Four Seasons Brocade – CH 055

Chapter 55 ☆、

“A Taoist nun?” Concubine Wang did not know much about the affairs of the capital, nor had she heard of Taoist Feng, but she was familiar with the affairs of women’s quarters. These Taoist nuns were never up to anything good. Back then, few Taoist temples in Yangzhou were clean; they were all brothels.

Concubine Wang instantly connected the dots and wondered why Lady Cui had invited the nun. She thought, “It’s unbelievable that Lady Cui, at her age, could still keep a man so tightly bound to her waist. She’s probably having some kind of scheme with the nun behind the scenes. No wonder she chased everyone out and would not let them listen.”

Concubine Wang kept this in mind. The next day, she met Concubine Mei, who was picking plum branches, in the garden. The two women sat hand in hand in the pavilion and talked.

“Yesterday, our Madam invited a Taoist nun to the house. She was very mysterious; I wonder what she was up to,” Concubine Wang said casually, as if she had just remembered.

Concubine Mei pursed her lips. “Oh, was it Taoist Feng?”

“I think that’s her name,” Concubine Wang said, pretending to have just remembered the name.

“She’s very famous in the capital. So many ladies and wives seek her out. She does not go to ordinary people. Our Second Madam spent a lot of money to invite her, but your Madam got a free ride.” Concubine Mei asked curiously, “What did Third Madam invite her for?”

“I do not know either. As soon as Taoist Feng arrived, Third Madam kicked all the servants out,” said Concubine Wang. “I was just about to ask you who this Taoist Feng is.”

“Her? She’s incredibly powerful. Second Madam is pregnant again, is she not? It’s all thanks to Taoist Feng. I heard that after drinking a few doses of her talismanic water, Second Master only went to her room one night, and she got pregnant. It’s strange, though; Second Master has not been with her for a long time…” Concubine Mei raised her eyebrows, exchanging a glance with Concubine Wang, both understanding that she meant “not being with her.”

“But that one day he went to her room, and it stayed, and now she’s pregnant.”

“Oh, that powerful?” Concubine Wang was still somewhat skeptical.

“Indeed. Do you know the Duchess of Jin?”

Concubine Wang shook her head.

This greatly satisfied Concubine Mei’s desire to show off. She said smugly, “In our capital, which woman does not envy the Duchess of Jin? A loving husband, a filial son, and the Duke of Jin has never taken a concubine.”

Concubine Wang gasped in surprise, never expecting such a man to exist among the powerful and noble.

“I heard that not long after the Duchess of Jin married into the Duke’s Mansion, she received guidance from Taoist Feng and set up a Taoist altar.” Concubine Mei spoke of this with such conviction, as if she had witnessed it herself.

“Such skill!”

“Yes, otherwise, when Taoist Feng came to the mansion, the Second Madam would not have been so wary of us, and your mistress would not have dismissed all the servants. Who knows what they are all seeking behind the scenes? Do you think your mistress’s ability to win over the Third Master so completely is also…” Concubine Mei said pointedly.

Concubine Mei’s unfounded speculation perfectly aligned with Concubine Wang’s thoughts, further solidifying her belief that Lady Cui must have sought help from Taoist Feng and secretly used some kind of magic to control her husband.

“If only we could also get Taoist Feng to help us,” Concubine Wang tentatively suggested.

“That would cost a fortune. She would not even look at small sums,” Concubine Mei replied, somewhat tempted but unable to afford it. Although the Second Master doted on her, he was not a big spender, and the Second Madam kept a close eye on her.

Concubine Wang, however, was different. Her godparents had raised her for so long, and they had developed a bond with her. They had given her some money when she “married,” and she had received considerable rewards for entertaining guests over the years. Including jewelry and other valuables, she had accumulated several hundred taels of silver. Although she had spent a considerable amount, she was still much wealthier than Concubine Mei.

“Sister, you are a respected person in the household, unlike me. I beg you, Sister, to put in a good word for me with Taoist Feng next time. I certainly will not forget you,” said Concubine Wang, wiping tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. “Sister, you know my current situation. Third Master does not even glance at me, let alone come to my room. I…I…” Concubine Wang was only putting on an act, but the thought of wasting her young life in the inner quarters filled her with bitterness, and tears genuinely welled up in her eyes.

Concubine Mei patted Concubine Wang’s hand. While she might not readily help, as fellow concubines, she felt a shared resentment towards the main wife. She also thought that if she truly helped Concubine Wang rise in status and muddy the waters of the Third Madam’s household, Second Master might look upon her more favorably.

Thinking this, Concubine Mei readily agreed to Concubine Wang’s request.

The rituals performed by Taoist Feng, commissioned by the Second Madam, could not be completed in one go; the altar alone required three sessions. Therefore, not long after, Concubine Mei saw Taoist Feng visiting the Second Madam’s room again.

Concubine Mei instructed her maid to keep an eye on her and gave her a purse sealed by Concubine Wang, saying, “When you see Taoist Feng come out, invite her to my room in the back courtyard to speak.”

Taoist Feng initially did not want to deal with a concubine, but the purse the maid offered was quite substantial, so she “condescended” and followed the maid to the back courtyard.

