Chapter 4: Lady Longsun Yuming

The room fell silent for a moment. Wu Rui’an noticed everyone trying to suppress their laughter and realized he had made a fool of himself. He coughed twice and sat down at the table.

Di Jiang rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Wu Rui’an knew he had made yet another blunder and was eager to redeem himself. Just then, he caught sight of a circular object in the corner, covered with a velvet cloth embroidered with golden threads. Unable to guess what it was, he seized the opportunity to change the subject. “What is that?”

“That... is the young mistress’s birdcage,” the old woman replied.

At her words, both Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang were startled.

Wu Rui’an abruptly stood up, took a few quick strides, and lifted the cloth.

Before them appeared an enormous golden birdcage. Inside were three large bowls, but nothing else.

“If it’s a birdcage, why isn’t there a bird inside?” Di Jiang asked.

The old woman sighed. “The young mistress has always been frail. The bird was her only companion in the boudoir, kept for seven or eight years. But alas, it ran away some time ago, which deeply saddened the young mistress and worsened her condition.”

Di Jiang and Wu Rui’an exchanged glances, each forming their own suspicions.

After prescribing a few blood-nourishing remedies, Di Jiang left with Wu Rui’an and returned to the medical clinic.

In the clinic, Wen Yao was taking a nap, while Shu Xiang was reading a book in the front hall.

When he saw Wu Rui’an, Shu Xiang simply nodded as a form of greeting.

Wu Rui’an had long considered this place his home, so he didn’t bother with formalities. He followed Di Jiang directly to the backyard.

Hanging from the branches of the banyan tree in the backyard was a birdcage. Compared to Miss Longsun’s cage, it was rather plain, but this only highlighted the vibrant beauty of the bloodstained bird inside.

Di Jiang approached the cage and teased the sleeping rainbow-colored bird inside. It sluggishly raised its head, looking at Di Jiang with hopeful eyes.

“Rest assured, I understand your meaning,” Di Jiang said with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, the bird seemed invigorated, leaping up like a spring.

Wu Rui’an was astonished. “You understand what it means?”

Di Jiang nodded. “This bird hasn’t come to harm me; it came to ask for my help.”

The bird inside the cage nodded repeatedly.

“What exactly is going on?” Wu Rui’an widened his eyes and pressed Di Jiang for answers.

Di Jiang affectionately petted its head and smiled. “It’s a male bird.”

The bird affectionately nudged her hand.

Wu Rui’an nodded dumbly. “I see… So?”

“Miss Longsun is gentle, beautiful, virtuous, and kind. Even I admire her, let alone someone of the opposite sex.”

“You mean it fell in love with Miss Longsun?” Wu Rui’an exclaimed, as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.

Di Jiang nodded solemnly. “Love transcends species.”

“But how can you be sure it’s male? After all, sometimes love transcends gender too.” Wu Rui’an pouted, his face turning slightly green.

At his words, Di Jiang burst into laughter. “Your Highness makes a valid point, but this bird is indeed male—a killer bird that fell in love with its master.” With that, she began ushering him out. “After Miss Longsun takes my hemostatic medicine, if there’s no improvement after seven days, we’ll visit her again. Until then, Your Highness, please relax and wait for news back at the mansion.”

Upon hearing that even birds could fall in love with mortal women, Wu Rui’an became even more uneasy. Before leaving, he repeatedly emphasized, “Stay… away… from… it!”

“I know, I know. You’re so nagging!”

After seeing Wu Rui’an off, Di Jiang took down the birdcage from the tree and retrieved the bird, placing it belly-up in her palm.

On its tail, several red feathers had sprouted—evidence that the bloodstained bird was beginning to crave blood.

This wasn’t a good sign.

________________________________________

Time passed quickly, and seven days later, Wu Rui’an brought bad news—

Lady Longsun Yuming was critically ill and had been unconscious for three days. No matter how potent the blood-nourishing medicine, the more she consumed, the more blood she lost. It seemed she was nearing death.

Upon hearing this, Di Jiang immediately took the bird and accompanied Wu Rui’an to the Longsun Residence.

In the Longsun household, the servants all wore somber expressions, as though shrouded in gloom.

Yuming treated everyone equally, earning high respect among the servants. Her warm-hearted nature made her well-liked by all. Now that she was gravely ill, everyone felt heartbroken. Especially the servants who had watched her grow up—they were utterly devastated.

