Madam Xin had been overwhelmed with endless tasks these past days.
For years, the old madam had never celebrated her birthday, treating the day as nothing more than an occasion for a simple bowl of longevity noodles. But this year marked her sixtieth, and at the insistence of her children and grandchildren, she finally agreed to a grand celebration. Naturally, the preparations for this major event became Madam Xin’s top priority. Besides this, she had been anxiously awaiting news from the Ministry of Personnel. A few days ago, she finally received the long-awaited announcement—Pei Xiuzhi had been appointed to the position of Fenwei Commandant, a rank of sixth grade, upper division.
Though it was merely an honorary post inherited through ancestral merit and far from prestigious—nothing compared to the days when the Duke of Wei was alive—the circumstances now were entirely different from before. The founding heroes and the eight dukes and marquises had all passed down their legacies for three or four generations. Among their descendants, few could truly earn official titles through their own merits, leaving most to rely solely on inherited privileges. With the limited number of official positions available and strict regulations in place, competition was fierce. Given the current state of Duke Wei’s Mansion, securing this vacancy for Pei Xiuzhi was no small feat.
By all accounts, this should have been a joyous occasion—something to celebrate, especially on the day of the birthday festivities, as it would add to the family’s prestige. However, the second branch of the family was less than pleased, all because of money. The Pei family had yet to divide their estate. Though the Song family had also played a role in securing Pei Xiuzhi’s appointment, the necessary bribes and social expenses were unavoidable, costing a total of two thousand taels of silver. According to the Pei family’s long-standing rules, all expenditures related to the advancement or education of clan members were to be covered by the common family funds. With two thousand taels spent from the shared coffers, the second branch naturally felt the pinch. Though they dared not openly complain too much while the old madam was still alive, their private grumblings eventually reached Madam Xin’s ears, stirring up yet another wave of petty grievances.
On top of this, the Zhen family had arrived in the capital, making marriage negotiations imminent and requiring careful planning at every turn. Madam Xin was utterly exhausted, rushing about without a moment’s rest—until, just two days ago, her grandson Quan Ge’er fell ill.
When she woke this morning, one side of her jaw was swollen and throbbing with pain. But remembering that today was the grand occasion for Duke Wei’s Mansion, and as the head of the main branch, she had to set an example—not just for the second branch but for the entire clan watching—she steeled herself and threw herself back into the whirlwind of preparations. By noon, when she heard that Madam Meng had arrived, she no longer maintained the aloofness of their first meeting. Instead, she hurried out to welcome her warmly and ushered her inside with great hospitality.
Though Madam Meng had only been in the capital for three or four days, after a few visits, she could already sense the growing discord between the two branches—far worse than in previous years. She had once been close to Second Madam, exchanging family news like sisters, but since the awkwardness over their children’s affairs, this visit had felt distinctly colder. As an outsider, she pretended not to notice, maintaining a cordial facade. Now that she was here, she simply threw herself into helping with the preparations. Meanwhile, Jiafu was led to the second branch’s quarters, where she learned that Rongfang, the concubine of her uncle Pei Quan, had not gone to the front. So she went to find her.Rongfang was originally a maid from the Meng family. She first served Jiafu's mother for several years before being assigned to Jiafu's aunt. When the aunt married, Rongfang became her dowry maid. Loyal and capable, she was later made Pei Quan's concubine by the aunt. Now older, the servants addressed her as Aunt Fang. Jiafu had known her since childhood visits to Duke Wei's Mansion. Due to her connection with Madam Meng, Rongfang treated Jiafu with particular kindness.
On such an occasion today, Rongfang would naturally have been helping with the household affairs, but unfortunately, she had slipped a few days prior, spraining her ankle, making it difficult to walk. Confined to her room, she was doing needlework when Jiafu arrived. Delighted, she hurriedly had a maid bring cloud cakes and sesame candies. Picking up a piece, she brushed off the powdered sugar and held it to Jiafu’s lips, smiling. "I remember you loved these as a child."
Jiafu laughed. "Aunt Fang, don’t move around with your leg like this. I’m not a child anymore—no need to feed me."
Rongfang chuckled. "True. The young lady is about to marry—of course not a child now."
Jiafu smiled without replying. Assuming she was shy, Rongfang didn’t tease further. The two chatted idly while sewing, time passing swiftly in laughter. Soon, a maid from Madam Meng’s side came to summon Jiafu, saying a familiar guest had arrived and she was to go greet them. Rongfang urged her on, and Jiafu set aside her needlework, taking Tanxiang with her. After accompanying Madam Meng to receive the guest, she returned.
Passing through the moon gate, she spotted Pei Xiuzhi standing alone by the path she had taken earlier, gazing intently in her direction. Recalling how he had visited the Zhen family the previous day and she had avoided him, she suspected he was deliberately waiting for her. Unwilling to meet him alone, she immediately turned away.
