Chapter 19: Belief

Chapter 19: Believing in Belief

Upon returning from her night rounds, Yu Shi found She Niang waiting at the door. She preferred her children not to delve too deeply into her past; those memories were far from pleasant. So, she intended to send She Niang away.

But She Niang spoke first, "Mother, I have something to tell you about Third Sister."

Many people, when faced with difficulties, instinctively choose avoidance, even blaming others for stirring up trouble. They believe that by ignoring or not asking about an issue, it will simply cease to exist.

In She Niang’s mind, her mother possessed a kind and gentle side, yet there were other facets to her personality that even her mother herself might not be aware of. Thus, instead of directly questioning Yu Shi about her past with the deceased Fifth Mistress, She Niang cleverly steered the conversation to Yi Niang.

With Pei Yiqing keeping vigil by the coffin and not at home, Yu Shi simply invited She Niang in to rest. After the mother and daughter had washed up, they dismissed the maids before beginning their discussion.

"Mother, since Third Sister has already confronted you, she must be convinced of your involvement. Although I don’t know the exact nature of the grievance, I understand the importance of striking first. This Third Sister seems to have something suspicious about her." She Niang had come not to raise problems, but to offer solutions.

Yu Shi, whose mind had been in turmoil, couldn't help but ask after hearing her daughter, "What's suspicious?"

"You should quietly send someone to Water-Moon Convent tomorrow morning to investigate her background. If she was truly freed from a curse by an eminent monk, then so be it. But if there’s anything fishy, you’ll have leverage against her. I’ve already prepared a portrait. Don’t tell anyone; send a trusted confidante to investigate." She Niang was a woman of foresight and would never passively await her fate.

Yu Shi hesitated, "This is too much trouble."

Who could have foreseen what the future held? Although She Niang didn't know the exact cause of Yu Shi's death, she had a subconscious feeling that it was connected.

Therefore, She Niang urged, "Mother, in war, speed is paramount. If we delay any longer, and she comes after you again or frames you for something, you’ll be left completely on the defensive."

"It can't be that bad," Yu Shi thought, believing Yi Niang was still young and perhaps merely influenced by someone.

She Niang took Yu Shi's hand and said, "Mother, don't shy away from trouble. Since last year, my dreams have always come true. First, I dreamed of Grandfather’s sudden death, so I spared no effort to make an amber coat to fulfill my filial duties and silently prayed for him. But unfortunately, Grandfather still passed away. After his death, I dreamed that you would also pass away a month after Grandfather’s funeral, entrusting me to Elder Brother’s care on your deathbed…"

Yu Shi’s heart pounded with fear, yet she feigned composure. "The Master did not speak of strange forces. You're just a child; you mustn't speak such nonsense."

"I’m not speaking nonsense, Mother. Since heaven has given me this sign, it means I’m meant to warn you. If you don’t believe me, just wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow, a major event will happen—Second Uncle will be struck and carried back half-paralyzed." She Niang didn’t want to reveal her rebirth; it was too shocking.

Yu Shi trembled with fear but found it hard to believe. "Your Second Uncle manages the estate outside and has always been extremely cautious. Moreover, he’s the master of the household. How could something like this happen?"

"If you don’t believe me, just wait and see. But the person sent to investigate Third Sister must act quickly," She Niang said calmly.

Yu Shi barely slept that night. The next day, dark circles hung under her eyes. Although She Niang felt anxious, she maintained a calm demeanor.

Early in the morning, Yu Shi called her trusted retainer from her dowry and instructed her to carry out She Niang’s plan under the pretext of going to Jiangxian County.

She Niang was determined to resolve this matter, but Nanny Chen, observing her, suspected ulterior motives. She quietly said to Li Niang, "Miss, you should also visit the main room more often. Look at Fifth Miss, who goes there ten times a day and even sleeps with Lady Yu at night. If this continues, Lady Yu won’t even notice you anymore."

"Nonsense," Li Niang retorted. Her relationship with She Niang had grown closer these days, and she was finally understanding the true meaning of kinship.

Nanny Chen insisted, "My dear, I only have your best interests at heart. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see."

As she spoke, she walked out and ran into Fifth Miss She Niang. Unsure if She Niang had overheard her, she put on a cautious smile and said, "Our Fourth Miss has been thinking of you, Fifth Miss. Please come in quickly."

She Niang smiled and said, "I was thinking of going to Second Sister’s place with Fourth Sister early this morning."

Seeing She Niang’s calm demeanor, Nanny Chen felt relieved.

Little did she know that She Niang thought to herself, "I have important matters to attend to now, so I’ll deal with you later. But you, who constantly stir up trouble, will face consequences once I have the time."

Thus, she showed no expression and entered the room, chatting and laughing with Li Niang. She then said, "I had a nightmare last night. Luckily, I was with Mother, or I would have been scared to death. I came to look through the dream manual to see if it’s a good or bad sign."

Li Niang was quite knowledgeable about interpreting dreams and immediately brought out the dream interpretation booklet.

After looking through it for a while, She Niang added, "I made a black headband embroidered with orchids, perfect for Grandmother. You can pretend it’s your work and give it to her."

Li Niang was delighted but hesitated. "How can I do that?"

"Why not? Sister, we are siblings. Who is closer than us? Nanny Xia at my place speaks bluntly, and the servants often spread rumors, hoping to drive a wedge between us so they can gain favor with their masters. But I won’t fall for it." She Niang’s words carried a hidden meaning.

