Chapter 2: The Eldest Branch's Schemes

As the voice fell, the young man strode into the room. Disregarding the boundaries between men and women, he walked to the bedside and choked out, "Elder sister, Father and Mother have already passed on; are you going to abandon me and our little brother as well? Won't you please wake up?"

Yun Yi thought that she would have to face this sooner or later. Knowing this was the original owner's eldest younger brother, Xiao Chenrui, she feigned a slow awakening and called out weakly, "Rui-ge'er."

Seeing his sister wake up, Xiao Chenrui, still just a child, immediately spoke with a tearful voice: "Elder sister, you’ve finally woken up. I was so afraid that you would leave me too."

Yun Yi reached out to comfort her brother, whose eyes were rimmed with red: "Don't cry, sister is fine."

Once Xiao Chenrui calmed down, he ordered, "Quickly go to the main courtyard and inform Grandmother that Elder sister has woken up. Also, go to the kitchen and bring some porridge; Elder sister hasn't eaten for two days."

The two maidservants behind him bowed slightly and said excitedly, "Yes, Third Young Master, we are going right away."

When the maidservant Zhihua arrived at the main courtyard, she learned that the Old Madam was in the front hall discussing matters.

She hurried to the second gate, explained the situation to the gatekeeper, and was led to the entrance of the front hall.

Upon reaching the door, she whispered a few words to the stewardess standing guard beside the Old Madam. Moments later, she saw the stewardess walk quickly into the hall: "Reporting to the Old Master and Old Madam, the Third Miss has woken up."

The Old Madam, sitting in the seat of honor, was visibly moved: "You say the Third Girl has woken up?"

The stewardess replied, "Yes, Zhihua, who serves the Third Miss, is right outside."

The Old Madam said excitedly, "Quick, quick, help me to Youzhu Courtyard. Thank the heavens, she has finally woken up."

At this moment, she could no longer be bothered with the matter of the Huo family calling off the engagement. She simply said to her eldest daughter-in-law, "Madam He, come with me to visit Yi'er."

The Eldest Madam, He, looked displeased: "Yes, Mother."

Not long after, Yun Yi heard the sound of chaotic footsteps approaching. Before the people arrived, their voices did: "Yi'er, my dear granddaughter, you have frightened Grandmother to death."

Yun Yi knew this was the original owner's grandmother. She tried to struggle to sit up, only to hear, "Don't move, don't move, just lie there. Bodhisattva bless us, you’ve finally woken up."

Xiao Chenrui was preparing to salute, but seeing his grandmother rush toward the bed, he could only hurriedly bow to his eldest aunt who had followed behind.

Yun Yi wore a pale, small face: "Yi'er is ashamed to have caused Grandmother to worry."

The Old Madam took Yun Yi's hand: "Grandmother knows you are heartbroken; how could I not be? But this is their fate. You must think more of Rui'er and Hao'er. My poor Hao'er lost his parents while still in swaddling clothes; you must get well quickly."

Yun Yi nodded: "Grandmother, rest assured. Yi'er has thought it through. I will get well as soon as possible and take good care of my younger siblings in place of Father and Mother, so that they may rest in peace in the afterlife."

The concubine-born younger sister, Xiao Yunshan, who had followed the news, felt a flash of disdain in her eyes at these words. No one noticed it except for Xiao Chenrui, who was standing opposite her.

Xiao Yunshan stepped forward, feigning docility: "Third Sister, Shan'er will also help take care of Fifth Brother in the future."

Yun Yi looked up at the person speaking. From her memories, she knew this was the original owner's concubine-born sister, Xiao Yunshan. She was a shrewd person; how could she not know these words were meant for the Old Madam's ears? However, she did not expose her, merely nodding with a faint expression.

At this time, the Eldest Madam He, who had followed along, feigned concern: "Yi'er, you must recuperate well. Now that your parents are gone, you are the eldest sister of the second branch; the burden on your shoulders is not light.

Especially since Hao-ge'er is so young and you are still ill, your grandmother and I discussed it earlier. If it truly becomes too difficult, we might temporarily send Hao'er to your cousin-aunt's place. She is a kind-hearted person and will surely treat him well."