Chapter 36: Domestic Strife is Everywhere

Lang Jiuchuan slowly emerged from her meditative state; a full night had passed, and the sun was already high in the sky. She sat up on the bed and reached up to touch her forehead, which felt icy to the touch.

It was the lingering backlash from her reckless attempt to peer into the life ledger of that name yesterday. Her forehead was cold as ice, and even her back felt chilled to the bone. It was an ominous premonition—someone was plotting against her.

Jianlan peeked around the screen and, seeing that she was awake, hurried forward to attend to her. She mentioned that Nanny Wang, from the Old Madam’s quarters, had come the night before, saying the Old Madam was throwing a tantrum and demanding to see her.

"Bring me some clothes to change into," Lang Jiuchuan said immediately.

Jianlan complied, summoning the sisters Daman and Xiaoman. The three of them bustled about, fetching clothing, preparing washing water, and setting out breakfast.

The heavy mourning clothes were set aside, and Lang Jiuchuan changed into a cotton skirt of orchid-blue. As for her jet-black hair, she declined Jianlan’s offer to style it into a bun, choosing instead to keep it braided into a single thick plait hanging over one shoulder.

"The maidservants and I stitched this cotton skirt overnight. Later, a seamstress will come to take your measurements for new clothes. Since you must observe a year of mourning, you cannot wear vibrant colors. Is there a color you prefer?"

Lang Jiuchuan blurted out, "Blue, or silver-white."

She paused, feeling a momentary sense of disorientation. Were these her preferences from before?

Jianlan picked up the bronze bell to fasten it onto her. She couldn't help but ask, "What kind of accessory is this? The silk cord is too white; shall I weave a blue one to replace it?"

Lang Jiuchuan chuckled. "This is a treasure belonging to the Taishang, the arch-rival of Taibai."

"Oh?"

Seeing the bewildered look on Jianlan's face, Lang Jiuchuan curled her lips, offering no further explanation. "Don't bother weaving a new cord; this one cannot be replaced."

It was, after all, a magical artifact.

After breakfast, Lang Jiuchuan led Jianlan toward the Longevity Hall. It was bustling inside; upon inquiring, she learned that everyone was trying to persuade the temperamental Old Madam to eat her morning meal.

"The Ninth Young Lady has arrived," a maid announced.

As Lang Jiuchuan entered, all eyes turned to her. Lady Fan was there with her two daughters-in-law, Wu and Pan, as well as the concubine-born daughter Lang Cailing, the Third Aunt Madam Feng, her daughter Lang Caiyao, and several younger male descendants.

Seeing that Lang Jiuchuan had no intention of bowing, Jianlan whispered a reminder, "Young Lady, you must pay your respects to your elders."

She dared not dictate to Lang Jiuchuan, but as a servant, she had to offer the reminder to prevent her mistress from being criticized.

Lang Jiuchuan, however, felt no resentment. She bowed to Lady Fan and Madam Feng, and then greeted her two sisters-in-law.

Lang Cailing stood with her chin held high, waiting, but her eyes widened in disbelief when Lang Jiuchuan failed to greet her. She grew furious; she was the elder sister in rank. Was she being ignored?

Just as she was about to lash out, Lang Jiuchuan walked toward the Old Madam, took the bowl of porridge from Nanny Wang’s hands, and said, "Grandmother, it’s not good to skip breakfast."

The Old Madam squinted as she leaned in, reaching out to pinch Lang Jiuchuan’s cheek. She smiled and said, "Oh, I recognize you. You are my sweet girl."

"Yes, so will you eat?" Lang Jiuchuan held the spoon to her lips.

"Eat, I will eat." The Old Madam opened her mouth obediently.

The crowd breathed a sigh of relief. Some felt gratified, while others felt a twinge of jealousy.

Lang Cailing remarked with a sneer, "I wonder what sort of sorcery she used..."

Before she could finish, Lady Fan cast a warning glance her way.

