matter how you looked at it.

The servants dared not speak, so Wu'er pulled Xiangling aside and said, "Sister, if Madam Zhongluyuan finds out, I'm afraid she'll be unhappy, won't she?"

Xiangling said, "Second Miss isn't the type to be jealous. Besides, Madam Lin only received this favor because of Salt Commissioner Lin. Second Miss is a reasonable person, so even if she knew, she wouldn't say anything."

Wu'er thought about it and realized it made sense, so she stopped caring.

After they finished their work, Madam Liang, the concubine, Jiao Xing, and the others had already taken their leave. Xiang Ling and Wu'er went to check on Daiyu in the main room of the west courtyard, but were then shooed out by Yuan Yang with a laugh.

Leaving aside Xiangling and Wu'er leaving with their laughter, let's talk about what happened next. No sooner had Yuanyang closed the door than Xueyan approached the bedside with a smile and said, "Madam, the matchmaker and all the ladies have left. Why don't you lift your veil and get some fresh air?"

If it were the Second Miss, she would have sat upright with her veil covering her face, only relaxing when Chen Siyuan lifted it. But Daiyu was not like that. Upon hearing this, she lifted her veil herself, her little face furrowed in distress, and said, "They're all gone now. It was so suffocating."

Zijuan smiled and quickly brought over a cup of warm tea, saying, "Is Madam thirsty? Why don't you have a cup of tea first?"

Daiyu took the cup, drank half of it, and then put it down. With a pained expression, she said, "Now look what's happened. I don't know how I'm going to explain this to my second sister."

Yuanyang said, "This is the Emperor's will, not Madam's own intention. Besides, the Second Miss is a reasonable person and I don't think she would find fault with Madam."

“That’s true,” Daiyu agreed without thinking further. She then beckoned Zijuan and Yuanyang to her side and instructed them, “You two quickly bring over the dowry list, especially the book list.”

Xueyan asked in surprise, "Miss, you're going to settle the accounts now?"

Daiyu, however, said seriously, "From now on, we'll be living our own lives behind closed doors. How can we not be frugal?"

Ou Guan asked, puzzled, "Isn't there a son-in-law too?"

Daiyu snorted and said, "Whether he gives it to us or not, we still have to live a good life."

Several maids covered their mouths and laughed. Who didn't know that the third-ranked scholar was usually very generous? Besides, he already had the reputation of being a modern-day Tao Zhu (a legendary wealthy merchant), so how could he not have some treats from the West Courtyard in the future?
But since Daiyu had said so, they couldn't refute her, so they followed her wishes and brought over the dowry list and book catalog together.

Daiyu glanced at the dowry list and put it aside, then picked up the book list and examined it carefully.

Zijuan stepped forward again and gestured, saying, "Madam, these volumes have all been copied."

Xueyan then said, "Madam, are you really planning to sell them? These books were left behind by Master after all..."

Without looking up, Daiyu said, "Books are inanimate, but people are alive. No matter how ancient or rare a book is, it can't be eaten or used. Besides, if we copy it down, we'll have a copy. Wouldn't it be better to pass the original down to someone who is destined to have it?"

It was nearly sunset when a knock on the door startled the servants inside. Yuanyang went to inquire and learned it was Qingwen, at which point they all breathed a sigh of relief.

With a creak, the door opened halfway, and before Yuanyang could speak, Qingwen, taking advantage of her petite figure, slipped inside.

She then approached Daiyu in a moment and said with a smile, "Greetings, Madam."

Daiyu was already familiar with Qingwen, so she pouted and scolded her, "What a nuisance!"

Qingwen chuckled and quickly said, "First come, first served. I'll take one of the side rooms on the east side. The two rooms on the west side can fit three people if we squeeze in. However, the back building is empty. I think Sister Yuanyang and Ouguan should move there."

Before Daiyu could say anything, Yuanyang had already come over and grabbed Qingwen by the neck, laughing and scolding, "You little hussy, how dare you take advantage of your proximity to the water!"

Qingwen wasn't afraid of her, and just laughed and said, "Who told you to be a step late, sister?"

