Playing Sick
"The Old Madam is ill."
Ping Ye said this while sulking.
Tao Ye sighed, "Don't be angry anymore."
With such a major incident, the Wuding Marquis Residence is in a difficult position to handle. Old Madam doesn't feign illness and use the concept of "filial piety" to pressure the ladies, what else can they do?
Ping Ye said resentfully, "They're just taking advantage of our lady's good health!"
Lin Yunwan lay down on the bed and closed her eyes.
Tao Ye asked, "Madam, aren't you going to see the Old Madam?"
Lin Yunwan said calmly, "If word gets out that I'm sick too." Feigning illness might work on Lu Zhengliu, but what use would it have on her?
Ping Ye smiled and said, "This servant will go wring out the handkerchief right away!"
Afraid of laughing too obviously, she covered her mouth with her hand. Only when she could hold back her laughter did she go out to fetch water to wring out a handkerchief for Lin Yunwan.
He ran back and forth in the Courtyard several times, sobbing and crying, telling everyone he met, "Madam is ill. She's always been holding in so much anger, and this time it's gotten really bad. I don't know if she'll survive!"
Tao Ye's eyes also reddened, and everyone panicked when they saw the two maids of the madam in such a state.
"Oh dear, the lady has fallen ill!"
"What are we going to do? Who will take care of things in the manor from now on?"
Wei Shi was so anxious she was like an ant on a hot pan, and had no choice but to step forward.
She went to the Discussion Hall and first told the Stewardess, "From now on, come here at the end of Chenshi (7-9 AM) to report for duty. We'll discuss any important or minor matters together."
One mother muttered, "Chenshi (7-9 AM)? By the time we finish discussing things, it'll be lunchtime."
Wei Shi frowned and asked, "What time does your Young Madam usually come over?"
Nanny Yuan said, "Reporting to Madam, Young Madam arrives no later than the end of the morning." However, this hasn't been the case for the past six months. But in the past, the rules were well-established, so even if she arrived a little late, it wouldn't delay the affairs of the household.
Wei Shi wiped her forehead and said, "... There's no need to come so early."
She can't get up!
She said, "I still have to take care of the Old Madam and the Marquis, so I don't have that much time. I'll come at the time I told you."
After setting the time and vaguely sorting out a few things, she was completely overwhelmed.
Fortunately, for the past seven years, the household had always followed established rules for everything, big and small. Lin Yunwan was only ill, not dead, so things didn't fall into chaos.
"Amitabha Buddha, this is really putting me in a difficult position!"
Wei Shi fled to the Drooping Silk Hall to find Lin Yunwan, partly to persuade and comfort her, and partly out of concern for her illness.
It was the maid who reminded her, "Madam, shouldn't you go see the Old Madam first?"
Only then did Wei Shi realize that she had truly broken the rules.
Of course, one must serve the Old Madam first before going to see the daughter-in-law.
She turned to the Hall of Longevity, where a maid whispered to her, "Young Madam is very ill and says she can't see anyone. Even Nanny Yan couldn't go in. Madam, you really don't need to go."
Wei Shi actually wanted to go, but after hearing that Nanny Yan had been turned away, she decided to postpone her trip.
If she misadvises the Old Madam and she gets blamed, she'll be a major sinner in the household.
However, she didn't just stand by and do nothing.
"Has that wretched hussy, Concubine Ge, been placed under house arrest?"
The maid said, "I've had someone watch over him, locked him in the Rain Apricot Pavilion, and given no food or water. He'll only be given a sip of water when he's almost dead."
Wei Shi nodded. "Yes, the Heir Apparent's instructions are absolutely correct!"
That bitch should just stay hungry and thirsty.
Zhu Qing thought the same thing, so she ran over to keep watch and see if anyone dared to give Ge Bao'er water.
She said to Tong Liu, "That Concubine Ge is too ambitious! I don't think even if it rained knives from the sky, she could be killed. Since she's right under my nose, I can't let her get away with this."
