Chapter 96: Whose Profit?

Chapter 96: Whose Profit?

There was no need for Aunt Qiu to beg; Marquis Xuanping would send someone to find the immortal maiden himself. Besides that, he also dispatched someone to fetch Aunt Qiu's sister from Lion's Mouth Village for questioning.

Perhaps she had not reached the point of true despair yet. Aunt Qiu was convinced that since the immortal maiden had these items, she must have the antidote as well. Once she took it, the poison would naturally be neutralized.

She clung to the hope that her fate was not sealed. Her face, pale from either fear or the ugly sight of her tears, seemed to have aged even more than before. Her once plump and dewy complexion now resembled waterlogged meat, hollow and lifeless.

Marquis Xuanping averted his gaze, unable to bear watching any longer.

Pei Yuanxi gazed at Aunt Qiu. In her previous life, Aunt Qiu had passed away after the New Year, supposedly due to the strain of childbirth. On the other hand, her fourth sister had survived, at least until the time of Pei Yuanxi's death, albeit with ailing health.

Recalling her former self, who regarded everyone as mere passersby, Pei Yuanxi realized that she had never cared about Aunt Qiu and her daughter, nor her maternal grandmother in the Marquis Changqi's residence. She paid no heed to their well-being or their cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death.

After going through a full circle, she now understood that beneath the seemingly tranquil facade of the marquis's residence lurked numerous sordid affairs.

A servant brought in a bowl of medicine, and after forcing it down Pei Yuanhua's throat, she slowly regained consciousness. Confusion filled her eyes until they lit up upon seeing both Marquis Xuanping and Pei Yuanxi.

"Father, it was Second Sister who pushed me!"

Aunt Qiu sat by the bed, wiping away her tears, seemingly restored to her former self now that she believed she wouldn't die. Since she didn't have to die, she would fight to live. "Marquis, did you hear that? I'm not framing Second Miss."

The compassionate look in Marquis Xuanping's eyes turned stern as he asked Pei Yuanhua, "Yuan Hua, tell your father, was it really your second sister who pushed you?"

Pei Yuanhua's pupils constricted. "Yes, it was Second Sister who pushed me."

Aunt Qiu seethed with hatred. "Marquis, you must believe us this time, right? It was clearly Second Miss who did it. Fourth Miss explained it clearly. You can't continue to favor Second Miss."

Marquis Xuanping appeared conflicted, his expression grim.

Pei Yuanxi spoke up, "Father, do you recall how Fourth Sister looked when she fell to the ground? Where was I standing at that moment, and which direction did Fourth Sister fall?"

Marquis Xuanping furrowed his brow, trying to recall, then looked at his youngest daughter with immense disappointment. "Yuan Hua, I'll ask you one more time. Did you faint on your own, or was it your second sister who pushed you?"

Aunt Qiu burned with frustration. If the Marquis still didn't believe them after such a clear question, was he forcing Fourth Miss to lie? Why was there such a difference in treatment between his daughters? If Second Miss hadn't been so ruthless as to push down Fourth Miss, perhaps today's incident could have been avoided. She could have secretly sought an immortal maiden for an antidote without anyone knowing.

She had thought well, but failed to consider that if not for today's events, how would she have known she was poisoned with mercury? By the time she noticed something amiss with her body, it would be too late.

Pei Yuanhua still tried to pin the blame on Pei Yuanxi, her gaze wavering.

Marquis Xuanping, disheartened, was not keen on hearing the same excuse again. "I saw you falling towards your second sister. If it truly was she who pushed you, you would have fallen backward or to the side, not directly at her feet."

"I... I can't remember. Maybe I fainted just as my second sister was about to push me..." Pei Yuanhua dared not meet her father's gaze, stubbornly refusing to vindicate Pei Yuanxi.

Pei Yuanxi said, "Forget it if you can't remember. Anyway, I'm already the wicked one in your eyes."

