Chapter 2: The Whole Family is Unlucky

Qiao Niannian decided to pull herself together.

Regardless of whether it would work or not, the hope of the entire family rested on her shoulders; she had to stand tall.

Let her think about how things had developed.

Qiao Niannian was lost in her own thoughts, not noticing that Madam Huo, standing to the side, had frozen completely.

Framing the current Emperor? How could she possibly frame the Emperor!

The Huo family had been loyal for generations, brave and skilled in battle, protecting the country and its people; they absolutely did not have a shred of treasonous intent.

Having grown up in the General’s manor, Madam Huo had naturally absorbed her father’s values of loyalty to the monarch and patriotism.

She did not know how her daughter could have such thoughts.

Just as Madam Huo was about to comfort Qiao Niannian, she heard her daughter’s inner voice.

【I remember, there was a maid by Mother’s side who was bribed, and that item used to frame the Emperor was planted by that maid.】

Madam Huo was shocked.

At this moment, the maid Chunmei walked in: "Madam, the young miss's medicinal soup is ready. Shall I bring it over now?"

Madam Huo was just about to nod when she heard her daughter’s inner voice.

【My dear mother, she is the maid who was bribed by the concubine; she is the one who planted the item.】

Madam Huo could not believe it.

Chunmei had been serving by her side for over a decade and had always seemed loyal.

She was generous to her servants and had never scolded or beaten them.

Madam Huo scrutinized Chunmei without leaving a trace.

She saw Chunmei’s eyes darting toward Qiao Niannian’s bed, her gaze shifting with obvious calculation.

Madam Huo had never noticed Chunmei’s small movements before, but looking closely now, she realized how restless the woman was.

Madam Huo composed herself and said in a flat tone, "The young miss just finished a bowl of porridge; the medicine can wait a while."

If Chunmei was problematic, Madam Huo dared not let her daughter drink the medicine she had brewed.

Chunmei frowned. That medicine had quite a few "good things" added to it, specifically for Qiao Niannian. However, she dared not contradict Madam Huo, so she could only answer obediently.

"Yes, this servant will go keep it warm and bring it over for the young miss later."

Madam Huo nodded calmly. Seeing Chunmei about to leave, she called her back.

"Wait, the young miss just said she wanted some snacks. Go to the main kitchen and keep an eye on the cook to make a few delicate and pretty snacks to bring over."

Chunmei didn't want to go; she hadn't watched Qiao Niannian drink the medicine yet. "Madam, this servant still needs to keep the medicine warm for the young miss, this servant..."

Madam Huo remained calm. "Just have another maid bring the medicine. You are meticulous and know the young miss's tastes, so I can only rest easy if you go."

Chunmei felt a faint sense of pride. She knew Madam Huo doted on Qiao Niannian, so she had long since found ways to win the girl's favor, which was how she had been promoted to a second-rank maid. Because of this, Chunmei didn't suspect a thing.

"This servant will go at once."

It just so happened that Concubine Xu was asking about the Second Miss's condition; she could deliver the news to Concubine Xu first and earn a handsome reward. Chunmei left happily.

Shiliu only showed a strange expression once Chunmei had left. She had been serving by her side the whole time and hadn't heard the young miss ask for snacks at all!

"Shiliu, have Haitang follow Chunmei and see where she goes. Don't let anyone else know." Madam Huo ordered in a cold voice.

Shiliu trembled. Could it be that Chunmei was problematic? Not daring to delay, she immediately went out to notify Haitang.

Shiliu and Haitang were maids Madam Huo had brought from her maiden home. Unlike the other maids in the manor, their bond was deeper, and Madam Huo did not doubt their loyalty in the slightest.

Qiao Niannian heard her mother’s arrangements and was completely bewildered.

【How did Mother suddenly become so smart? She actually suspected Chunmei. If she hadn't, she would have died early.】

Qiao Niannian stared at Madam Huo for a moment. A dark mass was gathering at her forehead—a sign of great misfortune, proving that the treasonous object had not yet been found.

Qiao Niannian felt that it was better to rely on herself than others; she should just cultivate!

Closing her eyes, she circulated her spiritual energy for one cycle and began to breathe.

Madam Huo didn't care about her dark expression. Once Shiliu returned, she took her aside and, ensuring no one could overhear their conversation, spoke in a low voice.

"Shiliu, go to the rafters in my room and find a small box..."

Madam Huo had originally intended to just have Shiliu take the box down, but her eyes inadvertently glanced at the Buddhist scriptures spread out on the table.

These scriptures were something the little girl had specifically copied to pray for her eldest brother’s safety before he went to the battlefield.

The scriptures had been finished three days ago. They were originally left on the table to let the ink dry, but then her daughter had jumped into the river, and the scriptures had been forgotten.

A plan suddenly formed in Madam Huo’s mind. She stepped forward, picked up a brush, and added two lines at the end.