Regardless of whether it was a side room or a rear building, it was only a few steps to the left or right, and since it was just a few maids playing around, it was over.

Qingwen went to help out at the front, but she had only gone out a short while before she turned back to report: "Master is coming this way!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servants inside hurriedly gathered up the account books, dowry list, and book catalog, and then helped Daiyu sit properly. Only Xueyan and Zijuan remained inside, while Ouguan and Yuanyang quickly slipped out the door, waiting for Chen Siyuan to arrive.

............................................................

The main building of the courtyard in the middle.

Xiangling, Qingwen, Wu'er, and others all went to help out at the west courtyard, leaving only Xiuju to guard the Second Miss. Yingchun lay reclining on the bed, gently waving a round fan, her starry eyes half-closed. She appeared languid and relaxed, but her heart was in turmoil.

No matter how magnanimous or reasonable she was, the Second Miss couldn't help but feel jealous when she heard that Lin Daiyu would be granted an imperial title on her wedding day.

Furthermore, this residence, though divided into three sections, was originally part of the General's Mansion, which was connected in one place. The servants of the entire household inevitably moved around, and it's easy to hear some strange rumors.

Furthermore, with the Emperor backing Daiyu up, would her husband favor the West Courtyard more? All sorts of complicated thoughts lingered in her mind, causing the frustrated Second Miss to sigh.

Just then, they heard footsteps approaching, and Xiuju from the next room immediately got up and greeted her, "Aunt Xing, Madam is resting."

Xing Xiuyan agreed and stepped inside.

He glanced around and then smiled, "It's already night, why hasn't Madam lit the lamps yet?"

Yingchun lazily straightened her posture and smiled, "Since I don't have anything else to do today, I'll just laze around for a while... How is everything at the West Wing Courtyard?"

"Most of the guests have left, and the master's classmates are busy answering questions. With Li Cai looking after them, nothing will go wrong."

Yingchun shifted her position, tapping her fan beside her. Xing Xiuyan then smiled and sat down closer, asking, "Did you experience morning sickness this afternoon?"

Yingchun said, "The food today is light, so I'm feeling alright right now."

Xing Xiuyan smiled and asked, "Is Madam feeling uneasy?"

The second young lady didn't hide anything from her opponent, Pajiao, and nodded shyly.

Xing Xiuyan then said, "Madam knows the reasoning herself, so I don't need to go on and on. If you ask me, this time it's all the Emperor's fault."

"Huh?" the second young lady asked in surprise, "You can blame it on the saint?"

Xing Xiuyan glanced at the second young lady in surprise and said, "What you're saying, Madam, would not have upset you if it weren't for the Emperor's decree. Since you've made an exception and bestowed this favor, why not also confer Madam's title? I think the Emperor is just petty."

The second young lady was inwardly shocked, but then she realized that there were no outsiders present, and such words would not get out. So she burst out laughing, covering her mouth. For some reason, Xing Xiuyan's interruption immediately improved the second young lady's mood.

After laughing it off, the second young lady felt grateful and couldn't help but take Xing Xiuyan's hand and say, "Good sister, thank you for comforting me."

Xing Xiuyan said, half-jokingly, "From now on, I'll be begging for food from Madam, so I'll have to find ways to please her."

The second young lady laughed so hard she almost fell over, but she didn't believe it at all. Given how close Chen Siyuan was to Xing Xiuyan, probably even closer than herself, why would he need to deliberately try to please her?

Yingchun stopped her random thoughts and listened to Xing Xiuyan for a long time. The two chatted away, and she became more and more cheerful.

............................................................

With a creak, before Chen Siyuan could enter, Wei Zhao said loudly, "Shuliang, stop pretending. Last time it was wine diluted with water, this time it's practically wine mixed with water. How can you possibly get drunk?"

Chen Siyuan laughed heartily, cupped his hands towards Wei Zhaogao and Jiang Yuanqian, and said, "I will be grateful if you two can help answer the questions of the guests. I will repay you handsomely in the future."

After exchanging a few jokes and laughter, the two of them continued on their way.