Madam Wu smiled as she stepped forward, using a silk handkerchief to hold a small bun as she offered it to the Old Madam. "When we were young, Grandmother surely fed Ninth Sister the same way. Now that it is Ninth Sister’s turn to serve Grandmother, it is truly a case of the crow feeding its mother in return."

Lang Cailing let out a scoff. "Sister-in-law is right, isn't it just a crow feeding its mother?"

Madam Feng pulled her daughter back a step and shook her head slightly. This unmarried niece of the first branch was truly spoiled; she had no sense of decorum and had offended two people in a single sentence.

It was meant to be a compliment, but with her sarcastic tone, the idiom "the crow feeding its mother" took on a sour meaning. Who was the crow? Everyone knew who had predicted that the Zhao family elder would soon "ascend to paradise"—she was clearly implying that Lang Jiuchuan was a "true crow" with a cursed mouth.

Yet Lang Cailing remained oblivious. Offending Lang Jiuchuan was one thing—they would simply stop speaking—but offending Madam Wu, the eldest sister-in-law, was another. Once married, if she needed her natal family’s support, would a sister-in-law she had slighted be willing to help? She was truly foolish without knowing it.

Sure enough, at her words, Madam Wu’s smile froze. A flash of irritation sparked in her heart. She wanted to explain herself to Lang Jiuchuan, but the girl acted as if she were deaf, feeding the bowl of porridge without a word and wiping the Old Madam’s mouth with a handkerchief, completely unbothered.

Madam Wu felt her tension ease. She took the opportunity to press the silver chopsticks into Lang Jiuchuan’s hand, holding the plate of buns for her, while inwardly marking Lang Cailing as an enemy.

With no one responding to her, Lang Cailing felt awkward. She curled her lips and pulled her younger brother over, saying, "You go serve Grandmother, too."

But ten-year-old Lang Caiyi pouted and said, "I won't. That's women's work... oof!"

Lang Cailing frantically covered his mouth and looked at Lady Fan.

Lady Fan’s expression darkened. She looked at her nanny and said, "It is too noisy in here. Take the Seventh Miss and the Eleventh Young Master away."

"Yes, My Lady."

Lang Cailing’s face turned the color of liver. She wanted to stay, but under Lady Fan’s gaze, she didn't dare utter a sound and slinked away in defeat.

The room grew quiet. Madam Feng nudged her daughter, and Lang Caiyao waited for the right moment. Once the Old Madam finished her meal, she took a warm cloth from a maid and helped the Old Madam wipe her hands and face.

Lang Jiuchuan, however, retreated to the side. Watching the display of filial piety and the omnipresent struggles of the wealthy household, she felt a sense of boredom.

After the Old Madam returned from the washroom and changed her clothes, she dismissed everyone else, leaving only Lang Jiuchuan. She pulled her into the inner chamber and, with a mysterious air, placed a silk pouch into her hand.

"This is what Grandmother has been saving for you, my sweet girl. I wouldn't give it to anyone else, only you."

Lang Jiuchuan was stunned. She opened the pouch to find a small stack of banknotes totaling two thousand taels, accompanied by a deed for a small house with a storefront.

She looked at Nanny Wang. "What is this?"

"The Old Madam had someone purchase this when she was still of sound mind. It was never registered in the family ledger, and the household is unaware of it. She said it was to be kept as your dowry," Nanny Wang explained. "The house is small, just two courtyards, but it faces the street and has a shop front that can be opened up to the back. The shop is currently rented out, but the lease expires this year. Whether you wish to renew it is up to you, Young Lady."

Lang Jiuchuan pressed her lips together. "Is this really for me?"

"There is more—some jewelry has been set aside, just as she requested earlier," Nanny Wang said, casting a glance at the Old Madam. "The Old Madam said that she felt she owed you the most. Even in her confusion, her heart remained set on you."

The spirit of the Zhi suddenly emerged. "Tsk, tsk. Are you touched to tears yet? Why aren't you wailing in gratitude?"