Chapter 7: An Intense Onslaught Approaches

Chapter 7: An Intense Onslaught Approaches

Marquis Xuanping was roused from his sleep in the middle of the night.

He took his evening meal in the company of his mother, Kang Shi, who was the matriarch of the Marquisate. Marquis Xuanping had passed away early, leaving the mother and son to rely on each other for support. Their bond was considerably closer than that of the average noble family's mother and son.

Consort Kang was known for her wisdom and understanding of the bigger picture. She had long since delegated authority to Consort Shen, comfortably assuming the role of an elderly noble lady in the marquis's residence. She seldom interfered with domestic affairs, spending most of her days in religious devotion and tending to flowers and plants. She would only intervene if the events within the household were to jeopardize her son's future.

It was well and good for her son to suddenly take an interest in teaching Sanniang to read, or to have her nurtured in the Xuanting Courtyard. It was his decision after all. She was merely a concubine-born daughter, and their household wasn't lacking in provisions to support another mouth. There was no need to pay it much mind. What surprised her was her son's attitude towards this concubine-born daughter. A decade ago, when the child was clever and endearing, she could comprehend his affection. But now that the child had grown up foolish, why did her son suddenly hold her in such high regard?

Marquis Xuanping presented to his mother the calligraphy written by Pei Yuanxi, and Madam Kang was deeply astonished.

After a long moment of contemplation, she said, "Given her talent, it's no wonder you hold her in such high esteem. Although our Marquisate does not rely on the reputation of our ladies to uphold its standing, having a simple-minded girl in our household can nonetheless hinder the reputations of the other young ladies. If she can earn a name for herself through her talents, it would be beneficial for both her and the rest of us."

Who wouldn't appreciate a good reputation? Who would wish for their daughter to be known as a fool? For an aristocratic household, a foolish daughter with a good name brings nothing but advantages, never disadvantages.

After sharing a meal and engaging in conversation with his mother, Marquis Xuanping took his rest in the quarters nearest to his mother's, which belonged to Aunt Zhao. Aunt Zhao was a lady of refined disposition, never vying for favor actively; instead, she preferred the company of the Senior Madam.

Though Lady Elder had a slight preference for Aunt Zhao, she would never make it too obvious. It was merely that their proximity allowed her to provide more care and attention, but it didn't indulgence Aunt Zhao to the point of challenging Madam Shen with an arrogant demeanor.

For this, Shen was deeply grateful.

If she had a mother-in-law who couldn't distinguish right from wrong, naturally her heart would lean towards her only grandson, especially since Aunt Zhao was the niece of the old madam from her natal family.

Madam Kang had relinquished power early on precisely to put Shen's mind at ease.

Marquis Xuanping was displeased when he was roused from his sleep in the middle of the night. However, upon learning that the visitor was from the Xuanting Courtyard and that Third Young Lady was ill, he hastily slipped on his shoes and rushed out.

Aunt Zhao immediately got up to help him dress, soothing his unease by saying that Third Young Lady, being an auspicious person, would surely have divine protection. After everything was settled, she watched him hurry away with a lingering gaze, leaning against the door for a long time.

The night seems interminable, and this manor is far from serene.

"Stepmother, does Mother intend to use Third Sister to compete for favor?" Pei Yuanruo, having approached unnoticed, asked softly.

Pei Yuanruo, too, was roused from her slumber. Her chamber was not far from her mother's, and upon hearing the commotion, she rose to investigate. Among the daughters of the Marquis's residence, Pei Yuanruo, as the eldest, truly embodied the grace of a senior sister. She resembled her mother in appearance and likewise mirrored her mother's temperament. The opulence of the Marquis's household had nurtured in her a sense of confidence, an understated elegance intertwined with an ineffable aura of nobility.

Aunt Zhao tenderly brushed aside a stray hair from her daughter's forehead. "I doubt it. Vying for favor is the business of concubines; as the legitimate wife, she wouldn't deign to engage in such matters. If she wanted to compete for favor, she would have done so long ago, not wait until now. I'm just astonished to learn that your father holds Third Young Lady in such high regard. Indeed, a child one has personally raised is different from one who has never been under their care."

