Madam Chen spoke softly, “I am very angry, but not to that extent. I’m not the type to obsess over things or make life difficult for myself…” She sighed, “It’s just that after working hard all my life, I can’t let it all fall apart at the end and drag you all down with me. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. There’s no room for error, and those who make mistakes must be punished.”
As Madam Chen said this, her expression was particularly resolute, showing no signs of illness or weakness. Relieved, Mudan picked up the bowl of porridge and said, “Then will you eat this bowl of porridge?”
Madam Chen smiled and shook her head, “I won’t eat. It’s a good opportunity to cleanse my digestive system.”
Mudan didn’t push further, instead joking, “Then how long will you cleanse for?”
Madam Chen replied, “When it’s clear, I’ll eat when I want to.” She pulled Mudan into an embrace and whispered, “Don’t worry about me. Live your life well, I won’t fall. Go on now, and don’t ask your father how he’s handling this matter. He already knows what it means to be resented by both heaven and man.”
Mudan said, “I was really scared earlier. Now that I see you’re fine, I feel more at ease. By coincidence, when we were leaving, we heard that the old lady on the other side was also ill. We need to go check on her.”
Madam Chen hurried her, “Then why aren’t you going quickly? Although she’s an old reprobate, she still holds that title.”
He Zhizhong and Jiang Changyang were talking in the corridor. Every couple of sentences, He Zhizhong would glance at Madam Chen’s door, appearing quite distracted. He couldn’t imagine what life would be like without Madam Chen, and instinctively felt panicked. Seeing Mudan come out with the bowl, he quickly stepped forward to look at it, “Did she eat?” Seeing the bowl still full of porridge, his face immediately fell, “She still won’t eat?”
Mudan shook her head, “She says she has no appetite, but she’ll eat when she wants to. She also said she’s fine everywhere else, and that you should go about your business. She has Concubine Wu and the sisters-in-law to take care of her, so there’s nothing to worry about. Right now she’s just dizzy, but perhaps by tonight the medicine will take effect, and she’ll be able to get up.”
He Zhizhong sighed, “You silly girl, what do you understand? At her age, she can’t withstand such turmoil. She’s been strong all her life, never complaining. When you were all little, she was so ill she could barely sit up, yet she still managed the household. If she wasn’t truly unable to bear it now, how could she not eat, drink, or get out of bed?” As he spoke, his eyes reddened.
Mudan spoke slowly, “I’m young and don’t remember clearly. If you hadn’t mentioned it today, Father, I would have forgotten that Mother was once so ill she could barely sit up, yet still managed the household. I’ve let her down, always thinking she could handle everything, that with her around there was nothing to fear. I didn’t realize she’s grown old too, and might not be able to bear it anymore…”
He Zhizhong, being quick-witted, immediately understood her meaning and felt somewhat embarrassed. He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Seeing this, Jiang Changyang quickly signaled to Mudan with his eyes and said, “Unfortunately, when we were coming here, we heard that my grandmother was also ill. We need to go see her. I’ll have Mudan come back tomorrow to attend to Mother.”
Madam Feng came out to relay a message, “Madam says she’s fine and doesn’t want Mudan to come over. If there’s anything, she’ll send someone to call. Even if she comes uninvited, she won’t be allowed in.” This was to prevent people from gossiping about Mudan frequently visiting her family so soon after marriage.
He Zhizhong had no choice but to shake his head, “What a stubborn temperament. You two go on then, I won’t see you out.” With that, he went back into Madam Chen’s room.
Jiang Changyang asked Mudan, “How is it?”
Mudan didn’t tell him that Madam Chen was feigning illness, only saying, “Her health isn’t in any danger, but she’s upset.”
Jiang Changyang then relayed what He Zhizhong had told him earlier, “Father also said that he doesn’t know how to express himself well, and that Mother is upset because of him. He’s already feeling very bad, so don’t push him further.”
Mudan lowered her head without speaking. Of course, she knew He Zhizhong was feeling bad, but Madam Chen was also suffering, and it was for the sake of others. Naturally, she wasn’t comfortable with the situation.
As the two reached the second gate, they suddenly saw Concubine Yang running towards them with disheveled hair. Seeing them, her eyes lit up, and she fell to her knees, trying to embrace Mudan’s feet, “Miss Dan, Miss Dan, please beg the master and madam for mercy. Don’t drive your sixth brother out. He was just confused for a moment, it won’t happen again. Yesterday wasn’t intentional… Please go and beg them, they’ll surely listen to you. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, it will bring blessings.”
“No one is threatening Sixth Brother’s life,” Mudan frowned as she tried to help her up. “Concubine, please don’t be like this. Get up first, and then we can talk.”
“I won’t get up. The master, he… isn’t that as good as taking his life? He’s my only son, more important to me than my own life. Miss Dan, Miss Dan, please pity a poor woman with no family, no father, and no mother.” Concubine Yang, with tears streaming down her face, kept shaking her head and refusing to let go. Concubine Wu, leading some others, came after her with a stern face. Seeing the situation, she quickly ordered people to pull Concubine Yang away, saying unhappily, “How can you be so confused? Did you not listen to a word the master said to you?” Then she turned to Mudan, “You two should leave quickly, she’s just muddled.”
