Shen Wencong’s teacup crashed to the ground with a loud clatter, shattering into pieces. The scalding tea splashed onto the hem of his robe.
The dignified smile on Shen Wushi’s face completely shattered, her pupils contracting violently.
Shen Qingxi’s eyes widened so much they nearly popped out of their sockets. She even thought she was hallucinating.
Hadn’t they just thrown Shen Qingwu’s corpse into the dry well?
And the entire Shi Fang Courtyard was clearly empty.
Yet there stood Shen Qingwu leaning against the doorframe, her figure still slender and frail, her face pale with sickness as if a gust of wind could blow her over.
However, her calm eyes were now frighteningly clear, slowly sweeping over each of their discomposed faces.
“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Cousin,” she slightly furrowed her brows, her tone carrying just the right amount of weakness and confusion, “why… are you all looking at me like this? Is there something wrong with my face?”
She even raised her hand to gently touch her own cheek.
“You… you…” Shen Wencong abruptly stood up, his finger trembling as he pointed at her, his chest heaving violently. After stammering for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out words, “You… weren’t you supposed to be at the temple praying for blessings?!”
“Praying for blessings?” Shen Qingwu blinked, looking even more perplexed. “After getting injured yesterday, your niece has been resting in her room until now. When did I ever leave the mansion?” As she spoke, she appropriately covered her mouth and coughed lightly twice, the corners of her eyes reddening, making her appear even more pitiful. “I seemed to hear some commotion outside the courtyard earlier. Has something happened? Your niece is gravely ill and couldn’t get up in time. I beg Second Uncle and Second Aunt for forgiveness.”
With every word she spoke, the faces of Shen Wencong and the other two grew paler.
“Impossible!” Shen Qingxi finally snapped out of her extreme shock, screaming uncontrollably in a sharp, piercing voice, “You were clearly already…”
“Xi’er!” Shen Wushi abruptly interrupted her daughter, gripping Shen Qingxi’s arm so tightly it seemed she might crush the bones.
Shen Qingwu turned her gaze to Shen Qingxi, with a hint of innocent inquiry: “Already what?”
Shen Qingxi promptly shut her mouth, but under that clear, penetrating gaze, she felt a chill rushing from the soles of her feet straight to the crown of her head.
What in the world was going on?
The Imperial Physician took all of this in, already forming suspicions in his heart. He set down his teacup, stood up, and cupped his hands toward Shen Qingwu: “This must be Eldest Miss Shen? This official is here by His Majesty’s decree to take your pulse.”
Shen Qingwu immediately showed an expression of being overwhelmed by the honor: “Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician. It seems you’ve been waiting for a long time. I sincerely apologize. But I truly didn’t receive any notification.”
“There are only two young maids in my courtyard, and I don’t know where they’ve run off to.” Suddenly covering her mouth, she cautiously looked at Shen Wencong, “That… it must be the servants’ incompetence.”
“Shen Qingwu!” Shen Wencong, who had already realized he’d been thoroughly tricked, couldn’t help but sternly rebuke her when he saw she was still putting on an act.
Shen Qingwu’s shoulders trembled slightly, and she immediately lowered her head. This appearance of treading on thin ice made even the Imperial Physician feel unbearable.
He stepped sideways, positioning himself in front of Shen Qingwu, speaking in her defense: “Eldest Miss Shen need not be afraid.” Please sit here and allow this official to take your pulse.”
“Yes, thank you, Imperial Physician.” Shen Qingwu replied softly and sat down as instructed.
After Shen Qingwu was seated, the Imperial Physician took out a clean silk handkerchief and placed it over her pale, nearly translucent wrist before beginning to concentrate on taking her pulse.
The three members of the second branch were seething with anger, yet they could not vent it and had to suppress their rage.
They exchanged glances, quickly processing the situation before them. It was clear that the one who had died was not Shen Qingwu.
In just a moment, the Imperial Physician finished taking her pulse.
“The knife wound on Eldest Miss Shen’s abdomen has healed remarkably well. Applying Xue Rong Paste for another half-month will fade most of the scar.” Xue Rong Paste was a secret imperial medicine left by the Grand Princess after she sent someone to examine her yesterday. It was also thanks to this medicine that the swelling on her face had subsided overnight.
“However, Eldest Miss Shen’s constitution…” The Imperial Physician’s tone shifted, his brows furrowing deeply as he let out a heavy sigh.
Hearing this, Shen Wencong immediately stepped closer, pricking up his ears.
Shen Qingwu covered her lips and coughed lightly twice. “Please speak freely, Imperial Physician.”
“Alas… it is, after all, an ailment rooted from the womb. She must be carefully nurtured in daily life and must never be subjected to agitation again, or else…” The Imperial Physician spoke tactfully, his face full of regret. “But Eldest Miss Shen need not worry excessively. With proper care, she will surely recover in time.”
These words brought a surge of delight to Shen Wencong, who had been fuming.
It seemed this sickly one truly did not have long to live!
Shen Qingwu, however, wore a calm and resigned expression, as if she had long accepted her fate. “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Physician.” Beneath her wide sleeves, she discreetly removed several silver needles inserted into her acupuncture points.
Once the diagnosis was complete, the Imperial Physician rose to take his leave. Shen Qingwu and the members of the second branch saw him off together.
Before boarding his carriage, the Imperial Physician deliberately remarked, “This official will report the young lady’s condition truthfully to His Majesty.” As he spoke, his gaze meaningfully swept over Shen Wencong.
They had obstructed his examination in every way and arranged only two maids to attend to her—clearly, they were mistreating Eldest Miss Shen.
Shen Qingwu understood his implication and curtsied, her voice trembling slightly. “This humble girl is eternally grateful.”
“Oh, and one more thing!” She seemed to suddenly remember something and hurriedly turned to Shen Qingxi, her tone filled with urgency. “Although the Grand Princess ordered my cousin to be confined, she must have come out because she was worried about my health. I boldly beg the Imperial Physician not to inform the Grand Princess of this matter, lest my cousin be punished again.”
“Shen Qingwu!” Shen Qingxi trembled with rage. If not for Shen Wushi holding her back firmly, she would have rushed forward to tear her mouth shut.
If she hadn’t brought it up, the Imperial Physician would never have bothered with such trivial matters!
“Young lady, rest assured. This official knows what to do.”
Watching the Imperial Physician’s carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Shen Qingxi shook off her mother’s grip and angrily grabbed Shen Qingwu’s arm.
Before she could erupt, Shen Qingwu gently lifted her eyes and said leisurely, “Yesterday, Xia Zao stole and wore my clothes, and then she was bitten by a snake. Cousin, don’t you find that strange?”
The snake had been caught by Shen Qingwu and released into Xia Zao’s room, and the clothes had been swapped by her as well.
But Shen Qingxi visibly panicked at these words. “I have no idea what you’re talking about!”