She remembered vividly that when Yuan Ruo was a child, she had fallen ill. Back then, she had sent someone to notify the Marquis at the Xuanting Courtyard in the same manner, yet he had only dispatched a servant to summon the court physician, not bothering to come himself.

The Marquis was not very concerned about the young ladies, and she had assumed this was the norm. However, she hadn't expected Third Young Lady to be an exception.

"You poor third sister, it's fortunate that she's simple-minded."

Otherwise, there would be no chance for her, Pei Yuanruo.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanruo frowned, seemingly disapproving of her aunt's words. She swallowed them back, deciding not to say anything in the end.

A mother knows her daughter best, and Aunt Zhao knew what her daughter was thinking. "Do you, Yuan Ruo, find my words unpleasant? I'm not the birth mother of Third Young Lady, just an outsider. Outsiders see things more clearly. What I said is the truth. Look at Aunt Li; despite her daughter's promising future, she still makes a fuss. One moment she claims Third Young Lady has a short life span, then another she says she'll bring misfortune to her father. It seems she's quite pleased with Third Young Lady's illness."

"Aunt Li is Third Sister's birth mother, and she has a loving heart for her. Over the years, everyone in the household has seen how she puts Third Sister's interests first. If not for Third Sister's condition, she wouldn't have to endure such hardship."

Aunt Zhao knew her daughter was a clear-minded person who didn't hold grudges. With a smile that wasn't quite a smile, she continued, "Her struggles are self-inflicted, perhaps not entirely for your third sister."

Pei Yuanruo was puzzled but decided not to probe further when she saw her aunt's reluctance to discuss the matter.

Before reaching Xuanting Courtyard, Marquis Xuanping could already hear Aunt Li's cries, "Heaven, if you must punish me, do so directly, but please spare my Third Young Lady. My lady, I am the sinner, and this is Heaven's punishment for me. If anything happens to Third Young Lady, I won't be able to live on."

Her words made it sound as though Pei Yuanxi was on the brink of death.

"Move aside!" Marquis Xuanping flew into a rage, kicking her forcefully. She clutched her chest, too afraid to cry out in pain, and watched the indifferent man enter Pei Yuanxi's chambers with sweat beading on her forehead.

The room that came into view was adorned with intricately carved screens, freshly painted circular tables and stools, and a brilliant mirror vanity with a basin stand, all exuding elegance. The wooden basin was carved with flowers, and the dressing table held combs, hairpins, and a few bottles of perfumed ointments, indicating the effort Shen had put into preparing this room for her stepdaughter.

An indescribable scent filled the air, a subtle fragrance tinged with a hint of sourness. The curtains, hung by a quail-beak shaped hook, displayed a peach-colored canopy, beneath which lay a unconscious young maiden under a light indigo floral quilt.

Pei Yuanxi burned with a high fever, her tiny face alarmingly flushed. Chunyue wept uncontrollably, gasping for breath as she explained that her lady had vomited thrice but still hadn't regained consciousness.

The estate had its own physician, who declared that Third Young Lady's illness seemed to have struck fiercely and posed a grave threat. He was currently devising ways to alleviate her fever.

Marquis Xuanping handed the token to Pei Qing, urging him to promptly summon the imperial physician. Within the palace were physicians on duty, while beyond its walls resided those not currently attending. Pei Qing, now in possession of the token, roused Dr. Gong from his bed, the physician being the closest to the Marquis's residence.

Dr. Gong had assumed that some esteemed master of the Marquis's residence was ill, little did he expect it to be the foolish Third Young Lady. With injuries this severe and her already being simple-minded, one couldn't help but wonder if she might become even more so.

After a dose of cooling soup, Pei Yuanxi's flushed face seemed to have regained some normalcy.

Madam Shen was the first to arrive, clearly having had no time for grooming. Her hair was simply coiled up, and her face devoid of makeup. Under the night lamps, she appeared somewhat haggard. Blaming herself and fraught with anxiety, Sanniang had fallen ill right after moving into her courtyard. On one hand, she feared that others might accuse her of mistreating her stepdaughter; on the other, she was genuinely concerned for Sanniang's well-being.

