Yu Pin Yan did not have time to go home as he had to enter the Imperial Palace to report himself, thus he merely had his personal attendant deliver a verbal message back to the manor.
Old Madam grabbed and interrogated the personal attendant for almost half an hour before letting him go. She turned towards the statue of Buddha, knelt down and kowtowed. Buddha's blessing and protection. This official assignment was considered a daunting experience without mishap. She couldn't even shut her eyes for a couple of nights when the news about the emerging epidemic situation in Luoyang arrived.
Ma Momo was overjoyed and knelt down too, "Old Madam, Second Young Miss is someone with good fortune. The Marquis originally went seeking the Divine Doctor for Second Young Miss' sake, but coincidentally saved the Crown Prince instead! This kind of fate is truly unspeakably good! Don't know where Madam found that fake monk that obstinately asserted a lucky star as a jinx!"
Old Madam silently kept her eyes closed.
Ma MoMo recited several Buddhist scripture before she suddenly cried out in fear, 'Aiya."'
"The Buddha is right in front, why are you flustering about!" Old Madam opened her eyes and glared at her.
Ma Momo hastily covered her mouth with a varying greenish and pale complexion while her eyes became incessantly evasive.
Old Madam sensed something was amiss and softly asked, "What's in your mind?"
"No.. nothing", Ma Momo stiffly smiled.
"Just speak your mind!" Old Madam sternly berated.
Ma Momo looked at the statue of Buddha which filled with mercy and twirled the rosary in her hand, stammeringly, "Old Madam, when Madam took Second Young Miss' baizi to that monk for prediction, just think, that baizi, it's.. it's not Second Young Miss' baizi!"
Ma Momo truly dared not continue her words anymore. Although both baby girls were born on the same day, it would be absolutely impossible to be born at the same moment, as there would at least be a slight disparity in timing. On the other hand, this sort of fate prediction was seriously unclear as a slightest discrepancy might lead to a huge error.
That baizi was not Yu Xiang's but actually her biological Di granddaughter's! It would be nothing if the monk had miscalculated, but if he didn't then wouldn't it turned out that the jinx was actually her biological Di granddaughter? Yu Xiang was currently ten years old and the Marquis manor had not been the least subjected to any calamity in these past ten years; contrary it had been thriving with each passing day that even two calamities which happened this year were avoided because of Yu Xiang.
Lin Shi claimed that Old Madam's son was jinxed to death by Yu Xiang but both the baby girls were not wrongly taken at that time and her son died under the sword of the ferocious bandit the moment her biological Di granddaughter was born. This was truly....
Old Madam alarmingly and nervously twirled the rosary while her fingers started to tremble violently. She believed in Buddhism thus would naturally believe in destiny. Saying that she had never hated Yu Xiang, just like Lin Shi would indeed be impossible. It was merely because she had more experiences and was broad-minded. Soon everything was going smoothly in the manor and her grandson also managed to uphold the family faction, hence she gradually slacken but now out of the blue she was told that her biological Di granddaughter was the jinx thus the forgotten resentment got stirred up again.
Ma Momo hurriedly withdrew to a corner when she saw this and dared not even take a deep breath.
"稽首皈依蘇悉帝 Prostrating to take refuge in the Susiddei
頭面頂禮七俱胝 With heads and faces bowed to the seven Kotie
我今稱讚大准提 We now are praising the great Cundi
惟願慈悲垂加護 Only Wishing what we receive his merciful protection"
(Mantra Cundi) Namo sa to nan, san miao san pu to... Old Madam closed her eyes and repeatedly chanted several verses of the Tranquil Mind Mantra, to restore her serenity.
After all she was still the Marquis manor's lineage hence she should not be allowed to wander about in destitute not knowing of her life and death. That monk however might not even have any cultivation and could even possibly have miscalculated. No matter good or bad, further judgement would be observed upon her return. Old Madam devotedly kowtowed towards the Buddha and straightened her back while her eyes darkened.
Yu Xiang had been longing for days and nights, and her longings were finally over with Yu Pin Yan's return. The youth had unconsciously turned into her spiritual sustenance as his existence gave her unparalleled comfort.
Yu Xiang was half reclined on the soft divan beside the window and was anxiously glancing outside after she dispatched Liu Lu to enquire about the homecoming of Yu Pin Yan.
