Chapter 6: Signs of Crisis
"What? He's your nephew? Didn't you say you were all alone here?" Yu Luoying was visibly skeptical.
Di Yun looked calmly at Yu Luoying and spoke slowly, "This is absolutely true. I ask for Madam's discernment!"
His clear and gentle eyes exuded steadiness and integrity, creating a natural sense of trust in Lian Heng.
"Mother, since it's a misunderstanding, let's return with Third Mother." She gently walked over and took Lu Qiaoqiao's arm. "Third Mother, since Constable Di is your nephew, you can visit him openly from now on. Let's head back."
Di Yun's eyes reflected a trace of emotion. He gave her a deep look and cupped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you for trusting me, Miss Lian! My aunt often speaks of your kindness to her. I am deeply grateful!"
Lian Heng smiled softly. "We are family; it's only natural."
"Enough, Ah Heng! Let's return now!" Yu Luoying lightly tugged at Lian Heng's sleeve and turned to leave.
"My hometown is far from here. When I was three, my family was destitute, and my father sold my elder sister to a wealthy local family as a concubine. At seven, a flood destroyed my village, taking my parents' lives. Though I survived, I was sold by unscrupulous traffickers to Yunxin House and lost all contact with my sister. Little did I know, she had also been separated from her husband during the flood and had been raising Saburo alone all these years."
"How did you meet her again?"
"Last year, Saburo joined the county yamen, and she moved here with him. Back then, I hadn't entered the Lian family yet. One day, she saw me on the street and thought I looked exactly like our mother when she was young. She went to Yunxin House to inquire about my origins. Before she could confirm anything, she fell ill and passed away. Saburo managed her funeral and continued investigating our past, eventually confirming my identity and reaching out to me."
"Why did you sneak around to visit your nephew?" Yu Luoying was puzzled.
"Because... I secretly took something from the house! I was afraid of being scolded by Master and the First Lady." Lu Qiaoqiao blushed slightly. "But Saburo refused to take it..."
"Everything in this house belongs to Master, including you!" Yu Luoying said sternly. "Taking things without permission is indeed wrong, but since Constable Di didn't accept it, let's leave it at that. Just don't do it again!"
"Yes, I understand!" Lu Qiaoqiao responded obediently.
Lian Heng let out a soft sigh of relief.
Although the Third Lady enjoyed Master Lian's favor, she never resorted to scheming or competing for attention. Lian Heng held a good opinion of her. After all, the situation of having multiple wives and concubines was caused by men; why should women make life harder for each other?
The autumn wind blew gently, and parasol tree leaves fell one by one. Green wine tasted lightly intoxicating; deep sleep overtook the dreamer by the window.
The Lian household experienced a rare period of tranquility. Even the eldest daughter ceased to relive past events in her dreams, sleeping soundly through the nights.
To Lian Zheng, an even greater joy came—Lu Qiaoqiao was pregnant! Hearing the doctor's diagnosis, Lian Zheng was overjoyed. "The fortune-teller said I was destined to have no sons. Even if it's not a boy, having another daughter is good enough!"
"Fortune-tellers aren't always right! Besides, Master has acted righteously and accrued much virtue over the years; surely, you can overcome any destined misfortune!" Housekeeper Wang, standing nearby, offered comfort.
"Let's hope your words prove true! Here, take this silver as a reward!" Lian Zheng laughed heartily, tossing a piece of silver to her, leaving Wang grinning from ear to ear.
Despite his vast wealth, having only one child had long been Lian Zheng's regret.
"Qiaoqiao, tomorrow I'll personally go to the temple to release animals for merit!" Lian Zheng said tenderly, holding Lu Qiaoqiao's hand. Turning to Yu Luoying, he added, "Luoying, you have experience with pregnancies. I'll leave Qiaoqiao's care to you!"
Yu Luoying paused before replying gracefully, "Thank you for your trust, Master. I will make sure to take good care of my sister."
The rare dreamless nights were abruptly interrupted by a chilling scream.
"Ah—!"
Another cry followed:
"Ah—! It hurts—!"
The sharp cries came from the front wing—Lu Qiaoqiao's quarters.
The house burst into chaos.
Lian Heng hurriedly dressed and told the nanny in the outer room, "Something's wrong! I'm going to check!"
The nanny quickly got up. "Miss, put on more layers!"
Outside, the night was shrouded in darkness.
The deep indigo sky seemed endlessly ominous. A few dim stars flickered eerily in the void.
Lian Heng rushed upstairs to find Lu Qiaoqiao's doorway already crowded. Both Yu Luoying and Lian Zheng had arrived.
"She's bleeding!" Housekeeper Wang exclaimed while tending to her.
"Quick! Get Doctor Liu!" Lian Zheng stomped anxiously.
"Master, I've already sent someone to fetch him!" the steward replied from outside.
A maid sobbed, "Third Lady complained of stomach pain an hour ago. I suggested calling a doctor, but she said it might go away. Then... then the bleeding started. What do we do now?"
"Don't worry, Doctor Liu lives nearby and will arrive shortly," Lian Heng reassured her.
Just then, the elderly Doctor Liu arrived with his medical kit. After examining her, he produced a cinnabar-red pill and instructed the maid to administer it. He then wrote a lengthy prescription and handed it to Lian Zheng.
"Master Lian, this pill should stabilize the Third Lady's pregnancy. Use this prescription tomorrow to brew medicine for strengthening the fetus."
Lian Zheng expressed his gratitude profusely.
"Before you thank me, may I ask if the Third Lady ate anything inappropriate this evening?" Doctor Liu asked solemnly.
Lian Zheng stiffened. "Maid, tell me!"
"There wasn't anything unusual," the maid hesitated. "She had steamed fish balls, sautéed vegetables, ham soup, and a bit of corn porridge before bed..."
"Are there leftovers of the fish balls or ham soup? Bring them here," Doctor Liu instructed. Wang quickly fetched the items.
Doctor Liu examined and tasted the soup before concluding, "This is turtle soup, not ham soup. There are traces of fennel and rhubarb. While harmless to most, given the Third Lady's frail constitution and early pregnancy, this caused the bleeding."
Everyone turned pale.
"Report to the authorities!" Yu Luoying demanded. "Only then can the truth clear my name!"
"Report this?" Lian Zheng hesitated.