He Huan took the candied fruit wrapped in oiled paper and opened it. It was indeed from her favorite shop.
She divided half of it and handed it to He Hua, "Here, don't say your sister is stingy. I'm sharing all the good things with you."
He Hua loved to eat it. She had been craving the candied fruit since she received it, but she only dared to smell it through the oiled paper. After all, this was something Elder Brother Fu had instructed her to do, and she couldn't be careless.
"Sister He Huan is so kind!"
With that, she took a piece and put it in her mouth. The sweet taste melted instantly, making her jump with joy.
He Huan watched from the side, and her illness seemed to improve.
Zhu Jin was good at choosing people. Knowing that He Huan was bored and listless during her illness, she sent such an innocent and cheerful child. It indeed eased many of her worries.
She had inexplicably suffered a severe beating and almost lost her life.
This deep mansion was truly no different from a place filled with demons and monsters.
She heard that Aunt Linlang, that poisonous woman, had been sent to a manor and confined for offending the Eldest Master and the Eldest Mistress. It was unlikely she would ever return to her arrogant ways.
Hearing of her fate, He Huan felt as if the injuries on her body didn't hurt as much.
In fact, her injuries were merely superficial and would heal with time. The most unbearable was the injury to her head. It had been heavily struck, and the manor physician said there might still be blood clots inside. Occasionally, when her head ached, it was so painful that she would writhe in agony.
These days, He Huan had been carefully contemplating her brother's words.
"Rest well. Once you've recovered, I'll ask the Eldest Mistress to let you leave the manor. I've found a small courtyard for you in Shuanggui Alley. It's not large, but it's quiet. I'll also find a nanny to take care of you for a while. Once your head ailment is better, we'll discuss other matters."
He Huan didn't know how to respond. Seeing the worry in her brother's eyes, she felt that her decision to sell herself into servitude had been a bit too rash. Second Mistress made things difficult for her, and it wasn't easy to stay in the Eldest Mistress's courtyard either. If she really went to the courtyard her brother had arranged, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
But would the Eldest Mistress really let her leave the manor?
He Huan wasn't very confident.
However, she remembered seeing the Third Miss before she fainted. If she went to her courtyard, would things be better?
Ultimately, her life had been saved by the Third Miss. If the Third Miss hadn't happened to pass by, she probably wouldn't be lying here peacefully today.
But what her brother had said was indeed a problem.
For a moment, she was in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.
The end of the year was drawing nearer, with only seven or eight days left until New Year's Eve.
Feng Jinxu had already completed the handover with Dali Temple and had been resting at home for the past two days, enjoying the rare company of his wife and children.
Outside the courtyard, a young child dressed in a fiery red brocade robe was clapping his hands with delight, watching everyone build snowballs. One after another, they were building with great enthusiasm.
"Aunt Zhu Jin, hurry, hurry, Aunt Yuegui is about to surpass you!"
The child was Yunli, who had just recovered from a serious illness. If Madam Wen hadn't kept a close eye on him, he would have already joined them.
"Be careful, don't slip."
Madam Wen held his hand on the corridor, not daring to relax for a moment, afraid that if she wasn't careful, the child would run down to play in the snow. His body couldn't withstand it yet. Being able to watch them play from here was already a concession.
Inside the room, Feng Yunhe was sitting at his desk, diligently practicing calligraphy. Since Feng Jinxu started resting at home, the responsibility of teaching Yunhe had fallen on him. From then on, Feng Yunhe lived a life like an ascetic monk.
Every day, he either reviewed his studies or practiced calligraphy. If he weren't so young, he would probably have to compose essays as well.
Hearing the joyful sounds of his second brother from outside, he felt a pang of longing but was stopped by Feng Jinxu, who was reading nearby.
"If your mind is calm, you won't hear anything. Continue."
As he spoke, he turned another page, engrossed in his reading.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Yunhe focused all his attention on the tip of his brush, staring intently at the copybook, meticulously tracing each stroke. Feng Jinxu glanced at him as he picked up his teacup, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.
Let the world be as chaotic as it may, I will calm my heart and strive for achievement.
If he couldn't withstand such minor distractions, the road ahead would be long.
About half an hour later, Yunli's little face was flushed red from the cold. Madam Wen led him in. Because he had been standing in the corridor the whole time, he hadn't gotten any snow on him, only his cheeks were rosy and very cute.
As soon as he entered, he glanced towards the study. Seeing his father and elder brother quietly occupied, he dared not shout or make a fuss. He walked to Madam Wen and whispered, "Mother, why is elder brother practicing calligraphy every day?"
Madam Wen couldn't help but smile at his words. Although she didn't know what Feng Jinxu was like in his youth, judging by these past few days, he probably had no fun and was solely focused on the study.
"Because Yunli's elder brother is going to the academy. The teacher likes diligent children. Yunli, you'll have to be like this in the future, okay?"
He was only four years old and didn't understand what an academy or diligence meant.
As long as his mother said so, he would nod.
Looking at the child, who was a hundred times more obedient than before, Madam Wen truly felt that her affection for him had not been in vain. She didn't know why, but she couldn't let go of him.
Perhaps it was because Yunhe was mature for his age and never clung to her like this.
Or perhaps it was Yunli's innocent and playful personality that always brought her unexpected surprises.
In short, now, Madam Wen's heart not only held Yunhe but also sincerely embraced Yunli.
She glanced back at the study inside. Feng Jinxu was sitting upright, reading, and Yunhe was diligently practicing calligraphy. Such peaceful and beautiful times made her genuinely happy.
If such days could last a lifetime, how wonderful it would be.
On a manor outside the city, belonging to the Feng family.
At this moment, Linlang was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. It had been more than half a month since she was sent here. She couldn't believe that the Eldest Master would not feel the slightest bit of heartache upon learning how Madam Wen had treated her.
Clutching a handkerchief, she paced back and forth in the room. The gentle and submissive look she used to have was gone, replaced by calculation and harshness.
Although she had been sent to the manor under supervision, money could make the world go round. She had given the manor steward's wife some small favors, so she hadn't been mistreated.
As long as she didn't leave the house, no one would deliberately cause trouble.
But what about her future prospects? What about the Eldest Master's affection? And her son, Yunli, what good end could he have in the hands of that slut, Madam Wen!
The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became, and even wrinkles appeared at her temples.
Suddenly, she heard a creaking sound. A slightly stout old woman quietly entered from outside the door. Linlang looked at the newcomer warily, and then her eyes suddenly lit up with hope.
"Why are you here? Did the Eldest Master send you to pick me up? Is that it! I knew it, I knew it, the Eldest Master wouldn't abandon me! Hurry and take me out!"