The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Retribution 

The matter of the medicine.

She immediately recalled how, during the previous night, she had twice mentioned to Wei Shao the prospect of informing Madame Xu to seek her aid, only to be rejected by him both times.

Granted, an affair of this nature was altogether too scandalous and shameful; a grandson would naturally be loath to let his grandmother know. Yet Xiao Qiao consistently felt that, judging from his countenance and tone last night as well as his entirely normal demeanor before Madame Xu this morning, Wei Shao seemed to still harbor a lingering reluctance to let his grandmother discover that Lady Zhu had perpetrated such an act against him, even in the wake of such an event.

He appeared to still wish to cover for Lady Zhu and preserve her dignity before his grandmother.

He was unwilling to speak of it, yet Madame Xu had come to question her so swiftly.

If she spoke, and he discovered it had originated from her mouth, she would give offense to his filial heart.

If she did not speak... considering Madame Xu's absolute mastery over this household, she would inevitably find out sooner or later. When that time came, she would be the one at fault in Madame Xu's eyes.

Xiao Qiao raised her eyes, meeting the gaze of Madame Xu's solitary eye. After a brief deliberation, she responded: "Replying to Grandmother, as to what transpired over at the eastern wing last night, this granddaughter-in-law is indeed unclear. My husband returned and did not breathe a single syllable before me. As for retrieving the ice blocks, I was aware of that. At the time, he pushed open the door and entered, striding directly into the bathhouse, whereupon he bade me fetch ice. The moment I hesitated slightly, he urged me sharply, a manifestation of extreme urgency. Daring not be remiss, I had people fetch the ice, only to discover... he intended to submerge the ice blocks in water to take a bath..."

Madame Xu's brows knit slightly.

Xiao Qiao lowered her head.

"Why have you ceased speaking? What happened afterward?"

Xiao Qiao spoke in a low voice: "Afterward, I grew concerned that he might freeze, so I went inside to check on him. His entire frame was submerged in the ice water, and he claimed to be exceedingly thirsty, so I brought water to him. And then..."

She lowered her head, her countenance betraying a deep embarrassment, and spoke no further.

Madame Xu gazed at Xiao Qiao, her brows knitting even tighter.

Although Xiao Qiao had merely spoken these few brief, simplistic sentences, how could Madame Xu fail to deduce what followed between her grandson and the bride last night? It was not merely the overturning of phoenix and dragon, but a highly anomalous occurrence.

Judging from the bride's description, her grandson's reaction was unmistakably the manifestation of having ingested an aphrodisiac.

A sliver of wrath instantly surged from the depths of Madame Xu's heart.

The male lineage of the Wei family was far from flourishing; both her husband and her son had been single passings through a solitary line, and now she was left with only this single grandson, Wei Shao, beneath her knees. Never mind treating him as the very flesh of her heart; even if Madame Xu were required to trade her own lifespan, or even renounce the entire estate of the Wei family to barter for a lifetime of peace and security for Wei Shao, she would do so with a satisfied heart and a willing mind.

Never in her wildest imaginings could she have anticipated that someone would possess a heart so blackened as to administer such a vicious drug to him!

She immediately demanded: "Did Zhonglin suffer any injury to his body afterward? Tell Grandmother truthfully, without any need for misgivings, and furthermore without any need for shame!"

To mention the events of last night before Madame Xu truly caused Xiao Qiao to feel flushed with shame. Consequently, she had merely glossed over it with such ambiguity moments ago; yet at this moment, she detected the urgency and an undercurrent of suppressed rage in the elderly woman's voice. A tremor went through her, and disregarding her own embarrassment, she said: "He should be unhurt. Initially, he was in great torment, but later... he finally drifted off to sleep."

Madame Xu pondered in silence for a brief moment, then slowly exhaled a breath, looking toward Xiao Qiao. Seeing her lowered eyelids and slightly reddened cheeks, she recalled how, when her grandson had come to see her this morning, he had mentioned her, saying she was still asleep so he had not awakened her to accompany him. Presumedly she had been thoroughly tossed and turned by her grandson last night; a sense of pity arose in her heart, and she lightly patted the back of Xiao Qiao's hand, speaking softly: "Grandmother is aware. All is well here now; you may return to rest further."

