To get a dose of purple ginseng to keep my mother alive, I married into the princess’s household as a live-in son-in-law, bringing good fortune to the princess, who was at death’s door. Li Changning survived. But the purple ginseng she had promised me was taken by her pampered cousin, who casually broke it up to feed the cat. “Cousin said my cat is frail, so I’m giving it a little treat to build it up.” My mother died before she ever got the ginseng. I set up a small mourning hall for her in a secluded corner of the estate and burned a few paper offerings. Then her cousin came with a gang, tore down the mourning banners, and kicked over the brazier. “You’re just a live-in son-in-law. Even dead, your mother doesn’t get to dirty the prince’s residence! Drag her out and dump her in a mass grave!” I fought desperately to protect my mother’s coffin, but the servants pinned me down. Then her cousin whimpered, “Sister Ning, the Taoist priest said her mother was the evil spirit that’s been affecting your health!” So Li Changning had them drag my mother’s body away and burn it. I looked at her cold profile and smiled. Li Changning, do you think bringing good fortune is just superstition? You’ll soon find out who can really take your life.