With Pei Xiuzhi blocking her return path—who knew how long he would linger—Jiafu doubled back toward the rear garden.
With the day’s busyness concentrated at the front, the garden was nearly deserted. After wandering briefly, she saw the stone bridge ahead, beyond which lay a bamboo grove.
Familiar with the estate’s layout, she recalled a detour through the grove that would let her bypass Pei Xiuzhi. She crossed the bridge.
This area seemed seldom frequented. The bamboo stalks were mottled green and yellow, the stone path flanked by moss, fallen leaves carpeting the ground—a desolate sight. As she neared the courtyard beside the grove, she spotted two old maids sweeping the path with bamboo brooms, chatting. Catching fragments of their conversation—seemingly about her—she paused.
"...The Zhen family is sealing a marriage, sending their daughter to the Heir Apparent," one maid clucked. "Quite the leap to glory."
"You’ve only been here a few years—what do you know?" the other retorted. "Back when their girl was young, brought here time and again, I knew they’d eventually marry her into the family. I’d thought they aimed for the Third Master, but to snag the Heir Apparent—now that’s unexpected..."
A gust of wind rustled the bamboo, drowning out their voices.
Tanxiang, indignant, made to step forward, but Jiafu shook her head, signaling to take the side path through the grove. Just then, the maids’ voices carried over again.
"Look at this place—chilly even in broad daylight. At night, ghosts probably wander out. If not for the chaos up front today, running us ragged, I’d never have taken this job...""The mistress has had it hard, surely worrying all this time. I've been here for years, and every year when this day comes around, she always has the place cleaned, likely preparing for the young master's return to celebrate the old madam's birthday. But when has anyone ever seen him return? Old Zhao, I heard the young master was stripped of his title as Heir Apparent and driven out back then?"
Old Zhao hushed her, lowering his voice. The words drifted faintly and intermittently with the wind.
"...the mourning period for the Duke hasn't even ended yet... it was truly disgraceful... you'd never guess it from his usual demeanor... that concubine refused to live, hanged herself in the middle of the night on the very branch you're leaning against. When I came to see, her face was purple, her tongue hanging down to her neck—scared me sleepless for nights..."
"Good heavens, why didn't you say so earlier! No wonder it feels so eerie!"
The other woman jumped up, startled, and quickly backed away before turning to bow hastily to the tree, muttering under her breath.
Jiafu knew this courtyard had once been the residence of Pei You'an, the eldest son of the main branch, but it had been left vacant all these years, its doors usually shut tight. Passing by, she had unintentionally overheard the two gossiping. Had they merely been talking about her, she wouldn't have bothered—her grandmother did indeed have such intentions, so she couldn't blame others for whispering behind her back.
But then, the two women began discussing Pei You'an's past misdeeds. This reminded Jiafu of those bygone days. Amidst the chaos of war, she had found herself alone and trapped in dire straits, filled with despair and fear, when unexpectedly, she received help from someone she hadn't even dared to hope for. Even now, the memory of that moment—like an outstretched hand pulling her back from the edge of a cliff—remained vivid. Though she had eventually ended up in Xiao Yintang's hands, that was another matter entirely.
That man had left an indelible impression on her. Not just because he had helped her when she was most helpless, but also because his demeanor and bearing had deeply moved her.
Later, while in the depths of the palace, Jiafu had heard snippets about him.
In the power struggle among the three royal brothers, the King of the Clouds emerged victorious. After ascending the throne and changing the era name, given Pei You'an's merits during the Zhaotian Incident and the new emperor's favor, wealth and glory were a given. He could have easily risen to the highest ranks of the court. Yet, not long after, first his grandmother, Old Madam Pei, passed away. Shortly after her funeral, when the Turks invaded the borders again, he volunteered to leave the capital, taking up the post of Military Commissioner to guard the frontier.
Logically, though the Turkic threat was fierce, the harsh climate beyond the frontier was ill-suited to his health, and he wasn't the only capable candidate the new emperor could have sent. Yet, in the end, it was he who left behind the capital's luxuries for the distant border town. Throughout his tenure as Military Commissioner, he pacified the borders and won the people's hearts, earning widespread acclaim and fame across the frontier—until his eventual death from illness while in office.
To be honest, Jiafu found it hard to believe that such a man could have committed such a despicable act in his youth. Hearing the gossip now, it struck a discordant note.
She had already turned to leave but couldn't help pausing in her steps."...I heard he angered the old madam back then and was driven out. Even so, today is the old madam's grand birthday celebration—even relatives eight generations removed have come, yet he hasn't returned. All these years, not a single message has come. It's clear he still holds a grudge. It's not our place to comment, but after what he did as a child, it's understandable he'd be too ashamed to face people now. Still, it shows where his filial piety stands..."
