Both Madam Wang and Madam Bai thought of the same person.
Wang Qingyao.
She was the old madam’s legitimate granddaughter, unmarried, born in October, and personally decreed by Grand Tutor Feng Fu to have a "noble destiny."
No one else in the Wang family was more suitable.
"Mother, your daughter-in-law will go fetch Yao Yao right away," Madam Bai said, wiping away tears of joy. "Yao Yao has always been filial; she will surely be willing to contribute her flesh for Mother."
The old madam was so excited she was on the verge of tears. Her tormenting illness would finally be cured.
The distance from Rongtang Courtyard to Lengxiang Courtyard was not short, but Madam Bai walked with a light heart and brisk steps, feeling no fatigue at all.
Inside Lengxiang Courtyard, Wang Qingyao had someone move a rattan chair and a small table under the shade of a tree. She lay comfortably in the chair, a plate of sliced melon and a bowl of crystal jelly by the table. She ate a mouthful now and then, utterly content.
Wang Qingyao had initially thought that ancient summers had no cold drinks. Now she knew that ancient people called them "cold water," and it could be bought at any market in Du an Capital.
There were lychee paste, coconut water, mung bean water, papaya juice, ice and snow jelly, crystal jelly...
The variety was immense, and there were no additives.
It was just too hot at the moment, so she wasn't in the mood to go out and buy cold water. A night market, however, was an option. She pondered taking Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi to the night market one day.
Speaking of which, after transmigrating to ancient times, she hadn't visited a night market yet.
The main reason was that her "client" went to bed early and woke up early, unwilling to stay up late.
The crystal jelly she was eating now was made by Zhi Zi, using soapberry seeds soaked in sweetened water and then placed in an ice chest overnight. It was cool, sweet, and delicious.
An ice chest was an ancient refrigerator. The Wang family certainly wouldn't assign one solely to Wang Qingyao. The one used in her courtyard was sent by Xiao Yun.
They hadn't seen each other since the Dragon Boat Festival, but the gifts from Xiao Yun hadn't stopped.
He would send over half of the fresh fruits and vegetables the Emperor bestowed.
Frankly, he was a good boss. Setting aside everything else, holiday bonuses and high-temperature subsidies were always on time.
Her impression of him in Yin Zhu's mind had gradually improved.
"Miss, the First Madam is here."
Yin Zhu, guarding the corridor and facing the main gate, saw the First Madam at a glance and bowed her head to report softly to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao, her eyes half-closed and about to fall asleep, sat up with Yin Zhu's arm for support upon hearing this.
As expected, she saw Madam Bai walking towards her, her face beaming with smiles, radiating a triumphant air.
"First Madam," Wang Qingyao greeted with a smile, leaving no room for criticism.
Madam Bai scrutinized her from head to toe, as if weighing which part of her flesh was the tenderest.
This made Wang Qingyao’s skin crawl, her hair standing on end.
She felt a hint of displeasure. Madam Bai stepped forward, took her hands, and said with a feigned look of joy and emotion, "Yao Yao, your chance to show filial piety has arrived."
Wang Qingyao's brow twitched. Madam Bai continued, "The old madam has been ill for days without improvement. Great Aunt Yang said that if you are willing to cut off a piece of your flesh to offer, the old madam's illness will be cured!"
Her tone was jubilant, as if she were happy that the old madam was finally saved.
Yin Zhu and Zhi Zi were so startled they almost cried out. Old Madam Nian's face darkened; she knew the intricacies of harem struggles all too well.
Wang Qingyao's face showed surprise, and she cursed Madam Bai's wickedness in her heart.
"This Great Aunt Yang is..."
"She is a Taoist nun from Huayan Temple and possesses great skill, having cured many people. If you inquire outside, you will know her reputation."
Madam Bai praised Great Aunt Yang to the heavens, making her sound omnipotent. It was as if any doubt from Wang Qingyao meant she didn't wish for the old madam's recovery.
Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes inwardly and then put on a happy expression. "If it can truly cure the old madam, what is a piece of flesh? However..."
