Chapter 40
Perhaps she was indeed somewhat mad, but Gu Xiyan knew that at this moment, it was advance or retreat.
If she did not fight for herself, no one would stand up for her!
Could she still expect anything from Lu Chenglian? He offered trivial benefits and small favors, yet expected her to sacrifice her body, her heart, and her lifelong reputation!
She could not rely on anyone else; she could only rely on herself. And she had nothing except her reputation. She was Lu Chengyuan’s widow, a chaste woman honored by the imperial court!
Therefore, she had to go. She had to see the Old Madam.
At this moment, the Marchioness of Baojia was still in the Old Madam’s room. Rushing in to question them would cause the Duke’s Residence to lose face.
Family scandals should not be aired publicly. Perhaps this was excessive, but so what?
What she faced now—land and adoption—were major issues concerning the rest of her life. If she yielded or showed cowardice now, people would push their luck, treating her like dough to be kneaded at will. She would have to swallow her grievances for the rest of her life!
So, even in front of guests, she insisted on speaking. Why should she not?
She even thought hatefully that she might as well stop guarding Lu Chengyuan’s memory. She would leave directly, forfeiting even the five taels of silver per month.
After leaving the residence, she could survive somehow. Even if she lived in poverty, it would be better than suffering humiliation here!
Thinking this, her blood rushed to her head even more. She immediately hurried toward the Old Madam’s courtyard. Although there were servants and maids along the way, everyone was stunned. Seeing her aggressive demeanor, no one dared to stop her.
After all, the Third Madam had also received two slaps from her!
Gu Xiyan proceeded without obstruction into the Old Madam’s courtyard. Since the Marchioness of Baojia was present, the maids and older women under the corridor stood silently, holding their breath. Not even a cough was heard. Suddenly seeing Gu Xiyan burst in with such imposing momentum, everyone was startled.
One astute stewardess saw the danger and hurriedly blocked her. “Sixth Young Mistress, you are—”
Gu Xiyan said coldly, “I am here to speak with the Old Madam. I have urgent matters to ask her. Today, I must get an explanation.”
As she spoke, several maids in the outer room heard the commotion and hurriedly lifted the curtain to come out, equally shocked.
Among them, Daimao was quite familiar with Gu Xiyan. Summoning her courage, she stepped forward with an apologetic smile. “My good Madam, please keep your voice down. No matter how big the issue is, we can discuss it slowly. The Old Madam is currently speaking with a guest. If you cause a disturbance, it will not be a small matter.”
Although Gu Xiyan was furious, she retained a shred of rationality. She knew that while making a scene, she should leave some room for negotiation.
She did not want mutual destruction; she wanted to secure her rightful share.
However, she kept a stern face and said hatefully, “Miss, Lu Chengyuan is dead. Although his widow is still alive, she is being tortured to death by others. At this moment, why should I care about dignity!”
Hearing this, Daimao’s heart tightened. She could only force a smile. “Good Madam, let us step aside to speak—”
Speaking thus, she took Gu Xiyan’s arm, trying to pull her aside. Several stewardesses and maids clustered around, whispering apologies and helping to persuade, pulling and urging Gu Xiyan to one side.
Daimao glanced at the window. Fortunately, it was closed, and the Old Madam and the guest were in the inner suite, so they probably could not hear the commotion outside.
Lowering her voice, she advised, “Good Madam, let us speak quietly over here. Tell me your grievances, and I will report them to the Old Madam later. She will surely decide in your favor.”
Under normal circumstances, Daimao’s words would have been fine. As the most trusted maid beside the Old Madam, she could say this.
But to Gu Xiyan now, these words were particularly grating.
Staring at Daimao, she sneered. “Miss Daimao, I know you have always been good, and I am grateful in my heart. But this is a matter of great importance. Do you think the Fourth Young Mistress can make decisions? Can the Second Madam make decisions? Even with your considerable influence, can it surpass theirs? Yet you dare to step forward now?”
