The old madam felt something grab her ankle, her heart fluttering with panic. She only wanted to run back.
With a thud, both her feet pierced through the floor. Wooden spikes sank into her flesh, and her shoes and socks were immediately stained with blood.
"Ah... ah... ahhhhh."
"Old Madam, how are you?"
"Mother/Grandmother, are you alright?"
A group of people rushed over, trying to break open the surrounding floorboards. With every tremor, the old madam felt her life ebbing away.
"Gently, gently. You want to take my old life? Su shi, this is the room you had renovated and organized. This time, I will not let you off."
"Grandmother, how can you speak like that about Aunt? Aunt is so busy every day, and everything has to go through her hands. Wouldn't she be exhausted to death? You should also understand the difficulties of being a daughter-in-law. I don't think this injury is very serious; it will heal in a couple of days."
The old madam's face contorted with rage, and she pointed at Jun Jiuli, unable to utter a word.
The First Madam felt bitter and could only lower her head to admit fault.
"It is all my fault as the daughter-in-law; I did not supervise properly and allowed people to take advantage."
Zhao Jingyi said with a sobbing voice, "Grandmother, please don't blame Mother. Blame Yi'er. It's all because Yi'er clung to Mother every day recently, so Mother neglected Second Sister and let those people cut corners."
Jun Jiuli shook her head, "Tsk tsk tsk, which shop is this? They are truly harmful. The quality is too poor. I wonder what kind of tree was used. I see Grandmother's blood is already black. Could it be poisoned?"
The First Madam glared at Jun Jiuli with fierce eyes, while the old madam, hearing Jun Jiuli's words, endured her fear and lowered her head to examine her ankle.
Seeing that her blood was indeed black, she felt a wave of dizziness. Fortunately, the maid beside her quickly supported her back.
"Su shi, what kind of wood is this floor made of? Where is the doctor? Are you just going to watch me get poisoned?"
The courtyard had only been renovated once since the First Madam married in, almost 20 years ago. How could she remember where the lumber was bought?
"I sent the maids to fetch a doctor earlier. They should be here soon. Mother, please hold on a little longer, you will be alright."
The old madam's feet were finally freed. The old wet nurse from her courtyard quickly prepared a sedan chair to carry her away.
The old madam was truly frightened and dared not stay in that room. As she left, she said, "Change all the decorations in Second Girl's room. What a mess it is. If outsiders see it, they will think our Earl's Mansion cannot afford to raise a daughter."
"Yes, Mother."
Calculating the expenses, the First Madam's liver ached with anger. She dared not show it on her face and hurried to Shou Kang Yuan with her daughter.
Lü Zhu wanted to laugh but dared not. "Miss, is it really okay for us not to go? If Old Madam charges you with filial impiety, it will be dire."
"It's alright. Damaging my reputation won't do her any good. Moreover, I have a good marriage prospect. She wouldn't want to break this alliance."
"Miss, I have sorted out the things in the back courtyard. We are few in number, and I have used many empty rooms in the courtyard to store things."
"You arrange it. Lü Luo, go and inform Old Madam. I caught a slight cold while traveling these past few days and have been feeling dizzy. I'm afraid of passing the illness to Old Madam, so I won't bother her for the next few days."
"Yes, Miss."
The old madam was in excruciating pain. Fearing she might bite her tongue, the doctor ordered a cloth to be stuffed into her mouth.
From the outside, it was clearly visible that several wooden spikes had pierced her flesh and could not be pulled out.
The doctor could only cut open her skin to remove the objects. It took an hour to finish. There was no method of suturing here.
They directly sprinkled some medicinal powder and bandaged it layer by layer. The old madam felt as if she had seen the King of Hell several times.
The pain kept her awake all night, and of course, she had no mood to care if Jun Jiuli was present.
The First Madam carefully wiped her sweat and fed her medicine, making the old madam angry just looking at her. After nagging her for a long time, she finally let her go as dawn approached.
She had barely closed her eyes to rest when the morning greetings time arrived. Zhao Jingyi, who had no serious ailments, was merely frightened.
She came to pay respects to the First Madam and saw the dark circles under her eyes, feeling distressed.
"Mother, it's all my fault. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone with you. If we hadn't made a fuss, Grandmother wouldn't have come."
Seeing her reddened eyes, the First Madam felt a pang of heartache.
"Silly child, this is not your fault. Wipe your tears, and let's go pay our respects to Grandmother. If we are late, we will be lectured again."
"Mother should eat before going. Who knows how long we will be there. Grandmother is clearly careless herself, yet she takes all her anger out on you. And that Zhao Jing Shu, I hate her."
"You can only say these words to me. If sisters are not on good terms, it will be a laughingstock for outsiders."
"This is the Earl's Mansion. I am the legitimate daughter of the Earl. Who would dare to spread gossip about me?"
"Silly child, walls have ears. A girl's reputation is paramount. You should really change your arrogant temper."
"I know."
After finishing their meal, the mother and daughter headed to Shou Kang Yuan. Since the old madam was ill, Madam Sun, the wife of the Second Master, naturally had to visit and serve her.
The old madam had found a new target for her anger. When Zhao Jingyi and the others entered, she was already scolding Madam Sun.
"This tea is made so hot, are you trying to scald me to death? I am not your own mother-in-law, so you don't serve with care, right?"
"It is all my fault as the daughter-in-law; I will go and get you a fresh cup."
"Hmph, I see you are doing it reluctantly. You always have a mournful face; I find it unlucky just looking at you."
Madam Sun dared not reply and could only stand by the bed, letting her berate her. Seeing the First Madam arrive, the old madam also gave a forced smile.
"Hmph, you still remember to come back."
"Mother, you are too kind. I merely went back to wash up and refresh myself. As long as Mother's foot injury is not healed, my heart cannot be at ease."
"Stop trying to fool me with these words. In your heart, you must be hoping I die sooner so you can control the entire Earl's Mansion."
The First Madam and Zhao Jingyi immediately knelt, "Your daughter-in-law has no such intentions, Mother has wronged us."
"Grandmother, you know Mother's character. She and Yi'er wish for your longevity. Mother is worried about you and cannot even eat a bite. Wuwuwu~"
"Alright, I'm not dead yet, why are you crying? Get up, get up."
The two daughters-in-law served her to get out of bed, helped her wash up, and personally escorted her to the main hall.
The younger generation came to pay their respects. Looking at their vibrant faces, the old madam felt much better.
The old madam asked with a stern face, "Why hasn't Second Girl come yet?"
Zhao Jingyi gloated, thinking there would be a good show. Chen Momo, by the old madam's side, whispered a few words to her, and the old madam's expression immediately soured.