Just as the guards left, two women waked in from outside.
Leading the way was the third madam, Madam Liu. Her hair combed in a cloud bun, jade hairpins with golden cicadas at her temples and pearls coiled around, it was really luxurious. Combined with her bright, showy tunic, the ensemble was actually consistent with her temper. Passing through the gate, she exclaimed with surprise, “What is going on? Such a huge commotion, did fifth sister-in-law do something wrong that let fifth brother-in-law get so angry?”
Walking behind her was the fourth madam, Madam Qin. She was comparatively low-key. She had two golden butterfly hairpins tucked in her bun, and was wearing a honey-colored dress with peony patterns, she looked beautiful and gentle.
A while ago, Madam Du had signaled for Ning Xue to bring the third madam over as her ally. When Ning Xue went to the Pear courtyard, she had found the fourth madam in the third madam’s room, so she had invited them together.
Duke Ying had five sons and three daughters. The daughters were all married, and only visited on holidays. From the remaining five masters, the eldest, third and fifth were from the main wife, the second and fourth — from a concubine. Duke Ying’s position was quite high, so even if the second and fourth sons were born of a concubine, the young ladies they married weren’t bad. The fourth madam’s family was from Marquis An Ling’s house. She was a daughter of the main wife. The young lady from Marquis An Ling’s house was known in the capital as delicate, graceful, and virtuous, with splendid manners. That marriage could be considered the fourth master’s moving up in society.
After getting married, the fourth master and madam were close and affectionate, their days passed in satisfaction. Madam Qin already had three sons. She’d always wanted a daughter, but never got one. Since the fourth master, Wei Yan, and Wei Kun had their duty in the Imperial Academy together, the two’s families visited each other diligently. So Madam Qin frequently saw Wei Luo and loved that little girl, who was beautiful and smart, like a little fairy. Moreover, Wei Luo didn’t have a mother, so Madam Qin was compassionate and grew increasingly fond of her over time.
From the several madams in the residence, only the fourth madam treated Ah Luo wholeheartedly well.
When she saw Madam Qin enter, Wei Luo, who had been hiding behind the blue screen, hurriedly pushed the screens open and ran up to her, dragging her soft voice in a spoiled manner: “Fourth aunt, hug.”
Madam Qin smiled and picked her up, flicking her little nose, “How come Ah Luo’s here? Are you feeling better now? I had to visit my parents yesterday. You won’t blame your aunt for not coming to see you, right?”
Ah Luo burrowed in her neck. Leaning her head, she saw Madam Du glowering at her. She lowered her head, so that no one saw the corners of her mouth bending in a smirk, then her two slender arms tightly hugged Madam Qin: “Ah Luo is alright… Fourth aunt, Ah Luo is afraid.”
Madam Qin was puzzled, “What are you afraid of?”
Ah Luo’s voice was faint, with a hint of fear, it sounded exceedingly distressed, “Afraid of madam…”
Madam?