Chapter 12: Lang Jiu is a bit unhinged

On her way to Kangshou Courtyard, Lang Jiuchuan managed to glean quite a bit of information about her current body through Mother Wang's constant chatter.

For instance, although she was clearly a child of the Second Branch, according to the seniority among her peers, she ranked ninth. This was because the uncles from the First and Third Branches had long since married, whereas her father, Lang Zhengfan, had married late and fathered children even later. Consequently, by the time she was born, the children of the First and Third Branches had already sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, placing her ninth in the order.

"In my generation, is everyone named with the character 'Cai'? Why is my given name Jiuchuan?" Lang Jiuchuan asked curiously.

Hearing this, Mother Wang sounded somewhat sentimental. She sighed, "Miss Jiu, your name was given by the Second Master. While you were still in the womb, he chose it for you before he went off to war. I heard there was a line of poetry involved, but I haven't read many books and cannot recall it. Asking the Second Madam would be best. However, I did catch a whisper that the Second Master hoped you would possess a heart as vast as the rivers that flow into the sea."

Lang Jiuchuan remarked, "Then he is bound to be disappointed. I am vengeful, petty, and rebellious. I settle scores on the spot; being 'vast as the sea' is out of the question."

What was so great about being an ocean? Wouldn't it be exhausting to have to deal with everything?

Mother Wang asked, "Are you resentful of the Second Madam?"

"The bond between parent and child is shallow. It isn't just this pair you see; I suppose I don't have much right to feel resentment anyway." After all, she was not the original soul; she couldn't truly empathize, feeling only a sense of karmic inevitability.

Mother Wang sighed and said, "The Second Madam has had a hard life. When she first married, she and the Second Master were often apart. It took several years of marriage before she conceived, only to face a difficult labor. Then the Second Master died in battle, and she fell into a state of mental distress. When a person's temperament turns sour, it is easy for their thoughts to go astray. The Second Madam is a pitiable soul."

Lang Jiuchuan said calmly, "Is the most pitiable one not the Jiuchuan who was sent away as a child? What did she do wrong?"

As they spoke, they entered Anshou Courtyard.

A maid lifted the curtain to announce their arrival, her eyes inadvertently drifting toward Lang Jiuchuan with a scrutinizing gaze.

Lang Jiuchuan walked into the main hall, which was warmed by several charcoal braziers, and immediately spotted the Old Madam dozing off on a deep indigo cushion embroidered with the "Five Blessings" pattern by the southern window.

Beside her sat a young woman with her hair in an elegant bun. She had a face as smooth as a silver plate and a full figure, with a slight swell to her abdomen. This was Lady Pan, the wife of Lang Caicheng, the concubine-born son of the First Branch. She had reportedly married only this past spring.

Lady Pan was softly waking the Old Madam. "Grandmother, Ninth Sister has arrived."

The Old Madam's eyelids fluttered. She opened her eyes, her vision slowly focusing. Only when she clearly saw the young girl standing beside her did she sit up straight with Mother Wang's assistance. She reached out toward Lang Jiuchuan with a beaming smile, "My darling, my darling is back."

Lang Jiuchuan felt a sudden jolt.

*Darling, sleeping in the same bed as Grandmother, all warm and cozy.*

*Darling, you mustn't eat too many candied haws; they'll stick to your teeth and cause cavities. Fine, fine, then just one more.*

*Oh, my darling, Grandmother misses your father.*

A series of images flashed through her mind: the joyful laughter of a child, a much younger Old Madam, and the increasingly grief-stricken Old Madam lying in bed.

It turned out she, too, had possessed a few precious moments of warmth.

Lang Jiuchuan took the opportunity to sit down. As she looked at the Old Madam, a faint golden light flashed in her eyes, allowing her to see the woman's life force and destiny.

Upon seeing it, her face turned even paler.

With this body in its current state, it would be difficult to observe qi and fortune effectively—especially regarding close relatives, which would only bring her harm.

"Oh, my darling, why are your hands so cold? Quick, quick, light two more charcoal braziers and bring the hand warmer!" Old Madam Lang pulled Lang Jiuchuan's hands, her face full of heartache. She then called to Mother Wang, "Guizhi, bring me my casket."

Lang Jiuchuan looked at the hand holding hers; it was wrinkled, with the tendons clearly visible on the back of the hand.

Mother Wang brought over a casket. Old Madam Lang took it, opened it, and pressed it into Lang Jiuchuan's hands like a treasure. "Here, keep it all for my darling."

