Having secured his new post, Chen Siniu naturally stopped sneaking over the wall to torment the old madam at night.

The old madam had an easy night for once, yet found herself unable to sleep. Her troublesome son hadn’t come, but someone new now slept in her room.

The person slept on a low couch facing the kang, and at the slightest stir from the old madam, the maid named Yiyue would sit up and ask, “Does the old madam need to use the chamber pot?”

The old madam felt both awkward and embarrassed. In the latter half of the night, she finally couldn’t hold it any longer and got up.

The moment she sat up, Yiyue promptly fetched the chamber pot. For most of her life, the old madam had never relieved herself with someone else listening right beside her — and now, flustered, she went in fits and starts, five separate times, only adding trouble for the poor maid.

Was this what it meant to live like the wealthy? This was truly unbearable — like being tortured with instruments of punishment!

Early the next morning, once Yiyue’s night shift ended and she went to rest, the old madam breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was drifting off, the maid named Eryue came to tell her that Fourth Master was heading out on a long journey and was waiting outside to bid the old madam farewell.

Still half-asleep, the old madam sat up, wanting to go out looking disheveled as she usually did, but worried the new maids and matrons would laugh at her. Yet not going out wasn’t an option either… well, forget it, so be it.

She nodded reluctantly. “Tell him to come in.”

But she thought to herself — from now on, even calling my own son into the house has to go through two layers of people? Is this what enjoying good fortune means?

Soon, Chen Siniu entered wearing his black gauze cap and green official’s brocade robe.

The old madam had never seen her son look like this before — she found him both dashing and infuriating at once. She said nothing, simply watching him quietly.

Chen Siniu, about to leave on his journey, prepared to kneel and kowtow to the old madam.

Standing attentively to the side, Eryue swiftly placed a cushion for him, then stood silently by the water vat, hands lowered, head bowed, as still as a clay figurine.

Chen Siniu, of course, knew that his nephew had given the old madam an entire courtyard, assigned a dedicated manservant to drive her carriage, a seamstress, and four personal maids to attend to her.

Unable to match this, he pretended not to notice, and finished his kowtow as if he hadn’t seen any of it, then stood up and sat on the edge of the kang, saying to the old madam, “Mother — I’ve taken up a post at the Ministry of Works, as Chief Director, and I’m heading out on a long journey!”

He finished speaking and waited quietly, expecting his mother to ask, as she always had, where he was going, whether he had enough travel money, whether he’d packed enough clothes…

But the old madam, exhausted, her heart uneasy, just wanted to go back to sleep, and said indifferently, “Go on, then.”

Chen Siniu was stunned. He looked in disbelief at his mother’s snow-white undergarment, then at her hands, now smooth without a single crack, still with veins showing but undeniably the hands of someone living in comfort now. Was this why she looked down on her own poor son?

His heart suddenly ached, and he said with a trembling voice, “Mother…!”

The old madam felt this son of hers was getting more and more impossible. He used to at least speak like a normal person — now he always made her guess what he was thinking.

Mother, mother, mother! She wasn’t dead yet!

She had no patience for guessing games, and waved her hand briskly. “Don’t you have business to attend to? Go on.”

Hurry up and go! She was exhausted.

Chen Siniu had no choice but to say, “Mother, this trip will take ten days to half a month. Lan Xiang is pregnant, so I must trouble you to…”

The old madam, who had been quite drowsy, suddenly had a flash of coldness in her eyes. She said mockingly, “My son! Your mother is nearly seventy — I can’t be bothered with such things anymore. I’m just living off scraps under your nephew’s roof, one person minding their own business. I don’t expect much filial devotion from you — even if you had mountains of gold and silver, it would still be yours, I wouldn’t touch a coin of it. Fourth Son, haven’t I already told you? As long as I draw breath in this world, I don’t acknowledge her as my daughter-in-law. Should I be the one taking care of her? Go ask her yourself — would she even dare accept it if I did?”

Chen Siniu, his face full of grievance and distress, pleaded, “Mother, we’re all one family — why must you make things so difficult for her?”

