Chapter 73: A Good Life
She tossed and turned that night and couldn't sleep. Yang Haiping, like her, came to help prepare for the wedding. If this matter was not settled after her cousin got married, she would never have the chance to meet him again.
So after everything around her died down, she secretly hid it from everyone and rushed back to her husband's house overnight, intending to file for divorce from him.
On the dark mountain road, night owls cried and the fog was thick. She had heard that ghosts and wolves lurked in the forests, and people who walked alone at night would often be torn to pieces and eaten.
But she thought about the look in her neighbor's second daughter-in-law's eyes, and thought about her saying, "Meixi, I'm going to die, and you'll be too..."
It was as if a raging fire was burning in her chest. Resentment and pain made her rush across mountains and rivers to return home overnight.
But she knew that her cousin was no longer the same as before. How could the family who were expecting her to rise to prosper let her go? Not only did they refuse her outright, they also threatened that they would never let her go in their lifetime, so she gave up the idea.
Knowing that she could not get the divorce papers and would never be able to leave this family, she angrily brought the small mercury jar that her husband kept in the outer room to the bedside and secretly poured all the mercury under the bed.
Anyway, she couldn't escape the sea of suffering, and as a goldsmith, he would inevitably become as miserable as his master. It would just depend on who suffered more.
She left overnight, but her parents-in-law gave her the small shoes and hat they had prepared long ago, asking her to take them to the palace to share in the good news and pray for conceiving a son soon.
She took it, and when passing the ditch where her daughter was abandoned, amid the sound of rushing water, she took out the small shoes and hat embroidered with "Guizi Liner" from her arms and threw them into the rushing water without hesitation.
She quickened her pace and plunged into the darkness, heading towards the terrifying and confusing road ahead without looking back.
"But I didn't know that mercury, while harmless in small amounts, is highly toxic when used as a fumigation. But I..." Lady Dingxiang said, then smiled wryly and said, "At least, I've lived twenty more years, and those were good twenty years."
After her ex-husband's family died, she observed mourning for three years and secretly used countless tricks to finally keep Yang Haiping's heart and marry into the Yang family as she wished.
She used the excuse that she was unable to have children because of Yang Huaijiang's biological mother, and after selling all the concubines, she had her own son; she took care of everything in the Yang family, and finally became the wife of a county lady, and lived a free life until her husband died.
She had lived a pretty good life.
Only in her dreams at midnight would she occasionally think of the only child she had given birth to with such great effort. Before she had the chance to hold her or give her a sip of milk, she had already left forever.
"I've made a terrible mistake in this life, and I have no regrets in my death. I just hope... that Jiazhi's child will be well, and not... not be hated or abandoned..."
Lady Dingxiang collapsed to the ground, too weak to stand. She raised her hand, tugged at Qiandeng's dress, and murmured, "Auntie is so sorry for you. I almost got you into trouble... But I can't help it. This is the only way I can find for this child. The Huang family doesn't want this granddaughter, but Jiazhi is married into the family, and she must return to the Huang family. Princess Gao said that if this child can receive the grace of heaven, and if the Empress Dowager, the Consort Dowager, and the Queen hold the child during their prayers, and if they receive help from noble people, the Huang family will surely not dare to cause trouble and will accept her... She can grow up safely, and Jiazhi can return to the Huang family..."
Princess Gao's expression changed drastically when she heard her say this, and she immediately interrupted, "You vicious woman with blood on your hands! What nonsense are you talking about! When have I ever conspired with you?"
Xiao Fuyu was also horrified. He hurriedly grabbed the prince's hand and leaned close to his ear, begging, "Your Highness, can you please not..."
The rest of the words got stuck in my throat and could no longer be squeezed out.
Because the prince had left her and walked to the queen's side, and like everyone else present, his eyes were fixed on Qiandeng.
It seemed that not responding to her was the best answer to her.
"Bring the child here." The queen smiled faintly, stretched out her hand, and gestured to the palace maid holding the child.
She took the child in her arms, opened her swaddling clothes and took a look, then raised her hand to tickle her little cheek.
A newborn baby cannot make facial expressions yet, but she can naturally feel when her cheek is gently touched. Her little mouth pouts and her squinting eyes seem to be smiling.
The Queen also smiled and brought her to the Queen Mother, saying, "This child is quite good. She suffered such a bumpy ride right after birth, yet she didn't cry or make a fuss. She's quite stable."
Li Zi next to him leaned over to look at the baby girl in the cradle with a look of curiosity.
The Queen Mother looked at her and nodded, saying, "How could such a good child not be favored by her grandparents? Tell the two elders of the Huang family that the Queen and I both like this child and that you must not mistreat your granddaughter!"
Lady Dingxiang kowtowed heavily, tears streaming down her face.
With such an opportunity, this child will surely be protected and favored by the Huang family in the future.
The Queen signaled the maid to return the child to Qiandeng, then said to Madam Dingxiang, "Did you hear that? The Queen Mother and I, when we praise or criticize, all come from our hearts. No one in this world can influence that."
These words were spoken lightly, but everyone knew that they were meant for Princess Gao.
Princess Gao's face turned pale and blue, and she forced a smile and said, "I was just guessing. I thought the Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness the Queen would like it."
The Empress fixed her gaze on her, pondering her own decision. "Although the Grand Princess of Gao's misstep was unintentional, she first recommended the County Lady's husband without due process, and then took the initiative to take the newborn baby away, violating the law. How about this: when Lady Qi's funeral is held, the Grand Princess of Gao's mansion will be responsible for transplanting a hundred pine and cypress trees to the mountain mausoleum to comfort the deceased. Is the Grand Princess willing?"
Although there were articles of punishment, it seemed that the Queen only punished her for her personal moral faults, thus separating her from Li Gaosheng and Monk Guanding.
Princess Gao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stated, "Yes, I am convinced and will obey Her Majesty the Queen's order."
The Empress nodded slightly and gestured to Cui Fufeng, saying, "The court has handed over all matters, big or small, concerning the Changhua Palace to your Dali Temple for handling. Now that the truth is known and the case is clear, you will be fair and just and handle everything according to the law."
Cui Fufeng bowed and said, "Yes."
Princess Gao stared at Madam Dingxiang, who was still kneeling on the ground, and said angrily, "Your Highness, this vicious woman is responsible for four or five deaths. She is truly a heinous crime. Since the Lingling County Commander has analyzed the case so clearly, why not punish her directly?"
The Queen naturally knew that she wanted to cut the Gordian knot to avoid further trouble. A look of annoyance and coldness flashed in her eyes, but she did not say anything.
Cui Fufeng said loudly, "Although the truth has been revealed, there is still one last piece of the case that remains unclear. I need Madam Dingxiang's assistance."
The Queen asked, "What else?"
"That's Shi Jingning, another important figure in this case. His whereabouts are still unknown. He escaped with the help of Madam Dingxiang. I'm sure Madam knows his exact whereabouts."
"Yun, the Dali Temple and the Changhua Palace will continue to investigate this matter. Once Shi Jingning is found, we will close the case together."
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