Chapter 5: Don’t You Sense a Ghost?
Madam He involuntarily pulled the quilt closer.
In the lingering heat of August, she clutched the corner of the blanket, her face pale and ashen.
“Are you cold, Madam? Well, it is only August, yet this room feels chilly already. By midnight, the wind howls outside like a banshee, as if some vengeful spirit is seeking retribution. I just don’t know what kind of ghost it is, but its resentment is so strong.”
Yuetang lifted the bowl of medicine, gazing into its reflection of the dawn light, then scooped a spoonful and brought it to Madam He’s lips. “Drink your medicine quickly. Once you sleep, you won’t hear the ghosts wailing.”
“Get lost! Go away!”
Each utterance of “ghost” stabbed into Madam He’s spine like a dagger.
She shoved Yuetang away and sprang from the bed in a fit of agitation.
The bowl fell to the floor, shattering with a harsh clatter.
Maids and attendants rushed in to find Madam He trembling with terror, pointing accusingly at Yuetang. “Throw this wretched woman out! Quickly—get her out!”
Yuetang looked puzzled. “Madam, earlier you praised my skills and care. What has happened now?”
Madam He’s eyes were bloodshot, unable to hear reason. She pointed again at the servants. “Throw her out! Didn’t you hear me? Get her out immediately!”
At that moment, Hua Lin hurried in and took Madam He’s pulse, his expression turning grave. “Madam was already ill, and now subjected to repeated shocks. It appears her mind is on the verge of collapse; her qi and blood cannot return to balance.” He produced silver needles and inserted several into her neck and head before instructing, “Prepare the calming decoction at once!”
A mind near collapse—in other words, she was close to madness.
That could not be allowed.
If she truly drove this healer away in her madness, who would take over her care?
Who would dare?
No one paid heed to Madam He’s demands.
Amid the chaos, Yuetang placed the medicine bowl on the table and stepped into the small side courtyard behind the main chamber.
This was the temporary quarters the He family had provided for the house physician.
She pushed open the door and entered the side room, then closed the door firmly behind her.
A hand extended a golden lock toward her. “Mistress, it’s been found!”
Yuetang took the lock and examined it carefully, then moved to the window, holding it against the light. Her gaze swept over the engraved name on the lock.
Her fingers clenched so tightly they turned pale and blue.
Pressing the golden lock against her chest, she held her violently pounding heart with a clenched fist. Beneath her furrowed brows, her eyes surged with a tempestuous storm.
“Little Huo, A Li is now three years, four months, and ten days old.” Her voice was hoarse.
A figure stepped forward timidly, whispering, “Mistress, please accept my condolences. Your health has yet to recover fully.”
---
Yuetang stared at the golden lock in her palm again and again.
Standing by the window, she was as immovable as a rock, her breath held in silence.
Huo Yun’s fists at his sides bulged with veins in silent fury.
“Princess, we will make everyone pay. For the young lord, for the prince, and for you—we will have our vengeance! Little Huo and his master will grind to dust all those whose hands are stained with the blood shed at the Prince’s mansion!”
Yuetang opened her hand, letting the morning light trace the delicate lines of her brows and eyes. “Any news of Wei Zhang?”
Huo Yun nodded, holding out a cup of tea. “Master says he will arrive in the capital within three days at most.”
Yuetang tucked the lock into her bosom and asked softly, “How are things between the He and Zhang families?”
“Everything is proceeding as you arranged. After the He family reported to the authorities, Zhang Shaode brought Zhang’s corpse to the Shuntian Prefecture and struck the drum of complaint. Then the He father and son arrived, each accusing the other of murder in court. Both sides held their ground, arguing fiercely.
“The magistrate, helpless, separated the cases and ordered an immediate investigation into He Xu’s death.”
Yuetang looked out at the brightening sky. “They have been interrogating through the night. By protocol, the officials should now visit the He residence to inspect the scene. I must go meet Lady Liu.”
She furrowed her brow and glanced outside the window.
A maid entered the courtyard, veiled in the morning light. Looking around, she called out loudly, “Where’s that little widow gone?—Lady Lin! Lady Lin?”
Yuetang paused, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. “Speak of the devil.”
She approached the window and showed herself. “I’m here.”
The maid’s voice rose three tones higher. “You’re quite the slacker! The Second Madam is working herself to the bone, and here you are. Hurry up, the madam is calling for you!”
“I know,” Yuetang responded calmly.
Huo Yun was furious. “Who are these nobodies, daring to trample on you? I say we deal with the He family scum ourselves!”
Yuetang smiled lightly. “If they’re so insignificant, why bother with them?”
She then noticed the bundle slung over his shoulder. “What’s that?”
“It’s the rest of the items found in Lady Zhang’s room—all yours, Mistress!” Huo Yun opened the bundle to reveal a dazzling array of gold.
Yuetang glanced twice, then concealed it. “Take it back and give it to Qin Niang.”
Huo Yun bowed his head in agreement and obediently carried the bundle out.
Yuetang fell silent, gazing out at the darkening sky before stepping outside.
The maid still waited by the courtyard gate.
Huo Yun, perched atop the wall, considered briefly, then shifted two steps and quietly plucked a stone, expertly hurling it at the back of her knee.
The maid cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground.
---
Yuetang stopped and raised an eyebrow. “Why such formalities?”
The maid grit her teeth and glared. “Someone attacked me from behind!”
Yuetang turned to the wall, expression unreadable. “I see no one around. If there was an attack, it could only have been a ghost.
“Yes, the eldest young master and the eldest madam met untimely deaths. Perhaps their spirits linger—how could they bear to leave? Such blessings snatched away in an instant, who wouldn’t grieve?
“They’d surely drag a few others down with them!
“The second madam was accused by the He family as the murderer before her death. No wonder Madam He acted so strangely earlier. It must be the restless spirit of the first madam at work.”
Before she finished, the maid screamed and scrambled away.
---
When Yuetang arrived at the second branch of the household, Lady Liu, newly in power, sat upright on the bed, commanding the bustling servants with authority.
Madam He’s health had been poor for years, and the household affairs were long controlled by Lady Zhang.
Lady Liu had been entrusted with the responsibility in a time of crisis.
Once the servants were dismissed, Yuetang congratulated her. “Congratulations, Second Madam, on achieving your wish and gaining authority.”
Lady Liu glanced around cautiously before responding coldly, “Who taught you to say such things?”
Yuetang smiled. “I merely believe that this position rightly belongs to you.”
Lady Liu hesitated, her expression clouded. “I just returned from Madam’s side. Tell me, since you entered the mansion, have you done anything reckless?”
“Of course not,” Yuetang replied. “I serve here thanks to your support. If I acted out of line, wouldn’t that betray your kindness?”
Lady Liu relaxed at her words. “Good. Just remember that.”
Three days ago, Hua Lin requested Madam He’s permission to add an assistant for the medicine duties.
Normally, such tasks were assigned by the household.
Since Lady Zhang managed the inner affairs, Lady Liu had no intention of interfering.
But when Hua Lin came to request a pulse check for Lady Liu, bringing Lady Lin along, seeing her face, Lady Liu reconsidered her stance.
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