Xiao Qiao bowed in gratitude to Madame Xu and retreated. Once she had departed, Madame Xu summoned Nanny Zhong inside and recounted her deductions.

Nanny Zhong was greatly alarmed. Seeing that Madame Xu's countenance was as dark as still water, she hesitated briefly and said: "May the Old Mistress appease her wrath. This servant shall go and summon the Madam here to question her thoroughly..."

"I have also not ventured over to that side for a long duration. This time, there is no need for her to come; I shall go and look upon her myself!"

Madame Xu rose straight up from the couch, speaking coldly.

Nanny Zhong supported Madame Xu down from the couch, attended to her changing garments, and set out toward the eastern wing.

...

Last night, Lady Zhu had been sleepless the entire night, and when she arose in the morning, both of her eyes were puffy and swollen. Early in the day, Wei Shao arrived; recalling her son's unprecedented state of wrath the previous night, her heart remained apprehensive. Managing with difficulty to steady her mind, she initially offered her son a smile. Seeing that he neither sat nor spoke, but merely stood before her staring at her, she said in a trembling voice: "Zhonglin, my son, regarding the matter of last night, it was indeed my fault. It is all to be blamed upon this mother of yours being momentarily muddled, to have actually perpetrated such an act against you. After you departed last night, I even thought that you would no longer acknowledge me as your mother henceforth! In my heart..."

The rims of her eyes turned red, and tears began to flow. She choked with sobs once more: "Your grandmother's side is presumably also aware by now... She originally looked down upon me, and it will be even more so henceforth. So be it, I can only blame my own muddle-headedness; I shall go to her quarters today to confess my guilt, and whatever punishment she wishes to mete out, I shall simply accept it..."

Wei Shao's twin brows were tightly knit. Only after a long while did he appear to suppress his emotions, speaking slowly: "Regarding the matter of last night, I have not informed Grandmother, nor do I intend to let Grandmother know, lest she be needlessly beset by futile vexations out of thin air."

Upon hearing this, Lady Zhu exhaled a sigh of relief.

"It is merely that on your part, you must comply with two matters for me," Wei Shao added coldly.

"My son need only speak!" Lady Zhu nodded hastily.

"First, send Zheng Shu away; henceforth, she is forbidden to cross the threshold of my Wei family estate. Second, Mother is likewise forbidden from ever communicating or trafficking with sorcerers and shamans again..."

A shadow flitted across his eyes.

"If I should discover that next time you conspire with sorcerers to perpetrate such underhanded, scandalous deeds akin to drugging, I shall immediately order people to level the shamanic temple!"

Lady Zhu was startled out of her wits.

Because the affair had failed to come to fruition last night, she had even grumbled for a time that the medicine given by the Great Shaman was ineffective. Yet she had completely failed to anticipate how her son could know the medicine had been sought from the sorcerers by her own hand. Seeing her son mention this matter—which was, after all, ignominious—her face flushed crimson as she said: "To refrain from trafficking with sorcerers, I have committed it to heart. This time, I am also exceedingly filled with regret. My son may rest assured. It is merely that regarding the first condition..."

She hesitated briefly, lifting her eyes to cast a glance at Wei Shao. Seeing him staring at her with a dark, somber countenance, a tremor went through her, knowing in her heart that at this juncture, it was impossible to retain her niece under any circumstances.

"Understood. Yet as you know, Chuyu no longer has anyone to rely upon in her family; if she is suddenly sent out, where can she go? My son, grant me a few days to make arrangements. I know you dislike Chuyu, and through this turn of events, I have also received a lesson; henceforth, I shall never require you to take her as a concubine again. She has accompanied me all these years, and now that I must send her away, I must at least send her off with dignity, preparing some items for her, which may also be considered a fulfillment of the filial piety she has rendered before me on your behalf all these years... Consider it this mother begging of you."