Hearing this, Daimao was terrified. She knew the matter could not end well today and panicked. “Madam, please calm down. This servant apologizes.”
After all, she was the young mistress of the Duke’s Residence. Daimao realized she had been too arrogant. One careless move, and she would ruin herself.
Fortunately, at this moment, the Second Madam and several young mistresses arrived hurriedly, and even the Second Master came. Daimao finally found a savior.
The Second Madam’s skirt was still wet, and her hair was disheveled, but she disregarded everything, only gasping hoarsely. “Quick, stop her!”
Fortunately, the Fourth Young Mistress remained calm. She quickly instructed the maids and servants. Finally, they surrounded Gu Xiyan, coaxing and persuading her, and managed to lead her to a side room.
The Second Master could not enter and only stood in the outer room. The Second Madam, unable to catch her breath, hurriedly comforted Gu Xiyan.
The Fourth Young Mistress personally brought tea to Gu Xiyan, but Gu Xiyan naturally refused to accept it. Until the matter was clarified, do not think small favors could control her.
The Second Madam coaxed her. “Do not worry first. Your mistress is coming soon. We will all talk properly together.”
A clever maid stepped forward to fix the Second Madam’s hair and tidy her dress.
Who would have thought that suddenly, there was a rushing sound outside. Someone strode up the steps. Everyone looked over.
It was the Third Madam, who hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing Gu Xiyan, she said irritably, “Are you mad again? You slapped me the other day, and now you are causing trouble at the Old Madam’s place. With so many daughters-in-law in the residence, why are you the only one who cannot stay quiet?”
Gu Xiyan had already calmed down.
She felt her threat had been sufficient. Now that the matter had escalated, it was their turn to provide an explanation.
But hearing the Third Madam’s words, the fire she had extinguished reignited.
She could not let it go. Since she had started making a scene, she had to make it a big one. She had to establish dominance and suppress them with one blow!
First drumbeat boosts morale, second weakens it, third exhausts it!
In her anger, her gaze fell on the crimson-glazed vase on the table. She knew this object was valuable. Deciding to go all out, she rushed forward, grabbed the vase, and smashed it violently onto the ground.
With a loud crash, porcelain shards scattered everywhere. The vase was shattered. Fresh gardenias picked for the vase mixed with clear water, splashing onto the scarlet carpet, creating a wet, messy patch!
The masters and servants in the room were stunned. The masters, mistresses, and young mistresses nearby stared in shock.
Was she possessed!
In this eerie silence, Gu Xiyan, with a pale face, swept her icy gaze across everyone. “The land deed was left by Lu Chengyuan. He gave it to me. I am a chaste woman honored by the imperial court with a commemorative archway. Since I am here guarding his memory, Lu Chengyuan’s branch is not extinct. As his widow, I am still here, so his belongings should naturally remain in my possession. No one can snatch them away! If you think I am unworthy to stay here, or if the Duke’s Residence can no longer tolerate a lonely and helpless widow, then I will leave.”
Her volume was not high, but every word landed like metal and stone. Everyone present dared not breathe.
“But today, we must speak clearly. It is not that I, Gu Xiyan, am unwilling to guard Lu Chengyuan’s chastity. It is that your Jing Duke’s Residence cannot tolerate a widow. You are eager to consume the assets of a childless household. You forcibly occupy a widow’s land. Has the prestigious Duke’s Residence fallen so low that it must calculate against the thin fields held by a person of unfortunate fate?”
As she said this, she felt the breath that had been blocked in her heart for two years suddenly release, surging out like a flood, no longer containable.
For two years, five taels of silver per month had bought out everything—her life, her hopes, her youth. It had bought it all out, sending her directly to the coffin, to Lu Chengyuan’s grave.
She could not struggle, living like a dead fish, a walking corpse with no hope!
Now they thought she was too easy to bully and wanted to take the only piece of land in her hands. On what grounds?
