Chapter 490 — Unwilling
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Before long, .
Ji Hong helped Miao Zhi into the carriage and lifted the curtain, and there, seated inside, was none other than the maid who had called out "use a ghost" so boldly back in the Xixiang Court.
Smiling, she knelt to welcome Miao Zhi and Ji Hong. "The heir apparent said I am to serve the Second Madam from now on."
Ji Hong could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. She laughed. "No wonder you dragged me off to look for Ji Hong!"
Anyone else who suspected ghosts would have hidden indoors and refused to come out, yet this girl had gone running for help the moment she learned the Second Madam was resting in Du Ruo's room. So she had been sent by the heir apparent all along.
Ji Hong sat down beside her with every appearance of warmth, and the two fell into hushed conversation.
The maid told them, "Liu Hong fell down the steps and broke her neck. She is paralyzed from head to toe now, with only her eyes still able to move. The Second Master took pity on her and gave her fifty taels of silver, then had her parents take her home. The imperial physicians say that in her condition, if her family spends silver like water, she might live another three to five years; otherwise she has fifteen or sixteen days at most. And Miss Du Ruo in the Duke's household—she was suddenly taken with a severe illness, and His Grace had her moved to the warm pavilion east of the back garden. They say several imperial physicians have been changed out, and still she shows no improvement. His Grace has already given the order for Lü Zheng's wife to make her burial clothes in advance."
Miao Zhi and Ji Hong exchanged a glance, and both felt a pang of emotion they could not quite name.
Song Han flew into rages at those around him at the slightest provocation, while Song Sui would find a fitting place for anyone who had ever helped him. Set side by side, the difference in character was plain at once. Song Han would never, in this lifetime, climb above Song Zhi.
She settled quietly into Song Zhi's estate.
Within a few days came word of the deaths of both Liu Hong and Du Ruo.
Ji Hong spat on the ground and cursed them as having gotten what they deserved.
Miao Zhi did not see it that way.
Wrong as Liu Hong and Du Ruo had been, without Song Han and Song Cen—the two real culprits—what could weak women like them have done, with their very indenture deeds held in someone else's fist?
The thought of it left Miao Zhi seething with indignation.
Why should Liu Hong and Du Ruo both be dead while Song Han and Song Cen still lived at ease and in pleasure?
This was Song Zhi's estate. Miao Zhi asked the steward, "May I see my own family?"
The steward smiled. "The heir apparent gave orders long ago. You may go wherever you wish—only it would be best not to go far, for fear that someone might stir up trouble and force you back home. Then our heir apparent's arm would not reach you."
Miao Zhi said quickly, "I understand. I only wish to see my elder brother, that he might carry a word home and spare my parents worry."
This was a reason not easily refused, .
The Miao family was greatly startled, and at once sent Miao Anping to accompany Mother Miao on a visit to Miao Zhi.
Before Mother Miao had even steadied herself on her feet, she was already crying out in agitation, "How is it that the Songs have sent you off to a country estate? And what of your food and clothing and expenses? Will they divorce you?"
It cut Miao Zhi like a knife.