The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort

attitude stirred Jiang Dan to glance at her several times. 

* * *

So this was how the offering of condolences at Langzhong fu went.
Generally speaking, it passed without mishap, but in the midst of it, Zuo Jiang’s eyes once again strayed to pass over Jiang Dan’s figure, although his manner appeared to be completely respectful.
His intention was difficult to discern.
Consequently, Old Jiang Madame once again flew into a rage and heaped a torrent of verbal abuse on Jiang Quan, saying that if it had not been for Jiang Quan and Second Yiniang creating such a big fuss, the Jiang family would never have fallen to such depths of becoming a laughing stock at present.
Jiang Quan steeled his face in response, but his expression was so sombre that one could almost see the gloom hanging over him like a cloud[5].

[5] 沉得能滴出水来 (chen de neng di chu shui lai) – lit.
the atmosphere is so submerged in gloom that one could squeeze water out of it.

The courtyard where Jiang fu’s Second Yiniang resided was now a desolate place.
The flowers at the window had not been watered for a long time, and all of them seem to have died overnight.
Weeds grew everywhere.
Second Yiniang had always paid particular attention to all these, and as she loved splendour and majesty, there had always been a multitude of jade, gold, and silver artefacts placed in the courtyard.
Now, it seemed as if the courtyard had been looted, for the shelves and racks were completely bereft. 

The ground was festooned with dust and cobwebs, and the air reeked of decay.
The windows of the residence were all shut, as if those inside feared the smallest hint of sunlight.
The curtains were closely drawn, and in the summer heat, emitted a damp stench. 

The person on the bed was curled up in a tight ball with her hands wrapped around her shoulders.
Those elegant, almond-shaped phoenix eyes with their touch of arrogance were now blood-shot, and hysteria lurked within them. 

The maidservant moved the bowl of medicine in her hands closer to the figure and said softly, “Yiniang, you should take your medicine.”

Second Yiniang jumped up, as if shocked out of her imagination, and grabbed the maidservant, muttering urgently, “No time to take medicine, Li’er is being bullied in Langzhong fu.
Damn that Zuo family, how dare they treat Li’er like this, I must seek a proper explanation on Li’er’s behalf!”

That maidservant’s arm was throbbing in Second Yiniang’s grip, but she dared not struggle free.
Her eyes reddened, and she said, cautiously, “Yiniang, Third Miss has already died.”

“What nonsense is this!” Second Yiniang said as she slapped the maidservant across the face.
“If I hear such disgraceful and disrespectful words again, I’ll tear off your mouth and sell you to the lowest brothel!”

The maidservant tearfully held her face but said nothing out of fear.
Out of the blue, Second Yiniang then looked at her apologetically and said, “Yang Liu, I didn’t mean to slap you, the only person I can trust right now is you .
.
.”.
She suddenly grabbed her head and wailed in agony, “My Li’er is dead, she is dead! She died in Langzhong fu, the Zuo family is responsible for her death, she’s dead, my Li’er!”

Second Yiniang’s deranged behaviour so scared the maidservant that she did not notice the pain in her arm and said in a rush, “Yiniang, Yiniang, you’re sick again, just take the medicine, take the medicine and you’ll feel better.”

After Second Yiniang started to become problematic, Jiang Quan had confined her to her residence, with only Yang Liu to wait upon her.
When the fits of madness came upon Second Yiniang, there was no way Yang Liu could hold on to her alone.
Jiang Li’s death had been a tremendous shock to Second Yiniang, such that she had a nervous breakdown.
The doctor had simply prescribed some medication to soothe her nerves.
Thus it happened that such an ambitious and wilful person plunged to a distressing end, truly a sight to sob over. 

Yang Liu was at her wits’ end, when she heard the door ‘squeak’ open.
Then, a gentle, clear voice sounded in the room, “You can go now, I am here.”

Yang Liu was taken aback as she turned around, and stuttered, “Fourth, Fourth Miss.”

The visitor was dressed in a light yellow skirt, with a shy yet tranquil smile upon her face.
In a soft voice, she said, “I am here to console Second Yiniang.”

Yang Liu looked at Second Yiniang with some concern.
However, when she looked at Jiang Dan and met the gaze directed at her, she was utterly astonished.
The eyes of the previously cowardly and incompetent Fourth Miss were now like knives, sending chills down the spine of anyone who saw them as they brimmed over with the intent of a snake lying in wait for prey.
Yang Liu clenched her teeth and summoned up her courage to say, “Then, this servant will trouble Fourth Miss.” She bowed her head and ran out.

Second Yiniang was still clutching her head and thrashing around in agony on the bed.
Jiang Dan walked silently to her.
After a long moment in which she seemed to enjoy the sight before her, she said, “So, Second Yiniang, what’s the consequence of seizing someone’s fated marriage?”

Second Yiniang trembled all over, and her low wails became even more agonised.
Jiang Dan took her time to say, “Second Yiniang is a clever person, and has always been ruthless, which is how you were able to move so swiftly and decisively to take Dan niang’s destined marriage away from her.
What now? Are you trying to feign madness in order to evade suffering?”

Second Yiniang finally raised her head and stared fiercely at Jiang Dan.
“That should have been your fate, Li’er died in your place, you evil jinx[6], it was you who caused Li’er’s death, you changed place with my Li’er .
.
.” When she finished speaking, she made as if to spring up threateningly.
However, she had been confined in the residence for a long time, and had become increasingly haggard in the past few days.
With a slight twist, Jiang Dan easily escaped her.

