When Ping mama entered the main room of Furong Yuan, her eyes flicked briefly toward Gu Yue before she bowed to Xie shi.
“Taitai, nubi has something to report.”
Xie shi’s eyes widened, but in the next moment her expression softened again. She turned to Chun He. “Take san guniang away and look after her properly.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Chun He supported Gu Yue out.
Gu Yue was unwilling, staring hard at Ping mama. That old witch never showed herself without reason; if she appeared, something was definitely brewing.
She wanted to hear what Ping mama had to say, but Chun He was too strong and dragged her bodily out of the room.
Once they were gone, Xie shi asked, “What is it?”
Ping mama said evenly, “Wu daren, a guest of the Crown Prince, has taken his own life. Liu daren has tendered his resignation and returned home in retirement.”
“What?”
For a moment, Xie shi was stunned, but she quickly collected herself. “Da ge is no longer an official of the Eastern Palace. Why bring this to me?”
Without a change of expression, Ping mama continued, “This morning, the Crown Prince’s steward was found dead in his study, poisoned, with no suicide note. The Ministry of Justice has taken over the case. It may have been suicide, or it may have been murder.”
A chill like ice seeped into Xie shi’s bones.
She roared at Ping mama, “What are you trying to do, telling me this? Was it da ge who sent you? He still won’t give up, is that it?”
Ignoring her outburst, Ping mama went on: “Last night in the Eastern Palace, two eunuchs took their own lives, three pages were executed, and five palace maids disappeared, likely already dead.”
Xie shi’s face turned ashen, her breath coming hard and fast. Rage filled her; she wished she could cut down Ping mama on the spot.
“Go tell da ge,” she spat, “that his affairs have nothing to do with me. I won’t be dragged into them. From now on, his road is his road, my bridge is my bridge. He should stay far away from me. And you, get out of Gu fu. Otherwise, I’ll sell you off at once.”
Ping mama sneered. “Today, one of the Crown Prince’s concubines swallowed gold to end her life. Meanwhile, the Left Guard Commander is purging and reshuffling the palace guard.”
Xie shi nearly lost her mind. “Where are you getting all this news? I know, you must have gone to the Xie family, you saw da ge, didn’t you?”
Ping mama fixed her with a look and delivered the day’s most important message: “Before the Lantern Festival, da laoye will be reinstated by the Crown Prince, and he may even be promoted.”
“What did you say?” Xie shi was shaken to her core, utterly disbelieving.
“He only just resigned, how could the Eastern Palace bring him back so soon? Has the Crown Prince no other officials? Why can’t da ge let go? Doesn’t he understand that it was precisely his being an Eastern Palace official that drove him and laoye into enmity?”
Ping mama said, “Once a man serves the Eastern Palace, he bears its mark for life. There is no other road for him but to remain its man.”
Xie shi slumped into a chair. “So the Xie family is now bound to the Eastern Palace for good.”
Ping mama nodded. “Yes. Da laoye bid me ask, taitai, can you bear to sit by and watch the Xie family condemned and exterminated?”
Xie shi ground her teeth. “And can I bear to watch the Gu family exterminated instead? You know perfectly well where the Gu family and the hou fu stand, opposed to the Eastern Palace. If the Crown Prince triumphs, do you think the Gu family will come out unscathed?”
Ping mama said, “If the Crown Prince triumphs, the Gu family may suffer, but with da laoye in place, they won’t face annihilation. But if the Crown Prince fails, then the Xie family’s hundred lives are doomed without a burial place. Da laoye wishes you to consider carefully, not only the moment before your eyes.”
Xie shi gave a cold laugh. “So I’m to sacrifice my whole fu to win the Xie family glory? Does Xie Mao take me for a saint? Tell him there’s no chance.
“My son is meant to study and rise as an official. As his mother, I may not be able to help him much, but I’ll never be his burden. And tell Xie Mao this as well, I am no fool. Stop treating me like one.”
Her anger was so great that she could hardly breathe.
Ping mama frowned deeply. “Must taitai insist on this path?”
Xie shi glared, her face twisted. “It was Xie Mao who drove me to this. In the past, when laoye was posted outside the capital, I could ignore the intrigues of the city. But now that he holds the office of Prefect of the Capital, I cannot.
“I may not be learned, but I am not a fool. Before, I was blind with pig’s fat, following his every word. Now I see clearly. I am a married daughter; even if the Xie family suffers disaster, it will not touch me.
“I have my sons by my side. As long as the Gu family stands, as long as my sons achieve, in time, I can be a dignified old matron.
“Tell Xie Mao this: when he is executed, I will see to his burial. If his wife and children survive, I will do what I can for them. But beyond that, nothing.”
Ping mama narrowed her eyes, as if she couldn’t fathom how Xie shi had so completely reversed her stance.
Xie shi snorted.
These past weeks, sickly and weak, she could do little but think. And the more she thought, the clearer everything became.
Now she understood: her true reliance lay only in Gu daren and in her two sons. And for that, the Gu family and the hou fu must both remain secure.
