Song Shiwen returned to the Song Mansion, her mind preoccuppied. The steward was just about to order someone to prepare a carriage to meet her outside the garden. Seeing her appear, he was slightly surprised and quickly stepped forward, saying, “Second Miss, why have you returned so early today? Did something happen at the banquet?”
Song Shiwen spoke softly, “Nothing really. It’s just that I have something on my mind, and I felt suffocated sitting in the hall, so I came back early.”
The steward asked, “Did you see Third Miss?”
Song Shiwen’s brow furrowed slightly, then she said, “I did. I explained the situation to her and told her about Grandmother’s illness, but she didn’t seem to believe me. She even held a grudge against me. It’s my fault.”
The steward sighed, “Then there’s nothing we can do. Second Miss, don’t take it to heart. I’ll have the servants boil some hot water. Go back and rest.”
As it was still early, Song Shiwen went to see Old Madam Song as usual.
At this time of day, Old Madam Song would usually be feeling unwell and need her company. But today, when Song Shiwen arrived at her grandmother’s courtyard, she found the lights were already out.
The old servant who was responsible for attending to Old Madam Song was still waiting outside. Seeing her standing at the entrance of the courtyard, he quickly approached her in small, hurried steps.
“Second Miss,” the old servant said, “Old Madam couldn’t rest well the past two nights. Today, she finally fell asleep early. It’s best if Second Miss doesn’t go in now. Old Madam understands your filial piety.”
Song Shiwen instructed, “If that’s the case, I won’t go in. Remember to take good care of Grandmother.”
The person nodded, “Yes, this servant will do his best.“ by carpreads.pages.dev
Old Madam Song had always been strong and healthy for her age. She had endured hardship in her youth, and contrary to common sense, had actually built up her physique. Later, when General Song’s career flourished and the Song family rose with him, she learned from the wives of other officials in the capital and began to focus on self-care. She never stopped taking tonics and had not been ill for many years.
But this time, Third Master Song and his other children came to the Song mansion to accuse and intimidate her, truly chilling her to the bone. She was both angry and genuinely afraid. Her thoughts were in turmoil, and her vitality was greatly depleted. In just a few days, she had aged considerably, like a plant that had lost all its life force after a storm.
After that, she lay in bed for several days, becoming weak. She could feel a distinct heaviness in her limbs. Although the doctor said she had recovered, she insisted that she needed to continue recuperating. She stayed confined to her room, trying to rest and regain her strength, but ended up unable to sleep well all day long.
Old Madam Song refused to admit it on the surface, but deep down, she had already sensed her own aging. Fear and anxiety gnawed at her heart. The longer she lay in bed, the worse her complexion became.
Song Shiwen had always believed that her grandmother’s illness was a mental one, caused by her fear of death. But after tonight’s suspicions, she absurdly wondered if that was really the case.
…What if she had been drained of her vital energy? Wasn’t that what the stories said? All the troubles in the Song family had started after Song Chuzhao returned.
Song Shiwen was about to leave, but she turned back and called out, “Aunt Fang, you’re always the most well-informed. Do you know where I can find an exorcist?”
The old servant was momentarily confused, “Ah?”
Song Shiwen smiled, “I just feel like there’s been too much bad luck in the Song family lately. Maybe we should invite a Taoist priest or a master to perform a ritual at the mansion. It’s also almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, so it would be a good way to bring good fortune.”
The old servant also smiled, “Miss, don’t worry. Old Madam usually goes to White Cloud Temple to pray for blessings. When she’s feeling better, we’ll go and ask the Taoist priests for peace.”
Seeing that the old servant didn’t quite understand, Song Shiwen bit her lip forcefully and emphasized, “I want to find a truly effective one, a Taoist priest who can put my mind at ease. Go and inquire for me.”