[6] 扫把星 (sao ba xing) – lit.
broom star.
Bearer of ill luck / person with the evil eye / comet.
Comets were often regarded as evil omens and are called ‘broom stars’ because, when they move, their ‘tails’ are shaped like a broom.

“Second Yiniang’s words are very strange,” Jiang Dan said laughingly.
“At that time, was it me who wanted to toss the marriage to Second Yiniang? No, it was Father and Second Yiniang who thought of a way to snatch the marriage from Dan niang’s hands.
Third Sister might have been happy for a long time, but who knows why Second Yiniang chose this marriage for her which ultimately became the means of sending her off to the underworld.” Jiang Dan sighed softly before continuing, “Truly a sin.”

Second Yiniang’s body went soft and she collapsed on the ground.
“You .
.
.” She could not utter anything more than that because Jiang Dan had not spoken falsely, it was all because of her, because she wanted this marriage, because she was unwilling to allow Jiang Dan to achieve such a good marriage when both she and Jiang Li were shu daughters.
She had rashly allowed her own father to come and persuade Jiang Quan to change the geng tie so that it would be Jiang Li.
Who could have known the person who would suffer for her single act of selfishness would be her own daughter; Second Yiniang bitterly regretted what she had done!

Jiang Dan observed Second Yiniang’s grief with satisfaction for a good while before she said, indifferently, “I can sympathise with Second Yiniang’s sorrow.
I am here today to remind Second Yiniang not to blame the wrong person and in so doing, allow the real murderer to escape to enjoy a happy life.”

“The real murderer?” Second Yiniang looked up abruptly. 

“Yes.” Jiang Dan’s tranquil smile flickered into something a little peculiar for a split second.
“Doesn’t Second Yiniang think that the circumstances of Third Sister’s death are too strange? It’s true, Third Sister’s marriage should have been my responsibility to assume, so I intentionally made a few inquiries.
Who would have guessed that while everything looks all right on the surface, but once I started to ask around, I found out something very interesting.”

“What was it?” Second Yiniang grabbed Jiang Dan’s hand, her impatience showing in her eyes.
Jiang Dan smiled faintly as she patted Second Yiniang’s hand and said, “Speaking of this matter, it’s something I did not dare to believe because, in the end, it has to do with Da Jiejie.”

“Jiang Ruan?” Second Yiniang’s expression changed, and she said, “How could it involve her?”

“Da Jiejie is a naturally outstanding beauty, and every young nobleman in the capital is full of admiration for her; Third Prince was no exception.
On the day of the wedding between Third Sister and Zuo Langzhong, Third Prince asked Zuo Langzhong to help him arrange a meeting with Da Jiejie.
At first, this was not a big deal, but Da Jiejie bragged that she was an unmarried, virtuous lady, with close connections to the Emperor and people of power, and naturally, did not want to bring any shame to the royal family.
Third Sister merely wanted to help Jiefu, and never thought that Da Jiejie would get so angry and take it out on her.
It was Da Jiejie’s anger which landed Third Sister and Jiefu in their predicament on the second day.” Jiang Dan said all this unhurriedly, her tone blase, as if retelling a story, and made Second Yiniang feel even more depressed. 

Different emotions crossed Second Yiniang’s face; she seemed to want to cry and laugh at the same time.
After a long time, she gritted out, “You say all this, but where is your proof?”

Jiang Dan laughed lightly and said, “Second Yiniang still doesn’t believe Dan niang’s words.
Don’t tell me that Second Yiniang doesn’t feel that something is off? That day, after Third Sister’s wedding ceremony, Da Jiejie entered the palace.
If not for the protection of someone in the palace, how could Da Jiejie behave in such an unscrupulous manner? If Second Yiniang still doesn’t believe me, you can always go and ask around for yourself.
However, at the moment, it is still difficult for Second Yiniang to go out, and the only person you can believe is me.”

Her every syllable, every word pierced Second Yiniang’s heart and mind.
After Jiang Dan had finished speaking, Second Yiniang believed her.
Even if it was a lie, the lie was absolutely flawless.
More importantly, the pain of bereavement rendered Second Yiniang completely unable to bear the burden of any responsibility.
Whenever she thought about how what had happened to Jiang Li was due to her actions, Second Yiniang desperately wanted to claw out her heart.
Now, with Jiang Dan’s words, Second Yiniang had a means to unburden herself; she could channel all her hatred and bitterness onto Jiang Ruan.
How could she not be happy about this? 

“Jiang Ruan, she harmed my Li’er.
I want her buried with her!” Second Yiniang clenched her fists, her eyes practically spitting fire. 

“Currently, Father is very angry with Second Yiniang , if Second Yiniang wants to avenge Third Sister, you must not behave impulsively.
Otherwise, not only will you fail to win justice for Third Sister, you will implicate yourself.”

Jiang Dan’s voice was cool and indifferent, causing Second Yiniang to come to her senses.
Jiang Dan continued, “If Second Yiniang still wants to avenge Third Sister, the best way is for you to obediently listen to me.”

Second Yiniang took stock of Jiang Dan’s tranquil, smiling expression, and could not repress a shudder.
For the first time, she realised how frightful this cowardly, incapable, solitary young woman was.
With this kind of scheming mind, if it had been Jiang Li having to face off against her at that time, Jiang Li would have been no match for her.
She murmured, “Why are you doing this?”

“Da Jiejie is living too good a life,” Jiang Dan said as cruelty flashed in her eyes for an instant.
“She’s living so well, but I’m struggling in the quagmire.
How can I resign myself to such a life? Why not drag her down with me?”