Chapter 54

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After Gu Yan Fei left, the atmosphere grew even more awkward. Blood continued to trickle down Fang Ming Feng’s face, the sound unnervingly clear in the silent room.

Suddenly, he raised his head, said nothing, and walked out. The sky had darkened, tinged with the fading hues of the evening glow. His straight back seemed stubborn, solitary, as two or three withered leaves swirled around the hem of his robes.

Old Madam Gu and Lady Fang exchanged uneasy glances. Lady Fang opened her mouth as if to call out to her son but stopped herself. Her face turned even more grim.

After another stretch of silence, Lady Fang’s cold, indifferent gaze locked with Old Madam Gu’s embarrassed eyes. Her tone was sharp but measured as she said, “Old Madam, this engagement was arranged when the patriarchs of both our families were still alive. This isn’t something the Gu family can dissolve at will.”

With those words, Lady Fang rose abruptly, flicked her sleeve heavily, and turned to leave.

As she watched Lady Fang’s figure grow distant, Old Madam Gu’s eyes flickered with turmoil. Her chest heaved as if caught in an internal struggle of great difficulty.

One thing was clear to her now: the Duke of Ying’s household would never let this matter rest.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, and the world grew dimmer still. The evening breeze swept a few fallen leaves and specks of dust into the hall, casting a faint shadow of gloom over the room.

That night, Old Madam Gu fell ill. The stewardess hurriedly left the residence to summon a physician, throwing the entire household into chaos. Everyone in the Marquis of Dingyuan Residence soon knew of the Old Madam’s condition.

The news reached Yuheng Courtyard as well. Juan Bi rushed in to inform Gu Yan Fei and hesitated before nervously asking, “Miss, the Madam has already gone to Cihe Hall, as have the eldest and third young ladies. Should you perhaps go and take a look?”

Gu Yan Fei was seated cross-legged on the beauty couch, meditating. At the question, she opened her eyes and said lightly, “No.”

“If I go, Old Madam’s illness might just get worse!” she added, a hint of teasing in her tone.

The milk-white kitten curled up beside her raised its fluffy little head, twitching its white whiskers before letting out a soft “meow,” as if agreeing with Gu Yan Fei.

Since Gu Yan Fei said she wouldn’t go, she didn’t go.

She spent her days quietly in Yuheng Courtyard, meditating, drawing talismans, or playing with the kitten. Her life was peaceful and uneventful, completely detached from the happenings outside her courtyard.

Of course, Juan Bi kept an eye on things and reported the household’s news to her daily:

For instance, Old Madam Gu’s condition seemed to be worsening—Doctor Zhuang had been called back twice;
Or that Nanny Li personally retrieved a hundred-year-old ginseng root from the outer courtyard’s storeroom;
Or that the Madam, Wang Shi, along with Gu Yun Rong, had been staying by the Old Madam’s side every day, tending to her illness;
Or—

“Miss, Shangqing Zhenren from Wuliang Temple was just invited to treat the Old Madam!” Juan Bi burst into the room carrying a food box, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Back in the days of the founding emperor’s uprising, it was said that a black dragon descended from the heavens as a sign of warning, and many extraordinary figures aided him. Among them, the most renowned was Tiangang Zhenren.

According to legend, Tiangang Zhenren was a prodigy, versed in all schools of thought. Upon meeting the founding emperor for the first time, he proclaimed, “You are destined to rule the world.”

Tiangang Zhenren was also a highly skilled healer. Once, during a fierce battle, the founding emperor was gravely injured and on the brink of death. It was Tiangang Zhenren who pulled him back from the gates of the underworld.

After ascending the throne, the emperor honored Tiangang Zhenren as the Imperial Advisor, creating a legendary story that has been passed down for generations. In those days, when people fell ill, they either sought treatment from physicians and midwives, prayed to gods and Buddhas, or invited Daoist priests skilled in medicinal arts.

Juan Bi carefully set down the food box, her face full of admiration as she continued, “I heard that Shangqing Zhenren’s medical skills are even better than the Imperial Physicians in the Taiyuan Hospital.”

