Mentioning the madam who had cared for her since childhood, Madam Bai’s once cheerful face fell, losing its usual spirited demeanor.
In her previous life, after her mother’s passing, the loyal Madam Bai had also met a tragic end, falling into water. What was initially thought to be an accident now seemed like Madam Bai had discovered traces of an inside traitor and was silenced.
Thinking of this, Feng Jin Yao looked at the white strands at her temples, her heart filled with emotion.
Loyal Madam Bai, you will never die in vain again!
“Ahem, I don’t know why, but the imperial physician Wang’s medicine has never stopped, yet this cough doesn’t improve. This old servant is worried sick. Madam can’t eat or sleep well, and has lost a lot of weight.”
As she spoke, she lifted the curtain for Feng Jin Yao.
In the main hall of Yun Hai Yuan, the underfloor heating kept it warm. The chill everyone brought in from outside dissipated in the warmth moments later.
Madam Feng was lying on the bed, her face pale, her cheeks flushed, clearly having been ill for a long time.
Madam Feng had little strength, but seeing her daughter come to pay her respects, she managed to sit up, her gaze softening with affection.
“Why have you come on such a cold day? Aren’t you afraid of catching a chill?”
“I missed mother very much, so I came to see you. Is mother feeling any better?”
Cough, cough, cough.
Madam Feng coughed again, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, afraid of infecting her daughter with her cough, which would be terrible.
Once the coughing subsided, Madam Bai, who was by her side, quickly brought a cup of warm water and changed to a clean handkerchief.
“Alas, I drink bitter medicine every day, yet it doesn’t stop this cough. I don’t even feel like eating these past two days. Tomorrow is mother’s birthday, and I won’t go to her in my sickly state to add to her worries. You take the birthday gift and go early, see if there’s anything you can help with. And your second brother, he’s nowhere to be seen all day. Tell him to behave, otherwise father will have trouble with him again.”
Although Madam Feng was ill, her concern for her children was undiminished.
This cough had started after winter set in. It wasn’t serious at first, just a few days of chrysanthemum tea to suppress it. Who knew it would get worse and worse.
There were children in Eldest Brother’s room, and Mother was afraid of spreading the illness, so she ordered the Eldest Branch not to visit.
Feng Jin Yao reached out to feel her mother’s forehead. She didn’t have a fever, but unfortunately, after a string of words, it made her cough again.
Seeing her mother cough severely yet still trying to suppress it so as not to worry her, Feng Jin Yao’s eyes welled up.
The inner clothes that used to fit well now seemed loose, and her slender arms had become quite thin, the veins on the back of her hands bulging unattractively.
She remembered how her mother couldn’t speak before she died in her previous life, only looking at her and shedding tears. Feng Jin Yao could no longer hold back.
With a hint of tears, she threw herself into her mother’s arms. If Madam Bai hadn’t been there to support her, she might have knocked Madam Feng over.
Madam Feng felt sorry for her daughter, who was still a child not yet of age. She had been ill for months, and her daughter must have been very worried. So, she gently patted her back, just as she used to soothe her to sleep when she was little.
“It’s alright, I’ve just coughed a few more times. It’s probably because the weather is too cold, which makes me feel weak and lose my appetite. It will get better after winter. In spring, when the sun is warm, I’m still craving the peach blossom wine you brewed and the peach blossom pastries you made.”
With a chuckle, Feng Jin Yao was amused by her mother’s playful words.
Such laughter and joy had finally returned. She secretly vowed that in this life, she would protect her mother and never let anyone in the Feng family die in vain, nor let any slander be cast upon the Feng family’s name!
Even if the person behind it was powerful and the path ahead was arduous, she would never compromise.
What was the reputation of the noble daughters of the Dong Du aristocratic families and prominent clans meant nothing to her compared to her family’s well-being.
If someone had to resort to dirty tricks and destroy goodness, let it be her. She was not afraid of any despicable means, as long as she could protect them safely for a lifetime!
Madam Bai nimbly took a brocade cloak with embroidered flowers and draped it over Madam Feng, then helped her to the table.
On the eight-immortal table, the maids had set out a breakfast.
A plate of thin-skinned spring rolls, a plate of white jade dumplings, two bowls of light millet porridge, and Feng Jin Yao’s favorite milk rice cakes, their aroma wafting enticingly.
The breakfast that usually felt unpleasant now seemed more appetizing with her daughter’s company.
After eating half a bowl of porridge and a few spring rolls, Madam Feng could eat no more. She took a handkerchief to wipe her lips, then heard someone lift the curtain and enter, holding a bowl of steaming medicinal soup. Feng Jin Yao’s heart skipped a beat.
Although a smile still graced her face, her heart turned cold as ice.
“Madam, the medicine is brewed. Drink it while it’s hot.” Amber handed over the medicine.
Madam Feng had been drinking this medicine for so long that it was bitter and difficult to swallow. Moreover, for some reason, her throat always felt uncomfortable after taking the medicine, which would trigger another severe cough.
She didn’t want to appear like this in front of her daughter, so she waved her hand and said to Amber.
“I just finished eating, it’s not good to take medicine now. Besides, this medicine is too hot. Let it cool down a bit before drinking.”
Feng Jin Yao watched coldly as Amber seemed to want to say more, when she heard Yun Xu’s voice from outside.
“Miss, the hair oil you asked me to buy has arrived. Do you want this jasmine scent?”
“Come in quickly.”
“Yes.”
Yun Xu, a maid who had been with Feng Jin Yao for many years, knew that this medicine was bought secretly and didn’t want anyone else to know, so she casually made up a lie.
Feng Jin Yao smiled, this girl had become clever.
“Mother has been ill at home for a long time. I heard that the Xun Meng Fang in the south of the city has released several new styles of hair oil that are very comfortable to use, with a light and elegant scent. So I asked Yun Xu to buy some. Will it be alright for me to use this for grandmother’s birthday tomorrow?”
“Good, good.”
“Then I’ll trouble Madam Bai to bring someone to fetch water. I see mother has a good spirit, I’ll try this hair oil on her too.”
“It’s the young lady who understands Madam best. Madam has been mentioning lately that her hair is getting tangled.”
After saying this, she smiled brightly and led the maids in the room out. Amber still wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Madam Bai, who asked her to check the small kitchen for hot water and bring some over.
Before leaving, Yun Xu gave the hair oil box a deep look, then followed Madam Bai out.
Feng Jin Yao secretly admired her. As expected of someone from the Bai family, she understood her mistress’s intentions so quickly. Fortunately, Madam Bai’s loyalty was proven in her previous life, otherwise, she would have been the first person Feng Jin Yao suspected!
After everyone had left, Feng Jin Yao put away her playful expression and said to Madam Feng in a serious tone.
“Mother, please don’t drink that medicine anymore. I suspect someone has added something they shouldn’t have to your medicine. So I quietly sent Yun Xu to Ren Family in the south of the city. Their cough medicine is the most famous, you might as well try it.”
Madam Feng was suspicious. Her maids and servants had been with her for decades. She found it hard to believe that there was a traitor among them.
A moment later, she lowered her voice and asked, “Are you suspecting Amber?”