“So then I became seriously ill and had to recuperate in seclusion at the separate estate due to my grief over the Old Madam’s passing?” Qi Yue asked, while reaching for a nearby teacup and handing it to A’Hao.

A’Hao had been talking until her mouth was dry, but seeing Qi Yue personally offering her water, she was so frightened she quickly waved her hands.

“This is a reward for you,” Qi Yue said with a smile.

A’Hao glanced at A’Ru beside her.

“Thank you for the reward, Young Madam,” she said, then curtsied in thanks before accepting the cup.

“Yes, counting from today, it’s been exactly three years,” A’Ru took over the conversation.

Three years… the days had passed like a dream… The two maids fell silent for a moment.

“What illness did I have?” Qi Yue frowned as she asked. This body felt quite fine to her – surely there wasn’t some hidden ailment?

Would she die directly and return to modern times, or would she need to seek out another host?

“At first, you took some calming medicine, but later the medicine was stopped too,” A’Ru said, lowering her head.

She didn’t say what illness it was, nor did she say there was no illness. This kind of half-finished sentence sounded profound but was actually quite simple. Qi Yue understood immediately – ah, so it wasn’t illness, but house arrest in disguise.

It seemed this Young Madam’s situation was rather delicate. Qi Yue couldn’t help but tap her fingers on the armrest as she thought to herself.

“Then… I’m the Young Madam, so where is the Young Master?” Qi Yue asked. “Does he come regularly to attend to my illness or something?”

To suddenly have a husband, and an ancient one at that, from this blind marriage arrangement – this was really quite troublesome…

“Since the Old Madam passed away, after the three-times-seven mourning period, the Prince received imperial orders to go to the northern frontier military camp. He hasn’t returned once,” A’Hao jumped in to answer again. “Young Madam, the Prince will be returning soon. Once he returns, you can move out and won’t have to suffer this treatment anymore…”

Well, it would be better if he returned slowly, Qi Yue nodded. Besides, whether this man was reliable or not remained to be seen.

“Alright, it’s getting late. If Young Madam has anything else to ask, we can talk tomorrow,” A’Ru interjected.

Only then did Qi Yue notice that it had already grown dark outside. Without realizing it, they had chatted for an entire day, not even stopping during dinner.

She had heard enough information today – it was sufficient for her to digest.

“It is getting late. Everyone has been shocked and frightened today, we’re all tired. Let’s wash up and sleep early,” she said with a smile.

A’Ru and A’Hao responded in acknowledgment, one attending to Qi Yue’s washing while the other prepared the bed.

“Sister, let me sleep here with you tonight,” A’Hao said in a low voice, tugging at A’Ru.

Having personally witnessed and heard such a tale of returning from the underworld and resurrection, the young girl was thoroughly frightened.

Qi Yue, who was curiously examining ancient undergarments, overheard this and looked up to see a small bed beside the main hall – apparently the night-watch maid’s position.

Although she had experienced this inexplicable possession and soul exchange, as a surgeon, she was quite brave. Besides, she wanted to think about some things and preferred to be alone.

“You should all sleep in your own rooms,” Qi Yue said.

A’Ru glared at A’Hao, who lowered her head in shame and guilt.

“I want to be alone and quiet. Maybe I’ll remember something,” Qi Yue said again before they could speak, her voice carrying an indisputable emotion.

The Young Madam had never spoken so decisively before. A’Ru hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and agreed.

“If Young Madam needs anything, just call me. We’ll be in the side room,” she said.

Qi Yue nodded, watching as A’Hao lowered the window curtains and the moon-gate door curtains, while A’Ru extinguished the lamps outside one by one.

“Young Madam, we’re retiring now,” they said in unison, waiting for Qi Yue’s acknowledgment before withdrawing and closing the door.

The soft footsteps departed, and the night after the heavy rain was peaceful, with the faint sound of frogs croaking from somewhere unknown.

Late at night, A’Ru returned from the window once more. This time she removed her outer garments and lay down.

“Sister, has Young Madam gone to sleep?” A’Hao asked, huddled under the covers with half her head hidden.

“The lights are out,” A’Ru said, blowing out the oil lamp by the bed.

“Don’t blow out the light…” A’Hao said softly.

“Go to sleep quickly, you’re being jumpy,” A’Ru scolded in a low voice.

A’Hao dared not speak again, listening to the wind outside occasionally carrying the strange cries of night birds. Frightened, she curled up and covered her head with the quilt. Soon she heard A’Ru’s breathing become steady, as if she had fallen asleep.

“Sister, sister…” she couldn’t help but call softly.

“What now?” A’Ru turned over and asked.

A’Hao cautiously poked her head out a little.

“Sister, at that time… when you checked on Young Madam… had she really stopped breathing?” she asked in a suppressed voice.

“Go to sleep. This matter ends here. You’re not allowed to mention it again,” A’Ru suddenly sat up and said sternly in a low voice. “A’Hao, if you continue being so disobedient and senseless, I’ll tell Nanny Su to send you away. You won’t be able to stay with me anymore.”

“I’ll be good, I’ll be good. Sister, don’t be angry, don’t send me away,” A’Hao also sat up, no longer caring about being scared, bowing and raising her hands in oath.

A’Ru sighed again.

“Lie down quickly. You were caught in several downpours today – be careful not to catch a cold. If you fall ill, we can’t even call for a doctor, and you’d only be able to rely on fate,” she said, her voice low and dejected. “Look at you – of the five maids the Old Madam originally sent here, they all found opportunities to leave. It’s not like you didn’t have chances either. The Second Miss liked how you styled hair and specifically requested you, but you refused to go, insisting on staying here. Who knows if these days will ever end – what’s the point of this suffering…”

“But sister, didn’t you stay too?” A’Hao said with a giggle.

“I’m different from you all. You have parents here and were assigned by the household. I was bought from outside and have been with the Old Madam since childhood. The Old Madam personally took my hand and gave me to the young lady. Unless the Old Madam gives word again, I won’t go anywhere,” A’Ru said.

But the Old Madam was gone now and would never speak again in this lifetime…

A’Hao was silent for a moment.

“I won’t go anywhere either. I like being with Young Madam and sister because… because you’re both good people,” she said after holding back for a moment.

A’Ru laughed despite herself and grabbed a pillow to throw at her.

“I just scolded you, and you’re talking nonsense again,” she chided. “You can’t say such things outside – what good people, bad people – you’ll be accused of gossiping.”

A’Hao giggled and threw the pillow back.

“I know, I only say it here with sister,” she laughed.

“Alright, lie down and sleep quickly. There’s plenty of work to do tomorrow,” A’Ru said, lying down first.

A’Hao agreed and lay down. Having talked for a while, the fear in her heart had been dispelled. After such a tiring and shocking day, she soon fell into deep sleep.

Only then did A’Ru quietly exhale, gripping the edge of the quilt, her eyes wide open in the darkness.

“At that time…” she moved her lips, speaking in a voice barely audible as a mosquito’s buzz, “Young Madam really had stopped breathing…”