Madam You stared at her hands and said, “From a person from the Southern Frontier. Once, while out shopping, I happened to meet a woman from the Southern Frontier selling some strange items. I tentatively asked her about gu worms, and to my surprise, she had that type of gu…”
Madam You had a particularly vivid impression of the gu worm that could feed on human heart blood. One could say that over the years, the appearance of that gu worm had been deeply imprinted in her mind.
“Where did you encounter this Southern Frontier woman?” Jiang Si pursued.
“Right on West Market Street, in a small shop without a sign at the very back after entering.”
Jiang Si silently noted this and said to the Old Madam, “Grandmother, let my elder sister and I help you back to your room to rest. You must avoid emotional ups and downs for now.”
The Old Madam slowly nodded.
Jiang Si and Jiang Yi supported the Old Madam on either side as they walked towards the door.
Madam You stared at their retreating figures and suddenly called out, “Old Madam, if I’m gone, Xun’er and Qingshuang will have to observe mourning!”
The Old Madam paused but didn’t turn back. She said calmly, “Observing mourning for one’s mother is the duty of children.”
“But Qingshuang is already seventeen. In three more years, it will be too late for her to marry—”
“A good marriage doesn’t depend on timing. When she’s a bit older, she’ll be more sensible and won’t casually stray from the right path.” The Old Madam finished speaking and walked out.
The atmosphere in the hall became somber.
Su Erjiu spoke up, “Father, Elder Brother, we’ll be leaving now.”
Seeing the Old Marquis Yining nod, Su Erjiu secretly sighed in relief and hurriedly left with Madam Xu.
Suddenly, only three generations remained: Old Marquis Yining, Su Dajiu, and Jiang Zhan, along with the dispirited Madam You.
“Why haven’t you left yet?” Old Marquis Yining frowned at his grandson.
Jiang Zhan replied righteously, “I want to hear how my Great-grandfather and Uncle will deal with the culprit who harmed my Grandmother and my mother before I leave.”
Old Marquis Yining put down his pipe on the table and said coldly, “Just do as your grandmother said.”
Madam You woodenly looked towards Su Dajiu.
Su Dajiu silently averted his gaze.
People aren’t made of wood; it was impossible to say there were no feelings after so many years of marriage. But no amount of affection could outweigh this poisonous woman’s crimes against his mother and sister.
A life for a life – this was his mother’s wish and heaven’s justice.
Su Dajiu looked out the window. A lone wild goose flew across the sky.
He let out a soft sigh.
Jiang Si supported the Old Madam into the room and walked to the window to open it.
A cool breeze blew in, dispersing the faint medicinal smell in the room.
The Old Madam slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, and Jiang Yi placed a pillow behind her back.
“Grandmother, please rest. Don’t let anger harm your health.”
Hearing Jiang Yi’s advice, the Old Madam smiled bitterly, “I never imagined Madam You would become like this!”
Jiang Si pressed her lips together.
Once certain things are done, there’s no turning back.
Back then, Madam You had followed Princess Rongyang’s instructions to kill her mother-in-law so easily, and for years, no one knew. When someone else’s existence threatened her, she easily chose the simplest way – using the same method to eliminate that person.
How was she any different? Once she experienced the satisfaction of revenge, she could no longer tolerate those people running amok.
The excuse of biding one’s time was just self-deception. She preferred to take revenge immediately when wronged.
“Your mother had a hard life—” The Old Madam’s eyes moistened.
Jiang Yi raised her hand to wipe away tears.
The Old Madam looked at Jiang Si.
In her eyes, this granddaughter was too calm, so calm that she couldn’t see through her.
“Si’er, tell your great-grandmother truthfully, what exactly happened on the day of the birthday banquet last year?”
Jiang Si was silent for a moment, then said, “Second cousin stopped me because cousin Qingxue deliberately lured him to the pavilion. Cousin Qingxue was acting on Madam You’s instructions. Madam You wanted me to marry Second cousin…”
“That poisonous woman deserves to die!” The Old Madam’s chest heaved with anger.
Frightened, Jiang Yi hurriedly patted the Old Madam’s back.
Jiang Si nodded slightly, “Great-grandmother is right, such a poisonous woman deserves to die!”
“Fourth Sister, please don’t say anymore.” Worried about the Old Madam’s health, Jiang Yi gave Jiang Si a meaningful look.
Jiang Si reached out to hold the Old Madam’s arm, pressing her face against it.
The person who had been cold and strong just a moment ago suddenly turned into a delicate girl.
Her voice became softer, “Great-grandmother, you shouldn’t let Madam You’s actions upset you so much. You should be happy.”
“Happy?”
“Yes, although Madam You’s actions have disappointed and angered you, if her crimes hadn’t been exposed today, my mother would never have been able to rest in peace. Evil doesn’t cease to exist just because no one discovers it. It’s always there. Discovering it allows the evildoer to be punished and the victims to find closure. Don’t you agree?”
The Old Madam nodded with tears in her eyes, “That’s right.”
Jiang Si smiled, “So, shouldn’t you be happy that the person who killed my mother has faced retribution?”
“Of course I’m happy!” After Jiang Si’s persuasion, much of the Old Madam’s distress dissipated.
Leaving the Old Madam’s room, Jiang Si said, “Elder Sister, let’s call Second Brother and head back.”
“Mm.”
After sending Jiang Yi back to the East Peace Earl’s manor, Jiang Si didn’t return directly to the Yan Prince’s manor. Instead, she instructed Old Qin to head straight for West Market Street.
Princess Fuqing had been afflicted with gu by the Emperor’s consort, her mother had been afflicted with gu by Madam You under Princess Rongyang’s instructions. For now, she couldn’t determine where Consort Chen and Princess Rongyang had obtained their gu worms, but the information provided by Madam You was the easiest lead to follow up on.
The carriage stopped at the designated area at the entrance of West Market Street. Old Qin walked in front to prevent anyone from bumping into Jiang Si, while Long Dan walked at the back, his eyes darting around despite his impassive expression.
West Market Street was bustling at this hour. Shops lined both sides, colorful flags fluttered, and many shopkeepers came out to solicit customers.
The group of four looked unusual, and the shopkeepers’ voices became even more enthusiastic.
As they walked, A-Man suddenly giggled and pointed, “Look, even our Lushengxiang’s shopkeeper is soliciting customers.”
West Market Street specialized in selling daily necessities, and shops selling rouge and powder were concentrated here.
Further ahead, past this section fragrant with cosmetics, the variety of goods increased.
This was just an ordinary day. In the capital, there was a market every five days, and during those times, it would be a sea of people. One visit during the market day would leave you drenched in sweat from the crowds.
For this reason, ladies from wealthy families never came to buy cosmetics and such during market days.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, Jiang Si stopped in front of a small shop without a sign.
Unlike the bustle of other shops, this small shop was quiet outside. The door was ajar, making it unclear whether it was open for business.
At Jiang Si’s signal, A-Man pushed open the door and entered.
“Is anyone here?”
In response to A-Man’s inquiry, a woman raised her head: “What would the customer like to buy?”
A-Man stepped aside and smiled, “Madam, there’s someone here.”
The woman looked at Jiang Si and suddenly changed expression: “Holy—”
Jiang Si immediately realized one thing: this woman recognized Holy Woman A-Sang!