Marquis Xuanping's heart ached, but he steeled himself. "Yuanhua, pushing is pushing, and not pushing is not pushing. If you fainted on your own, there's no way your second sister could have pushed you. Apologize to your second sister at once!"

Pei Yuanhua was incredulous. Aunt Qiu intervened.

"Lord Marquis, you can't be this biased. The Fourth Miss has just woken up, and you're forcing her to apologize to the Second Miss? Where's the logic in that?"

"Father, I know you dote on my second sister the most and hold her in the highest regard. But I am also your daughter. Why won't you believe what I say?"

Marquis Xuanping wished he could believe her, but recalling the words she'd spat at Yuanxi earlier, he couldn't find any sign of respect for her elder sister.

His Yuanxi was the most affectionate and loyal; she would never bear enmity towards her younger sister without reason.

"You..." The reprimand he wanted to give hung in his throat. No matter how immature Yuanhua was, she was still his daughter, one destined to precede him in life.

"Father, Fourth Sister has just woken up. There's no point in dwelling on these matters. If it eases her heart to think of me as a wicked person, then let her see me as a bad older sister from now on."

"Yuanxi." Marquis Xuanping was visibly moved.

Aunt Qiu couldn't bear to watch this display of affection between father and daughter, as if she and her own daughter were mere ghosts. The word 'ghost' sent a chill down her spine.

No, she wouldn't die.

"Aunt, I hurt everywhere," Pei Yuanhua cried out.

Marquis Xuanping panicked. "Yuan Hua, where does it hurt?"

Pei Yuanhua had said that on purpose; apart from a slight dizziness, she didn't feel any pain. She couldn't tolerate seeing her father treat her second sister with such favor. Why should all the good things be bestowed upon her alone when they were both his daughters?

"I ache in my body, legs, head, and bones."

Aunt Qiu turned pale with fright. "Fourth Miss, don't scare your aunt like that. Marquis, why hasn't that immortal maiden come yet... Please find her quickly. I don't want to die, and Fourth Miss can't be harmed either!"

Marquis Xuanping wished he could silence her. It was only then that he remembered he hadn't instructed her not to reveal anything in front of Yuan Hua. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Once Yuan Hua takes her medicine, she'll recover."

Confused, Pei Yuanhua wondered what Aunt Qiu was talking about just now. What did she mean by 'die or not'? What could happen to her? She was only trying to scare people. And what about this fairy maiden – Aunt Qiu was quite the storyteller.

This was a perfect opportunity that she needed to seize.

"Daddy, it hurts so much..."

"Fourth Sister, where does it hurt?" Pei Yuanxi feigned concern as she turned to Marquis Xuanping. "Daddy, Fourth Sister is in such pain. Shouldn't we call the imperial physician to take a look?"

Before Marquis Xuanping could reply, Aunt Qiu shook her head vigorously. "No need, no need to trouble the imperial physician. Once the fairy maiden arrives, Fourth Sister will be fine."

Fairy maiden again?

Pei Yuanhua sensed something amiss. It didn't seem like Aunt Qiu was lying or putting on an act. "Aunt Qiu, why are we waiting for this fairy maiden? There's no such thing as a fairy maiden in this world. She's probably just a fraudulent swindler."

No matter how cunning she was or how many schemes she had up her sleeve, she was still a lady of the marquis's household. Even though she was a concubine's daughter, the marquis's residence would not neglect her education.

The title 'fairy maiden' was nothing but a deceitful ploy in her eyes.

Marquis Xuanping looked at Aunt Qiu with a pained expression. "Even Yuan Hua knows that the fairy maiden is a fraudulent swindler. If you had thought twice before acting or mentioned it to Yuan Hua beforehand, this outcome might have been avoided."

"Marquis, it can't be a lie. The fairy must have the antidote in her possession. I don't want to die... I can't die..." The fear of death once again gripped Aunt Qiu's heart, and she repeated these words over and over, as if by doing so, she could escape her inevitable fate.

