Read Novel Full CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
After settling the unconscious Xiao Yanfei Madam Yin and her daughter, Xiao Luanfei sat down in the east side room.
The head maid, Yingluo reported from the side. “Madam, Physician Li happened to visit the manor today to check the Old Madam’s pulse. Wang momo has already gone to fetch him.”
Madam Yin nodded and turned to her daughter, still shaken. “Thank goodness Ye’er is alright.”
When she heard that the incense ash contained green plum blossom pollen, her heart nearly stopped, and she was so frightened that she almost lost her composure.
Xiao Luanfei pressed her lips together and said in a low voice. “Sun momo‘s greed knows no bounds. She dared to secretly switch Second Miss’s incense. Thankfully, Ye’er was fortunate, and no major disaster occurred.”
Madam Yin raised her hand, signaling the other servants in the room to leave quietly, leaving only Yingluo behind.
A sharp glint flashed in Madam Yin’s eyes as she said. “Zhao momo gathered the unused incense from Second Miss’s place and had Tian momo examine it. Tian momo says those are all frankincense from Yixiang Hall, which is different from the incense ash remaining in the burner.”
This season, the Marquis Manor’s supplies were procured from Yixiang Hall, specifically Anxi incense and agarwood.
Xiao Luanfei who had recently been learning how to manage household affairs from Madam Yin was well aware of this fact.
Xiao Luanfei covered her mouth in surprise. “So, Sun momo was lying?”
Madam Yin remained silent for a moment.
It was clear that if Sun momo had been secretly selling Xiao Yanfei’s allocated goods for profit, she wouldn’t have stopped at just one item. After all, she had already been bold enough to steal so many things from her master.
“Mother.” Xiao Luanfei said nervously as she clutches Madam Yin’s sleeve, her palm slightly cold.
Madam Yin let out a soft snort. “Your mother is no fool.”
“This matter lacks concrete evidence, and Sun momo is adamant in her denial. If I continue to pursue it, there will be no progress, only tension within the Marquis.”
“Recently, the emperor asked all noble families to submit memorials for the appointment of heir apparents. With so many eyes in the capital watching, it’s best not to stir up trouble,” she continued.
Madam Yin advised her daughter. “As long as the person is still around, we can settle accounts slowly. Once your brother’s title is secured, there will be plenty of time to deal with everything.”
She sighed her voice filled with regret. “But I feel sorry for your Second Sister. She’s been terribly mistreated.”
Xiao Yanfei had always kept her distance, and Concubine Cui often acted as if she feared harm would come to them from Madam Yin. Because of this, Madam Yin hadn’t intervened in Xiao Yanfei’s affairs, believing that Concubine Cui, as Xiao Yanfei’s birth mother, would not neglect her own daughter.
Who would have thought that Xiao Yanfei would endure years of suffering under the hand of a mere servant?
Madam Yin shook her head.
“Sun momo took advantage of Second Sister’s gentle nature, which only made her bolder.” Xiao Luanfei said, handing a cup of tea to Madam Yin.
Madam Yin sipped the warm tea and continued. “Your Second Sister’s softness needs to be tempered. She’s of age now, and once her marriage is arranged, whether she can stand firm in her husband’s household will depend on her strength.”
Setting the teacup down, Madam Yin gently touched Xiao Luanfei’s soft hair, her gaze tender enough to melt. “Luan’er, in this world, a woman’s life is tough. Once you’re married, things won’t be as comfortable as they are at home…”
“I hope that you—and your sisters—can find good families and lead happy lives.”
As she spoke, her expression grew more gentle, though a fleeting trace of bitterness flashed in her eyes, quickly masked by her usual composed elegance.
“Luan’er, take your Second Sister out more often. Your grandmother always said that girls shouldn’t be confined to the house all the time as it makes them easy targets for others.”
