The next morning, the world was silent. A faint light began to appear on the eastern horizon, gently filling the pale blue sky. A new day was slowly approaching from afar.
"Miss, Miss, wake up, please wake up..."
Yuxi opened her eyes to see a woman sitting beside her. The woman had a round face, a round bun on her head, and was dressed in a blue robe. She appeared to be around thirty years old.
When the woman saw Yuxi open her eyes, she was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Miss, you're awake! You've finally woken up!"
Yuxi stared at the woman for a moment, then recognized her. It was Aunt Fang, the one who had come to take care of her. That's good. If Aunt Fang was here, it meant she would soon be able to meet her mother. She had never seen her mother before, after all!
Aunt Fang stroked her head and happily said, "Miss, your fever has subsided." Once the fever was gone, it meant the danger was over.
Yuxi tried to speak but found her throat dry and painful, as though it were on fire, making it impossible for her to speak.
Although Aunt Fang noticed that Yuxi seemed a bit dazed, she didn't think much of it. The young miss had been unconscious for a few days, so it was normal for her reactions to be a bit slow: "Miss, are you hungry? I'll make some porridge for you."
Yuxi nodded slightly, and within a few moments, she finished a bowl of millet porridge. "Another bowl?" she asked. She was simply too hungry. During the period of escape, she hadn't had a single full meal.
Aunt Fang smiled when she saw Yuxi finish the porridge so quickly. Hearing that Yuxi wanted more, she was even more delighted. A good appetite meant recovery was near.
After finishing the porridge, Yuxi asked, "Aunt Fang, where is this place?"
Aunt Fang's expression stiffened for a moment, but after a while, she said, "Miss, this is Qingzhu Cottage." Seeing Yuxi's confused expression, Aunt Fang explained, "Miss, although Qingzhu Cottage is a bit remote, it is still within the Duke's residence. You don't need to worry."
Yuxi murmured to herself, "Qingzhu Cottage?" She felt like she had heard this name somewhere before.
Aunt Fang, noticing the look of confusion on Yuxi's face, felt a pang in her heart and said, "Miss, don't you remember? You had smallpox, and the madam moved you here. Don't worry, Miss, now that your fever has subsided, you will recover soon, and we will return to Rose Courtyard." The old madam had wanted to send the young miss to the countryside, but thankfully, the madam stopped her.
Yuxi finally understood why this place seemed familiar. She had stayed at Qingzhu Cottage after recovering from smallpox and had lived here for over a month.
Aunt Fang, unaware of Yuxi's thoughts, assumed she was feeling down. "Miss, I know you're upset, but right now, the most important thing is to rest and recover."
Yuxi absentmindedly nodded in response.
Aunt Fang continued, "Miss, you should rest for a while longer. I'll prepare some medicine. If you feel unwell, just call for me. I'll be right outside."
Yuxi nodded and said, "Okay."
The sunlight poured through the window and bathed Yuxi in warmth. She looked at her small hands and muttered softly, "I'm alive again?"
Aunt Fang came in with the medicine and said, "Miss, drink this. Once you've had the medicine, you'll recover quickly."
In the past, Yuxi always had to be coaxed into drinking medicine, but this time, without even furrowing her brow, she drank an entire bowl.
The medicine contained herbs to calm the nerves, and soon after drinking it, Yuxi fell into a deep sleep. She slept until the afternoon. When she woke up and looked around, she pinched herself. It hurt: "I really am alive again." And she had returned to her childhood.
Aunt Fang came in with more millet porridge as soon as she saw Yuxi had woken up.
Yuxi looked at the porridge and suddenly remembered something. Qingzhu Cottage was isolated, and since she had smallpox, Aunt Fang had been cooking for her here. The big kitchen only sent food once a day in the mornings. However, there had been no deliveries for two days, and when Aunt Fang went to ask, they had accused her of trying to spread the smallpox virus to the rest of the household. If Aunt Fang hadn't been freed by her mother, who had a good reputation as a law-abiding citizen, she might have been beaten to death on the spot. After this incident, Aunt Fang was expelled from the Duke's residence. This made her increasingly melancholic, and not long after, she passed away.
Yuxi asked, "Has the kitchen not sent anything over these past two days?"
Aunt Fang was very surprised. She hadn't mentioned this to Yuxi, so she didn't know how she knew: "Miss, the kitchen might have been delayed. They'll likely send something over later."
Yuxi sneered and said, "Aunt Fang, use what we have sparingly." The madam was in charge of the household, so with her support, how could the kitchen delay deliveries? There must be something suspicious going on.
Yuxi's mother, Ning, had once saved the second young master, Han Jianye's life. The Duke's wife, Autumn, was a woman who was very clear on the principle of repaying kindness. Since Ning had saved her son, Autumn had returned the favor by taking care of Yuxi. In the last life, it was because of Autumn's protection that Yuxi could grow up in peace. Had it not been for Jiang Hongjin's sudden appearance, she would have married into the Qiu family and lived a relatively peaceful life, even if it was without much wealth.