Having meticulously inquired the servants and maids, no irregularities could be found. She was clueless as to why Sanniang's illness had struck with such ferocity. Aunt Li's words flashed through her mind, filling her with unease.

Aunt Li was still kneeling outside, continuously confessing her guilt.

Marquis Xuanping was both anxious and furious. His Sanniang had just given him a pleasant surprise during the day; could it be that Heaven truly couldn't tolerate her? He refused to believe that she was someone with thin blessings. One with thin blessings couldn't possess such remarkable talents.

"Auntie, my lord, I beg of you to let me take Third Young Lady back. I don't ask for her to live a life of wealth and luxury, only for her to be safe and sound…" Aunt Li's voice was filled with sorrow, as if Marquis Xuanping and his wife were plotting to kill Pei Yuanxi.

Madam Shen felt a bit worried and cautiously observed Marquis Xuanping's expression. "Why don't we let her take Third Young Lady back first…?"

Marquis Xuanping's face remained cold. "Tell her to get lost!"

It was all that woman's fault for not taking proper care of her Sanniang, causing his outstanding daughter to become a fool. Wasn't it just an illness? How could one avoid falling sick in their lifetime after eating grains and rice?

Doctor Gong switched his pulse-taking hands between his right and left as he examined Pei Yuanxi, somewhat uncertain as he said, "This illness of Third Young Lady seems to be caused by consuming something spoiled, but there are slight discrepancies in the symptoms. Do you know of any dietary restrictions that Third Young Lady usually observes?"

Madam Shen wished she could summon all the kitchen maids to confront them when she heard that it might be due to spoiled food. However, Marquis Xuanping caught the underlying meaning in Doctor Gong's words and signaled her to calm down.

"Doctor Gong, can consuming spoiled food cause a high fever?"

Doctor Gong replied, "That's precisely what puzzles me. Some people have allergies to eggs, while others to seafood. Consuming allergens could result in mild rashes or severe vomiting and diarrhea. It's quite rare to see someone like Third Young Lady, who's burning up to the point of fainting."

"We're unaware of her dietary restrictions, nor have we heard anything about them," Madam Shen said, feeling ashamed. She instructed someone to invite Aunt Li in. "Her biological mother, Aunt Li, would likely be knowledgeable about this."

Even though Marquis Xuanping held no affection for Lady Li, he understood that his daughter's illness took precedence over all else.

Madam Li's eyes were swollen with tears, and she almost lunged at Pei Yuanxi on the bed. "Third Young Lady, it was this concubine who has wronged you. I knew full well about your destiny..."

"Silence!" Marquis Xuanping bellowed in anger, finding this woman more and more unbearable with each passing moment. "Hasten and inform Lord Gong if Sanniang has any dietary restrictions in her everyday life?"

"No, no. She enjoys everything she eats, there's nothing she abstains from." Aunt Li was filled with sorrow, "My Lord, this concubine is well aware of her own humble status, but Third Young Lady is a rightful lady of the Marquis's residence. This concubine implores you, My Lord, to allow me to take her back. She truly cannot bear such fortune."

Physician Gong pretended not to hear, yet his ears were pricked attentively.

Indeed, the inner courtyards of these noble families never lacked dramatic plots. One could only wonder what act Marquis Xuanping was enacting with his concubine, while the poor Third Young Lady, lying in bed, was an innocent fool. It was uncertain if her ailment was due to spoiled food or someone's malicious intent.

Marquis Xuanping's face was ashen, his lips tightly pressed together. Despite his disbelief in fate, he dared not gamble with his daughter's life. This Li woman, this Li...

Madam Shen had already wavered, "My Lord, perhaps...?"

"Daddy, where are you?" Pei Yuanxi suddenly cried out from the bed, her features pale and drenched in sweat as if she was trapped in a nightmare. "Daddy, come save me..."

Marquis Xuanping strode swiftly to the bedside, seizing his daughter's hand. "Sanniang, don't be afraid. Father is here, right here with you."

Everyone present was astonished. They had never expected such a stern man as Marquis Xuanping to display such vulnerability before his daughter.