Not long ago, she was plotting to have her daughter acknowledged as a legitimate child and to regain the Marquis' favor to bear him a son. Now, learning that she was deeply poisoned with little time left, how could she accept such a cruel reality?

Pei Yuanhua finally sensed something amiss and quickly asked Aunt Qiu, "Aunt, what are you talking about? Why are you mentioning life and death? Why would you die?"

Marquis Xuanping couldn't bear to look at her, while Pei Yuanxi kept her gaze fixed on her toes.

Pei Yuanhua's breathing quickened. "Aunt, please tell me, what is really happening here?"

Aunt Qiu spat out her resentment, "This aunt has no idea either. We were both fine, and then that imperial physician insists that this aunt won't live long, even saying that you also might..."

Marquis Xuanping clenched his fists. "Qiu, don't push your luck!"

Pei Yuanhua clearly didn't believe it and pressed Aunt Qiu for answers. "Why would the imperial physician say such things? He has no grudge against us, he wouldn't just make things up."

Aunt Qiu wanted to accuse Pei Yuanxi of causing their plight, but under the Marquis' fierce glare, she dared not utter those words.

Pei Yuanxi spoke up, "The imperial physician found mercury in the Jade Fragrant Pills you all consumed."

The mention of "mercury" made Pei Yuanhua's face turn ashen. "What? Mercury? Is that true?"

Aunt Qiu's voice was barely audible. "Who knows? Perhaps he was coerced into saying such things by someone. Auntie believes that there must be someone who wants to harm us."

"Aunt Qiu, don't you see the reality yet? Do you know what happens to those who ingest mercury? You seem fine now, but you might wake up tomorrow to find your hair falling out."

"No, you're lying!" Aunt Qiu instinctively shielded her hair. Whether it was due to her own force or coincidence, a few strands of hair indeed fell from her hands.

Amidst a shrill scream, Sister Qiu was brought in. She was plump, and her entire being shimmered with gold. From her head to her attire, everything bespoke of her family's wealth.

Before she could properly survey the room, Aunt Qiu pounced on her, causing her to stumble. "Second Sister, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so pale?"

Aunt Qiu wished she could strangle her. "Sister, you have to tell me, what is the deal with that Jade Fragrant Pill you gave me? Why did the imperial physician say it contained mercury?"

She was startled and her small eyes widened. "Who on earth said such wicked things? What kind of physician would make such baseless claims? I begged the Fairy Lady for that precious item, which costs twenty taels of silver per bottle. How could it possibly contain...such harmful substances like mercury!"

"Where is the Fairy Lady? Why didn't she come with you?" Aunt Qiu's gaze was chaotic, and Sister Qiu sensed something amiss. It was then that she noticed not only her aunt and herself, but also the Marquis and an impossibly beautiful maiden were present.

The messenger from Marquis Xuanping had not divulged any details about the summons. Upon hearing that the marquis' residence had invited her, she assumed it was some sort of good fortune. She hastily dressed in her finest clothes and adorned herself with all the jewelry she owned.

She had not met the other young ladies of the marquis's residence; she had only seen Pei Yuanhua. Before, it was said that the second lady's fourth daughter resembled a fairy, but in comparison to this young lady, that assessment fell considerably short. If the fourth daughter was a fairy, then this young lady was a celestial being.

"What are you staring at? Don't you know to pay your respects when you see my father?" Despite being the daughter of her aunt, Pei Yuanhua never treated her as an aunt due to the distinction between ranks and status. "And this, on the other hand, is my second elder sister."

Sister Qiusha hastily pushed aside Aunt Qiu, performing a rather awkward curtsy.

Aunt Qiu clutched her again. "Sister-in-law, you must tell Lord Hou that the Jade Fragrance Pill is a precious item; it contains no mercury at all."

She was but a village woman; her audacity would fade instantly in the face of grandeur. Besides, she wasn't foolish; the sight of Lord Hou's elaborate display made her heart pound with unease.