The old servant stared at her for a moment, then hesitated, “Miss, you know that His Majesty dislikes these matters of ghosts and spirits. Aside from the necessary sacrifices to Heaven, he rarely receives Taoist priests. Nowadays, all the sorcerers in the land are keeping a low profile.”
Song Shiwen said, “What are you talking about, aunt Fang? I’m not that kind of person. I just want to exorcise some evil spirits, I don’t have any sinister intentions.”
The old servant still seemed hesitant, her hands clasped together, as if she had something she wanted to say but couldn’t.
Seeing this, Song Shiwen urged, “Aunt Fang, what do you want to say?”
The old servant thought for a moment, then whispered, “This servant knows you have no other intentions, Miss. It’s just that I suddenly remembered something I heard a few days ago. If you think I’m just being nosy, forget about it.”
Song Shiwen asked, “What did you hear?”
The old servant took a step closer and spoke in her ear, “Miss, you know I’m very superstitious. I even have a shrine to the Three Pure Ones* at home. I heard that Fu Donglai’s disciple is coming to the capital soon.”
TN: gods of Daoism
Song Shiwen was surprised, “Wasn’t he a fraud?”
“If he were just an ordinary fraud, how could he have deceived the late Emperor for so many years? He truly had some skill. Or rather, he was the most skilled sorcerer in the land at the time.”
The old servant said earnestly, “Miss was born later, so you wouldn’t know. When I was young, everyone talked about Daoist Fu. People said he could do anything, even control the wind and rain. Although few people mention him now, some things were true. Many officials in the court witnessed it firsthand. That’s why, even after Fu Donglai was executed, no one dared to move the pavilions, courtyards, and side halls that he had chosen for their feng shui. Even His Majesty is like that.”
Song Shiwen was engrossed in the story, “But he’s dead. His disciple… can they still be alive?”
The old servant said, “They call her a disciple, but she’s actually his daughter. Daoist Fu… that Fu Donglai was a man of pleasure. He had many beautiful women during his time of glory, but he didn’t like children, nor was he a good man. He abandoned many women, and they suffered miserable fates. The mother of this gentlelady was one of them. They say she was born weak and almost didn’t survive, but she was incredibly intelligent. She suffered hardship in her youth and was on the verge of death when Fu Donglai discovered her talent and took her home. Whether it was good fortune or bad luck, I don’t know.”
Song Shiwen exclaimed, “Is that really the case?”
The old servant spoke about these matters endlessly, “Indeed! If she hadn’t acted with such righteousness and placed justice before family, Fu Donglai wouldn’t have died so early. So it was all a matter of fate, you see. The officials in the capital didn’t pursue her identity and let her go. It is said that she has a natural gift for seeing spirits and communicating with the other world, and she is quite famous throughout the land. However, people only know her name, not her relationship with Fu Donglai. I only learned a little about the situation because of Old Madam.”
Song Shiwen asked, “Where is she now?”
The old servant said, “It is said that the master has been wandering the land for the past two years. A few days ago, her young Taoist disciple spread the word that she was returning to the capital. Based on the timing of the news, she should be arriving soon.”
Song Shiwen said urgently, “Can you find her and ask her for me? I feel… I felt something was wrong when I went to the banquet today, and it really scared me. I can’t rest easy until I get some answers.”
“She doesn’t see just anyone. She reads fortunes and tells people’s fates based on fate,” the old servant said. “If Miss is truly worried, I will go and ask. It is said that the master is kind-hearted, and if she sees anything supernatural, she won’t stand idly by.”
Song Shiwen nodded quickly, “Good!”
Song Chuzhao carried Gu Fengjian for a long distance, and she was nearly exhausted when she got home. She thought her legs would be sore and stiff the next day, but to her surprise, she felt fine.
Perhaps because of her recent exercise, Gu Fengjian’s body was no longer as frail as it was when she first arrived.
Song Chuzhao was overjoyed at this discovery. Since he was now strong and healthy, she couldn’t resist going to the He Mansion to check on Gu Fengjian’s condition and show off her own progress, proving that she hadn’t been slacking off.
