Chapter 7 The Nursemaid

Chapter 7 The Nursemaid

Xin You listened to Duan Yunlang and asked with a smile, "Is that all you wanted to say, Second Cousin?"

"Ah, just chatting, just chatting. Cousin, take good care of yourself. I'll come see you in a couple of days." Duan Yunlang brushed it off vaguely and quickly walked away.

Duan Yunchen waited for Duan Yunlang to come out of the courtyard and reminded him in a low voice after they left Evening Serenity Abode, "Second Brother, you're not a child anymore. You should be more mindful of your interactions with your cousin."

Duan Yunlang looked bewildered. "With what happened to Cousin Qing, isn't it only right for us to visit? Where was I being inappropriate?"

"A lady's chambers are no place for a long stay."

Duan Yunlang instinctively countered, "But whenever Cousin Zhu visits our home, doesn't Eldest Brother also get close to her?"

"Second Brother!"

Seeing Duan Yunchen's stern face, Duan Yunlang hurriedly said, "I understand, I understand. I'll be more careful in the future."

Although Duan Yunlang had always admired his scholarly elder brother, at this moment, he felt a twinge of injustice for his cousin.

Clearly, Eldest Brother treats Cousin Qing differently from Cousin Zhu. Fortunately, Cousin Qing has forgotten everything. After hearing what he said today, she shouldn't be interested in Eldest Brother anymore.

In Evening Serenity Abode, Xin You asked Xiaolian calmly, "Did you hear what Second Master said?"

Xiaolian nodded, hesitating whether to expose the nonsense of Second Master.

Xin You held a soft pillow, gently stroking the orchid pattern on the pillowcase. "Xiaolian, does Miss Kou have feelings for Eldest Master?"

The question was too sudden, leaving Xiaolian speechless with an open mouth.

Xin You wasn't in a hurry for an answer and placed the soft pillow behind her back, leaning against it.

"There's nothing like that. Miss has always listened to the elders—"

Meeting those deep black eyes, Xiaolian paused, stammering, "Miss has been mourning for the master and mistress. It was only after Old Madam mentioned it that Miss started to think about Eldest Master."

From Xiaolian's stumbling explanation, Xin You pieced together some information.

Regardless of when Kou Qingqing developed feelings for Duan Yunchen, both she and Old Madam were willing for the marriage, but the eldest branch of the family was not.

Was Kou Qingqing's misfortune due to this marriage, or the wealth, or both?

"Other than this, there's nothing else unusual between Miss Kou and anyone else, right?"

"Really, there's nothing else," Xiaolian said awkwardly.

"Alright, prepare for what we discussed earlier."

At night, Xin You suddenly suffered from severe abdominal pain, enduring until dawn when she fell into a coma.

The entire Evening Serenity Abode was in chaos. Jiang Shuang and Hanxue, two young maids, cried, "Sister Xiaolian, what should we do?"

"Hanxue, go to Old Madam—"

Xiaolian, pale-faced, stomped her foot. "Forget it, I'll go myself. Take care of Miss!"

It was still dark, but the morning breeze had awakened, bringing a cool touch to the running maid's face.

Old Madam lived in Ruyitang, which was already open with maids and servants starting their daily chores. Xiaolian rushed in like the wind, panting, "I need to see Old Madam!"

"Sister Xiaolian, what's wrong?" a maid asked in surprise.

Xiaolian grabbed the maid's hand. "Our Miss is ill. I need to see Old Madam!"

The maid was startled by Xiaolian's urgency and strength, rushing to report.

"Cousin is ill?" Old Madam, who woke early, had just finished washing up and was sipping warm water when she heard the report and immediately called for Xiaolian.

Xiaolian knelt before Old Madam, tears streaming down her face. "Old Madam, please save our Miss. She's not well—"

"How is she not well? Wasn't she fine yesterday?" Old Madam demanded.

Xiaolian bowed her head low. "Miss was fine during the day, but she suddenly had severe abdominal pain at night and fell into a coma just before dawn."

"Rubbish! Since she had abdominal pain at night, why did you wait until now to report it?" Old Madam ordered a maid to fetch a doctor while heading outside.

Xiaolian followed closely, crying as she explained, "Miss didn't want to disturb you and said to wait until morning."

A large group arrived at Evening Serenity Abode, where Old Madam saw her pale-faced granddaughter lying unconscious.

"Qingqing—" Old Madam called, holding Xin You's hand.

That hand was cold, and as if sensing something, it subconsciously gripped Old Madam's hand, murmuring, "Nursemaid—"

Old Madam didn't hear clearly. "Qingqing, what did you say?"

"Nursemaid, Nursemaid—" the unconscious girl kept calling out.

Old Madam's expression changed as the female doctor hurried over to examine Xin You. "Doctor, how is she?"

The doctor deliberated, "Her pulse is dangerous, possibly due to a sudden worsening of internal injuries. I'll prescribe another dose of medicine. If it doesn't work, Old Madam should seek another renowned physician."

Old Madam's face darkened, but thankfully, after Xiaolian carefully fed Xin You the medicine, the doctor checked her pulse again and found it much calmer, though she remained unconscious, occasionally calling for Nursemaid.

Xiaolian knocked her head repeatedly. "Old Madam, please call Aunt Fang back. Miss might wake up if she hears Aunt Fang's voice."

After a moment of silence, Old Madam nodded.

Near dusk, an unassuming carriage stopped at Shaoqing Mansion. A graceful woman in her forties stepped out and hurried to Evening Serenity Abode, kneeling beside the bed where the unconscious girl lay. "Miss, wake up, old servant has come to see you."

It was quite strange. The unconscious girl seemed to hear the calls, and her eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings as she struggled to wake up.

Xiaolian’s face lit up with joy: "Mama Fang, the young lady heard you! Call out louder!"

Mama Fang nodded hastily and raised her voice even more.

The girl’s eyelids quivered, and finally, she opened her eyes.

"Miss!" Mama Fang exclaimed in delight, gripping Xin You’s hand tightly.

Xin You blinked, her gaze shifting from confusion to clarity.

The elderly lady stepped forward: "Qingqing, how are you feeling?"

"Grandmother, why are you here?" Xin You looked puzzled, her gaze flickering to Mama Fang before suddenly pausing, tears streaming down her face, "Nanny, is that you?"

"It's this old servant, Miss. You still remember me."

Hearing Mama Fang’s sobs, the elderly lady’s eyes darkened.

Qingqing had lost her memory but still remembered her wet nurse.

"Grandmother—"

The elderly lady softened her expression: "Qingqing, what is it?"

The girl quickly glanced at Mama Fang, looking timid: "Could Nanny stay and keep me company? For some reason, I only remember Nanny."

The elderly lady gave Mama Fang a long look and nodded: "Very well, stay then."

"Thank you, Elderly Lady, thank you." Mama Fang bowed in gratitude, moved.

Xin You subtly exchanged a glance with Xiaolian, her lips curving slightly.