Her daughter’s handwriting had been taught by Madam Huo; imitating a few characters was something she could manage.

She blew the ink dry, folded them up, and handed them to Shiliu.

"Replace the contents of the box with the Buddhist scriptures, then wrap it in a cloak and bring it to me. Be careful, don't let anyone discover you."

Seeing the grave expression on her mistress's face, Shiliu didn't dare to be careless. She hid the item in her sleeve and hurried away.

Madam Huo returned to the bedside and saw the little girl lying on the bed, sitting cross-legged.

The sight looked ridiculous no matter how she viewed it, which made Madam Huo’s mood lighten slightly.

Knowing Chunmei might be a problem, she couldn't let her daughter go without medicine, so Madam Huo simply took the maids to brew the medicine herself.

As for the previous bowl, it had been "accidentally" broken by Madam Huo.

After Qiao Niannian finished a bowl of white porridge, Madam Huo brought in the black medicinal soup. Qiao Niannian drank it with a scrunched-up face and hurriedly ate a few preserved plums to suppress the bitterness in her mouth.

【What kind of medicine did the doctor prescribe? It’s so bitter! Does he even have a medical license? He almost sent me to my grave.】

Madam Huo suppressed the curve of her lips, pretending she didn't hear the little girl's thoughts.

Qiao Niannian doubted life for a moment before hurrying back to her cultivation.

I don't know how much time passed, but a clear, youthful voice came from outside the door.

"Mother, is Little Sister awake?"

The maid at the door bowed respectfully: "Third Young Master, the young miss is asleep."

Third Young Master Qiao Beichen, thirteen years old this year, was mischievous and eccentric by nature. He was a little tyrant with many "fox friends and dog companions," and he was well-versed in all sorts of hedonistic pursuits.

The thing he hated most was studying.

He would get sleepy the moment he picked up a book and often fell asleep in class, making his teacher stomp his feet in anger.

He had been beaten for this many times, but he remained as stubborn as ever.

Qiao Beichen entered the room and placed a food box on the table. At this moment, Madam Huo also walked out from the inner chamber.

The youth’s voice was bright, though he deliberately lowered it a little.

"Mother, this is medicinal cuisine brewed by the Food Pavilion. You’ve been working so hard taking care of Little Sister, you need to nourish your body."

The Food Pavilion was the most expensive restaurant in the capital, frequented only by high-ranking officials and nobles. A simple meal there cost hundreds of taels of silver, and their medicinal cuisine was especially hard to come by.

Once, someone had tried to use their status as a royal relative to force them to make a dish, only to be beaten up in a sack the next day. Since then, no one had dared to cause trouble at the Food Pavilion.

Rumor had it that the person behind the Food Pavilion was extremely noble, and some said the owner was someone from the palace.

No one knew the specifics, but Madam Huo knew that this stuff was both expensive and rare.

She was first moved by her son’s filial piety, but then she realized something.

Last time, when Qiao Beichen had joined other students in pranking his teacher and she had been called in by the school, she had docked his monthly allowance.

Where did he get the money to buy medicinal cuisine?

Madam Huo glared at him: "Qiao Beichen, did you go gambling again?"

Qiao Beichen didn't think he had done anything wrong: "Mother, I earned this money with my own skills."

With his own skills?

Does gambling count as a skill?

She thought this brat had finally grown some "skills."

Madam Huo moved to hit him, but Qiao Beichen darted into the inner chamber, hiding behind his sister.

"Mother, Little Sister is watching! If you have the guts, hit me in front of her."

Madam Huo:...

If you would just let go of Niannian’s hand, see if I don't beat your backside flat.

Qiao Beichen knew his mother still cared about her image in his sister’s eyes, so he grinned.

Qiao Niannian had started breathing exercises again after finishing her medicine, and her breathing was much more even now.

Disturbed by the noise in the room, she slowly opened her eyes and saw a grinning, magnified face.

Qiao Niannian was startled.

【Where did this big idiot come from!】

Qiao Beichen:...

What was this girl saying?

He was so handsome, dashing, romantic, and elegant, yet she called him an idiot.

Wait.

Little Sister didn't speak.

Qiao Beichen looked left and right, his eyes suddenly lighting up.

He could hear Little Sister’s inner voice.

Could it be because Little Sister liked him, her Third Brother, the most, that he could hear her thoughts?

Oh my, this little sister was truly worth doting on.

"Little Sister, look what Brother brought you!"

Qiao Beichen dug into his robes and pulled out a gold medal.

He had specifically asked a master to consecrate this gold medal to bless Qiao Niannian with peace and prosperity.

He was just about to show it to Qiao Niannian when he heard her inner voice.

【Oh, so it’s not an idiot, it’s my unlucky Third Brother.】

【The tragic supporting character who cheats at the gambling table, gets his hands and feet chopped off, and ends up a cripple...】

Qiao Beichen:...

He felt that this gift wasn't necessarily something he had to give.