Chapter 433

**Chapter 440: Curiosity (Part 2)**

"It was said that Madam Tao had been entrusted with our care, but in reality, she spent most of her time helping the late Fourth Madam battle wits with the stewardesses or managing the late Fourth Madam’s health. Back then, although it had nearly been a year since the late Fourth Madam’s miscarriage, her cycles remained irregular—sometimes early, sometimes delayed, and occasionally lasting ten days or even half a month. Madam Tao was beside herself with worry. As for us concubines, she only checked in on us sporadically, relaying messages through the attendants the late Fourth Madam had stationed in each of our quarters."

In other words, the concubines were given free rein!

Eleven Miss pondered and asked, "Then how did Aunt Tong end up miscarrying?"

"I’m not entirely clear on the specifics," Lady Wen replied frankly. "I can only tell you what I knew at the time."

She recalled, "I remember it was the heart of spring in the fifty-third year of Jianwu. The elder madam had decided to pay homage to the Medicine King at Yaowang Temple—the Temple of the Medicine King—on the eighth day of the fourth month, after Second Master passed away suddenly. Early that morning, when we concubines went to pay our respects to the late Fourth Madam, she was discussing arrangements for the carriages and horses with Madam Tao. Madam Tao urged her to go as well, suggesting it might bring her peace and good health. The late Fourth Madam was tempted but hesitated, worried that no one would be left to manage the household in her absence. Madam Tao patted her chest and assured her that she could handle everything. Only then did the late Fourth Madam decide to accompany the elder madam to the temple.

"Madam Tao cheerfully went to the outer courtyard to relay the orders. We served the late Fourth Madam breakfast. She was in high spirits that morning and remarked that Aunt Tong had a pointed belly—'Perhaps it’s a son.' She rewarded both Aunt Tong and Aunt Qin with a plate of pine nut pastries each. After the meal, she even had the maids bring small benches for us to sit and asked about our children with great interest..."

Eleven Miss interrupted, "She gave Aunt Tong and Aunt Qin pine nut pastries—what did she give you, Lady Wen?"

Lady Wen looked slightly embarrassed. "At the time, I was pregnant, and my wet nurse warned me against eating freely. I feared others might misunderstand, so in front of people, I simply claimed to have no appetite. Over time, they stopped pressing me to eat."

Was she afraid someone might tamper with her food?

Given Eldest Miss’s intelligence, she must have noticed. And knowing her temperament, she wouldn’t lower herself to openly confront a mere concubine.

Eleven Miss smiled faintly.

Lady Wen didn’t deny it. Choosing her words carefully, she continued, "The late Fourth Madam had quite a temper. Not long after I arrived, she whipped Aunt Tong and Aunt Qin into submission. As a newcomer, I couldn’t help but remain cautious." Her expression turned somewhat awkward.

Eleven Miss nodded understandingly. "What happened afterward?"

Lady Wen continued, "At the time, I was very hungry, so I excused myself, claiming discomfort, and returned to my quarters. When I came back at noon to serve lunch, the atmosphere had completely changed—the late Fourth Madam sat cross-legged on the heated kang by the window, her fists clenched tightly on the table before her, her face like thunder as she glared at Madam Tao standing before her. Madam Tao, meanwhile, looked livid, her lips trembling uncontrollably, clearly furious. Aunt Tong and Aunt Su stood side by side near the partition, treading on eggshells, barely daring to breathe. I sensed something was wrong but had no idea what had happened. As I tried to think of something to say, Aunt Tong caught my eye and signaled me." Her eyes dimmed slightly.

She sighed softly, like a spring breeze. "Biyu was not only beautiful but also generous-hearted. It’s just that she was too meek for her own good." She paused, hesitating.

Was it because the listener was Eldest Miss’s sister, making it difficult to speak freely? Or was it hard to put her feelings about Aunt Tong into words?

Eleven Miss picked up her teabowl and took a sip, only to realize the tea had gone cold.

"I quietly stepped aside," Lady Wen said softly. "No sooner had I settled in place than the late Fourth Madam shot me a cold glance and ordered Madam Tao to have the meal laid out. Madam Tao looked reluctant but finally muttered a subdued 'Yes' before retreating. Aunt Tong quickly stepped forward to pour the late Fourth Madam a fresh cup of tea. After drinking it, her expression softened, and the tension eased slightly. Seizing the moment, I moved forward with a few lighthearted remarks. Just then, Madam Tao led servants carrying the midday meal into the room. We helped set the table, and the late Fourth Madam waved us away, keeping only Madam Tao behind for a private conversation.

"I quietly asked Aunt Tong what had happened.

"She told me that Madam Tao had gone to the outer courtyard to arrange the carriages for the eighth of the fourth month, but the carriage steward kept hemming and hawing—first saying some carriages had broken axles that hadn’t yet been repaired, then claiming there weren’t enough coachmen because Steward Bai hadn’t hired new ones. In short, they couldn’t gather the necessary carriages. Left with no choice, Madam Tao went directly to Steward Bai. He personally went to the stables with his attendants to inspect the horses and select suitable carriages, finally settling the matter.

"But then, the marquis’s specially invited guest—the elder madam’s cousin—arrived unexpectedly. The old sisters reunited after decades apart, sharing a heartfelt reunion. Naturally, the elder madam wanted to invite her cousin along to visit Yaowang Temple. But this meant needing even more carriages.

