ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 57
The two women, Madame Li and Madame Song, are biological sisters who grew up together. Due to their parents’ favoritism, they have had a strained relationship since childhood. However, after each got married and moved away, the tension between them eased a bit. Madame Song, though, has always maintained her cunning and spiteful nature.
At the present moment, Madame Li’s expression is extremely unpleasant, and she reluctantly says, “I’ve already said that Zhi Zhi is a distant relative from the husband’s side. What does it have to do with our Wang family? You’re making too much fuss.”
Madame Song, however, smiles and says, “Although that may be true, the child looks so much like you, sister. I can’t help but think more about it. But recently, there’s a rumor. I wonder if you’ve heard about it?”
Madame Li, who has been stressed and exhausted from quarreling with her daughter Li Zhi these days, hasn’t had time for socializing. Hearing Madame Song’s words, a sense of unease suddenly rises in her heart. She asks, “What rumor?”
Madame Song lowers her voice and says with a serious tone, “They say that Zhi Zhi is your biological child.”
Madame Li’s hand in her sleeve tightens, and her complexion worsens. She asks, “Where did this rumor come from?”
“How would I know?” Madame Song only smiles and continues, “I just happened to overhear it when I was visiting Duke Yi’s mansion a few days ago. They were discussing it, and I happened to be nearby.”
Madame Li’s heart is in chaos. She never expected things to escalate to this point. She thought it was just a small matter. Why are there so many people interested in prying into the affairs of the Li family? What does it have to do with them?
As Madame Li becomes increasingly agitated, she forgets that she was once part of the group interested in such matters. Madame Song, seemingly concerned, adds, “Sister, the rumors are getting more and more outrageous. There are also some things that are really unpleasant. I’m hesitant to tell you.”
Although she expresses concern, her worry is quite insincere. Madame Li, feeling anxious, doesn’t care about the insincerity and presses, “What else have they been saying?”
Madam Song gestured around, ensuring that the servants kept their distance, then whispered with a hand covering her mouth, “They all say, these branches resemble you but carry the surname Li. It’s too suspicious. They even suggest that you might be involved with someone outside…”
She didn’t continue, but the meaning behind her words couldn’t have been clearer. Lady Li’s face turned pale and green in turns, feeling a surge of anger rushing to her head. Her limbs went cold, and she nearly fainted. Gripping the armrest of her chair tightly, she spoke with trembling words, “Is that what they’re really saying?”
“Oh, absolutely! I overheard it myself,” Song Madam replied.
Lady Li, furious, threw the teacup on the table out of her hand and exclaimed, “Damn their nonsense! These gossipmongers! They have sores on their heads and pus on their feet. All day long, they chew on gossip roots, spreading rumors without fearing retribution!”
“I said the same thing,” Madam Song shook her silk fan leisurely, “They’re making a fuss about nothing.”
Lady Li’s anger persisted. She glanced at Madam Song disdainfully and said, “I bet you’ve had your share of talking too.”
Madam Song immediately protested, “I really didn’t. I even defended you at that time.”
Lady Li didn’t buy into her defense, thinking she might have added fuel to the fire. With a cold tone, she said, “I am clear in conscience. Let them say what they want.”
Madam Song, however, expressed concern, “Even though that’s the case, as the saying goes, a snake bite won’t kill, but malicious gossip can harm one’s reputation irreparably. With all these discussions, it’s not good for your reputation.”
Lady Li stood up stiffly, retorting, “The Marquis doesn’t care about these trivial matters. If you have the time and energy, worry about yourself first!”
Speaking, she ordered the servants, “Escort the guest.”
Ignoring Madam Song’s reaction, she strode away from the flower hall, heading towards the direction of the rear courtyard. As she walked, she couldn’t stop cursing the gossiping women in her mind, wishing them ill and a miserable fate.
By now, the sky had darkened, and the lanterns in the corridor had not been lit yet. The garden was dimly lit, and in her haste, Lady Li tripped over her own feet, nearly falling into the flower bed.
Fortunately, Lady Li caught hold of a hibiscus tree nearby, stabilizing herself. With a sigh, she cursed the gossiping women in her mind again, wishing them misfortune and a terrible end.
