Tang Wanqing looked at Doctor Xiao in disbelief. “Doctor Xiao, are you saying my illness is completely cured?”
“Exactly,” Doctor Xiao affirmed with certainty.
Tang Wanqing couldn’t help but glance at Nuonuo again. In her heart, she knew clearly that all of this was thanks to this child.
However, for Nuonuo’s safety, Tang Wanqing put on a bewildered expression and said, “I haven’t sought medical treatment elsewhere. Could it be that the shock I experienced today, which made me vomit that filthy substance, is the reason?”
Doctor Xiao didn’t press further. He simply looked at Nuonuo, who was happily playing with the cat, and prepared to take his leave.
Tang Wanqing personally stood up to see him off. “Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Xiao. Before the person who poisoned me is identified, I must ask you to temporarily keep my recovery a secret.”
Doctor Xiao naturally agreed without hesitation. Given his longstanding friendship with the Lin household, he would always stand by Madam Lin’s side.
After seeing Doctor Xiao off, Tang Wanqing felt unsettled and suspicious. Could it be that Shen Rumei and her husband’s respectful and humble demeanor were all an act?
If not for Nuonuo, she would surely have been in grave danger.
Nuonuo had been playing with the cat for quite a while and was now so tired that she was yawning.
Tang Wanqing picked her up. The little one, drowsy-eyed, smiled at her and said in a milky voice, “Auntie smells so nice, just like Mama in my dreams.”
With that, she wrapped her arms around Tang Wanqing’s neck, nestled her little head against Tang Wanqing’s chest, and actually fell asleep.
Qiuyue, worried that her mistress might tire herself, offered to take the child, but Tang Wanqing couldn’t bear to let go. The more she looked at this child, the more she grew fond of her. Holding her like this gave Tang Wanqing an inexplicable sense of peace.
“Tonight, I’ll let her sleep with me. Have Yubai keep an eye on Shen Rumei and her husband’s movements. Tell him to be careful and not alert them.”
Looking at the sleeping Nuonuo, Tang Wanqing couldn’t help but think: if her own daughter hadn’t died young, she would have been about this age too.
As soon as Nuonuo woke up, she saw Aunt Qiuyue leading a procession of pretty maidservants into the room. They were all carrying trays in their hands. Sitting on the bed, Nuonuo couldn’t see clearly and couldn’t help asking, “Auntie, what delicious food are Auntie and the others bringing?”
“Is Nuonuo hungry? These are clothes prepared for you. Which color does Nuonuo like? After you change, we’ll go have breakfast, okay?” Tang Wanqing said as she lifted Nuonuo down from the bed. Qiuyue quickly signaled the maidservants to lower their trays.
Seeing the colorful garments, Nuonuo’s eyes lit up. What little girl doesn’t love pretty things? Yet, in the end, she firmly shook her head and said, “Nuonuo can’t take these. Granny said I mustn’t casually accept things from others.”
Tang Wanqing truly hadn’t expected this child to be not only kind and adorable but also so sensible. Her heart ached as she pulled Nuonuo into her embrace and said, “Yesterday, you subdued the big horse and saved Auntie’s life. These are gifts from Auntie to thank you. Besides, you already call me Auntie—how could I be ‘others’?”
Nuonuo tilted her head and thought for a moment. That seemed to make sense. When she helped little animals, they would give her things too.
“Then this one,” Nuonuo said, pointing to a set of sage-green dress.
Tang Wanqing was overjoyed and personally helped her change clothes and comb her hair. After some tidying up, the grubby little girl transformed into someone entirely different—a round little face, large eyes like black grapes, and those adorable dimples when she smiled were utterly charming. Even the unruly, upward-pointing little braid had been styled by Tang Wanqing into a blooming flower. Yet, the more she looked at the girl’s features, the more familiar they seemed.
Just then, Shen Rumei arrived. As usual, she was attentive and humble. “Madam, I’ve brought your medicine.”
