Chapter 34: Exerting Too Much Force, the Corpse Fell Apart

Madam Cui’s pulse was weak and frail, lacking strength; both her heart qi and blood qi were deficient, and she also suffered from bodily coldness. Her heart ailment either originated from the womb or developed later in life.

Jian Lan fell silent for a moment, hesitating on whether to speak. Only when Lang Jiuchuan furrowed his brow did she say, “The maid who serves ahead mentioned that the lady had a difficult childbirth years ago. After delivery, she was blood deficient, and because of the stagnation in her heart, it was never properly treated, which later led to her heart disease. But according to Nurse Cheng, the lady’s mother—your maternal grandmother—also had a heart condition since childhood and passed away when the lady was thirteen.”

So, there was a genetic factor as well.

Fearing that Lang Jiuchuan would harbor more resentment toward Madam Cui, Jian Lan quickly added, “Actually, the lady hasn’t had an easy time these years. She’s a widow and does not often interact with the heads of the main and third branches. They only dine together on festivals; normally, she stays in her courtyard, very lonely. Now that you’ve returned, our second branch will become lively again.”

Lang Jiuchuan chuckled, “Are you sure this liveliness isn’t just me stirring up trouble?”

This...

Jian Lan thought of the commotion that had erupted since his return, and for a moment dared not reply. Upon reflection, it was indeed lively, but also truly tumultuous and unending.

Seeing Jian Lan awkward, Lang Jiuchuan ceased teasing her and said, “Enough of that. Go ask for the medicinal herbs I requested.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At that moment, Da Man brought in a tray carrying the medicine prescribed by the household physician for Lang Jiuchuan.

“Miss, it’s time to take your medicine.”

Lang Jiuchuan was about to say she would pour it out since the medicine had no effect on her, but remembering that she and Xiao Man had brewed it themselves, she took the cup and drank it all in one go. Setting the bowl back on the tray, she said, “No need to brew the rest. I will change the prescription.”

Da Man was momentarily stunned, instinctively glancing at Jian Lan. After thinking, Jian Lan nodded slightly, “Do as the lady commands. Da Man, you are now the lady’s maid.”

This was a warning.

Whose servant you are, you obey them.

Da Man immediately agreed.

Lang Jiuchuan looked at Jian Lan upon hearing this; the girl was quite interesting.

Jian Lan left the courtyard clutching the prescription and encountered Han Lan. Hearing that Nurse Cheng sought her, she proceeded toward Madam Cui’s courtyard and entered her chamber. After paying respects, she was stunned upon hearing Nurse Cheng’s orders.

Seeing her expression, Nurse Cheng deliberately added a faint trace of anger: “What’s this? You’ve served the lady for only two days, and your heart is already with her?”

Jian Lan’s face turned pale, and she quickly knelt down. “I dare not.”

“You little jade, your lips say ‘dare not,’ but your heart is full of treachery…”

“Enough, Nurse Cheng,” Madam Cui interrupted, looking at Jian Lan. “What do you have in your hands?”

Jian Lan hesitated, then presented the herbal prescription with both hands. “The lady requested these herbs.”

Nurse Cheng took it and unfolded it. The elegant, flowing script surprised her—did the lady write so well?

Madam Cui, noticing her astonishment, took a glance herself and was also taken aback. “I recall when she was young, the matron hired a tutor for her who wrote beautiful regular script.”

But the characters before her were not regular script—they were as wild and imposing as the lady herself.

Nurse Cheng said, “Yes, perhaps the lady has learned two types of calligraphy.”

Madam Cui looked at the names of the herbs and then at Lang Jiuchuan’s frail figure, pressing her lips together. Was this a case of an experienced patient?

“Go have the young mistress arrange it. If the public stores lack any, come back and check the private stores. If still none, send someone to buy from the reputable apothecary.”

Madam Cui handed the prescription back to Jian Lan. “Since your heart is with her, go serve her.”

Jian Lan knelt down with a thud. “Madam, I—”

“Stand up. I didn’t say you betrayed your master,” Madam Cui said calmly. “Someone must be chosen to serve her. Since you and she are compatible, it will be you. Remember, your future mistress is the Ninth Miss.”

Jian Lan felt uneasy and looked at Nurse Cheng. The latter said, “Hurry and express your gratitude. Go pack your things and move to the lady’s quarters. Serve the lady well, or you’ll regret it.”

Jian Lan could only kneel again to kowtow three times, express her loyalty, then withdrew, standing in the corridor lost in thought before going to gather her belongings, which she placed in the side room of Lang Jiuchuan’s courtyard.

Lang Jiuchuan saw through the window that she returned with her luggage and raised a brow. Soon after, Jian Lan came back to report that she would serve as her maid and asked for a name.

“What did they want to ask you?” Lang Jiuchuan suddenly asked.

Jian Lan was startled, looked up sharply, and met her gaze. After a moment, she bowed and replied, “Madam wants to know if there is a crescent-shaped birthmark on the back of your neck.”

Lang Jiuchuan was surprised and instinctively reached behind her neck, pondering.

Jian Lan was very uneasy, not daring to lift her head, feeling an unsettling uncertainty about where to turn.

“Stand up and help me check.”

Jian Lan gasped as Lang Jiuchuan turned around, lowered her collar, and lifted her hair. Jian Lan then rose to look.

The delicate, pale skin revealed no flaws or scars, let alone any crescent birthmark.

Jian Lan’s face instantly turned pale, her hands nervously twisting. She guessed a possibility: Madam Cui had asked her to secretly check for the birthmark, likely believing only the true daughter bore it.

But the young lady had none, so…

Was she truly an impostor?

Seeing no movement behind her, Lang Jiuchuan turned, noticing Jian Lan’s pale face and understanding immediately: “None?”

Jian Lan’s lips moved, unable to utter a word.

Lang Jiuchuan understood and said, “Go report back.”

Jian Lan’s body stiffened, stammering, “Mi-mistress…”

“Just answer honestly.”

Jian Lan looked shocked, but noticing no trace of concern or sadness on Lang Jiuchuan’s face, a strange ache welled in her heart. How could it not be?

Yes, how could it be?

Playing with her talisman brush, Lang Jiuchuan was well aware that the bloodline connection was real. Whether the birthmark Madam Cui sought was a mere delusion or truth remained to be seen.

This was intriguing.

She pondered, then willed her brush to write in midair. The character Lang appeared, but as she wrote the second character—Jiu—after only two strokes, the brush felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and her soul ached fiercely.

As she finished only one stroke of the character Chuan, her soul felt forcibly torn, her mental energy faltering and taut.

Pfft.

Lang Jiuchuan spat a mouthful of blood, collapsed, dropping the brush. Her soul was violently expelled.

The corpse that belonged to her on the ground, strained by the force, disintegrated.

Meanwhile, the spirit lurking in the temple stealing incense ash felt a sharp pain in its consciousness. With a bang, it knocked over the incense burner, scattering ash everywhere.

The spirit looked at its rapidly dissipating presence in horror, hastily gathering its willpower while frantically shouting at Lang Jiuchuan’s reckless soul, “You wild woman, what are you doing self-harming? Hurry up and pull yourself together!”