What a coincidence. Just when there were guests to entertain, Jiang Yunqing had fainted, and Concubine Xue was causing a scene – precisely when Madam Du was needed to handle the aftermath – she suddenly fell ill, neither too early nor too late! It was intentional. Likely not just for this matter, but also because she was dissatisfied with the upcoming betrothal visit to the Xiao family and wanted to avoid it. Did she think this would stump the Old Madam? Dream on!
How had she never realized before just how detestable Madam Du was? The Old Madam was so angry her lips trembled. She lowered her eyelids, pondered for a moment, then said, “She ate something bad? Who prepared it? Investigate! If it’s not clear, sell off everyone involved! Tell them, from now on, anyone who doesn’t serve the Madam wholeheartedly will face the same fate!” Let them cause trouble. Didn’t all the servants say how good Madam Du was? This time, they’d focus solely on her affairs. She wondered how many would still praise her after a year or two. They’d probably treat her like a harbinger of misfortune, with everyone who associated with her suffering ill luck.
Wasn’t this too harsh? The household had never operated this way before. This was no time for a temper tantrum. Lüjiao looked anxiously at Mudan, hoping she would help persuade the Old Madam. Mudan gazed out the window and said softly, “Grandmother, I’d like to go see sister Yunqing.”
Her request to visit Jiang Yunqing was reasonable; it would have been strange if she had shown no concern. The Old Madam replied absent-mindedly, “Go if you wish. I heard from Granny Wu that when she was with you, she enjoyed talking to you alone. Try to persuade her. Our bodies are gifts from our parents; she has no right to harm herself! What girl would dare to act so recklessly? A ruined reputation is a lifelong burden.”
The Guo family truly was the most principled and righteous place, where everyone spoke of morality and virtue, where reputation was both the most important thing and the least important thing. Mudan frowned slightly as she stood up to leave.
The Old Madam rambled on, “When will you take your cousin Dunshu out for an outing? As the elder sister-in-law, you must be thorough in your hosting. Don’t embarrass our family.”
Mudan smiled warmly, “Grandmother hasn’t been out and doesn’t know how heavy the rain was last night. The streets are muddy, and it’s difficult for carriages to pass. Let’s wait a few days.”
The Old Madam fell silent, watching Mudan’s retreating figure with narrowed eyes. After the recent incident, the household situation was dire. Jiang Zhong and Madam Du barely spoke to each other for weeks. Madam Du appeared compliant on the surface, but she was entirely different from before, avoiding work whenever possible and being cunning when she could. This daughter-in-law wasn’t her flesh and blood after all; outsiders were outsiders, none of them with good intentions, all selfish and self-serving.
Madam Du might have had a hand in Jiang Yunqing’s affair, as relying more on the Du family would be beneficial if the Fenzhou Wang’s connection fell through. With the Guo family needing the Du family more, and having Jiang Zhong’s promise of time for Jiang Changzhong, Madam Du naturally didn’t need to be so subservient anymore. Jiang Changyi was just a nominal son born to a concubine, and given his rank, no matter how capable or high-born Madam Xiao was, it wouldn’t be his turn. The future of the Guo family would still be Madam Du’s domain. If she dared to act this way now, what about in the future? The Old Madam pressed her lips tightly, her expression growing darker.
Should she ask Jiang Changyang and Mudan to move back?
The reason this couple didn’t care about the household’s affairs was that they felt it had nothing to do with them. They wouldn’t inherit the title or bear responsibilities, and they lacked emotional attachment. They even resented her and Jiang Zhong, so naturally, they didn’t want to lift a finger. But if they moved back, things would be different. She wouldn’t even need to act; others would naturally pressure them.
While no one would dare to provoke the eldest son when he was home, as a man, he would often be away. Madam He had no foundation in this family, and her background was far inferior to others. Once she had been bullied enough, as long as the Old Madam was willing to support her, she would surely listen. And if Madam He listened, wouldn’t the eldest son follow suit? Even if he didn’t, having him in the Guo household to maintain appearances would prevent things from looking so bad. Would Madam Du dare to challenge her then?
The more the Old Madam thought about it, the more feasible this plan seemed. It was indeed killing two birds with one stone. She decided to speak with Jiang Zhong later. As a grandson of the Jiang family, how could he not work for the Guo family? When Jiang Changyang had offended those imperial clan members before, hadn’t people overlooked it for the sake of the Guo family? Now it was time to repay that debt. Moreover, this matter was inextricably linked to his necessary marriage to Mudan, so the Old Madam felt justified.
Soon, she might be able to return to her former good life. As the Old Madam was lost in thought, Lüjiao entered from outside and said in a low voice, “The kitchen staff who prepared and delivered the food are not the problem. It was Baixiang who served the Madam her meal. Later, she delivered a pigeon soup to Concubine Xue, and shortly after she left, Concubine Xue came here. Granny Wu also reported earlier that the Madam was simply hungry. If it’s really necessary, we can force-feed her rice porridge. We’re just waiting for your word.”