Gu Xiyan knew she could not yield this time. If she yielded once, she would truly become a mere monument. They would carve the three words “Lu Chengyuan” on her forehead, nailing her there with spikes for eternity!
None of these people were good, not even Lu Chenglian!
Relying on some power and authority, he took the opportunity to manipulate this widow, coveting her beauty.
Just then, under the corridor, Lu Chenglian and several clan members arrived hurriedly. As he lifted his robe and stepped onto the stairs, he happened to hear these words.
He paused, and the brothers beside him also stopped.
Looking at each other, embarrassed, they remained silent.
After all, it was their sister-in-law or brother’s wife causing a scene. As cousins’ wives, it was inappropriate for them to intervene. They could only pretend not to hear and avoid the situation for a moment.
Lu Chenglian looked through the half-open window lattice and happened to see Gu Xiyan.
She was obviously furious, her cheeks flushed with a thin redness, her chest heaving violently.
She resembled a azalea blooming angrily by the riverside in March, burning brightly, as if ready to ignite.
He pursed his lips, his dark eyes silently watching everything.
Inside the room, everyone hurriedly coaxed and persuaded, offering countless sweet words. By the end, the Second Madam’s eyes were red, and she was almost in tears.
However, Gu Xiyan was impervious to reason. She pointed directly at the Third Madam and scolded, “Before Chengyuan left, which black-hearted person gave him grief? Now you claim I am mad. Let me ask you, what was the argument you had with Chengyuan before he went out? You gave him grief, and he carried a belly full of unnamed anger to the battlefield, eventually losing his life! Today, let us speak openly. How did my husband die? How did a healthy person perish? Explain it clearly!”
Hearing these words, the Third Madam’s expression turned horrified. Her eyes widened, and she trembled, pointing at Gu Xiyan. “You… you…”
She stuttered for a long time but could not utter a complete word. Her body went half-paralyzed, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
Seeing her reaction, Gu Xiyan knew she had seized the advantage.
In truth, when Lu Chengyuan had first passed away, she had harbored some doubts. But as he was her mother-in-law, she had not dared to ask. Now that she had spoken out publicly and the Third Madam reacted this way, there must be something fishy going on!
She sneered. “Do not preach lofty principles to me, nor try to suppress me with the etiquette due to elders. Although I come from a humble family, I have never heard of mistreating a chaste widow. I am stating this clearly today: what belongs to me is mine, and not a fraction less will be accepted. If you bully me too much, I will voluntarily leave the residence. But let me make it clear: it is not that I, Gu Xiyan, cannot guard my chastity; it is that the Lu family cannot tolerate a widow!”
Speaking thus, she gritted her teeth, pulled the jade hairpin from her bun, and undid her hair. In an instant, her black tresses cascaded down.
With her hair loose, she threw the hairpin onto the ground. “No one needs to stop me. If you truly cannot stand me, just smother me to death. Then tell the outside world that I died by my own hand. One clean end, isn’t that neat?”
After such a commotion, having said all that needed to be said, no one dared to speak. They had no choice but to surround her, offering endless apologies, serving tea and water, coaxing and persuading her.
Gu Xiyan remained silent now. She had said her piece. It depended on how they handled the matter and what way out they offered her. So she simply kept a cold expression.
A maid brought freshly brewed Longjing tea and four types of delicate pastries. Gu Xiyan did not even look, pushing them away directly. “From today on, I might as well go on a hunger strike. Starve Lu Chengyuan’s widow to death right here!”
Just as the chaos continued, noise came from outside. It turned out the Marchioness of Baojia was leaving, and the Old Madam was seeing her off.
Looking from a distance, although the Marchioness still wore a smile, her eyes kept glancing toward the main hall. She had naturally heard some of the commotion but chose to play dumb and not expose it.
The Old Madam forced a smile on her face, but her expression was already quite grim.
After sending off the Marchioness, the Old Madam immediately darkened her face. “What exactly is this uproar? What kind of decorum is this!”