The old madam gave a light cough, feeling her throat a bit dry. Before she could even speak, Eryue immediately poured a bowl of lukewarm water from the straw-wrapped kettle and offered it up with both hands. Seeing the old madam accept it, she leaned in to help support her as she drank.

Chen Siniu was stunned by this display of refined service.

Once the old madam finished her water and quenched her thirst, she said to Chen Siniu with a satisfied smile, “She’s a concubine! She has food, drink, and a good life — why would I trouble myself over her? We don’t even see each other most days… What did you say, ‘one family’? What sense does that make? Who’s family with her?”

Chen Siniu, thoroughly exasperated, murmured, “Mother, ah! Lan Xiang is my wife…”

The old madam scoffed coldly. “I don’t acknowledge her! Even after I’m dead and buried, even after my bones turn to ash, I still won’t acknowledge her! When I go below, I’ll have words with your father about this too — he won’t acknowledge her either!”

Chen Siniu never imagined his mother could be so stubbornly resolute. He didn’t even remember what nonsense he’d stammered afterward, and in a daze, he could only hitch up his own cart and leave the home he cared about so much.

As he left the alley, he saw his nephew’s gate open, with two matrons each carrying three-tiered food boxes, smiling as they came out to deliver breakfast to the old madam.

He thought bitterly to himself — how strange people were. Back when he was the only one who mattered, when there was only himself to think of, he was a son! A true son! A filial son!

Now that there was a wealthy grandnephew, suddenly he wasn’t a son anymore, and she wasn’t even a mother anymore!

He gave a cold snort and cracked his whip, thinking, hmph! We’ll see who has the last laugh! He refused to believe there was such a thing as eternal wealth and glory in this world — surely there would come a day when these ungrateful people would need something from him again!

The old madam didn’t even need to guess — she already knew this son’s heart had long since gone crooked. Resigned to it, she put it out of her mind entirely, ate her breakfast, and went right back to a sound, contented sleep.

While the old madam slept soundly, Qiqian’er was busy to the point of exhaustion. Early that morning, she had sent Wuyue around to rouse the good-for-nothing men of each household one by one.

Once Tutor Cheng, Quanzi Ge, and Chen Dasheng’s brothers had all gathered, Qiqian’er announced that since the Qingfeng government office was now open, while everyone was together, they should all go over to formally register the deeds and land titles for their properties.

These were all such simple, unworldly people — none of them understood how important it was to formalize these deeds.

These days, people were moving in constantly, and no one knew what connections anyone might have behind them. It was always better to register early.

Once Tutor Cheng understood, Madam Guo-Yang and a dozen or so other women arrived. Qiqian’er knew that among them, several had already become widows, and the men who remained as heads of household were nothing more than ordinary soldiers under the Ministry of War — who would dare provoke them?

Without a deed, that was a real problem! Even if you’d claimed a small courtyard, there was no guarantee of keeping it.

If someone else registered the deed first, they could show up with the paperwork and force you out, whether you wanted to move or not.

They had all lived together as a community for a lifetime, and now that she had the means, why not lend a hand? What did it matter if some of them were now close with Madam Qiao? They’d been neighbors for decades — everyone had received and given a bit of rice or firewood at some point. Others had helped her before, and she had helped others in turn.

In this world, there were people who simply acted according to their conscience — their means were limited. Being good to you wouldn’t be extraordinarily good, but they truly weren’t malicious either. The worst they’d do was gossip a little to feel superior, and at most, ignore you.

Take that loud-mouthed Madam Guo-Yang, for instance — she really didn’t think things through, but she acted with a clear conscience. If she disapproved of something, she’d say so directly. In the past, when times were hard for her and she was oppressed and mistreated by her own family, even the old madam had been on the receiving end of Madam Guo-Yang’s nagging, and so had Madam Qiao, who had also been scolded by her for being cruel.

Only, back when Madam Qiao held sway, she’d forbidden Madam Guo-Yang from drawing water from the front of the manor, forcing her to walk half the manor’s length extra just to fetch water from the river.

