Chapter 34: Dare Not Meet Again

Steward Zhao struck Mother Li hard across the face. "You wretched creature! Do you truly believe yourself the mistress of the General's estate? It is one thing to be overbearing and insolent with the maids and servants, but to act with such tyranny before our superiors? If I do not discipline you today, I have no face left to serve as steward of this household."

"Zhao Cheng, you dare strike me?" With that, she lunged forward and threw herself into the steward’s chest. "Go on, beat me to death! Kill me!"

"What is the meaning of this?" A frail voice suddenly drifted from the inner chamber, and Chu Xi pushed aside the curtain, stepping out as if her feet were treading upon cotton.

Steward Zhao shoved Mother Li away forcefully. "You old servant, you are becoming increasingly insufferable."

Surveying the utter wreckage scattered across the room, Chu Xi raised her eyes and asked with bewilderment, "Mother Li, why have you done this?"

Caiping hurried to support her. "Oh, my lady! Why have you come out? You must have been startled awake."

Mother Li had intended to argue her case thoroughly with Chu Xi, but upon seeing the girl's flushed cheeks and deathly pale lips, it was evident she was truly ill.

"Miss Chu, I came merely to relay a message from the Matriarch, requesting your presence to speak with you. I did not expect this insolent girl to contradict me."

"And so, Mother Li, you decided to smash my room to pieces and brawl with the steward who came to stop you?" Though Chu Xi’s voice was weak, her words were sharp.

Steward Zhao stepped forward quickly. "Do not worry, Miss Chu. This old servant will certainly not escape punishment today; I have already struck her once."

The mention of the blow only reminded Mother Li of the indignity she had just suffered. She glared at the steward with clouded, furious eyes. "Steward Zhao, I have marked this blow. This matter is far from over."

Chu Xi sighed softly. "Caiping, fetch my cloak. I shall go to the Matriarch’s quarters to pay my respects."

Steward Zhao hurriedly intervened. "Miss Chu, you should return to your room and rest. I will explain the situation to the Matriarch on your behalf. It will not be too late to pay your respects once your health has improved. Besides, if anything were to happen to you, we would have no way to answer to the General."

Caiping added her voice to the plea, "My lady, the steward is right. Let us wait until you have recovered before visiting the Matriarch."

But Chu Xi shook her head, insisting, "No. I should have paid my respects to her yesterday; I can no longer use excuses to delay. Let us go."

Mother Li, who had expected Chu Xi to seize upon the steward’s words and retreat back into her room, was taken aback that she truly intended to go. She curled her lip and sneered, "Miss Chu need not force herself so; it only makes it appear as though our Matriarch is unfeeling and intentionally making things difficult for you."

Caiping, desperate to silence her, snapped, "You old hag! We told you our lady was ill and could not go, yet you refused to listen and wrecked this room. Now that she is going despite her illness, you are back to your snide remarks. It is clear you are here simply to stir up trouble."

"Do not delay any longer," Chu Xi commanded. With that, she began to walk.

Caiping shot Mother Li a look of pure loathing before hurrying to support Chu Xi. Wang Mu and Steward Zhao followed close behind, concerned for her state, while Mother Li trailed at the very back, sullenly clutching her bruised cheek.

Standing before the entrance to the main hall, Chu Xi took a deep breath. In the past, at the Mansion of the State Protector, whenever she felt most desperate and ready to abandon all hope, she would recall the kind, loving face of Mother Mo. Remembering the affection shown to her made her feel that she had not been entirely deprived of the love of an elder.

Yet now, the person who had once existed only in her memories was right before her, and she felt a sudden, paralyzing timidity—she was almost afraid to face her.

Still, she had promised Mo Zixiao that she would fulfill his filial duties while he led the troops to war. With that thought, Chu Xi gathered her strength and stepped inside.