Daimao stepped forward and explained in a low voice, “It is the Sixth Young Mistress causing a scene in the east wing room.”
The Old Madam was so angry that she struck her cane heavily on the ground, shouting sternly, “What is going on here!”
The Fourth Young Mistress steeled herself and mentioned that it was about the land, but did not dare to elaborate.
Hearing this, the Old Madam, with a somber face, said nothing and walked directly to the wing room. A young maid hurriedly lifted the curtain ahead of her. Upon entering, she saw a mess everywhere, chaotic and disordered.
As for Gu Xiyan, she was biting her lip, sitting stubbornly, refusing to listen to anyone’s persuasion.
The Old Madam asked, “Has she gone mad?”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan knew it was time to take a step back.
She immediately rushed forward crying, dropping to her knees with a thud. “Ancestor, this granddaughter-in-law has no way to live. Let me just die. I beg the Old Madam to grant me a white silk cord. I will hang myself and go underground to accompany Chengyuan, finding peace at last.”
Looking at Gu Xiyan’s state, the Old Madam sighed. “No matter how big the issue, we should speak properly. Threatening life and death, what does this look like? Bringing family matters to the outside world—do people like us not care about face?”
Gu Xiyan only knelt there, lowering her head to wipe her tears, her handkerchief already half-soaked.
Helpless, the Old Madam asked the Second Madam, “Explain carefully. What happened with that land?”
The Second Madam had no choice but to explain the details. As she spoke, she was trembling and cautious. Meanwhile, Gu Xiyan listened, tears streaming down her face.
When the Second Madam finished, Gu Xiyan cried, “Ancestor, this granddaughter-in-law has been guarding faithfully, hoping for long-term stability. But now it seems impossible. Might as well report to the government office and drive me out. Or I could crash my head against the wall here and follow Chengyuan, ending it cleanly!”
The Old Madam was so angry she could barely breathe. Resenting her inability to shape Gu Xiyan into someone stronger, she said, “A few acres of thin land, why go to such extremes? Who said they would not give it to you, causing you to make such a scene?”
Then, pointing angrily at Gu Xiyan, she added, “No matter how great the grievance, you could have spoken up. Who would have bullied you? Instead, you caused this uproar, not considering the timing. With guests present, making such a scene—when this spreads, where will the face of our Duke’s Residence be placed?”
Gu Xiyan cried, “This granddaughter-in-law naturally knows that propriety should be maintained at this time. But hearing this news, I was truly unable to bear the anger and lost control for a moment…”
Hearing this, the Second Madam steeled herself and stepped forward, explaining cautiously, “It was my negligence. I only intended to mention it to the Sixth Young Mistress.”
At these words, the Old Madam became even more furious, striking her cane heavily on the ground. “I always thought you were a thorough person, but now you are so unreliable! No matter how urgent the matter, why choose this specific time to bring it up?”
The Second Madam’s face flushed with embarrassment and injustice. Who would have thought it would escalate to this point!
At this moment, Gu Xiyan decided to go all out. “Old Madam, there are many things this granddaughter-in-law did not wish to mention, but each incident chills the heart. Leaving other matters aside, let us speak of the tea previously. Why did every quarter receive it except mine? It was only after the Duke inquired that I received it. Although it was supplemented this time, after so many instances of being wronged and treated with cold eyes, how can I seek justice every time? Asking one person today, another tomorrow—if this spreads, those who do not know the truth will say I am shrewish.”
Speaking thus, she covered her lips with a handkerchief, sobbing uncontrollably, her body trembling as if she could no longer stand.
The Old Madam’s face turned iron-blue. “Stop crying. I will decide for you. The land will naturally be given to you. Besides that plot, I will allocate a few more acres to make up the difference.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan knew the result was already quite favorable for her.
Although she claimed she would voluntarily leave, how could that actually happen? If the Duke’s Residence allowed a widowed daughter-in-law to leave, where would their face be?
