Chapter 189: The Fortune That Slipped Away
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
Everyone stood there, dumbfounded and at a loss for words.
The Old Madam had been blessed with an extraordinarily fortunate life.
And yet, she squandered it all.
Born into a humble farming family, she had several sisters, all of whom were married off to bring in bride prices for their only brother and build him a house. Some of her sisters were wed to elderly widowers, while others became concubines to wealthy families, each meeting a tragic fate.
As for herself, she was married off to an aging bachelor in his thirties.
The man was uneducated and made his living hunting in the deep mountains. It was with the bride price he earned from hunting that he married her.
Their household was poor, but the old man cherished her.
On the second day after their wedding night, he set off to forge his path in the world.
A year later, he became one of the founding heroes of the dynasty and was granted the title of marquis.
Pregnant at the time, she was lifted from the status of a peasant woman to the esteemed Marchioness. Because of the son in her womb, her position as the mistress of the marquis household was secured.
Her luck was unparalleled.
She once had an elder brother, a simple farmer, who passed away from illness shortly after marriage. His widow remarried, leaving behind their posthumous daughter, Pei Jiao Jiao.
When Pei Jiao Jiao turned fourteen, a letter arrived from their hometown, stating that she had grown into a delicate beauty and should be sent to the capital for a good match.
With a sense of duty toward her only paternal niece, she arranged for the girl to be brought to the marquis estate.
Little did she expect that an illicit affection would spark between Pei Jiao Jiao and her son.
She was furious.
She adored Pei Jiao Jiao, even more than her own daughters, but under no circumstances could she marry into the marquis household.
She and the Old Marquis had no deep roots in court and were treading a treacherous path. Her son needed a wife with a powerful backing.
Eventually, her son married Madam Xu, and she made the decision to keep Pei Jiao Jiao outside the household, waiting for the right moment to replace Madam Xu.
Madam Xu’s son, Lu Yan Shu, was a genius, renowned throughout the capital.
For the first time, she wavered—exceptional offspring were the foundation of the marquis estate.
Yet, fate was unkind, and Lu Yan Shu’s brilliance was cut short when he became crippled.
Then, Lu Jing Huai began to show great promise. She hesitated again, until she encountered the abbot of the National Temple, who cryptically foretold that a grand figure would emerge from the marquis estate.
That was when she made up her mind—to eliminate Madam Xu.
For the first half of her life, she had everything handed to her on a silver platter. Wealth and status came effortlessly, as though heaven itself had bestowed them upon her.
Until she plotted against Madam Xu and Lu Chao Chao and lost everything.
The fortune that had once been laid at her feet was now stripped away, piece by piece.
Having always been one to maintain her dignity, she now lay bedridden, incontinent, utterly humiliated.
“So big an adult, and you still soiling yourself?” Lu Chao Chao pinched her nose and stood at the door, looking thoroughly disgusted.
A maid stepped forward, but Madam Xu spoke calmly, “Madam Pei, shouldn’t you step in?”
“When my mother was gravely ill, I personally cared for her day and night, never delegating such tasks to others.”
“Now that the Old Madam is bedridden, though my heart aches for her, I am no longer her daughter-in-law. This is your duty now.” Madam Xu’s smile was sincere.
“Even with servants in the estate, who could tend to her better than family?”
“Besides, the Old Madam has always cared about appearances and wouldn’t want an outsider attending to her.”
The stench in the air made Madam Pei’s face stiffen.
Lu Yuan Ze, seemingly unwilling to be looked down upon by Madam Xu, glared at Madam Pei and snapped, “Why are you still standing there? Go take care of her!”
“Mother has always doted on you the most, and you’re hesitating over something this minor?” His words only deepened Madam Pei’s humiliation, her eyes burning with rage.
She had never done such menial work in her life.
But she had no choice now.
A maid brought a basin of hot water, and Madam Pei, suppressing her nausea, stripped the Old Madam of her soiled garments.
At the sight before her, Madam Pei could no longer hold back.
She gagged on the spot.
The Old Madam, who had struggled to remain composed, finally broke down and wept uncontrollably.
