Chapter 30: Festive Shock
This novel is available for reading on bcatranslation.
“Proceed to the ancestral hall and kneel there. You shall not leave without my express permission,” commanded Madam Xu sternly, as she held her daughter close to her side.
Lu Yuan Xiao, with a bowed head, silently acquiesced to his mother’s command and departed to fulfill his punishment in the ancestral hall.
Meanwhile, Deng Zhi, who had been frozen with fear up until now, slowly began to collect herself.
[Mama, please don’t stay angry with Third Brother. I really wanted to go outside…] Chao Chao lovingly kissed Madam Xu on the cheek, her eyes pleading for forgiveness on behalf of her brother.
Observing her daughter’s unaffected cheerfulness, Madam Xu responded, “Today seems to be a particularly thrilling day for you. You’ve given me quite the fright.” She shuddered at the mere thought of the potential dangers that could have befallen Chao Chao.
“The young master is very fond of his sister, Madam,” interjected Deng Zhi, attempting to mitigate Lu Yuan Xiao’s punishment by highlighting his affectionate nature.
His endearing and humble demeanor had made him a favorite among all the servants.
With a glance that mixed irritation and resignation, Madam Xu relented, “Very well, he may rise from kneeling at dinner time.”
Relieved, Deng Zhi promptly arranged for the evening meal to be served thirty minutes earlier than usual, hoping to lessen the severity of the young master’s reprimand.
“People often become overly excited during the festivities, Madam,” Deng Zhi noted with a smile, appreciative of Madam Xu’s relatively good spirits, which had spared the young master from a harsher discipline.
A slight smile crossed Madam Xu’s face, her mood somewhat lifted by having recovered stolen items from her vault earlier that day, along with receiving some compensation for the missing ones. She felt this served as a small vindication for years of endured injustices.
“This morning, the old lady appeared exhausted. She claimed she was going to offer incense, but I suspect she might have visited that woman… Madam, have you ever considered… perhaps divorcing?” Deng Zhi cautiously suggested the idea that had been weighing on her mind.
Lu Chao Chao, barely containing her excitement, mentally echoed, [Divorce, divorce, time for a new dad!]
“Even the young miss seems taken with the idea,” Deng Zhi pressed on, finding it difficult to watch Madam Xu endure further deceit after seventeen years.
Madam Xu paused thoughtfully, “Deng Zhi, I have three sons and a daughter. Normally, a woman doesn’t retain custody of her children after a divorce unless the husband consents.”
She was aware that she lacked sufficient leverage to convince her husband to let her keep the children.
Realizing her suggestion might be impractical, Deng Zhi turned her attention back to preparing dinner.
…
That evening, after a challenging day, the elderly madam and Lu Yuan Ze returned to their mansion, both visibly drained and distressed. Their plans had been severely disrupted by Madam Xu’s earlier actions.
“Your wife is truly spiteful, aiming to undermine Jing Huai, the future pride of our family! Did you see how he struggled to hold back tears today? It was simply heartbreaking. How can she be so heartless and cruel? Just because her own children don’t compare, she aims to hurt another’s child,” the elderly woman lamented bitterly, punctuating her frustration by thumping her cane on the ground, then wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
Lu Yuan Ze responded with concern, “Mother, please be careful with your words. Those children are mine too, and they are not without merit.”
In response, the elderly woman struck him on the head with her cane, causing him to flinch and clutch his forehead.
“Fool! If it were still the capable Yan Shu, it would be one thing, but now he’s disabled and utterly reliant on others! His condition is a disgrace to our family. Yet look at Jing Huai, how intelligent he is, celebrated throughout the capital! And consider Jing Yao’s potential, foretold by the abbot to be of great importance! And then there’s Jiao Jiao, who has stood by you unrecognized, suffering for seventeen years! That detestable woman, Xu Shi Yun, is to blame for all their suffering,” the elderly woman raged, her face twisted with bitterness. “I acknowledge her family’s influence, which is why I originally intended to have her daughter eliminated at birth. Then we could register Jing Yao under her name and bring your daughter to live with us. Once Xu Shi Yun lowers her guard, we would exact our revenge.”
Lu Yuan Ze appeared conflicted, yet he remained silent.
As night fell, the household staff hurriedly secured the doors and windows with protective charms. At midnight, a dense white fog enveloped the area, reducing visibility to nearly zero. Amidst the fog, terrifying creatures of various shapes emerged, their sharp teeth and claws menacing the night. Headless figures wandered aimlessly in search of their heads, and limbless bodies floated through the air, creating an atmosphere filled with horror and eerie noises.
Cloaked in her robe, Madam Xu, accompanied by a visibly shaken Deng Zhi, who hesitated to even light a lamp, moved cautiously through the mansion, guided only by the moonlight. “Mi-Mi-Milady, there’s no need for concern. We’ve fortified the place with protective talismans and even scattered black dog’s blood around the foundation. It is thoroughly protected,” assured Deng Zhi.
Madam Xu’s expression softened as she gazed at Lu Chao Chao, who was soundly asleep, innocently exposing her small, warm belly as she kicked off her blanket.
“It appears Chao Chao is the only one at peace tonight. Did Yuan Xiao have his dinner before he went out?” Madam Xu inquired, her concern evident despite her attempts to maintain composure.
Jue Xia, the maid, responded with a gentle laugh, her voice soft, “Please don’t worry, Madam. Young Master Yuan Xiao has eaten. I even arranged for some snacks to be delivered to him before he left. He’s probably just enjoying a stroll around the streets now.”
Deng Zhi exhaled deeply, “Every year, the middle of the seventh month fills everyone with anxiety. But tonight feels even more ominous than usual. This fog is so thick you can’t even see your own hand in front of you. It’s a complete whiteout.”
In previous years, simply closing the main gate was sufficient to navigate the courtyard safely. However, this year, the fog seemed to penetrate inside the mansion, carrying with it an air of menacing unknowns.
“Have all the servants taken shelter in their rooms?” inquired Madam Xu, her voice trembling slightly in the midsummer cold that seemed unusually bone-chilling, causing goosebumps to form on her arms.
“This afternoon, I made sure they all retreated to their rooms. The courtyard is empty now. We can only hope things improve by dawn,” one of the maids informed her.
Madam Xu’s eyelids twitched with unease as she continued to worry about her third son, “This is Yuan Xiao’s first year participating in the street parade, and I can’t help but worry about him.”
In North Zhao, it is a tradition for scholars over the age of eight to join the parade to ward off evil spirits, a duty undertaken voluntarily.
Deng Zhi, feeling puzzled and anxious, remarked, “It’s strange. Why can’t we hear the usual recitations? Every other year, the streets would echo with readings that dispel the darkness and bring a hint of light.”
Trying to reassure her maids, Madam Xu softly said, “It’ll be alright. With accomplished monks leading the parade, safety is assured.”
Then, suddenly, a sharp, grating noise shattered the silence, causing them all severe discomfort. They turned towards the door in alarm, as the sound seemed to indicate something from the outside trying desperately to get in.