Chapter 6: Fragrant from Afar, Stinking from Near

The change came suddenly, and everything fell into chaos at once.

The servants and attendants outside couldn't care about anything else; they rushed in, scrambling to move the collapsed debris and rescue those trapped underneath.

Lu Jun had just managed to free himself, spitting out dust several times. Seeing that everything to the left and right had collapsed, while only the area around the offering table remained intact, he suddenly recalled what Lu Nian had said earlier, and his heart sank.

Madam Sang was also terrified, fearing a major disaster. As she looked closer, her heart grew even more unsettled.

The first part to collapse was near Madam Cen, and then the shelves lost their balance, falling from near to far. It looked quite frightening, but most people were only covered by the canopy’s tarp and were fine once it was lifted.

The family members, being closer, were startled and covered in dust.

The one who truly suffered was Madam Cen.

The Marchioness had just been dug out from under the tarp. Her hair bun was crooked, loose strands covering half her face, while the other half was stained with gray dust. With the torrential rain pouring down, she was soaked through in an instant.

She looked neither human nor ghost; Madam Sang didn't dare to look any closer.

Looking back at Lu Nian and her daughter, they were still standing before the offering table, their expressions unreadable.

Was it an accident? Or a scheme?

Madam Sang couldn't be sure. She was only relieved that the tent was large and the tarp was divided into sections; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get everyone out so quickly.

A-Wei didn't look at anyone.

Without the tarp blocking the view, the sky was directly visible.

As lightning streaked across the void, she saw the bright light of the heavens.

Amidst the booming thunder, A-Wei extinguished the open flame on the incense, and thin smoke began to rise.

She handed it to Lu Nian: "It's much brighter now."

Lu Nian took it, looked at Bai’s spirit tablet, curled her lips, and murmured: "Yes, much brighter."

After the people in the courtyard were freed, some sought shelter from the rain, while others rushed to find umbrellas. Amidst the noise, a woman’s clear and firm voice was heard.

"Mother, your daughter has returned."

It was Lu Nian.

Involuntarily, eyes fell upon the woman holding the incense.

"For so many years, I could not offer you incense; it is your daughter’s lack of filial piety."

"At the Yu family’s, I didn't dare to pay my respects to you, fearing that you would miss me and seek me out there, only to see a house full of filth, and feel heartache for me and A-Wei from below, and fearing that the demons and monsters there would offend you."

"It won't happen again. From now on, your daughter will kowtow to you here every year."

"The place where you are is your daughter’s home."

"The suffering and the blood that A-Wei and I have endured will not be in vain."

As Lu Nian spoke, she turned her head sharply toward Madam Cen.

Madam Cen had fallen hard earlier and had just stood up with the help of her nanny. She was in such a disheveled state, lacking even a shred of her usual dignified posture, that she was pinned to the spot by Lu Nian’s gaze.

She saw the half-collapsed mourning hall and the relatives soaked by the rain. Only the area in front of the offering table was isolated from the rest.

Lu Nian stood there, untouched by the rain, but her hateful eyes seemed to have walked through the torrential downpour for many, many years...

A wave of palpitations surged up. Madam Cen subconsciously grabbed her collar, her feet slipped, and her barely steady body fell toward the ground again.

——

This memorial service ended in the rain.

Madam Sang gathered her strength to send off the relatives and guests before she finally had time to drink a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the cold.

"The Marchioness scraped her arm when she fell; I’ve already had someone apply medicine and prepare a calming soup."

"Chunhui Garden is being rushed into order. The eldest sister-in-law said she and her daughter will stay there for now, so there’s no rush to finish the side rooms today."

"The Marquis has gone over. Seeing that they only brought one nanny back, he said to let you arrange for more capable hands."

"The gift list for today has been delivered. Once you’ve looked it over, I will have someone organize and collect it."

After hearing the series of tasks, Madam Sang took a deep breath, wanting to say something, but seeing Lu Jun come out of the washroom, she swallowed her words.