"Lord Marquis, this humble woman only knows that it's a precious item; others simply cannot afford it. Fairy Xian has many valuable possessions. Xiao Liu's wife from our village consumed her medicine and, within months, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Even the old cripple in the west of the village could walk again after taking her remedy. If I had the silver myself, I would have bought a bottle of Jade Fragrance Pills to consume as well. Look at how Aunt Qiu glows after taking them; a concubine's beauty brings honor to your marquis household. How could one say that this item is not beneficial?"

It was only when she compared Aunt Qiu to a blooming flower that Pei Yuanhua noticed something amiss with her aunt. Her face seemed swollen and distorted in an indescribable way.

"Nonsense!" Pei Yuanhua exclaimed. "You should promptly summon that so-called Immortal Nun for a confrontation. There must be something amiss with that Jade Fragrance Pill; who knows if it truly contains..."

Aunt Qiu was startled. "Fourth Miss, aren't you doing this for the refugee women? Fairy is no ordinary person; we can't meet her just because we want to. I've heard that she's already left Xia Ma Village. Who knows where she's gone now."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Qiu felt as if she were being suffocated once more. The terror of death gripped her throat, and she gasped for air with her mouth wide open. Her face turned increasingly flushed, appearing from a distance as though a large red patch had suddenly blossomed upon her skin.

"Lord Marquis, I've been at your side for over a decade, you cannot abandon me..."

As she screamed wildly, Pei Yuanhua was on the verge of madness too.

Aunt Qiu was stunned, staggering as she was escorted out. She had a vague premonition that something terrible was about to unfold—if the second lady were to meet with any mishap, it would spell doom for the entire Qiu family. The prospect of their family's financial ruin paled in comparison to the fear of facing the wrath of the Marquis's estate. As soon as she stepped out the back gate of the manor, she broke into a run, fleeing for her life towards her home.

By the time she was being escorted out of the marquis's residence, the men Marquis Xuanping had dispatched to seek out the mystic lady had also returned. Their report aligned with what she had claimed: the mystic lady's abode was found vacated, its occupant gone without a trace.

The emissaries sent to inquire among the local villagers were informed that the Fairy had been gone for quite some time. As for where she had ventured off to, they were met with utter ignorance, despite their persistent queries.

Aunt Qiu became even more frenzied, stumbling accidentally in front of a mirror. She gazed at her reflection for a long while. The person in the mirror had a pale, swollen face, as if it were covered by a large, red birthmark. Gone was the beauty she had seen that morning.

"Ahh!"

Her scream was even more piercing than before.

As she pulled out strands of hair in despair, another blood-curdling shriek echoed throughout the marquis's residence. She knocked over everything within reach, her eyes glowing with ferocity as she lunged towards Pei Yuanxi. Marquis Xuanping intervened just in time.

He ordered that Aunt Qiu be taken away and closely monitored. He feared that those on the brink of death might become reckless, and he was afraid that Aunt Qiu might try to drag someone down with her before she died.

As for Pei Yuanhua, she was much calmer after learning that her poisoning wasn't severe and her life was not in immediate danger. Of course, Marquis Xuanping hadn't had the heart to tell her about her infertility and shortened lifespan.

Marquis Xuanping exhorted her to take good care of herself, but she listened with a distant look as if her mind was wandering in another world.

When he left, it seemed as if he had aged greatly in an instant, his steps slow and heavy. The once vigorous and heroic Marquis now appeared like any ordinary man deeply struck by misfortune.

"You've suffered so much over the years. Yuanjun's nature is irreversibly wayward, and as for Yuan Hua... As her father, I bear a great deal of responsibility." He expressed regret and self-blame with a sorrowful face. "Unfortunately, your fourth sister is still so young... You must take care of yourself from now on, or I fear I won't be able to endure any more."

His figure, which used to stand tall, now slightly stooped.