Flowers and plants filled the little courtyard. Violet datura climbed on the walls around the courtyard, the white jasmine was fluttering along with the wind at the bottom of the walls, several pomegranate trees were flourishing in full bloom while large heads of sunflowers were crammed along the corridor resembling little suns. The sight of those dazzling colours along with the wafting fragrance aroused one's lingering enchantment.
A paradise was created by Yu Xiang in this open and spacious courtyard in just briefly two months time. She could only do gardening, read books, practiced calligraphy and played musical instruments to pass her time since she had limited mobility. She was an expert in growing flowers and plants in her previous life, however in this lifetime, unknowingly the seed would survive and grow beautifully regardless how fastidious it was as long as it was personally planted by her.
Looking at the sight, she was even more keen tending the flowers and plants. Old Madam came to visit her several times and would always be reluctant to leave the moment she stepped into the courtyard, hence soon after, she ordered people to search for many exotic flowers and rare herbs seeds for Yu Xiang.
Yu Xiang would also return the favours and send over the best plants or flowers to Old Madam's courtyard. As such, their relationship gradually became closer that those past estrangement and misunderstanding slowly dissolved.
While she was pleasantly enjoying the fragrance of the flowers, Cui Xi lifted the door curtain and reported, "Young Miss, Miss Qin is here to see you."
This Miss Qin was the Shu daughter of Earl Zhongyong and was twelve this year. She was not favored in the Earl manor. As 'Yu Xiang' was neglected by Lin Shi and lacked the guidance from the Old Madam all these years, she felt inferior compared to those young noble miss of equivalent family status thus unable to play together. On the contrary she liked to make friends with those insignificant girls from declined families as she enjoyed the feeling of being adulated.
Ms Qin was her only boudoir close friend.
Skimming through 'Yu Xiang' memory, she could not help but sneer. The little girl was rather pitiful as her only close friend was actually a bad person that she still happily clung onto. Few more years later, this character would have advanced into a vicious female supporting character that was dedicated to set off the kindness and beauty of the female lead.
What bad ending would 'Yu Xiang' have had she not transmigrated over? Yu Xiang's expression turned gloomy when she thought of that and beckoned her hand, "Let her in."
As soon as Qin Fang entered through the courtyard entrance, she was enchanted by the abundantly bright and beautiful flourishing clusters of flowers and greens. Her eyes didn't miss a sight and reluctantly left in the direction of the room where she was once again startled.
She had originally thought that Yu Xiang at this moment would certainly look ghost-like; wan and sallow after she was paralysed. However, she soon discovered the actual person in front of her was even more lively compared to her former self as if a withering flower bud imbibed fully with morning dews blooming to greet the rising sun. The straw-like withered hairs were now silky black and supple, the rough waxen skin was like fully soaked with milk; smooth and tender while the original plain facial features had somewhat grew out revealing a little cuteness.
Though her look was not considered fully outstanding, her round eyes could captivate one's attention when one was to stare into those pairs of large bright and beautiful amber eyes. The only word that could be used to describe the little girl who was now lying indolently on the window frame and smiling lazily was otherworldliness.
"You are here. Do sit." Yu Xiang reclined on the divan and pointed at her legs, "It's inconvenient for me to go and greet you."
She was also born in a large aristocratic family in her previous life. Her gracefulness and nobility were long rooted in her bones. The air of superiority was revealed with just a few words and a gesture.
Qin Fang instantly felt uneasy and took her awhile to stammer out some words after she took her seat, "Xiang'er, you have become prettier."
"Is it?" Yu Xiang stroked the slightly upturned corner of her eyes and felt rather perplexed too. She ought to looked haggard as she had been living in fear and a taxiing mind for these past two months, but unknowingly as the days passes, her hair turned jet-black while her skin became fairer and smoother like the air-dried fruit soaked in a spiritual fountain and once again became fresh and palatable.
She just chose to ignore it when she could not figure out the reason as it was good to have a healthy physique anyway. Yu Xiang pleasingly drank a mouthful of hot tea.
The reason Qin Fang came today was not to express any consolation, but to amuse herself. She rolled her eyes and asked, "Xiang'er, I've heard that your legs will not recover anymore?"