Naturally, Madam Guo-Yang, resentful of being unfairly punished, had simply stopped bothering with Qiqian’er altogether…

Ah well, no use dwelling on it — back then, I made you haul water from the river for half your life; now I’ll return the favor with a mansion that has its own well.

Seeing them still confused about what was going on, Qiqian’er spelled it out clearly, pointing at Chen Dasheng and saying, “Aunties, you all went through hard times alongside our old madam too — that counts as a bond forged in adversity, doesn’t it? We can’t forget who’s family and who’s not, can we?

These past days you’ve all seen it — the newcomers don’t frighten my household, but which of you could stand up to them? Well, by our ancestors’ grace, Dasheng has finally made something of himself. Today he happens to be going to the Qingfeng government office to register our deeds and land titles, and the carriages are cheap right now, so you aunties should come along too. Let’s get all our residences properly settled once and for all, so we can all rest easy…”

Once she’d said this much, anyone who still didn’t understand she meant to look out for them would have to be a fool.

The dozen or so women looked at each other — wanting to say thanks, but not knowing how; wanting to say something flattering, but not having prepared any sweet words in their hearts.

Given their seniority relative to the old madam, being a generation older, they couldn’t very well kowtow either.

So, one by one, they followed Chen Dasheng out with tears in their eyes. Madam Gao, the one who always bragged about being from the prefectural city, went out but then ran back to swear an oath to Qiqian’er: “Young Mistress! I swear to you! For the rest of my life, I will never say a single bad word about you! If I ever do, may the Old Lord strike me down with five bolts of lightning! And if I hear anyone else speak ill of you and don’t slap them across the face for it, may the Old Lord strike me down too…”

Having said this, Madam Gao ran off, leaving Qiqian’er stunned for a good while before she said to Grandmother Sun, She Jixiang’s family member, with a mix of amusement and exasperation, “Just listen to her — clearly she’s been talking about me plenty behind my back!”

Grandmother Sun held back her laughter, holding out two bolts of silk for Qiqian’er to choose from. Once Qiqian’er had picked a color for the old madam, she said with a smile, “The old madam has a kind heart. If she wanted to hold a grudge, she wouldn’t be looking out for them like this.”

Once everyone had gone out, Qiqian’er arranged for She Jixiang to borrow a cart from next door and go to Yandu to find the Chang Lianfang household — no matter who came, they were to bring the Chang family’s calling card and go along to the government office that day, to make sure the Checkerboard Courtyard was registered under Xiaohua’s name, no matter what.

She wouldn’t let Old Madam Tao anywhere near it, let alone Madam Qiao!

Even though in this life Old Madam Tao hadn’t taught Madam Qiao to read or schemed with her the way she had before, a grudge was still a grudge — the only reason she hadn’t taken revenge already was fear of offending the heavens.

Speaking of which, it really was thanks to Chen Dasheng’s teacher — look at the people he’d sent, each one more satisfying to work with than the last.

Thinking of this, Qiqian’er asked Grandmother Sun to find a few more bolts of the fine cloth she’d dyed by hand herself — she wanted to make some undergarments and shoes for her teacher.

People, after all, needed to have gratitude.

Chen Dasheng and the others had left early, so hardly anyone had seen them go.

By mid-morning, the manor grew lively again, and Qiqian’er went in person to fetch the old madam from the old residence.

No matter how many more people there were now, the daily routines still had to continue. Qiqian’er still spent time with the old madam every day — chatting with her, sharing at least one meal, keeping her company while she gossiped with her old friends, serving as a witness while the old madam bragged.

The old madam, all dressed up, stepped outside with Eryue and Siyue trailing behind her. This time, she truly carried herself with the bearing of a proper old madam of rank.

Qiqian’er smiled as she walked alongside her, teasing, “A’Nai, did you sleep well last night?”

The old madam trudged stubbornly forward, her face full of complicated feelings.

By the time they reached the entrance of Gongbu Alley, seeing the old madam’s newfound air of importance, Old Madam Tao teased her sourly, “Well, look who’s come out late today! What, enjoying yourself so much at home you didn’t want to leave?”

