Chapter 75.2
With Jiang Chao and Jiang Su Su’s gems in front, everyone now had their gazes on Jiang Ruan, wanting to see what good thing she could bring out. Jiang Ruan smiled faintly, “My present cannot be presented yet .”
Everyone was a little disappointed. Jiang Su Su asked, “Why? Can’t Da Jiejie allow Su’er to have a peek?”
Jiang Ruan gently rejected, “I cannot.” Her tone was firm.
Jiang Chao laughed, “It cannot be that Eldest Younger Sister forgot to prepare a gift for zumu, that is why you are saying this right. Last time at Maternal Grandfather’s house, wasn’t it also the same and it was Mother who had to help and prepared one for you.”
He appeared to have said it without any intent, but Xia Yan hurriedly said, “Chao’er!” She interrupted his words but people had already considered them. They thought that in the end, she still had no biological mother to teach her, and although she looked beautiful, her worldly wisdom was weaker than Jiang Su Su’s.
“I have let Elder Brother see a joke,” Jiang Ruan smiled, “But speaking of which, why didn’t Maternal Grandfather and his family come today? It can’t be because Ruan niang forgot to prepare a visiting gift and so they won’t even attend zumu’s longevity birthday celebration?”
Once the words were said, Jiang Chao’s face became stiff and Xia Yan was stupefied as well. Indeed, the Xia family, as in-laws, did not have anyone present at Old Jiang Madame’s longevity birthday celebration. Even if they were unable to come, they should have sent a gift. However, from the beginning till now, there was no news from the Xia family. Naturally, it would be impossible for the Xia family to not attend just because Jiang Ruan forgot to prepare a visiting gift. But, what exactly happened? The public’s suspicious gaze made Jiang Quan immediately feel like he lost face and he glared at Xia Yan. Xia Yan hurriedly said, “Your maternal grandmother has not been in good health recently and the fu has been working hard, so they will not be attending the birthday celebration.”
Jiang Ruan was enlightened, “Oh right, the last time when we went to Maternal Grandfather’s house, didn’t Maternal Grandmother vomit blood and faint. Unexpectedly she has yet to recover.”
Xia Yan quickly followed her words, “Yes, her condition hasn’t improved yet.”
“Furthermore,” Jiang Ruan suddenly bowed to Xia Yan, “while Maternal Grandmother is ill, and Mother extremely worried, Mother still had to organise the longevity birthday celebration for zumu and has managed to organise such a beautiful banquet. It is truly the Jiang family’s fortune, Ruan niang is ashamed.”
The gratitude that she spoke of caused Xia Yan to feel prickles down her back. Weren’t Jiang Ruan’s words implying that even though her own mother was sickly, she still had the heart to organise the birthday banquet. How unfilial of her. Today, she continuously talked and laughed with ease in front of all the furens, and there was not a trace of heavy-heartedness. She was afraid that now all the furens were considering this matter silently.
She looked at the gentle young lady in front of her and was secretly gritting her teeth in her heart. She suddenly laughed, “It is nothing.” Thinking of the things that would take place later, Xia Yan felt happy.
Old Jiang Madame looked at them without any change in expression. At this moment, a sharp voice was heard from the courtyard, “Where did this demon come from!”
Everyone present looked to the side and saw a middle aged Taoist priest wearing a green robe and a Taoist hat appear. He carried a cloth bundle on his shoulder and carried a peach wood stick[1] in his hand and his expression was grim.
Taoist hat
Peach-wood stick
[1] T/N: When a Taoist priest performs an exorcism or banishing of negative spirits and energy from a home, they use a seven star sword made from the wood of a peach tree.
The origin of the peach tree sword: the use of peach wood to make such swords came from a legend about a gigantic holy tree on the Tu Shou Mountain. It had a trunk over 3000 miles and had captured the essence of 5 types of different holy trees. In ancient China, the northeast direction was known to be the devil’s gate position. Therefore, two deities namely Shen Du and U Lei took charge of the area to prevent any evil spirits from entering the human realm. They were protected under a branch of the gigantic peach tree. Whenever they saw any ghost entering the human realm they would tie the ghost with hemp strings and throw them into a forest to be eaten by tigers. Since then, all ancient chinese houses would have two panels carved from peach wood to be hung on doors to drive away evil spirits. Later it evolved into a tradition where the seven star sword was made by peach wood and used in any place to drive evil spirits away. More.
