Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 366 Duke An’s Mansion(4)_1

Chapter 366: Chapter 366 Duke An’s Mansion(4)_1

Listening to this, Lady Du couldn’t help but think back to her own tragic appearance when she fled in haste. The scene, even now, still made her heart palpitate with dread, and she shed a few tears alongside Madam Wang.

Madam Wang said: "That tiresome man died less than two months after you left. It was fortunate my son had the idea to run away, otherwise, we would still be stuck in that appalling Royal Palace, and who knows how agitated we would be!"

Lady Du wept for a while, wiped away her tears, and looking at the people beneath her, asked, "Mother, it seems like someone is missing?"

Madam Wang replied, "Are you asking about Auntie Mei?"

Lady Du nodded and said, "I haven’t seen Auntie Mei for a long time. I heard her health is very poor, and I am quite worried about her. I hope Mother can understand and let me go see her."

Madam Wang let out a sigh, stating anxiously, "Ah, it’s a pitiful sight. Auntie Mei has been washing her face with tears since you left, crying her eyes out in the process. Now she has gone blind. She refuses to eat well or take care of herself properly. Now she is extremely weak. The Imperial Physician said she might not last through the year... Sigh! That’s enough. Hua Mei, take the Fourth Aunt and Fourth Son-in-law to see Auntie Mei."

Upon hearing this, Lady Du got up and respectfully bowed to Duke An and Lady Wang, then followed Hua Mei to the West Courtyard, accompanied by Mu Zhongqing.

She recalled that Mother lived in a small house in the West Courtyard that was used to store sundries. The house was located in the northwest corner of the courtyard, quite dilapidated and drafty on all sides. Luckily, as it’s in the South, the winter isn’t too cold. If it were in the North, the Mother would’ve been frozen to death in that drafty little house.

Hua Mei led Lady Du and Mu Zhongqing towards the West Courtyard. Through the flower gate of the second door, they moved westward, passing a long, winding veranda, cutting across the garden, traversing an apricot grove, before finally reaching the area of West Courtyard complex.

The West Courtyard was desolate and lonely, vaguely divided into a dozen small courtyards, housing Du Ruohai’s illegitimate sons and daughters and concubines.

Lady Du used to live in Changchun Garden within the West Courtyard, practicing singing and dancing every day with a mother who was once a prostitute. After she ran away, she wondered what had become of her prostitute-born foster mother.

Upon arriving at Changchun Garden, Hua Mei stopped and guided them inside.

"The Madame sympathized with Auntie Mei’s loneliness, and let her stay in Changchun Garden. Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle, please come in with me."

Hearing that her mother lived in Changchun Garden, Lady Du was somewhat surprised. Changchun Garden was the best courtyard in the West Courtyard. It was given to her because she was exceptionally beautiful and could bring benefits to the mansion in the future. Her mother, who currently served no purpose to the house, why would Madam Wang allow her to live there? Moreover, her daughter had once caused a major disaster.

While wondering, they entered the courtyard. The yard was arranged the same as before with not much change except for a small stove that had been added.

A young maidservant, with her hair newly grown out, was squatting beside the stove, fanning the fire. The medicine pot on the stove was emitting a strong, unpleasant smell that permeated the air.

"Xiao Hong, how is Auntie Mei’s condition today?" Hua Mei asked.

The little girl named Xiao Hong looked up, seeing the prestigious servant girl Hua Mei from the lady’s side come personally, she quickly got up and respectfully said, "Replying to big Sister Hua Mei, Auntie Mei’s condition hasn’t improved at all. The physician said she won’t last till the end of the year. In my opinion, she might not make it past this spring."

"How dare you!"

Hua Mei was furious and pointed at Xiao Hong’s nose, "You audacious servant! Who gave you the courage to comment casually on the Master’s life and death? You should kneel down and slap your own face!"