While Old Zhao was rambling on, leaning on her seniority, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her. She stopped mid-sentence and turned to see Jiafu approaching with a maid. Startled, she quickly put down her broom and stepped forward with an apologetic smile. "The front courtyard is bustling today, young miss. What brings you here?"
Jiafu smiled faintly. "Auntie Zhao, it's not my place to interfere either. But since I happened to pass by, even if it seems presumptuous, I must say something. Today is the old madam's grand birthday, and you've been assigned to clean this courtyard in preparation for the Heir Apparent's return. Instead of doing your work properly, what nonsense have you been gossiping about? Are you taking advantage of the madam's busy schedule to slack off and slander the family head? What kind of baseless rumors are you spreading? I refuse to believe the Duke's mansion has no rules against such disrespect toward its master!"
Old Zhao and the other maidservant paled slightly.
In the past, they wouldn't have feared this daughter of the Zhen family—merely a cousin from the second branch. But things were different now. The entire household knew that once the old madam's birthday celebrations concluded, the wedding would follow immediately. Regardless of what was said behind closed doors, this young lady from the Zhen family would soon marry into the Pei family. At the very least, she would become the legitimate wife of the Duke's Heir Apparent. Hearing the severity in her tone, they weren't sure how much of their conversation she'd overheard and grew nervous, hastily lowering their heads in apology. "Yes, yes, the young miss is right. We spoke out of turn just now! We won't dare do it again!"
Having stepped forward, Jiafu wasn't afraid of offending them. Besides, once the engagement was called off, she would never have to deal with this family again. All the suppressed instincts from her past life seemed to be gradually resurfacing in this one.
Jiafu glanced at the half-open door. Though the courtyard had supposedly been swept, it was clear they'd only made a half-hearted effort—dead leaves still littered the ground, let alone any proper dusting or watering. She added pointedly, "Today is the old madam's sixtieth birthday. The Heir Apparent will surely return. Instead of wasting time gossiping and lazing about, why don't you properly clean inside and out?"
Old Zhao, with her seniority, was unaccustomed to being scolded so bluntly by a young girl. Though inwardly grumbling about this Zhen daughter putting on airs before even marrying into the family, she didn't dare show it. Mumbling, "We'll get to it right away—" she picked up the broom from the ground and stomped inside, lips pursed. The other maidservant quickly followed suit.
Seeing the two women resume their half-hearted sweeping, Jiafu knew they'd likely gossip about her the moment she left. She turned and continued on her way.
"Did you see their faces when we left? So satisfying! Though I worry it might stir resentment—they might say you're overstepping," Tanxiang remarked, feeling both vindicated and uneasy.
"Let them resent me. I don't care. I truly couldn't stand listening to it anymore. No matter what, my elder cousin doesn't deserve to be slandered by the likes of them."
"Young miss, do you really think the Heir Apparent will return today?"Tanxiang recalled her confident tone earlier and felt somewhat curious.
"I suppose I will return."
"How does the young lady know?"
"Well, last night I dreamed that my elder cousin returned to celebrate the old madam's birthday. Do you believe me?"
She joked lightly, then turned the corner and abruptly halted her steps.
Right at the bend by the bamboo grove, just a few steps away, stood an elderly woman with silver hair, leaning on a cane and supported by her senior maid. She stood motionless on the path, as if she had been there for some time.
This old woman was none other than Old Madam Pei, the birthday celebrant of the day. Jiafu was naturally familiar with her, but she hadn’t expected her to appear here. Many guests had already arrived, yet the old madam was dressed in a plain, everyday robe, hardly fitting for a birthday celebration. Caught off guard, Jiafu was startled.
When Jiafu had visited the Duke’s residence as a child, Old Madam Pei had treated her as nothing more than a distant relative—neither cold nor particularly warm. Each time she came, she would follow her mother in kowtowing to the old madam, and before leaving, she would bid her farewell—that was all. After marrying Pei Xiuzhi, the old madam rarely required Jiafu, her granddaughter-in-law, to attend to her, often remaining alone in the prayer hall. Not long after, war broke out, and Jiafu left the Pei family, never seeing her again. Her impression of the old madam was faint and distant. Now, encountering her unexpectedly like this, with the old woman standing silently, her expression unreadable, Jiafu hastily took a step back and bowed with Tanxiang in greeting.
The old madam said nothing.
Jiafu regretted her earlier tone and lowered her eyes. The only sound was the rustling of wind through the bamboo grove. After a moment, the old madam finally spoke, asking, "Are you that girl from the Zhen family?"
Jiafu replied softly, "Yes. A few days ago, my mother and I came, but you were in seclusion in the prayer hall, so we didn’t pay our respects."
The old woman fell silent again before saying slowly, "This place has been uninhabited for years and is rather desolate. You should return early." With that, she turned and walked away slowly, supported by her maid.
Jiafu looked up, watching the old madam’s slightly hunched figure recede into the distance until it disappeared beyond the bamboo grove. She let out a slow breath.
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