Chapter 3: and

Xiao Yunyi glanced at the condescending Madam He, a chill flashing through her eyes, but she addressed the Old Madam instead: "Grandmother, my parents have only just passed away. Is the estate truly unable to afford the cost of raising a child?"

A look of embarrassment crossed the Old Madam's face. Madam He had mentioned it briefly before, but nothing had been decided. Hearing her granddaughter ask this now, she also felt that Madam He was being far too eager and impatient regarding this matter. If word of this were to spread, wouldn't the entire capital treat it as a joke?

Thus, she spoke up: "We shall discuss this later. Your priority right now is to recover your health."

Just then, the estate physician arrived after receiving word. Upon entering the room, he first bowed: "Greetings to the Old Madam, the First Madam, and all the young masters and misses."

The Old Madam stood up and stepped aside: "Doctor Lin, quickly, examine the Third Miss and see if there is anything amiss."

Doctor Lin set down his medicine chest and took out a pulse pillow. He signaled for the Third Miss to extend her wrist, looking somewhat flustered. In a short while, his forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat: "Reporting to the Old Madam, the Third Miss is no longer in any serious danger. With a few days of proper rest and recuperation, she will be fully recovered."

The First Madam, He, cast a cold look at the physician: "Doctor Lin, does the Third Miss still need to take any medicinal decoctions to consolidate her recovery?"

Doctor Lin glanced at the pale-faced Third Miss. Thinking of the kindness the Second Master had shown him while he was alive, he felt a pang of reluctance. If it hadn't been for Madam He threatening him with his wife and children, he never would have committed such a guilty act.

Now that his wife and children had already left the capital, he was essentially unburdened. He replied respectfully: "Every medicine has its side effects. The Third Miss is no longer in any danger and does not need to take any more decoctions. A light diet for the next few days will suffice."

Seeing that Yunyi was fine, the Old Madam said, "Yi'er, rest well. If you need anything, send someone to find your First Aunt."

Yunyi nodded gently: "Thank you, Grandmother."

Madam He narrowed her eyes at the physician, thinking that she had hinted so clearly, yet he hadn't taken the bait. Could it be that he hadn't followed her instructions before?

Otherwise, why would someone who was supposed to be on the verge of death have come back to life?

She made a mental note; if she found any flaws, she would certainly make him pay.

Hearing her mother-in-law's words, she masked her emotions and spoke indifferently: "I will instruct the kitchen later to prepare some light and palatable meals to be sent over. You should rest well."

Yunyi felt somewhat weary. It was not yet the time to tear off the mask, so she gave a light cough and said calmly: "Thank you, First Aunt."

Just then, a maid came from outside to report: "Reporting to the Old Madam and the First Madam, the Eldest Miss has learned of the Huo family's withdrawal of the marriage proposal. She is currently crying and smashing things in her room."

Madam He grew anxious upon hearing this. She had already been shocked to hear that the Third Miss had woken up, feeling that there was something suspicious about it—someone who was said to be on the brink of death had suddenly recovered.

Before she could even sort out her thoughts, she heard that her daughter had learned of the broken engagement.

Madam He said urgently: "Mother, if there is nothing else, this daughter-in-law will take her leave. I want to go and check on Ru'er."

The Old Madam had felt that since the Huo family had already withdrawn the engagement, there was no point in hiding it from her granddaughter, though she hadn't expected her to hear the news so soon. However, there was no time to ask how she found out.

She waved her hand at Madam He: "Go. Comfort her well. In a few days, when people from the Jin Prince's Mansion arrive, I will certainly have them keep an eye out for suitable matches. Tell her to set her heart at ease."

******

Lanfang Courtyard.

The First Madam's legitimate daughter, Xiao Yunru, had locked herself in her room for over a quarter of an hour. From inside the room came the sounds of sobbing and the 'clatter and crash' of things being smashed.

It had the servants in the courtyard in a panic.

The maid, Qiuyang, kept glancing toward the main gate, thinking that things couldn't go on like this. If she had known, she wouldn't have goaded the Eldest Miss into sneaking to the front courtyard to eavesdrop. Now look at what had happened—she had actually heard the news of the Huo family coming to break the engagement.