Rebirth: My Healer Wife Owns Superpowers

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: A Bai Shao hairpin glistened conspicuously on her head.
 

Three days later, the four of them finally reached the Capital City.

Upon entering the city, they heard the commoners discussing the death of Old Master Shen Yu.

They soon learned that Zhao Xiyan’s grandfather had passed away two mornings earlier.

In Beiyuan, there’s a belief that the older the person, the more blessed their peaceful passing is considered. Mourning such an individual not only doesn’t instill fear, but might also bestow longevity upon the mourners, allowing them to eventually die peacefully as well.

Additionally, the old master had many disciples, and naturally, some attended because of Zhao Xiyan, so the threshold at the Shen Family’s gate was worn down by the constant stream of mourners.

The Zhao Family was known for their modesty and frugality, with few servants at home to command.

Moreover, Shen Yu’s brother, named Shen Yuan, was the most reputable scholar in Beiyuan. He always remained sober and self-disciplined, earned his living by teaching, and never participated in government, deeply detesting this kind of ceremonial to and fro.

Shen Yuan’s wife was also someone who seldom left her quarters.

Neither of the spouses were adept at handling such large-scale events, so Shen Yu had already returned home with her entire family and servants to take care of her grandfather’s affairs, together with Zhao Yongzhe.

After hearing the information gathered by Maid Zhang, Qi Yue changed her mind.

She would visit the Shen Family to offer condolences!

Upon hearing this, Qu Wei immediately started making faces at her.

“Really, to think you’d forget your elder brother once you have a man. Are you considering my feelings when you show such warmth from thousands of miles away?”

Qi Yue couldn’t be bothered to bicker with him, responding directly.

“No, why should I consider your feelings? I don’t even like you.”

Qu Wei was instantly stunned, puffing up with frustration and unable to speak while shaking his fan.

Qi Yue, however, was contemplating how to offer her condolences and quickly ordered Maid Zhang to procure a high-quality gift worthy of Old Master Shen Yu.

After all, she was going to meet Zhao Xiyan, so she needed to save face.

Additionally, she wanted to see if Zhao Xiyan needed any assistance.

Shen Yu, always delicate and valued, was likely heartbroken by her grandfather’s death.

Among her sisters, only Zhao Shuanghua was capable of handling matters, but it wasn’t proper for a young lady of the family not to be present on such an occasion. If she went, she might be of some help.

They quickly found an inn for accommodation, and Qi Yue carefully selected a set of men’s clothing to wear before planning to head to the Shen Family.

Officially, she had divorced Zhao Xiyan, and appearing as the daughter of the Great General might attract undue attention, so she decided to keep a low profile.

After all, Zhao Xiyan would recognize her on sight.

Just as she stepped out, Qu Wei excitedly followed her.

“Little sister, I’ll go with you. It’d be nice to keep you company.”

Qi Yue didn’t mind this but told him just not to talk nonsense.

Considering it was a bit odd for a dashing young man to be accompanied by an elderly maid, she sent Maid Zhang back to rest and had Qu Wei’s attendant carry the gifts.

The three of them hired a carriage and slowly made their way toward the Shen Family.

The Shen Family resided on Wenyuan Street to the east, surrounded everywhere by lush pine and cypresses, almost as if entering a painting, causing Qi Yue to fall in love with the place instantly.

The street was flanked by Shen Yuan’s school, Qingshan Academy, at the front and the Shen Family’s residence at the back.

From the outside, the Shen Family’s residence might not be richly adorned, but it possessed a unique grace and style befitting a family of their standing.

Due to the large number of mourners, their carriage could only make it halfway down the street before they had to get out and walk.

The crowd ahead was densely packed, making Qi Yue shake her head repeatedly.

It was her first time seeing a queue even for offering condolences.

Qu Wei then suggested, “Little sister, the academy and the residence are connected. Why don’t we enter through the academy? We might meet Zhao Xiyan that way!”

Qi Yue thought that was a good idea.