Her tone shifted. "It's just that the weather is hot, and I've broken a sweat. Since it's an offering, it cannot be done casually. Why don't I first burn incense and bathe, and then accompany First Madam to Rongtang Courtyard?"
A mocking glint appeared in Madam Bai's eyes. *Hmph, trying to stall for time? Fine, stall all you want. Unless you openly refuse, you'll still have to cut off a piece of flesh by tomorrow morning!*
Moreover, waiting in fear is even more despairing!
Madam Bai readily nodded, saying meaningfully, "Then Yao Yao, please be quick. The old madam might not last if she waits too long."
Yin Zhu and Old Madam Nian accompanied Wang Qingyao into the bathing room, while Zhi Zi guarded the entrance.
Wang Qingyao opened the window, whistled for Lightning, and quickly wrote a letter, asking it to deliver it to the Prince of Ding'an's mansion.
At this hour, Xiao Yun should be at the Ministry of Revenue, but Lightning didn't know the way there, so it could only go to the Prince of Ding'an's mansion first.
There were people at the mansion specifically to receive Lightning, and they should notify Xiao Yun after receiving the letter.
She hoped Xiao Yun could arrive in time to save her.
"Miss, what are we going to do?" Yin Zhu's face was pale, and she was on the verge of tears. "Cutting off human flesh as an offering, how could they even think of such a thing!"
She turned to Old Madam Nian. "Nanny, you have seen much. Is there any way to help Miss?"
Old Madam Nian also looked troubled and sighed. "Let alone cutting off flesh for an offering, using human flesh as a medicinal ingredient has happened before! If Miss refuses, it is unfilial. Not only will she lose the old madam's favor, but her reputation will be ruined if it gets out!"
Yin Zhu gasped, and tears truly welled up.
"First Madam is too vicious!"
Madam Bai also applauded her own scheme. If Wang Qingyao refused to cut off flesh, she would spread the rumor of her unfilial conduct and see how she could establish herself in the Prince of Ding'an's mansion later. If she agreed to cut off flesh, that would be even better. Cutting off a piece of flesh would cause her such pain that she would be tormented to death! Not to mention after the wound healed, with a little manipulation, she could make the wound fester repeatedly, never healing!
Madam Bai felt she had vented her anger and felt refreshed all over.
Wang Qingyao slowly took her bath, Yin Zhu slowly chose her clothes, and they slowly applied incense. To stall for time, their actions were all deliberately slowed down.
Madam Bai didn't rush them, waiting patiently.
Finally, Wang Qingyao finished dressing and walked out with Yin Zhu's support.
"First Madam, we can go now."
Madam Bai forced a smile, her lips twitching. "Yao Yao is truly meticulous. I thought you had taken a nap inside!"
Wang Qingyao pretended not to hear the sarcasm in her words and said lightly, "The sun is strong in summer; it's easy to feel drowsy."
Madam Bai sneered. "Let's go."
Yin Zhu looked uneasy, worried to death.
Wang Qingyao gave her a look, telling her to calm down.
She had already asked Zhi Zi to guard the entrance. As soon as Xiao Yun arrived, he would be led to Rongtang Courtyard.
Upon arriving at Rongtang Courtyard and meeting the old madam and Great Aunt Yang, the latter said displeasedly, "Why did it take so long? Is the Second Miss unwilling?"
Lying on the bed, the old Madam Wang grunted tiredly and irritably, looking at Wang Qingyao with displeasure.
Wang Qingyao smiled gently. "Great Aunt misunderstands. I thought that since it is an offering, it cannot be done casually, so I burned incense and bathed, which caused the delay."
She then stood by the old madam's bed and said devoutly, "It's hot in summer and easy to sweat. How can a body full of sweat show sincerity? I apologize for making the old madam wait. I hope the old madam will not blame me."
The old madam's expression improved, and she nodded with relief.
Great Aunt Yang took out a dagger that glinted coldly and got straight to the point. "If Second Miss has no objections, you can cut the flesh now."