The old madam looked back at the reclining chair Eryue had set up for her, and unable to hold it in any longer, leaned in to complain at length into Old Madam Xu’s ear. Old Madam Xu was already doubled over with laughter halfway through.

Once she finally finished laughing, she pointed at the old madam and said, “You! Honestly, you! Are you a fool? Couldn’t you just let them go out for a bit?”

The old madam was startled to hear this. “Huh? You can let them go out?”

Old Madam Xu laughed again, and once she’d finished, said, “Lucky you asked early! A few more days of this and you’d have earned yourself a reputation for cruelty! No one does it like you. They may have been trained for this, sure, but you can’t make them stand watch all night long. Just tell them to sleep, and call for them if you need anything. If you don’t say anything, they won’t dare close their eyes all night.”

The old madam took the advice to heart, and after sitting quietly for a while, sighed, “I suppose everyone has their own fate — I was born to suffer. I haven’t touched my needlework for half a day and I already feel restless all over, nothing feels right…”

Old Madam Tao, secretly envious, didn’t want to hear the old madam’s unintentional bragging, so she changed the subject and asked, “Old madam, with so many people now, where have you put them all?”

The old madam, with nothing to hide, laid it all out plainly: “On the east side of my place, six are staying in the side rooms, the rest of the maids and matrons are with Qian’er in the front courtyard, and the rest are staying in…” She paused, then suddenly laughed, her eyes rolling mischievously, and said to Old Madam Tao, “You’re funny too — I never ask you where your daughters-in-law all sleep, yet you’re so eager to ask about my household?”

Old Madam Tao was startled and immediately protested, “Heaven as my witness, I was just asking casually! Why are you thinking the worst of me? After all these years, don’t you know what kind of person I am?”

The old madam, true to her nature, pointed at her and exposed her outright. “What kind of person? The kind with the most scheming little mind, that’s what! Who doesn’t know that about you!”

Old Madam Tao immediately protested her innocence, launching into a defense of her own good character.

The old madam laughed inwardly — she wasn’t about to tell her that her family had gained yet another residence.

Old Madam Xu, sensing something was being hidden, tactfully changed the subject. “Old sisters! My son came home yesterday and said His Majesty is going to be handing out reward-merit money!”

Reward-merit money?

Hearing this, Qiqian’er paused and glanced at the old madam, then lowered her head and continued her needlework.

Grand Attendant She had indeed mentioned this reward before, but that was back then! Now that everything at home was going well, and with Choutou currently in such a favorable position, whether or not they received this reward hardly mattered anymore…

The old madam, of course, had no idea what reward-merit money was, and asked Old Madam Xu, “What’s this reward-merit thing?”

Old Madam Xu explained with a smile, “I don’t fully understand it myself, but apparently it’s not easy to come by! It’s said that those who once risked their lives for His Majesty, who achieved great merit, are granted a token of reward — this merit is graded by size, and the tokens come in gold, silver, or bronze. My son isn’t much to speak of, so he only received a bronze one…

Ah, his father passed away partway through, and they never even found the body. My son, being filial, said he didn’t want the reward to spoil future generations into relying on it instead of working hard, not knowing to fear hardship — that’s how misfortune comes. So instead, he’s building his father an empty-coffin tomb, and he’s burying the token with him… My son said this thing carries the aura of the Emperor himself, and since His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, if that token goes down with my old husband, even the King of the Underworld will have to show the mortal Emperor some respect…”

Old Madam Xu said this without any particular intention behind it, but it planted a seed of worry in the old madam’s heart. Her expression turned gloomy, and she didn’t stay much longer that day — she went home early without even bothering to brag about anything.

This left Qiqian’er thoroughly puzzled.

Chen Dasheng and the others were gone the entire day, only returning together around nightfall.

When they got back, Qiqian’er finally learned that the government office had indeed opened, but its current priorities were the old city’s water supply and the plan to relocate the old city five li forward — the official position in charge of household registration hadn’t even been filled yet.

