“What’s wrong, Ping’er? It’s your Sixth Uncle.”
Xue Niang, unaware of the earlier conflict between her brother and her eldest sister-in-law, was baffled.
Why would her nephew react like this? She turned to look at her eldest sister-in-law.
But Madam Liu, the eldest sister-in-law, appeared composed. She only glanced at her son, patted his head, and said gently,
“Don’t be afraid, it’s your Sixth Uncle.”
Her voice was calm and reassuring. Shang Zhiping felt somewhat relieved, yet his gaze still lingered anxiously on the doorway.
He had no wish for his Sixth Uncle to enter.
“Come in,” Madam Liu called out.
Moments later, Shang Ji stepped inside. His expression was grave, though his stride remained steady.
“Sister-in-law.”
“Yes.”
The two exchanged far fewer words than in the past, and between them hung a faint chill.
Xue Niang was not slow to sense that something was wrong. After a glance at Shang Zhiping, she said,
“How about I take Ping’er out for a walk? Sixth Brother, you can speak with Eldest Sister-in-law alone.”
“Okay.”
“There’s no need.”
Both replied at the same time, leaving Xue Niang awkwardly caught between them, uncertain whom to heed.
But before Madam Liu could speak, Shang Ji said,
“We’re all family. Stay. I have something to say to you as well.”
At these words, Madam Liu finally lifted her eyes toward Shang Ji, her expression uncertain. But in the end, she acquiesced. She glanced briefly at Xue Niang before stepping forward to shut the door.
The warmth of the room seemed to vanish. With Shang Ji’s arrival, a chill of estrangement spread.
Not only from him—Xue Niang herself could feel it.
Four cups of tea sat untouched on the table, not one lifted.
The silence grew heavy, until Shang Ji finally broke it.
“Earlier today, at Yunjin Courtyard, the third and fifth branches quarreled over the chance to send a concubine into King Min’s household. Madam Wei invited Madam Du over and, with a few pointed words, provoked Fifth Uncle into striking her. But she turned and struck him instead—with a jade bottle.”
“Now his life and death remain uncertain…”
At this revelation, not only the children but even Madam Liu was deeply shaken.
She had lived in the Duke’s Mansion for more than ten years and had dealt with Madam Wei in the East Garden countless times. She had never imagined Madam Wei could act so ruthlessly.
And as for Fifth Old Master—yes, he was despicable, but now his life or death was unknown?
“What of him? Is he still being treated in the mansion?”
Madam Liu quickly asked the key question.
“No. About two hours ago, Madam Wei had Wulang send him to a farmstead outside the city. She claimed he had contracted some strange, possibly contagious disease.”
“Wulang? What was he doing there?”
“I heard he suddenly fell ill at Yunjin Courtyard. His body broke out in terrible sores, grotesque to look at.”
At this, Ping’er and Xue Niang both paled, horror evident on their faces.
But Madam Liu’s expression was far more complicated. After a pause, she looked at Shang Ji and asked quietly,
“Was it my sister-in-law’s doing?”
“Yes.”
With that single word, Madam Liu understood much, though Ping’er and Xue Niang were still left bewildered.
Madam Liu hesitated, debating whether to probe further, but Shang Ji spoke plainly.
“You’re both thirteen and fourteen now—no longer children. There’s no need to keep such matters hidden from you. Today, I’ll lay everything bare.”
“Last time, I had the steward beaten to death. The fifth branch made a scene. Madam Du rebuked them only briefly and handed over one hundred taels of silver. Many in the East Garden, including Eldest Sister-in-law, were displeased.”
“But afterward, when I questioned her, she did not conceal the truth. She told me she had laced that silver with medicine from the Western Regions. The drug caused rashes resembling an epidemic, though it took time to manifest. That’s why she acted as she did today—forcing Madam Wei to use the excuse of contagion to drive out the entire fifth branch.”
“In the past, Madam Wei allowed the third and fifth branches to suppress the East Courtyard. Her motives, I’m sure, are plain to you all. It has been exhausting for Eldest Sister-in-law to shoulder the burden of protecting the East Courtyard alone. But even so, I say this: you cannot shield them forever. Sooner or later, they must grow and weather the tempests of life themselves.”
“From this incident, I believe she has done admirably. Madam Wei and the Fifth Branch are now locked in enmity, the Third Branch bears its own grudges, and yet the East Courtyard remains untouched. That alone proves she is capable of achieving what she sets her mind to.”
These words struck deep into the hearts of all present.
None of them spoke.
Xue Niang had never imagined that her Sixth Sister-in-law, so delicate and gentle in manner, could be so ruthless in action.
As for Madam Liu, her thoughts ran deeper.
She quietly traced through the entire matter—her recent decisions, the shifting attitudes of Steward He and Madam Dou…
Shang Zhiping’s feelings were simpler.
“I was too harsh before. I hurt sister-in-law’s feelings. That was my fault. I ask her forgiveness.”
With that, he rose and clasped her fists respectfully toward Madam Liu, leaving her somewhat ashamed.
These past few days, Madam Liu had indeed been reflecting. She questioned herself: why had she harbored such thoughts?
If her husband were still alive, the household harmonious, her son intelligent, and the household keys in her grasp, she would have believed herself a virtuous matron.
But with her husband gone, her authority waning, and her roof leaking, she lived in constant vigilance. She saw shadows everywhere, grew suspicious of everyone. Over time, anxiety took root, and she found herself unable to relinquish her hold over the East Garden.
Though she had handed the reins to Du Jingyi, resentment lingered.
That was why, when the Fifth Branch stirred trouble, she rushed to reclaim her authority without a second thought. That was why Shang Ji’s explanation felt so unsatisfying to her.
For beneath it all, this power was the last thing she could cling to.
If that slipped away—then all else would slip away with it.
Pitiful. Ridiculous. Lamentable.
After a long silence, Madam Liu finally sighed.
When she lifted her gaze again, it was no longer so entangled. Her reply was simple, and sincere.
“I understand Sixth Brother’s meaning. I’ll find a chance to speak with Sister-in-law about it.”
“Good.”
Seeing that Madam Liu wished to say no more, Shang Ji stayed a short while longer, then took his leave.
Once he was gone, Shang Zhiping let out a long breath of relief.
But Xue Niang noticed that his face still lacked the brightness and joy befitting a boy his age. She could only sigh inwardly, at a loss for words.
That night passed in silence.
When dawn broke and sunlight spilled over the flowers and trees of the Duke’s Mansion, it was as though nothing had happened the day before.
Life went on as usual.
Yet at Xitang Courtyard, a figure who had long been absent finally returned.