Chapter 114

The room was hushed, a profound stillness that felt like a languid afternoon with everyone at rest. The Old Madam, her face pale, leaned against a soft goose-down pillow, her gaze fixed on the window. A few birds perched on the distant eaves, chirping in unison. Their distance softened the sound, making it rather pleasant to the ear.

Li Bohui sat by the window, engrossed in a book, occasionally turning to ask the Old Madam, "Grandmother, are you hungry? Are you thirsty?"—such tender inquiries.

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, he needn't stir; a maid would promptly step forward, offering tea or water to the Old Madam's lips.

Zhao Fuying and Dong Yuting were in the heated chamber. Given the unfolding situation, their departure was once again postponed. Dong Yuting first dispatched a letter home to allay their worries, then inquired of Zhao Fuying about the external affairs. Within Danzhou, her intelligence network was not as robust as Zhao Fuying's.

"Father has already convened with the heads of other families to discuss this matter with the Prefect of Danzhou. I believe a resolution will be reached today," Zhao Fuying stated.

Dong Yuting, finding herself with little agency in the matter, paused for a moment before asking, "How is Aunt?"

At this, Zhao Fuying sighed with a helpless air. "I went to see Aunt this morning, but was met with a closed door. Before I could utter more than a few words, she dismissed me. Father is currently preoccupied with discussing the unrest with the other family heads and won't be able to attend to this for a while. I only hope Aunt doesn't fall ill from anger." Zhao Fuying rubbed the dark circles beneath her eyes, her face etched with weariness.

"Aunt likely won't make herself sick over this," Dong Yuting said, a faint smile playing on her lips. From her own interactions and the tales she'd heard, Li Qingdai did not seem the type to succumb to illness from vexation.

Zhao Fuying offered a weak smile in return. "I'm merely concerned. After all, Aunt is no longer young."

Li Borui, having plucked a flower from some unknown spot, dashed in, clutching its stem. Dong Yuting caught a glimpse of him, but Li Borui, oblivious to his mother in the heated chamber, excitedly rushed into the eastern antechamber to present the flower to his grandmother. His boisterous energy compelled the servants to hasten their steps to keep pace, fearing he might stumble. Qiu Rong would habitually admonish him to slow down, but Li Borui invariably turned a deaf ear.

Dong Yuting suggested, "If you are worried, Elder Sister, perhaps you could ask your cousin to intercede. Aunt has always doted on him immensely; surely she wouldn't refuse to see him?"

"That's an excellent idea," Zhao Fuying exclaimed, her eyes brightening. Then, as if remembering something, her shoulders slumped once more. "But I heard Cousin had a quarrel with Aunt. In a fit of pique, he left the residence and hasn't returned since. How can we possibly enlist his help now?"

Dong Yuting replied, "That I was unaware of. I only knew he had a fit of temper, but not that he has yet to return. Why not dispatch someone to check the inns or his friends' residences? There is bound to be a clue."

Zhao Fuying sighed softly. "That seems to be our only recourse."

"Elder Sister, you should go and rest now. Look at your eyes—they are so bruised! You needn't stay here; I can manage," Dong Yuting said with a smile, helping her up and escorting her out.

As Zhao Fuying lifted her right foot to cross the threshold, her body suddenly swayed backward. Dong Yuting quickly steadied her, asking with concern, "Elder Sister, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"A little dizzy. I didn't sleep well last night," Zhao Fuying said, her face pale, leaning weakly against Dong Yuting. "I'll be fine after some rest."

Tingquan and Xishui stepped forward to assist Zhao Fuying, carefully supporting her on either side. Dong Yuting, still uneasy, followed them. "Elder Sister, if you are truly unwell, please send for a doctor. Don't try to endure it. We cannot afford another person falling ill in the estate."

Zhao Fuying offered a weak smile. "I understand."

Dong Yuting then instructed Tingquan, "While your mistress rests, stay by her side and do not leave. If she appears unwell, send for a doctor and then come for me, do you understand?"

Tingquan nodded vigorously, like garlic being pounded.

Given they were within the same estate, Zhao Fuying's courtyard was not far. Dong Yuting felt a pang of guilt, believing Zhao Fuying had exhausted herself over the Old Madam's affairs, and decided to accompany her back to her room. Zhao Fuying was usually quite talkative, but today, due to her dizziness, she had no desire to speak. Dong Yuting did not disturb her, walking silently by her side.

Just as they exited the Falling Blossoms Courtyard, they saw Concubine Kang and a maid, heads bowed, searching for something on the ground.