Chen Siyuan then turned and went inside, whereupon Xueyan and Zijuan shyly stepped forward to greet him: "Greetings, son-in-law."

Daiyu was not yet of marriageable age, and according to their previous agreement, due to her frail health, it was not advisable to share a room with the emperor for the time being. Therefore, the task of sharing a room with her naturally fell to the maids who served her. Chen Siyuan smiled and nodded, then strode over, picked up the wedding scales, and lifted Daiyu's veil. He saw that pretty face, capable of both anger and joy, gazing at him with a pool of autumn water.

Chen Siyuan's heart skipped a beat. Truly, it was as if: "I foolishly believe autumn waters are her spirit, and I insist pear blossoms are her essence. The azure moon serves as her bright eyes, and light smoke is cut into her silk skirt. No need for delicate or bold embellishment, it is a masterpiece of inner beauty."

He was momentarily lost in thought. Daiyu waited a moment, then suddenly chuckled, covering her mouth and scolding, "Silly boy, why are you still acting like a fool?"

Chen Siyuan snapped out of his reverie, realizing that since he was with Lin Daiyu and it wasn't appropriate to engage in marital relations, he couldn't follow the usual path. His expression hardened, and he pointed at Daiyu, saying, "Well, well, you must have secretly lifted your veil and been eating and drinking all that time!"

Daiyu's expression changed, and she said, "Where is it?"

"Still saying you don't have any? You still have wedding cake stuck to your lips!"

Daiyu subconsciously raised her hand to wipe it, then immediately realized that she had only drunk half a cup of tea at that time, so how could she have eaten or used wedding cakes?
Just as she was about to scold him, Xueyan hurriedly brought over a ladle and said, "Miss and son-in-law, it's time to drink the nuptial wine."

Chen Siyuan smiled and took the ladleful, drank half of it, and then handed it back. Daiyu gave a soft hum and took the ladleful, drinking the rest in one gulp.

Before Chen Siyuan could say anything, Daiyu had already stood up and said, "Quickly help me change my clothes, this outfit is making my neck ache."

Chen Siyuan laughed heartily, stretched out his arms, and let Xueyan help him change his clothes.

A short while later, the young couple, dressed only in their undergarments, sat down at the table. Perhaps still angry that Chen Siyuan had tricked her earlier, Daiyu remained silent and continued eating with swift, rapid movements.

Chen Siyuan didn't respond and started eating whatever he liked.

After a short while, the two of them stopped eating. The maid came in to clear the table and then helped them wash and dress.

After Chen Siyuan finished washing up, he turned around and saw Daiyu hugging her quilt and pouting, saying, "It's late, husband... husband, you should rest. If you can't sleep, just go and find Xueyan and Zijuan."

Chen Siyuan pretended to frown and said, "Nonsense, on the night of the wedding, how could I leave my sister behind and go somewhere else? I'll rest here tonight."

Zijuan, confused, hurriedly stepped forward with a stern face and said, "Young Master, earlier the Old Madam was..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Siyuan waved his hand to interrupt him: "I know, I know, I still have a sense of propriety."

Xueyan and Zijuan exchanged a glance, and seeing that Daiyu didn't know how to speak, they could only retreat in silence.

Daiyu hugged the quilt, her heartstrings twitching for a moment. Then she thought that although Chen Siyuan was not a completely honest gentleman, he was a man of his word and would not go back on his promise. Therefore, she felt somewhat at ease.

Just then, Chen Siyuan strode over with a menacing look, startling Daiyu so much that her heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself: Could it be that this fellow is going to back out?

Just as he was about to speak, Chen Siyuan grinned and said, "Now that we have already paid our respects to heaven and earth, there are some things we can do together."

"What are you going to do?" Daiyu asked, her neck stiff.

The next moment, Chen Siyuan swept Daiyu up in his arms and threw her onto the bed. He then pulled the quilt over her and rolled her up like a cicada pupa.

Then look at Chen Siyuan, he breathed on his palms and then started scratching the soles of Daiyu's feet.

He muttered to himself, "Sister Bao said that I don't have any ticklish spots, but I don't believe it. I'm going to check it today."