Xia Yan was shocked, “Xu Kong dao zhang[2].” Then, she apologised to everyone, “A few days ago, I invited this Taoist priest to do an exorcism for the Jiang fu, I never thought he would arrive today.”
[2] Dao Zhang ( 虚空 ) – Taoist priest.
When the Taoist priest entered Jiang Quan was also courteous to him, saying, “We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
“Five years have passed.” Xu Kong bowed to him, “If everything has been well with daren, then this priest[3] can put his mind at ease.”
[3] Pín dào ( 贫道 ) – It is a manner of humbly addressing oneself, used by Taoist priests.
Old Jiang Madame creased her eyebrows, “What dark things[4] are you doing?” She was extremely impolite.
[4] Wū yān zhàng qì ( 乌烟瘴气 ) – a foul/ dark atmosphere.
Jiang Quan said, “Mother, this Taoist priest is someone from this son’s past, he also came to our fu five years ago.”.”
The furens present had never seen a wandering Taoist priest before, however, upon hearing what Jiang Quan said, they were more at ease.
Jiang Ruan stood in the same spot, quietly looking at the priest who wore a grave expression. When she heard “five years ago”, her lips slightly curved into a smile with unknown meaning.
“The reason why this priest[5] came today was because Furen asked me to bless this fu with good fortune,” Xu Kong continued, “but when this priest entered, I saw a dark air around the fu. I am afraid that there is a demon creating chaos.”
[5] Pín sēng (贫僧 ) – another form of address by priests/priests.
Old Jiang Madame had a slightly angry expression on, “Help me chase this person out!”
“Mother! This dao zhang is a master[6].” Jiang Quan simply shook off Old Jiang Madame’s thoughts. He turned around and hurriedly asked the Taoist priest, “Are Xu Kong dao zhang’s words true?”
[6] Gāo rén ( 高人 ) – Someone of a noble character or an expert in something
“This priest has never lied.” Xu Kong twisted his beard, “And that demon is in this fu!”
He walked around the hall and his gaze slowly landed on Jiang Ruan.
Upon seeing this, everyone held their breath and heard the Taoist priest say, “Although this priest does not know who this young lady is, this priest dares to confirm that the dark air in this fu is caused by this young lady.”
“This is impossible.” Xia Yan appeared shocked, “She is the eldest young miss of our fu.”
“Eldest Young Miss?” Xu Kong said, “The one who was sent to the countryside residence five years ago, I did not expect her to be so old already. Then there is no mistake.”
“Dao zhang what are you talking about,” Jiang Su Su continued, “How can my elder sister be a demon.”
However, Xu Kong spoke to Jiang Quan, “Daren, didn’t this priest help calculate this young lady’s fortune five years ago and asked her to not return to the fu ever, otherwise it would incur great trouble. Even if daren’s heart has softened, you still cannot seek self-destruction.”
The people present had never heard this story as they thought in their hearts that it was no wonder Jiang Quan had called this Taoist priest someone from his past. He had already helped Jiang Ruan calculate her fortune five years ago?
However, Xia Yan shook her head, “But no matter what, she is still laoye’s daughter, thus how could laoye bear to part with her just like this? Does dao zhang have any good solutions?”
As Jiang Ruan listened, her smile contained a trace of irony. What Xia Yan said would cause those not in the know to think that Jiang Quan shared a deep father-daughter bond with her. If not for Imperial Censor Wang’s censor report[7], Jiang Quan would truly wish to leave her at the countryside residence for good, taking that he never had her, the Jiang family’s eldest young miss!
[7] Zhé zǐ ( 折子 ) – book with a slipcase which keeps account of all the deeds of the people with court positions
“Mother, what is going on?” Jiang Chao said, “What do dao zhang’s words mean?”
“This……” Xia Yan glanced towards Jiang Ruan with a look of being in a difficult position, like it was extremely hard for her to talk about it.
Seeing the situation, Xu Kong said, “This priest helped Jiang fu’s Eldest Young Miss calculate her fortune[8] and she turned out to be the bane of others’ existence. She is destined to curse both her mother and future husband, and all of her relatives in this lifetime. She carries with her the scourge of blood and death; it is in her nature because she was born cursed[9].
[8] Shēng chén bā zì (生辰八字 ) – references Chinese astrology and the importance of time at the point of birth. Different modes of time tell you about your fortune/destiny.
[9] Mìng gé ( 命格 ) – using your birth date and time to match with the constellation in the sky to use to calculate your fortune
The bane of others’ existence!
