Chapter 31: Rebellious and Unfilial Daughter

 Chapter 31: Rebellious and Unfilial Daughter

It was Lang Jiuchuan’s first time stepping into Cui Shi’s Xichi Pavilion. With the funeral and burial of the old Marquis of the Lang family concluded, the mourning decorations in the residence had been removed and replaced with plain furnishings; her courtyard was no exception.

Because Cui Shi had long been widowed, Xichi Pavilion was located far from the main quarters, on the western side of the Marquisate. Though remote, the grounds were quite spacious, quiet, and elegant. It was said there was even a small practice ground for martial arts, once belonging to the late Second Master Lang Zhengfan.

The pavilion was not adorned with extra blossoms or shrubs, only two tall Chinese tallow trees. According to Jianlan, those trees blazed with beauty in autumn, rivaling even maples and ginkgo, and had been planted personally by Second Master Lang in his youth. Cui Shi especially loved to sit beneath them in autumn, sipping tea and admiring the leaves.

Though lacking flowers, Cui Shi cherished orchids. Judging by the names of her maids, all ending with “lan,” this was plain to see. She had even built a greenhouse in the courtyard solely for her beloved orchids—her only pastime and solace through the long years of widowhood, apart from worship.

Now it was already winter, close to the twelfth month. Snow weighed down the two tallow trees, leaving the courtyard even more bleak and colorless.

The residence was deep and still.

Perhaps because its mistress was so reclusive, Xichi Pavilion, like Lang Jiuchuan’s own courtyard, lacked any true liveliness.

A strong medicinal scent wafted into Lang Jiuchuan’s nose, drifting from the small kitchen in the northwest corner. From the main hall came the faint sound of coughing.

Lang Jiuchuan lowered her gaze and followed Jianlan toward the main hall. At the entrance, a maid of twelve or thirteen, upon seeing them, quickly went inside to announce and lifted the curtain.

Upon entering, warmth struck her face. Lang Jiuchuan looked up: by the south window stood a luohan bed, where Cui Shi reclined. She had changed from mourning white into a plain indigo robe with a skirt patterned in continuous meander. Her low bun was held only with a single white jade hairpin, without any other adornment.

She seemed to have just coughed; her cheeks carried an unhealthy flush, her lips pale as paper.

A maid dressed like Jianlan, in a dark-green jacketed skirt, passed by carrying a spittoon. She paused to curtsey, addressing softly: “Ninth Young Miss.”

This was Molán, one of Cui Shi’s four senior maids.

Cui Shi handed her used handkerchief to Nanny Cheng at her side, then took up a fresh one. Seeing Lang Jiuchuan standing there without moving, her brows furrowed. “Now you do not even know how to salute properly?”

Lang Jiuchuan inclined her head slightly. “I greet Madam.”

Madam.

Cui Shi’s hand tightened on the silk kerchief.

Nanny Cheng sighed. “Ninth Young Miss, even if you do not call her Mother, at least say Mother instead of Madam.”

Lang Jiuchuan let out a cold laugh. “I recall, the day I returned to the residence, Madam said I was not her true daughter. How could I then address her as Mother?”

Faces across the room changed.

From her spirit platform, Jiangche floated out, appearing in the size of a small kitten. It perched on her shoulder, looked at Cui Shi, then back at Lang Jiuchuan. “Strange. Looking at your faces, you do resemble mother and daughter. Why does she not acknowledge you? Could it be she has seen through you at a glance, and knows you’re a fake?”

“Shut up!” Lang Jiuchuan snapped at it irritably, then turned to Cui Shi. “For what matter has Madam summoned me here?”

Cui Shi had been somewhat angered, but with Nanny Cheng’s soothing hand upon her back, she forcibly reined in her temper. “I will not speak of how you were on the estate before. But now you are back in the Marquisate, and next year you will reach the age of capping. The rules and teachings you ought to know must be learned, lest in the future, when you marry, you bring shame upon yourself and mockery upon the Lang family for lacking proper upbringing.”

Lang Jiuchuan froze. What did that mean?

“Aiya, if you’re to marry, which reckless man would dare wed such a shrew…” Jiangche’s muttering cut itself short the instant Lang Jiuchuan turned her head with a deathly glare.

She didn’t punish him further, only added coolly: “If I marry, won’t you have to marry along with me?”

Jiangche jolted.

Indeed—now they shared one body. The flesh was female; if she really wed, they would enter the bridal chamber together. Wouldn’t that mean he, the mighty White Tiger King, would be the one pressed beneath? Impossible! He was born to be above, not below!

Lang Jiuchuan, unaware of his lewd imaginings, said flatly to Cui Shi: “No need to trouble yourself. With this body, I cannot carry nor endure; a short-lived frame, perhaps even unable to bear children. Better not to disgrace another household.”

Marry? What nonsense.

She had no interest.

“You—!” Cui Shi was so angered she broke into violent coughing.

Nanny Cheng quickly supported her, patting her back. “Ninth Young Miss, do not speak such unlucky words. With care, the body can recover. Madam has already sent for the divine physician, Fang Cong, to treat you.”

Cui Shi pressed her lips together in silence.

Lang Jiuchuan was surprised, looking at her. “I told you, this body cannot be saved—”

“Must you contradict me at every turn?” Cui Shi slammed her hand upon the small table, snapping, “In your heart, do you so despise me, that you would neglect even your own body?”

Lang Jiuchuan held her gaze. She did not speak until Cui Shi’s face showed awkwardness. “You overthink. I do not hate you.”

After all, she was not the original host; she could not share her grievances.

“You lie.” Jiangche snorted. “You clearly harbor resentment.”

Lang Jiuchuan retorted evenly: “Not I. Only the remnant will of the original.”

Jiangche sneered. Dead duck’s mouth, refusing to admit.

Lang Jiuchuan looked again at Cui Shi. “I do not hate you. For so many years, I have lived as though alone, never expecting nor receiving your care. Without ever having it, there is nothing to long for, hence nothing to hate. Besides, I was content on the estate. You brought me back to serve as a dutiful granddaughter. Now the funeral is done; tomorrow I shall return to the estate. Here, I do not belong.”

Cui Shi’s eyelid twitched.

Nanny Cheng stepped forward in haste. “Young Miss, the past is past. Now that you are home, how could you return to the estate? You are Second Madam’s only daughter.”

Only daughter. The words struck Lang Jiuchuan strangely, her heart unsettled.

It seemed too late now.

“Since we only look upon each other with mutual dislike, what meaning is there to remain?” Lang Jiuchuan said coolly.

Cui Shi’s face darkened. “You truly are born rebellious, just like your father—”

Her hand trembled. She abruptly closed her lips, face twisting in pain, clutching at her chest, gasping for breath.

Nanny Cheng paled with fright. “Madam, is it your heart pain again? Jianlan, fetch a pill of Rescue Heart Elixir! Someone—summon the physician!”

Lang Jiuchuan’s brows furrowed.

Jiangche, meanwhile, looked on like an amused spectator. “If she dies, won’t it be said she was angered to death by her unfilial daughter’s defiance?”

(End of Chapter)