Yu Xi slept through the entire day, but when night fell, she found herself unable to sleep. Through the window, she gazed at a few green bamboo stalks outside. Their vibrant green hue brimmed with life and vitality.
The third Duke of the Han family had been obsessed with bamboo and spared no expense cultivating this bamboo grove. He even built a courtyard within the grove, giving rise to the name "Green Bamboo Retreat." However, the grove was remote, and those who lived there seemed to meet tragic ends. Over time, the retreat was deemed an unlucky place and was left abandoned.
Green Bamboo Retreat was indeed secluded, making it very quiet at night. When Qiu Shi arrived with over ten people, their footsteps were distinctly audible.
Fang Mama heard the footsteps and immediately went outside.
Qiu Shi did not enter the courtyard but spoke with Fang Mama outside the gate. Upon learning that Yu Xi was awake and eating, she was delighted. Yu Xi's fever had broken, and she was able to eat, meaning she had passed the critical stage. "Rest assured, Fang Mama. I will ensure a doctor comes tomorrow," Qiu Shi promised.
Knowing Yu Xi was safe, Qiu Shi felt relieved. She reminded Fang Mama to take good care of Yu Xi before leaving with her entourage.
Fang Mama returned to the room and said to Yu Xi, "Young Miss, the madam just came by. She was very happy to hear that you're awake."
Yu Xi nodded. Although her aunt treated her well as a way of repaying a debt of gratitude, Yu Xi was deeply grateful for such care.
The next day, Qiu Shi quickly discovered that the mastermind behind Yu Xi's ordeal was none other than Concubine Rong. Anger flickered in her eyes as she muttered, "That wretched woman." Of all the people Qiu Shi despised most, it was undoubtedly Concubine Rong.
Concubine Rong was a servant born into the Han household and had been serving Han Jingdong, who was the heir to the Duke at the time, since she was six. She was deeply favored by Han Jingdong. Not long after Qiu Shi married into the family, Concubine Rong was found to be pregnant. If not for the old madam's decree that no concubine could bear a child before the legitimate wife bore a son, Concubine Rong might have already given birth to an illegitimate heir. Forced to drink an abortifacient, Concubine Rong lost her child, yet she remained lively and resilient even after such a blow.
Wang Mama couldn't understand. "Why would Concubine Rong harm the Fourth Miss? What good does it do her?"
Liu Yin, growing frustrated with Wang Mama's lack of insight, explained, "Concubine Rong's attack on the Fourth Miss is clearly aimed at the madam."
Qiu Shi had grown up in a straightforward military family and had little experience with schemes. After marrying into the Han household, she suffered countless covert attacks from Concubine Rong, who was a master of manipulation. Qiu Shi sighed and said, "Let's set this matter aside for now. Liu Yin, send the two boxes of bird's nests I recently received to Green Bamboo Retreat tomorrow." While Wang Mama wasn't particularly bright, she wasn't wrong to suggest restraint. The old madam was already anxious about the Third Young Master's illness, and stirring trouble now would only worsen the situation, benefiting no one.
The old madam's trusted servant, Luo Mama, learned the next morning that Yu Xi had woken up. She immediately informed the old madam, saying, "Fourth Miss woke up yesterday morning and even ate two bowls of porridge." Luo Mama couldn't help but marvel at Yu Xi's resilience. Without a doctor's care, she had pulled through, while the Third Young Master still hadn't regained consciousness.
The old madam, holding her prayer beads, remained silent for a long time before asking, "What do Physician Zhang and Doctor Bai say about Hui'er?"
After a moment of hesitation, Luo Mama replied, "Physician Zhang and Doctor Bai said that if the Third Young Master doesn't wake up today…" She trailed off, not daring to finish the sentence.
The old madam paused her bead-rolling, then sighed deeply, "Do not let Yu Chen know about this." Third Miss Yu Chen, Hui'er's twin sister, had fallen ill from anxiety after learning her brother had contracted smallpox.
The old madam had only two sons: the Duke, Han Jingdong, and the third master, Han Jingyan. Han Jingyan had married three times. His first wife, the legitimate daughter of the Pingqing Marquis, was Yu Chen and Hui'er's mother. His second wife, Ning, was Yu Xi's biological mother. Both women had died in childbirth. His third wife, Wu, was someone he married while serving in office and had never been to the capital. Even the Han family knew little about her.
When Concubine Rong learned that Yu Xi had survived, she was furious. "That girl's life is truly tough. Even smallpox couldn't kill her."
Her maid, Ah Juan, lowered her voice and said, "Concubine, Ah Zhong's wife has been sent away. I'm worried the madam will find out about this."
Concubine Rong sneered, "So what if she finds out?" She had no fear of Qiu Shi. If not for the old madam, ten Qiu Shis wouldn't be a match for her.
Fang Mama beamed as she watched Yu Xi finish a bowl of millet porridge with red dates. "Young Miss, if you keep this up, you'll be fully recovered in a few days."
Yu Xi heard the chirping of birds outside and suddenly felt a lightness in her heart. "Mama, the weather is nice today. Open the window and door to let in some fresh air."
Fang Mama hesitated. "The wind outside is strong. If you catch a chill after just recovering, what then?" What Yu Xi didn't know was that Fang Mama had checked on her multiple times during the night, touching her forehead each time to ensure she wasn't feverish. At dawn, Fang Mama had gone to the kitchen to prepare porridge for her.
Yu Xi was firm on this matter. "Mama, the smell in the room is too heavy, and it's making me uncomfortable." The room hadn't been aired out in days, and the lingering smell of medicine was overwhelming.
