Chapter 6

Robert had reached the age at which he had to read the newspapers with a pair of glasses as it was quite demanding for him to discern the tiny words. He looked serious as he concentrated on the articles, but Jessica knew he was merely putting on a show because he did not want to look at her.

Nevertheless, Jessica forced a smile on her face and put the gift she had gotten for Robert on the tea table.

Lady Cecilia played with Winson for a while before she carried him to the garden.

On the left of the manor was another smaller building. To be exact, it was a newly built single-story building for Old Master Ferguson after he fell sick. Old Master Ferguson was confined to his sick bed all year long. He would go out to the balcony for some sunlight if the weather was good and he only had a handful of visitors.

As Lady Cecilia carried the great-grandchild to the old master, Jessica followed. However, when she reached the entrance, Jessica stopped. Without the old master’s permission, she was not allowed to step inside.

Jessica handed Lady Cecilia a longevity talisman that she had gotten from the temple so that she could pass the talisman to the old master.

The longevity talisman was made from ginkgo wood. The 400-year-old ginkgo tree outside Cloud Temple had been struck by lightning during the summer, and a chuck of its bark had fallen off. Someone had then taken the bark and made it into longevity talismans and got them blessed by monks at the temples. They were highly sought after and it was very difficult to get even one.

Even though the tree was 400 years old, it was still made of wood. It was not as valuable as rosewood or as heavy as jade, but to an old man in his sick bed, waiting for his end to arrive, words like longevity, blessings, sutras, and efficacies were much more suitable than valuable gifts.

Lady Cecilia glanced at Jessica. She then carried Winson inside, leaving Jessica alone at the entrance.

A while later, the door opened. Lady Cecilia said, “Go in. The old master said that it’s been a while since he last saw you.”

Jessica lifted her head and was slightly surprised.

“What are you standing here for? Afraid?” Lady Cecilia frowned at her.

Old Master Ferguson had a long battle with cancer. A little over a year ago, he had his malignant liver removed. He became so weak that he went out of shape. Anyone who met him for the first time would surely be scared.

It was not Jessica’s first meeting with the old master, so she was not scared, just slightly surprised.