Chapter Four: A Life Like an Immortal

Liu Fuying tucked away her thoughts, stepped down from the platform, and let Jinli support her as they walked forward.

“Mother-in-law.”

The woman approaching was Shen Xiunian’s mother—Old Madam Shen, Yushuang.

“Ah-Yin, you’re finally back! You scared me half to death. You’re finally back!”

As soon as she reached her, Old Madam Shen pulled Liu Fuying into a tight embrace. But the name she called out was “Ah-Yin,” not “Fuying.”

“It’s my fault for making you worry.”

Liu Fuying hugged her back with one arm, gently patting her on the back to comfort her.

“Let me see.” Old Madam Shen pulled her out of the hug and looked her over carefully. “Why are you unsteady on your feet and needing support? Are you injured? Has a doctor seen you?”

“Yes, he has. Everything’s fine—the doctor said there’s nothing serious.”

“That’s good. That’s good.”

Old Madam Shen wiped her tears, her expression carrying an unusual childlike softness, and even her tone was as delicate as a young girl’s.

But truthfully, this version of Old Madam Shen was already considered her best condition.

Liu Fuying still remembered their first meeting—Old Madam Shen was completely unstable back then, nearly hit by a passing carriage.

Her condition stemmed not only from psychological trauma, but also years of mistreatment and bullying by the Second Uncle’s branch of the family.

And this was one more reason why Shen Xiunian would never agree to hand over the family estate to that branch.

Liu Fuying accompanied Old Madam Shen back to her room, had dinner brought up, and coaxed her to eat like she was soothing a child. After dinner, it was time for medicine, but Old Madam Shen pouted and refused to drink it, saying it was too bitter. Liu Fuying sent someone to fetch the herbal medicine prescribed for her earlier that day and offered to drink it alongside the Old Madam.

“Ah-Yin, you have to take your medicine properly and get better soon,” said Old Madam Shen kindly.

She refused to drink her own, yet earnestly tried to persuade Liu Fuying—again calling her “Ah-Yin,” the name of someone else.

That someone was Xu Liangyin.

According to Shen Xiunian, Xu Liangyin was the daughter of Old Madam Shen’s closest friend.

Years ago, Xu Liangyin had been placed in the Shen household to be raised, only four or five years old at the time. But due to a careless oversight by Old Madam Shen, the child died in an accident. Her mother had left her at the Shen family while she went off to search for her missing husband. Over a year later, she returned only to recover her husband’s corpse—then heard the news of her daughter’s death. Devastated, she took her own life.

That tragedy had haunted Old Madam Shen for years and was the root cause of her mental instability.

When she first met Liu Fuying, she had mistaken her for Xu Liangyin and insisted on bringing her home.

But ever since meeting Liu Fuying, Old Madam Shen’s condition had steadily improved.

This was the reason Shen Xiunian had married her—to have someone care for his mother.

After taking the medicine, Old Madam Shen gently urged Liu Fuying to rest.

Her limbs were still injured and needed proper care.

“Madam, your ankle is terribly swollen. You really shouldn’t walk around too much. What if the injury worsens and damages the bone?”

“I know. I’m going to rest now.”

She too wanted to recover quickly so she could return to the mountain. The matter of having a child could not wait.

Back in her own courtyard, Jinli removed Liu Fuying’s shoes and socks, raised her leg, and began applying ice wrapped in cloth to reduce the swelling.

Liu Fuying looked at her tenderly and brushed aside the hair on Jinli’s forehead.

“Yesterday must have scared you terribly.”

The day before, Jinli had accompanied her to Changming Temple to burn incense. When she returned with a borrowed umbrella and found Liu Fuying gone, she must have been scared out of her mind.

“Of course I was! In this world, I only have you. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t want to live either.”

That word—“Miss”—made Liu Fuying’s heart stir.

She had been an unloved concubine’s daughter. After her mother’s death, the abuse only worsened. Even getting to eat coarse rice was a luxury back then—and through it all, Jinli had stayed by her side.

“Don’t be afraid… Even if just for your sake, I will fight.”

“Fight for what?”

What else, but to fight for the Shen family estate that Shen Xiunian had promised her.

“Oh right. Back when the Imperial Uncle Pei was accused of rebellion and imprisoned—how much do you know about that?” Liu Fuying suddenly asked, seemingly changing the subject.

“Imperial Uncle Pei… You mean the Empress’s younger brother?”

“Yes, him.”

“Why would you ask about him, Madam? I don’t know too much. I think it was something like treason—colluding with the enemy, maybe? But in the end, one of his subordinates took the blame for him, which cleared him somewhat. Still, he was found guilty of poor leadership. It wasn’t serious enough for a heavy sentence, so they confined him to Xiang Mountain to reflect. They said once the investigation was over, he’d be released. But…”

But… chances were, he’d never be released.

Treason was a sensitive charge. And Pei Zhouwu had achieved such military glory that he’d begun to overshadow the emperor himself. Whether or not he truly rebelled, the emperor would never allow an imperial relative to become too powerful and threaten his rule. All this talk of “reflection and investigation” was just a pretty excuse for outsiders.

Liu Fuying leaned back, her gaze growing distant.

To be honest, she had always been satisfied with her nominal marriage.

Shen Xiunian had no siblings, and though the family line was thin, it meant peace—no need to care for relatives, no obligation to share a bed, and a mother-in-law who doted on her like a real daughter. Her days were filled with food and leisure, with nothing to worry about.

Wasn’t that the life of an immortal?

Originally, she hadn’t even planned to have children—raising one was no easy task.

She had considered faking a pregnancy and adopting a child. But the schemes of those from Second Uncle’s branch had taught her to be cautious.

What if that child grew up and discovered the truth—wanted to find their birth family? Or worse, betrayed her to support their blood relatives and tore down everything she’d built?

No—no matter how she thought about it, having a child of her own blood was the safest path.

“Once Mother-in-law is well again, and my injuries are healed, let’s go back up the mountain to Changming Temple and fulfill our vow.”

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Half a Month Later

The day before, Liu Fuying had already asked Jinli to prepare everything needed for the offering at the temple. At dawn, they left the city by carriage, planning to have a vegetarian meal at noon before returning.

The weather was lovely today, the sun blazing with a touch of dryness.

It was nearly the Great Heat solar term. The strong sunlight would dry wet hair quickly—a good thing.

Liu Fuying had also asked Jinli to bring an extra set of clothes. She planned to change after getting into the water. Hair dried quickly, but wet clothes left obvious traces.

She had already confided everything about Pei Zhouwu to Jinli.

Jinli was nervous—but her loyalty to Liu Fuying always came first.

“Miss—!”

Though Liu Fuying had been married for two and a half years, Jinli still occasionally slipped up and called her “Miss.” She hurriedly corrected herself.

“Madam, I checked—it’s possible to descend the mountain behind the shrine that holds Concubine Zhao’s memorial tablet. But the weeds are thick and it’s not easy to walk. You can’t even see a clear path.”