Pei Yuanxi watched him disappear into the distance, and the image of her fourth sister's bewildered gaze when they left flashed in her mind. Setting aside her character, her fourth sister was just a child. At an age where flowers had yet to bloom, she was destined for a life of illness and a short lifespan, causing one to sigh at the unfairness of fate.

The ways of the world were unpredictable.

Just as springtime saw all creatures vie for prominence, some stood out like a solitary flower while others blended into the ordinary. Some remained evergreen through the passing years, while others withered away before their time. Like people, each flower and blade of grass had its own journey, and just as people couldn't know if a flower would bloom again next year, the flowers couldn't predict if the people who admired them would still be around tomorrow.

In such a conclusion, whose fault was it?

Perhaps, it was the fault of cause and effect, where everyone played a part.

"Marquis Xuanping is renowned for his literary and martial prowess, yet it seems his household affairs are in such disarray," remarked Gongye Chu. He spoke these words within her chambers, seated across from her with an icy demeanor. His black attire contrasted with his dark hair, accentuating his handsome yet aloof appearance.

Hearing this, she instinctively replied, "You're not allowed to speak ill of my father."

"You certainly guard them closely," Gongye Chu's eyes were profound. "Back then, you paid no heed to the people of the Marquis manor, nor did you show such concern for anyone."

She feigned ignorance, "My Lord, I am not aware of what you are referring to."

"Meng Huai has been at sea for several months, and by the calculations, he should arrive at the Eastern Capital City when the weather warms up after the new year."

Why did he mention Meng Huai all of a sudden? If he hadn't, she might almost have forgotten this former right-hand man in her life. Her hand paused for an instant while threading the needle, her emotions a jumbled mix that she couldn't quite decipher.

Gongye Chu continued, "On this voyage abroad, he'll surely bring back numerous exotic items. The shops have already been prepared. If you're willing, you can take charge of managing them. That Zhang Yinyin under your wing is an extraordinary business talent. Wouldn't it be a waste to keep her confined to your small shops?"

Pei Yuanxi wondered to herself, what could his intention be?

"You might not be aware of how depleted the national treasury is. It's only thanks to the relatively small expenses in the palace, with few concubines, that we've managed to keep things afloat."

Therefore, he requires her financial support.

Last time, she deliberately worked tirelessly to amass wealth, knowing that the royal treasury was depleted, all to catch his attention. She aimed not only to captivate him emotionally but also to leave him with no alternative financially.

"Are you suggesting that I should earn money on your behalf?"

Gongye Chu looked at her and said, "Don't forget that your son is now the emperor."

She paused, realizing that an empty treasury meant her son lacked funds. Her hands stilled as if she were pondering his words seriously. Those tasks were familiar to her, and not particularly difficult to execute.

"If you find it inconvenient to operate within the Marquis residence, why not take up residence in the Governor's mansion with all due propriety? There, you can act as you please without any interference from me."

To rightfully take up residence would indeed resemble a formal marriage. He said he wouldn't meddle in her affairs, which was a promise that they would henceforth coexist without interfering with each other's lives.

She was crowned empress at the age of seventeen, an event that would not transpire for another two years in her previous life. Unmarried and burdened with managing her business pursuits alongside her pursuit of Gongye Chu, she indeed found the walls of the Marquis's residence to be confining, limiting her ability to fully stretch her wings.

If she intended to replicate her great achievements from her previous life, his proposition was an immensely alluring one.

Only... in this life, it seems she has many more attachments.

Gongye Chu gazed at the slightly fluttering curtain, his eyes growing more profound. "The Duke's Mansion is the closest to the Tai Ling Palace. It would be convenient for either you to visit the palace or for Chong'er to come and see you. On such a chilly day, can you bear to let your son endure the wind and rain just to catch a glimpse of you?"

The curtain of the door was gently pushed aside, revealing a handsome face with a charming smile. The young man looked at his parents with a bright grin, his dimples deepening.

"Mother, Father is right."