Lin Tangtang’s words seemed to strike a chord in Lin Jiaojiao, whose face first flushed crimson before paling dramatically upon realization.
“Sister, you jest. With my humble status, I dare not aspire to the Marquis Estate,” Lin Jiaojiao bit her lip.
“Is it that you dare not, though you wish to?” Lin Tangtang stared intently at her face.
That gaze was like a piercing light, penetrating her skin to strike directly at her heart.
“No, I’ve never thought of it,” Lin Jiaojiao lowered her eyes demurely, not daring to reveal even a hint of the resentment in her heart.
The timing wasn’t right yet—she feared Lin Tangtang would turn against her.
As the legitimate eldest daughter of the main branch, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to deal with Lin Jiaojiao.
Lin Jiaojiao felt some regret for having spoken out of turn earlier in the South Courtyard.
“Is that so?” Lin Tangtang observed Lin Jiaojiao’s obedient demeanor, her eyes revealing detachment. “Cousin, one must not forget their roots. Do not forget where you came from.”
Though spoken softly, the words rang loudly in Lin Jiaojiao’s ears.
“Sister’s admonishment is duly noted,” Lin Jiaojiao replied quietly.
Lin Tangtang saw through her but chose not to expose her.
It wouldn’t be long before Lin Jiaojiao could no longer maintain this innocent facade.
After Lin Tangtang left, Lin Jiaojiao plucked all the flowers from the vase bare.
She refused to remain subordinate and resented being lectured by Lin Tangtang. This kind of life needed to end sooner rather than later.
After resting briefly in her room, noisy commotion arose again outside the courtyard.
Half-reclining, Lin Tangtang covered her ears with her hands and called softly, “Xiangxue, close all the windows.”
The March air was somewhat damp yet carried a faint floral scent—Lin Tangtang preferred sleeping with the windows open.
Xiangxue set down the pastries she was holding, used a wooden rod to secure the windows, and upon hearing the discussions outside, reminded softly, “Miss, it seems something major has happened again at the Marquis Estate. Should we go and see?”
“No need, we’ll find out later,” Lin Tangtang turned over. Everything was unfolding as expected.
Yu Shi’s poisoning today would trigger a Head-wind episode, and she would now be unconscious.
A tough battle lay ahead—she needed to rest first to gather her strength.
Meanwhile, the servants attending to the South Courtyard were inwardly lamenting their misfortune.
In the morning, their mistress had suffered from diarrhea and vomiting, keeping them busy in a frenzy.
In the afternoon, Yu Shi had collapsed, leaving them utterly panicked.
They had barely drunk any water all day, and both Yang Chen and Yang Xiao were blaming them for their incompetence and failure to care properly for Yu Shi.
…
When Lin Tangtang arrived at the South Courtyard after waking, she saw Granny Zhou reprimanding several lower-ranking maids.
Among them was Yulan, whom Lin Tangtang recognized from her previous life—Yulan had secretly slipped her a few pieces of charcoal when she was down and out.
She glanced at Yulan; their eyes met briefly before looking away.
Lin Tangtang entered the room, where a pungent, bitter medicinal smell assaulted her senses.
Yu Shi lay motionless on the bed, with Yang Chen and his sister keeping vigil beside her, their eyes red and brows deeply furrowed.
Lin Jiaojiao stood behind them, wearing a sorrowful expression.
“Lin Tangtang, Mother collapsed because of you! Why did you take so long to come?” Yang Xiao, upon seeing Lin Tangtang, roared like an enraged lion.
“Miss Yang, watch your words. What does Madam’s illness have to do with me?” Lin Tangtang retorted. “Have you forgotten what you apologized to me for this morning?”
“You!” Remembering the humiliation from the morning, Yang Xiao glared furiously, cursing inwardly.
Yang Chen tugged at Yang Xiao’s sleeve.
Now was not the time for arguments.
Lin Tangtang looked at Yu Shi’s ashen face and realized her condition was actually more severe than in her previous life.
After a while, Zhong Daifu finally arrived belatedly.
Lin Tangtang understood.
In her previous life, when Yu Shi fainted, Lin Tangtang had been frantic with worry and immediately sent someone to fetch Zhong Daifu.
This time, Lin Tangtang hadn’t intervened. The Marquis Estate had first sought other physicians to treat Yu Shi, only calling for Zhong Daifu after those treatments proved ineffective, thus delaying the optimal treatment period.
As for why they hadn’t summoned him promptly, it was likely due to concerns about cost.
She wondered if Yu Shi would suffer any lasting effects from this episode in this lifetime.
After Zhong Daifu performed acupuncture and bloodletting, Yu Shi’s complexion gradually improved, and her breathing became much smoother.
