Volume One, Chapter Two: The Assembly of a Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix
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Shen Qier watched Jiang’s agonized expression with great satisfaction. So what if she was the legitimate wife? The entire Marquis’s residence still revolved around her. The head maid’s face was streaked with tears. “Madam, the lady is about to give birth…” This reminder snapped the old madam of the Xia family to attention. With pursed lips, she said sharply, “Quickly carry Jiang out. She can’t give birth here—don’t let it affect Fubao.” She remembered the master’s words clearly. “Madam, you can’t treat the lady like this!” the head maid begged, repeatedly kowtowing. If outsiders saw this, how would the lady ever stand firm in the Marquis’s household? The old madam frowned, “Carry her out quickly. It’s too inauspicious!” No sooner had she spoken than several maids approached, ready to lift Jiang away.
Jiang was not unconscious; she heard everything clearly. Grasping the head maid’s hand, she forced herself up from the ground. “Let’s go, we need to return to the Bilu Courtyard quickly.” The Bilu Courtyard had once been called Xihua Courtyard, but since it was believed she carried a star of misfortune, the name was changed to Bilu, meaning “certain downfall.” Bilu, Bilu—an ominous phrase. Jiang gritted her teeth. Her child would never fulfill their wishes.
Back in the Bilu Courtyard, Jiang had no strength left. The head maid called several junior maids, and together they helped her onto the bed, waiting for the midwife to arrive. But they waited a long time and no one came. The head maid paced anxiously, looking at Jiang, who was drenched in sweat and weak. “Xiaochun, go check inside the Bisheng Courtyard—did they send a midwife?” The maid called Xiaochun ran off immediately. Soon, she returned with a red handprint on her cheek. Xiaochun wiped her tears, voice choked, “They did hire a midwife, but only one. Then they chased me away, saying that people from Bilu Courtyard bring bad luck and aren’t allowed near.” “They don’t care if the lady or the young miss live or die. What do we do now… sob…” The head maid’s eyes reddened as well. Gritting her teeth, she said, “You all take care of the lady. I’ll be back soon!”
The head maid left the mansion at top speed. The junior maids watched the door vigilantly, afraid someone might break in. Soon, the head maid returned quietly, accompanied by a man. She led him to the bedside. “Doctor Lin, please save my lady.” Doctor Lin’s brows furrowed when he saw Jiang had already fainted. “Quick, bring water!” The maids hesitated, unsure about a man delivering the child. The head maid snapped, “The lady and the young miss are close to death. Who cares about propriety now, hurry and get the water!” She had knocked on many midwives’ doors, all refused. Rumors had spread that Jiang’s child was a star of disaster, and no midwife wanted to deliver the baby, fearing calamity. The head maid finally came to the last medical hall; after banging her head in the courtyard, Doctor Lin agreed to help.
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With that, they rushed about in a flurry. Buckets of water were brought one after another. In less than half an hour, the Bilu Courtyard was filled with the sound of a newborn’s cries—a rosy little baby had arrived. Doctor Lin was stunned. Jiang had fainted, weak from exhaustion and years of hardship; a difficult labor would have been expected. Yet she delivered so quickly—less than half an hour—faster than any normal delivery. It was a miracle! Considering the woman’s reputation, he changed into clean clothes and left swiftly. No one saw him come or go.
Meanwhile, in the Bisheng Courtyard, a baby’s cry echoed as well. Jiang was fed something and slowly regained consciousness. The first thing she did was try to see her child. “My baby, where is my baby?” But she was too weak to get up alone; a maid had to help her. The head maid approached, holding the swaddled baby, and gently placed the child before Jiang. “Madam, look! The young miss has a lotus-shaped birthmark on her forehead!” Jiang looked closely—it was true. Tears welled up uncontrollably. “My little treasure is truly a blessing. How wonderful…” She dared not imagine what would have happened without that birthmark.
Xia Qianshan sucked her fingers, her big eyes spinning in wonder. Huh? Where is this? Wasn’t I at home enjoying air conditioning and tending to my insects? Who is this woman? She’s so beautiful. Just then, a junior maid burst in excitedly, “Madam, madam! There are so many birds outside! They must be here to congratulate the young miss.” “Go out and see!” Jiang’s eyes brightened. The head maid helped Jiang to her feet and led her outside.
Looking up, they indeed saw all kinds of birds circling above the Marquis’s residence. Their calls were like beautiful string music, weaving through the air. Suddenly, a crow clutching a flower in its beak landed atop the baby’s swaddling. The crow’s beak was sharp and large enough to peck a hole in the child’s head. The maid holding Xia Qianshan gasped, “Oh no! Please don’t harm our young miss!” She was about to shoo it away but Jiang stopped her. “Wait. It seems to have come to see the little treasure.” Xia Qianshan’s big eyes stared at the crow, eye to eye. Though black, the crow shimmered with iridescent colors in the light.
In ancient myth, this was the Three-Legged Golden Crow, a divine bird. Jiang had once wanted to keep one as a pet, but the state forbade private ownership. Seeing it now, she couldn’t help but think inwardly, “Ah, what a beautiful crow. How wonderful it would be as a pet.” The crow tilted its head as if hearing her thoughts, hopping twice, “Ah—ah—.” Then, from the swaddling came the baby’s sweet laughter. “Miss is laughing!” “Is the crow teasing our young miss?” The crow placed the flower on Xia Qianshan’s head, tilting its head admiringly, “Ah—ah—.” “It even gave the flower to the young miss. They truly came to welcome her birth!”
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In the Bisheng Courtyard, the old madam of the Xia family held the child and also saw the flock of birds. “All the birds bowing to the phoenix—surely they’ve come to congratulate our precious Fubao. Our little treasure’s reputation is truly grand.” The baby’s laughter rang out sweetly. “Ah, the precious Fubao’s laughter is so lovely,” the old madam said, stroking the lotus birthmark on the infant’s face. Shen Qier’s child was indeed the blessed treasure; she had chosen correctly.
Suddenly, Momo approached, gritting her teeth. “Old madam, the lady’s child has also been born.” The old madam’s eyes bulged with rage. “What?! Who dared deliver her? Are they not afraid of angering the gods and inviting disaster?!” “That foolish Jiang really gave birth to the star of disaster. What if it drags down the entire Marquis’s household?!” “No, this child must be drowned!” Just as the old madam stepped into the Bilu Courtyard, she saw the star of disaster playing with the crow. Inwardly, she cursed. The crow came at birth—surely a sign of misfortune.
Jiang heard the commotion and looked up, seeing the old madam approaching with several maids and guards, their manner fierce. “Jiang, how can you be so foolish? Bring that star of disaster here. We cannot let her ruin the fortune of the Marquis’s household.” Jiang’s heart pounded. “My child has a lotus birthmark—a blessing, not a curse.” Momo stepped forward and looked closely. “Old madam, it’s true.” The old madam was stunned. “Impossible!” The high monk said one child would be a blessing, the other a disaster. Two blessings cannot exist. But both have the mark—one must be fake.
“Old madam, Miss Shen receives the blessings of the Mother of Children daily. She must be the blessing,” Momo whispered in the old madam’s ear. The old madam nodded. How could a star of disaster give birth to a blessing? Seeing Jiang clutching the child tightly, watching her vigilantly, anger flared anew. “Bring me that star of disaster!” “Jiang, don’t blame me for being cruel. I do this for the good of the entire Xiahou family.”