Scolding aside, Shen Shuangshuang’s hands didn’t stop moving.
She hurried to the well, scooped two bowls of the spiritual spring water into clean porcelain bowls, and brought them to Shen Yaozong first.
“Dad, drink some water first. This will help with your wounds.”
Shen Yaozong trembled in pain. Hearing his daughter’s words, he slowly lifted his head and drank the water in one go.
The spiritual spring water coursed through him, and he immediately felt much of the excruciating pain ease. His tense body relaxed a little.
“This water… really works.”
He drew a deep breath, looking at his daughter. “Shuangshuang, are you okay? We heard you were locked in the ancestral hall—we were worried sick.”
“I’m fine. Just a few days without food. Drinking the spring water fixed that.”
Shen Shuangshuang handed the other bowl to Xiang Meimei. “Mom, drink this. You can’t have any problems with the baby.”
Xiang Meimei took it and sipped slowly. Soon, the pain in her belly lessened, and her complexion improved. She placed a hand on her stomach, forcing a wry smile.
“I didn’t expect to come here with a… ‘burden.’ Giving birth in ancient times is going to be dangerous.”
“Mom, that’s not a burden. That’s our baby.”
Shen Shuangshuang helped her sit, leaning her against a nearby tree trunk.
“Space has everything. I even stocked up on childbirth supplies. I’ll be with you—you’ll be fine.”
Shen Yaozong, now feeling steadier, propped himself up and said to his daughter, “Shuangshuang, now that we understand the situation, we’ve transmigrated as the Third Branch of the Shen family. The original father had no power. If we want to survive, we need to find a way to secure our footing.”
“I understand.”
Shen Shuangshuang recounted the original owner’s memories and what she had learned.
“That Shen Jiaojiao falling into the pond was a setup. The original girl said her foot slipped by accident, not pushed—but no one believed her.”
“Definitely a plot by the First Branch,” Shen Yaozong frowned. “They’ve always wanted to keep the Third Branch down. Jiaojiao is Lady Zhou’s granddaughter, so the First Branch naturally gets preferential treatment.”
Xiang Meimei nodded. “When I arrived, I overheard the maids gossiping. Shen Jiaojiao had long disliked Shuangshuang and even once stole her jewelry. This fall might have been entirely staged by her.”
“No matter who orchestrated it, we need to overcome the immediate challenges first.”
Shen Shuangshuang stood. “Dad, your wounds need proper care. I’ll get the medicine kit. Mom, rest here for a moment—I’ll fetch some food.”
She dashed to the storage warehouse and returned with a medicine kit and some food.
The kit contained iodine, gauze, anti-inflammatory medicine, and specially stocked Yunnan Baiyao.
Xiang Meimei first helped Shen Yaozong clean his wounds. His backside was raw and bloody—just looking at it made one wince.
“Hang in there, husband. I’ll disinfect you.”
Using a cotton swab dipped in iodine, she gently cleaned the injury.
“It’s fine. I can handle it,” Shen Yaozong gritted his teeth. Sweat ran down his forehead, but he forced calm.
He turned to Shen Shuangshuang. “Shuangshuang, be careful in the Marquisate. Don’t go head-to-head with them. We have the space now—we won’t starve or freeze. Focus on staying safe first.”
“Dad, I understand. That Lady Zhou wanted to punish me? Fine, I’ll ‘obediently’ accept it, recover my health, and then strike back. By the way, Dad, what’s your body’s background in the Marquisate? Any special skills?”
“The original owner was a scholar. He passed the provincial exam but didn’t reach the metropolitan exam. He just studied in the mansion—no real power.”
Shen Yaozong sighed. “Still, he’s literate—might come in handy.”
“Scholar skills, perfect!” Shen Shuangshuang’s eyes lit up. “The Da Jing Dynasty values literature over military skills. If we can get Dad to shine in court, our standing in the Marquisate will naturally rise.”
Xiang Meimei drank some congee, spirits lifting. “Dad was a manager in the modern world. His mind is sharper than those ancient scholars—he’ll succeed.”
Shen Shuangshuang bandaged Shen Yaozong, helped Xiang Meimei sit, and brought her a bowl of chicken soup.
The soup, pre-stocked as instant chicken soup, only needed heating. The rich aroma filled the air.
“Smells amazing.” Xiang Meimei sipped and sighed in satisfaction. “These past days in the Marquisate, it was all spoiled rice and pickles. I almost forgot what meat tastes like.”
“From now on, we’ll eat in the space,” Shen Shuangshuang said. “I stocked plenty—delicacies from mountains and seas. You and Dad will eat well. Mom, does your body have any friends in the mansion?”
“None,” Xiang Meimei shook her head. “The original was timid and pregnant, hiding in the courtyard. But there is a loyal maid, Pearl. She secretly informed your father when I was shoved.”
“Loyal people are rare—worth nurturing,” Shen Shuangshuang nodded.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. Her eyes brightened as she clapped her hands. “Dad, Mom, I’ve thought of a more secure plan. Not Mom pretending to be ill… but me!”
“Pretend to be ill?”
Shen Yaozong and Xiang Meimei spoke simultaneously, puzzled.
“You just drank spiritual spring water—your complexion is perfect. How would you pretend?”
“Exactly why it’ll work!”
Shen Shuangshuang pulled them to sit at the stone table and lowered her voice. “I’ll use the spring water to raise my temperature, make it look like I have a persistent high fever. Mom, you leave the space, act worried, sneak into the ancestral hall, see me, and cry your heart out. You’ll say I’m delirious from the fever and rush to summon a doctor.”
Xiang Meimei still didn’t understand. “Weren’t you going to pretend to be sick yourself before? Why change plans?”
“Mom, you’re pregnant. One wrong move could harm the baby,” Shen Shuangshuang explained patiently. “Plus, this move is more ruthless. The ancestral hall is sacred. Locking a seriously ill girl there makes the Marquisate look bad. Grandpa values the family’s reputation more than life. Once the doctor sees me like this and hears your tears, he’ll gossip. Grandpa won’t need our pleas—he’ll pressure Lady Zhou to release me.”