As the two slowly approached, Concubine Kang finally noticed them and hastily curtsied. Though her head was bowed, her eyes darted anxiously around, a look of distress clouding her face. This was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor; ordinarily, she wore a perpetually sorrowful expression, moving with a sluggishness that suggested an elderly person nearing the end of her days. Her eyebrows were always furrowed, and a more demanding mistress, seeing her constant gloomy expression, would surely have dismissed her. However, her diligent care for the Old Madam was evident to all, so no one held any grievances against her.

Dong Yuting offered her a faint smile and continued past with Zhao Fuying. Suddenly, Concubine Kang's voice called out from behind, "Madam."

Dong Yuting stopped and turned, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

Concubine Kang nervously rubbed her sleeve cuffs. "I wonder if either of you ladies have seen a longevity locket?"

She quickly glanced up at the bewildered expressions of Dong Yuting and Zhao Fuying, then added, "It's a silver-plated longevity locket with three bats carved on the front. It looks quite old, and a corner of the silver plating has chipped off. I was wearing it this morning when I left Falling Blossoms Courtyard, but now it's gone..."

Dong Yuting considered for a moment. "I haven't seen it."

Zhao Fuying also shook her head, her voice much softer than usual. "Nor have I."

Disappointment flickered across Concubine Kang's face, but she forced a smile. "If either of you ladies should see it, please inform me. It's the longevity locket Liansheng has worn since he was a child." Liansheng—her son. At the mention of him, Concubine Kang's smile abruptly vanished, her lips downturned, and her eyes welled with tears, threatening to spill.

Concubine Kang pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, wiping away the tears, but her reddened eyes would soften anyone's heart.

Dong Yuting was about to ask more questions but remembered Zhao Fuying's discomfort and held her tongue.

Zhao Fuying said, "You two help Concubine Kang search for her lost longevity locket. Don't worry about me."

Tingquan and Xishui looked hesitant and troubled. Xishui said, "Madam, you are still unwell. Let us escort you back first, then we can send other maids to help Concubine Kang search."

Her words were not hidden from Concubine Kang, and visibly, the joy faded from Concubine Kang's face, replaced by a bitter smile. If Tingquan and Xishui could assist her, it would save considerable time; they could summon other maids from the estate to help search, or inquire among the servants if anyone had seen the locket, rather than Concubine Kang searching aimlessly.

Dong Yuting quickly interjected, "That won't do. You are unwell now—how can you be left unattended? Let them go."

She glanced at the maids beside her. These two maids had been assigned by Zhao Fuying. While not particularly clever, they were obedient and dutiful. They acknowledged the order and stayed to help Concubine Kang search.

Zhao Fuying, muddled by her dizziness, realized that other maids could easily assist.

"That won't do either. You don't have many maids as it is. How about this: let Tingquan stay and help Concubine Kang too." Tingquan held a respected position among the servants. With her assistance, the search would proceed much faster. Despite her dizziness, Zhao Fuying still managed to handle things deftly.

"Thank you, Madam! Thank you!" Concubine Kang expressed her gratitude repeatedly, tears once again welling in her now-dry eyes.

Dong Yuting and Zhao Fuying continued on their way. Along the path, Dong Yuting couldn't help but remark, "I've never seen Concubine Kang like this before. That longevity locket must mean a great deal to her."

Zhao Fuying, holding Dong Yuting's arm, reminisced, "That longevity locket was something Seventh Young Master wore since childhood. The bats carved on it are upside down, symbolizing blessings arriving. When they first returned to Danzhou, Seventh Young Master was overjoyed and ran around the courtyard playing. He was so excited that he tripped and fell—that's when the locket chipped. Concubine Kang even joked about taking it to a silversmith to replate it. But who would have thought that just a few days later, Seventh Young Master would suddenly contract a critical illness..."

From her words, Dong Yuting could vividly imagine Concubine Kang and her son when they first returned to Danzhou. With her child by her side, Concubine Kang was likely not saddened by returning to Danzhou; on the contrary, she was quite happy. But no one could have predicted that Seventh Young Master would succumb to a sudden illness and pass away so soon, leaving Concubine Kang as she was now.

Though Dong Yuting couldn't fully empathize, she understood Concubine Kang's distress and anxiety over losing the longevity locket. "I hope Concubine Kang finds it."

After seeing Zhao Fuying back to her room, Dong Yuting watched her lie down and asked, "Are you sure you don't need a doctor?"

Zhao Fuying replied, "No need. I'm just tired. I'll be fine after some sleep."

Dong Yuting, seeing her insistence, did not press further and quietly left the room.

Worried that she might fall ill, she called Xishui outside the door and instructed her, "Keep a close eye on your mistress. When she wakes up, have her drink a bowl of sour jujube seed and longan tea. If she still feels unwell afterward, send for a doctor immediately, do you understand?"

Xishui replied, "I understand, Madam."