That meant she had to draw a firm line between herself and the Xie family, especially Xie Mao.
The Gu family and the Xie family were destined to be at odds.
If the Xie family fell, she could still live in comfort. But if the Gu family fell, she would be thrown into prison, lucky, perhaps, to end her days as a poverty-stricken old crone.
The Xie family’s wealth and delicacies were never hers to enjoy; for her, only husks and coarse grain.
With such consequences clear in her mind, Xie shi no longer wavered. Her will was set.
Still, Ping mama made one last attempt. “Taitai, can you truly bear to see the laoyezi and lao taitai suffer in their old age?”
Xie shi let out a cold laugh.
“Father and Mother have enjoyed a life of wealth and glory for so many years; that is more than enough. If the Xie family truly collapses, the two of them might as well end things cleanly themselves.
“Tell the old couple this: when their time comes, I will personally see to their burial. But the funeral will not be a grand one. Of course, if they die before the Xie family falls, then at least they can still enjoy a proper, respectable send-off.”
Ping mama scolded angrily, “Taitai, how vicious your heart is!”
Xie shi’s expression twisted with rage.
“Who did I learn my cruelty from, if not the Xie family themselves? Tell me, which member of the Xie family is kinder than I am? Think of the things Xie Mao has done all these years. To call him a beast would be to insult beasts.
“And this time, with so many deaths in the Eastern Palace, do you really believe Xie Mao had no hand in it? Others may not know him, but I do. He is ruthless, ambitious like a wolf, shameless beyond words.
“Laoye is absolutely right: Xie Mao is a scoundrel, utterly without shame. I must draw a firm line between myself and him.”
Ping mama’s face hardened. “Since you’ve said so much, nubi will take her leave. I only hope taitai will not regret this one day.”
Xie shi sneered coldly. “Rest assured, I will never regret it. From today onward, you are to leave the Gu fu. I’ll have the gatekeepers informed; you are never to set foot inside again.”
Ping mama gave a cold snort and turned away.
As she left, she crossed paths with Chun He.
Ping mama cast her a mocking glance. “Such fine youth, don’t let it go to waste.”
Chun He’s face was frosty. “Mama had best mind yourself first.”
They snorted at each other in mutual disdain before passing by.
Chun He went to Xie shi’s side. “Taitai, san guniang has been settled.”
“Mm.”
Xie shi’s brows were still tightly furrowed. The message Ping mama had brought was too shocking, and now her heart felt unsettled. She wondered if she should discuss it with Gu daren.
But ever since she had resolved to sever ties with Xie Mao, she felt emboldened.
There was no need to worry about Gu daren’s suspicions. Her conscience was clear, her heart upright; she had nothing to hide.
Casting a glance at Chun He, she asked, “Anything else?”
Chun He hesitated, clearly wanting to speak. It was impossible to ignore.
At last, she blurted, “Taitai, this servant fears the san guniang’s emotions are unstable. I worry she may cause trouble.”
“What trouble could she possibly cause? All she thinks about is marrying Zhao erlang. Before the wedding, she’ll be more cautious than anyone. Nothing will happen.”
Xie shi was entirely unconcerned, convinced Chun He was being needlessly anxious.
Chun He smiled. “Taitai is indeed wise. I worried for nothing.”
After leaving the Gu fu, Ping mama went straight to the Xie household to meet Xie Mao.
In recent days, Xie Mao had shut his doors to visitors. Even during the New Year, the family had entertained no guests. Behind closed doors, he spent his time on the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, cultivating himself, projecting an image of detachment from worldly power.
A servant came to report, “Laoye, Ping mama has returned from the Gu fu.”
Xie Mao was painting at that moment. Without looking up, he said calmly, “Let her in.”
Soon, Ping mama was ushered into the study.
The moment she saw Xie Mao, she dropped to her knees, her earlier arrogance gone, her manner entirely deferential.
“Nubi greets laoye.”
“Rise.”
She stood, bowing respectfully to one side, not daring to disturb him at his work.
When the painting, a great eagle spreading its wings, was finished, Xie Mao was pleased. He washed his hands and ordered the painting put away. Only then did he turn his gaze to Ping mama.
The moment his eyes fell on her, her respect deepened.
“How did it go?” Xie Mao asked casually.
Ping mama, uneasy, replied, “Nubi was incompetent. Taitai said she wishes to sever all ties with laoye. From now on, the Xie family is the Xie family, the Gu family is the Gu family. She even cast nubi out.”
Xie Mao’s expression remained calm. He showed no anger, only asked, “Did you not tell her that the Xie family’s wealth and glory would naturally bring her benefit as well?”
Her head lowered, Ping mama murmured, “Yes, but taitai is stubborn. She would not believe it. From what nubi sees, after she was scolded by Gu daren in the capital, she became frightened. That is why she insists on cutting ties with laoye.”
Xie Mao gave a derisive laugh. “She truly is troublesome.”
Ping mama asked cautiously, “Laoye, what should we do next?”
