Chen Jinxin was gravely ill. Old Madam Song sent a visiting card and invited Imperial Physician Sun to examine her. Imperial Physician Sun’s expression was grave, his face looking very displeased.

Old Madam Song thought Chen Jinxin was beyond the help of medicine and stone, and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. Out of consideration for her friendship with Old Madam Su and Su Yunxi, she darkened her face at Imperial Physician Sun: “You’re also a veteran of the Imperial Medical Bureau. Usually everyone says you’re Hua Tuo reincarnated—could it all be lies to fool us? This young lady is only thirteen years old, and her father was a famous general who fought against pirates. What do you mean by hemming and hawing like this?”

Imperial Physician Sun stroked his beard with a troubled, distressed expression, standing for a long while, feeling as though fire was erupting from his entire body.

He looked with difficulty at the young lady sitting beside Old Madam Song and the group of serving attendants, sighed, and said earnestly: “I must ask the old madam to dismiss those around you.”

Song Chuyi knew that what followed was probably not suitable for her to hear, so she smiled and stood up: “Grandmother, Elder Aunt said tomorrow evening’s banquet will feature filled longevity character snowflake cakes. I’ll go to Elder Sister-in-law’s place to see what they look like.”

Old Madam Song nodded. After most of the people in the room had withdrawn, she raised her face toward Imperial Physician Sun: “Is there something improper?”

“Old Madam, I have been treating patients for your household for a full twenty years now. Since the day I entered the Imperial Medical Bureau, I have frequently visited your residence. If this matter had occurred in any other household, I would have absolutely turned and left immediately. It’s only because I’ve encountered you that I must speak a truthful word to you.” Imperial Physician Sun had cultivated a fine beard, which now trembled as he spoke. His chest also heaved dramatically, showing that this was indeed an urgent matter.

Old Madam Song was silent for a while before nodding: “Speak then.”

“This young lady has just suffered a miscarriage…” Imperial Physician Sun narrowed his eyes, steeled his heart, and continued through gritted teeth: “After a miscarriage, her body was already weak, and then she fell into the lake and was soaked in cold energy. Even if she recovers from her illness in the future, I’m afraid there will be difficulties regarding offspring.”

Old Madam Song stared in disbelief, her usually kind face instantly showing furious anger. She glared at Imperial Physician Sun: “What maggoty nonsense are you spouting! She’s just a…”

But reason told her that what Imperial Physician Sun said was true. Imperial Physician Sun had no reason to speak carelessly.

She felt her mind somewhat confused. After a long while, she finally calmed down and waved her hand at Imperial Physician Sun, sighing deeply: “I understand. Do your utmost to restore her health. This matter must absolutely not be spoken of to outsiders. Old Madam Su risked her life to protect this granddaughter—consider it done for her sake.”

This was telling Imperial Physician Sun that this girl was not a young lady of their Song household, but of the Su family. Their Song family was simply entrusted by others to act faithfully, caring for the orphan of a loyal subject on behalf of Old Madam Su.

Imperial Physician Sun understood the stakes. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his head nodding like a rattle drum.

Old Madam Song steadied her emotions for a moment, then said to Nanny Huang who had been standing behind her: “Go summon Miss Chen’s wet nurse.”

Song Chuyi had guessed correctly—Chen Jinxin had several elderly attendants with her, all people who had once served Old Madam Su well. Old Madam Song had met them several times.

Chen Jinxin’s wet nurse arrived quickly. Upon entering, she first knelt on the ground, eyes fixed forward, and respectfully kowtowed three times to Old Madam Song with resounding thuds.

“Since your old madam entrusted her to me, these matters must certainly be explained to me.” Old Madam Song looked at the woman kneeling on the ground, not yet forty years old, and said: “Speak then. What exactly happened?”

The woman’s face showed a struggling expression. When she looked toward Chen Jinxin lying behind Old Madam Song with a face like golden paper, her eyes filled with tears. She once again properly kowtowed three times to Old Madam Song: “Old Madam, your insight is penetrating. Our old madam said that entrusting the young lady to you was absolutely right. Now it seems she truly had remarkable foresight.”

Old Madam Song finally understood why Old Madam Su had specifically chosen her. Indeed, the friendship with the Princess Consort of Zhennan wasn’t deep enough to handle these messy affairs for Chen Jinxin, and Madam He might not necessarily be reliable either.

“Old Madam Song, please don’t think our young lady has lost her virtue…” She couldn’t help but cry: “Our young lady is also a pitiful person—she was forced! The child… the child belonged to our eldest young master… He used force. Our young lady was young and didn’t understand things. She didn’t know anything at all. By the time the old madam discovered it, it was already too late…”

Old Madam Song was utterly shocked.

Her hand gripped the armrest beside the circular chair, thinking she must have heard wrong.

But Miss Chen’s wet nurse immediately dropped another bombshell: “The old madam made a huge scene with the first madam. The first madam wouldn’t acknowledge the eldest young master’s wrongdoing, and instead tormented our young lady terribly, calling her a vixen, saying she seduced people… Our young lady was made to wish she were dead. Later, she even wanted to send the young lady away to be someone’s concubine…”

After all, she was the orphan of a loyal subject and martyr! First Madam Su was even Chen Jinxin’s blood aunt, yet she could be so heartless.

Old Madam Song narrowed her eyes and glanced at Chen Jinxin behind her, looking almost too weak to bear her clothes. She suddenly felt genuinely heartbroken. If Linlang were gone and Mingzi were treated this way by others… She simply dared not imagine such a scene.

The wet nurse continuously kowtowed to Old Madam Song, her voice hoarse and weathered: “Originally we wanted to conceal this and not tell you, but our old madam said to tell you truthfully. She said you’re different from other people… Old Madam Song, please show mercy. Our master and mistress only have this one orphaned daughter left in the world. Her life has been so difficult. These matters truly weren’t things she could control…”

“I know.” Old Madam Song waved her hand with slight weariness, indicating she should rise. She herself turned back to feel Chen Jinxin’s forehead with her hand, sighing: “What does this have to do with her? Why would I blame her? Is it that in this world, regardless of right or wrong, only women are to be treated harshly?! In my eyes, she’s the same as these little granddaughters of mine—clean and pure without any difference!”

The wet nurse hadn’t expected Old Madam Song to think this way. Her eyes suddenly heated up, and tears flowed out like broken strings.

Old Madam Song made a decisive decision. After thinking, she said: “New Year is almost here, and your young lady is ill and shouldn’t be moved. Simply stay in this eastern wing room through the spring. When the weather warms up, we’ll choose lodgings. I’ll allocate a few more people here to serve you. You’ll still manage your young lady’s affairs, and when they come, you should manage them as you see fit. Oh, what’s your name?”

“This servant is Sanniang. Many thanks, Old Madam!” Sanniang fell to her knees with a thud again, looking up at the old madam with sincere earnestness: “Our old madam said that what she wants to tell you is all contained in that red lacquered wood box with gold tracery.”