Concubines Mei and Wang had been sitting in the room waiting for her for quite some time. Taoist Feng, with her keen eye for detail, saw their anxious and hesitant expressions and knew they were two chickens to be slaughtered. Therefore, she did not put on airs and offered a few casual compliments.

“You two seem to be blessed people, but recently dark clouds have obscured the sun, causing some misfortune,” Taoist Feng said, feigning divine intervention.

“What do you mean?” Concubine Mei asked hastily. She’d been having a very bad time lately. The Second Madam, relying on her pregnancy, kept the Second Master from competing with her, and these past few days she’d been finding all sorts of ways to torment the concubines.

Taoist Feng stared intently at Concubine Mei for a long time before saying seriously, “Ah, some things are better left unsaid.”

Hearing this, Concubine Mei became even more anxious and urged Taoist Feng to speak.

“Ah, alright, seeing your sincerity. I just used my divine eyes to examine your aura and saw a patch of black energy above your head, with a malevolent dragon flashing within. This is exactly what’s bad for your luck with children. It seems you have very little fortune with your offspring.”

Concubine Mei slapped her thigh. Indeed, at the beginning of the year, she’d become pregnant for the second time, but it had miscarried without her noticing. She only realized she was pregnant when she saw the blood.

“Is there any way to cure this?” Concubine Mei asked anxiously.

Taoist Feng remained silent.

Concubine Mei, being a sensible woman, glanced at Concubine Wang, who quickly handed over a purse. Concubine Mei immediately gave it to Taoist Feng.

Taoist Feng then said, “Ah, if it were not for your sincerity, this old woman would not be saying these things. But I feel sorry for you. However…” Taoist Feng looked at Concubine Wang with difficulty.

After all, it was Concubine Wang who gave her the money. Concubine Mei also glanced at Concubine Wang. This time, Concubine Wang was not so tactful. She thought that she had asked Concubine Mei to act as a matchmaker for her own sake, but Concubine Mei was asking about her affairs first.

Concubine Mei, perhaps feeling embarrassed, said to Taoist Feng, “Master, what do you think of my sister?”

Concubine Wang quickly straightened up.

After observing for a while, Taoist Feng said, “She’s beautiful and talented, but her marital luck is lacking. She possesses the looks of Wang Zhaojun and the beauty of Xi Shi but lacks the virtues.”

Seeing Taoist Feng’s eloquent words and knowing she had hit a nerve, Concubine Wang trusted her even more. “Master, is there a solution?” Concubine Wang readily offered her a purse.

Taoist Feng was very satisfied. “I will draw two talismans. Burn them, drink one yourself, and give the other to him. If that does not work, I will set up an altar and perform a ritual for you next time.”

Concubine Wang thanked her profusely, accepting the two talismans as if they were imperial decrees.

Then came the matter of Concubine Mei. Concubine Wang could not listen any longer and left.

But as soon as Concubine Wang stepped out of Concubine Mei’s door, she looked up and saw the Second Master, Rong Jixing.

Concubine Wang quickly knelt and bowed.

Rong Jixing strode forward, presumptuously grabbing Concubine Wang’s soft hand to help her up, squeezing it gently. Even after she stood, he would not let go.

Concubine Wang was shocked. She had not expected the Second Master Rong to be so shameless, daring to touch her even with a maidservant following behind. Her face flushed red, and she struggled to pull her hand away.

Second Master Rong probably realized where he was, so he stopped approaching, only glancing at Concubine Wang. What a beautiful woman! Willow-leaf eyebrows, an oval face, a waist as slender as a willow branch, and breasts as round as hidden peaches. Her swaying gait was so captivating that one could not keep up. Every time he looked at her, his body went weak.

Rong Jixing pondered, feeling it was a pity such a beautiful woman was wasted on that clueless, unromantic third brother. He did not appreciate her at all, leaving this lovely lady alone in her empty room. Second Master Rong wished he could take his place and comfort his concubine in place of Third Master Rong.

Second Master Rong was known for his tyranny in this household. He had slept with every slightly respectable maid and concubine in his courtyard. The Old Madam had beaten and scolded him, but he just could not change his reckless nature.

“Why are you leaving so soon after I’ve just returned?” The second master stared at Concubine Wang with obvious affection. Seeing her about to step aside, he quickly moved to the right, blocking her path.

Concubine Wang was mortified. She bit her lower lip and said, “Please, Second Master, have some self-respect.”

These words were so tender and affectionate that Second Master Rong’s heart trembled. “Not only do I have self-respect, but I also cherish you. Do you not know that?” Second Master Rong tried to get closer.

Concubine Wang blushed crimson with embarrassment and hurried away.

But Second Master Rong would not let her, blocking her path and letting her forcefully push him aside. Taking advantage of the situation, he grabbed a handful of Concubine Wang’s ample breasts. Concubine Wang dared not make a sound and quickly left through the back gate of the second house.

Second Master Rong brought his hand to his nose and smelled a pleasant fragrance. A smile played on his lips as he hummed a little tune and entered Concubine Mei’s room.