Lang Jiuchuan opened it to find exquisite floral hairpins and small bracelets—jewelry meant for a child.

But she was already grown.

Then, a handful of candies wrapped in purple tissue paper was added to the casket.

Lang Jiuchuan looked up. Old Madam Lang said proudly, "I won't give them to anyone else; I'm saving them all for you."

She reached out to stroke Lang Jiuchuan's cheek, murmuring, "It's good that you're back. It's so good that you're back."

Her eyes were deeply wrinkled and no longer bright, but rather cloudy; yet, they were filled with an unadulterated, sincere affection.

Lang Jiuchuan let out a long breath and spoke softly, "Grandmother."

At that single word, Old Madam Lang smiled through tears. She picked up a piece of hibiscus cake from the small table and held it to the girl's lips. "Eat, it will sweeten your mouth."

Lang Jiuchuan took the cake.

Old Madam Lang began talking to herself again, but before long, her eyes drifted shut in a nap. After a few breaths, she opened her eyes again and looked at Lang Jiuchuan with a hint of doubt. "Are you my Fan'er? Your eyes look so much like his."

Lang Jiuchuan: "..."

She watched as Old Madam Lang suddenly became as restless as a child, being coaxed by the maids and nannies until she gradually fell back asleep.

Sitting by the bedside, Lang Jiuchuan tucked the Old Madam's hands under the quilt and looked down at the elderly face, her eyes lowering slightly.

The Old Madam was old, and her lifespan was not long.

"Ever since you fell ill at age six, the Old Madam has been confused, unable to remember people or things clearly. The imperial physicians said it was due to emotional stagnation and excessive worry. She missed the Second Master so much that she worked herself into an illness. The one who truly fell into a state of obsession was her," Mother Wang said from the side. "She didn't intend to keep you at the manor forever; she was just afraid that you and the Second Madam would clash like needles and wheat, and that she wouldn't be able to protect you..."

Lang Jiuchuan listened in silence.

***

The Mourning Hall.

As dusk approached, fewer people came to pay their respects—one could say almost none. In the hall, aside from those like Lady Pan who were pregnant or feeling unwell, everyone was keeping vigil.

The Lang family members, young and old, sat kneeling together. The younger generation whispered about Lang Jiuchuan.

This was their first time meeting this sister, but she was vastly different from what they had imagined. She might be rustic and unrefined, but her temperament was not the weakness or timidity they expected; she was "wild."

"A bit unhinged"—that was their first impression of her.

If she weren't unhinged, how could she have said such offensive things to an elder in the mourning hall? No, that went beyond offense; it was an outright insult.

Forget an elderly person; if someone of their age cursed them to die soon, wouldn't they want to pick a fight?

Yet, Lang Jiuchuan had offended her, and the Head of the Family had not punished her.

"It's only because the funeral is still ongoing. Once the rites are settled, Father will definitely teach her a lesson," Lang Cailing sneered.

Lang Caiyao of the Third Branch remained noncommittal and said nothing.

"I doubt it. She is the Second Uncle's only child," Lang Caiguang snorted. "Eldest Uncle won't punish her."

A flash of jealousy crossed Lang Cailing's eyes as she said mockingly, "So what? She's still just an unfavored..."

She was tugged by the sleeve by Lang Caiyao, who gestured toward the door.

Lang Cailing looked over, and her expression changed slightly. Lady Cui had returned at some unknown point, and standing beside her was her legal mother, Lady Fan, who was whispering something.

Lady Fan's cold gaze swept over, carrying authority and warning.

Lady Cui also glanced at her; though she said nothing, there was no warmth in her eyes.

Indeed, the Second Aunt came from the prestigious Qinghe Cui clan. She placed the highest importance on a woman's virtue and character and had always disdained gossiping behind people's backs. Now that she had caught Lang Cailing talking behind her back, she likely viewed it as a slap in the face to both her and the Second Branch.

Recalling her biological mother's words about wanting to transfer a full brother to the Second Branch as an heir, Lang Cailing broke into a cold sweat. She forced a smile and knelt properly.

Lady Cui walked in, stood before her, and said, "The Taoists emphasize: a gentleman must be cautious in seven ways. If one is as careful at the end as at the beginning, nothing will fail. Be cautious in speech to nurture virtue, and cautious in action to strengthen will. Let us both strive for this."

Lang Cailing froze, lowering her head and trembling as she said, "I shall follow Second Aunt's teachings."