The room was silent. Just then, Cang Feng reported from outside, “General, the young madam is here again.”
Song Zhiyao was curious about what the person who had occupied her body over the past years had done—what reckless, cruel things.
But right now, she had no one she could rely on. She couldn’t just recklessly ask around.
Besides, Lu Jian Shen was still in danger. She understood the gravity of the situation and cared more about his safety than anything else.
So she came to Zhi Mo Courtyard several times a day.
Even if she couldn’t enter to see Lu Jian Shen, the reactions and expressions of the courtyard servants told her everything she needed to know about his condition.
Just as Song Zhiyao was about to turn to leave, Cang Feng’s voice came from behind: “Young madam, please come in.”
Without hesitation, Song Zhiyao stepped inside.
She first glanced at Lu Jian Shen. The little boy was still unconscious. Without needing a word from Lu Yanzhi, she walked over and grasped his hand.
Lu Yanzhi saw everything clearly.
As if sensing the warmth belonging to Song Zhiyao, Lu Jian Shen clenched her hand in return.
He had never done that with Lu Yanzhi.
Lu Yanzhi paused for a moment and said to Song Zhiyao, “Talk to Jian Shen.”
Talk?
Song Zhiyao had just woken up. Her child was already five years old, and she didn’t even know his personality…
She thought for a moment, gently stroking his hand.
“Jian Shen, in the past, Mommy was at fault. From now on, I will change. I will treat you well.”
“Jian Shen, your birthday is coming soon. When you wake up, Mommy will make sure you have a proper birthday, okay?”
“…”
Song Zhiyao sat by the bed, her gaze lowered, her eyes focused entirely on Lu Jian Shen. Her voice was soft and gentle.
The winter room was warm with burning charcoal.
Lu Yanzhi’s eyes faltered for a brief moment, but quickly turned cold and guarded.
Song Zhiyao—she could never be trusted.
Song Zhiyao stayed with Lu Jian Shen all morning.
By noon, as she fed him his medicine, the doctor came to check on him. “General, this method is indeed effective. The little master’s condition has improved significantly since this morning.”
Hearing this, Song Zhiyao understood why Lu Yanzhi had, against his usual habit, let her in.
Her heart felt both sour and bitter.
The one who had pushed Lu Jian Shen into the ice lake—the child’s heart still remembered her, his mother.
She hated the person who had occupied her body even more. No matter what, no one should ever push a five-year-old into an ice lake.
After seeing the doctor off, Cang Feng entered quietly and whispered something in Lu Yanzhi’s ear.
Lu Yanzhi’s gaze fell on Song Zhiyao.
Quickly, Song Zhiyao said, “Lu Yanzhi, if you have matters to attend to, go on. I’ll stay with Jian Shen.”
Lu Yanzhi: He only felt uneasy if she was here.
Song Zhiyao read between the lines and said, “You can have someone watch me.”
Not that she fully trusted herself either.
After a brief pause, Lu Yanzhi instructed Cang Feng, “Stay.”
Then he left Zhi Mo Courtyard.
That afternoon, Song Zhiyao had Lan Xin bring a book. Holding Lu Jian Shen’s hand, she quietly read to him.
The only sounds in the silent room were the burning charcoal and Song Zhiyao’s voice reading aloud.
But the quiet was soon broken.
“Move! Let me in!”
“Who dares stop me!”
A sharp female voice rang out. Song Zhiyao frowned. Even the unconscious Lu Jian Shen seemed slightly disturbed.
It was Lin Guan Guan.
“Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law, help! Yan’er has a high fever!”
“The doctor said he needs thousand-year ginseng to recover!”
Hearing her voice again, Song Zhiyao gently patted Lu Jian Shen’s hand, then decided to personally go out and stop Lin Guan Guan.
Lan Xin, seeing this, opened her mouth as if to speak, but ultimately stayed silent.
The young madam always acted this way.
The second young master’s child mattered more than her own little master or little miss.
Stepping outside, Song Zhiyao saw Lin Guan Guan barging in arrogantly, wearing items Song Zhiyao recognized.
“Sister-in-law!”
Seeing Song Zhiyao, Lin Guan Guan immediately rushed forward. “Yan’er…”
“Quiet.” Song Zhiyao cut her off. “Lower your voice.”
It was too noisy and would disturb Jian Shen’s rest.
Lin Guan Guan coughed softly, lowering her voice a little. Her brow furrowed in worry. “Sister-in-law, Yan’er has a high fever. The doctor said he needs thousand-year ginseng boiled into a soup. Hurry and bring it!”
Her words sounded perfectly reasonable.
Song Zhiyao frowned, feeling that Lin Guan Guan had overstepped.
Seeing her remain silent, Lin Guan Guan’s tone softened. “Sister-in-law, maybe you could bring it personally? Brother Jin Yu is extremely worried about Yan’er and is guarding him…”
Lin Guan Guan’s words carried a strong hint. Song Zhiyao felt a wave of nausea.
“You’re imagining things,” Song Zhiyao said coldly. “Without the thousand-year ginseng, I won’t bring it over.”
Lin Guan Guan’s eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Song Zhiyao to refuse her.
Over the past years, Lin Guan Guan knew better than anyone how Song Zhiyao had treated their family.
She also knew Song Zhiyao’s intentions.
This time, Song Zhiyao wanted the thousand-year ginseng back herself. Lin Guan Guan’s heart ached. Such a precious item—was Lu Jian Shen even worthy of it?
She thought to give Song Zhiyao a way to save face.
“It’s right there!” Lin Guan Guan said. “You brought it yesterday.”
“Sister-in-law, you used to spoil Yan’er the most. He has a high fever now. Without the ginseng to restore his health, he might have lasting harm.”
“You know how much Brother Jin Yu cares for Yan’er.”
Lin Guan Guan bit her lip, secretly resentful, but smiled on the surface. “Yesterday, Brother Jin Yu may have said harsh words, but it was only because he was worried about Yan’er.”
“If you bring the thousand-year ginseng and save Yan’er, Brother Jin Yu will realize who truly cares for him the most.”
Song Zhiyao understood.
Lin Guan Guan was trying to manipulate her—using Lu Jin Yu to pressure the person who had occupied her body.
But that person had poor taste. A spineless runaway groom—worthy of being remembered?
“Lu Jin Yu?” Song Zhiyao asked. “What kind of man is he? Coveting his sister-in-law’s dowry and not feeling ashamed when it spreads?”
Wha—what?
Lin Guan Guan stared in disbelief.
“And you,” Song Zhiyao said, looking at Lin Guan Guan. “I don’t care how my things ended up with you—give them back in full.”
“As for the thousand-year ginseng? No. If you want it, find it yourself.”
Lu Jin Yu’s son had nothing to do with her.
Even now, with Jian Shen still unconscious, Lu Jin Yu hadn’t come to check.
“Sister-in-law! If you do this… Brother Jin Yu will really get angry!” Lin Guan Guan couldn’t believe it.
Song Zhiyao sneered, her eyes icy. “Try making a fuss and see what happens.”
The coldness in her gaze genuinely startled Lin Guan Guan. She forgot to speak.
Song Zhiyao gave a single command: “Out!”