Chapter Fifty-nine: Driving Out Evil

“Madam, Little Six lost track of her,” Lianxiu, the personal maid, reported to Madam Wen.

Madam Wen’s gaze turned cold, her grip on the teacup tightening.

“But according to Master Xu of the Xu family’s gold shop, Lady Seventh has already repaid the money. Where could she have gotten such a large sum?” Lianxiu continued, suspicion etched across her face.

At this, Madam Wen’s expression relaxed slightly. She took a slow sip of tea and curved her lips in a faint, knowing smile. “If she couldn’t have repaid it, all my efforts would have been for nothing.”

“That’s true, Madam,” Lianxiu replied.

Wen Jiuniang entered then, instructing Mingyin to serve the pastries she carried to Madam Wen.

“It’s said that yesterday the Duke of Ning’s household sent a matchmaker to propose a marriage alliance at the Marquis of Anyuan’s residence. I wonder which young master the proposal is for?” Lianxiu continued.

“Oh? Is that so...” Madam Wen’s eyes sparkled, her fingers unconsciously quickening their rotations around the string of Buddhist prayer beads.

Wen Jiuniang glanced at her mother, parted her lips as if to speak, but ultimately held her tongue.

Two years prior, the Duke of Ning’s family had once favored Wen Qiniang as a match, largely because Wen Qiran was a high-ranking official of the second class at court, but more so because her mother hailed from the prominent Chu family of Luoyang—a lineage adorned with officials, from grand secretaries in the cabinet to supreme military commanders, boasting powerful connections. The Wen family was well pleased with the match. But after Wen Qiniang’s reputation was ruined, the matter quietly dissipated. Not wishing to offend the Wen family, the Duke of Ning considered offering Wen Jiuniang in her elder sister’s place—not as principal wife, but as a concubine.

This had troubled Madam Wen for a long time. The thought of her own daughter, like herself years ago, entering a family as a concubine was intolerable. Yet she was loath to give up such a lucrative connection. She agonized over the decision, but before she could make up her mind, Wen Qiran was demoted. The marriage fell through once more. This was also why Wen Qiran harbored such resentment toward Ji Changge—twice had the family’s prospects been dashed; anyone would find it hard to bear.

When Wen Jiuniang first learned she might become Ji Changge’s wife, her joy was inexpressible—even as a concubine, she was willing. After all, what young lady in the capital did not dream of marrying the famed and beautiful Lord Ning?

But before the marriage contracts could be exchanged, a sudden calamity struck—Wen Qiran was relegated to a remote county in the south, a place none had ever heard of. Wen Jiuniang’s hopes were crushed. She understood that even to be a concubine, she had only been considered because of her sister’s circumstances and her own outward reputation. Countless noblewomen wept and fought for a chance to marry into the Duke’s household; she had nothing to boast of. Now, there was not even hope. The Duke of Ning never mentioned the match again.

“I’ll visit your aunt tomorrow to inquire,” Madam Wen promised her daughter, seeing through Jiuniang’s little scheme at a glance.

“Mother...” Wen Jiuniang’s cheeks flushed. Yet for Ji Changge’s sake, she could no longer care about propriety. The thought of becoming his wife filled her chest with a breathless anticipation, as if she might burst with happiness at any moment.

Madam Wen sighed. In the past, such a matter would not have been difficult. Now, though Wen Qiran had returned to the capital, he was but a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites. She had also heard that the Magistrate of Shuntian Prefecture wished to marry his legitimate granddaughter to Ji Changge as a concubine. The magistrate was of the third rank, and the girl was said to pine for Ji Changge, willing to become a concubine for him. Unable to dissuade her, the magistrate had sent someone to sound out opinions. Yet rumors abounded, and none knew the truth.

Seeing her mother’s hesitation, Wen Jiuniang bit her lip in resentment. If not for her father’s demotion, she would already be married.

“Madam, come quickly! The Tenth Young Master isn’t well—he suddenly says he feels ill!” Nanny He hurried in, breathless.

Madam Wen immediately followed her out, with Wen Jiuniang close behind.

“Mother, I feel terrible—so cold,” Wen Shilang chattered, his teeth knocking together.

She touched his forehead—burning hot.

“Has the doctor been summoned?” Madam Wen asked urgently.

“Yes, Madam,” Nanny He replied.

Madam Wen’s gaze sharpened as she looked at her son, as if a thought had struck her.

Soon after, the physician arrived in haste. He took the boy’s pulse and announced, “It’s nothing serious, just a chill. This medicine will drive out the cold.”

Relieved, Madam Wen instructed Nanny He to pay the doctor and see him out.

Returning to the main house, Madam Wen whispered a few words to Lianxiu, who nodded and slipped away.

...