And yet, when a whole group of proper seventh-rank gentlemen showed up, along with a sixth-rank Assistant Magistrate, and their calling cards were sent in, before long the third-rank prefect himself came out personally to greet them.

The moment Chen Dasheng saw the prefect’s face, he thought — wait, he knew this man! Familiar, very familiar!

Someone he’d seen almost daily not long ago — someone capable of guarding the Yandu defense line had to be one of His Majesty’s most trusted men.

Chen Dasheng, now face to face with an old acquaintance, grew awkward and bashful, but this man — whatever his position — greeted them warmly with a smile and led them inside personally, treating them hospitably, and though there was no official in charge of household registration, no matter — the prefect handled it personally.

As a result, Chen Dasheng inexplicably gained a “brother” in the prefect, who kept calling him “little brother” and treated the whole group to a lavish midday feast in the back office.

Once the prefect had arranged for his secretary to personally oversee the property deeds, this clever man even praised Chen Dasheng aloud for his honest heart, claiming three properties only?

Yes — the man was actually complaining that Chen Dasheng had claimed too little.

Chen Dasheng, thoroughly embarrassed, pointed to his family’s list of names and explained he had three older brothers and an older sister above him — didn’t everyone deserve their own property? That wasn’t too much at all — he was sorry for the trouble!

The prefect responded solemnly that this matter had nothing to do with him at all! It wasn’t excessive in the least — properties in Quanhou Manor went to whoever claimed them first, and whoever had the means got to keep them!

Besides, since each of them served in different offices, Little Brother Chen’s brothers-in-law couldn’t dream of a place in Yandu, so what was wrong with a modest countryside shelter in Qingfeng? What was there to be wronged about?

Ah! So that’s how you could spin things! Chen Dasheng learned something new that day.

The clerks worked hastily, stamping the prefecture and registry seals cleanly and efficiently, not even bothering to check whose name they were stamping for.

Halfway through the stamping, Chang Lianfang’s household steward arrived cheerfully. This man, whom the old madam trusted most, addressed Chen Dasheng as “young master” upon meeting him.

The prefect took one look at the calling card sent over — goodness! His Majesty’s adopted son wanted the Checkerboard Courtyard!

Who cared about the Checkerboard Courtyard! Give it to him! With such a golden opportunity to build a connection, only a fool would let it slip by!

Prefect Shi now realized Chen Dasheng not only had a father who was a Grand Eunuch, but also a sworn brother who was His Majesty’s adopted son — and this adopted son was, properly speaking, the adopted son of Chang Mianshen himself.

And so, under Chang Lianfang’s name, an inexplicable extra property — meant as a wedding residence — was added, and the Checkerboard Courtyard turned out to have a full two more two-entrance courtyards than his residence in Yandu.

How to explain it — when His Majesty had originally granted plots of land, he hadn’t paid much attention to practicality. The courtyard granted to the Chang family had only about half its space actually livable, but it boasted one of the top five most famous water pavilions in Yandu, along with an enormous lotus pond large enough for boating.

Their residence had previously belonged to a princess consort’s estate — someone with refined taste.

When the Chang family happily moved into the capital, they’d found the courtyard nearly suffocating — hardly any livable space, yet costing a fortune just to maintain the enormous fish pond.

Originally, the family had planned to fill in the nine-bend lotus pond in the new residence to build a wedding house for their son, but the two elder sisters-in-law had grumbled and objected.

Privately, they’d even said that surely His Majesty wouldn’t shortchange his own adopted son!

What belonged to His Majesty was His Majesty’s — the family elders all understood that if His Majesty had already arranged a residence for him, this youngest son might well grow estranged from the family.

Who could have imagined that the humble, poor Chen family would end up treating their third brother like their own grandson, and casually secure such an unexpected paired estate for him.

What did it matter that it was in Qingfeng — how far was Qingfeng from Yandu anyway? Just an hour’s ride on horseback. And it was discreet, not too conspicuous — a place that could pass anywhere.