"Yes, but what about it? My elder brother will support me my whole life anyway."
Yu Xiang replied nonchalantly without a shred of sadness that caused Qin Fang utter disappointment as she was waiting to watch her cry her heart out, hence Qin Fang had no choice but to change the topic as she was unable to utter a single of the prepared comforting words and both then just rambles incoherently. When Yu Xiang ordered the maidservant to refill the teapot with fresh tea, Qin Fang noticed the changes of the room. Every ornament displayed was luxurious and reputable, particularly that trousseau which was filled with jewelry that even the lid could not be fully closed. A projectile of sparkling colors was refracted against the sunlight and bedazzled one to blindness.
She stared fixedly, her face revealing the hue of greediness.
Yu Xiang raised her lips into a smirk, "Like it? These were all gifted from my elder brother. I will ask the maidservant to bring the box over and let you see." She hinted to Liu Li in between her speech.
"Xiang'er, your elder brother really dotes on you." Qin Fang impatiently received the box and browsed through the contents while trying to suppress the unceasing surge of jealousy.
"Of course. Who would my elder brother dote on if he doesn't dote on me?" Yu Xiang lazily moved her fingertips closer and fiddled with the few large eastern pearls.
Qin Fang repeatedly picked up each item to have a look, simply could not tear herself away. Finally, she picked out the most exquisite and luxurious Jingfu long hairpin, then stuck it in her hair, "Does this look good?"
"Looks good. You look good with whatever you wear." Yu Xiang squinted her eyes and smiled.
Qin Fang smiled back. She placed the box back to its original place and began to ramble incoherently again for almost an hour then stood up to take her leave. She took some small quick steps and raised the door curtain winding down the flight of steps. Once she was out in the courtyard, her eyes revealed a little complacent and hastily rushed towards the courtyard door. She was only a step away from leaving when she heard a sluggish voice from behind, "Ai, did you forget something?"
"Ah? What did I forget?" Qin Fang turned around with a forced smile.
Yu Xiang pointed at her head and responded with a slightly raised voice, "Is it possible that you are thinking of walking away with my hairpin just like before? Let's just forget those that you had taken away. This hairpin was ordered by my elder brother from the Nile's merchant and it's the only one in the whole Capital. It is absolutely hard to come by, thus I won't be able to let you lead off a goat in passing* with it again."
[T/N: *Lead off a goat in passing 順手牽羊 (shùn shǒu qiān yáng) - to steal something under cover of an emergency/to take advantage of a crisis for personal gain]
Cui Ping and Cui Xi had known earlier that the current young miss was different from before. Whoever trying to take advantage of her would have to come well-prepared having their faces slapped*. Just the idiom 'lead off a goat in passing' was enough to flush up Miss Qin's face.
[T/N: *Face slapped 打臉 (dǎ liǎn) - not giving face]
Soon all the maidservants in the courtyard were gazing at her with disdain. If this was to be spread out and she was ill-reputed as having sticky fingers, how was she going to face others in the future! Qin Fang's face was reddened and distorted, anxiously pulling the hairpin out and she cried out loudly to defend herself, "I've only forgotten to remove it. How....how can you slander me this way!"
"Ai, is it? I do not want to slander you, but you indeed have been taking a lot of my things before, aren't you afraid now. You had better be more careful, this hairpin cost my elder brother six hundred silver liang. If you damage it, I will have to look for your Di mother demanding for a better one." Yu Xiang drew back the corner of her mouth and smiled brightly.
As the conversation prolonged, more foul water was splashed onto her body that it started to smell really bad! Qin Fang wished she could find a crack on the ground to squeeze herself in when she heard the sniggering of those maidservants. She truly wished she could tear Yu Xiang's mouth apart. In the end, worrying that she might damage the hairpin and troubled her Di mother, she had no choice but to cautiously hand the hairpin to a maidservant then covered her face, forced open the door and fled.
"Do come back again." Yu Xiang enthusiastically called out. If Qin Fang still dared to return, she would use another method. She didn't need this kind of friends as she couldn't handle them.
Tao Hong and Liu Lu muffled their mouths to suppress the laughter. When they intended to close the courtyard door, they saw the Young Marquis and an old man standing under the datura shrub with an extremely strange expression.