The rainfall on this rainy night was torrential, showing no signs of lessening whatsoever.
This time, the rainfall had caused varying degrees of flooding in most provinces of Siyou Country.
The entire nation sank into the rescue efforts for the flood disaster.
Consequently, more people contracted diseases, and a vast epidemic followed.
As the Imperial Medical Judge, Ji Dongming was personally decreed by the Emperor to find a cure for the epidemic within a month, or else face punishment.
Because of this incident, Ji Dongming's anger toward Feng Tianshuang's death only grew. He had thought that with her death, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief and no longer have to deal with his icy wife.
But who could have anticipated a flood disaster followed by an epidemic? How could he not be infuriated?
After sixty days of disaster, the outbreak of the epidemic was finally brought under control.
As for Feng Tianshuang's death, she was hastily buried after a cursory search for a location.
During those sixty days, aside from the forty plus days Maternal Aunt Qi spent in confinement, she spent every ounce of effort in the remaining twenty days to make life difficult for the ladies of Tianshuang Courtyard, both the eldest and the second daughter.
Despite the death of those two young girls' mother, their status as legitimate daughters of Ji Dongming was an indelible fact.
One morning, Maternal Aunt Qi rose early because the dressmaker's embroiderer was coming to take her measurements for new clothes. In another month, she would don bright red garments to greet guests at her son's hundred-day banquet.
Following that day, she would no longer be a concubine but Ji Dongming's official wife, rightfully taking her place as Lady Ji.
She, Guo Yuqi, had endured to finally reach the status of principal wife, no longer a concubine subject to others' disdain!
And her own son would be recognized as the legitimate heir of Ji Mansion, not a child born out of wedlock!
Just thinking about it made the corners of her mouth curl up in an involuntary proud smile.
After the embroiderer's visit and her measurements were taken, along with many flatteries, she received the silver from Maternal Aunt Qi as a reward and left happily.
Maternal Aunt Qi, sitting at the head of the table, was served freshly brewed tea by Maid Yan Xue, who ingratiatingly said, "Madam, please enjoy your tea."
Taking the hot tea, she didn't drink it but gave Yan Xue a cool glance, "Has anything happened recently at Tianshuang Courtyard?"
"Madam, rest assured, they have been behaving very well. Aside from the funeral day of that cheap woman Feng Tianshuang, they have not left Tianshuang Courtyard again."
Yan Xue knew her mistress and that woman from Tianshuang Courtyard were like fire and water, and even with Feng Tianshuang's death, she wouldn't let go of past grievances, so she quickly responded with agility and intelligence.
With a bitter laugh, Maternal Aunt Qi, holding the teacup, suddenly hurled the just-poured hot tea towards Yan Xue, "Nonsense! If they don't come out, can't you think of a way to force them out? Or do you really want to see those two wild girls after I become his principal wife?"
Snap—
The teacup shattered, breaking into pieces on the ground.
The scalding hot water turned Yan Xue's little hands red with large blisters.
But Yan Xue didn't even dare to whimper, instead she knelt down with a thud before her, "Madam, please don't be angry, your servant will definitely take care of this matter, just need a bit more time."
Maternal Aunt Qi demanded furiously, "Time? How much more time do you need? Ten days? Half a month?"
"No! Your servant only needs five days. If they are still in Tianshuang Courtyard in five days, your servant will accept whatever punishment you deem fit without any complaints!"
Although Yan Xue was frightened, she still answered with a calm composure.
Maternal Aunt Qi was first stunned, then her lips curled up in a playful smile, "Five days? What good idea could you, a mere maid, have? Stand up and answer me!"
"Yes!"