Once the words were said, everyone immediately went into a shock. They unconsciously looked towards Jiang Ruan and their gazes were filled with fear. Even if she was really beautiful, at present, in everyone’s eyes she was no different from a demon.
Jiang Ruan did not react despite all of the gazes upon her. She simply stood silently. After a short while, she laughed lightly.
“What are you laughing about?” Jiang Li, who had been rejoicing in others’ misfortune, asked.
“I laugh because it is all thanks to Xu Kong dao zhang that Ruan niang knows that she bears the sign of the cursed star and is the bane of others’ existence.” Those words contained some unclarity and everyone looked at her, puzzled. Jiang Ruan said, “Since dao zhang calculated Ruan niang’s birthdate characters five years ago and then left, after five years, you must have advanced and should probably have the ability to resolve this cursed fate.”
Xu Kong was stunned and he shook his head, saying, “Young Miss’ sign is too strong, therefore with this priest’s skills, there is nothing to be done.”
Jiang Ruan shook her head and said, “Dao zhang’s words make sense, but based on dao zhang’s words, I will curse my husband, my mother and all my relatives. However, during those five years that I’ve lived in the countryside residence, I did not bring misfortune to anyone. Other than my own body being a bit weak, the people in the countryside residence seemed to be living better day by day, how do you explain this?”
These words had another meaning to them and the present company were all sharp. They usually attended a lot of social engagements so how could there be a meaning that they could not hear. Xia Yan pretended to touch her sideburns without any intentions and Xu Kong immediately said, “That was because the people in the countryside residence were not at all related to Young Miss, they were all just some farmers and servants.”
“So it is like this,” Jiang Ruan looked as if she suddenly understood everything and with a smile on her face, she said, “that’s why so many things of a ridiculous nature have happened to the Jiang fu after Ruan niang’s return from the countryside residence?”
“That is correct.” Xu Kong said and nodded his head.
“Then the one who would be cursed first should be my closest kin,” Jiang Ruan looked at Jiang Quan, “Based on the fact that I cursed my mother to death, the first one I would curse after returning to the fu should be my father, how come…… it is actually Second Older Brother and Second Younger Sister?”
Jiang Quan heard Jiang Ruan’s words and felt some unhappiness in his heart. Xu Kong paused for a while and said, “This……the priest does not know either.”
“So there are things that dao zhang does not know.” Jiang Ruan smiled, “Mother, do you think that I am cursed too?”
“Of course……. of course not,” Xia Yan dried her tears, “but Ruan’er…….” She could not continue on and could only look extremely sorrowful.
“Father, do you think that Ruan niang was born under a cursed star too?” Jiang Ruan looked towards Jiang Quan.
Jiang Quan looked at her and felt that even if Jiang Ruan was smiling, the pair of beautiful eyes looked like they were immersed in ice cold water, making one feel chilled. He was distracted for a moment. It was as though he saw Zhao Mei, who looked haggard lying in her coffin, asking coldly. He panicked, immediately a suffocated feeling emerged, and he coldly said, “Do you wish to harm the whole Jiang fu?”
“Why would Ruan niang wish to harm the whole of Jiang fu?” Jiang Ruan said. If she so easily harmed them, how would she feel content. She had to ensure that step by step it was crushed under her foot, until it became dust and forever disappeared from this world.
Jiang Ruan looked at Old Jiang Madame, but Old Jiang Madame had already shut her eyes, as if she did not wish to see this shoddy drama. Xia Yan asked, “Dao zhang, then what should we do now?”
Xu Kong looked towards Jiang Ruan, “If it was before, letting her stay at the countryside residence would have sufficed. However, you all fetched her home, and now the evil air has grown day by day. It is best to find an ancestral temple and have her stay there for a few years, after everything has subsided a bit, perhaps it can be resolved.”
Lian Qiao who was standing behind Jiang Ruan felt a chill in her heart, what a vicious thought! After becoming a Buddhist nun at a temple for a few years, she was afraid that the people in the capital would eventually forget that there was someone called Jiang Ruan. As time passed, Jiang Ruan would grow older and older and it would be even harder for her to find a good match for marriage. Wrong. Xia Yan had already declared in front of so many people that Jiang Ruan bore a cursed sign, thus which decent family in the capital would want her. She was afraid that they could not wait to hide from her!
There was complete silence, then suddenly a low and deep voice said, “Dao zhang please be mindful of your words.”