Chapter 7: A Letter from the Capital

Nanny Zhang walked in holding a letter. "Old Madam, a letter has arrived from the Third Master."

"Oh, bring it here quickly, let me see." Old Madam Su took the letter from Nanny Zhang's hand, tore open the seal, and unfolded it to read. After finishing, her expression darkened slightly.

Nanny Zhang asked with concern, "Old Madam, did the Third Master say something in the letter?"

Old Madam Su sighed inwardly and handed the letter to Nanny Zhang. "You take a look as well." Nanny Zhang had been by Old Madam Su's side since she was young; she could be considered the Old Madam's absolute confidante. In her youth, she had followed the Old Madam to learn a few characters, so reading a letter was no problem for her.

Nanny Zhang finished reading the letter quickly and stood there, stunned. The Third Master, Su Chengxun, stated very clearly in the letter that regardless of what happened to Madam Wei, the Third Branch—especially Su Yunxi—must be sent to the capital after autumn. This was simply because the princes were all growing up, and next year, or perhaps the year after, the palace would begin selecting consorts for them. The Third Master, Su Chengxun, was a man with political ambitions; he intended to use Su Yunxi as a gamble.

Old Madam Su sighed to herself, "How can this be? If something were to happen to Madam Wei, the Fourth Girl would naturally have to observe mourning. How can someone in mourning participate in the selection?"

Nanny Zhang opened her mouth, then said, "Old Madam, this matter is not without a workaround. When a father is alive and a mother passes away, children only need to observe one year of mourning. Of course, it would be best if the Third Madam could make it through this summer."

Old Madam Su shook her head secretly. "I fear she won't make it. You heard what the doctor said two days ago; Madam Wei's body has reached the point of exhaustion. Unless there is a Great Luo Golden Immortal, she will absolutely not recover." Old Madam Su rubbed her temples, feeling very troubled. She had nothing to say about her son using his granddaughter to gamble for a future. It was just that she didn't think much of Su Yunxi. Su Yunxi was indeed good-looking, and having been raised by Madam Wei, her bearing and temperament were exemplary. However, Old Madam Su privately felt that the Eldest Girl and Second Girl were better, and even the Sixth Girl was more thoughtful than Su Yunxi.

But she couldn't voice these thoughts; she couldn't very well write to her son saying his daughter wasn't good enough and that he should choose his brother's daughter for the selection instead. Old Madam Su read the letter again, many thoughts flitting through her mind. Nanny Zhang was the Old Madam's confidante and naturally understood her thoughts, so she said at the right moment, "Old Madam, the Fourth Miss is, after all, still a young lady, and the Seventh Young Master is young and ignorant. To go to the capital so abruptly without an elder to lead them is truly worrying. The Old Madam is in good health; why not take this opportunity to accompany the Fourth Miss and the Seventh Young Master to the capital?"

Old Madam Su was tempted, but she waved her hand. "There is no rush for this matter yet. Let us first see how Madam Wei's situation develops. Furthermore, do not let word of this leak out."

"This servant understands." Nanny Zhang paused, then added, "It is just that the Third Master did not only send a letter to you, Old Madam; there is also a letter for the Third Madam. I just don't know what it says."

Old Madam Su smiled confidently. "Rest assured, Chengxun would not say those things to Madam Wei. Madam Wei previously disagreed with sending the Fourth Girl to the selection; now that she is ill, Chengxun will certainly not bring it up to her."

"The Old Madam is right. This servant was just being muddled and didn't see it clearly."

When the letter was delivered to Jingsi Hall, Madam Wei had not yet woken up, so the servants handed it to Su Yunxi. Su Yunxi resisted the urge to peek and placed the letter by Madam Wei's pillow. She sat at the head of the bed, looking at Madam Wei, who was no longer the bright, beautiful, and decisive woman from her memories. The current Madam Wei was withered, sallow, and yellow, as if all the moisture had been drained from her body. Her cheeks were deeply sunken; the vitality she had lost could truly never be recovered, no matter how much she was nourished.

Su Yunxi picked up a book Madam Wei often read and began to read aloud in a low voice.

Madam Wei vaguely heard someone speaking by her ear and struggled desperately to wake up, finally managing to open her eyes a crack. It took a long while for her to become truly conscious, and upon hearing Su Yunxi reading her favorite book, Madam Wei laughed softly. Su Yunxi hurriedly put down the book. "Mother, you're awake. How do you feel? I will have someone bring in your medicine."

Madam Wei waved her hand. "No more medicine. At this point, just let me eat something delicious; there is no need for that bitter medicine."

"Mother..." Su Yunxi didn't know what to say. Both of them knew in their hearts that there really wasn't much time left.

Su Yunxi remembered the letter and hurriedly wiped away her tears. "Mother, I will go order some good food. By the way, Father sent a letter; it is right here." Su Yunxi placed the letter in Madam Wei's hands.

Madam Wei waved her hand wearily. "Mother doesn't have the energy. Yunxi, help Mother see what your father has written."

"Alright, I will read it for you, Mother."

Su Yunxi tore open the envelope, unfolded the letter, and began to read it to Madam Wei word for word. Her voice was steady and clear. Even when it mentioned taking them to the capital, Su Yunxi's voice remained as stable as before, without the slightest tremor.

Madam Wei looked at Su Yunxi. "Yunxi, your father wants to take you to the capital. What do you think?"

Su Yunxi lowered her head, feeling a chill in her heart. "Is Father so certain that Mother's illness cannot be cured?"

"Don't say that; he is your father."

"He is even more so your husband, Mother. You are so ill, yet apart from sending someone to take a look, what else has he done? You have toiled for years for Father and for this family, but what have you received in return? You are still ill, yet Father is already impatient to have us set off for the capital. Has he thought about your feelings, Mother? Has he thought about whether your body can withstand the hardships of the journey?" Su Yunxi said angrily.

Madam Wei smiled, a light and airy smile, as if she had long since seen through everything. "Yunxi, don't say such things again. Having been married to your father for so many years, I know his character best. He is strict with himself but also ambitious; he is overflowing with talent but also cold-hearted. Once you reach the capital, you must never speak to your father like this, do you understand?"

Su Yunxi nodded unwillingly.

Madam Wei touched Su Yunxi's hand. "Good child."

"Mother, how should we reply to Father's letter?"

Madam Wei smiled. "Yes, your father is already certain that I won't make it. Does it matter whether we reply or not?"

Su Yunxi's tears could not help but fall. "Mother, I don't want to go to the capital. Father is too heartless."

"Silly child, how can you not go? You must go. Only by going to the capital will you be considered children with elders to look after you, and only by going to the capital will you have the chance to secure a good marriage. Could it be that you want to stay here and let the Old Madam muddle-headedly arrange a marriage for you? Just like that Yang family before?"