Swallow Holding Branch was making plans in her mind, unconsciously tightening her grip on the Jade Lock in her hand. Just as she was drifting into a hazy sleep, the jade pendant in her palm suddenly grew scalding hot.
The abrupt, searing heat jolted Swallow Holding Branch awake. She let go abruptly, and in the dimness of the bed, the Jade Lock that slipped onto the pillow emitted a faint red glow.
The Swallow Bird Holding Branch Pattern on the back of the Jade Lock seemed to be… moving within the halo of light!
Swallow Holding Branch felt a chill run down her spine. As she reached out from under the covers, intending to do something, the swallow bird on the back of the Jade Lock suddenly flapped its wings, burst out from within the lock, and crashed into her embrace.
Swallow Holding Branch’s vision was overwhelmed by a wave of light rushing toward her, and then, she knew nothing more.
Swallow Holding Branch was certain she was dreaming, because in reality, there wouldn’t be a red swallow bird holding a jade-like flower branch circling around her, ultimately merging with her.
A terrifying sense of falling welled up within her. Swallow Holding Branch felt as if she were plummeting into an abyss. When she steadied herself, she found herself standing by the entrance of Cloud-Grasping Pavilion.
Just as Swallow Holding Branch was lost in thought, hurried footsteps approached from inside Cloud-Grasping Pavilion. She turned to look and her pupils instantly contracted.
She saw her father and mother dressed in pale blue robes and gowns, without overly ornate jewelry on their heads or bodies, their faces anxious as they hurried out.
Behind them, Nanny Li followed closely, carrying another Swallow Holding Branch.
These people seemed not to notice Swallow Holding Branch standing right under the corridor eaves. They exited Cloud-Grasping Pavilion and boarded the Blue Canopy Small Oil Carriage used for travel within the inner courtyard.
Swallow Holding Branch noticed that the Colorful Embroidery Belt with Cloud Pattern Made of Five-Colored Glass Beads that originally adorned the Blue Canopy Small Oil Carriage, as well as the Large Red Gold-Woven Sachets hanging in the four corners inside the carriage, were all gone.
The Blue Canopy Small Oil Carriage carried the masters of the eldest branch toward Hall of Peaceful Longevity. Swallow Holding Branch watched from behind and began to chase after them with her two short legs. By the time she reached Hall of Peaceful Longevity, she was panting heavily.
Yet the people she had been chasing showed no sign of noticing anything unusual. Servants attended to the masters as they alighted from the carriage and entered Hall of Peaceful Longevity.
Gasping for breath, Swallow Holding Branch followed behind. Entering Hall of Peaceful Longevity and turning past the screen, she saw that Old Master’s condition had worsened further. Wang Caibing sat beside him, continuously wiping tears with a handkerchief.
The summoned imperial physician did his utmost to treat him, but this only served to make Old Master’s final days more comfortable.
Beyond that, there was truly nothing more to be done. The physician’s final advice was to let Old Master eat whatever he wished, as enjoying his remaining days was what mattered most.
Although Old Master’s breathing had stabilized, he remained unconscious. The three members of the eldest branch and Madam Wang stayed by his bedside, keeping watch.
Swallow Holding Branch circled around the group again and again, even circling in front of herself, only to find that they simply could not see her—it was as if she were transparent!
Had she become a wandering spirit again?
Swallow Holding Branch felt uneasy and fearful. She was truly afraid of being left alone in the world, drifting in solitude.
She wanted to do something but found she could do nothing at all, forced to watch helplessly as time slipped away bit by bit.
Old Master did not regain consciousness until dusk. Madam Wang was the first to rush to the bedside: “Old Master, you’ve finally awakened.”
Her words were uttered with genuine sincerity, as if she truly felt a thousand reluctances to part with Old Master.
Unfortunately, when the Old Master regained consciousness, he had no time to feel pity for his wife. Opening his eyes, he looked at the three members of the eldest branch standing behind Madam Wang, feeling deeply comforted in his heart.
He had spoiled his second son, but fortunately, his eldest son was filial. This proved that it wasn’t his fault for raising the second son poorly—it was the second son’s own failure to learn properly.
Madam Wang, likely unable to bear seeing the Old Master favor the eldest son too much, adopted the demeanor of a virtuous wife and mother. In a gentle tone, she asked, “Master, you haven’t eaten or drunk anything all day. I’ll have the servants prepare some porridge. Don’t you love fish sashimi the most? How about having some fish sashimi as well? After drinking the porridge, with something in your stomach, you can enjoy the sashimi without harming your health. It’ll also satisfy your cravings. What do you think?”
Madam Wang’s words clearly struck a chord with the Old Master. During his years of illness, he had been forced to give up many of his former indulgences. Now that he was nearing death, there was no need to restrain himself anymore—he could eat whatever he desired. Once he closed his eyes for good, he probably wouldn’t have the chance to eat anything at all.
The Old Master readily agreed to Madam Wang’s suggestion. Immediately, Madam Wang assumed the air of the mistress of the house, bustling about as she instructed the servants to go to the kitchen and prepare porridge and the Old Master’s favorite fish sashimi.
Soon, what the Old Master wanted was brought before them: a large bowl of porridge simmered until the rice oil had surfaced and a generous portion of fish sashimi sliced as thin as cicada wings, accompanied by various condiments. Clearly, the Old Master alone couldn’t finish all of this.
The Old Master promptly invited everyone to have some, as they had likely been keeping vigil all day without eating anything. His heart swelled with both relief and pity, so even when the eldest branch tried to decline, he insisted firmly that they join him in eating.
Unable to resist the Old Master’s wishes, the family of three from the eldest branch picked up their bowls, first drinking the porridge and then enjoying the fish sashimi, savoring a satisfying meal.
Among all those present, the only one who didn’t eat was Swallow Holding Branch. The moment the fish sashimi appeared, she keenly sensed something amiss. She shouted and screamed, trying to stop her parents from eating. Unfortunately, it was useless—no one could see her, let alone hear her words.
Meanwhile, the Swallow Holding Branch who could be seen by her parents seemed completely unaware, dining alongside them and the Old Master. Her foolishness made Swallow Holding Branch wonder if she was dreaming.
What happened next confirmed Swallow Holding Branch’s sudden sense of crisis. She saw Madam Wang, like everyone else, drinking porridge and eating fish sashimi. However, Madam Wang only took a small bite of the fish. As she lowered her head to drink the porridge, Swallow Holding Branch caught a glimpse of a sinister smile curling at the corner of Madam Wang’s lips.
It was a smile that seemed both triumphant and vengeful, filled with the scheming of a conspirator.