Zhu Qing stood outside Ge Bao'er's room and said coldly to the Matron, "If I see anyone daring to give her an extra sip of water, don't blame me for reporting to the Heir Apparent and having them beaten to death!"
The Matron, trembling with fear, said to Zhu Qing, "Don't worry, Concubine, we'll keep a close eye on Concubine Ge."
They had no desire to receive any benefits.
Ge Bao'er had been starving for a day and a night, and she was trembling with anger as she listened to Zhu Qing's words inside.
"Qing'er... Qing'er..."
Her son.
As expected, he still cares about her as his mother; for that reason alone, Lu Zhengliu wouldn't really let her die.
She just needs to get through this; once her son is registered under her name, they'll be reunited.
"So what if he's a Concubine-born Son? Concubine-born Son is still my son."
The mother and son depend on each other for survival; how could they possibly be unable to stand on their own two feet?
After Zhu Qing's attack subsided, she changed into simple clothes and went to visit Lin Yunwan.
"The lady is not here."
Ping Ye stopped the person.
Zhu Qing cried bitterly, "Please, young lady, have mercy and let me serve the madam!"
Ping Ye wouldn't let her in, Zhu Qing cried loudly.
Tao Ye said from inside, "Let Concubine in."
As soon as Zhu Qing entered, she saw that Lin Yunwan's complexion was normal and breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness Madam isn't really ill. I was afraid you were!"
Lin Yunwan sat up and said, "Did you ask to come here yourself?"
Zhu Qing said, "Of course."
She briefly described the changes in the manor, and finally tentatively asked, "Madam, do you really want to leave the manor?"
Fearing that Lin Yunwan become suspicious, she quickly explained, "I've always been devoted to you, Madam. I want to know whether you're leaving or not. Please rest assured, Madam, I won't tell anyone."
Lin Yunwan closed her eyes.
She said, "Let's talk about it when the elders of my the Lin clan arrive."
Zhu Qing remained silent. She was reluctant to part with her mistress, but she also didn't want to hold her back.
Even if her words might be insignificant in the lady's eyes.
Knowing that Lin Yunwan was in a bad mood, she jokingly complained, "You and I are in the same boat! Madam knew all along that Young Master Qing was her son, but she didn't tell me."
"Perhaps I can even serve you, Madam."
Lin Yunwan laughed, "You pushed her head underwater several times, doesn't that count as effective?"
Zhu Qing gritted her teeth and said, "That's nothing, it's just making her pay back the debt for the Contraceptive Decoction I gave her!"
She really holds a grudge.
Lin Yunwan suddenly asked, "How is Chang Gong? Has he been to the backyard?"
Zhu Qing was meticulous and found out everything, including about Lu Chang'gong.
She shook her head and said, "The Eldest Young Master has never been to the backyard; he's always been studying in the Front Courtyard."
Fearing that Lin Yunwan be hurt, she said, "It's not that Young Master Chang Gong doesn't want to come see you, but you said you wouldn't see anyone. He's shy, unlike me, whose status is so low that I can't just swallow my pride and beg."
"Young Master Chang Gong will arrive once you are willing to open the courtyard gate."
Lin Yunwan didn't mention Lu Chang'gong again.
Having met Lin Yunwan, Zhu Qing felt reassured and returned home shortly afterward.
As darkness fell and the Second Gate was about to be locked, just as the Matron was about to lock it, a dark figure ran over and called out, "Wait a minute!"
The Matron looked closely and exclaimed, "Eldest Young Master?"
Lu Chang'gong said, "I want to go out."
The Matron let him out, saying, "Eldest Young Master, you should go out earlier next time, don't lock yourself in there."
The backyard hasn't been arranged for the two young Courtyard yet; it would be troublesome if they had nowhere to live.
Lu Chang'gong, whether he listened or not, returned to the Front Courtyard.
He didn't go back to his own room, but went to Qing's place, locked the door, and beat him up.
"Don't you like hitting people? It feels good to get hit, doesn't it?"
He finished speaking casually and then left.
Qing pouted, his eyes wide, unable to believe that Lu Chang'gong, who had such a good temper, would actually dare to hit him!