The birth of the child changed the dynamics of the mansion. She was particularly grateful to the two midwives, secretly rewarding them with a substantial amount of silver. Out of guilt, the midwives cautioned her to be wary of the Madam, but revealed little else.
At this point, Lu Yuntai was shocked. She wasn't foolish, but her sheltered life had prevented her from considering such matters. Though she detested the Madam fiercely, she had never contemplated taking her life.
Recalling the intense discomfort as the two midwives pressed on her belly, and how after they left and the master promised them a thousand taels each, the subsequent pressure felt considerably less painful. A dreadful possibility dawned on her, chilling her to the bone. This was her first glimpse of the Madam's cruelty.
To confirm her suspicions, she bribed one of the midwives. The midwife hesitated, "Madam, I shouldn't be telling you this. Forget the hundreds of taels I received today. I only beg you to speak well of us to the Master and spare our lives. We are ordinary townsfolk, trying to survive. When the First Madam found us, we knew there was no turning back. We already knew her secret. Today, we defied her orders, and she will surely retaliate."
Lu Yuntai instinctively took a step back, murmuring, "So it's all true?"
The midwife, accustomed to serving the wealthy families of this border town, saw Lu Yuntai's naivete. She spoke with earnest concern, "Strictly speaking, I shouldn't say this, but to save my own life, I must say more. I heard they are all from the capital, and the capital is far more intricate. Even if the young master is born safely today, no one can guarantee he will grow up unharmed. It all depends on you, Madam."
"You mean she intends to harm him?" Lu Yuntai looked at her in shock.
The midwife quickly knelt, her sincerity evident. "One should not harbor ill intentions, but one must be on guard. If she could cause a double fatality today, what else would she not dare to do?"
Lu Yuntai remained lost in thought, the midwife's words far beyond her comprehension. After a long while, she sighed, "Though you were bought off by her, I will spare you this time and guarantee your safety. There is one condition: I will summon you frequently. You will reveal everything you know about the inner workings of a noble household, without omission."
The midwives were overjoyed and quickly pledged their full cooperation.
From then on, a fierce struggle ensued between the two Madams. Initially, Lu Yuntai was at a disadvantage, but after witnessing various intrigues within the household, she learned to apply them, gradually matching her opponent.
Five years passed. When Shangguan Ke was sixteen, the master of the Shangguan household, along with his entire family, returned to the capital.
Upon reaching the capital, Lu Yuntai learned that there was a principal wife in the mansion. She suddenly felt a surge of bitter amusement. For so many years, the master had neither informed her of this fact nor offered any support during difficult times. This left her feeling deeply resentful, abandoning all hope in the man.
Madam Shangguan had endured years of waiting for news of Master Shangguan. Early that morning, she retrieved her most beautiful attire and opulent jewelry, meticulously grooming herself. For years, she had failed to win the man's heart, and her son, influenced by his grandmother, had grown distant from her, greeting her with a cold demeanor. She resolved to mend their relationship.
The more distant he became, the more she yearned for a lifeline, and that lifeline was her beloved husband. Master Shangguan dismounted first and approached the carriage, helping out two women dressed as concubines and a child. Madam Shangguan felt her world crumble. If only she could faint on the spot.
At the welcoming banquet that evening, Old Madam Shangguan and Master Shangguan displayed a touching mother-son bond. Afterward, he happily introduced the newcomers he had brought to Old Madam Shangguan.
Old Madam Shangguan looked at Qian Han and sighed, handing her a set of prepared jewelry. "My child, why are you so stubborn? Couldn't you have discussed anything with us properly? Why did you have to follow all the way to the border?"
"I was afraid my uncle and aunt wouldn't agree. Who knew I was so fond of my cousin?" Qian Han shyly glanced at Master Shangguan, who returned her gaze with affection.
It was then that Madam Shangguan realized this concubine had such ties to the Shangguan family. The Old Madam's attitude towards her was clearly unusual. What pained her even more was that no one seemed surprised by their arrival; only she had never heard of them.
Throughout the banquet, Madam Shangguan felt like an outsider, silently partaking in the meal. Listening to their laughter and merriment, she felt her world collapsing.
The next day, she fell ill. In the past, she would have endured her sickness to pay her respects to the Old Madam. But now, her heart was dead. Life seemed hopeless. Staring blankly at the ceiling, she thought that dying might not be so bad.
Upon hearing of her illness, the Old Madam considered it an ill omen and complained to those around her, "Madam Shangguan is being dramatic. Who is she trying to fool?"
A few days later, she was bedridden. Shangguan Ke, upon hearing the news, sneaked into her room, his demeanor somewhat awkward. "I overheard the servants discussing that Mother harbors suicidal thoughts. I know you've had a very difficult life these past years. But rest assured, when I can establish myself independently, I will bring you out to enjoy the blessings of old age."
Madam Shangguan's tears flowed uncontrollably. She never expected her son to care so much. She had thought he had been thoroughly misguided by his grandmother and would ignore her.
Shangguan Ke understood her inner thoughts. He sighed, "The reason I kept my distance from you was to protect you. Think about it, if we were too close, how would Grandmother react?"
At that moment, Madam Shangguan felt a flicker of comfort. Her suffering during pregnancy hadn't been in vain. There was, after all, a blood relative who silently cared for her. She berated herself for being so blind for so many years, misjudging him. She knew without a doubt that if the Old Madam discovered how highly she was regarded by her son, she would torment her to death.
After Shangguan Ke's visit, Madam Shangguan's entire demeanor changed. Within a single day, her illness had largely abated. Shangguan Ke was overjoyed and happily went to study with his tutor.
That afternoon, he returned home, secretly bringing his mother some delicacies. To his surprise, he was greeted by a courtyard filled with white. His mind went blank. He rushed frantically towards his mother's room, pushing past everyone, and insisted on reaching her bedside.
They tried desperately to block Shangguan Ke, but Madam Shangguan's face was ashen, her lips black, clear signs of poisoning, which he witnessed firsthand.