Li Mengxi walked to the bedside without looking sideways.
She first examined Su Fei’s complexion.
The man’s brows were furrowed, his thin lips slightly chapped, and his underrobe was loosely open, revealing his collarbone.
It was quite different from his usual cold and stern demeanor.
There was a hint of frailty added to it.
It seemed his illness was quite severe.
Unfortunately, he still wouldn’t die.
A faint chill flickered in Li Mengxi’s eyes.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, the corner of her eye caught sight of something at the head of the bed.
A mask?
A black-and-red bronze fang mask.
Who would keep such a terrifying mask on their bed?
Li Mengxi had once owned a similar bronze fang mask.
Her mother, Madam Shen, had hoped she would be dignified and virtuous.
But Li Mengxi had always harbored a wild heart. Every time she secretly snuck out of the residence to play, she would put on the mask and ride horses at full gallop in the outskirts.
Since leaving the Li Residence and marrying into the Hou Mansion, she rarely had the chance to go out riding.
Two years ago, she had snuck out for one wild escapade and happened to save Su Fei along the way.
At that time, he was her husband, and she had been somewhat fond of him—she couldn’t possibly let him die.
Her mask had looked very much like the one on Su Fei’s bed.
However, later on, her half-sister Li Ya was about to leave for the border.
At that time, Li Ya had asked her for the bronze fang mask as a farewell gift, right in front of their father.
Li Mengxi had refused.
But her father had scolded her for being petty. She had wanted to ignore him, but her mother, Madam Shen, had spoken up and agreed to give it to Li Ya on her behalf.
Nanny Wang also noticed the bronze fang mask on the Heir’s bed.
She let out a soft exclamation and murmured, “I didn’t expect the Heir to also like bronze fang masks. Young Madam, it looks very much like the one you used to have. You liked that kind of mask back then too.”
Miao Ling, standing nearby, found Nanny Wang’s words amusing.
Nanny Wang was actually saying such insincere things for the sake of the Consort of the Heir Apparent.
Very few women liked such terrifying masks.
Li Mengxi examined the mask carefully, and the more she looked at it, the more familiar it felt. “Miao Ling, bring the mask over for me to see.”
Miao Ling bowed respectfully and explained calmly without any hint of servility, “Young Madam, the Heir has instructed that no one is allowed to touch this mask.”
Nanny Wang’s face turned cold as she lowered her voice and scolded, “The Young Madam is the Heir’s wife, not just anyone. She only wants to take a look at the mask—what’s wrong with that?”
How utterly ignorant of propriety!
Miao Ling knelt directly on the ground without defending herself.
Li Mengxi tilted her head, lowered her gaze, and gave Miao Ling a faint, indifferent look.
Miao Ling was clever—no wonder she had been able to stay by Su Fei’s side serving him for so many years.
Li Mengxi thought of her previous life.
In her previous life, when Li Ya had come to the West Courtyard to stop her from returning to the Li Residence.
Miao Ling had been standing right beside Li Ya.
Not only had she stood beside Li Ya, but she had also helped Li Ya restrain Nanny Wang.
This girl Miao Ling was in love with Su Fei.
Li Mengxi could see it easily.
Su Fei was not only the future Marquis of the Hou Mansion but also a favored minister of the Old Emperor.
He was handsome, and his inner courtyard was very clean.
Many noble ladies also fancied Su Fei.
Li Mengxi stopped staring at the kneeling Miao Ling.
Since that was the case, she would make the decision today—while Su Fei was still unconscious, she would take the initiative to arrange for Miao Ling to become his concubine.
She wondered if Li Ya would feel uncomfortable when she learned that Su Fei had taken a concubine.
Li Mengxi smiled gently. “Nanny, since the Heir has said no one is to touch that mask, there’s no need to insist. Let’s go—we should head out and not disturb the Heir’s rest.”
She paused, then said to Miao Ling, “Miao Ling, take good care of the Heir. If the opportunity arises, I will mention to Mother that the Heir should take you as a concubine.”
After leaving those words, Li Mengxi turned and walked away with a smile on her lips.
When Miao Ling heard the words “take you as a concubine,” she felt no joy—only shock and unease.
She quickly knelt down heavily and kowtowed with a loud thud. “Young Madam, this servant’s status is too lowly. I am truly unworthy of the Heir.”