“Miss, it seems that the Old Madam’s illness is quite serious this time. But with Shangqing Zhenren’s help, she’s sure to recover,” Juan Bi said with a hint of excitement. Her words tumbled out in an endless stream. “They say Shangqing Zhenren has the bearing of an immortal—like a living deity. It’s such a pity that when I visited Wuliang Temple before, I never got to meet him even once.”

Gu Yan Fei set down the Book of Changes in her hands and smiled. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your chance.”

Just as her words fell, a calm and respectful female voice sounded from outside the curtain. “Miss, Nanny Li from Cihe Hall is here.”

Gu Yan Fei smiled faintly and made a small hand gesture toward Juan Bi. Juan Bi immediately understood and went out personally to welcome Nanny Li inside.

Nanny Li was one of Old Madam Gu’s trusted aides, but she was known for her amiable demeanor and lack of pretension. Even when addressing Gu Yan Fei, she maintained her polite and measured tone. “Second Miss, the Old Madam has requested your presence.”

Juan Bi blinked slowly, her mind spinning with one thought:

Miss was right—she really would get to see Shangqing Zhenren!

Juan Bi pinched herself secretly, hardly daring to believe it. When she finally arrived at Cihe Hall, everything still felt like a dream. She gave her thigh another pinch, and the sharp pain brought tears to the corners of her eyes.

Ahead of her stood a Daoist priest holding a snow-white horsetail whisk. He looked to be in his forties, of average build, with a figure that resembled a pine tree and bones as fine as a crane’s. His full head of black hair had no trace of silver, and a neatly trimmed goatee adorned his chin. Clad in a long yellow Daoist robe with wide sleeves and a cross-collared front, he exuded an extraordinary presence.

A faint trail of sandalwood incense surrounded him, enhancing his ethereal, otherworldly aura.

On the carved canopy bed lay Old Madam Gu, her eyes closed, her frail body radiating weakness. She wore a black forehead band embroidered with patterns of blessings, wealth, and longevity, two fingers wide, resting across her brow.

Gu Yan Fei’s gaze swept over Old Madam Gu’s pale face, her thoughts turning: Her complexion is slightly sallow, her forehead dull and lifeless, and her lips tinged with purple. She truly is gravely ill.

Inside the room, a crowd had already gathered. Men and women of all ages filled the space, shoulder to shoulder.

The Marquis of Dingyuan, Gu Jian, his wife Wang Shi, the third wife Yan Shi, as well as the elders of the fourth and fifth branches, were all present. In addition, most of the younger generation, including Gu Yun Zhen, Gu Yun Rong, and others, had also arrived.

When Gu Yan Fei and her maid Juan Bi stepped into the room, every single gaze turned sharply toward her. The looks were subtle, yet undeniably layered with meaning.

Old Madam Gu had been ill for three days now, and everyone from the various branches of the family had already visited her. While not everyone had stayed to care for her personally, they had at least shown some semblance of filial piety by serving tea or offering a helping hand. Only Gu Yan Fei had been absent.

The timing of Old Madam Gu’s illness only added to the tension. The day Gu Yan Fei had clashed with the Fang family in the main hall, the Old Madam had fallen ill that very evening. To many, it seemed highly likely that her condition had been aggravated—or even caused—by Gu Yan Fei.

With this thought in mind, many members of the Gu family began casting faintly disapproving looks at Gu Yan Fei.

In her previous life, Gu Yan Fei had feared such gazes.

Back then, she had been insecure and timid, always striving to do her best in hopes of gaining the approval of the family. But no matter how hard she tried, she remained an outsider, out of place in this marquis household. It seemed as if everything she did was wrong. Those judgmental stares made her feel as though she was being rejected over and over again, sinking her further into self-doubt and despair.

Now, however, these opinions had no power over her.

The Marquis’s wife, Wang Shi, was the first to speak upon seeing Gu Yan Fei, her tone dripping with mockery: “Yan Fei, you’ve finally decided to come. Your grandmother’s illness has had us all worried sick!”