Aunt Fang forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, Miss, I will use it sparingly." Not receiving the deliveries was a small issue, but what truly concerned Aunt Fang was that the doctor had still not arrived.
Yuxi thought that Aunt Fang hadn't taken her words to heart, so she directly said what was on her mind: "Aunt Fang, the kitchen hasn't sent anything over because someone must have given the order. You must not leave. If you do, you'll fall into someone's trap, and then you won't be able to stay by my side anymore." Tears fell from Yuxi's eyes as she continued, "Aunt Fang, my mother is gone. You're the only one left by my side. If anything happens to you, what will I do?"
Aunt Fang hugged Yuxi and said, "Miss, don't worry. I won't leave. I will stay with you."
Yuxi nodded, saying, "Didn't the doctor come today?"
This year, smallpox was rampant in the capital, and many people were infected, especially children. The Duke's residence had two children infected with smallpox—Yuxi and her half-brother, Han Jianhui. Her half-brother was being treated by a court doctor whom the old madam had called in, while Yuxi was being treated by a doctor her aunt had hired from outside. Even though the old madam had heard that the doctor treating Yuxi was skilled, she still ordered him to leave. The old madam had no concern for her life.
Aunt Fang's face changed when she realized how sharp Yuxi had become after her illness. "Miss, don't worry. If the doctor hasn't come by tonight, I'll go ask the madam."
Yuxi shook her head. "No need. My fever has already subsided. I'll be fine. I survived last time, and I will survive this time too."
That evening, there was more millet porridge.
Aunt Fang felt a bit sad. Normally, after a serious illness, the young miss should be given something nourishing to help her recover, but for now, all she could provide was this. "Miss, just make do with this for now." Fortunately, the kitchen had left some rice, or they wouldn't even have had millet porridge.
Yuxi smiled faintly. "It's fine. Having millet porridge is already a blessing. In my previous life, I was so picky. This time, I won't be." Only after enduring hunger did she realize how fortunate it was not to be hungry.
After finishing the porridge, Yuxi said, "Aunt Fang, don't worry. Madam will know about this soon. The food should be delivered tomorrow morning." It was truly remarkable that those behind this had managed to hide the truth for two days. The affairs of the house had been so chaotic recently; otherwise, they would have discovered this earlier.
Aunt Fang's lips moved, but she didn't dare to speak her mind. "Mm, the kitchen people should come tomorrow for sure." She only hoped the doctor would come by then.
The Duke's wife, Autumn, had been extremely busy lately, dealing with countless matters both inside and outside the household. There were two children with smallpox in the house, and she had to care for the old madam. She was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.
Wang Mama, Autumn's maid, noticed
her distress and asked, "Madam, what's wrong? Is the third young master in bad shape?"
Autumn didn't respond but asked, "I asked you to get a doctor from outside. Why haven't I heard anything yet?" She was upset with the old madam for summoning the doctor, Bai, to treat Yuxi and then sending him away without caring for her well-being.
Wang Mama shook her head. "Madam, you know what the situation is outside. How can we find a doctor now?"
Autumn's face darkened. "That child may not make it..." Even with the court doctor treating her half-brother, he was still unconscious. Yuxi would probably not survive.
Wang Mama tried to console her. "Madam, you've already done enough. The old madam originally wanted to send the fourth young miss out of the residence, but you insisted on keeping her here and even went to great lengths to bring in Bai, a skilled doctor. Without you, the fourth young miss would have likely perished long ago."
Autumn's expression grew heavier. She had promised Ning that she would take care of Yuxi and raise her to adulthood, but now she was going back on her word.
At that moment, the maid, Liu Yue, entered and reported, "Madam, the kitchen has not delivered anything to Qingzhu Cottage in the past two days."
Autumn, already frustrated, slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Who has the audacity to withhold food from the fourth young miss?" She hadn't expected anyone to take advantage of the situation during these busy days.
Liu Yue quietly explained, "I asked the old woman who delivers the food. She said that the fourth young miss had been unconscious for three days, and she thought it was a waste to send food, so she took a break."
Autumn didn't believe this. "Tie her up and interrogate her."
Wang Mama quickly advised, "Madam, the household is in a chaotic state. If the old madam finds out, she will surely be displeased. This matter shouldn't escalate." The head of the kitchen was a maid who served the old madam, and usually, the madam had to give face to her. If they arrested the old woman and implicated the head of the kitchen, Autumn's position could become precarious.
Autumn paused before asking, "Why has this only come to light now?" Two whole days had passed, and it had been hidden so easily? This meant someone had easily deceived her. If this was Yuxi's matter, what about next time?
Wang Mama's face changed. "It's my fault. I should have paid more attention."
Wang Mama was Autumn's maid, but not her trusted confidante. Autumn's true confidante was Li Mama. However, Li Mama had recently fallen ill, so Autumn had allowed her to rest at home. Had Li Mama been around, this mistake wouldn't have occurred.
Autumn stood up and said, "Let's go to Qingzhu Cottage."