As Lady Li regained her composure, she happened to glance through the tree gap. Not far away, two figures were quickly separating. The spot was behind the artificial mountain, quite narrow and concealed. If she hadn’t looked from this direction, she might not have noticed.
In just a few breaths, the two individuals had disappeared. Initially, Lady Li thought they might be servants from the estate meeting secretly here in the dark, and she cursed them in her heart, thinking how unruly they had become.
She resolved to investigate thoroughly and expose them all, selling them off from the estate. Thinking like this, Lady Li continued walking. Soon, she encountered a person hurrying towards her, tall and somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be her nephew, Song Lingyun.
“Aunt.”
Song Lingyun naturally noticed her and a fleeting panic crossed his face. Quickly regaining composure, he greeted her politely, “Aunt, where are you headed?”
Being in her own estate, Lady Li was on her way to the main courtyard, and she found the question somewhat redundant. Suspicion arose in her mind, but she maintained a courteous smile and replied, “I’m going back to the main courtyard. Your mother has already left. Why are you here?”
Upon hearing this, Song Lingyun calmly responded, “I was in the study, consulting my cousin on academic matters, and lost track of time.”
“Is that so?” Lady Li showed a look of realization, kindly saying, “Then go quickly, don’t keep your mother waiting.”
“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.”
Song Lingyun courteously bid farewell and briskly walked towards the front courtyard. Lady Li kept watching him until his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, feeling a slight resemblance to the silhouette under the artificial hill just now.
The more Lady Li thought about it, the more something seemed off. She turned on her heel and headed to the study. The room was already lit, and her son, Li Xingzhi, was reading at the desk. Upon seeing her, he immediately stood up and said, “Mother, why did you come over?”
“I came to check on you,” Lady Li watched her hardworking son and finally felt some comfort in her heart. The troubles these days kept coming one after another, but fortunately, they didn’t affect Li Xingzhi.
After chatting with him for a while, Lady Li casually inquired, “I ran into Lingyun halfway. He said he came to consult you about his studies. Did he disturb you?”
Li Xingzhi replied hastily, “No, cousin just asked a few questions. It wasn’t a disturbance.”
“Only asked a few questions?” Lady Li’s doubts grew, and she asked seemingly casually, “Did he leave afterward?”
“Yes,” Li Xingzhi answered, “He left a while ago.”
Now Lady Li was sure. The person she saw in the garden was indeed Song Lingyun. She just didn’t know which cunning person in the mansion he was getting involved with. Just at that moment, she suddenly remembered something and asked, “And Yuan’er?”
Li Xingzhi said, “She also left, saying she was a bit tired and wanted to rest in her room.”
Madam Li’s eyelids immediately twitched, and she exclaimed, “Did he leave around that time?”
“About the same,” Li Xingzhi was startled by her sudden increase in volume and asked in confusion, “Mother, what’s wrong?”
Madam Li swayed for a moment, almost losing her balance. Li Xingzhi hurriedly supported her, saying, “Mother, are you okay?”
Madam Li pressed her forehead, feeling a slight headache. She waved her hand, took a deep breath, and forced a smile, saying, “I’m fine. I’m going to Ziteng Garden to check on the evening.”
Li Xingzhi was a bit concerned, “Shall I accompany you, Mother?”
However, Madam Li refused, saying, “You just focus on your studies and don’t be distracted by these trivial matters.”
After speaking, she left and headed towards Ziteng Garden. Along the way, Madam Li made numerous speculations, trying hard to calm herself down. Perhaps the person meeting under the artificial hill was not Li Suwan, but some maid in the mansion. Li Suwan might have already returned to rest.
Upon arriving at Ziteng Garden, she immediately saw Li Suwan sitting on the couch, looking somewhat guilty. Li Suwan stood up hastily as if feeling guilty, calling out nervously, “Mother, why did you come?”
Madam Li smiled at her and then looked at the two maids standing by. She instructed, “Leave the room and close the door.”
The two maids exited as instructed. Madam Li walked over, took Li Suwan’s hand gently, and asked in a kind tone, “I heard from Xingzhi that you weren’t feeling well today and came back to rest early. Have you fallen ill again?”
