When Madam Ban decided to leave, she left. The next morning when Lu Nianfu woke up and asked Hongshao to report the good news to Madam Ban outside the palace, she learned that Madam Ban had already departed with Yan Qing early that morning.
Zeng Weiyang threw a tantrum, but no one in the manor paid her any mind.
Without Madam Ban as a connection, appealing to Lu Nianfu was out of the question. However, she didn't return to Prince Ning's manor either. Here, she was still the second young lady; her food, clothing, and daily necessities were not neglected. It was different back at Prince Ning's manor. Not only were the provisions for a concubine meager, but she also had to pay respects to Noble Consort Jian regularly. Perhaps she hadn't had her fill of being a mother-in-law, but now she was making up for it with relentless torment.
What's more, Prince Ning's secondary wife was a princess married for political alliance. Zeng Weiyang dared not disrupt diplomatic relations, so she could only take her frustrations out on the pitiful concubines like them.
Hongshao vividly recounted the information from the servants at Marquis Pingning's manor. Lu Nianfu said, "Forget it. Anyway, the imperial decree will be issued soon. By then, it will be a surprise for her."
However, "When did Zeng Weiyang return to her maternal home?"
"Before the New Year. As soon as Eunuch Li sent the invitation for a palace banquet to Madam Pingning, she went home. It's said she even tried to enter the palace with Madam Pingning, but she was refused."
"What did she want to do in the palace?"
"She said Noble Consort Jian summoned her to set rules, and she couldn't bear it, so she specifically went back to seek help. Recently, she's been pestering Madam Pingning, hoping she would intercede for her to remarry." Hongshao pouted. Remarriage was a privilege of a legitimate wife. For someone like her, a mere concubine, to remarry was simply a matter of the Noble Consort's word.
But clearly, the Noble Consort had no intention of saying that word.
Actually, in her opinion, Situ Jue had passed away at such a young age, and these women would have to accompany him in death.
It was a pity that Emperor Changwu had long abolished the custom of human sacrifice and had directly dismissed the women in Prince Ning's manor who had not yet borne children.
Lu Nianfu naturally wouldn't go to trouble Noble Consort Jian for Zeng Weiyang's sake. Thinking that Madam Ban had not mentioned Zeng Weiyang at all during her several visits to the palace, she felt even happier. Her mother was truly on her side.
March
Madam Ban and Yan Qing arrived in Lingnan.
Ban Shuyue was seven years younger than Yan Qing, but he looked as if he were seven years older. When the incident happened, he was only ten years old. His impression of his elder sister, Madam Ban, was far less profound than that of Ban Shuyun. But upon seeing his family, he was very emotional. He pulled her to see Ban Shuyun, "Sister, Eldest Brother talks about you every day. He'll be very happy to see you."
Ban Shuyun was on his deathbed. He was indeed very happy to see Madam Ban. He mustered his remaining strength and held her hand, "Ah Hua, Eldest Brother thought he would never see you again."
"Eldest Brother, don't talk nonsense. Xi Xi is already the Empress, and our family is not short of money. With good doctors and medicine, you will surely get better."
"Before Mother passed away, you were her greatest concern. For our family, your good marriage with that boy from the Yan family was broken just like that. Now..."
"Eldest Brother, don't worry. Brother Yan, Brother Yan is here too. Brother Yan..."
Seeing Yan Qing walk in, Ban Shuyun's eyes suddenly lit up. "You two... are together again?"
Yan Qing said, "Fate plays tricks, Eldest Brother. Don't worry, I will take good care of Shuhua from now on."
"Good, good, good. Seeing you two together, Eldest Brother can finally die in peace." He placed Ban Shuhua's hand into Yan Qing's and closed his eyes with peace.
He suddenly felt the hands he was holding go limp. Madam Ban was stunned. Yan Qing reached out to check his breathing, "Shuhua, Eldest Brother has passed away."
Madam Ban let out a wail and burst into tears.