At dusk, Wen Jing heard that Tenth Young Master was unwell and hurried to his room, only to find no doctor—just a young Daoist priestess, perhaps just over twenty, in full robes, a peach-wood sword in her right hand and several yellow talismans in her left, chanting softly as she performed a ritual.

“Seventh Miss, come here—don’t interrupt the exorcism,” Madam Wen called.

“Mother, who is this?” Wen Jing asked.

“Hush! Don’t disturb the priestess,” Madam Wen hushed her.

Though Wen Jing disdained such superstitions, she could only stand aside and watch as the Daoist moved through strange gestures.

When all the talismans had burned, a flash of light and a clatter briefly filled the room.

Wiping sweat from her brow, the Daoist let out a sigh.

“Priestess, has the evil been driven out?” Madam Wen asked anxiously, noting the priestess’s look of defeat.

“There is indeed a demon in the household, but it is too far for me to expel in one attempt,” the Daoist replied, shaking her head.

A chorus of gasps arose, especially from Fifth Miss, usually the most talkative, now struck dumb with fear.

“How could our household have a demon? Trickery to cheat us out of money,” Eighth Miss muttered under her breath.

Madam Wen turned and glared at her. Always too quick with your tongue.

“Priestess, what exactly is this demon?” Madam Wen persisted.

The Daoist’s face grew solemn. “I cannot say for certain. It may have been brought in from outside. Demons most easily possess children, and the Tenth Young Master is the youngest here.”

Madam Wen was alarmed. This was her only son—even if she did not dote on him, her future depended on him.

“What must we do, then?”

“I must first find what object the demon inhabits; only then can I expel it. As long as it’s within these walls, I will find it.” The Daoist raised her sword.

“Do you mean to search every room?” Madam Wen asked in surprise.

“If Madam finds it inconvenient, we can cease,” the priestess replied, beginning to gather her things.

Madam Wen looked at her son and relented. “Please, Priestess, as you wish. I trouble you for your help.”

“Let us begin, then,” the Daoist said, lifting her sword once more.

“Nanny He, Nanny Gu, and the rest of you, follow the priestess and search carefully—do you hear me?” Madam Wen commanded.

“Yes, Madam!” the old women chorused, puffing up with pride at their perceived importance as they lined up behind the Daoist.

The young ladies glanced at each other, then retreated to their rooms, awaiting inspection.

Wen Jing thought to herself, So this is the real purpose behind all this commotion. She hurried away with Qingliu to her own quarters, surprised at how swiftly Madam Wen had acted. She had not expected her stepmother to be so bold, thinking she would not dare act openly, but here she was, using her own son as pretext.

Having searched the main house and found nothing, the Daoist led the group straight to Third Miss’s chambers, as Madam Wen had instructed—beginning with the eldest.

Third Miss cowered as the stout women, under the Daoist’s direction, ransacked her room, throwing open cupboards and drawers, even rifling through bedding and under the bed—clothes and shoes flying everywhere.

Nanny He glanced at Third Miss. Yesterday she had deliberately told the kitchen to withhold supper, and all the young ladies except Seventh Miss had come with gifts. In this household, whoever could be useful would pay up, more or less. Eighth and Ninth Misses gave the most, Fifth Miss a bit less, and Third Miss the least. Two strings of coins—barely enough for a bowl of duck intestine noodles each. But it wasn’t her fault; she had little to spare, and even this was a struggle.

So the nannies showed little mercy, turning the room upside down, while the Daoist waved her sword, earnestly searching for the “demon.”

“Please, be careful,” Third Miss pleaded tearfully, her gentle nature leaving her helpless but to weep.

Nanny He eyed the few pitiful trinkets in her jewelry box—no profit to be had from this one in the future.

“Nothing here either. Who’s next?” the Daoist asked.

“Next is Fifth Miss,” Nanny He replied.

“Lead the way.”

Third Miss watched the women leave, then turned to her ravaged room, the soiled bedding, and burst into tears once more.

Fifth Miss lived next door. She and Third Miss shared a courtyard, separated only by a wall. Seeing the formidable group approaching, she hurried inside.

“Qingshuang, have you put everything away?”

Qingshuang nodded. “All done.”

Just then, the Daoist entered with Nanny He and her helpers.

Having received generous gifts the previous day, the nannies searched with much more care and speed, to Fifth Miss’s relief—her silver had not been wasted.

“On to the next one,” the Daoist directed.

Nanny He curled her lips, her narrow eyes glinting with malice as she led the way, recent events lending her a vicious edge.

“Mistress, they’re coming,” Qingliu hurried in.

“Let them come,” Wen Jing replied coolly, sipping her tea.

(To be continued...)

P.S. If you’re looking for something to read during a lull, I recommend this book: Title: “Dotting the Makeup” Book ID: 3007672 Author: Mi Kema Synopsis: Watch as a young woman forges an unconventional path and becomes a great winner in life!