At the end of each month, First Madam Cheng would go over the accounts. She had been doing this for many years and could almost tell the situation just by listening.
“Why are the expenses significantly higher than last month?” she asked, opening her eyes.
The stewardesses kneeling before her quickly started flipping through the account books.
“Madam, it’s because Second Madam’s kitchen added an extra serving of summer cooling soup,” one of the stewardesses explained.
A serving of summer cooling soup wasn’t expensive.
First Madam Cheng nodded. However, Second Madam usually didn’t have it. Why did she suddenly start having it?
Another stewardess spoke up.
“Second Madam also had a new season’s clothes made,” she said.
First Madam Cheng frowned slightly. The household’s clothes for each season were made on a fixed schedule, so why were clothes being added at such an odd time?
However, she couldn’t show any doubt in front of the servants. Otherwise, if word spread, the story would change.
Especially between sisters-in-law.
“Oh, I forgot, I suggested it,” she said with a smile.
The stewardesses laughed and remarked that the madam had so many things to handle that she couldn’t remember everything. However, they all understood the situation clearly.
After many years of the second household strictly following the lead of the first household, things had finally changed.
Don’t underestimate the significance of that bowl of soup or the new set of clothes. For women, the smallest reactions often reveal the most truth.
Various rumors began to quietly and gradually spread throughout the Cheng family’s.
After reconciling the accounts, First Madam Cheng felt that the month was finally coming to an end and she was somewhat exhausted, both physically and mentally.
She didn’t know why, but she felt a heavy weight in her heart. One issue after another kept coming up, and it seemed there was never a moment of peace.
It wasn’t like this before. When did it start to change?
“Mother, Mother,” came Cheng Liu-niang’s voice from outside, “I don’t want that fool living in our house!”
Oh, right, the fool!
First Madam Cheng suddenly realized.
Ever since that fool entered their home.
Thinking carefully, whenever that fool was around, there hadn’t been a peaceful moment in the Cheng family.
When that fool was little, the house was filled with gloom, leading to the old master’s death from anger and her biological mother’s demise from exhaustion. The Cheng family members were afraid to leave the house.
After sending the fool away, everything improved. The first household’s business flourished, the second household’s career advanced smoothly, its second wife was gentle and kind, and they had both a son and a daughter. The Cheng family’s days became prosperous and harmonious, both inside and outside the home, and they were content and proud in front of others.
But then the fool returned.
On the night she came back, the usually gentle and harmonious couple had a fight right in front of them, revealing for the first time that her typically mild-mannered sister-in-law had such a temper.
First Madam Cheng sighed deeply once again.
“Mother, don’t just keep sighing, hurry up and get rid of that fool!” Cheng Liu-niang shouted, shaking her mother’s arm.
First Madam Cheng snapped back to reality.
“What happened now?” she asked, her voice somewhat weak.
“Mother, with her here, I can’t even go out,” Cheng Liu-niang said, feeling both aggrieved and annoyed. “Today I went to Lady Dong’s house to admire the flowers, and I was mocked. Now the whole city knows that the fool has returned to our house.”
In a place as large as Jiang-zhou, any small event or rumor could spread across the city in an instant. Especially with their family, there were countless eyes watching them. It’s no surprise they were aware.
“They’ve known about our family’s situation for a while,” First Madam Cheng said. “Ignore them. To avoid trouble, just stay home these days. Once they’ve had their fill of gossip, they’ll move on.”
The thought of hiding away like a frightened turtle was deeply embarrassing for Cheng Liu-niang.
“Mother, then I’ll never leave the house again! I won’t marry anyone! Who would want to marry a fool’s sister?” she declared, then stormed off, her sleeves swishing angrily.
First Madam Cheng called out twice but couldn’t stop her, sighing helplessly.
“Liu-niang’s truly spoiled,” she said.
“Madam, Liu-niang’s concerns do have some merit,” a maid said.
“Are you also joining in the fuss with a child?” First Madam Cheng looked at the maid and asked.
“Though it may seem like playful banter among the girls,” the maid adjusted her expression, “too much frivolity isn’t good in the end, especially since our young ladies are at the age for marriage proposals.”
First Madam Cheng sat upright, setting aside the fan she had been gently swaying.
Having a sister who was considered a fool was indeed a matter of shame, especially given the superstitions of prestigious families.
Later that evening, First Madam Cheng discussed the matter with First Master Cheng.
“But what can we do? As long as she’s here, we can’t simply ignore her existence. Regardless of public opinion for now, we still have to consider the Zhou family,” First Master Cheng said, somewhat annoyed.
“Perhaps we should send her away,” First Madam Cheng suggested. “There are Daoist temples not just in Bing-zhou but also within our own family.”
“Sending her away doesn’t change the fact that she’s still there,” First Master Cheng replied, sipping his pan-fried tea and complimenting, “The pan-fried tea from Dian Nan is excellent, though it’s a shame it’s so expensive.”
“How costly could it be? Do we lack a cup of tea at home?” First Madam Cheng chuckled. “Let’s discuss this further with Second Madam and pick a day to send her away. The Taoists originally said it would be beneficial for her to stay in the temple.”
First Master Cheng nodded in agreement, no longer dwelling on the matter of the fool.
However, when First Madam Cheng consulted Second Madam Cheng, she did not insist, as she usually did, that everything should be decided by her.
“Perhaps we should wait a bit longer,” Second Madam Cheng suggested. “Sending her away now might not be the best idea.”
First Madam Cheng was taken aback.
“Why wait?” she asked.
“The Zhou family hasn’t given us any updates yet,” Second Madam Cheng explained. “Since they sent her here deliberately, if we send her directly to the temple now, they might use it against us. It’s better to wait until they’ve spoken before making any decisions.”
First Madam Cheng understood and promptly agreed with her.
At this moment, they weren’t sure what plans the Zhou family had in sending her back, so caution was advisable.
Watching First Madam Cheng leave, Second Madam Cheng pursed her lips.
“If we send her away, she’s still a member of our household. I’m her nominal mother. When people talk about it outside, they’ll be pointing fingers at me. Why should you reap the benefits and take all the credit?” she muttered softly, tapping her folding fan on the table and then looking at the maid. “This fan is no good anymore. I heard Treasure Pavilion has new fans. Go pick a few for me.”
Although the plan to send her to the Daoist temple was temporarily shelved, First Madam Cheng still arranged for a change in Cheng Jiao-niang’s residence.
Because her daughter, Cheng Liu-niang, indeed refused to leave the house at all, Cheng Qi-niang also came to say they couldn’t stroll in the garden anymore, as the fool living there would frighten them.
Cheng Jiao-niang didn’t mind where she lived and obediently moved.
Switching rooms wasn’t a big deal for the Cheng family, but if someone fell ill, that would be a major issue.
First Master Cheng hurriedly stepped into Cheng Si-lang’s courtyard, where several people were already gathered. Cheng Si-lang’s nursemaid was crying uncontrollably and unable to stand up.
“How did he suddenly fall ill?” First Master Cheng asked.
Looking at the bed, Cheng Si-lang lay on his back, his face pale and covered in cold sweat. His breathing was labored, exhaling more than inhaling.
“Father, the doctor said Si-lang has contracted lovesickness,” Cheng Liu-niang blurted out, unable to hide a hint of amusement in her voice.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room felt awkward.
First Madam Cheng collapsed beside the bed, her face drained of color.
“Liu-niang, that’s not true. Si-lang has been possessed by a wandering spirit,” Cheng Si-lang’s nursemaid cried.
“What a mess,” First Master Cheng furrowed his brows, his expression growing even more serious.
