The wound on Li Changxi’s face had turned into a scar. Only by applying thick powder could she barely conceal it. After being confined to her room for a full month, when the Old Madam asked about her for the fifth time, she had no choice but to leave Twin Moon Pavilion and go to Lotus Fragrance Courtyard to pay her respects to the Old Madam.
As soon as she entered the room, she heard the Old Madam’s laughter. “This girl Weiyang really knows how to make me happy!”
Li Weiyang wore a scallion-yellow cotton silk dress. The orchid embroidery at the collar was very beautiful. Her hair was simply pinned with a single jade hairpin worn at an angle, making her look fresh and elegant, gentle and approachable. The smile on her face was particularly lively. “Being able to keep the Old Madam company is Weiyang’s fortune.”
The Old Madam smiled and poked her forehead, saying to Nanny Luo beside her, “This girl is a little swindler with such a sweet mouth!”
Li Changxi was shocked. The Old Madam had always been dignified and proper, not close with these granddaughters. When had she become so affectionate with Li Weiyang? She didn’t know that over this past month, Li Weiyang had accompanied the Old Madam daily to chant scriptures, drink tea, and chat. Now everyone knew that the Old Madam was very fond of this Third Miss who had just entered the residence.
At this moment, a little servant girl announced that the Fifth Miss had arrived. Li Changxi hurried forward and bowed respectfully. “Changxi has been bedridden with illness and failed to pay respects to the Old Madam. Please forgive Changxi.”
The Old Madam glanced at her, her expression indifferent. “Rise.”
Li Changxi knew that her behavior in the South Courtyard back then must have reached the Old Madam’s ears. She immediately felt a bit nervous, her body stiffening, but she didn’t dare move.
Li Weiyang glanced at the Old Madam’s expression and walked over with a smile to help Li Changxi up. “Fifth Sister, don’t constantly apologize. The Old Madam is kindhearted and won’t blame you.”
Li Changxi’s face changed. She suddenly realized that Li Weiyang had already figured out the Old Madam’s temperament. Both being concubine-born daughters, if Li Weiyang could win the Old Madam’s favor, why couldn’t she?
“Old Madam… Changxi just feels uneasy in her heart…” Li Changxi blinked her eyes and tears fell.
Li Weiyang smiled slightly. Since she wasn’t angry at herself or speaking harsh words, it showed Li Changxi’s mind had cleared.
The Old Madam sighed. “You’re an obedient child, I know this. This time, you’ve also suffered.”
Hearing the Old Madam say this, Li Changxi finally stopped her tears.
Li Weiyang smiled charmingly. “Now that Fifth Sister has recovered her health, we sisters can visit each other regularly again.”
Li Changxi stared at her with very complex feelings.
The Old Madam nodded and said with a smile, “That’s right. You two are blood sisters and both young ladies of the Prime Minister’s residence. If you continue quarreling over baseless matters, I won’t permit it. When the time comes, I’ll punish you both regardless of who’s right or wrong. Do you understand?”
Li Weiyang blinked and smiled. “Yes.”
After both had left, the Old Madam asked Nanny Luo, “I heard Seventh Aunt has fallen ill? If the coughing continues, have a physician come to the residence to examine her pulse.”
This was for Third Miss’s sake. Nanny Luo understood. “Yes, the Old Madam is most compassionate. When the Master returned from the South Courtyard last time, he said that courtyard was truly too shabby. He’s already summoned a physician for Seventh Aunt and assigned four servant girls to attend her. She’s much better now. This could be called a blessing in disguise.”
The Old Madam nodded. “Fortunately, she gave birth to a clever daughter.”
Nanny Luo smiled. “Normally when the Old Madam chants scriptures, the Eldest Miss also comes to accompany her, but she’s young after all and can’t sit still. This Third Miss is quite strange—she can sit with the Old Madam for two or three hours at a time. She truly has a Buddhist heart.”
The Old Madam smiled. “I’m not blind. I can tell at a glance who is sincere and who is false. Though this child seeks shelter, she also has three parts genuine feeling toward me. Just for that genuine feeling, helping her a bit doesn’t matter. The key is whether she’s worth elevating.”
Nanny Luo helped the Old Madam lie down. “May Third Miss not disappoint the Old Madam’s high expectations.”
The Old Madam closed her eyes. “Though clever, she’s still young after all. Alas…”
Nanny Luo’s heart jumped, and she didn’t dare speak further.
In the evening, Li Weiyang found a calligraphy copybook and slowly practiced copying at her desk.
The capital never lacked talented women. For example, Li Changle had recognized characters at age one, memorized poetry at three, and was well-read in classics by five. She had always been outstanding among her peers, praised by all the great families. In her previous life, Li Weiyang only began learning to read and write after entering the residence. Compared to other daughters of aristocratic families, she was incredibly behind. Though she later made up for her deficiencies through diligence, she merely learned to recognize characters. Her handwriting was secretly mocked by many. Over time, she stopped touching books and paintings. But now—practicing calligraphy could calm and focus her mind, greatly benefiting her.
With a crash, the window was blown open. A strong gust of wind rushed in, making the pages flutter loudly. Bai Zhi, who was doing needlework to the side, quickly rose to close the window. Only then did she discover the sky had changed drastically. Her brow furrowed. During lunch it had been bright and sunny, but now the sky had darkened. She turned back and said to Li Weiyang, “Miss, it’s getting dark. Please be careful with your eyes when writing. This servant will fetch another candle.”
Li Weiyang nodded without raising her head. Knowing the miss didn’t like to be disturbed while practicing calligraphy, Bai Zhi quietly closed the door and went out.
After another half hour, the sky had darkened like night. With a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder passed overhead, and raindrops the size of copper coins began pouring down with a crackling sound.
In an instant, the sound of rain echoed from all directions.
Li Weiyang raised her head, stood up, and reopened the window, gazing at the rain outside. For a moment, she was somewhat dazed.
She didn’t like rainy nights. The night Yuli died, there had also been torrential rain. So whenever such days came, they would awaken the dark past buried deep in her memory.
At this moment, Ziyan walked quickly to the doorway, gently set down her bamboo umbrella at the door, wrung the water from her clothes, then entered. “Miss, this servant just encountered Rong’er from Seventh Aunt’s courtyard. She said she brought a message on Seventh Aunt’s behalf.”
Rong’er was one of the newly assigned servant girls for Mother—a very clever and quick-witted person. Li Weiyang took the note Ziyan handed over and saw written on it: Important matter to discuss, secret, come quickly.
Li Weiyang gripped the note tightly in her hand, raised her head, and asked Ziyan, “Where did you see Rong’er?”
Ziyan answered naturally, “In the garden. This servant was going to collect plum blossom seeds and happened to run into her hurrying past. We collided directly.”
Li Weiyang paused. “At that time, it had already started raining, right? Coming from the South Courtyard only takes a little over half an hour.” Yet this rain had been falling for a full hour already…
Ziyan didn’t understand Li Weiyang’s muttering to herself and found it increasingly strange. “Miss, what are you saying?”
If according to what the note said, Seventh Aunt wanted to discuss something secret with her, it meant she was to go alone—Li Weiyang’s pale white fingers slowly rubbed the note as she said calmly, “Go call all the servant girls and nannies in the courtyard. Have them all put on rain capes. I have matters to instruct.”
In Ziyan’s heart, an inexplicable sense of foreboding arose…