“Yes Mother.” Xiao Luanfei replied, nestling against Madam Yin’s shoulder and toying with the handkerchief in her hand. “I’ve already made plans with County Princess Ning Shu and the others to go for a spring outing at Cuiwei Mountain on the fifteenth of March. By then, Second Sister’s health should have improved, and I’ll take her out for some fresh air.”
“Would you like me to prepare anything for you?” Madam Yin asked, her eyes filled with affection.
Xiao Luanfei clung to Madam Yin’s arm, playfully swinging it. “I want to use your carriage. It’s the most comfortable to ride in!”
“Alright, alright.” Madam Yin replied with a laugh. “I’ll also have the kitchen prepare some of their best pastries for you to take along.”
“You’re the best, Mother!” Xiao Luanfei said sweetly, her smile radiant.
The young girl stood tall and graceful, like a crimson peony—vivid and elegant, yet dignified.
Watching her beloved eldest daughter, Madam Yin’s heart softened, her expression gentle and filled with affection.
“Madam.”
The serene warmth was interrupted by a maid’s voice from outside. “Madam, Physician Li has arrived.”
Xiao Luanfei rose to her feet. “Mother, I’ll go check on Second Sister as well.”
The elderly Physician Li with his silver hair and youthful vigor, soon entered and respectfully greeted Madam Yin. He then accompanied her and Xiao Luanfei to the green gauze cabinet in the west warm chamber.
The young maid who had been attending to Xiao Yanfei by her bedside tactfully stepped aside, making way for Physician Li.
“I’ll first check Second Miss’s pulse.” Physician Li said, carrying his medicine box to the bedside.
His aged yet steady voice reached the ears of the reclining Xiao Yanfei, who lay with her eyes closed.
Her eyelids felt heavy, and though she tried to open them, she couldn’t.
In a daze, she sensed a maid lift the corner of her thin blanket, exposing her wrist. Then, she felt the slightly rough fingers of the physician resting on her pulse.
There was a brief silence before Physician Li spoke in a slow, measured tone. “Second Miss has caught a cold, causing a blockage of the protective yang. Combined with her naturally weak constitution, insufficient qi and blood, and weak kidneys and spleen…”
The old physician’s drawn-out voice reminiscent of a chanting monk made Xiao Yanfei even sleepier.
Her consciousness drifted away, and she soon fell back into a deep sleep.
When she awoke, it was already evening. Hunger had roused her making her stomach felt empty, and even her heart felt hollow. The vivid scenes from her dreams lingered as if she had relived the original owner’s experiences.
Madam Yin did not send her back but had soft, easily digestible congee and chicken soup brought to her and let her stay overnight in the main courtyard.
Xiao Yanfei quietly focused on her recovery. Wanting to avoid dwelling on those negative emotions, she busied herself by organizing the contents of her emergency kit, rearranging items so the most commonly used medicines were easily accessible on the top layer.
When she saw the box of cold medicine, still perfectly sealed, she froze.
She was certain she had opened the box and taken two pills from one of the blister packs, yet now…
She took out the cold medicine again and opened the box. Inside, both blister packs were intact, with not a single pill missing.
It was as if the medicine had never been touched, the box completely whole once more.
Thump, thump!
Xiao Yanfei’s heart raced—not from anxiety, but from excitement.
Cautiously, she took two more cold pills and drank some cough syrup.
That night, the medicine box and bottle in the emergency kit remained unchanged. But after a full day and night, both the cold medicine and cough syrup had reverted to their original, unopened state.
It was like witnessing a miracle!
Xiao Yanfei’s spirits soared, and she could hardly resist the urge to clutch her precious emergency kit and shower it with kisses.
In high spirits and well-rested, Xiao Yanfei fully recovered after two days of good food and rest. Just as she was feeling better, Xiao Luanfei arrived, brimming with excitement, eager to take her on an outing to Cuiwei Mountain.
The moment she saw Xiao Luanfei, scenes from her dream resurfaced in Xiao Yanfei’s mind.