Upon seeing the fairy-like little girl beside Tang Wanqing, Shen Rumei’s expression changed in shock, and she quickly lowered her head to compose herself.
Tang Wanqing pretended not to notice, leaning weakly in her chair as she coughed a few times and said gently, “How many times have I told you? Sending medicine is such a trivial task—just let the servants handle it.”
“Madam is so kind, treating Second Master and me as family. But we mustn’t forget our place. Besides, the servants can be clumsy. I feel more at ease doing it myself,” Shen Rumei said, bowing as she stood before Tang Wanqing, ready to feed her the medicine.
In the past, Tang Wanqing had only thought Shen Rumei was overly cautious—precisely why she had trusted Shen Rumei and her husband so much. Now, it seemed this was nothing but an act performed right before her eyes. How had she failed to notice it at all?
Catching the pungent smell of the medicine, Tang Wanqing’s expression darkened. “Drinking it day after day hasn’t made the slightest difference. I might as well not take it.”
Seeing Tang Wanqing refuse the medicine, Shen Rumei pleaded earnestly, “Madam, good medicine tastes bitter. If you don’t take it, how will your illness improve? Third Young Master is counting on you entirely.”
In the past, mentioning Third Young Master would have compelled Tang Wanqing to drink the medicine no matter what. But today, she acted contrary to her usual self and followed Shen Rumei’s words, saying, “Speaking of Yi’er, it’s been so long since I’ve seen him. Nuonuo, shall Auntie take you to see a little brother?”
“Okay!” Nuonuo replied happily.
When her gaze fell upon Nuonuo again, Shen Rumei felt her heart race and a chill run down her spine. She desperately tried to reassure herself—it couldn’t be, that child had died long ago.
Forcing herself to remain calm, she asked, “Madam, who is this child…?”
“This is Nuonuo. She came to the capital to find her family. Until she locates them, she’ll stay in our residence. Rumei, please tidy up the Qixia Garden for Nuonuo to stay in for now. Also, inform everyone that Nuonuo is an honored guest in our household and should be served just as Third Young Master is.” After saying this, Tang Wanqing took Nuonuo’s hand and prepared to leave.
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Shen Rumei’s eyes, but she quickly complied, saying, “Isn’t Qixia Garden a bit too large? A child living there alone might feel afraid. How about arranging her in Ziyi Garden instead? It’s more elegant.”
“Qixia Garden will do. It’s closer to me,” Tang Wanqing said casually, yet her tone left no room for doubt. Shen Rumei ultimately dared not say more.
She hurried forward and stopped Tang Wanqing. “Madam, I know you’re worried about Third Young Master, but he was restless all day yesterday and only just improved today. What if seeing you agitates him again?”
Tang Wanqing’s steps faltered. Three years ago, her husband and two sons had died in battle, and her daughter had passed away shortly after birth.
The trauma had driven her to the brink of madness for a time, and Yi’er, frightened by the ordeal, had grown weaker with each passing day since.
His condition worsened whenever he saw her, his mother, which was why Tang Wanqing rarely dared to visit him.
Now that she knew her madness was caused by the King of Hell’s Smile, Tang Wanqing was eager to see her son.
But Shen Rumei’s words made her hesitate again.
“Auntie, no child would be afraid of their mother. Even though Nuonuo has never seen her mother, Nuonuo knows that her mother loves her. The little brother must feel the same way.”
Seeing Tang Wanqing swayed by these words, Shen Rumei grew frantic. Pointing at Nuonuo, she cursed, “Where did this wild child come from, daring to meddle in the affairs of the General’s Manor? The Third Young Master is the only heir of the Lin family—we cannot afford even the slightest mishap. What kind of heart do you have, urging Madam to go like this?”
After cursing, Shen Rumei changed her tone, pleading earnestly with Tang Wanqing, “Madam, you know the Third Young Master’s condition better than anyone. If anything were to happen, we wouldn’t be able to answer to the Old Madam.”