Not even Doctor Gong, an outsider, had witnessed this side of him, let alone Shen, the legitimate wife. Aunt Li clenched her thighs in pain, her resolve to take Pei Yuanxi away strengthening with each passing moment.

"Lord Marquis..."

"Be quiet!" Marquis Xuanping shot her an angry glare. "Sanniang has already awakened. Swallow back your nonsense."

"Lord Marquis, even if you were to beat me to death today, I must still say this..."

"Daddy." Pei Yuanxi called out from the bed, abruptly sitting up. She first looked around blankly, then burst into tears when she saw Marquis Xuanping by her bedside. "Daddy, I was so scared! You've finally come to save me!"

Doctor Gong breathed a sigh of relief. While the drama within the inner courtyard might be entertaining, he was a healer and did not wish for any fatalities during his visit.

Awakening at this point likely meant she would be fine. He hurried forward to check her pulse again. "Third Young Lady's pulse is much more stable now, and her fever has subsided. It seems the hot soup was effective, along with the fact that she had previously vomited."

By expelling the forbidden food from her stomach, she had recovered quickly.

"Thank goodness she's awake, thank goodness." Madam Shen was still shaken. She could see that in the Marquis's heart, neither Yuanjun nor Yuan Ruo held a candle to Yuanxi. Fortunately, the girl had regained consciousness; otherwise, as her legal mother, Madam Shen would have found it impossible to justify herself.

Pei Yuanxi looked up at Marquis Xuanping with tear-filled eyes. "Father, it hurts so much."

Doctor Gong asked promptly, "Where does Third Young Lady still feel pain?"

Pei Yuanxi pointed to her head and then to her stomach. "It hurts everywhere, especially after eating those stringy things from the melon."

"Gua gua? Si si?" Doctor Gong frowned. What on earth were 'gua gua' and 'si si'?

Madam Shen recalled that they had eaten bird's nest for dinner. Could it be that Sanniang was allergic to bird's nest? Why hadn't Rulan known about this, but Sanniang herself did?

"It was bird's nest cooked with papaya. Sanniang ate it with us last night."

Marquis Xuanping glared fiercely at Aunt Li. As Sanniang's biological mother, she should have known about Sanniang's allergy to bird's nest. It was careless of her to overlook such details when taking care of a child. No wonder Sanniang had fallen and become mentally impaired when she was young.

This issue would be dealt with later.

Since he now knew the source of the problem, Doctor Gong prescribed medicine accordingly. Marquis Xuanping instructed Pei Qing to personally escort the doctor away, no doubt needing to speak with him privately.

With no outsiders present, Marquis Xuanping asked his daughter, "Sanniang, tell Father, how did you know that eating... melon threads would cause you pain?"

"It's the melon," Pei Yuanxi blinked her eyes. "I had melon threads once, and they tasted good but hurt a lot. Later, when Big Sister gave me some without melon, it didn't hurt."

Looking at Aunt Li with a complicated expression, Madam Shen asked, "Rulan, you didn't know that Sanniang was allergic to papaya?"

Aunt Li burst into tears. "This servant didn't know. Sanniang has always been in good health. She did complain about stomach pain after having papaya bird's nest soup that Lady had rewarded her with once. This servant didn't dare to make a fuss over it, fearing unnecessary misunderstandings. Later, the doctor prescribed two doses of medicine, and she was fine after taking them. This servant didn't think much of it. It's all this servant's fault. I'm a sinner."

Madam Shen shook her head. Rulan really was like that. She had emphasized countless times that taking care of Sanniang was a top priority and that there was no need for Rulan to come to Xuanting Courtyard every day.

She had thought that Rulan was attending to Sanniang properly before bothering her. Little did she expect that Rulan didn't even know something as important as what Sanniang was allergic to.

"What can I say about you? Didn't you know that taking good care of Sanniang is your duty?" Madam Shen sighed and softened her tone as she asked Pei Yuanxi, "Sanniang, why did you eat it even though you knew it would hurt?"

Pei Yuanxi seemed to realize her mistake and lowered her head in shame. "I rarely eat it, but when I feel like it, Sanniang couldn't bear to resist."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen felt a sharp pain in her heart for some reason, almost to the point of tears.