Xijin was startled. "Madam, are you suspecting…"
Shen Qingqing shook her head at her.
"Understood. This servant will send someone to investigate tomorrow and ensure it's done discreetly."
"Madam, you should rest now. Regaining your health is the most important thing," Nanzhi advised.
Her two maids who had accompanied her as part of her dowry—one managing internal affairs, the other external—were her capable assistants. She never doubted their loyalty, and facts had proven this true. She didn't mind them learning earlier about Song Lingxiao and Yang Wanqing's true faces.
Yang Wanqing was the daughter of Old Madam's maternal cousin. Being similar in age to the two Song brothers, they had likely grown up together as childhood friends.
That night, Shen Qingqing slept restlessly, plagued by nightmares, drifting in and out of sleep until afternoon when she finally felt somewhat awake.
"Mother, mother! Are you awake? I want to see mother!"
"Little miss, the mistress is still ill. You're young and mustn't catch her sickness," Mama Zhao stopped the young daughter Song Xinyin.
"I'm not afraid! Mother, Yin'er misses you!" Song Xinyin said in her milky voice.
"Let her in."
Shen Qingqing looked at this chubby-cheeked little daughter, unable to connect her with the person who had coldly watched her die in her previous life.
She walked in, followed by a timid little girl who kept her head bowed, making her features unclear.
"Mother, you must get better quickly," she said clingingly by the bedside. "Seeing mother suffer makes Yin'er suffer too. This is lotus flower pastry Yin'er brought for mother." Her plump childish face showed genuine worry and concern.
Her small hand took out walnut pastry and picked up a piece to feed Shen Qingqing. Shen Qingqing's heart softened, but just as she was about to open her mouth, she remembered the poisoning incident.
Could it be her little daughter who poisoned her?
She took a small bite then set the lotus flower pastry aside. "Mother will eat it later. I don't have much appetite now. Thank you, Yin'er."
"Who is this behind you?" she changed the subject.
"I almost forgot, mother! This is a little maid Yin'er bought when going out today. Can she stay with me from now on?"Song Xinyin acted cute while pulling her hand." "Her name is Xiaocao!"
"Quick, raise your head and let my mother see you," Song Xinyin pushed Xiaocao slightly.
Xiaocao raised her head. Her face was small but her eyes were large, making her appear even thinner. Her hair was dry and yellowish without luster, truly resembling a withering little blade of grass.
Shen Qingqing felt heartache looking at this little maid and said, "Since you've bought her, give her a new name." The name Xiaocao was too humble and unsuitable.
"What should we call her, mother?"
"Lvyun." Since Xiaocao meant little grass which was green, she continued with this color. Green represented vitality, symbolizing this little maid's new life.
Song Xinyin turned to the little maid. "From now on, you're called Lvyun. Aren't you going to thank the mistress?"
"Thank you, mistress!" She knelt and kowtowed to Shen Qingqing. Shen Qingqing immediately felt unable to bear it and had Mama Zhao help her up.
"Mama Zhao, she's just a servant. Why are you helping her up?" Song Xinyin said displeased.
Shen Qingqing looked at Song Xinyin again. Her little daughter had been spoiled while growing up and was somewhat willful, showing no sympathy toward servants. Why would she suddenly feel pity for a little maid and buy her?
"Yin'er, having a maid who grows up with you is a good thing. If you treat her well, she will be very loyal!"
"Like Aunt Nanzhi and Aunt Xijin?"
Shen Qingqing nodded.
"Understood, Mother. Please rest well, I shall take my leave now." Song Xinlan happily departed with Lvyun in tow.
"Madam, with your words, the young miss will surely treat this little maid well." Mama Zhao knew Song Xinyin's temperament well—if directly ordered to be kind to Lvyun, she would certainly be displeased.
"But this little girl looks somewhat familiar," Mama Zhao murmured under her breath.
"Familiar?" Shen Qingqing had actually felt the same.
"Yes, she bears a slight resemblance to you in your childhood, though you were exquisitely delicate back then, like a New Year's painting doll—how could she possibly compare?" Mama Zhao chuckled warmly.
Shen Qingqing finally realized why the girl seemed familiar—there was indeed a faint resemblance to her younger self.
Her gaze fell upon the lotus flower pastries.
"Send for Nanzhi."
When Nanzhi entered, Shen Qingqing handed her the pastries. "Take these to the old physician and have him check if they contain any poison."
"What? Madam, do you suspect the young miss?"
How could a child so young possibly…?
"I'm concerned someone might be using the child as a pawn to deliver poison," Shen Qingqing explained, though privately she did harbor suspicions about Song Xinyin. Yet she had detected no unusual behavior from the girl earlier—a four-year-old cannot conceal much, and the child still seemed quite attached to her.
"Of course, Madam is wise to consider this. I shall go at once."
After Nanzhi left, Shen Qingqing rose from bed and began moving about. She could no longer afford to be a delicate, fragile mistress—she must become strong and robust, capable of sending someone flying with a single slap!
Remembering how Song Lingxiao had crushed her spine before her death in her previous life, she resolved that in this life, she would shatter his kneecaps, force him to kneel before her, then break his backbone, leaving him collapsed on the ground like a dead dog.
A commotion outside interrupted Shen Qingqing's thoughts.
"What is happening out there?" She summoned Mama Zhao to investigate.
Mama Zhao returned shortly. "It appears Lady Yang has purchased numerous items. They're being delivered to the estate—quite a crowd of workers."
"Has she begun squandering resources the moment she gained control of household management? Let's go see for ourselves."
"Madam, you haven't fully recovered yet—you shouldn't expose yourself to the wind."
"It's fine, I'll dress warmly."
Mama Zhao immediately draped a heavy cloak over her shoulders, fastened a forehead warmer, and provided a hand warmer before allowing her to venture out.
Outside, they witnessed delivery workers and house servants moving various items, both large and small.
"Be careful with these! These are tonics purchased for Old Madam—you couldn't possibly afford to replace them if damaged!" Mama Liu, attending Yang Wanqing, barked at the movers.
Noticing Shen Qingqing only then, she approached with exaggerated courtesy. "Greetings, Madam—oh dear, my memory…" she amended with a smirk, "Greetings, Second Madam. I forgot you no longer manage the household."
Her sarcastic tone infuriated Mama Zhao, who immediately rebuked her, "Madam is merely recuperating for a few days! Once she has recovered, household authority will undoubtedly return to her!"
"We shall see after her recovery. In this bitter cold, Second Madam ought to remain indoors. Catching a chill could prolong your illness considerably." Mama Liu's expression brimmed with smug satisfaction, as if Yang Wanqing's control over household management were permanent.
Mama Zhao seethed, preparing to retort.
But Shen Qingqing simply raised her hand.
Slap! Her palm struck Mama Liu's face.
"How shamelessly thick your old face is! You've made my hand ache from slapping you. Servants, Nanny Liu has shown disrespect to the mistress—drag her away and give her ten strokes of the cane!"
Nanny Liu was utterly astonished. How could Shen Qingqing, who had always been gentle and easygoing, strike her?
"What are you all standing around for? Can I no longer command you?" Shen Qingqing swept a cold gaze over the crowd.
Only then did the servants and sturdy maids snap to attention and move to seize Nanny Liu, who began crying out, "Madam Yang, save me!"
Yang Wanqing hurried over.
"Stop this at once!"