In that dream, if it hadn’t been for Xiao Luanfei’s sudden intervention, the original owner could have lived peacefully in Jizhou, even after being expelled from the marquis’ residence.
It was Xiao Luanfei who had shattered the original owner’s hard-won peace, and in the end, she walked away with the reputation of having “sacrificed family for justice.”
How could she be so hypocritical?
“Second Sister?” Xiao Luanfei called, noticing Xiao Yanfei’s silence.
Xiao Yanfei, eager for a chance to leave the house, quickly composed herself and responded gently.
Cuiwei Mountain lay in the western suburbs, about a dozen miles from the capital. At its base was a clear lake, with the mountain’s verdant beauty reflected in its waters.
In the vibrant spring of March, the countryside was awash with blooming flowers, and the fresh air carried a faint floral fragrance.
Their carriage arrived at Cuiwei Mountain before mid-morning. Already, two other carriages were waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Two beautiful young ladies approached them, their faces glowing with joy.
“Luanfei, you’re finally here!” Princess Ning Shu greeted warmly, linking arms with Xiao Luanfei.
Her noble bearing was evident, with an air of confidence befitting a favored daughter of the heavens.
Xiao Luanfei warmly exchanged pleasantries and gracefully introduced everyone. “Your Highness, Third Miss, this is my second sister, Yanfei.”
“Second Sister, this is Princess Ning Shu and Miss Lu.”
Princess Ning Shu and Miss Lu gave Xiao Yanfei a polite glance, offering courteous yet distant greetings.
Though their smiles were warm, their eyes held a subtle detachment.
They were well aware that the Marquis of Wu’an had only one legitimate son and daughter, implying that Xiao Yanfei was a concubine-born daughter.
In the aristocratic circles of the capital, the distinction between legitimate daughters and concubine-born daughters was sharp and enduring. While social interactions occurred, deep friendships rarely formed across these divides.
“Luanfei, you’re later than me today!” Miss Lu remarked with playful surprise.
Princess Ning Shu pouted playfully, her voice lilting. “Third Miss, you’ve got some nerve to talk! Nine times out of ten, you’re the one who’s late!”
Xiao Luanfei smiled gently, offering an explanation. “My second sister has just recovered from an illness. I had the driver go slower to ensure she wouldn’t get carsick.”
Princess Ning Shu cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yanfei, muttering. “So delicate.”
Xiao Yanfei gave a small, demure smile, her demeanor soft and frail.
It was her first time riding in a carriage, and she was admittedly still adjusting to it.
“It’s almost time for the si period.” Princess Ning Shu urged, her voice sweet but insistent. “We should head up the mountain quickly. I heard the incense offerings at Xilin Temple are highly revered, and the peace talismans blessed by Master Huaiyuan are especially effective. If we’re late, we might miss out.”
Miss Lu asked. “Aren’t we waiting for Gu Yue?”
Princess Ning Shu shook her head. “No, she sent word yesterday that she wouldn’t be coming today.”
She scrunched her delicate nose, grumbling. “There’s fluff and debris flying everywhere, and so many bugs. These monks are really inconsiderate—of all places, why choose here to build a temple?”
With that, she disdainfully shielded her mouth and nose with an embroidered fan depicting butterflies among flowers. Her jade-like fingers, adorned with crimson nail polish, glinted against the tortoiseshell fan handle, complementing the red coral hairpin nestled in her dark locks.
“How could she have the heart to come out and play now? I heard the Duke of Wei’s condition has worsened these past few days.” Xiao Luanfei sighed, her long pearl and jade tassel earrings swaying gently with her movements.
Hearing them mention the “Duke of Wei,” Xiao Yanfei who had been gazing up at the verdant Cuiwei Mountain, suddenly had her attention drawn back to the conversation.
The Duke of Wei was seriously ill, yet the Duchess had still made a special visit to the residence to “see her”?
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