However, after briefly regaining consciousness, she fell back into a deep sleep.
“Young Lord, given the situation, Madam will need someone to attend to her through the night. Each time she wakes, administer one of these pills.” Zhong Daifu retrieved his silver needles and took a medicine bottle from his chest.
Yang Chen nodded in acknowledgment.
When Zhong Daifu departed, he received ten gold from the Marquis Estate.
Granny Zhou frowned deeply. If the Madam of the Hou Estate regained consciousness, she would surely lament the expense.
With the treatment concluded, Lin Tangtang smoothed her skirts and prepared to leave.
“Stop! Mother is still lying ill in bed, and you’re just leaving like this?” Yang Xiao blocked her path.
“What else does Miss Yang require?” Lin Tangtang subtly created distance between them.
“Didn’t Zhong Daifu just say someone needs to attend to the patient? Are you simply going to ignore that?” Yang Xiao’s face showed clear dissatisfaction.
“It’s just one night. With so many people in the Marquis Estate, can you not manage patient care properly?”
“But without supervision, how can we trust the servants to be diligent?” Yang Xiao’s anger rose, leading her to speak without filter.
Hearing this, the maids in the room, including Granny Zhou, couldn’t help but feel a chill in their hearts.
They worked tirelessly for the Marquis Estate, yet this was how Miss Yang viewed them…
“If Miss Yang is concerned, you can attend to her yourself. Moreover, as the Madam of the Hou Estate is the head of household, it would be perfectly reasonable to summon the young masters and misses from other branches of the family to assist with her care.” Lin Tangtang spoke with clear logic and reason.
“I want you to attend to her!” Today, both she and the other young members of the Marquis Estate had been poisoned. Not fully recovered, how could they possibly come to tend to the patient?
The other branches currently harbored resentment toward the main family, and she didn’t want to provoke them for now.
“Miss Yang, by what authority are you making demands of me?” Lin Tangtang’s tone was calm yet firm. “Why should I obey you?”
“My mother is your future mother-in-law, your support in the latter half of your life. When she falls ill, you should fulfill your filial duties!” Yang Xiao declared with conviction. “I’m only giving you this opportunity to prove yourself out of consideration for my brother!”
She believed that since Lin Tangtang was infatuated with Yang Chen, invoking her brother’s name would make Lin Tangtang yield.
Yang Chen remained silent but turned his gaze toward Lin Tangtang.
At this moment, they truly needed Lin Tangtang to attend to the patient. Having been poisoned today, his energy was depleted—he couldn’t stay up all night, as he needed to report on the important matter of the Arrow Diagram at court tomorrow.
“I don’t need it. You and the Young Lord can keep this opportunity to prove yourselves.” Lin Tangtang averted her eyes. “Great Feng Country governs through filial piety. The Madam of the Hou Estate is your mother, so her care should naturally fall to you. I haven’t yet entered the Marquis Estate—my position here is neither proper nor justified.”
“You…” Yang Xiao, cornered by her invocation of filial duty, felt a tightness in her chest and was rendered speechless.
“Young Lord, I’ve visited the Madam of the Hou Estate and fulfilled my obligation. The wound on my head hasn’t been redressed today, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Lin Tangtang bowed slightly to Yang Chen, deliberately ignoring his displeased expression.
Before leaving, she noticed Lin Jiaojiao who had been secretly watching from the sidelines and added, “If you’re willing, cousin, why not stay and take care of Madam of the Hou Estate? Consider it doing the hard work on my behalf.”
Suddenly called out, Lin Jiaojiao was startled.
She had only intended to come and curry some favor, never expecting to stay up all night tending to the sick.
But with everyone’s eyes in the room fixed on her, she had no choice but to brace herself and say, “Alright.”
Lin Tangtang smiled lightly, patted her hand, and left.
“Miss, aren’t you worried that by leaving Lin Jiaojiao to tend to the sick, she might seize the chance to get close to the Young Lord…” Once they were further away, Xiangxue voiced her concerns, knowing full well that Lin Jiaojiao was not one to stay quiet.
“Even if she has such intentions, she won’t have the energy for it.” Lin Tangtang had it all figured out.
Yu Shi was a difficult person to deal with. In her previous life, when she had stayed to take care of Yu Shi, she had suffered greatly. Yu Shi had nitpicked and criticized her endlessly, leaving her feeling deeply wronged.
Now, it was time for Lin Jiaojiao to experience the same.
Besides, this time, Madam of the Hou Estate was even more seriously ill. How would she torment Lin Jiaojiao tonight?
She’d be lucky to escape with half her life intact…