Chapter 298: Household Unrest
Just after the Minor New Year, Shangjing City was hit by a heavy snowfall.
The world was a vast expanse of white, with a thick layer of snow covering the rooftops.
Inside the Xue Mansion’s Shou’an Hall, the charcoal fire in the bronze brazier glowed red, but it couldn’t dispel the strong medicinal smell and bitterness filling the room.
The Xue daughters, who rarely gathered, were now all surrounding Old Madam Cui’s sickbed. The young ladies who had returned for a visit stood outside the canopy, clutching handkerchiefs, while those not yet married stood with their hands clasped by the brocade couch.
With recent events plaguing the Xue family, the atmosphere was oppressive, and everyone had become much more silent.
Suddenly, the sound of a copper bell tinkled in the corridor, and a maidservant outside the door curtsied.
“Princess Consort Duan has arrived—”
Everyone turned in unison. Xue Yuechen, draped in a silver fox fur coat, lifted the curtain and walked in gracefully. The tassels on her cloak swayed with her steps, making her face as bright as the moon, exuding wealth and dignity.
The stagnant air trembled slightly.
“Eldest Sister is here.” Xue Yue E, who was standing nearby, quickly curtsied.
The others also made way, their skirts brushing against the bluestone floor, creating a subtle ripple in the hall filled with the smell of medicine.
The differences in status and family background were clearly evident among the sisters.
Xue Yuechen walked to the bedside and carefully observed the Old Madam’s closed eyes and weak breathing, her eyes immediately reddening.
“What’s wrong with Grandmother? When I returned to pay my respects a few days ago, she seemed in good spirits. How did she suddenly fall so gravely ill…”
As she spoke, she dabbed at the corners of her slightly moist eyes with a handkerchief.
“It’s all my fault. I’ve been busy with the affairs of the Prince’s Mansion these days and couldn’t spare the time to come back and serve her more. Otherwise, I would have noticed sooner…”
Old Madam Cui, in her daze, seemed to hear the sound. Her eyelids twitched, but she made no noise.
Third Madam Qian Shi quickly stepped forward and said, “Princess Consort, please don’t blame yourself. The Old Madam is getting on in years. She caught a cold in winter and then became worried, which is why…”
She paused for a moment before calling for a servant.
“What are you all standing around for? Hurry and get a seat for the Princess Consort and bring some hot tea.”
The servants immediately bustled about.
The bronze brazier was refilled with charcoal, and brocade cushions were moved into place.
The room seemed to gain a bit of liveliness.
Just then, the curtain was lifted again—
Bringing with her a gust of cold air was Fourth Miss Xue Yueying.
She held her son Gu Yu, who had only recently learned to walk, and was wrapped in a thick brocade cotton robe.
Everyone’s gaze complexly swept over the child’s tender face…
The more they looked at the child, the more silence there was.
Only Ninth Miss Xue Yue E, sitting in the corner, pouted without any pretense.
“Why is Fourth Sister back again? With such heavy snow, the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion isn’t close by. It’s quite inconvenient to travel back and forth. It would be better if you stayed at your maternal home like before.”
Because of Li Yan, she had long harbored resentment towards Xue Yueying. Seeing her with the child who bore some resemblance to Li Yan, her heart felt even more unsettled.
Xue Yueying’s face stiffened, and then she raised her chin.
“Ninth Sister, what are you saying? Grandmother is gravely ill, and all her descendants should be by her bedside to show filial piety. I’m not an outsider, so why can’t I come? It’s Ninth Sister who speaks without considering the consequences. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh when they hear about it? Your wedding date, which was supposed to be soon, has been repeatedly postponed by the Prince Wei’s Mansion…”
Everyone’s expression changed slightly.
Although Xue Yue E’s remarriage to Prince Wei had been decided, with the Xue family’s decline, the Prince’s Mansion found an excuse to postpone the wedding until the third month of next spring.
This was precisely Xue Yue E’s sore point. Now that it was exposed in public, her face turned a mixture of green and red.
“Fourth Sister, why are you bringing up something so sensitive? Are you deliberately trying to hurt me?”
This was not only her weakness but also a microcosm of the Xue family’s decline.
Has Xue Si gone mad?
Deliberately causing trouble, and at such a time? Aren’t you afraid of angering Grandmother to death?
Xue Yueying sneered dismissively, “Did I say something wrong? The wedding date being postponed again and again, isn’t that the truth?”
Xue Yue E turned to Xue Yuechen, “Eldest Sister, please judge this.”
“Enough,” Xue Yuechen said, sitting upright in a rosewood armchair. She tapped her fingertips on the armrest and finally spoke.
“All of you, say less! Grandmother is ill and needs rest.”
These petty squabbles between young ladies no longer stirred her emotions.
No one knew her inner helplessness at this moment…
“If sisters have any arguments, they should consider the occasion and the circumstances, and prioritize Grandmother’s health…”
After speaking, she deliberately glanced at Xue Yueying.
“Stop saying such outrageous things and upsetting Grandmother.”
“Eldest Sister—” Xue Yueying, holding her son, looked at Xue Yuechen with a forced smile. “Look at your pale complexion. Are you tired? You’ve been managing the Prince’s Mansion for so many years; you should take good care of yourself. Why bother with these trivial matters? If you ask me, if Eldest Sister had a young heir, Grandmother would surely be delighted, and half her illness would be gone. She wouldn’t have to drink this bitter medicinal soup every day…”
Those words were as sharp as needle tips…
Wasn’t it said that Xue Yuechen couldn’t have sons?
“Fourth Sister, what nonsense are you spouting?” Xue Yue Lou couldn’t stand it anymore.
In the past, when Father doted on Xue Si, she relied on that favor to try and suppress all her sisters.