Li Niang understood and immediately said, "I won’t fall for it either."

With the headband made by She Niang, Li Niang quickly took it to Grandmother to win favor. She Niang breathed a sigh of relief. For now, she needed to stabilize other matters and focus on clarifying her mother’s situation first.

Meanwhile, Pei Ji was still a young boy. Although he often stayed in the mourning hall with his uncle and father to receive guests, Pei Yiqing, afraid his son would catch a cold, often sent him to the inner courtyard on errands, actually to let him rest more.

Although Pei Ji was from a side branch, he was also the eldest grandson of the family and had been raised by the grandfather since childhood, held in high esteem. Wherever he went, people rushed to greet him.

He Biyun saw this and felt even more indignant for Yi Niang.

Both were children of questionable parentage, but one was sent to a temple, suffering hardships and struggling for meals, while the other lived a life of luxury, carrying himself as the Pei family’s firstborn.

In her opinion, Yu Shi was probably similar to the deceased Fifth Mistress. She was just lucky not to have been caught, but she was afraid Fifth Mistress would reveal the truth, so she deliberately used twisted words to drive Yi Niang’s mother to suicide while she herself continued living in luxury.

When Pei Ji saw Yi Niang, he called out, "Third Sister."

Yi Niang pretended nothing was wrong and said, "Where are you coming from, Elder Brother? Why aren’t you at the mourning hall?"

"Father sent me back to fetch something. Third Sister, please go ahead if you have matters to attend to." Pei Ji smiled.

Yi Niang nodded slightly, straightened her back, and walked forward. After she left, Pei Ji’s servant, Wang Er, said, "Young Master, this Third Sister usually acts like a scullery maid in front of the old madame but puts on airs in front of us."

"Don’t talk nonsense." Pei Ji tapped the servant’s head with his fan.

Although Wang Er was young, his family had served the Pei family for generations, so he knew everything. He continued, "It’s true. Even the first-rank maid doesn’t do as much as her. During the day, she copies scriptures for the old madame, makes shoes and socks, prepares snacks the old madame likes to eat, and even massages the old madame’s legs when she’s uncomfortable. She’s too deferential."

Pei Ji thought to himself that although this could be considered filial, the old madame had no rearing kindness toward Third Sister. Third Sister was overdoing it.

Even among the young ladies of the family, not even Shun Niang acted like this.

Thinking of this, Pei Ji hurried to the inner courtyard. Seeing no one in the main room, he asked the maid guarding the room to fetch a new book of his father’s. Hearing that only She Niang was in the courtyard, he went to her place.

At that time, She Niang was making knee protectors. She thought that after today, her mother would surely believe her. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to save Second Uncle, but her current abilities were limited. She was insignificant and had little influence. It was already difficult to make her mother believe her, let alone Second Uncle, whom she couldn’t even meet.

Moreover, last year, she witnessed Second Uncle assaulting a maid in the household. She itched to punch such a shameless person twice.

Just as she was thinking this, she saw Pei Ji approaching and quickly stood up, smiling. "I’m making knee protectors for you, Elder Brother."

Pei Ji looked over and saw She Niang holding a piece of russet satin embroidered with a peach tree and three goats, bordered in silver thread—an exquisite pattern with a very good symbolism. He was overjoyed and said, "Although you’re young, Sister, your craftsmanship is excellent. But how can I thank you?"

"I don’t need you to give me anything. As long as we are all safe and well, that’s what matters most." She Niang’s words were sincere.

Pei Ji didn’t understand the deeper meaning. He then brought up his encounter with Yi Niang and couldn’t help but say, "Why does she insist on taking over the maids’ work? What’s the point?"

She Niang replied, "She returned from the convent, originally labeled as an ill-omened one and at loggerheads with her stepmother. At her age, she’ll be sixteen after the mourning period. Who will help see to her marriage prospects then? Fifth Aunt’s temperament, though we shouldn’t speak ill of elders, you know she won’t have an easy time. So, Third Sister is seeking the old madame’s support. Perhaps in the future, the old madame can have a say about her marriage, which would be more effective than anyone else’s help."

"So that’s how it is. It’s rather pitiable when you think about it." Pei Ji sighed.

She Niang shook her head. "Although she is pitiable, her plight isn’t our fault. She’s also quite scheming. Before, she lacked the nerve to step up herself and even wanted Mother to help her. Let alone—"

In the end, yesterday's events never got brought up.

The siblings exchanged a few more words before She Niang had her midday meal. Exhausted from the past few days, she soon fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

Meanwhile, Yu Shi was entertaining the wife of the Wenxi County Magistrate. As dusk began to fall, she breathed a sigh of relief, only for chaos to erupt outside. It turned out that Second Master Pei had gone to inspect the burial ground and ended up taking over some of the villagers' land. He naturally sent people to pay them off to force the sale, but the villagers were tough and proud. That day, seeing him arrive, one of them secretly boarded his carriage, drove it straight toward him, and rammed into him, throwing him from the vehicle. His lower body was immediately paralyzed.

Lu Shi, already ill, fainted on the spot.

Yu Shi was stunned for a moment, then rushed to find Pei Yiqing: "I was still half in doubt before, but it seems our daughter truly has the gift of foresight."