At noon the next day, Lady Li returned from the Ning Residence. "Mother, I didn't stay long at the Ning Residence. On the way back, I picked up the custom jewelry. This was prepared for you by my husband. Take a look—do you like it?"
Zhulan took out the hairpin from the box. "Such a massive ruby—why don't you and your husband save this for the children? At my age, it doesn't really matter whether I wear it or not."
She was enjoying staying at home more and more—reading a bit every day, picking flowers from the garden to arrange in vases, tutoring her granddaughters, or handling matters at the orphanage. Her days passed peacefully and contentedly.
Lady Li said, "These gemstones were sent back from overseas. We've had the good-quality ones made into jewelry, and the children already have their own."
Zhulan put down the hairpin and asked, "How is Mrs. Yu doing?"
Lady Li sighed, "Not well. She can only lie down now, and she's so thin it's heartbreaking."
