Qin Shuying glanced at Dong Shi, who froze in shock.

“Third Sister, how I spent the previous three years is something everyone in the Qin family witnessed. Do you need me to repeat it all again? When I was in Spring Garden, Third Sister would also come visit me. What you said and did – do I need to bring it up again? Third Sister, if you truly understand Grandmother’s caring heart, you should know a phrase: ‘only by being placed in mortal danger can one find life again!’ After experiencing such turmoil, you should stand up, transform completely, and start anew. If you’re truly repentant, you should return to the Lu family and chant sutras day and night to help Second Sister’s soul find peace. If Lu Changxuan dies, you still have your child to depend on. Raise the child well, and you may not be without support in the future.”

Qin Feifei argued: “What do you know? For three generations, no one can serve in office…”

Qin Shuying interrupted her: “If you’re obsessed with wealth and glory, determined to rise above others, then pretend I said nothing. However, I tell you, Third Sister, very few people in this world can live happily and smoothly. Most people must face various difficulties and predicaments. If you only want to retreat instead of thinking about how to overcome difficulties, you’ll only retreat further and further until you have no place to shelter.”

Qin Feifei collapsed like mud, still struggling: “You don’t understand, you don’t understand…”

Qin Shuying smiled: “Of course I don’t understand, but I do understand this – if you don’t go back, the Lu family people are now like barefoot ones who aren’t afraid of those wearing shoes. If they go to the yamen to report you, Third Sister will inevitably have to take a trip to prison. At that time, even Uncle won’t be able to clear you of guilt.”

Qin Feifei’s face immediately turned ashen. Just then, Xiangchun hurried in: “Old Madam, people from the Lu family have come. They say Third Young Madam has returned to the Qin residence and demand we hand her over immediately, or they’ll go report to the authorities…”

Qin Feifei shrieked: “I won’t go back, won’t go back! Old Ancestor, save me, save me…”

Qin Shuying said unhurriedly: “Third Sister, the Lu family can’t make ends meet, so you return to your natal home hoping for some support – this is understandable. Sister-in-law, I heard that the kitchen has leftover food every day. In this hot weather, it will probably spoil by tomorrow morning. It wouldn’t look good for Third Sister to return empty-handed. Why not give Third Sister some to take back? What do you think?”

Dong Shi instinctively looked toward Old Madam, who showed no expression.

Dong Shi reacted quickly and immediately went to help Qin Feifei up, then said to Xiangchun: “Xiangchun, Lanxiang is right outside. Have her quickly go to the main kitchen to pack some food for Third Young Madam to take back.”

Qin Feifei was still in a daze, but understanding Qin Shuying’s meaning, she spoke again: “Seventh Sister, you have so much money, why not give me some silver instead of food?”

Qin Shuying raised her lips: “Third Sister, what position do you have to ask me to do this?”

Qin Feifei moved her lips: “Relatives – relatives should help each other, shouldn’t they?”

“Then, Third Sister, if I give you ten taels of silver today, next time the Lu family sends you to ask for twenty taels, and the time after that fifty taels, what should be done then?”

Qin Feifei was furious from shame, but with Old Madam still present, she glared fiercely at Qin Shuying, bowed to Old Madam, and was about to follow Dong Shi out.

“Third girl, from now on, you need not come to Xuan Hall anymore.”

Qin Feifei turned around in disbelief, her body rigid: “Old Ancestor…”

“This is the last time.”

Then Old Madam closed her eyes again.

Qin Feifei’s lips moved, but she couldn’t say anything.

After Qin Feifei left, Qin Shuying continued massaging Old Madam.

After a long while, Old Madam said: “Shuying, you’re still too soft-hearted. Third girl – her roots are rotten. Grandmother is old and can’t look after so many. In the future, you cannot be so soft-hearted…”

Suddenly, Old Madam covered her mouth. Qin Shuying looked up in shock and saw threads of fresh blood seeping through Old Madam’s fingers…

“Grandmother!”

Amid the terrified cries of Qin Shuying, Nanny Gu, and Xiangqin, Old Madam collapsed.

Since her rebirth, Qin Shuying had never been as panicked as today. Trembling, she and Nanny Gu helped Old Madam to lie down on the couch while Xiangqin rushed out to inform Qin Yongtao.

Soon, Qin Yongtao hurried over.

Old Madam’s face was pale, her features gaunt, her hands thin. In shock, Qin Yongtao knelt before the couch: “Mother, your son is unfilial! I shouldn’t have let Third girl see you…”

Dong Shi had just seen Qin Feifei off and then came in with Zou Shi and Qin Lulu: “Father, Steward Qin has gone to fetch a physician. He’ll be back soon!”

Qin Yongtao said nothing, kneeling before the couch with his head bowed.

No one else dared make a sound. Xiangqin, Xiangchun, and Nanny Gu stood beside them, anxious and at a loss.

After all, Old Madam usually just had a weak constitution but no particular problems – she didn’t even need to take medicine.

Soon, Physician Chen, who regularly checked pulses for peace of mind, arrived.

After examining Old Madam’s pulse, he frowned deeply. Qin Yongtao looked at him anxiously: “Physician Chen, how is Old Madam?”

Physician Chen shook his head: “There are no particularly obvious symptoms, just some weakness. The reason for coughing up blood should be from receiving a shock – grief and joy harm the spirit.”

Physician Chen, accustomed to serving wealthy families, didn’t ask many questions and began writing a prescription. After finishing, he shook the prescription and said: “This requires old ginseng – the older the better. If there’s old ginseng, Old Madam will recover after proper care. Master Qin, remember – grief and joy harm the body. Old Madam needs quiet recuperation.”

Nanny Gu quickly said: “Physician Chen, we have old ginseng here. Please take a look.”

She hurried to the inner room and brought out the ginseng Qin Shuying had offered as filial tribute. Physician Chen examined it carefully and gave a thumbs up: “Excellent! Five-hundred-year-old ginseng – there’s no need to worry too much about Old Madam’s health. Master Qin, since you have this, you must use this old ginseng.”

Qin Yongtao nodded repeatedly, solemnly entrusting it to Nanny Gu with instructions to keep it safely herself. Then he escorted Physician Chen out.

Not long after, Old Madam slowly awakened.

“Grandmother, please rest and speak little. Don’t tire yourself. If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, tell us.”

Old Madam looked at Qin Shuying with loving eyes and shook her head.

Qin Shuying breathed a sigh of relief: “Grandmother, don’t worry. I’m here to take care of you.”

Old Madam nodded slightly and looked at Zou Shi and Qin Lulu.

Nanny Gu said: “Second Madam, Fifth Miss, it’s late. You should return. Come back tomorrow morning. Tonight, Seventh Miss will stay here.”

Seeing Old Madam had no objection, Zou Shi nodded: “Old Madam, daughter-in-law and Fifth girl will return first. Tomorrow we’ll let Seventh Miss serve you.”

Old Madam nodded slightly.

When Qin Yongtao returned, Old Madam also sent him away.

Steward Qin personally went to get the medicine. When he returned, Nanny Gu had brewed it, and Qin Shuying fed it to Old Madam bit by bit.

After Old Madam took the medicine, it was already deep into the night.

After Old Madam fell asleep, Qin Shuying also made a bedroll on the floor and lay down to sleep.