As Lady Zhu reached the sorrowful part of her speech, tears flowed once more.

Wei Shao's brows knit once again. After a moment, he finally spoke: "Three days. If she is still present after three days, Mother must not blame me for being unfilial."

Left with no alternative, Lady Zhu could only comply. She choked with sobs: "Zhonglin, I was wrong in this matter, I have failed you..." Her tears were dried and wiped away, only to flow anew.

Wei Shao gazed at Lady Zhu, appearing as though he wished to say something, yet ultimately he refrained from speaking. In the end, he merely said: "I only beg that Mother commit this lesson to heart; henceforth, conduct yourself without being so muddled again, and that shall be this son's fortune."

...

Following Wei Shao's departure, Lady Zhu remained lost in a daze by herself for a long duration. By midday, she inquired of the servants, and hearing that Zheng Shu was still in her room and had consumed neither water nor rice since morning, she personally sought her out and recounted the matter she had agreed to this morning.

Zheng Chuyu had already wept until both of her eyes were red and swollen. She said: "Aunt, I only regret that I should be so muddled, willingly degrading myself to perpetrate such an act. Even if Cousin had not spoken, I would be unable to remain within this household. I see that Cousin also harbors some resentment toward Aunt, which is even further from my original intention. I settled my mind moments ago; I shall depart."

Seeing her consider her own plight to such an extent, Lady Zhu was even more loath to part with her. Offering all manner of consolation, she said: "Rest your heart. Regarding the matter this time, the northern wing is unaware of it, and Zhonglin has also promised not to speak of it. My sending you out is merely temporary; once some time has passed, Aunt shall review the situation and bring you back."

Zheng Chuyu slowly collected her tears: "Aunt, after I depart, Aunt must on no account use force with Cousin. Cousin is a filial son; in his heart, he is good to Aunt. When Aunt encounters matters, you must act as before—reason with him through logic, and move him through emotion; I anticipate that Cousin's heart will inevitably soften. So long as Cousin protects Aunt, the Old Mistress must also show regard for Cousin's face, and only in this manner will Aunt's future days not be too difficult..."

"Chuyu, only you consider matters on behalf of your aunt... If that Qiao woman possessed even a single fraction of your intimacy, I would not have fallen into such a faceless state before my son!"

"Aunt—"

"What a pair of aunt and niece, bound by a deep affection so difficult to sever! Even when this old body witnesses it, my heart is moved to sorrow!"

A steady, unperturbed voice suddenly drifted over from behind them.

Lady Zhu whipped her head around, discovering that Madame Xu had actually arrived at some unknown moment. At this moment, she stood at the doorway leaning upon a walking staff. Though her expression appeared no different from usual, the piercing light radiating from her solitary, clear eye shot straight toward her like an arrow. Startled out of her wits, she hastily let go of Zheng Chuyu and knelt down toward Madame Xu to greet her, saying in a trembling voice: "Why has Mother-in-law personally come? If there were any matter, you need only dispatch someone to summon me."

Madame Xu ignored her entirely, shifting her gaze to shoot toward Zheng Chuyu, who knelt behind Lady Zhu.

Zheng Chuyu's face turned pale, and she dared not lift her head.

Madame Xu looked upon Zheng Chuyu for a brief moment, then spoke slowly: "Send Zheng Shu out of the family gates immediately. Henceforth, do not let me lay eyes upon her again."

The moment she finished speaking, two robust women immediately entered, dragging Zheng Chuyu toward the outside.

Zheng Chuyu burst into tears.

Lady Zhu's mind instantly fell into utter chaos, and she hurriedly said: "Mother-in-law..." No sooner had she spoken than she saw Madame Xu's gaze abruptly sweep toward her, rendering her instantly incapable of utterance.