“You despise Grandmother! You despise Grandmother!” Lu Chao Chao pointed at Madam Pei.
“You think she’s disgusting!”
“You not good like my mama…” Lu Chao Chao’s childish words enraged Lu Yuan Ze, who kicked Madam Pei on the spot.
“Useless wench!”
“Aiyo…” Madam Pei clutched her chest, groaning in pain.
Her body curled up as cold sweat broke out all over her.
Yet, as soon as she raised her head and caught sight of Madam Xu’s mocking expression, fury surged within her, nearly consuming her reason.
“You have ill intentions! You deliberately watched the spectacle, trying to sow discord within our family!”
[You truly know my mother…]
[Every time, you guess it right…]
Madam Xu let out a light cough before looking at Lu Yuan Ze. “I once thought that the woman you would choose would be someone reasonable and understanding. But it seems… she is merely this.”
“I have been your wife for eighteen years. Do you still not know what kind of person I am?”
Lu Yuan Ze’s face held a trace of guilt. “Yes, you are the most virtuous and magnanimous, above engaging in such petty conduct.”
Madam Xu merely smiled and remained silent.
Yes, that was the woman she once was.
But now, she was Shi Yun of the Niohulu Clan.
“Judging others by your own standards—do you truly think everyone is as despicable as you?” Lu Yuan Ze turned and berated Madam Pei.
“What are you waiting for? Hurry and tend to Mother! She has doted on you for years, yet you dare to neglect her?” Lu Yuan Ze’s expression darkened. Madam Pei’s heart clenched at his tone, forcing her to endure the pain in her chest as she struggled to rise.
She gagged repeatedly, barely suppressing her nausea as she wiped down the Old Madam.
Madam Xu, standing to the side, even began directing her movements.
“Be gentler! Can’t you see that the Old Madam is shedding tears?”
“Paralysis often leads to bedsores. Left unchecked, the body will fester until death. Family members must care for her meticulously…”
“Make sure to help the Old Madam stand up at least three times a day. Prolonged lying down will lead to pus-filled wounds all over her body. Bedsores… now that is a fate worse than death.”
“I have heard that some caretakers, in order to lessen the burden, give their patients less food and water, reducing the need for trips to the latrine.”
“But of course, Madam Pei is different. You are the Old Madam’s beloved niece, cherished as though you were her own daughter. Naturally, you would never do such a thing.”
With each seemingly considerate remark, Madam Xu left Madam Pei with no path of retreat.
Madam Pei’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes filled with undisguised malice.
The Old Madam, facing her directly, watched in terror.
“Ah… ah… hoho…” The Old Madam’s gaze brimmed with fear.
A glimmer of amusement flickered in Madam Xu’s eyes. She moved to the bedside and looked upon the Old Madam with deep concern.
“Is the Old Madam afraid? Do not worry. Madam Pei is, after all, the daughter-in-law you personally chose. She will serve you well.”
“For her sake, you cast out our entire family of five. Surely, she is a woman who knows gratitude…” Madam Xu spoke slowly, savoring each word.
Perhaps overwhelmed by sheer terror, the Old Madam’s fingers clamped tightly onto Madam Xu’s hand.
Her bones turned white from the force, revealing the depths of her dread.
Her eyes were filled with regret.
She was pleading with Madam Xu.
Begging her to stay.
Madam Xu wore an expression of sorrow, but her gaze was filled with merciless intent.
“Old Madam, do you wish for me to stay? That is impossible. Your daughter-in-law is right here.” She took Madam Pei’s hand and placed it in the Old Madam’s grasp.
The Old Madam’s expression twisted into pure horror and fury, her mouth uttering strangled cries.
She clutched at Madam Pei with a death grip, as though she wished to tear her apart.
“You need not worry. I will arrange for a few maids to personally tend to Mother. No one will dare mistreat her.” Lu Yuan Ze looked at Madam Xu, his heart deeply moved.
[Heh, a bedridden elder with no filial children by her side. The dogs are starting to turn on each other…]
Lu Yuan Ze’s gaze drifted, fixated on Madam Xu.
How had he never realized how beautiful she was?
Men, what a messed up family is this