No one along the way, from the maids to the servants, failed to greet her with utmost respect, their demeanor far superior to that shown to the princess.
Although the princess had the young master's backing in the manor, everyone knew the old madam disliked the princess and only favored her cousin. Furthermore, the young master dared not defy the old madam.
Before she even reached the old madam's courtyard, her voice could be heard from afar.
"Why hasn't Si'er arrived yet?"
As Luo Xiangsi appeared, the young maids at the courtyard gate clapped their hands in delight. "Old Madam, Cousin is here! Cousin is here!"
In the main hall, a plump woman looked over.
Though smiling, a sharpness in her eyes prevented anyone from staring directly. If this old madam had any weakness, it was Luo Xiangsi. Luo Xiangsi had grown up by the old madam's side, and her sweet words had earned her even more affection from the old madam than Yun Jinshu.
However, Yun Jinshu, being a man, did not bicker with a young girl. The old madam had intended for Luo Xiangsi to be Yun's daughter-in-law from a very young age.
The family lived in harmony, but who knew their son would become entangled with that princess, abandoning his cousin and causing her to break ties with her family? Moreover, Xiangsi was so sensible.
She didn't care about any of this at all. When the old madam thought of these things, she felt that Xiangsi was infinitely better than that princess. She couldn't understand why Jinshu was infatuated with such a spoiled woman. Thinking of this, the old madam's expression turned grim.
Luo Xiangsi was no stranger to the old madam's thoughts; she was like the old madam's own stomach. A furrow of her brow told her what the old madam was thinking. She immediately stepped forward and hugged the old madam's neck.
"Aunt, why are you unhappy again? I brought you your favorite afternoon tea."
"My Si'er is the best," the old madam sighed. The little maid, Quick Grass, deftly arranged the pastries on the hall table and waved to a nearby young maid to brew tea. Luo Xiangsi helped the old madam sit down, and they chatted while enjoying tea.
"Aunt, what is it that's making you unhappy?"
"It's that wretched woman. She's on her last legs. You say she's a princess; if something should happen to her, will the Emperor blame us?"
The old madam put down her jade chopsticks and looked at Luo Xiangsi with worry in her deep eyes. Although she disliked that daughter-in-law and had even taken two concubines for Jinshu, she couldn't figure out why the woman was fading away. They hadn't mistreated her. The old madam thought indignantly.
Luo Xiangsi frowned. She hadn't expected her aunt to fear that woman's death. Perhaps it was fear of implicating the Yun family. She immediately soothed the old madam gently.
"Don't worry, Aunt. While she's a princess, think about why no one has visited her in so many years. It means she's not a favored princess. An unfavored princess in the palace is no different from a common girl. Besides, it's nobody's fault if someone falls ill. Will the Emperor be unreasonable?"
Although Luo Xiangsi's words made sense, the old madam had heard some things.
"I heard the current Empress dotes on the princess immensely. The Empress is a formidable character; I heard she could have a second-rank official beheaded in the Golden Hall for a minor disagreement, let alone us common folk."
"Aunt, who told you that? Can you believe these rumors?"
Luo Xiangsi was displeased, her beautiful face darkening. She had come to see her cousin and that dying woman, not to listen to her aunt ramble about such nonsense.
No matter how powerful that Empress was, why hadn't she visited the princess in so many years? Why worry now? If that woman died, would they go to see her bones?
The old madam considered it and thought it made sense. Rumors stop with the wise. Besides, the woman was ill, not murdered by the Yun family. Even if she died, what did it have to do with the Yun family?
"It's always comforting to speak of death," the old madam felt somewhat better and picked up her chopsticks to eat a couple of delicious pastries.
Seeing that her aunt was no longer dwelling on the previous topic, Luo Xiangsi feigned concern and asked, "Aunt, has my cousin-in-law's illness shown no improvement?"
In truth, Luo Xiangsi knew whether the princess's illness was real or not. It was because the medicine came from her hands. She had told Lou Sijing that even a doctor couldn't find fault with the medicine and to give it to her without worry. As expected, after a few days of taking the medicine, the dying woman had worsened. Luo Xiangsi smiled happily at the thought, her face as radiant as the sun. She could almost see herself becoming the mistress of the Yun family.
"Aunt, where is cousin?"
The old madam snorted, "She's in her room accompanying her. He can't even attend to important matters. This is a busy time in the manor, and he's still accompanying a sickly person." The old madam's face darkened. She put down her chopsticks and called out, "Yun Fu, go and summon the young master immediately and have him go to the shops to tally the inventory."
"Yes, Old Madam,"
Yun Fu, the Yun manor's steward, responded respectfully and walked out. Yun Fu actually felt sorry for the young madam. This cousin was a formidable character.
The young madam had been perfectly fine until she drank tea with her cousin, after which she fell ill. All the doctors in the city had seen her, yet none could diagnose her illness. Perhaps someone could diagnose it, but if the cousin had intervened, who would dare to handle such a matter?
Yun Fu quickly arrived at the young master's courtyard and conveyed the old madam's words.
Yun Jinshu's angry face showed dark lines. He wanted to rage, but thinking of his mother's diligent upbringing, offending his mother would be great filial impiety.
Moreover, Wuyang's illness showed no signs of improvement. He should send people out to find renowned doctors to examine her.
He reached out and held Wuyang's emaciated hand, heartbroken to the point of tears. In the conflict between his mother and Wuyang, he always sided with his mother. Therefore, he knew how much suffering Wuyang had endured.
He hoped his mother could open her heart and genuinely accept Wuyang.
"Wu'er, I'll send people to find famous doctors for you. Don't worry."
A tear trickled from Feng Wuyang's eye. Looking at the unconscious harm this man inflicted upon her, a faint smile touched her lips as she gazed at Yun Jinshu, "Did you dream of someone just now?"
Seeing that she was willing to speak with him, Yun Jinshu replied happily, "Who did you dream of?"
My second cousin is the current Empress. The Empress always acts unconventionally. If she knew Wuyang was being bullied like this, her mother would not be able to rest easy.
Furthermore, the Yun family would face dire consequences. Yun Jinshu sighed, "Wuyang hates me, hates my weakness, hates that I always favor my mother, but I can't help it."
"Wuyang, don't say angry words. I'll stay with you and send people to find the best doctors immediately."
After speaking, Yun Jinshu immediately turned and commanded sternly, "Tell the old madam I am accompanying the young madam. Also, send some people out to inquire about places with famous doctors and bring them here immediately."
"Yes," the old steward breathed a sigh of relief. The young master had finally defied the old madam once.
However, he feared the old madam would not let this matter rest. Yun Fu went to deliver the message, and indeed, the old madam, with a somber face, led Luo Xiangsi into the courtyard. From afar, her stern words could be heard,
"I want to see if his wings have grown strong enough that he no longer listens to me."
Following the voice, two people emerged from beyond the screen: Luo Xiangsi and the old madam. They cast a direct glance at the woman on the bed and then looked up at Yun Jinshu, who had already stood up. "This person is not going anywhere while lying there, yet you've abandoned your shop matters. Do you want the Yun family to collapse before you're satisfied?"