“Miss Yuming has always been kind and considerate to us. On hot summer nights, when our quarters were unbearably hot, she would instruct the steward to place two basins of ice to cool our rooms. In winter, she remembered to provide extra quilts for us. Such a kind-hearted young lady… how could she suffer such misfortune?” The old woman began wiping tears from the corners of her eyes as she spoke.

Di Jiang and Wu Rui’an listened quietly. Outside, people praised Lady Longsun Yuming for her beauty and kindness. Upon closer contact, they discovered she treated even servants with equality—an admirable quality in a noble young lady. For her to pass away at fourteen would truly be a great loss.

Outside Lady Longsun Yuming’s chamber, many people had gathered—mostly servants and various ladies visiting to inquire about her health.

They didn’t enter to disturb her but instead sat in the garden, chatting with Lady Shen, Yuming’s mother. Their eyes were moist with genuine sorrow.

“Citizen Di Jiang greets Lady Longsun,” Di Jiang stepped forward and bowed. “I humbly request to examine the young mistress’s condition once more.”

Lady Longsen wiped her tears with a handkerchief and nodded. “Chun Hong, take Doctor Di inside.”

One of Lady Longsun’s maids immediately nodded and led Di Jiang into the room. Meanwhile, the crowd of ladies surrounded Wu Rui’an, refusing to let him leave.

“Lord Wu, Miss Yuming is kind-hearted and beautiful. My daughter is no less impressive!”

“Yes, if you fancy such delicate beauties, I have two daughters!”

“With Miss Yuming nearing her end, don’t be too disheartened. The imperial physician has said there’s no cure. Perhaps consider other young ladies! My thirteen-year-old youngest daughter is no less remarkable than Miss Yuming!”

These titled ladies, one after another, promoted their daughters, completely ignoring Wu Rui’an and Lady Shen’s increasingly dark expressions—or perhaps pretending not to notice.

Ordinarily, they had no chance to approach Wu Rui’an. Now that they had the opportunity, they seized it to flatter him. Though their words expressed sympathy for Lady Longsun Yuming, they frequently mentioned their own daughters, describing them as unparalleled in beauty and talent. One boasted more extravagantly than the next, making Wu Rui’an’s ears ring. Several times, he tried to excuse himself, but they held him back.

How could he listen to this now?

His mind was entirely focused on Di Jiang!

Meanwhile, Di Jiang was examining Lady Longsun Yuming.

Her pulse was barely detectable, and it was clear she wouldn’t survive the day.

Di Jiang didn’t mince words. “Miss Yuming’s condition is dire.”

“The maid understands. The imperial physicians have said the same.” The wet nurse beside the bed wept continuously, even causing Di Jiang’s usually steely heart to soften slightly.

“I have a method that might save the young mistress,” Di Jiang said.

Hope immediately rekindled in the wet nurse’s eyes. “Doctor Di, are you certain?”

“Yes, but I have one condition.”

“Please tell me! This old servant will do anything!” The wet nurse, in her urgency, grabbed Di Jiang’s hand and shook it incessantly.

Dizzy from being shaken, Di Jiang finally managed to say, “It’s nothing major. I simply dislike being observed while treating patients. Please ensure everyone leaves the room.”

“This…” The wet nurse hesitated. “Is it absolutely necessary?”

Di Jiang smiled faintly. “Yes.” In truth, it wasn’t strictly necessary, but the scene might become unpleasant, and she didn’t want to alarm them.

The wet nurse gritted her teeth, waved her hand, and led the servants out.

Once the room was empty, Di Jiang opened the window and drew a talisman toward the sky.

After finishing, she returned to sit by the bedside and waited silently.

Outside, the wet nurse hurried to the garden to inform Lady Longsun. Upon hearing this, Wu Rui’an immediately found an opening to slip away and sneaked into the room unnoticed.

At this moment, a bird stood on Di Jiang’s hand. It remained obediently perched on her fingertip, its gaze mirroring the deep sorrow and despair of the maidservants outside.

“The cause of Miss Yuming’s illness lies with you. If you don’t die, she will. This curse is unbreakable. Do you understand?” Di Jiang said calmly.

The bird shed tears and nodded.

Wu Rui’an, witnessing this, was astonished. “Its target is actually Miss Yuming?”

Di Jiang turned and nodded at Wu Rui’an.

“In that case, I’ll crush it with one blow!” Wu Rui’an said, hurling a cup at the bird.

The bird didn’t dodge. The cup struck it, knocking it from Di Jiang’s hand onto the bed, landing on Lady Longsun Yuming’s chest.

The bird, dazed, took a moment to recover.

At this moment, Yuming seemed to sense something. She opened her eyes and saw the bird lying on her chest.

