The sight of Lady Tong in such a state broke Lord Pingyang's heart. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and gently patted her back to soothe her.
"My lady, my lady, I'm here. Don't be afraid."
Lord Pingyang's voice jolted Lady Tong awake from her nightmare. She gasped for air, her face still pale with fear.
Realizing she was in Lord Pingyang's arms, Lady Tong couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She buried her face in his chest and burst into tears.
"My lord, Yuan'er was so pitiful. I watched with my own eyes as her body was devoured by wild dogs on the mass grave. Over and over again, not even a single hair was left. She was the flesh and blood I carried in my womb for ten months. Seeing her end up like that, my heart aches so much..."
Perhaps the shock of their eldest daughter's lie and misdeed had a profound impact on Lord Pingyang. This time, he didn't refute her. Instead, he listened quietly, unable to stop himself from thinking -
Was this recurring dream of his wife's a reality?
Was their flesh and blood truly devoured on the mass grave, leaving nothing behind?
He knew that their second daughter had been thrown into the mass grave after her death at the Lu Mansion, and he was well aware of what the mass grave in Shengjing was like. But even if they knew, what could they do?
"Yuan'er asked me again and again in my dream why we could still sit together and eat and laugh after her death. Why didn't any of us shed a tear for her? My lord... my lord... I miss Yuan'er so much..."
Lady Tong's heart - wrenching cries tugged at Lord Pingyang's heartstrings.
His gaze fell on the empty space. He wasn't sure if it was his illusion, but a charming and beautiful girl seemed to appear there. Her every frown and smile was so vivid and familiar.
[Father, father. This is the big carp I caught today. I remember you like braised carp the most, so I'm giving this fish to you!]
[Father, this painting is so beautiful. There's an empty space on the wall in my room. How about... you give this painting to me?]
[Father, don't always keep a straight face. You look like you've eaten a big bitter gourd. Aren't you happy to see me? Smile, okay?]
[Father...]
"My lord? My lord?"
The call in his ear interrupted Lord Pingyang's train of thought. When he looked closely again, the figure had disappeared. He couldn't describe the feeling in his heart. Lord Pingyang lowered his head and met Lady Tong's tear - filled gaze.
"My lord, the day after tomorrow is the fifteenth. I'd like to go out of the city to offer incense and pray at Foxing Temple." Lady Tong said timidly, afraid that Lord Pingyang would get angry.
Her timid appearance only made Lord Pingyang feel more heartache.
He gently pushed the hair damp with sweat behind her ear and said, "If you want to go, then go."
Lady Tong had already prepared to find reasons to persuade him, but she didn't expect him to agree so readily.
She was stunned for a moment and then asked, "Really?"
Lord Pingyang replied, "Really."
"Then... will my lord go with me?" Lady Tong asked.
Lord Pingyang said, "The Duke of Yong's Mansion has asked me to go there with gifts to apologize within three days. I'm afraid I won't be able to spare the time. I'll ask Qian'er and Yu'er to go with you to protect you."
Hearing him mention the Duke of Yong's Mansion, Lady Tong then remembered that the reason she fainted was because Su Qingyu had lied.
Although she was extremely disappointed in her eldest daughter, she didn't forget that her eldest daughter was still being punished. If she went out rashly this time, wouldn't it make things worse for the Pingyang Marquis Mansion?
She couldn't help but say, "But isn't Yu'er being punished by the empress?"
Patting her hand gently, Lord Pingyang comforted her, "Yu'er knows medicine. You're not in good health. With her by your side, she can take care of you at any time. She must go with you. As for the punishment, don't worry. I'll find a way to make the empress not pursue this matter anymore."
Only then did Lady Tong feel relieved.
At this time, the maid had finished boiling the medicine. Ziying came in with the medicine bowl.
Lord Pingyang picked up the medicine bowl, blew on the medicine to cool it down, and brought it to Lady Tong's lips. He said softly, "This is the medicine prescribed by Doctor Xu for you. Drink it and then have a good sleep. You're not in good health. Rest in your room these two days. Don't run around anymore."
It had been a long time since Lady Tong had felt such care from him. Her eyes were filled with tears. She softly responded and drank the medicine from his hand.
After returning the empty medicine bowl to the maid, Lord Pingyang lay down with Lady Tong in his arms.
"They say that a man's aura is the most masculine. With me holding you, those evil spirits won't dare to disturb you anymore. Sleep peacefully."
Lady Tong was really exhausted. Leaning in Lord Pingyang's arms, she fell asleep soon.
After she fell into a deep sleep, Lord Pingyang quietly got up and walked out.
Zining, who was guarding outside the door, saw his figure and quickly bowed, "My lord."
"Where did my lady perform the soul - summoning ceremony that day? Take me there." Lord Pingyang said.
Zining couldn't help but look up at Lord Pingyang. When his gaze swept over, she quickly lowered her head and said, "Yes, my lord."
The long - sealed door of Qianqiu Courtyard was opened by the servants. A puff of dust billowed out, making people cough involuntarily.
After finally dispersing the dust in the air, a servant lifted a vine branch for Lord Pingyang, and Lord Pingyang walked in with the so - called paper money and incense candles.
Since the death of their second daughter, this courtyard had been sealed by his order. Without his permission, no one was allowed to enter.
Unexpectedly, now it was he who personally ordered the door to be opened and walked into this courtyard again.
Counting it up, this Qianqiu Courtyard was built according to his daughter's preferences. Every plant, every brick, and every tile here held his love for his daughter over the years.
Before the eldest daughter was found, the second daughter was truly the pearl in his heart. Although her personality was too active and she was not at all as dignified and steady as a well - bred young lady, she was still his flesh and blood. How could he not love her?
He scolded and punished her again and again, only wanting her to know her mistakes, correct them, and not make the same mistakes again. But she disappointed him again and again.
He didn't understand where all her resentment came from. Weren't those things all done by herself?
He had taught her before that one should be responsible for one's own actions. If one made a mistake, one should admit it. As long as one could correct the mistake, he could forgive. But she completely ignored his words and indulged herself to become a child who disrespected her parents, framed her siblings, and was two - faced.
She resented that they no longer doted on her as before and gave her everything. But how could she ever understand the pain of them as parents?
Letting out a soft sigh, Lord Pingyang told all the servants to retreat. He stood alone in the overgrown courtyard and lit the paper money in his hand with a fire starter.