Li Suwan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at Madam Li’s words and smiled, “I did feel a bit unwell, but I’m much better now. I didn’t mean to worry you, Mother.”
“That’s good,” Lady Li patted her hand, then pulled her to sit down, saying, “The incident from a few days ago did indeed inconvenience you. Wait a little longer—”
Her voice abruptly stopped, her expression changed dramatically, and her gaze fixed on Li Suwan’s shoulder. Her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost. Li Suwan was still unaware and asked, “Mother?”
Lady Li pointed at her shoulder, asking sharply, “Where did this come from?”
Li Suwan was startled, looked down, and saw that the snowy-blue fabric of her clothes had somehow gathered dirt and traces of moss. Her face turned pale instantly, and she stammered, “It’s, it’s from…”
She was completely unprepared and couldn’t answer for a moment. Lady Li helped her out, asking in a cold tone, “Is it from rubbing against the fake mountain in the garden? Is it? Was that person Song Lingyun?! When did you start getting involved with each other?”
Li Suwan was dumbfounded by the barrage of questions, only able to say, “I, I didn’t…”
With the evidence before her, she still wanted to evade. Lady Li, who had been restraining her anger all this time, couldn’t hold back any longer. She raised her hand and slapped her hard, scolding fiercely, “You still refuse to admit it?!”
Li Suwan, caught off guard, screamed and covered her face. Lady Li grabbed her, angrily berating, “Do you know what you’re doing? An unmarried young lady openly having an affair with a man in the mansion, do you think I’m blind? If this matter spreads, do you have any face or reputation left?!”
As she spoke, Lady Li looked around, picked up a feather duster from the shelf, and pointed it at Li Suwan, almost trembling with anger. She exclaimed, “How did I give birth to such a foolish child? I used to think you were brainless, ignorant, but I never knew you were so audacious, daring to do such a thing. I might as well just kill you today, better than embarrassing the family!”
She continued her tirade, delivering a series of furious slaps to Li Suwan, who screamed and rolled on the floor, begging for mercy.
“Mother! Mother, I was wrong, I won’t dare again! I won’t dare again, Mother!”
“Don’t call me mother!” Lady Li panted, her eyes red. She angrily threw the feather duster to the ground, saying, “I don’t have a shameless daughter like you. From today onwards, you are not allowed to step out of the Purple Wisteria Garden. If you dare to see that Song Lingyun again, be prepared for the consequences!”
After saying this, she didn’t look at her daughter again. She turned and left the Purple Wisteria Garden. In the yard, she noticed two maids trembling, heads bowed like quails. Lady Li coldly said, “If you dare utter a word about this incident, I’ll cut off your tongues. Do you understand?!”
The maids shivered and nodded repeatedly.
As the night fell, Li Cen had not returned to the mansion yet. Lady Li, exhausted, didn’t bother to investigate further. She felt physically and mentally drained. Assisted by her personal maid, she returned to the main courtyard. Despite lighting several lamps, the atmosphere remained dim, as if shrouded in shadows, giving a cold feeling.
Lady Li sat quietly on a chair for a while, lost in her thoughts. The maid didn’t dare disturb her. After a long time, Lady Li suddenly stood up and went into the inner room. She searched through the shelves, asking her maid, “Where is that camphorwood box with the carved hibiscus flower on it?”
The maid quickly fetched it for her. The box looked quite old, with a greenish patina on the brass lock. Lady Li tried several keys before opening it. Inside were various old and fragmented items. After searching for a while, she found a yellowed note. Due to its age, the edges were eaten by insects, and the paper was brittle, as if it would crumble with a slight touch.
Lady Li opened it carefully, revealing a birth chart and a few lines of commentary: “Nine golden halls open, phoenix chicks by the pond, embarking on the journey to Penglai realm, leading a hundred officials to serve the emperor.”
In addition, there was a signature at the bottom: Daoist Dongxu of the Five Immortals Temple on Chu Mountain.
Lady Li stared at the note for a long time before carefully putting it away. She instructed her maid, “Send someone tomorrow to inquire about the location of the Five Immortals Temple on Chu Mountain.”