“You’ve finally returned…” Yuming smiled weakly, her eyes brimming with joy.

Upon hearing this, the bird lifted its head and gently nudged her chin.

But after uttering this sentence, Yuming seemed to experience a brief moment of clarity before quickly closing her eyes and slipping back into unconsciousness.

“Cheep cheep cheep—” The bird emitted urgent cries of distress, but to no avail. Lady Longsun Yuming couldn’t hear.

“Don’t waste your efforts. Her life is tied to yours,” Di Jiang sighed.

The bird looked at Di Jiang with despair, then gazed at Yuming’s unconscious face, seemingly filled with newfound courage.

The next moment, it suddenly took flight, crashing violently into the wall. A bloodstain marked the impact before it fell limply to the ground.

But soon, it staggered to its feet, dazed and unsteady, and flew into the air, crashing again into the wall.

With each successive suicidal collision, blood splattered the walls and floor until it could no longer stand.

Finally, the bird died in a pool of blood.

Soon, its feathers began to fall, staining the blood red.

Its body, however, began to turn completely black, resembling a crow in appearance.

“Is this its true form?” Wu Rui’an asked in astonishment.

“Perhaps,” Di Jiang nodded, crouching down and extending her hand.

“What are you doing?” Wu Rui’an quickly stepped forward to stop her. “This thing is sinister. Don’t touch it.”

“It’s fine,” Di Jiang ignored his warning, brushed aside Wu Rui’an’s hand, and retrieved the bird’s corpse from the blood, cradling it in her arms. She stroked its pitch-black body as if caressing a child.

“You…” Wu Rui’an’s heart raced, fearing Di Jiang would be tainted by this cursed creature.

“Your Highness needn’t worry. I merely wish to give it a proper burial. Regardless of what its kind has done, it devoted itself to protecting Miss Yuming, unwavering even in death.”

“…”

Wu Rui’an said nothing further. After briefly explaining the situation to Lady Shen, he summoned a carriage to escort Di Jiang back to the Jiansu Medical Clinic.

Before parting, Wu Rui’an asked, “Where will you bury it?”

“Under the banyan tree in the backyard will suffice.”

“Even in death, it will continue to bleed. Be sure to cremate it first, then bury the ashes wherever you wish. Understood?”

Di Jiang smiled faintly. “It’s a small matter, Your Highness. Please don’t trouble yourself. You must rise early for court tomorrow; return to the mansion and rest.”

“Take care. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to seek me out.” Wu Rui’an then remembered something and pulled out a jade token from his sleeve, about the size of half a palm.

Handing it to Di Jiang, he said, “This is my seal. With it, no one in the mansion will dare trouble you. You may come and go freely.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Citizen Di Jiang bids you farewell.” Di Jiang glanced at it briefly, tucked it into her sleeve without much thought, and promptly showed him out.

After Wu Rui’an left, she didn’t bury the bird as promised. She didn’t even bother changing her clothes.

By now, her dress was soaked with blood from the bloodstained bird’s corpse. At a glance, it seemed as though she had rolled in a pool of blood.

Both Wen Yao and Shu Xiang were stunned.

“Boss, are you injured?” Wen Yao shrieked and rushed to support her.

Shu Xiang brought out over a dozen bottles of hemostatic medicine from the counter. “Where are you injured? Take off your clothes so I can bandage you!”

“Not me,” Di Jiang said indifferently. “This blood isn’t mine; it’s the bird’s.”

Shu Xiang and Wen Yao gasped. Their hearts, which had just relaxed, tightened again.

“How can a bird have so much blood?” Wen Yao asked.

Di Jiang ignored her and placed the bird on the table. With one hand forming a seal, she recited a spell, inscribing a silver swastika symbol onto the bird’s body.

The next moment, the bird suddenly opened its eyes wide. Its crimson eyes against its jet-black body appeared even more grotesque and fierce, exuding a murderous intensity.

It then raised its head, spread its wings, and fluttered out the window.

After the bird departed, Di Jiang finally relaxed her brow.

“What were you doing, Boss?” Wen Yao asked, utterly confused. How could a lifeless bird suddenly fly again?

Di Jiang grinned, her expression menacing. “This bird harbored grievances, so I allowed it to settle its scores—vengeance for vengeance, hatred for hatred.” With that, she ignored them, went to the backyard to remove her blood-soaked clothes, and returned to her room to bathe and change.

“Is this even possible?” Wen Yao stared blankly at Shu Xiang.

Shu Xiang closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and murmured toward the heavens, “Amitabha.”