Saving a Life

"Mother, can you guarantee she won't tell anyone?"

Qing was really uneasy, so he found a way to see Ge Bao'er again, this time inside the rockery.

However, this time they chose a good spot, making sure no one could see them.

Ge Bao'er sighed, "Although she promised Mother, I can't say for sure."

Qing's face changed color. He was at a loss, stamping his foot and asking, "Then, what do we do?"

Ge Bao'er hugged him and said, "Son, don't worry, leave him to your mother."

He looked into Qing's eyes and said, "Mother will not let anyone affect your future."

Qing was deeply moved and said, "Mother, then I'll go and ask the Old Madam. She loves me and will help us find a solution."

Ge Bao'er shook her head.

"Son, the Old Madam loves you. But as for me... you've seen it yourself."

"Besides, you can't just suddenly bring it up with the Old Madam. If she finds out we've been meeting secretly, you'll never see me again."

She coughed a few times, and looked very weak and pitiful because her illness had not improved.

Don't worry about it, Mother will handle it.

Qing pursed his lips and said, "Mother, I know how to beg the Old Madam. I'll go and beg Old Madam first. You should go back and take good care of yourself."

Ignoring what Ge Bao'er wanted to say, he ran straight to Hall of Longevity.

Ge Bao'er returned to the Rain Apricot Pavilion alone.

"Old Madam, Young Master Qing has come to pay his respects."

Nanny Yan helped the Old Madam get up. When the Old Madam heard that her great-grandson was coming, she smiled broadly and said, "Let him in quickly."

After she finished dressing, she went to the Small Hall to talk to Qing.

Qing always knew how to please her, and a few words from him made the Old Madam laugh non-stop. When it was time to leave, he put on a sad face and pleaded, "Old Madam, my mother's illness just won't get better. It must be because the maidservant by her side isn't taking good care of her. Please punish that maidservant and sell her off, okay?"

Old Madam Lu frowned. "The Lu family has always been kind and benevolent, and treats its servants very well. She hasn't committed any serious crime, so she can't be sold off so easily."

Qing pleaded, "Great-grandmother, I beg you, please punish that maid for me, okay?"

"Nonsense."

Old Madam Lu spoke very bluntly.

She said, "You can eat well and dress well if you want, but if you want to be like those spoiled brats, beating, scolding, and selling off servants at will, causing chaos in the house, I'll have your father come and spank you."

It seemed his plea was unsuccessful, Qing took his leave.

Nanny Yan said, "Why would Young Master Qing punish Xiliu for no reason? That girl is quite well-behaved and sensible, and she works in the inner courtyard; she wouldn't offend Young Master Qing."

She had some connection with Xiliu's parents, so she naturally spoke up for the girl.

Old Madam Lu sneered, "There are plenty of people in this mansion who fawn over the powerful and bully the weak. She's just a lowly concubine, so it's only natural that the maids treat her coldly."

"It would be even better if Xiliu really didn't serve me well."

"Don't worry about it, let Xiliu serve you however she wants."

Seeing that the Old Madam had no intention of punishing her, Nanny Yan smiled and said, "Why should this old servant care? Let the Concubine fend for herself. In a few years, Young Master Qing won't care anymore. Nobody will even remember her."

Drooping Silk Hall.

"Madam, you're absolutely right to worry. I secretly followed Xiliu for a few days, and she goes to the Garden every now and then, either in the pavilion or by the water, lost in thought."

Ping Ye saw Xiliu staring blankly again today, and told Lin Yunwan about it as soon as she got back.

Tao Ye said, "Xiliu, is something on your mind?"

Ping Ye said, "Serving such a master, how could she not have worries?" Thinking of Xiliu's appearance, she said, "But she seems to be carrying too much on her mind! I called her once, but she didn't hear me, so I came back."

Tao Ye asked worriedly, "Is she still in the Garden?"

"Yes, they're strolling by the Pond right now."

Lin Yunwan was a little worried. She got out of bed, put on her shoes, and said, "Let's go take a look."

Two maids went over, one carrying a cloak and the other an umbrella.

When they reached the water's edge, they indeed saw Xiliu sitting on a rock, lost in thought. Suddenly, she stood up and leaned forward.

"Oh no, she's going to dive!"

Lin Yunwan strode over, while Ping Ye, being bolder, tossed her cloak to Tao Ye and rushed ahead, grabbing Xiliu's arm and shouting, "Good girl, what's troubling you in this cold weather?"

Tao Ye was also frightened. Clutching the things in her arms, she went over to persuade her, "Xiliu, at least think about your parents. What in this world can't be overcome?"

Xiliu looked at them blankly.

It took him a moment to realize what was happening, and he was both amused and exasperated. "I didn't mean to die."

She said, "My parents are waiting for me to fulfill my filial duties. I use my monthly allowance to buy them nice clothes. How could I possibly want to die!"

Finally, he remembered to Lin Yunwan: "Madam."

Lin Yunwan pulled Xiliu to a safe spot and frowned, asking, "Then why did you jump into the water?"

Xiliu blushed and said, "My foot slipped."

Lin Yunwan and her two servants looked at each other in disbelief, realizing they had been completely wrong.

Ping Ye and Tao Ye burst into laughter, scolding each other, "You scared us to death!" Ping Ye added loudly, "If I hadn't seen Madam go over there, I wouldn't have been able to stop you. Slipping into the water on such a cold day isn't fun!"

Xiliu felt embarrassed by what she said.

She had a very difficult time living with Concubine Ge, but she never thought about dying.

She had been sitting by the water for a long time, and her hands were cold. Ping Ye helped her rub her hands.

Lin Yunwan stood to the side, smiling faintly.

Although she was relieved that the girl hadn't tried to kill herself, she also realized that the girl hadn't committed suicide by jumping into a well in her previous life!

"I'm glad you're alright. Let's go back."

Lin Yunwan and her maid prepared to leave.

"Lady!"

Xiliu couldn't help but call out to Lin Yunwan. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and knelt down. "Madam, this servant has something of utmost importance to report."

Tao Ye helped Xiliu up and said, "What is it? Just stand up and say it. The ground is cold. Don't your knees hurt from kneeling?"

Lin Yunwan walked over and asked, "What is it?"

Xiliu bit her lip and said, "... Madam, I can only speak to you."

Lin Yunwan raised her hand, and the two maids stepped aside.

Xiliu told him everything that had happened on the artificial hill.

She knelt down and said, "Madam, I don't know what will become of me, but you've been so good to me, I can't keep it from you!"

Lin Yunwan helped her up and asked, "Can you swim?"

Xiliu shook her head. "No."

"I know what's going on in this matter, so don't worry about it. Just serve Concubine Ge as before, as if nothing happened. Understand?" Lin Yunwan reminded her, "Take good care of yourself, avoid all water, and stay away from wells."

Xiliu wasn't stupid; she knew that with something this serious, Concubine Ge might not let her off the hook.

She nodded and said, "This servant understands, thank you for considering this servant's needs, Madam."

Lin Yunwan returned with her two maids, remaining silent the entire way. When she finally spoke, she instructed, "Qing's birthday is approaching. Take my invitation to the Lin Family to invite my mother, aunts, and other relatives over. Also, take another invitation to invite Old Madam Xia and the Eldest Aunt to come as well."

Ge Bao'er finally couldn't resist the urge to take back her son, so she devised a plan to reunite the mother and son!