"I know that you, aunt and niece, have accompanied one another for many years and possess considerable affection; rest your heart, she shall not be mistreated. Although her parents are deceased, she still has paternal uncles; send her back, and her dowry shall be sent along with her, allowing the Zheng family to locate a good household for her to marry into. With such an arrangement, do you harbor any dissatisfaction?"

Lady Zhu muttered: "Everything shall be subject to Mother-in-law's arrangement."

Outside, Zheng Chuyu's voice could no longer be heard. The maidservants within the room had also all exited. In the end, only Lady Zhu remained kneeling upon the ground, her head lowered.

After a long while, just as she was slowly about to raise her head, she suddenly heard Madame Xu violently strike her walking staff down. The force was so immense that it actually struck a crack into the blue flagstone before her feet. Furthermore, she heard her stern voice demand: "Did I permit you to raise your head?"

Lady Zhu gave a violent shudder, lifting her eyes to find Madame Xu's face filled with wrath, the light shooting from the eye that looked down upon her as sharp as a blade.

She had been married into the Wei family for twenty or thirty years; though in her heart she had consistently resented and blamed Madame Xu for treating her coldly, such severe countenance as this had nonetheless never occurred before. Her heart thumped wildly, and managing with difficulty to steady her mind, she emboldened herself to say: "I know not what this daughter-in-law has done wrong to actually provoke Mother-in-law to such anger. I beg Mother-in-law to reveal it clearly, so that this daughter-in-law may amend her ways..."

Madame Xu spat at her: "From where did you procure that low-class, vicious drug to administer to my grandson last night? For the sake of stuffing that good niece of yours into my grandson's quarters, how dare you perpetrate such a malicious act? You claim it was an aphrodisiac! Supposing someone with ulterior motives had swapped what was delivered to you into poison, you foolish woman, would you likewise have administered it to your son? Zheng Shu is your niece, but is my grandson not the biological son who crawled out from your own womb?"

Lady Zhu's countenance instantly turned deathly pale, and sweat broke out densely across her forehead. Knowing in her heart that the matter had already been discovered by Madame Xu, she dared not offer a fraction further explanation; touching her forehead to the ground, she wept: "This daughter-in-law was momentarily muddled and committed a grave error! Fortunately, it failed to forge a calamitous result. I beg Mother-in-law to inflict punishment; henceforth I shall never dare again!"

Madame Xu was visibly enraged to the extreme. Having sternly berated her with that preceding paragraph, she panted without cessation, and only after a moment did she calm down, speaking coldly: "You normally traffic with sorcerers and shamans frequently, and I have likewise kept one eye open while closing the other. Now you actually dare to strike such a hand against your own biological son; it is evident that your mind has warped to some unknown place! You are my grandson's birth mother, and it is not fitting for me to do anything to you, lest it diminish my grandson's face. So be it; since you yourself entreat me to inflict punishment, you shall go to the ancestral temple chamber to face the wall by yourself! Whenever you have pondered and understood clearly, you may return!"

Having spoken, Madame Xu cast not another glance at Lady Zhu, turning on her heel to depart. Upon reaching the outside of the door, her body swayed slightly, and the waiting Nanny Zhong hurriedly received and supported her.

Madame Xu closed her eyes, steadying her mind. Seeing Nanny Zhong gazing at her with an expression filled with worry, she shook her head toward her, uttering, "I am unharmed." Nanny Zhong then assisted her all the way out to return toward the northern wing.

"Old Mistress, when the young lord arrived this morning, he made not the slightest mention of last night's events before the Old Mistress; it is evident the young lord did not wish the Old Mistress to know of the Madam's actions. With the Old Mistress punishing the Madam in this manner, the young lord possesses a fierce temperament; if he learns the Old Mistress summoned the young mistress, in the event that his anger is displaced..."

She ground to a halt.

Madame Xu's solitary eye gazed ahead, and she spoke flatly: "This will depend upon the Qiao girl herself. If she cannot even get past a matter of this scale, how can she couple as mates and match as a devoted pair with Zhonglin until their hair turns white?"

Nanny Zhong fell silent for a brief moment, then nodded her head in agreement.