“For now, leave it be. The palace is far from peaceful. Once matters there are settled, we will address the rest. Go find the steward; he’ll arrange a place for you to stay. Since she has cast you out, you may as well serve steadily here in the Xie family.”
Ping mama immediately let out a breath of relief. “Many thanks, laoye.” She then bowed and withdrew.
The steward stepped out from behind the screen. “Laoye, what shall we do with Ping mama?”
Xie Mao’s face darkened, and he cursed, “Useless thing!”
Clearly, the insult was directed at Ping mama.
After a moment, he added coldly, “Keep her for now, she’s still of use.”
With just that one sentence, Ping mama escaped death, though she herself knew nothing of it.
The steward accepted the order, then asked again, “And the Gu family, how should we proceed there?”
“Concerning the Gu family… wait until after the New Year’s festivities.”
“Yes, laoye.”
Weiyang Palace.
The Empress lay in bed. In just a few short days, she had grown so ill she could no longer rise.
Fang shaojian was at her side. “…Niangniang, rest assured. Everything that needed to be handled in the Eastern Palace has been dealt with. The Jinwuwei will find nothing more, and the matter will naturally be dropped.”
The Empress nodded faintly. “How is the Crown Prince?”
“His Highness is waiting outside niangniang’s chambers. Would you like to see him?”
The Empress smiled faintly. “Let him come in. Bengong wants to hear what he has to say.”
Fang shaojian obeyed and had the Crown Prince ushered into the bedchamber.
In just a few days, the Crown Prince seemed to have aged several years, his entire figure haggard and worn.
Standing at the bedside, he bowed deeply. “Muhou, how are you feeling?”
The Empress gestured toward the round stool by her bed. “Sit and speak.”
The Crown Prince bowed again, then sat carefully upon the stool, looking cautious and restrained.
The Empress fixed her gaze on him. “Do you harbour resentment?”
The Crown Prince shook his head. “Erchen has no complaints. As muhou commanded, erchen has already dealt with the people involved.”
“What is it then? Have you grown soft-hearted? Or do you think bengong is ruthless, cruel and indifferent to human life?” Her tone was sharp with discontent, her expression hardening in anger.
The Crown Prince’s face paled with fright. “Never has erchen thought such a thing.”
The Empress gave a cold snort. “Everything bengong does is for whom, if not for you? Bengong doesn’t have many days left to live. If bengong doesn’t clear away the parasites around you now, what will you do when bengong is gone?”
Panic overtook the Crown Prince. “Muhou, may you live a hundred years…”
“Enough! Don’t waste words, cough, cough…” A fit of coughing overtook her, though fortunately it subsided quickly.
Her eyes blazed with fury. “Even now, you waste time with useless words!”
The Crown Prince bowed his head, shame written across his face.
The Empress stared up at the ceiling. “These days, bengong has reflected much. The fact that you have grown timid, this is bengong’s fault. When you were young, bengong should never have left you in the hands of those so-called great Confucian scholars. They ruined you with their teachings.”
“The gentlemen’s learning was excellent. Erchen benefited greatly,” the Crown Prince tried to defend himself in a small voice.
The Empress cut him off harshly. “You are the Crown Prince, the future Emperor! What good are fine essays to you? Look through the annals of history, how many emperors remembered for greatness were known for scholarship?
“What you need is strategy, the heart of an emperor, the means to control your ministers. And what have you spent your years learning? Poetry, calligraphy and posturing like a mere scholar.
“You are not a student, nor will you ever sit for the examinations. Of what use is all this? If your head is muddled, are the officials of the Eastern Palace just as muddled?”
Her fury came like a storm, berating the Crown Prince mercilessly.
He lowered his head, silent under the scolding. A man in his forties, the Crown Prince, was reduced to such a state.
The Empress grew so angry that she struggled for breath.
Fang shaojian quickly produced a pill and helped her swallow it.
At last, her breathing eased. She glared at the Crown Prince. “Looking at you, how can bengong rest easy? Even in death, bengong would not die in peace.”
“Muhou!”
The Crown Prince’s face twisted in panic, her words striking him like the weight of Mount Tai pressing down, suffocating him.
The Empress gave a bitter laugh. “What, are you afraid? Afraid that after death bengong will find no peace, and my spirit will come to the Eastern Palace to haunt you?”
The Crown Prince’s face drained of colour. His lips moved, but no words came out.
The Empress wearily waved her hand. “Say no more. When bengong is gone, if you face matters you cannot resolve, seek Fang shaojian’s counsel.”
“Erchen obeys.”
The Crown Prince bowed deeply.
The Empress turned her gaze on Fang shaojian. “When bengong am gone, you must protect the Crown Prince for me. Do not let traitors harm him.”
Fang shaojian bowed low. “As you command!”
The Empress knew well that her time was short.
But before her death, she still had plans to make for the Crown Prince.
“Convey bengong‘s decree: summon into the palace all the guniang who have been betrothed to the imperial grandsons. Before bengong dies, I wish to see for myself the future brides of my grandsons.”
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