Chapter 3: Mother and Daughter

  After seeing off the four people, Yuandai finally carried Wenshu back to the house with her. As soon as she sat down, Cailian had already hurriedly brought over the prescription that Xiaoxian had just opened and said with a smile: "Miss, take a look, do you want to follow this prescription to grab a few doses of medicine to try?"

  She gave her a cold glance, and Yan Dai took the prescription paper, but didn't even look at it before casually tossing it onto the desk: "No need! I know my body is fine, what's the point of taking medicine?" Although there wasn't much anger on her face, her tone was quite indifferent.

  Cai Lian had also served by her side for several years, and although she didn't dare say that she fully understood her temperament, she knew a thing or two about it. Seeing her like this, Cai Lian's heart couldn't help but skip a beat, and she stood at the lower end of the bed, not daring to say anything else.

  After all, they were sisters who lived together day and night. Wenping saw her embarrassment and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Miss, it's getting late, it's time to have dinner, and also... Madam's place..."

  She didn't continue, but Yuandai already knew what she meant. She glanced at Cailian and ordered: "What are you still standing there for? Go!" Cailian was feeling weak all over, but when she heard this sentence, it was like a great pardon, and she hastily responded and retreated.

  Yan Dai saw her and immediately ran away, still feeling a bit angry in her heart, but afterwards she couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  Wen Jing noticed her intention and couldn't help but purse his lips in a smile, after all, he explained on behalf of Cai Lian: "She also had good intentions..."

  She didn't say that, it would have been fine, but as soon as she said this, Yu Dai seemed to remember something: "From today on, the tea in my house, without my orders, even if the nine heavenly immortals came, they wouldn't be allowed to take it out!"

  It seems that "Sui Han San You" tea appeared in front of Ling Yuanqing and the others, it was actually taken by Ai Lian on her own initiative.

  Wen Ping saw her resolute tone and didn't dare say more, only repeatedly responding in agreement.

  Yan Dai let out a soft sigh, but suddenly said: "Today's matter, I hope it will never happen again!" Some words, she didn't want to say, but looking at Wen Ping now, she still decided to mention something to her. After all, there were not many useful maids by her side now, and she didn't want to lose one like Cai Lian and then have to find another Wen Ping.

  As soon as the words came out, Wen Ping was shocked in her heart. In her mind, she thought it was just a small matter, but at this moment, hearing Yuandai's tone, it was clear that he didn't take it as a trivial matter: "Miss..." She called out softly, with a hint of pleading.

  Her slightly tired eyes narrowed, and she said calmly: "I've been living in Miaofeng Mountain for over two years now. I knew from the start that this wasn't a place to stay for long, but even if I wanted to leave, I'd have to plan carefully and return steadily. Returning like this, openly and without caution, I'm afraid that even if you do go back, it'll be hard to have any peaceful days. Do you understand?"

  Wen Ping's eyes dropped, and she said softly: "I understand!" After saying this sentence, seeing that Yu Dai seemed to have the intention of getting up, she quickly took another step forward and asked hesitantly: "Miss, about this prescription..."

  Reminded by her, Yuandai furrowed his brow and picked up the prescription written by Xiao Chengyan on the table. After a simple glance, he nodded slightly and said: "This prescription is not particularly good, but it's moderate and balanced..." He lightly flicked the prescription with his finger and instructed somewhat unnecessarily: "Put it away for now!" Now that they had already shown their hand, making friends with this young lady would bring them nothing but benefits, so it was better to keep the prescription.

  The two were talking when they heard Hui'er's voice coming from outside the curtain: "Miss, the second wife is awake!"

  Responding with a "yes", Yuandai stood up and instructed Wenshu: "Let's go! Come with me to see the madam!"

  Wen Ping responded with a sound, then went forward and supported her, all the way out of the small courtyard.

  The courtyard where Concubine Zhou lived was not the main courtyard of this compound, after all. She was just a concubine, and even though the main courtyard was often empty, it still wasn't suitable for someone of her status to live in. However, the courtyard she currently resided in was quite spacious, with lush flowers and trees, and a small pond had been built in the western part of the yard, where several pots of water lilies were planted and a few goldfish were raised.

  Yuan Dai walked in, and just then a pretty young maid in a green dress was coming towards her. Seeing Yuan Dai, the maid hastily curtsied and called out "Miss". Yuan Dai also stopped in her tracks, waving her hand to ask: "Hong Ying, how is Madame's spirit after waking up?"

  Hong Er replied: "After waking up, she took the medicine again. Her complexion is much better than it was this morning. At the moment, she's lying on the kang chatting with Zi Luo!"

  Yuandai nodded slightly, and then stepped forward. The sharp-eyed maidservant who was waiting outside had already seen her coming and hastily shouted: "Madam, Ninth Miss is here!" At the same time, she quickly came over to hold open the curtain and invited Yuandai in.

  The house where Aunt Zhou lived was quite simple in its furnishings, without a hint of luxury, but it made up for it with its cleanliness and freshness. A few pots of fresh flowers were placed just right, their fragrance subtle, making one feel refreshed and invigorated.

  Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, Zhou Yiniang, who was leaning on the kang, quickly sat up and looked over at her.

  She looked about forty years old, although her face was pale and slightly yellow, with deep wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. However, one could still see from her delicate eyebrows and eyes that she had been beautiful in her youth: "The weather has turned cold these past few days, why are you still wearing such thin clothes?" Her voice was a bit hoarse due to catching a chill, but the concern in her tone was clearly genuine.

  Look at her with a worried face, and Far Dai's face also rose with a warm smile: "Mother is worrying again! I understand all this, you just take care of your own body, it's my blessing!" As she spoke, she had already walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, and her slender fingers naturally pressed against Zhou Yiniang's forehead.

  After she withdrew her hand, Madame Zhou smiled and said: "Don't worry! It's all right now! Rest for a few more days and you'll be fine!" She paused slightly before asking: "Just now I heard them say that Sixth Master came to see you!"

  She knew her intention, couldn't help but smile and said: "Yes! Sixth brother came with a friend, I didn't want to see him, so I made Cai Lian tell them I was ill. Unexpectedly, his friend had some medical skills, so sixth brother brought her to see me!" She spoke calmly, without mentioning the identities of Xiao Chengyan and the others. As she spoke, she waved her hand slightly towards those beside her.

  Wen Ping and others understood, and immediately retreated quietly.

  Zhou Yiniang also didn't speak, after Hou and the others retreated, she then asked in a low voice: "Did... did Sixth Master say anything to you?"

  "He was originally with friends, and naturally wouldn't say anything to me!" Yuandai smiled and patted Zhou Yiniang's hand, softly comforting her: "Mother, don't worry, daughter knows what's important!"

  As soon as she said this, Madame Zhou's eyes suddenly turned red, and the next moment, tears were already rolling down: "Mother knows you're a sensible and considerate child, it's just that Mother is useless, not only can't help you, but also needs you to plan and protect Mother everywhere..."

  Yuan Dai couldn't help but smile bitterly as she saw her like this, and quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to hand it over. Zhou Yiniang took the handkerchief and began to wipe away her tears, but the more she wiped, the more they flowed, and soon she was crying uncontrollably. Yuan Dai sat silently beside her, not saying a word, nor offering any excessive comfort, her face expressionless, as if she had long since grown accustomed to this scene.

  Zhou Yiniang cried for half a day before finally stopping her tears, looking at Yuan Dai with slightly swollen eyelids, and choking out a call: "Yuan Dai..."

  Yan Dai sighed and finally spoke up: "Mother's meaning, daughter understands! You just put your mind at ease!"

  Aunt Zhou opened her mouth, about to say something else, but when she looked up, she saw that although Yu Dai's face was calm, there was a hint of impatience in his eyes. So she didn't dare ask again and instead carefully asked: "Do you want to stay for another meal?"

  Yan Dai lightly shook her head: "This is not necessary, at this moment the lotus picking should have been prepared! Moreover, your body has just recovered a bit, if I eat here, it will disturb you! You can rest assured, what needs to be considered, I have already thought of in my heart!" She said as she got up and bowed to Zhou Niang, then retreated.

  Zhou Yiniang sat crookedly on the kang, gazing at her departing back, her expression momentarily stunned, yet she didn't speak for a good half day. The curtain outside fluttered lightly, and a middle-aged maid walked in. This maid was about the same age as Zhou Yiniang, also in her forties, with an ordinary appearance but a tall and slender figure, bright eyes, and a neat demeanor.

  Madam Zhou's eyes moved, and she saw that it was her who had come in. She couldn't help but sigh and say in a low voice: "Although she has arrived as promised, I now feel even more uneasy in my heart. This time, whether it will bring disaster or good fortune is unknown!" Before she could finish speaking, tears began to fall again.

  The woman, seeing her like this, couldn't help but feel extremely anxious and displeased. She said: "Whether it's good or bad fortune, let's not talk about that for now, but it's necessary to do so! Ninth Miss is already 19 years old, just waiting for the new year to pass, she'll be 20 years old. At this age, among the women in our Great Zhou dynasty, it's really not considered young anymore. But it seems like Madam has forgotten about her, with no news at all these past few years. Ninth Miss was born out of wedlock, inferior to those born from a legitimate wife, if we delay for another year or two, it will be even harder to find a good husband! You're her mother, how can you not think about her future, but instead prioritize the comfort and ease here?"

  Although she was a servant, her words were surprisingly sharp and severe, not giving Mrs. Zhou any face at all. Moreover, Mrs. Zhou was indeed intimidated by her momentum, and did not dare to respond to her words.

  The woman, seeing her like this, remembered her own identity and softened her tone, saying in a gentle voice: "You must not forget that although this separate courtyard is good, it is still the property of the Ling family. If we want to live out our remaining years in peace, there is only one way now, which is to find a good marriage for Ninth Miss. In this way, no matter what happens in the future, Madame will not be able to make things too difficult for us!"