Fifth Madam ‘s eyes gleamed with conviction as she heard her son’s paln . She slammed the table, rising to her feet with a fierce determination. “You’re right!” she declared to her assembled kin. “It’s outrageous that someone from our Fifth House lies dead, while those two in Dongyuan still sleep soundly! Let’s go!” With a dramatic flourish of her hand, she swept out of the room, her entourage of Shang Yuan, Shang Wulang, and their wives trailing behind her.
Meanwhile, Shang Yuding watched his mother and brother’s family depart in a flurry, a sneer twisting his lips. His smile held a bitter mix of disgust and resentment. He then turned, his gaze sharp and accusatory, at Madam Guo, who recoiled in fright, trembling visibly. Alone in the room, with no one to turn to for solace or protection, the ashen-faced Madam Guo could only follow her husband out of Yingjuan Courtyard’s main room. Soon after, the air was filled with the sounds of smashing and Madam Guo’s piteous cries. Yet, the residents of Yingjuan Courtyard remained chillingly indifferent, seemingly accustomed to such disturbances. Madam Guo’s unfortunate reality – her failure to bear a son and instead having three daughters – was a grave taboo in this household. Her very survival in the Duke’s Mansion, let alone any hope of comfort, was precarious. Thus, a casual beating or scolding from her husband seemed to be a negligible price. Here, the deep-seated discord within the Fifth House was merely beginning to unravel.
Elsewhere, the Fifth House’s formidable contingent – the Fifth Old Madam, her sons, their wives, and a host of servants, all accompanied by the lifeless body of Qi Er, the second steward – descended upon Dongyuan with a menacing air. Their aggressive posture left no doubt as to their disruptive intentions.
After navigating several moon gates and winding paths, they arrived at Dongyuan’s entrance within fifteen minutes. Though advanced in years, the Fifth Old Madam was a force to be reckoned with when stirring up trouble in the inner quarters. Her shrill voice pierced the morning air, “Where is liulang’s wife? Call her out, now! My house’s servant has been beaten to death, and she still sleeps soundly in there? Is’nt she afraid that the heavens will punish her with lightning! It’s clear that Dongyuan is without a master, and she has the reputation of being a harsh and merciless wife!” Her words, as always, were sharp and unforgiving. With her husband banished to guard the mausoleum, she had nothing left to lose, prepared to risk everything to secure a better future for her grandson. There was no mercy in her tone.
The two young guards at Dongyuan’s gate remained stoic, though a flicker of anger sparked in their eyes. Soon, Uncle He, the steward in charge of Dongyuan, emerged, followed by a dozen young men. A polite smile played on his lips, yet his heart was a tempest of fear and hostility. The boys behind him wore equally serious expressions. Skilled in martial arts, they harbored no fear of the “soft-legged crabs” brought by the Fifth House. As Butler He stepped forward, many of the Fifth House’s servants instinctively retreated.
Since Madam Wei had assumed control of the backyard, Butler He had stepped down from his esteemed position as the family’s chief steward. However, his former influence had not vanished. Despite their limited daily interaction with Dongyuan’s affairs, the sight of the former chief steward still sent a shiver of apprehension through them. The Fifth Old Madam bristled at her retreating servants but, having already spoken her piece, stubbornly refused to back down. Raising her voice deliberately, like a cracked ceramic pot, she retorted, “Hey, what’s with sending a mere watchdog here? We demand to see Liu Lang’s wife, Du Shi!”
Upon hearing this, Butler He’s smile widened. He swiftly spoke, his words seemingly deferential, “What has transpired to so anger the Fifth Lady this early morning? My young lady has not yet risen. If her slumber is disturbed, the general will surely hold us servants accountable upon his return. Please, Fifth madam , be noble and allow us servants a path to survival.”
Butler He’s words, while appearing to humbly beg the Fifth Old Madam’s understanding, were in fact a subtle warning to her followers. In the past, their disturbances might have yielded some concessions, as everyone in the courtyard understood Madam Wei’s hidden intentions. But now, the situation was drastically different. The general had returned, his power immense and far-reaching. If they truly provoked his wrath, the servants who followed them would undoubtedly be the first to suffer. For a moment, a collective gulp was heard, their legs trembling, no one daring to make another sound.
Shang Yuan and Shang Wulang exchanged uneasy glances. They had come to cause trouble with a clear objective: to secure a new position for Shang Wulang. But Butler He’s words were undeniably true. If they truly enraged Shang Ji, leading to further complications, wouldn’t their efforts be for naught? Therefore, Shang Wulang stepped forward, gently tugging his grandmother’s sleeve, and soothingly said, “Grandma, please calm yourself. We are simply here to ask questions to our sister-in-law . We don’t want to give anyone the impression that we’re here to cause trouble, do we?”
The Fifth Old Madam turned to her grandson. Seeing his subtle head shake, much of her anger subsided. She let out a cold snort and declared, “What time is it, and Liulang’s wife still hasn’t risen? Hurry and send someone to call her; we’ll wait! I won’t leave today until I see her. If she’s not afraid of being labeled as the one who is cruel to her elders and persecutes servants at the drop of hat, then she can just keep hiding.”
Butler He, having managed the household alongside Madam Gu for many years, knew the Fifth House’s matriarch well. Just as he was about to reply, he saw someone approaching from behind. Mother Dou strode forward, her face serious. She gave Madam Wu a simple bow and then spoke, “The young lady heard that someone is coming from the Fifth House, so she specially asked the servants to invite you to wait in the flower hall. The young lady will come to speak with you personally soon.”
Butler He’s brow furrowed slightly. These people were notoriously difficult to deal with. Although his young lady had been in the Duke’s Mansion for three years, she had little contact with the Third and Fifth Houses in Beiyuan. He feared that inviting these “gods” in would make them incredibly difficult to dismiss. Yet, seeing Mother Dou’s fearless composure, his worries eased somewhat. After a brief internal struggle, he addressed the Fifth House’s contingent, simply saying, “Please.”
The Fifth Old Madam, putting on an exaggerated display, believed that Du Shi, being a seemingly weak woman, would be easily intimidated. Unexpectedly, Liu Lang’s wife, despite her delicate constitution, seemed unfazed. With a triumphant hum, the Fifth Old Madam swept through Dongyuan’s gates. Following close behind were Shang Yuan, Shang Wulang, their family members, and Wulang’s wife. Even though Wulang’s wife’s pregnancy was not yet obvious, everyone in the Duke’s palace knew about it. With a belly that could potentially “aid” them if things went awry, she naturally had to accompany them inside.