Before she finished speaking, Madam Feng came rushing out like a whirlwind, striding with a stern face, “The master has ordered Concubine Yang to return to her room and reflect on her actions. May I ask if the concubine will go on her own, or shall I escort you back?”
When Madam Feng took charge, no woman in the household could dare to act up. Concubine Wu sighed, looking at Concubine Yang, “You never listen to advice.” Concubine Yang remained kneeling on the ground for a long time, then woodenly stood up, her eyes vacant, not looking at anyone, and went towards the back.
Mudan said self-mockingly, “Indeed, every family has its difficulties. You’ve witnessed another one of ours.”
Jiang Changyang smiled slightly, “This is just temporary for your family. Won’t you be seeing the same thing again soon?”
Mudan blinked and walked quickly forward, “Let’s go, hurry up, quickly.”
Jiang Changyang moved unhurriedly, “What’s the rush? Whether we arrive early or late, the result will be the same.” After they left, she would still be bedridden, essentially saying she had been made ill by him. The charge of being unfilial had already been laid, so what difference did it make whether they went early or late? Going later might even spare them some unpleasantness.
In the old madam’s room at Duke Zhu’s mansion, silence reigned, not even the sound of breathing could be heard. In the sweltering summer heat, the windows were tightly shut, and not a cool breeze penetrating the curtains. The old madam was frail and couldn’t use ice, so the room felt like a steamer. The smell of Chinese medicine mingled with strong incense, along with the indescribable, perceptible yet intangible scent of decay from the patient, making Jiang Yunqing, who was standing guard nearby, feel suffocated.
She hated this smell; it made it hard for her to breathe. She frowned as she looked at the motionless old madam behind the bed curtains, secretly tugging at the collar of her light green gauze short jacket, fanning herself vigorously. She carefully observed Madam Du, who was sitting nearby, impeccably dressed, her back straight as a rod, her posture graceful and flawless. Then she glanced at her mother, Concubine Xue, who stood to the side, eyes downcast in a respectful pose.
She thought to herself, that her mother was one thing, having to bow her head under someone else’s roof, enduring no matter how uncomfortable she felt. But her stepmother was strange – coming from a princess’s household, she was practically royalty, wasn’t she? Usually so particular, how could she tolerate this odd smell and heat?
Looking more closely, she noticed Madam Du’s brow furrowing from time to time, and when accepting a teacup from Bai Xiang, she would unconsciously glare at her. It wasn’t that Bai Xiang had done anything wrong, but rather that the madam was equally irritated. Jiang Yunqing saw through the truth – Madam Du couldn’t possibly be comfortable, but being accustomed to maintaining a virtuous and elegant demeanor, she had to endure no matter how uncomfortable she felt. Yunqing cleared her throat and said softly, “It’s so hot today, why don’t I open the window?”
Madam Du was also suffering from the heat and stuffiness. She had ordered the windows opened early when she came in, but after just a short while, the old madam had hazily awakened, her first words being a coquettish, trembling complaint: “Who opened the window? I can’t bear the cool breeze…” They had no choice but to close it again. Now that someone finally couldn’t stand it anymore, and it was the old madam’s granddaughter no less, Madam Du remained silent.
Seeing that she didn’t approve but also didn’t object, Jiang Yunqing knew she had flattered correctly and quickly got up to open the window quietly. As the air circulated, the strange smell finally dissipated somewhat. Jiang Yunqing took a long breath of the outside air facing the window. Though the air outside was also hot, it was at least fresh, and it felt so much better.
Madam Du also breathed a sigh of relief, as did everyone else in the room. Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last long. A careless cicada suddenly started chirping, startling the half-asleep old madam awake. She began to lose her temper: “Can’t even get a peaceful sleep! Is everyone dead?” Though she was ill, her energy for scolding hadn’t diminished one bit.
“Quickly, go catch that cicada!” The old hag, Madam Du hated her to death but had no choice but to get up and order someone to catch the cicada. Bai Xiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief – she’s not dying, she’s not dying, she’s still spirited. Just as someone went to catch the cicada, the old madam called out again, saying she needed to relieve herself. Madam Du hurriedly got up, and the whole family sprang into action – some supporting, some assisting, some bringing the chamber pot. Everyone except the old madam was working up a stinking sweat.
The old madam felt relieved, and outside a cool breeze finally arose. That cool breeze, whether good or bad, passed through the bed curtains and blew onto the old madam, prompting another round of scolding: “Who opened the window? You’re all just waiting for me to die early.” Since yesterday, when Jiang Changyang had publicly disrespected her, she had cried and made a fuss to no avail. Her body was heavy and uncomfortable, and she was filled with anger, finding fault with everyone she saw.
Madam Du said nothing. Jiang Yunqing, feeling wronged, had tears in her eyes as she lowered her head to close the window and then went to apologize to the old madam. The old madam’s face was stiff, not saying a word, her expression becoming more and more irritating to look at. Fortunately, she had no energy left, and after getting back into bed, it wasn’t long before she was drowsy again.
How could this go on? Madam Du thought, rubbing her temples. Perhaps it would be better to let her sleep well for a few days? Just then, she heard someone reporting from outside that Jiang Changyang and Mudan had arrived.