"The late Fourth Madam, realizing that arranging additional carriages would mean another struggle, returned to her quarters and told Madam Tao she would not go after all.

"Madam Tao disagreed, insisting that if anyone should stay behind, it should be the widowed Lady Second or the pregnant Lady Third—not the lady overseeing the household affairs. She even offered to approach Lady Second herself if the late Fourth Madam felt awkward doing so.

"The late Fourth Madam grew anxious. 'If Lady Second asks why she can’t go, am I supposed to say it’s because we lack carriages?' she said. 'She used to manage both the inner and outer courtyards—she knows exactly how things stand here. If word gets out, won’t she mock me mercilessly, saying the esteemed Lady Yongping can’t even arrange a few carriages?'

"Madam Tao saw her point and suggested instead that Lady Third stay behind. The late Fourth Madam refused again. 'Lady Third is the pettiest person—she won’t tolerate the slightest disadvantage. If she finds out everyone else is going to the temple except her, she’ll raise hell with the elder madam. And when the elder madam asks, it’ll be even more humiliating.'

"Madam Tao grew frantic. 'No matter how vast heaven and earth, heirs come first,' she said. 'Are we really going to give in like this?'

"The deceased Fourth Madam's expression darkened upon hearing this. She remained silent for a long while before finally deciding not to go after all."

"Madam Tao began speaking up in defense of the late Fourth Madam."

"So, my elder sister and Madam Tao were both upset because of this incident?" Eleven Miss (the eleventh daughter) asked Lady Wen.

"And they remained displeased for quite some time!" Lady Wen nodded. "In the afternoon, the seamstress came and mentioned that, as per custom, the material for autumn garments should have been decided by this time of year. She asked what should be done this year—whether to have the outer courtyard stewards handle it, which would require presenting the tally token to notify them, or to have the inner courtyard make the arrangements themselves, but they’d need to place the deposit soon. Otherwise, the autumn robes wouldn’t be ready in time."

"What should have been a routine matter ended up provoking the late Fourth Madam into a fit of anger. Aunt Tong and Qin Yi were too terrified to go near her and ended up doing their needlework in my room. At the time, I noticed Aunt Tong looked rather pale and seemed exhausted, so I suggested she rest on my bed for a while. But she insisted she was fine. Given the circumstances, I didn’t press further. When she said she was alright, I didn’t ask again. By dusk, the three of us went to attend to the late Fourth Madam at dinner. Wan Xiang told us the late Fourth Madam was still going over accounts with Madam Tao and asked us to wait outside."

"We waited until the lamps were lit, but there was still no movement from the main chamber. My feet were killing me from standing, and Aunt Tong and Qin Yi weren’t faring much better, constantly shifting from foot to foot. Seeing this wasn’t working, I pretended to need to use the bathroom. I lingered in the bathroom for nearly two hours before returning."

"To my surprise, the late Fourth Madam was still settling accounts with Madam Tao. We stood around exchanging helpless glances for a long while. Even the usually composed Aunt Tong and Qin Yi looked ready to collapse."

"I was about to hint that they should also excuse themselves to the privy when the door to the main chamber finally opened. Madam Tao emerged and instructed the maids to serve the evening meal, so I swallowed my words."

"After dinner, Madam Tao accompanied the late Fourth Madam to visit the Second Madam. The rest of us returned to our own quarters."

"After washing up, I went straight to bed. The nanny who had come with me from Yangzhou sat by the kang, keeping me company while sewing and chatting with me. Qin Yi came by to borrow embroidery patterns. I sat wrapped in a quilt on the bed, talking with her while the nanny went to fetch the patterns. I asked Qin Yi what Aunt Tong was doing. She said Aunt Tong felt tired and had already retired. Remembering how long we’d been standing earlier, I asked if Aunt Tong was alright. Qin Yi assured me that the late Fourth Madam had sent a nanny to look after her, so nothing would go wrong."

Lady Wen’s expression grew distant as she spoke. "We were still talking when Qin Yi’s maid suddenly rushed in, her face deathly pale, saying Aunt Tong was showing signs of miscarriage."

"We were all shocked. Qin Yi immediately dashed off to her room."

"I wanted to go see as well, but my nanny grabbed my arm and stopped me."

"She said, ‘It’s the middle of the night—where would we find a physician? Aunt Tong’s child is likely lost. Others would be scrambling to distance themselves, yet here you are, foolishly diving into troubled waters.’”

Lady Wen lowered her head.

"I hesitated for a long time, but my conscience wouldn’t let me stay. I shook off my nanny’s grip and climbed onto the kang by the window, pressing my face against the lattice to peer outside. I saw Qin Yi hurrying alone toward the main chamber."

"The courtyard remained eerily quiet, with no one coming or going. My knees grew stiff from kneeling, so I sat back to adjust my position. Then one of Aunt Tong’s maids came running over, her face filled with terror. She said Aunt Tong’s bleeding wouldn’t stop, and the nanny the late Fourth Madam had sent to their room didn’t know what to do."

"She begged my nanny to come and help. Without a second thought, my nanny refused. The little maid fell to her knees with a thud, pleading for me to send someone to find Qin Yi. She said Qin Yi had gone to fetch help but hadn’t returned yet, and with her heavily pregnant, if anything happened to her, no one in that household would survive."

"My nanny didn’t say a word. She simply pushed the maid out the door."