章 60: Return Of First Madam

The second concubine looked frantically at the general; her right hand was gripping tightly to the hair stick. Even at this point, she was still oh so reluctant to part with such a legendary treasure she spent years pining for. She had spent so many years scheming for this, now that's it's in her hands, why should she give it up? With her mind dead set on the stolen hair stick, Concubine Ruolan decided to plead again. Which man wouldn't feel pity for a crying beauty? The second madam attempted to cry again, her eyes stinging from weeping so much.

"Lord Husband, this isn't the truth-" Concubine Ruolan began, but the second madam suddenly couldn't finish her plea as she felt her muscles cramping up in pain. What was happening?! Her brain appeared to stop as her nerves cry out in pain. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly as she tried to screech out for help. A fiery sensation snaked up her veins, and she soon discovered it, especially hard to breathe. Each taken breath was like inhaling through a straw, air burning through her lungs. She lurched forward, her legs buckling, and her eyes bungling as she tried to regain control of her body. Distracted by the pain, the second madam didn't even notice the once tightly clutched hair stick was gone. It was slowly transforming into a black liquid and boring into her flesh.

She tried to motion for help, yet her arms felt like lead, and her body turned cold. So helpless. So weak. So little. Still, while it all happened so painfully, not one person seemed to discern Concubine Ruolan's pain.

Except for one person.

Hongyue.

This perception of helpless, despairing hope was all flawlessly executed by Hongyue.

Everything my mother suffered, I'll give it back to you tenfold. I just don't know if you can receive all of it.

The eldest miss merely kept her head down as she proceeded to urge the poison inside the second madam's body. Once the poison had been entirely absorbed into Concubine Ruolan's body, Hongyue released her control on the second madam's body.

Not long after, blood-turning screams filled the air.

Hearing the screams, General Wei stared at the second madam in shock. What happened to her? But soon, his eyes grew in horror as he noticed the second madam's skin beginning to shrivel up. As her skin was drawn closer to her body, and the bones underneath began to protrude out, creating a deathly appearance. The once supple and creamy skin turned yellowish blue as the inside grew emptied of blood. The second madam's body convulsed violently; her fingers couldn't help claw at her body in hopes of relieving the pain. Yet not one person rushed over to help. Their eyes filled with fear and revulsion at her unexpected change in appearance.

The general almost couldn't bear to watch any longer, yet he couldn't look away, his heart unsettled. This was just like...like...

"Mother." A calm voice called out; it sounded eerily against the breathless moment and the dusk filled with screams. It cut sharply into General Wei's thoughts and voiced his worst fear.

General Wei whirled his head to his eldest daughter, his mind shaking. What did she just say?!!

"Mother. You're back! Hongyue is so happy to see you again," Hongyue smiled and clapped her hands. The girl's bright eyes were staring into the empty behind Concubine Ruolan, and her hands beckoned to the empty air.

The general felt his legs tremble in horror. The First Madam?! She was here?!! He gripped his chair's arm tighter, yet he couldn't calm himself down. What to do? What was happening? Why? Wasn't she dead? No! She was already dead. Was this a joke for him?

Hongyue sneered. The general still seemed to be in denial. He truly is talented. Who else could pretend a dying concubine in front of him to be a joke? Truly heartless.

However, the general wasn't the only one who heard Hongyue's excited greeting. A few of the minsters quickly turned pale along with quickly fainting madams. The dead can come back to the living?! However, the second madam's current appearance much resembled the sickly first madam. So what was there not to believe? Maybe the ghost of the first madam came back and latched on to the second madam because Hongyue was telling the truth? If so, all the reason more for everyone not to help the suffering second madam.

"Is mother protecting Hongyue? Hongyue knew Mother love Hongyue the most. You should punish her more. She stole the hair stick Mother gave me," Hongyue pouted. Her childish and innocent voice sent chills down the backs of all the guests, including the Crown Prince. Qingyu himself couldn't help but take another look at the girl beside him, his eyes dark.

The general felt his teeth faintly chattering, and he tried to steady his voice as he spoke, "Your mother is here?"

Hongyue looked at General Wei oddly, "Of course my mother is here. If not her, then who else? Why does father address her so distantly? My mother is your wife, is she not? Is Father not happy to see her?"

The general braced himself. How can he be happy?! He was the one who killed her. What can he see anyway? Other than the dying second madam, he couldn't see anything else. He steadied his nerves as he began his self-denial, "Silly girl, your mother wouldn't do this, she's sweet-"

"Father must be muddle-headed. Of course, Mother would do this. Second Madam attempted to kill and bully me. Which mother wouldn't try to protect their daughter? Since Father didn't protect this daughter, Mother stepped in," Hongyue continued, "Father should be happy. After all, doesn't Father love Mother the most?"