It was always Baixiang; her shadow was present at every critical moment when something went wrong. The Old Madam frowned. This girl was indeed Madam Du’s most loyal servant. She wondered how Madam Du would feel if she found a reason to dismiss Baixiang. The Old Madam smiled slightly, “There’s no rush with Qing’er. Let her clear her stomach a bit more. Just give her some water for now. We can feed her rice porridge tomorrow. This way, she won’t forget the pain once she’s healed and thinks that seeking death is such an easy matter. If she keeps being so thoughtless, at my age, how can I have the energy to indulge her antics?”
Lüjiao softly acknowledged and prepared to leave to relay the message. The Old Madam beckoned her over, “Just send a reliable old woman. Come and massage my waist. I’m getting old, and it aches when I sit for too long. Is Granny Wu watching over the young mistress?”
Lüjiao skillfully helped her lie down and began massaging her waist while saying gently, “Yes, Granny Wu will come to report as soon as the young mistress leaves.”
“Let me do it, my hands are stronger,” Hong’er said with a smile as she walked in, taking over from Lüjiao. “That Miss Gao is truly a delightful person. Even among the noble ladies of the capital, few are as tactful as her. After all, she’s one of your people, and anyone from your family is rarely matched.”
Hong’er was particularly skilled at massage. The Old Madam let out a contented hum, “Her? Given her family’s circumstances, she’s been raised decently enough. What did she give you this time? You’re speaking so well of her.”
Hong’er smiled and stopped her hands. She took out a small golden cicada tied with red silk thread from her sleeve and placed it on the nearby table. “It’s this. I didn’t dare to accept it, but Miss Gao said that not accepting it would be looking down on her.”
“Since it’s given to you, just keep it,” the Old Madam said, glancing at it indifferently. The golden cicada was made of pure gold, barely the size of a fingernail, pitifully small, and not particularly exquisite in craftsmanship. But for a family like Dunshu’s, who had just arrived from the provinces and held a minor sixth-rank official position, rewarding someone of Hong’er’s status was quite generous. It was well known that their family was poor, and after rent and food expenses, most of their money probably went into Dunshu’s appearance. Dunshu wasn’t bad; it wouldn’t hurt to favor her a bit. The Old Madam was getting on in years, and as she pondered, her energy waned, and she drifted off to sleep.
Jiang Yunqing lived alone in a delicate small courtyard in the back, filled with osmanthus trees. As soon as Mudan entered the courtyard, she could feel the oppressive atmosphere. Granny Wu ran out to welcome her, “Young Mistress, you’re so thoughtful.”
Mudan didn’t like her and simply nodded before entering the room. Rounding the screen, she saw Jiang Yunqing lying motionless on the bed, wearing only her undergarments. Her unpainted eyebrows were so faint they were almost invisible, making her already square chin appear even more angular and strong. She had grown so thin she was almost unrecognizable.
Granny Wu blinked worriedly and said, “Young Mistress, did you see Concubine Xue earlier? We sent someone to invite her, but she hasn’t come. We also sent people to the Old Madam and Madam, but there’s been no response.” She only thought that if Jiang Yunqing were sensible, she should know this method was futile and it would be better to cooperate and eat something to stay alive, rather than torture herself. How could she understand how Jiang Yunqing might feel utterly hopeless upon hearing that her entire family didn’t care whether she lived or died?
Mudan remembered Jiang Yunqing mentioning that Granny Wu came from the Old Madam’s quarters. She couldn’t possibly be unaware of Concubine Xue’s situation. Bringing up these matters in front of Jiang Yunqing now must have some ulterior motive. So Mudan replied calmly, “The Old Madam has guests to attend to. I came to check on her first.”
Granny Niu called out softly to Jiang Yunqing, “Miss, the Young Mistress has come to see you.”
Jiang Yunqing didn’t even twitch an eyelid. Her breathing was so faint it was barely perceptible.
Mudan sat down by the bed and, regardless of whether Jiang Yunqing was truly unconscious or not, said softly, “Your body is your own, and life is long.” Was a hunger strike the most extreme form of protest Jiang Yunqing could think of? When hearing about Jiang Yunqing’s situation at home without seeing it firsthand, it felt like someone else’s story – worthy of sympathy but not deeply affecting. But seeing it in person truly made Mudan realize how pitiful it was.
Jiang Yunqing showed no reaction, but the occasional slight movement of her eyeballs under her eyelids indicated she was conscious.
Mudan looked up and saw it was still early. She sat quietly beside Jiang Yunqing, keeping her company. She wanted to offer some words of comfort but couldn’t say anything appropriate, as the two old women in Jiang Yunqing’s room – one from the Old Madam and one from Madam Du – were both informants.
After a moment of thought, Mudan said in a low voice, “A guest just arrived from Liuzhou. She’s the Old Madam’s niece, named Dunshu, and she’s very beautiful. The Old Madam originally wanted you to accompany her on a tour of the city, but because you’re ill, she asked me to go instead. If you get better, perhaps we could all go together.”
Suddenly, an old woman peeked in at the door. Granny Wu stood up and apologized, “Young Mistress, please remain seated. This old servant will go and bring you some fruit.”