Yuan Qi was carving a jade talisman with a carving knife when Li Guiqie walked in with Jiang Junjing, Jiang Junyu, and Jiang Jiulu.
Seeing that Yuan Qi was busy, the three of them didn't dare to disturb him.
Yuan Qi looked up after finishing the stroke: "What does Aunt Li want with me?"
In fact, she had already guessed why they had come.
Concubine Li's eyes were red, and she choked out, "I want to set up a longevity tablet for my son. I plan to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers every day to bless him so that he can be reborn into a good family in the future. What do you think is the best way to do this?"
“He never harmed anyone when he was a ghost, and he died innocently. I have already asked the Black Impermanence for a favor, and he will be born safely and live a life of wealth and honor in his next life. If Aunt Li wants to set up a longevity tablet, she can do so at the Fusang Temple.” Yuan Qi gently stroked the jade tablet that was not yet finished being carved, wondering when he would be able to let his mother enter the Jiang family ancestral hall.
Hearing this, Concubine Li cried even harder: "If it weren't for Xiangli Mingzhu, my son would surely have lived a peaceful, wealthy, and prosperous life. It's pitiful that my son has wandered for so many years, yet he still hasn't forgotten to protect me. I will never let Xiangli Mingzhu get away with this!"
Yuan Qi didn't want to get involved in the Jiang family's trivial matters. When Consort Li spoke from the side, she listened listlessly. Although it was not very polite, Consort Li didn't feel embarrassed.
Concubine Li even pulled up a chair and sat down face to face with Yuan Qi, recounting how Xiangli Mingzhu had fought against her back then.
She muttered for almost an hour before stopping, her emotions much calmer. After wiping away the last tear, she smiled sheepishly and said, "Look at you, you're still just a child. Why am I telling you all this?"
She finally remembered her real purpose for coming here. She took a small box from Jiang Junjing and placed it in front of Yuan Qi: "You've helped my son so much, I have to give you some money."
Yuan Qi knew that her two sons were very capable, and that they could come up with a million taels of silver.
She opened the box and glanced inside. It was full of coins in the denomination of a thousand taels, a thick stack that conservatively estimated to be worth over one hundred thousand taels.
She thought to herself that she hadn't given any donations to the Fusang Temple recently, so she pushed the box back: "Aunt Li, you're too kind. I don't intend to accept these silver notes. The Fusang Temple regularly provides porridge and medicine to the poor, which is a huge expense. You can use some of these silver notes to buy some grain and herbs in the name of the Fusang Temple, and use the rest to buy grain and herbs in Jiang Junli's name to provide to the poor for free. This will accumulate merit for Jiang Junli and help him in his next life."
"Yes." Concubine Li repeatedly assured her that she would go to Fusang Temple as soon as possible.
The next morning, Yuan Qi went to pay his respects to Old Madam Bai as usual, and saw that Old Madam Bai was frowning and her maid, Fang Mama, was also sighing. It was obvious that something had happened.
Yuan Qi was not one to meddle in other people's business, so he pretended not to see it.
Today, Xiangli Mingzhu did not come to pay her respects to the old lady, nor did Jiang Bailu and Jiang Songlu. It is said that all three of them developed a high fever yesterday and were talking nonsense in their sleep. The imperial physicians stayed with them all night, and Jiang Bailu and Jiang Songlu's fevers subsided by dawn, but Xiangli Mingzhu's high fever persisted.
After a perfunctory greeting, Yuan Qi came out, and Jiang Jiulu caught up with her, gossiping about what was happening with Xiangli Mingzhu.
"Mother seems terrified. She went mad for a long time last night. Even He Xiang and several maids couldn't hold her down. Father also stayed by her side for the first time ever, and ordered the imperial physician to do everything possible to cure her. In my opinion, this is retribution. So many of my younger siblings died at her hands. Letting her go mad is too good for her."
Back at Peony Residence, Shen Xun at the door told her that Jiang Zhengqing was waiting for her inside.
"Father." Yuan Qi bowed obediently as soon as he entered the door.
Jiang Zhengqing sat at her desk, holding the jade plaque she had half-carved in her hand, her thumb gently stroking the patterns.
He glanced at Yuan Qi and said, "The imperial physician said your mother needs to rest for a while, so please don't disturb her during this time. As for Du Haitang's son, I've decided that your mother will no longer raise him. Lin Mei from Chun Guang Courtyard will raise him instead. She and Du Haitang are very close and visit each other often. I've already decided to have Lin Mei move out of Chun Guang Courtyard, give her her own courtyard, and give her a proper status as a concubine."
Yuan Qi stared at Jiang Zhengqing with a cool gaze, and spoke obediently, but what he said made people uncomfortable.
"Why is Father telling me all this? This is a matter for your inner quarters. As long as you have a clear conscience, there's no need to tell me specifically." Yuan Qi could tell that Jiang Zhengqing was feeling guilty.
As expected, Jiang Zhengqing frowned, unsure whether Yuan Qi was genuinely ignorant or feigning ignorance. Couldn't she tell? He was giving the "Celestial Master" an explanation!
"Ahem," Jiang Zhengqing cleared his throat, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable as if he were speaking to a superior. "I want to ask you, regarding Du Haitang's matter and the children's matter, will I...?"
He didn't know how to start the next part.
Yuan Qi understood the mindset of these kinds of people very well; they were basically like thieves with a guilty conscience.
"Will they suffer retribution?" Yuan Qi asked directly.
Jiang Zhengqing felt embarrassed when his thoughts were exposed.
Yuan Qi chuckled, offering a polite smile that seemed both sarcastic and meant to cover up the other person's embarrassment.
"Of course it will. This matter is related to you. If you hadn't hinted to your mother, would she have been so cruel to those women in the Spring Light Courtyard and your children? You will be held accountable after you die."
Jiang Zhengqing's face darkened. His daughter was good in every way, except that she wasn't good at speaking and always said the most unpleasant things.
They're not very good at interpersonal relationships and don't know how to save face for others.
"Then, how can I atone for my sins?" He felt it was shameful to say these things in front of his daughter, and he didn't want to see her again.
What should I do?
"Do good deeds and accumulate merit. For example, use your authority to benefit the people and provide disaster relief when disasters occur. In short, do as many good deeds as possible to accumulate merit."
Jiang Zhengqing had completely lost face in front of Yuan Qi.
Yuan Qi felt he had said what he wanted to say, but the other person still wouldn't leave, staring at him.
Yuan Qi pouted and looked at him.
Jiang Zhengqing couldn't help but speak up, his tone quite resentful: "You've given protective charms to others, why not mine?"
Yuan Qi snorted: "I've been here for several days, and I haven't seen you give me anything."
Although reluctant, she still took out a jade amulet from her cloth bag, placed it lightly on the table, and asked for money without ceremony: "Jade amulets are more effective, one thousand taels each, no cheating."
Jiang Zhengqing picked up the jade talisman and glared angrily: "Why are you being so formal with your father?"
"Do you treat me like a daughter?" Yuan Qi retorted without any politeness.
Jiang Zhengqing snorted and left.
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