If she truly became the Heir’s concubine, not only would she be confined to the inner courtyard, but she would likely hardly even get to see the Heir’s face anymore.
Miao Ling had always known that the Heir was not fond of women.
She only wanted to quietly serve as his personal maidservant.
Li Mengxi heard the sound of Miao Ling’s kowtow and stopped in her tracks.
The woman’s beautiful eyes slightly lifted as she said with great composure, “Miao Ling, over the years, you’ve been the only woman allowed to serve the Heir up close. Surely the Heir treats you differently.”
“Continue to take good care of the Heir in the future, and strive to bear him children and expand the family line.”
“Stop kneeling—this is a good thing.”
Li Mengxi’s voice remained as gentle as ever.
Miao Ling knelt prostrate on the ground, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
She had lost her usual composure.
She could only hope that the Consort of the Heir Apparent was merely speaking idly.
…
Before Li Mengxi had even walked out of the inner chamber, she heard the announcement that the imperial physician had arrived.
She stopped in her tracks and could only wait for the physician’s diagnosis.
The Marchioness and the Marquis led the imperial physician into the inner chamber.
The Old Dowager had originally wanted to follow them into the inner chamber, but the Marquis stopped her.
The Marquis was also worried that his son’s illness might be passed on to his mother, who was already advanced in years and not in good health.
The imperial physician took Su Fei’s pulse.
Upon hearing the results of the pulse diagnosis, the Marchioness and the others breathed a temporary sigh of relief.
The imperial physician prepared to perform acupuncture on the Heir.
The Marchioness and the others left the inner chamber first.
And Li Mengxi calmly followed them out as well.
When the Marchioness saw that Li Mengxi had actually followed them out of the inner chamber, she furrowed her brows slightly.
They needed to withdraw, but Li Mengxi was A-Fei’s wife—why was she withdrawing too!
The Old Dowager, waiting outside, learned of her grandson’s condition. She pressed her palms together and recited, “Amitabha, may the Buddha protect him.”
The Marquis still had matters to attend to, so he left the Eastern Courtyard first.
Li Mengxi looked at the Old Dowager and said gently and virtuously, “Grandmother, why don’t you return to Shou’an Hall to rest? Once the Heir wakes up, your granddaughter-in-law will immediately send someone to Shou’an Hall to report to you.”
The Old Dowager was old, and having sat for so long, she was indeed feeling a bit drained. “Alright, I’m tired too.”
Li Mengxi supported the Old Dowager by the arm, preparing to personally escort her back to Shou’an Hall.
The Marchioness coldly watched Li Mengxi’s retreating figure as she supported the Old Dowager.
She let out a snort.
Always knowing how to curry favor with that old hag.
The Marchioness’s cheekbones were slightly high, and when she snorted coldly, she looked somewhat sharp and mean.
She actually harbored some resentment toward the Old Dowager.
Not long after Li Mengxi married into the Hou Mansion, the Old Dowager had taken it upon herself to hand over the authority of managing the household to Li Mengxi.
This point greatly displeased the Marchioness.
What displeased the Marchioness even more was that A-Fei had actually married such a woman who couldn’t bear children to continue the Hou Mansion’s lineage.
Even to this day, the Marchioness and the others still didn’t know that her son had never actually consummated the marriage with Li Mengxi.
If they were to find out, they would still blame Li Mengxi.
The Marchioness picked up her teacup and took a sip, thinking that she must go to Bailong Temple one of these days to burn incense and pay respects to the Goddess of Fertility.
Li Mengxi escorted the Old Dowager to Shou’an Hall and carefully instructed Nanny Wu, “After the midday meal, do not let Grandmother eat any chilled fruits.”
Nanny Wu smiled and acknowledged the order.
After the Consort of the Heir Apparent left.
Nanny Wu said to the Old Dowager, “The young madam is truly considerate.”
The Old Dowager squinted and smiled. “Mengxi is a good one. I only hope Fei’er…”
What she hoped for Fei’er, the Old Dowager didn’t continue.
She probably meant she hoped Su Fei would come to see Li Mengxi’s goodness.
Li Mengxi left Shou’an Hall and returned to the Eastern Courtyard of Wenren Tang.
She paid her respects to the Marchioness, then sat down and glanced at the Marchioness, whose expression was displeased.
Her eyes curved with a smile as she said, “Mother, I intend to take a concubine for the Heir.”