Handing Lu Jun the ginger soup, Madam Sang said cautiously: "The tent collapsed during the memorial; it was my failure. I only thought about making the tent larger, not realizing it wasn't sturdy enough, and when the wind picked up..."

"It’s not your fault," Lu Jun said. "Perhaps it was the wind, or perhaps... you might not have heard, but before the snacks were delivered, my eldest sister told me that the Yu family’s tent had collapsed several times and even killed people. I’m not even sure if she did it on purpose!"

Madam Sang smiled awkwardly upon hearing this. She didn't comment on the relationship between the siblings, only saying: "Chunhui Garden hasn't been lived in for years. I think I should go take a look. I heard the eldest sister and the others arrived in only one carriage and didn't bring any valuables or clothes; their food and clothing needs will all need to be looked into."

"You are thorough, but she..." Lu Jun sighed. "Forget it, I’ll go with you, so she doesn't find trouble for no reason and make things difficult for you."

Madam Sang naturally agreed.

Elsewhere, in Qiubi Garden.

Madam Cen leaned against the bed, her brows filled with gloom.

Before today, she never imagined that Lu Nian could return to the capital.

The distance was great; even if Lu Nian had prepared, she should have sent letters ahead, let the manor arrange the journey, and then sent someone to bring them back.

There were plenty of ways to interfere, but who knew that Lu Nian would ignore convention and actually bring her and her daughter into the manor alive and kicking.

Come to think of it, Lu Nian had been like this since she was a child, doing things without any regard for rules.

Recalling past events, Madam Cen’s breathing grew heavier.

"Don't get angry with her," Nanny Li comforted. "What kind of reputation does she have in the capital? She just returned and caught people off guard. In a few days, you’ll see—with her temperament, it’s impossible for her not to stir up trouble."

Madam Cen sneered: "Didn't she stir up trouble today?"

"It was chaotic and without method," Nanny Li said with disdain. "I thought they would cling to the money and medicinal materials, but I didn't expect that after arguing for so long, they only wanted a garden. How short-sighted!"

"A Chunhui Garden that has been vacant for years is worth her obsession," Madam Cen was extremely puzzled. "The Marquis, too—that is the main courtyard; how is it right for Lu Nian to live there?"

"The Marquis is soft-hearted. He hasn't seen his daughter for years, and it’s the anniversary of Bai’s death," Nanny Li chuckled, her voice sarcastic. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder, but proximity breeds contempt."

A glint of light flashed in Madam Cen’s eyes.

Indeed.

This phrase couldn't be more appropriate to describe the father-daughter relationship between the Marquis of Dingxi and Lu Nian.

"Then let her stir up trouble for a few days while I rest and recover my spirits," Madam Cen said, then sighed with a sudden realization. "I’ve lived long enough to regress; in earlier years, I wouldn't have let these things get to me."

Nanny Li comforted her: "It just means these past few years have been smooth for you. You have everything in the Marquis’s manor under control, and your maiden family gives you face."

"Yes, people are like that. Going from being tense to relaxing is easy, but wanting to go back and tighten up again makes one feel uncomfortable all over," Madam Cen thought for a moment and instructed, "Go to Chunhui Garden and see what they are lacking."

Nanny Li understood: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

Before long, Nanny Li encountered Lu Jun and Madam Sang outside Chunhui Garden and followed them inside.

Lights were lit in the main room, which hadn't seen light for many years.

Lu Jun first bowed to the Marquis of Dingxi, who was sitting there, and then, looking up, he saw a white-sealed porcelain jar on the long table against the north wall.

Bottles and jars weren't worth his concern, but there was a small incense burner in front of that porcelain jar, with incense sticks and fruit plates on either side.

It looked like a small altar.

No.

That *was* an altar!

The veins on Lu Jun’s forehead throbbed: "What are you worshipping? Don't start that superstitious nonsense in this house!"

"Shut up!" Lu Nian shot him a glare, her voice sharp. "This is A-Wei’s life! You don't know a damn thing!"