Judging from Gu Fengjian’s attitude yesterday, he seemed to care a lot about his physical strength.
When she mentioned going, Madam Gu was very supportive, even more enthusiastic than Song Chuzhao herself. She urged her to go and even wanted to empty the entire medicine cabinet and send it with her.
In the end, Song Chuzhao only took a bottle of ointment for external wounds, tucked it into her sleeve, and ran out as quickly as she could, afraid that Madam Gu would chase after her.
In her opinion, Gu Fengjian’s injury looked painful but wasn’t serious. Applying too much ointment might even hinder healing.
Song Chuzhao, without any servants accompanying her, arrived at the gate of the He Mansion with a cheerful heart.
Master He, having grown accustomed to her visits, no longer felt the urge to be difficult. He simply stayed in his room and didn’t come out to see her.
Master He thought, “Visiting through the front gate is better than scaling the wall in the middle of the night, isn’t it? Forget it, forget it.”
Gu Fengjian came out to see her upon hearing the news. Song Chuzhao exchanged a few brief words with him.
Song Chuzhao, beaming with pride, patted her shoulder to demonstrate her strength. She then carefully examined Gu Fengjian’s arm and handed him the bottle of ointment.
Gu Fengjian listened quietly to her, and then, unexpectedly, he heard the person across from him say, “Okay, I’m going.”
Gu Fengjian was taken aback. “Going?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Song Chuzhao said. “I just came to check on you.”
As she was about to leave, Gu Fengjian’s expression suddenly turned serious. “I lost something,” he said. “I must have been careless that day, and it fell somewhere when I fell.”
Song Chuzhao, realizing it was because of her, hurriedly asked, “What is it?”
Gu Fengjian: “A gourd.”
Song Chuzhao couldn’t remember for a moment and said blankly, “What gourd?”
Gu Fengjian: “The gourd you gave me.”
Song Chuzhao was shocked. Had she given Gu Fengjian anything? And what was a gourd? If she were to give him a gift, she would definitely give him a sword first.
Gu Fengjian’s eyes gradually turned dangerous. Just as he was about to frown, Song Chuzhao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and remembered the jade ornament she had given Gu Fengjian to buy food with. She quickly nodded and said, “Yes! I gave it to you! The jade, right?”
Gu Fengjian’s expression softened slightly. “Yes. The gourd is lost.”
Song Chuzhao said, “Then I’ll go find it for you. It should still be there. Even if it’s lost, the servants who cleaned should have seen it.”
Gu Fengjian walked down the steps, “I’ll go too.”
Song Chuzhao didn’t even think, waving her hand, “You don’t need to go. I’ll go find it for you.”
Gu Fengjian grabbed her sleeve, staring at her intently.
The two of them were silent.
Under his long, accusing gaze, Song Chuzhao finally understood.
“…Oh,” Song Chuzhao said, “I’ll go with you. You have to go yourself, to be sure you recognize the thing.”
Gu Fengjian finally nodded in satisfaction.
The burly steward of the He family leaned against the door frame, sneering at Song Chuzhao. Seeing this, he snorted in a strange, mocking voice.
Song Chuzhao: “…” Perhaps you think I’m scheming and secretly tricked your miss. But I really am not.
She gave an awkward smile and asked the steward to inform Master He that they might not be back for lunch.
The steward rolled his eyes disdainfully, then turned to Gu Fengjian and said softly, “Then Third Miss, you must come back early. If you don’t come back, our master won’t be able to eat. He’s getting old and can’t be left alone.”
Gu Fengjian smiled and replied, “Okay.”
Song Chuzhao: “…” She felt so wronged.
Author’s Notes:
Song Shiwen: That gentlelady has profound magical powers, she…
Gu Fengjian: My senior sister.
Song Chuzhao: You have to go yourself, to be sure you recognize the thing.
He family steward: Didn’t you give it to her?!