After all, her visit to offer condolences was out of sincerity, not for show, so there was no need for someone to greet her at the front gate.

The three of them then entered the academy and walked west for a duration of half a stick of incense before indeed spotting a side gate.

Passing through the side gate and arriving at the residence, there were signs of bustling activity.

Many servants, carrying plates and assorted household items, bustled about busily and orderly.

Qi Yue thought to herself that it seemed she wasn’t needed to help after all. The person in charge of the funeral arrangements was quite capable, having managed everything in an orderly manner. She just didn’t know who it was.

At that moment, a very sharp servant came over and politely asked, “Have the two young masters lost their way? Would you like me to take you to the hall of mourning?”

Just as Qi Yue was about to say they did, Qu Wei cut in before her.

“We are friends of the Young Marquis from Longnan. May I know where he is now?”

The servant immediately bowed, “So you are friends of the Marquis. I have been impudent. The Marquis has felt slightly unwell from watching over the elder without rest, and has just gone to the back courtyard to rest.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Yue immediately became anxious.

She knew Zhao Xiyan’s physical condition better than anyone.

The rare and precious Thousand-Year Panlong Seven and White Rhino Horn were all used up on him, not solely for the effect of making him stand.

His body was now beyond comparison to ordinary people. Even if he stayed up day and night for several days, he shouldn’t feel unwell, so she hurriedly asked a few questions.

She found out that since Zhao Xiyan had returned, he had not slept a wink, initially taking care of the elder personally. After the elder passed, he had been even more occupied, managing everything. It had been over twenty days, so it was no wonder he couldn’t hold up anymore.

She decided there and then to go to the back courtyard to see Zhao Xiyan.

She quietly pulled Qu Wei aside and whispered, “Brother, I’ll leave the mourning duties to you. You can represent me. I’m going to see Zhao Xiyan first, then I’ll come back and find you.”

Having said that, without waiting for Qu Wei’s protest, she turned and headed towards the back courtyard.

On her way, she encountered an old maid and casually asked a few questions, soon learning that Zhao Xiyan was staying in a courtyard called Zhuming Pavilion.

With the old maid’s guidance, Qi Yue quickly reached the outside of Zhuming Pavilion.

Just as she was about to enter, she suddenly heard a delicate female voice coming from the courtyard.

Qi Yue immediately felt a bit uncomfortable and hurriedly hid behind the trees to look inside.

Sure enough, she saw several women standing in the courtyard, the leader of whom was clad in plain clothes, her back turned, making it difficult to see her face, but from her silhouette, she appeared to be a graceful woman.

She was talking to someone in green clothes.

“Has cousin been settled properly? Thank you for your trouble.”

“The Marquis is already asleep. We will stay here, so please rest assured, Miss Cousin.”

Qi Yue saw that the person in green clothes was one of the two people who had followed Zhao Xiyan when he left.

From his tone, it seemed that he didn’t hold much regard for this woman, but she didn’t seem to mind and kept talking with a smile.

“Ruyan is truly worried about the Marquis. I will have the kitchen prepare some soup. Once the Marquis wakes up, I will send it over to nourish him.”

At these words, the tone of the person in green seemed to improve slightly.

“Thank you, Miss Cousin, for taking the trouble.”

“The Marquis has done so much for the Shen Family, and Ruyan doesn’t know how else to repay him. This is just what I should do.”

Afterward, Ruyan bid farewell to the person in green and walked towards the outside. Qi Yue was about to enter the space, waiting for her to leave before going to see Zhao Xiyan.

But just as Ruyan turned around, Qi Yue suddenly froze.

Atop Ruyan’s head glistened a white Bai Shao hairpin.

She looked once, then looked again – indeed, it was a white jade carved Bai Shao hairpin.

Although it was far away and she couldn’t make out whether the engravings were the smooth kind from being frequently touched, she felt that this hairpin was very similar to the one she had seen under Zhao Xiyan’s pillow.