Chapter 1: Died from Anger
“If it weren’t for your failure in teaching your son properly, how could the Marquis of Weiyuan’s residence have fallen to such a state? And how could your sister-in-law have fallen ill from the hardships of life? It’s only right for you to use money to buy some bird’s nest to help her recover.”
The heavy snow had fallen for three days and nights, blanketing the world in white and turning Xin An’s hair gray. Six months ago, her son had been implicated in a case that cost the Marquis of Weiyuan their title. The entire household was thrown out onto the streets, barely managing to survive thanks to a small residence left behind by her family. Otherwise, half of them might not have made it through the winter.
The snow, like goose feathers, seemed endless, as though it would never stop, much like the hopeless days she faced. She had become the sinner in everyone’s eyes.
“Madam.”
Chunyang, with reddened eyes, entered and knelt before Xin An. “The young madam has passed away. Please accept my condolences.”
The blow to her heart was crushing. Clutching the door frame, Xin An struggled to remain standing. Half a year ago, her son had died in prison. Three days ago, her grandson had followed him. And now, without her husband and son, her already frail daughter-in-law could no longer endure.
Lowering her gaze, she gently touched the bracelet on her wrist, recalling the day of her wedding. Her mother had tearfully seen her off, her always-strict father had red-rimmed eyes, and her younger brother was full of reluctance. In the end, she hadn’t lived up to their hopes.
“Pawn this bracelet,” she said softly. “Use the money to give her a proper funeral and bury the three of them together.”
Tang Rong glanced at the bracelet, his brows furrowing slightly. “That top-quality white jade bracelet is worth a thousand taels of silver. Keep the funeral simple, and use the remaining silver to buy some bird’s nest for your sister-in-law to nourish her health. It’s cold—also prepare some silk bedding and high-quality charcoal for her.”
“Now that we have no son or grandson, we’ll have to rely on Zihui to take care of us in our old age. Stop being so harsh and treat your sister-in-law better.”
“I once promised my stepmother that when I passed, the marquis title would go to Zihui. It was your poor teaching that led to this mess. You owe Zihui a title.”
“I recall you still have an old ginseng root. Zihui was merely implicated in the case, so with some maneuvering, he might still have a chance. Give me the ginseng—it’s your compensation to Zihui.”
This was the most Tang Rong had spoken to Xin An since the household had been confiscated. Without waiting for her reply, he added, “Hurry and bring it over. Your sister-in-law isn’t feeling well; I’ll go check on her.”
Tang Rong’s figure quickly disappeared into the wind and snow. Xin An stared at the falling snow, still unable to understand. Her son had been so outstanding, the epitome of integrity. How could he have committed such massive corruption, even openly slandering the emperor?
The ginseng was gone; only an empty box remained. Chunyang said Tang Hui had taken it the day before. It couldn’t be clearer. Xin An exhaled slowly. In the past six months, her grief over her son’s death had drained her of energy, allowing that mother and son duo to grow more and more arrogant.
In the west wing, Tang Rong looked at Tao Yiran’s rosy complexion with satisfaction. “The cold-preventing pills really worked. You look much better these past two days.”
Tao Yiran gently touched her cheek, her eyes filled with joy, though her words were modest. “The pills are precious; my condition wasn’t that serious. It’s a waste to use them.”
Tang Rong poured her half a cup of warm water. “As long as they’re effective, no expense is too great.”
Tao Yiran smiled faintly, her well-maintained face showing a trace of girlish charm. “It’s a burden for my sister-in-law to spend so much.”
“She should. You’re just too kind,” Tang Rong said.
Outside, Chunyang helped Xin An as they stood in shock. Xin An froze, recalling the little boy who had nestled in her arms, asking if his grandfather would be cold fetching medicine for him in the snow and if taking the imperial doctor’s medicine would stop the pain. His bright eyes had looked expectantly at the door, waiting for his grandfather to bring the medicine.
Before closing his eyes for the last time, he’d said to wake him when the medicine arrived. He wasn’t afraid of the bitterness; he wanted to grow tall like his father.
Tang Rong had returned empty-handed, saying they were criminals and the imperial doctors wouldn’t sell them medicine. He’d also taken the opportunity to berate her again for her failures, breaking her spirit completely.
But now she knew—the cold-preventing pills had been bought but given to Tao Yiran.
Inside the room, the conversation continued. It was Tang Hui’s voice.
“Uncle, I heard my aunt’s family is on their way here. They might bring up my cousin’s death and won’t let it go. If they uncover the truth, I fear for my life.”
“You needn’t worry,” Tang Rong replied. “I planned everything thoroughly. Everyone believes those treasonous remarks were made by Zixuan, and the confiscated money was all in his name. The evidence is irrefutable; there’s no chance of overturning the case.”
Tang Xuan was Tang Rong’s biological son, yet he spoke of him as though he were a stranger. Xin An could barely stand. Her Zixuan had been framed to take the fall for Tang Hui?!
Her family was wealthy salt merchants. How could her Zixuan, of all people, have needed to embezzle?
The truth was clear now—her Zixuan had been wronged, betrayed by his own father!
Inside, the next words chilled her blood.
“As for her family, you don’t need to worry. I’ve already received news—they were attacked by bandits on the road and won’t make it to the capital in this lifetime.”
“And your aunt? Be nicer to her these days. Though she has no money left, she still has some valuable items from her family. If she’s willing to part with them, you might still have a chance at rising again.”
“Thank you, Uncle. Ever since my father’s passing, you’ve cared for my mother and me like your own family.”
“Pfft!”
Xin An spat blood, and Chunyang panicked. “Madam!”
The noise startled those inside. Tang Rong looked at her with a flicker of guilt before regaining his arrogance.
Before she could speak, he declared, “Now that you know, I’ll tell you outright. Your whole life has been about scheming and calculating, with no mercy. Zixuan is just like you.”
“When the family was in trouble, if he had admitted to everything, I could have saved his life. But he refused, even wanting to expose Tang Hui. He cared nothing for brotherhood.”
“As for the pills, the doctor said Ke’er was beyond saving. Giving them to him would’ve been a waste.”
Xin An laughed bitterly. Her life had been absurd.
“Tang Rong, you are shameless.”
“You forced your son to death and caused your grandson’s death. A man like you doesn’t deserve to be buried by a son!”
How sad must her son have felt when he was forced to death by his father?
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