"Hehehe... Hahaha... Help..."

Then look at Daiyu, her pair of lithe legs are constantly bending and stretching, and her body is rolling around like a maggot.

She begged for mercy but wouldn't budge, which only made Chen Siyuan more excited. He laughed and said, "Haha, sure enough, it turns out that my sister's ticklish spot is on the sole of her foot!"

Daiyu couldn't stand the tickling, and she was both annoyed and amused. She laughed until tears streamed down her face.

Chen Siyuan then stopped, and said smugly, "If you want to beg for mercy, you must call me 'good brother.' If you do, I will let you go."

At first, Daiyu pursed her lips and spat, but then she was scratched again. The itch on her soles spread all the way to her heart. Unable to bear it any longer, she finally called out in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Brother... good brother."

That scoundrel Chen Siyuan then said mischievously, "Your voice was too soft; I didn't hear you. It seems you're not sincere, sister."

Daiyu was frightened and quickly cried out, "Good brother, good brother, please spare me!"

Chen Siyuan laughed heartily, then looked at Daiyu, whose pink face had turned into a steamed bun from anger.

Chen Siyuan took off his shoes, turned over and got onto the bed, propped his chin up and tilted his head to stare at Daiyu.

Daiyu retorted angrily, "You've made a scene enough, why aren't you letting me go?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "No, no, we must make a three-point agreement with my sister first."

"Which three chapters?"

"Firstly, the woman in the west wing is surnamed Lin. If my sister is angry with me, I can't stop her from entering."

Daiyu chuckled and said, "Not to mention that there is a passageway between the second courtyard and the central path, there is also a side gate in the back garden. If you want to come, who can stop you?"

"One thing at a time. Secondly, if my sister is upset with me and I can't figure it out right away, she has to explain it to me clearly. Otherwise, I'll be completely confused. Hey, husband and wife are one, after all."

Daiyu chuckled and said, "You're practically a mind reader. When have you ever been unaware of the reason? If you truly don't know, you're just pretending not to."

Chen Siyuan disagreed, saying, "I'm not a god. It was all just a coincidence before. What if I guess wrong one time?"

Daiyu was both amused and exasperated, and could only nod repeatedly, "Alright, alright, whatever you say."

"Haha, only one more story left—"

Daiyu was waiting for him to explain when this scoundrel suddenly leaned down and gently kissed her cherry lips, making a series of light and suggestive advances until Daiyu was panting heavily before he finally left her.

Then she saw Chen Siyuan looking at her tenderly and saying softly, "One last thing... little sister, you must grow up quickly."

Daiyu's body and mind went limp at once, and she looked back at Chen Siyuan with tender eyes, feeling that the person in front of her was handsome no matter how she looked at him.

Seeing that she had settled down, Chen Siyuan freed her from the blankets, then reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying, "You've had a long day, sister, let's rest now."

"Mmm," Daiyu replied in a voice barely audible.

She could no longer distinguish between Chen Siyuan's genuine feelings and his feigned ones. After a long period of inner turmoil, she could only hope that even if they were fake, Chen Siyuan could deceive her for a lifetime.

Daiyu was unaware that she was Chen Siyuan's past life's filter. When Daiyu accepted the marriage certificate, Chen Siyuan was secretly overjoyed! This affection was deeply buried in his heart, growing silently, and now it was as precious as a treasure. How could Chen Siyuan bear to part with it?

Daiyu nestled against Chen Siyuan's chest, casting aside her doubts. She thought to herself that since she had married him, she had no choice but to trust him. She also thought that at least he was an interesting person, so the days ahead wouldn't be too dull.

Thinking this, Daiyu couldn't help but smile.

The young man and woman, their skin touching, inhaling each other's scent, made Daiyu feel slightly intoxicated. With one arm around Chen Siyuan's waist, she had nowhere to put the other, and as she moved slightly, she touched something.

Daiyu was initially puzzled, but after pinching it, she immediately realized what was happening and quickly withdrew her hand, blushing.