Now that the Xue family had fallen, she had given birth to Prince Wei’s bastard, yet she still acted so high and mighty…
“You’re becoming more and more ill-mannered. Have you no dignity, no shame?”
Those words were quite humiliating.
Xue Yueying, however, was unfazed and raised her chin.
“What is undignified about me? My in-laws treat me courteously, my husband is not harsh, and the Empress Dowager in the palace often guides me. My life is full of hope and comfort…”
Xue Yuechen’s throat tightened, her chest felt heavy, and she almost couldn’t catch her breath. She wished she could just storm out.
Xue Yue Lou was also frustrated, but since Xue Yuechen didn’t react, and her own status was low, she couldn’t say much. She only said, “Eldest Sister, why don’t I accompany you for a walk outside?”
“That would be good. The medicinal smell in the room is strong, and I do feel a bit suffocated.” Xue Yuechen was, after all, a legitimate daughter and the Princess Consort of Prince Duan. Her actions always maintained her dignity, and it was inappropriate to lose her temper by the Old Madam’s sickbed.
She suppressed the displeasure on her face, smiled slightly, and offered her hand to Fei Cui, signaling her to help her up.
“I’m going to the garden for some fresh air. Regarding Grandmother, I’ll trouble Third Aunt to look after her…”
Xue Yue Lou quickly agreed, “I’ll accompany Eldest Sister.”
Xue Yuechen smiled, “Thank you, Second Sister.”
“Eldest Sister, walk slowly. It’s windy in the garden, be careful not to catch a cold,” Xue Yueying said loudly, then called for a maidservant.
“Qing Zhu, go and get the old ginseng I brought. Brew it and give it to Grandmother to nourish her…”
“Yes. Young Madam.”
Qing Zhu replied, bowed, and retreated.
Others might not know Xue Yueying, but she knew her.
Despite her proud words, her situation was actually difficult.
No one in the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion looked favorably upon her. The Marquis and his wife feigned ignorance. Gu Jie, having helped the Crown Prince investigate a corruption case, was afraid of being targeted and had been claiming illness at home ever since. He never met with his Young Madam in the mansion.
The so-called “guidance” from the Empress Dowager in the palace was merely a constant warning to her to behave herself, act discreetly, and not cause trouble for Prince Wei or the royal family because of her child…
She was alone and neglected.
Perhaps after realizing she had nothing left to lose, she became reckless and unrestrained. If she herself had no dignity, others couldn’t do anything to her, so she escalated her behavior…
“Fourth Sister has become increasingly malicious and sharp-tongued. She looks at everyone as if they were an enemy…” Xue Yue Lou looked at Xue Yuechen’s haggard profile, feeling great sympathy.
“Eldest Sister, please take care of yourself and don’t stoop to her level.”
Xue Yuechen wearily pressed her forehead and nodded.
“Times are hard for the family. You should also take care of yourself. Don’t take what others say to heart…”
Xue Yue Lou gave a bitter smile. “I am a concubine’s daughter who returned home as a widow. I should be content just to have food to eat and a place to live. How could I be concerned with such things… Right now, I can only hope that the family will overcome this misfortune and get through this difficult period soon…”
Xue Yuechen nodded without speaking.
As they walked into the corridor, a cold wind carrying snowflakes swept towards them.
Her mind full of worries did not escape Xue Yue Lou’s eyes.
“Eldest Sister, do you have… any difficulties?”
Xue Yuechen’s brows furrowed slightly.
“There are difficulties, of course. But… never mind, it’s better not to mention them.”
Seeing this, Xue Yue Lou wisely stopped asking.
Unexpectedly, Xue Yuechen was silent for a moment, then spoke herself.
“Second Sister, in your opinion… what are Sixth Sister’s thoughts? How much affection does she truly have for the Xue family?”
Xue Yue Lou was startled and thought carefully.
“In the past, the family owed Sixth Sister a lot. It’s rare that she doesn’t hold a grudge and is willing to help out a little. Although she became a nun at Shui Yue Nunnery, she is still blood-related and has some affection. If the family has any urgent or difficult matters, she never refuses… Look, when Grandmother fell ill, it was she who invited the doctor…”
She looked up at Xue Yuechen and asked again:
“The matter that is troubling Eldest Sister, is it related to Sixth Sister?”
Xue Yuechen, unable to speak directly, sighed evasively.
“Her actions are too outrageous. Some matters are too deeply involved and may not be a blessing for the Xue family.”
She didn’t want to elaborate. Before her voice faded, she turned and patted Xue Yue Lou’s hand, forcing a smile:
“Second Sister is so thoughtful and considerate. If Fourth, Eighth, and Ninth Sisters were as sensible as you, I would have much less to worry about. After this period passes, I will keep an eye out for you and find a stable and reliable family for you, so you have someone to rely on in your later years.”
Xue Yue Lou gave a bitter smile.
“Eldest Sister, please don’t tease me. Right now, I just want to stay with Ming Ge’er and live a quiet life.”
“Even so, a woman ultimately needs a home. Otherwise, she’ll be lonely in her old age, and Ming Ge’er won’t be able to take care of you…”
She didn’t explicitly mention that Ming Ge’er was frail and sickly, likely not destined for a long life, and unable to care for her in her old age, nor could she rely on her maternal family forever. However, in their shared glance, thinking of that unfortunate daughter, she felt a sense of shared destiny and a growing closeness to Xue Yue Lou.
As they were speaking, they saw a servant hurrying through the moon gate.
Upon seeing them, the servant quickly stepped forward to bow.
“Princess Consort, Second Miss, Master Miaozhen has returned, and she’s just arrived at Shou’an Hall with Doctor Shu…”
Xue Yuechen and Xue Yue Lou exchanged a glance. Without further words, they quickened their pace towards Shou’an Hall.