The family’s old madam and lady of the house were overjoyed — after all, both hands are flesh and blood, and the elders, in their difficult position, had wanted to buy something in Yandu, but with so many eyes watching these days, even having the money, they hadn’t dared to spend it.

Truly, this was help in the nick of time!

After all this commotion, by evening, Chen Dasheng was forced to endure yet another feast with Prefect Shi before quietly heading back with three cartloads of people.

As they were leaving, the prefect, wanting to demonstrate his own discretion, repeatedly cautioned them never, ever to let word of this get out… Using one’s authority to grant favors — could it really be done this way too?

Chen Dasheng stayed silent the whole way back. Once home, entering the alley, a group of aunties got down from the carts, genuinely wanting to kneel before him in gratitude. Only then did Chen Dasheng’s mood lift somewhat — after all, he now had the ability to protect and shelter others too.

This was his last night at home before the end of his leave, and having had a few too many drinks at the government office, he was unusually talkative.

Lying on his pillow, he rambled on about the harsh treatment from county office runners who used to come to the village demanding labor and raising taxes, and then about everything he’d seen and heard at the government office that day. Worked up, he rambled on and on until he was in tears. Qiqian’er, helpless, was pulled over to hold him and comfort him, “There, there. It’s all in the past now… all in the past…”

Chen Dasheng cried a while longer, then murmured, “I miss them so much… back then, the whole family together, Grandfather, my uncles, like great mountains we could lean on. If they were still here, how wonderful it would be, all of us living here together!”

But in the end — the dead were gone, and there was no bringing them back.

Chen Dasheng left early the next morning. Perhaps out of embarrassment, he slipped away without waking Qiqian’er.

By the time Qiqian’er woke up, she’d assumed the days would go on as before — she’d slowly get the household in order and wait for her own son to arrive. But who could have guessed — right after breakfast, the old madam sent Yiyue to call for her.

When Qiqian’er arrived at the old residence, the old madam was sitting on the kang, holding a bundle in her arms, stroking it over and over.

Qiqian’er sat down beside her and asked, “A’Nai, what treasure are you hiding to give me?”

The old madam looked up at her with a bitter smile. “What treasure! This is… this is…” Her hands trembling, she slowly unwrapped the bundle. Qiqian’er froze — she recognized this item. It was a tattered stone-blue silk-and-gold brocade robe, riddled with holes from swords and spears.

Qiqian’er knew the old madam liked to collect clothing scavenged from battlefields, but she’d always been puzzled that in her previous life, the old madam had repeatedly instructed her to bury this very robe with her when she died, to be held in her arms.

Back then, she had resented her for it, muttering to herself that the old madam was just being greedy.

But today — why bring this out now?

The old madam stroked the robe and said to Qiqian’er with a bitter smile, “This was stripped from your eldest uncle’s body…”

She forced back her tears and said to Qiqian’er, “Qian, Qian’er… A’Nai begs you, take me to see His Majesty. Can we go find His Majesty? I want to ask for your eldest uncle and the others too — a reward token, to serve as toll money in the underworld… I — I need to ask His Majesty where he buried my son…”

Qiqian’er was stunned. It was only from the old madam’s rambling that she finally learned the family’s eldest uncle had died in the battles at Tongyan Mountain.

That year, when His Majesty had been caught in a pincer attack, he and several others of similar build had been chosen as decoys, each leading a pursuing column in a different direction, toward four separate locations.

Where exactly had the eldest uncle died? The old madam didn’t know — all she’d received was this set of clothing, along with word that His Majesty had ordered him properly collected and given an honorable burial.

Qiqian’er stared blankly at this robe… In her previous life, it wasn’t that the old madam hadn’t understood — she’d simply grown so cold-hearted from being surrounded by overwhelming wealth that she no longer wanted to ask for anything.

Chen Dasheng had guarded the border alone for years, all while looking after another family’s old madam, while his own grandchildren, over petty grudges about money, refused to come back… and she herself had been so unworthy back then.

