In the dead of night, the entire sky was filled with heavy rain, and the thunder rumbled incessantly.
The pitter-pattering rain struck the crisp roof tiles, making a tinkling sound, which only made the night seem lonelier and more distressing.
In a remote courtyard of a mansion, a dim oil lamp burned.
A young woman was leaning against the headboard, her face somewhat pale. Although her delicate features were drained of color, they were still exceptionally beautiful, a beauty like a sick Xishi.
By her side was another woman around her age, who was holding a newborn infant.
"Sister Qing, bring the child over for me to see."
Qing Wei, with tears streaming down her face, said, "Madam, it's better if you don't look at this child. She's a girl; the master won't care about her birth at all."
The young woman glared at Qing Wei, "Nonsense! Just because he doesn't care, should I neglect my own child? So what if she's a girl? My daughter will be a hundred times stronger than those boys!"
"Madam, this servant spoke out of turn. Please don't be angry. You just gave birth to the second young miss; you need to rest more."
Seeing that she had angered her, Qing Wei quickly apologized and walked toward the headboard with the infant.
Feng Tianshuang looked at the quietly sleeping face of the infant, and a myriad of feelings flooded her heart. She had never imagined that her marriage into the Ji Family would come to such a pass. What she resented most was her father, who, for the private interests of his clan, had been willing to sacrifice her.
Knowing full well that Ji Dongming had no feelings for her, he still forced her to marry into the Ji Family. His willingness to accept her as his principal wife was only to ensure that their families' Imperial Merchant businesses could maintain their dominant position in the medical trade in Siyou Country.
Her gaze shifted away from the infant, and Feng Tianshuang glanced around the room, then asked faintly, "Qing Wei, where's Ruyan?"
"Madam, the young miss is outside waiting. The midwife has already gone to inform the master. If the master knows that you've given birth to another girl this time, I'm afraid he won't come. You see..."
Feng Tianshuang let out a cold laugh and cut off Qing Wei's words, "Whether he comes or not, what's that to me? Go call Ruyan over; I have orders for her."
A warm sensation spread from her lower abdomen, along with more pain.
The stench of blood was overpowering.
Feng Tianshuang came from a Medicinal Merchant Family and, although she understood medicinal herbs, she couldn't practice medicine because she was a woman.
She knew all too well that it was normal to bleed a lot after giving birth, and it was likely a postpartum hemorrhage. Even if the Imperial Physician were present at this moment, she had no way to ensure her own survival.
"Yes, this servant will go call the young miss right away."
Qing Wei placed the infant next to the lady's bed and then tiptoed out to the door. She opened the crack in the door and saw Ji Ruyan standing right beside it.
The six-year-old girl curled into herself, apparently holding something bulky in her arms, which was hard to make out due to the deep darkness of the night.
As soon as she heard the noise from the door, the little girl looked in that direction and immediately turned to Qing Wei, excitedly calling out, "Sister Qing, is my mother awake?"
"Young Miss, come in quickly! Madam is looking for you."
Qing Wei, heart aching, led her inside. When she touched Ji Ruyan, she realized the girl's outer garments were drenched by the rain, feeling deep concern, "Young Miss, how long have you been standing outside? Why don't you change into a set of dry clothes? What if you catch a cold? How could we bear that?"
"Shh! Sister Qing, keep your voice down, don't let mother hear, or she'll scold me again. I'm fine!"
Ji Ruyan's youthful face was mischievously mature, uncharacteristic of her age.