Wish You All the Best - Chapter 63
Chapter 63
The Lady Pan, mother of the Prince of He-Yang, had been an old friend of Old Madam Pei. Now that she had passed on to enjoy eternal peace, the Old Madam had attended the funeral in person. After returning, perhaps due to the sudden shift in weather, the Old Madam’s appetite began to wane. With the arrival of the colder season, she spent most of her days in a drowsy, lethargic sleep, even during daylight hours.
Jiafu remembered clearly that in her previous life, Old Madam Pei seemed to have passed away shortly after Xiao Lie ascended the throne. Because of this, seeing the Old Madam’s health failing while Pei Youan was away from home made her exceptionally anxious and tense. Not only did she serve by the Old Madam’s side with devotion day and night, but she also summoned the imperial physician every few days for consultations.
Despite these efforts, the Old Madam’s vitality was like a lamp nearing the end of its oil, its flame dimming bit by bit. A sense of ominous foreboding gradually took root in Jiafu’s heart.
One day, nearly a month after Pei Youan had left home, Jiafu received his first letter.
The letter was short and concise, mirroring the way Pei Youan spoke in his daily life.
He informed her that he had reached the Jingxiang and Nanyang regions over half a month ago. Everything was currently in progress and going well, so she need not worry. He also asked her to convey his regards to the Old Madam on his behalf.
Attached to the back of the letter was a page listing several books. He noted that all the books listed were available in his study. If she found the time, she could take them out to pass the hours, following the order he had set, from the simplest to the more profound. He estimated that by the time she finished reading the entire list, he would likely have returned to the capital.
Ever since Pei Youan had left, Jiafu had spent her days caring for the Old Madam and her nights filled with longing, sometimes missing him so deeply she could not sleep through the night. Having finally received his letter, she felt satisfied, even though it did not contain a single word of endearment; the very existence of that book list, written for her, was enough. Her heart felt both a touch of sweetness and a tinge of regret, wishing that the Old Madam’s health were better so she could share this joy.
She went to the Old Madam’s quarters.
The Old Madam had been asleep all morning and had only just woken up. She looked slightly more spirited than before. When Jiafu relayed the contents of the letter and the greetings from her eldest grandson, the Old Madam smiled and nodded continuously. Just then, Madam Xin, the Second Madam, and Zhou Jiao’e all arrived to serve the meal. They lingered briefly before the Old Madam dismissed them all. She told Jiafu not to stay either, instructing her to go back and take a nap. She especially cautioned Jiafu that if she wrote back, she should not mention that her health was poor, so as not to cause him unnecessary worry.
Returning to her own room, Jiafu felt no inclination to sleep. She sat down and picked up her brush, intending to write a reply, when Nanny Liu entered. She stood to the side, looking as though she had something to say but was holding back.
Jiafu asked her what was wrong.
Nanny Liu stepped closer and whispered, "Young Mistress, I have heard rumors among the servants these past two days. They say that in the room where that former concubine used to live, there have been cries heard in the middle of the night, and they also say..."
She paused.
"And say what?"
Jiafu immediately set down her brush and turned her head.
"They also say... that someone saw a hanging ghost in the middle of the night, hair disheveled, dragging a long tongue, wandering in front of the courtyard where the Eldest Master used to live..."
Nanny Liu watched her expression and spoke hesitatingly.
Anger began to surge in Jiafu’s heart, bubbling up little by little.
Pei Youan had only been gone for a few days, and the Old Madam was ill, yet such rumors had already begun to circulate in the Duke’s manor.
If last year, when the Old Madam was celebrating her birthday, Jiafu had only felt indignant upon hearing those two old women gossiping as she passed Pei Youan’s former residence, then at this moment, "indignation" was no longer enough to describe her emotions.
She was furious—incredibly, deeply furious.
Suppressing her rage, she asked, "Who saw it?"
Nanny Liu shook her head: "I don't know that yet. I asked around, but there are so many servants in the manor, and the rumors have been passing back and forth between the two households’ courtyards, so it is unclear who started it."
Jiafu gritted her teeth and said: "Keep investigating! You must find out who claimed to have seen this 'hanging ghost'! They must have been scared quite badly, so see that they are properly comforted."
Her tone was heavy. Nanny Liu was startled for a moment but nodded. Just as she was about to turn and leave, Jiafu called her back. She turned around to see Jiafu lost in thought. A moment later, Jiafu suddenly stood up and said: "You need not investigate further; I will ask someone else to handle it."
Nanny Liu was surprised. Seeing Jiafu already exiting the room, she hurriedly followed.
Jiafu first returned to the Old Madam’s quarters and had someone quietly call Yuzhu out. After asking about the Old Madam and learning that she had just taken her medicine and settled down, she led Yuzhu to a secluded corner and whispered about the rumors she had heard.
Yuzhu was shocked. Her brows furrowed, and she said indignantly: "Who are these people spreading such gossip? This needs to be dealt with properly! Whoever they are, they have no sense of decorum. If we catch them, tearing their mouths open would be getting off easy for such foul-mouthed gossips!"
Jiafu said: "I felt the same, that I needed to intervene. It is just that the Old Madam’s spirits are low lately, and I fear these filthy words might reach her ears and upset her. It is better that she knows nothing of this. I must trouble you to keep a close watch."
Yuzhu nodded: "Rest assured, Young Mistress. I know the background of everyone who serves the Old Madam. I will not show mercy to those who are lazy and love to gossip. Since you have specifically mentioned this, I will be even more vigilant."
Jiafu smiled and squeezed her hand. After being seen out, she sent Tanxiang to invite the Second Madam Meng, while she herself headed toward Madam Xin’s main courtyard.
Madam Xin was currently in Quange’s room, her face full of fury as she scolded the wet nurse for being lazy. She was berating her for not cleaning Quange promptly after he had wet the bed during his nap. Not only was it unhygienic, but in this weather, she feared he would catch a cold with a wet bottom. The wet nurse was somewhat aggrieved and defended herself: "I sent Xiaohong to the kitchen to fetch hot water early on, but Xiaohong came back and said that just as she had boiled a pot, that maid named Xiangmei from the Second Madam’s room snatched it away, claiming the Second Madam needed it urgently. She told Xiaohong to wait, and that was why we were late."
Madam Xin was enraged. She threw the clothes she was holding onto the floor: "How bold! Does she really think she is a fairy descended from heaven? Is there no sense of hierarchy in her eyes anymore!"
The wet nurse muttered, egging her on: "Isn't that just the truth? Speaking of which, Quange hasn't even seen the Second Master’s face more than a few times these days. Madam, it is time to establish some rules."
Madam Xin’s expression was extremely ugly. Her fury rose, and she was about to call someone to summon Zhou Jiao’e for a reprimand. However, when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back down.
Although the Zhou family had been disgraced recently, the Empress’s position in the Middle Palace remained, and who knew when they might make a comeback? The Empress seemed quite fond of Zhou Jiao’e; only a few days ago, she had sent palace attendants to deliver gifts to her. Furthermore, Zhou Jiao’e’s temper was truly rather volatile. If she refused to submit to discipline and they ended up making a scene that spread, not only would the Old Madam look down on her own incompetence, but she also feared being mocked by the Second Branch behind her back.
Madam Xin was full of hate and resentment. While she was hesitating, she suddenly heard a maid enter, announcing that the Eldest Young Mistress had arrived. Seeing the wet nurse still watching her expectantly, as if waiting for her to go and reprimand Zhou Jiao’e, she felt a flare of annoyance. Simply using this as an excuse to step down from the awkward position, she ordered the wet nurse to take good care of Quange and hurried out.