Granny Xu quickly knelt down, "Old Madam, this servant is not speaking up for the Eldest Miss. This servant's heart will always be with Old Madam. This servant is just afraid Old Madam will be incited and harm your mother-son relationship with the General, and also create a rift with the Eldest Young Master. Then our General's Manor will be in turmoil."
The Old Madam's expression darkened slightly, showing displeasure, "Are you implying that I've become senile?"
"This servant does not," Granny Xu quickly explained. "Old Madam, the General's Manor is glorious, highly trusted by His Majesty. The General holds military power, and the Eldest Young Master defends Yunzhong City. It can be said to be at its peak. However, a tall tree catches the wind. Outside, who knows how many people are watching the General's Manor. This time, Old Madam only intended to slightly punish the Eldest Miss, but almost beat her to death, causing the General to return to the capital early. If the Emperor becomes suspicious because of this, the General's Manor is in danger!"
After hearing Granny Xu's words, the Old Madam tossed and turned all night without sleep. She replayed the incident of her hitting Xiao Man from beginning to end. In the end, she was so scared that she broke out in a cold sweat. The next day, she caught a cold and couldn't get out of bed.
When the news reached Shui Yue Xiao Zhu, Xiao Man immediately changed her clothes and personally went to Xiao Zhen's study, dragging Xiao Zhen to the Upper Courtyard.
Doctor Ye felt the Old Madam's pulse, prescribed a medicinal decoction to dispel cold, had someone fetch the herbs, and decoct them for the Old Madam to take.
The gatekeeper, with sharp eyes, saw the General approaching and quickly went in to report, "The General is here, and the Eldest Miss is also here."
The Old Madam lay in bed, weakly glancing towards the door, then turned over, her back to the door. Even though she knew she had been incited and wronged Xiao Man, she was still his mother. Yet, her son had withdrawn her guards and hadn't visited her for many days.
"Grandmother, Father is here to see you. Please don't be angry anymore."
Xiao Ling was happy to hear that Xiao Zhen had arrived, but when she heard that Xiao Man had come with him, her smile faded slightly.
Xiao Man pulled Xiao Zhen into the room. Xiao Zhen looked reluctant, especially when he saw the Old Madam lying in bed, her back to them, clearly not wanting to see them. He immediately turned to leave.
How could Xiao Man let him leave? She grabbed his arm and pulled him into the room, "Grandmother, Father and I are here to see you. Are you feeling any better?"
The Old Madam felt displeased upon hearing Xiao Man's voice and wanted to retort.
But then she remembered Granny Xu's words and swallowed the harsh words that were on the tip of her tongue, remaining silent.
Xiao Ling, however, stood up and bowed, "Father, Eldest Sister."
Xiao Man pulled her to the bedside and sat down. Perhaps it aggravated her wound, she frowned, then reached out to shake the Old Madam, "Grandmother, are you feeling any better? I brought Father to see you. If you don't say anything, I won't let Father leave today."
The Old Madam turned around upon hearing this and glared at Xiao Man, "Your father is busy with official duties, why are you pulling him here?"
Xiao Man quickly helped the Old Madam sit up, "No matter how busy he is, he shouldn't not visit Grandmother."
"You still know to come and see me," the Old Madam's pent-up resentment now found an outlet.
"I do, but I didn't dare to come. I've caused Grandmother so much trouble and angered the Crown Prince. I was afraid that if Grandmother was still angry and saw me, you would get even angrier, so I didn't dare to come. Now that Grandmother is ill, even if you are still angry, I must come to see you. If Grandmother is still angry, then you can hit me, but don't get angry and harm your health. Father will be worried."
"With your frail body, hitting you twice has already made you like this. How could I dare to hit you!" The Old Madam was resentful, but now that Xiao Man had paved a way for her, if she didn't take it, she was afraid her son would force her hand, making it impossible for her to back down.
"I knew Grandmother loved me."
Granny Xu brought the medicine, "Eldest Miss has arrived. You wouldn't know, Old Madam has been thinking of you every day these past few days. She originally just wanted to appease the Crown Prince, but she was too heavy-handed and has been regretting it."
"You talk too much!" The Old Madam shot Granny Xu a displeased glance.
Granny Xu remained silent and brought the medicine over, "Old Madam, it's time to take your medicine."
"I'll do it," Xiao Zhen said, taking the medicine from Granny Xu and personally feeding the Old Madam.
The Old Madam felt flattered, "How can a grown man do such service? Let..."
"Isn't it only natural to serve my mother medicine?" Xiao Zhen said calmly. "I do everything myself when I eat and live in the army. I've been practicing feeding Man'er these past few days, so I'm already skilled. I definitely won't feed it into your nose."
The Old Madam listened, amused and exasperated, and obediently let her son feed her the medicine. While she outwardly said a grown man couldn't serve people, inwardly she was pleased to be served by her son.
Xiao Man sat to the side, using a handkerchief to wipe the corners of the Old Madam's mouth, creating a picture of a happy family reunion.
Xiao Ling stood to the side, feeling like an outsider, seething with anger. After all, Grandmother loved her the most.
"I knew Eldest Sister would come to see Grandmother. Grandmother, see, Ling'er was right, wasn't she?" Xiao Ling suddenly said.
The Old Madam's expression changed. She looked at Xiao Man and hesitated, "How is your injury?"
"It's already scabbed over, Grandmother doesn't need to worry."
"Granny Xu, go and get my treasured medicinal ointment for the Eldest Miss," the Old Madam ordered. "Use it when you go back, and don't let it leave any scars."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
"When you return this time, when will you go back to the military camp?" The Old Madam patted the seat beside her, signaling Xiao Zhen to sit closer so mother and son could talk.
Seeing this, Xiao Man immediately excused herself, leaving the space for them. Xiao Ling also sensibly followed Xiao Man out of the Upper Courtyard.
"Eldest Sister, I was supposed to come back with Eldest Sister that day, but Eldest Sister left without waiting for me. I came back a little late, and the manor had already closed its gates and wouldn't let anyone in, so I couldn't come back. Yesterday, Mother sent someone to the Minister's Manor to fetch me back. I didn't go to see Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister won't blame me, will she?"
"Third Sister is being too thoughtful," Xiao Man replied softly. "These past few days while I was injured, Father also didn't allow anyone into Shui Yue Xiao Zhu. However, knowing that Third Sister cares about me, I am greatly comforted."
Xiao Ling listened and linked her arm with Xiao Man's, "Sister was beaten, and I felt terrible. Eldest Sister, please don't resent Grandmother. Grandmother was also forced."
"It's normal for a grandmother to hit her granddaughter. In a family, are there any grudges that last overnight? Moreover, Grandmother was also doing it for my own good."
Xiao Man's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Xiao Ling. Xiao Ling's demeanor was gentle, and her words, while seemingly caring, were actually hidden traps. Among the young ladies in the manor, the sharp-tongued Xiao Xiang seemed more likable.