Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Eventually turned green on the head
In the Song Family, some are joyous and some are troubled on this day.
The joy belongs to the second household, expecting a new addition, while the trouble plagues Madam Lu, who has been sleepless because of the news brought by those from Datong.
The next morning, dark circles shaded her eyes.
"Apply more powder under my eyes," Madam Lu instructed her trusted maid, Jixiang, and then asked, "Has Mama Zhou arrived?"
"Madam, the old servant is here," Mama Zhou happened to arrive, glanced at Madam Lu through the copper mirror, and avoided her gaze slightly.
What should be done?
Noticing Mama Zhou’s evasive expression, Madam Lu’s heart tightened with a foreboding feeling.
Her face turned solemn, and the atmosphere instantly chilled. The magpie doing her hair was so nervous that her hand shook, unintentionally pulling off a strand of hair.
Madam Lu cried out in pain and scolded, "Filthy maid, do you intend to tear my head off as well?"
The magpie hurriedly knelt to the ground, kowtowing for forgiveness, and soon her forehead was swollen and red.
Everyone in the room was on edge, each with their heart in their throats.
The Third Madam was exceptionally irritable today.
Mama Zhou rebuked, "Did the little hussy eat pig’s feet last night to have such strength? Get out, you’re not needed here."
The magpie, her eyes red with tears, dared not move, only looked at Madam Lu.
"Why are you still here? Get out!" Madam Lu, irritable, shot her a fierce glare.
Only then did the magpie scurry out, and Mama Zhou waved her hand, ordering everyone in the room to withdraw.
"Madam, calm yourself, there’s no need to upset yourself over that hussy so early in the morning," Mama Zhou appeased with a smile.
Madam Lu sneered, "I fear the real trouble is yet to come."
Mama Zhou: "..."
"Speak, what did that old woman say?" Madam Lu held the jade comb, gently combing her hair as she asked, trying to maintain her composure.
Recalling last night’s banquet, Mama Zhou let out a sigh; this matter couldn’t be concealed, inevitably the shame was unrelenting.
"Last night, the old servant arranged a fine table of food and drinks, poured several cups down that old woman’s throat until she confessed. From Datong, it was said that in June, the master attended a banquet at Magistrate Luo’s residence and when he left, he brought back a woman with the surname Bai, reportedly a distant cousin of Madam Luo."
Clack.
The jade comb in Madam Lu’s hand fell to the ground, breaking into two pieces.
She stared blankly at the broken comb, tears unexpectedly rolling down her face.
Mama Zhou exclaimed in alarm, hurried to pick it up while kneeling, saying, "Madam, this comb, what are we to do?"
Madam Lu snatched the jade comb and forcefully smashed it to the ground, stomping on it. With her furious actions, the comb shattered even further.
Mama Zhou lunged forward to hold her, crying out, "Madam, vent your anger on the old servant if you must, but do not harm yourself, I beg you!"
"As husband and wife who joined hair, he’s betrayed me. What use is this comb to me? What’s the use?" Madam Lu kicked the fragments everywhere, tears relentlessly falling.
This jade comb was given by Song Zhiqing, personally carved with artisans, a token of their love.
This jade comb symbolized their affection, once so deep and intimate, now seemed so utterly ridiculous.
Mama Zhou held her flailing limbs firmly, saying, "That unworthy, the wretch is not worth your self-destruction, Madam."
Madam Lu buried her face in Mama Zhou’s embrace, sobbing, "Mama, he has ultimately betrayed me, betrayed our entire family, how could he dare?"
"Mother?"
Madam Lu’s body went stiff, she turned her head to see Song Ruwei, pale as a sheet, clutching Song Lingzhou’s hand, looking at her with terror-filled eyes.