Fang Mama reluctantly agreed and opened the window.
When the newly hired Physician Lü arrived, the window was still open. After taking Yu Xi's pulse, he said, "She's out of danger. With a few more doses of medicine, she'll make a full recovery." He hadn't expected such a frail-looking child to survive such an ordeal.
While Yu Xi was on the mend, the Third Young Master's condition worsened.
After examining Hui'er, Physician Zhang said to the old madam, "I regret to inform you that there's nothing more I can do." His words were an admission of defeat, urging the family to prepare for the inevitable.
Doctor Bai echoed the sentiment, saying he had done all he could.
The old madam clutched her prayer beads tightly. After a long silence, she asked in a trembling voice, "Is there truly no hope at all?" Though she had mentally prepared for this outcome, it was still hard to accept when the moment arrived.
Both doctors affirmed that even a miracle-worker could not save Hui'er. Survival depended on both medical care and fortune, and Hui'er had run out of the latter.
When Yu Chen learned her brother had passed away, she fainted on the spot, throwing the household into chaos until late at night.
Qiu Shi was the busiest of all. Although Hui'er's death was technically an early demise, making it improper to hold an official funeral in the household, monks still had to be invited to perform rites. With so many deaths in the capital, even securing monks was no easy task. Exhausted, Qiu Shi finally found a moment to ask Wang Mama, "How is Yu Xi?"
Wang Mama replied, "The doctor said the Fourth Miss is fine now. A few more doses of medicine, and she'll recover fully." The irony wasn't lost on her: the precious Third Young Master hadn't survived, yet the Fourth Miss, without even a doctor to treat her, had pulled through. "It's just fate," she muttered.
Though Qiu Shi found many faults with Wang Mama, she never doubted her loyalty. "Keep a close eye on the household. We can't afford any more mishaps." The previous incident had been a hard lesson.
Wang Mama immediately agreed. She had been sending the best food from the kitchen to Green Bamboo Retreat daily, ensuring no further issues arose.
When Yu Xi heard of Hui'er's passing, she wasn't surprised—she had long anticipated this outcome. Looking at the bright red quilt covering her, she said, "Mama, change this quilt for a plain one." Although the quilt hadn't caused any trouble in her previous life, it was better to be cautious.
The seclusion of Green Bamboo Retreat now proved to be a blessing. Isolated from the affairs of the main household, Yu Xi could recover in peace.
After lying in bed for three days, Yu Xi felt as if her bones were about to fall apart. Seizing the moment when Fang Mama was busy in the kitchen, she dressed herself and walked outside. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, the aroma of food wafted into her nose. "Fang Mama, what are you cooking? It smells so good!"
Fang Mama was startled. "Oh, my little ancestor! Why are you out here? The wind outside is strong, and if you catch a chill, what are we going to do?"
Yu Xi smiled and replied, "Fang Mama, there's no wind today, so I'll be fine. I'm not going to risk my health."
Fang Mama felt that Yu Xi had become more sensible and obedient after her illness, which made her reluctant to deny the young girl's small request. "Alright, but if the wind picks up, you'll need to head back inside."
Yu Xi nodded. "Okay. Fang Mama, what's cooking in the kitchen? It smells amazing."
Fang Mama chuckled and said, "The kitchen sent over an old hen to help nourish your body, so I killed it and put it on the stove to stew. It'll be ready soon!"
As Yu Xi inhaled the rich aroma, her stomach growled audibly. Thinking back to the hardships she endured during her half-month escape, she felt as if her current life was nothing short of heavenly. However, when it came time to drink the chicken soup, Yu Xi frowned. "Mama, why doesn't this soup have any salt?"
Fang Mama laughed and explained, "Young Miss, don't you know? When stewing old hens or ducks for nourishment, you shouldn't add salt—it's the most nutritious this way."
Yu Xi was intrigued. "Really? Who says so?"
Fang Mama smiled and replied, "The elders say so. If the old folks say it, it must be true. Don't worry, I've skimmed off all the oil in the soup, so it's not greasy. You should drink more."
Watching Yu Xi finish the entire bowl of chicken soup and eat the meat as well, Fang Mama's joy was palpable. "Miss, let me rub your stomach for you."
Yu Xi, though no longer the naïve four-year-old child she appeared to be, politely declined. "No need, Mama. I'll just walk around a bit, and it'll be fine."
With her mind at ease and her appetite restored, Yu Xi began to regain her strength. Over the course of a few days, she even put on some weight, no longer resembling the stick-thin figure she had been. Fang Mama was deeply comforted by this progress, constantly murmuring prayers of gratitude to Yu Xi's late mother, believing her spirit was watching over the girl.
While Yu Xi's health and spirits improved, Qiu Shi was worn thin from exhaustion. In addition to managing household affairs, she had also been caring for the ailing Old Madam.
Physician Zhang tried to reassure the anxious Qiu Shi, saying, "Madam, rest assured, the Old Madam is no longer in danger. However, given her advanced age, she should avoid both stress and intense emotions." Strong emotions, whether sorrow or joy, could be detrimental to the elderly.
Relieved to hear the Old Madam was safe, Qiu Shi shifted her concern to Yu Chen. "What about the Third Miss?"
Physician Zhang hesitated briefly before replying, "The Third Miss's condition stems from a heart ailment. Once her mind is at ease, she will recover naturally." Mental afflictions could not be cured with medicine.
Qiu Shi sighed, feeling helpless. She had already tried to console Yu Chen numerous times but to no avail. Now, she could only hope that the Old Madam might succeed in comforting the girl.