Chapter 14: Playing the Mystic and Engaging in Deception

Chapter 14: Feigning Spirits and Deceitful Schemes

“Is it not only natural for grandmother to hide some private possessions for herself? How could it have come to such a fate?” Yun Jiao desperately wanted to understand the reason behind it all.

Nanny Li sighed again and continued, “When the old madam was still in good health, they were somewhat wary of her and only spoke ill behind her back. After all, if their reputation for being unfilial spread, they wouldn’t be able to hold their heads high in front of others. But then, the old madam suddenly became confused, unaware of anything around her. The son-in-law came the very next day, demanding that she hand over the private property.

The old madam was so confused she didn’t even recognize him and could only lie there babbling nonsense.

The son-in-law began rummaging through the room himself. I tried to stop him, but it was no use—I could only let him search wildly, thinking he wouldn’t find anything and would lose interest and leave.

But surprisingly, after searching for half a day and nearly turning the entire room upside down, he only found a few dozen silver taels and two boxes of gold and silver jewelry. He was very dissatisfied.

He glared at the old madam and snarled, ‘You old witch, you sure know how to hide things. I don’t believe you can hide anything inside your coffin. Today, I’ll dig three feet underground if I have to, but I’ll find it all!’

Then, without even taking off his shoes, he climbed onto the bed and started searching there recklessly.

This was sheer disrespect! How could a son-in-law climb onto his grandmother’s bed? Such impropriety would surely make everyone laugh if they heard about it. I couldn’t bear to watch, so I went to pull him away.

In the struggle, he shoved me to the ground and seemed about to get off the bed to take his anger out on me. But as he lifted his foot, he stepped on the old madam’s leg. I heard a cracking sound, and she immediately fainted from the pain.

I was so frightened my legs turned to jelly. I shouted loudly—her leg seemed broken. But the son-in-law didn’t care at all and even said, ‘You old thing, you’re always exaggerating. I only stepped on you once; it’s not so easy to break your leg. Even if it is broken, it’s for the best—it’ll stop you from wandering around sick, and I won’t have to worry about looking after you anymore.’”

At this, Yun Jiao could no longer contain the fury blazing within her. She grabbed an empty bowl nearby and smashed it hard onto the ground.

“Crack!”

The bowl shattered into pieces instantly.

Still unsatisfied, she overturned the small table by the bed, sending seven or eight bowls and plates tumbling everywhere. The food mixed together, oily juices splattered, creating a chaotic mess on the floor.

“Miss!” Jian Jia shuddered all over. She had never seen her mistress lose her temper so violently.

“What is wrong with you, Miss?” Mu Jin entered and immediately saw Yun Jiao overturning the table. She instinctively stepped back, exchanging a glance with Jian Jia. Both were speechless.

In the past, no matter how angry Yun Jiao became, she always remained calm, maybe just silent for half a day at most. She had never broken anything before.

Though Mu Jin did not know the reason, she understood that her mistress must have been deeply enraged this time.

Nanny Li hurried forward and grasped Yun Jiao’s hand: “Miss, I know you are furious, but please listen to me—do not act impulsively.

You are still under this roof, how can you refuse to bow your head? You are no match for that scoundrel and cannot compare to his ruthlessness. Besides, his whole family is against you, and you are young. Right now, the most important thing is to protect yourself. Listen to Nanny Li—pretend you don’t know about these matters and just keep them in your heart. There is a long road ahead. If you stay well, the old madam can rest easy too.”

Yun Jiao silently withdrew her hand, then turned and carefully covered her grandmother with the quilt, tucking in the edges neatly. Only then did she straighten up and softly say, “I will handle this matter myself, Nanny Li. You need not worry.”

Though her tone was gentle, her hand clenched tightly until her palm ached. That despicable Shen Changdong dared treat her grandmother this way! If she did not avenge this, she swore she would never be human again.

“Miss, you must not...” Nanny Li tried to persuade her further.

But Yun Jiao’s expression was calm, eyes burning with determination: “Nanny Li, do not try to dissuade me. If it were not for my grandmother, perhaps Yun Jiao as she is today would not exist. Whether out of gratitude for her raising me or for saving my life, it is my duty to seek justice. If I pretend ignorance, how am I different from those four-legged beasts?”

Though she spoke softly, her words struck with conviction. Her grandmother had shown her kindness; avenging her was only right.

When she was born, she was two months premature, arriving precisely on the Dragon Boat Festival.

That afternoon, a wandering Taoist passed by the family gate and stopped there, shaking his head and sighing.

The two gatekeepers went out to drive him away—such charlatans pretending to be mystics were common sights.

At that moment, Ba Yanhua returned from the court in a blue sedan chair. As soon as he stepped down, he saw the gatekeepers entangled with the Taoist.

“What’s going on?” Ba Yanhua naturally stepped forward to inquire.

The two gatekeepers, upon seeing him, bowed respectfully. The more articulate one spoke first: “Master, this Taoist came to the door silently, only sighing deeply. It’s quite ominous!”

Ba Yanhua looked at the Taoist, who wore an old, loose Daoist robe. His face was thin but alert, with a goatee giving him a certain ethereal aura.

“Revered Daoist, you sigh before my humble home—may I ask what you mean?” Ba Yanhua bowed.

He had always admired those gifted individuals spoken of in legends but had never encountered such a distinguished figure until now. The Taoist’s bearing suggested he was indeed a man of the Way, inspiring Ba Yanhua’s desire to befriend him.

“Venerable Lord of Infinite Heaven,” the Taoist returned the bow, “may I ask if there is a joyous event at your residence today?”

“Joyous event?” Ba Yanhua was momentarily confused, pondering but finding no such occasion.

The eloquent gatekeeper quickly spoke up: “Master, we do indeed have a joyous event today. Mistress Qian gave birth at noon—adding a ninth young lady to the family!”

“A birth?” Ba Yanhua was greatly shocked. He had thought the due date was still far off and was surprised at the premature arrival. He looked at the Taoist with renewed interest. “How did you know this, Daoist?”

“I came here and saw the vibrant pure energy around your home. I knew there must be a new life,” the Taoist stroked his beard with regret. “Born on the Dragon Boat Festival, exactly at noon. If it were a boy, his future would be boundless. What a pity... what a pity...”

“What do you mean, Daoist?” Ba Yanhua asked, puzzled. The mention of a boy touched a sore spot in his heart, and he felt troubled.

The Taoist explained, “The Dragon Boat Festival is the day with the strongest malevolent energy in the year. A boy born then can dispel it well, but a girl—well, that is less certain...”

“I would like to know more. Please enlighten me, Daoist!” Ba Yanhua insisted.

The Taoist continued, “Your daughter’s fate is actually quite fine, but from the moment she was conceived, she carried seven parts of this malevolent energy. It harms the father’s luck and endangers the mother’s health. If I am correct, her birth mother’s condition must have worsened day by day during pregnancy?”

“Daoist, your divination is precise,” Ba Yanhua admired greatly. After Mistress Qian became pregnant, her health indeed deteriorated, and the premature birth today confirmed it. Thinking of this, he trusted the Taoist even more. “Is there any way to remedy this?”

(End of chapter)