Chen Siyuan gasped and said earnestly, "My sister is still weak and frail, and besides, I promised the old lady that there's no rush for this matter of the bedroom."

Daiyu was both embarrassed and angry. She raised her small fists and rained blows on his chest, saying, "Who got impatient? It was clearly unintentional... Come to think of it, it's your fault. How could you do this out of nowhere?"

But Chen Siyuan, who had been keeping a straight face, suddenly changed his expression, grinning and leaning closer to whisper in her ear, "Although I can't really do anything, I do have some other methods."

Before her marriage, her sister-in-law, Li Wan, visited Xiaoxiang Pavilion. She said some embarrassing things and left behind a booklet. Daiyu glanced at it shyly, only to find that it was full of text and had no illustrations whatsoever.

She didn't want to press Li Wan for answers, so she kept it to herself. Then she thought, "We might not be sleeping together for two or three years, so why didn't Li Wan give me the pattern?"
Little did Li Wan know that Chen Siyuan was full of tricks, so why would she need to draw a pattern and give him instructions?
After hearing Chen Siyuan's words, Daiyu was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head. She was about to refuse, but her mouth was sealed again, and a large hand reached into her clothes to do something naughty... Daiyu had already been aroused by Chen Siyuan, and now she was so excited that she couldn't refuse, so she had no choice but to let him do as he pleased.

And so, within the brocade tent, a song of unknown origin sang, her soft, willow-like waist swayed, and her sweet, clove-like tongue uttered. The tender, lingering affection needs no further explanation.

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The two women enjoyed themselves immensely and slept in each other's arms, but it was the maids in the side room who suffered the most.

Xueyan was a carefree person. She thought that her daughter's health was getting better and better, so it wouldn't matter if she had been intimate with men. Therefore, she slept soundly all night.
When Ou Guan first arrived, she knew that she had no say in such matters, so she didn't think about it anymore.

Yuanyang didn't care about Daiyu, knowing that Chen Siyuan was always sensible. Then she thought of how Master Yuan had stolen her rouge the last time, and wondered which girl he would choose to have sex with in the future. Thinking of the shameful things, she felt weak and sleepless, unable to sleep.
Zijuan was quite worried for Daiyu, and took the opportunity of getting up in the middle of the night to eavesdrop on the corner of the wall for a while. Seeing that there was no other sound inside, she was relieved. Then she thought the same thing as Yuanyang, but the difference was that Zijuan knew that she had offended Master Yuan earlier, but she didn't know if she could make amends.

Nothing was said that night, and dawn broke in the blink of an eye.

After the four maids and Qingwen finished washing up, they all gathered in the main room. Qingwen, with her sharp ears, pressed her ear against the door to listen, and then said with a smile, "They've gotten up early, and they're talking right now."

After saying that, he reached out and knocked on the door, saying, "Master, Madam, are you getting up?"

A moment later, Daiyu instructed, "Come in."

The group agreed and pushed open the door together. Zijuan followed closely behind Qingwen, glanced around inside, and then quickly looked at Daiyu.

Daiyu blushed, but seeing Zijuan's dry face, she knew what Zijuan was worried about, so she smiled and shook her head at her.

Zijuan breathed a sigh of relief before smiling and helping the young couple to their feet.

Just now, when Zijuan was draping a robe over Daiyu, she accidentally touched Daiyu's right wrist slightly, which immediately made Daiyu frown and exclaim "Ouch!"

Zijuan was very puzzled and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong, Madam?"

“It’s pressing down on me,” Daiyu retorted irritably, then pursed her lips and glanced reproachfully at Chen Siyuan.

Chen Siyuan coughed lightly, stood up and said, "Madam, please get ready. I'll go do my morning exercise first."

Having said that, he left Daiyu behind and hurriedly went out the door.

Even if Zijuan were foolish, she would realize by now that something was amiss between the two. Fearing they might have actually done something, she hurried to tidy the bed after helping Daiyu get dressed. However, after checking around, she found nothing unusual. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of riddle the young lady and young master were playing.

Ultimately, whether she's a girl or a virgin, she can at least give an explanation to the old lady later.

(End of this chapter)