At this time, the other mistresses and young mistresses came to persuade her. The way out was sufficient, so Gu Xiyan stopped her tears.
Maids had already brought a copper basin for her to wash her face. After Gu Xiyan tidied herself up, the clan members outside had quietly dispersed. Only Lu Chenglian stepped inside.
He said nothing, standing quietly beside the Old Madam.
As they discussed the land, the Second Madam hesitated. “However, the land deed has already been transferred to the public household. To transfer it out again might be difficult—”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan’s heart sank. What did this mean? Were they reneging?
The Old Madam asked in confusion, “How did it become public property? When did this happen?”
The Second Madam looked uncomfortable but could not explain, so she spoke vaguely. “It was handled by the subordinates below. I am not clear on the details.”
Looking at her guilty expression, Gu Xiyan suddenly recalled an incident from previous years and vaguely understood.
She remembered that her plot of land was situated exactly between two plots belonging to the Second Branch. For the Second Madam, absorbing Gu Xiyan’s plot to combine the three into one large contiguous area would be convenient and bright. However, she could not state this openly, so she used this method: first absorb it into the public household, then gradually scheme to acquire it.
However, while this was self-serving and beneficial for the Second Madam, what about her own mother-in-law?
She looked疑惑ly at the Third Madam, only to see her eyes dodging, clearly guilty.
She felt bewildered, and amidst the bewilderment, sorrow arose.
So her mother-in-law had colluded with the Second Branch to consume the assets of her childless daughter-in-law, helping the Second Branch谋取her land. Even though she suffered losses, her mother-in-law did not dare to say a word!
Given her usual nature, she must have received substantial benefits to support the Second Branch like this!
As the saying goes, others are the knife and chopping block, and she is the fish on the board. It seemed they were all the knives, and only she was the fish!
Biting her lip, she wanted to cry but could not. Tears only circled in her eyes.
Her heart was filled with hatred—hatred for everyone, and hatred for Lu Chengyuan!
Just then, a voice suddenly spoke. “Old Madam, judging by the Second Madam’s words, this matter is indeed tricky. However, there are always exceptions. This grandson will inquire later, appealing to emotion and reason. I believe it can be resolved.”
It was Lu Chenglian’s voice.
Everyone was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to speak at this moment.
The “difficulty” mentioned by the Second Madam was merely an excuse. After all, with the status of the Duke’s Residence, external government offices had to consider their preferences.
Now that Lu Chenglian had spoken, he deftly shifted the weight, cutting off the Second Madam’s retreat.
The Second Madam obviously realized this. Gritting her teeth tightly, she glanced at Lu Chenglian expressionlessly.
In the past, she had always curried favor with the First Branch, especially being warm and close to this nephew. She never expected that he would publicly refute her proposal at this moment, giving her no face at all.
Hearing this, the Old Madam sighed deeply. “That is good. Leave this matter to you to handle.”
Gu Xiyan had also not expected this.
She did not expect that at the critical moment, Lu Chenglian would offer her a way out and resolve her dilemma.
She raised her head and met his gaze. His dark eyes held no emotion.
At this moment, she did not wish to scrutinize his thoughts. Regardless, he had spoken to help, so she would be grateful.
And that was all.
After the brief contact of gazes, Gu Xiyan silently lowered her eyelids.
She thought that he had his own splendid future. He would rise to prominence, receive titles for his wife and protection for his children, and be surrounded by descendants. As for her, she would wait quietly in the small courtyard, gazing at the eternal sky above, day after day, eventually turning into a gradually withering tree.
When her hair turned white, she would be the lonely yet wealthy Sixth Mistress, silently residing in a quiet corner of the Duke’s Residence. And he would hold the highest position among officials, achieving both fame and fortune.
Perhaps they would meet by chance at a corner of a corridor on some evening, exchanging a distant greeting before passing each other by.
No one would know about the faint entanglement that once existed between them.