WBSGVS Chapter 189 V1

Madam Dai’s shrill cries for help echoed nonstop through the air, repeatedly calling out for Baizhu and Xiling.

But to her shock, neither of the two moved a muscle. They remained still the entire time, even as her voice grew hoarse and finally gave out—still, no one came to her aid.

By then, the sky had already begun to brighten.

As daylight slowly spread, Madam Dai realized that her strength was finally beginning to return. Her limbs ached all over, but her arms—recovering the quickest—could now be lifted slightly. It took another half hour before she could move all four limbs freely again.

The moment she could move, she scrambled out of bed. Her legs immediately gave out, and she collapsed to her knees, but she still crawled toward the door. As soon as she saw Baizhu and Xiling coming out, she snapped at them furiously:

“You filthy little wenches! I’ve been screaming for you for ages—how dare you not come help me?!”

Baizhu blinked in confusion and shook her head. “Madam, when did you call for us? I didn’t hear a thing.”

Madam Dai’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at Baizhu with a threatening glare, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of fear. She had screamed so loudly—how could she not have heard?

Xiling’s eyes darted, and she quickly chimed in, “I didn’t hear anything either, Madam. What happened last night?”

Madam Dai could tell Xiling was lying, which only made her face darken further. Forcing herself to sit up, she softened her tone and said, “Come help me up. Baizhu, go boil some hot water.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Baizhu hurried off, while Xiling obediently helped her up.

But it wasn’t until she started bathing that Madam Dai discovered her limbs were covered in large, purple bruises. Even Xiling gasped in shock at the sight and turned her head away, trembling all over like a flea-bitten pup.

Trying to maintain her composure, Madam Dai finished her bath but didn’t dare return to her room. She sent Xiling to fetch breakfast and stood instead in the sunlight.

Even in the early morning, the sun could get hot after a while, but she refused to move from its warmth.

Then Qingli came out and blinked at her, puzzled. “Madam Dai, what are you doing out here?”

Madam Dai’s face twitched. “Sixth Princess, is there something wrong with me standing here?”

Qingli pressed her lips together and replied softly, “My mother said she found you a ghost groom. You’re supposed to be his bride now. Why haven’t you gone with him yet?”

Boom—

That seemingly innocent but deeply unsettling sentence exploded in Madam Dai’s mind. Her expression twisted in horror. “What did you just say?!”

A ghost groom?!

Was that what last night’s paralysis was about?

Was that why her limbs were covered in bruises?

Her face turned ashen. But she didn’t dare move—not as long as she was standing in the warm sunlight. Only the heat kept her from trembling uncontrollably. It was terrifying!

Had Lady Bai become a ghost?

Qingli blinked again and repeated her words obediently, then mumbled, “I’ll ask my mom about it again tonight, just to be sure.”

Madam Dai’s lips trembled, her forehead drenched in cold sweat. She didn’t want to give in, but the thought of staying in the Cold Palace much longer filled her with dread. The vile woman who got her thrown in here was still currying favor with their master. If Madam Dai didn’t get out soon, she feared she’d be forgotten altogether.

She narrowed her eyes. “In that case, Princess, please do ask your mother for me.”

Qingli smiled sweetly. “Sure.”

Her innocent expression only made Madam Dai more irritable. She snorted coldly and turned away, wanting some air. But the moment she opened the palace door and stepped outside, her foot caught on something.

Smack—she fell flat on her face.

Madam Dai: “!!!”

Can this nightmare just end already?!

As expected, Madam Dai didn’t touch the breakfast. She told Xiling to deal with it instead. After what happened during the fourth watch of the night—and seeing the bruises herself—Xiling now feared Lady Bai’s ghost as if it were a ravenous tiger.

She had heard the commotion clearly, and Madam Dai claimed she’d been calling for a long time. So, how come Baizhu didn’t hear a thing?

Because Baizhu had never once bullied either of them.

So, Xiling promptly brought the breakfast to Qingli, not daring to take even a bite herself.

When Sima Yan woke up to a warm breakfast, his face lit up. “Wow!” he cried. “Big Sis, did your mom go beat up another bad guy?”

Qingli nodded firmly. “Yup!”

“Ah!” Just then, Xiling stumbled over the doorway and practically ran away in a panic.

Though they had gone to bed hungry the night before, both of them ate well this morning. After eating, Qingli sat down to read while Sima Yan played with a grasshopper toy Qingli had made for him, though she told him it was a gift from Lady Bai.

The little guy was delighted. He played with it for hours, completely absorbed even by its simple movements.

The two didn’t disturb each other. Once they had digested their food, Qingli took Sima Yan outside to kick wooden blocks and chase each other around for exercise. There weren’t many options in the Cold Palace, so this was their best form of physical activity.

Sima Yan had never played like this before and found it all very novel. He laughed and giggled the whole day.

Madam Dai showed up a few times, seemingly wanting to say something but never finding the courage. She was spooked, though not yet fully convinced. She told herself maybe last night had just been a fluke, and tonight would be normal again.

Qingli gave her a casual glance, raising an eyebrow.

She’d been studying facial physiognomy these past few days and discovered she had a bit of talent for it. Just looking at Madam Dai now, she could tell her forehead was clouded—bad luck clung to her, and she was in a very unlucky phase. The source of all this? Her sharp tongue. If that aura could be broken, things might improve.

Xiling’s luck was much better. Baizhu’s features were completely normal.

As for Sima Yan, his face practically glowed with good fortune.