Chapter 11: This Body, You Cannot Save

Lang Jiuchuan’s body would not last long.

The manor physician’s words sent a shudder through the few people who had just entered the room.

Lang Zhengping stepped past Madam Cui and asked with a frown, "How can her health be this fragile? Doctor Chen, whatever is needed to restore her, just write the prescription. Whatever medicinal ingredients are required, have Steward Ding procure them."

She was the only remaining seedling of the second branch; nothing must happen to her. Otherwise, how could he face his deceased younger brother?

Having received his orders, Doctor Chen stood and bowed. "Heir Apparent, then I shall withdraw to deliberate on the matter."

"Go ahead."

"There is no need to trouble yourselves," Lang Jiuchuan said with a faint, mocking smile. "This body... with your help, it cannot be saved."

The group stared in stunned silence.

"Preposterous," Lang Zhengping said, his face darkening. "You were just spouting nonsense in the mourning hall, cursing guests and disturbing your grandfather’s spirit. Considering you are young and have just returned home, I will not punish you. But your health is not a matter for games; you must not be so wilful and reckless."

Lang Jiuchuan laughed, retorting, "Is being reckless and wilful not a tradition of the Lang family?"

"You!" Lang Zhengping was furious.

***

"Ninth Miss, do you still remember this old servant? The Old Mistress has been thinking of you constantly. Once she heard you had returned, she insisted on seeing you." Nanny Wang stepped forward and looked at Lang Jiuchuan carefully. "You have grown taller, yet why have you become so much thinner? Still, it is good that you are back; with careful nursing, you will surely improve."

Lang Jiuchuan looked at the gentle old servant before her. Fragments of memory suddenly flashed through her mind—a vision of this very person smiling as she handed her a small sugar figurine.

Was this a remnant of the original owner’s memory?

With this memory, Lang Jiuchuan felt a sense of leniency toward the old woman. She retracted her sharp edges, stood up, and said, "Then I shall accompany you to see the Old Mistress."

"Oh, yes, yes, that is good." Nanny Wang looked toward Lang Zhengping.

Lang Zhengping said, "Since your health is poor, you may as well stay in Mother’s courtyard and keep her company. You need not return to the mourning hall."

That would not do. Before she could obtain great merit, she still needed to siphon the auspicious fortune and merit of this ancestor, or her body would simply fall apart.

"I must still fulfill the filial duties expected of me," Lang Jiuchuan said, walking to Nanny Wang’s side. "Let us go."

As she passed, Madam Cui spoke: "Stop. I will assign a nanny to your side to teach you the proper etiquette. I hope that from now on you will be cautious in your speech and actions, and refrain from overstepping your bounds, lest you bring disaster upon yourself and implicate the family."

Lang Zhengping and Madam Wu both frowned instinctively.

Lang Jiuchuan looked at her and asked, "Madam, do you not think it is a bit too late to teach me etiquette?"

***

Madam Cui pursed her lips, her eyes filled with suppressed emotion as she looked at the five fingerprints still visible on the girl’s face.

Lang Jiuchuan gave her one last deep look before turning to leave. Where was this concern earlier? The original owner was already dead.

Madam Cui felt a lump of frustration stuck in her chest, leaving her leaning weakly against the doorframe.

Madam Wu stepped forward to support her, urging, "Second Aunt, Ninth Sister has only just returned and is not yet accustomed to things here. It will get better with time."

"Indeed. She looks like you in many ways, but her temperament follows my younger brother; that rebellious spirit is exactly the same..." Lang Zhengping’s words faltered when Madam Cui looked up at him. He added drily, "How can there be overnight grudges between mother and daughter? My younger brother has been gone for so many years; you should let it go, sister-in-law. Madam Wu, you take charge; arrange a courtyard for your Ninth Sister and assign two capable maids to wait upon her."

"Yes, Father."

Lang Zhengping walked away with brisk strides.

Madam Wu felt a headache coming on. Where should she place the girl? She wanted to ask Madam Cui, but seeing her looking as though she had lost her soul, she kept her silence.

Being a daughter-in-law was truly difficult.