Qiqian’er looked at this robe, overwhelmed with sorrow, and grasped the old madam’s hand. “Alright, alright, A’Nai, don’t be sad. Let’s pack our things right now — your Choutou grandson guards the gate for His Majesty himself, so once we get there, we’re sure to see him!”

The moment she heard this, the old madam’s distress vanished at once. She quickly and efficiently tied up her bundle, then held out her hand and gestured firmly to Qiqian’er. “Right! To the palace, to see His Majesty! For the reward tokens! Eight of them!!”

With a whole household of servants now, packing was quick and efficient. Before long, all of the old madam’s “wealth” was loaded onto three large carts, and they set off straight for Yandu.

That day, Madam Qiao, feeling oddly restless, took Xique with her to the ancestral hall entrance to chat with the other sisters-in-law to pass the time.

But when she saw Qiqian’er and the old madam leave, surrounded by a grand entourage of servants, Madam Qiao nearly lost her mind with envy and bitterness!

Her heart ached with jealousy, and she couldn’t help wiping away tears, saying, “So now, we can’t even be one family anymore… I served the old madam for three years! Three years! Eh? Sisters? Where are you all going…”

The group of women, who had originally felt at ease and had come out cheerfully to do their chores, hadn’t thought much of it when Madam Qiao joined them, and had even treated her kindly at first.

After all, she was still part of the Chen family.

But hearing her complain and speak bitterly today felt different from before. They were now the people of the old madam and young madam — and hearing this kind of talk? Such scheming!

So this was the kind of person Madam Qiao really was.

Since Madam Qiao was family, they couldn’t slap her, so they hurriedly gathered up their household chores and fled as if for their lives… That Madam Zhou ran quite far, then remembered her oath, and fearing the Old Lord might strike her with five bolts of lightning, turned back and stood five paces in front of the bewildered and stunned Madam Qiao, solemnly spitting three times in her direction.

Pah! Pah! Pah!

Qiqian’er had no idea that her one act of kindness had thoroughly isolated Madam Qiao.

She was worried about the old madam.

The old madam clutched her bundle in distress the whole way, and fearing she might suffocate from grief, Qiqian’er comforted her constantly along the way, though with little effect — the old madam’s lips had turned pale, and she could barely speak clearly anymore.

About three li outside Qingfeng City, Qiqian’er spotted a temple faintly visible on a hillside nearby.

She said to the old madam, “A’Nai, this place is called Qingque Ridge. Look at that hillside — there’s a nunnery called Qingque there. I once heard my lady say the bodhisattva enshrined there is especially effective, truly answering every prayer! Since we’re going to see His Majesty anyway, why don’t we stop there first and hold a ritual for your eldest uncle and the others — to help their souls find peace — and make a donation for incense too? It would do them good…”

The old madam nodded vigorously the moment she heard this.

Qiqian’er instructed She Jixiang to turn the cart toward Qingque Nunnery, but unfortunately, just as she’d hoped, after helping the old madam down from the cart with reverent care, they’d walked less than half an incense stick’s worth up the mountain when several fierce-looking men blocked their way.

Several burly men stood across the path, swords at their waists, hands raised. “Halt! There’s something happening at the temple today — please come back tomorrow to offer incense. The bodhisattva won’t hold it against you!”

She Jixiang, who had been silent this whole time, glanced over and spoke to Qiqian’er for the first time. “Young Mistress, let’s come back another day. Or — there’s a bigger temple about ten li ahead, with plenty of incense-burning there too…”

Qiqian’er, noticing something odd in She Jixiang’s expression, immediately smiled knowingly and said, “Ah, right, right! How could I forget! A’Nai, if we’re burning incense, let’s go to a bigger one!”

But to her shock, the old madam wrenched free of her grip, muttering, “We’ve already made it to the bodhisattva’s doorstep — how can we not pay our respects?”

She refused to leave, standing on her toes to peer up the mountain, and in that instant, she spotted a procession of people.

The old madam immediately called out, waving to the plumpest, fairest-skinned old woman among them. “Old sister! Old sister! Are you here to worship the bodhisattva too? Take this old sister along with you?”