Chapter 982: Chapter 980: Dazed
As expected, when Jiang Yifan heard that Ye Xinyan was going to return to Duke An’s Mansion tomorrow to see the dying Maternal Aunt Liu, he frowned immediately and unambiguously expressed his dissenting opinion.
“I’ve seen that Buddhist hall from afar; it’s very cold and gloomy. You’re pregnant, going to such a place to meet someone harboring spite against you who is about to die; this is not appropriate.”
“This…” Ye Xinyan also furrowed her brow. The life of a married couple is lived together, and the child is also borne by both of them. Ye Xinyan felt she acted openly, without hidden tactics, with a clear conscience.
But the unpredictability of life, and matters involving immortals and ghosts, are even harder to speak of. This issue truly cannot be handled recklessly.
She asked, “Then what should we do? Should we just let her die quietly like this? I still have things to say to her. If I don’t tell her, how can I be at ease? Her end is brought upon herself, while my mother was innocently harmed by her.”
Ye Xinyan didn’t really want to do anything to Maternal Aunt Liu; she just wanted to ask her, at this point, does she regret it? She was not satisfied with enjoying wealth for her children but led them down a path far from wealth, with no future.
“I just want to see Maternal Aunt Liu’s current miserable state and tell her that without her malice and greed, her children would be living much better than they are now.”
Jiang Yifan remained silent, recalling Madam Yin being drugged by Maternal Aunt Liu, ending her lineage, and her scheming to push the legitimate wife and daughter to the brink. Such actions were indeed detestable, and she should not have a peaceful death.
“Alright, then wait for me tomorrow. I’ll come back at noon to accompany you to the Duke’s Mansion.”
“Taking leave again?” Ye Xinyan raised an eyebrow at Jiang Yifan.
“What do you mean by taking leave again? I’ve always adhered to the Yamen schedule,” Jiang Yifan laughed awkwardly. “I’ll just step out for a moment at noon to accompany you to see Maternal Aunt Liu. After leaving the Buddhist hall, I’ll return to the Yamen to work.”
It’s the end of the year, and Jiang Yifan’s current duties are many, vastly different from before. Slipping out midway didn’t seem appropriate.
Ye Xinyan hesitated, “If it’s inconvenient for you to take leave, let Big Brother Guan accompany me. Big Brother Guan is such that even ghosts and demons would keep their distance. With him around, going anywhere isn’t a problem.”
“How is Senior Brother doing?” Jiang Yifan felt a bit sweaty on his forehead. Isn’t Senior Brother a good person? Even now, as her preferred Zi Ning married Senior Brother, Ah Yan still doesn’t get along with him?
“No, you’re going to see Maternal Aunt Liu, so naturally, it’s better for your husband to accompany you. Your husband is graceful and handsome with a promising career, so of course, having me accompany you would strike a harder blow at Maternal Aunt Liu.”
“You smug.” Ye Xinyan pouted. Yet halfway through the pout, her mouth couldn’t help but curl upwards.
…
The next day, nearing noon, Jiang Yifan hurried home to escort Ye Xinyan to Duke An’s Mansion.
The carriage entered through the side gate of the Duke’s Mansion; Lian Gui had already come out of the gatehouse to greet them.
He saluted Jiang Yifan, who had lifted the curtain, and asked, “How has Great Aunt arranged it? Should we first go back to Jinlan Garden for a rest? Great Aunt’s room has already had the kang (heatable brick bed) lit; she can have a cup of tea to warm up first.”
Jiang Yifan jumped off the carriage, returned the salute to Lian Gui, and said, “No need, we didn’t travel far, and there are portable warmers and heaters in the carriage. Let’s not rush to rest; let’s visit Maternal Aunt Liu first.”
Maternal Aunt Liu really didn’t look well; she no longer resided in the main hall of the Buddhist hall but had moved to an adjacent side room.
This small room was sectioned by a partition separating the door from a small kang inside. Two braziers warmed the room, and the door curtains appeared quite thick.
The soft bedding on the little kang beyond the partition, although it looked warm and puffy, couldn’t fend off the chill in the room.
Maternal Aunt Liu was lying on the kang with her eyes closed, covered by a clean, soft quilt. The light cyan cotton quilt made her cyan grey face appear even dimmer.
Lian Gui, now a reputable figure in Duke An’s Mansion, didn’t shy away from any propriety between men and women, directly leading Ye Xinyan and Jiang Yifan inside the partition.
Song Ping’s Household and a few maids stayed outside the door.
Two old woman servants maintaining the Buddhist hall led them inside, bowing as they did. When Ye Xinyan and Jiang Yifan stood before Maternal Aunt Liu, one of the women softly called, “Maternal Aunt Liu, Great Aunt is here.”
As they came in, Maternal Aunt Liu’s eyelids fluttered, clearly sensing someone had entered. For reasons unknown, she didn’t open her eyes.
However, upon hearing the old servant announce that Great Aunt had arrived, Maternal Aunt Liu drew strength from somewhere and abruptly opened her eyes. Her originally dull and lethargic eyes became sharp once opened.
Her head slightly turned, her sharp gaze roving over Ye Xinyan up and down repeatedly, eventually settling on Ye Xinyan’s face without moving away.
The rage within her eyes seemed about to overflow, almost unable to be contained within.
Ye Xinyan had been briefed by Maternal Aunt Zhao on Maternal Aunt Liu’s condition, so she wasn’t surprised when she saw the gaunt, withered old woman. She wasn’t bothered by the malice in Maternal Aunt Liu’s eyes either.
She faced Maternal Aunt Liu’s gaze and smiled slightly.
At this point, she wondered whether this woman, who had enjoyed unmerited luxury for over twenty years, had realized: No matter how much wealth and splendor you have enjoyed, they are all transient as smoke clouds. Eventually, the state you are in when you breathe your last will define your life.
The spiteful gaze of Maternal Aunt Liu made Jiang Yifan feel quite uncomfortable. Although Ye Xinyan was indifferent, being stared at so intently by a dying person in this cold courtyard and room wasn’t a good thing.
Fortunately, his wife’s experiences were unparalleled, and her mental fortitude was extraordinary. Otherwise, she might have nightmares at night!
Jiang Yifan snorted heavily, successfully attracting Maternal Aunt Liu’s gaze.
When Maternal Aunt Liu saw Jiang Yifan, her eyes instantly tightened, quickly darting back and forth between him and Ye Xinyan.
As the year-end approached, Ye Xinyan was dressed with celebration and luxury. She wore a silver fox fur cloak, a silver-red jacket embroidered with Ruyi patterns, and a midnight blue satin-damask skirt embroidered with bright red peonies. Her hair was adorned with a white jade hairpin and several gold-inlaid jade flower-embellished hairpins beneath the bun.
Due to her pregnancy, she no longer wore makeup. But having been attentively looked after by the matriarchs of various households, her diet was effectively nourishing.
At this moment, her complexion was fair and supple, her lips rosy, and her black eyes glowed brightly. Though devoid of any makeup, she appeared exceptionally elegant and beautiful.
Jiang Yifan stood closely beside Ye Xinyan, their hands intertwined. Jiang Yifan wasn’t wearing a headscarf, only a silver crown atop his head.
The handsome face that had once captivated Miss Ye now bore a calm maturity. He wore a cerulean thick satin robe, with cloud patterns embroidered along the edges of the cuffs and collar with silver thread.
A belt of the same color with cloud embroidery encircled his waist, from which hung a cyan jade pendant.
Standing there before Maternal Aunt Liu, the pair caused her embittered gaze to falter for a moment.