The three-year-old child’s little face was flushed red with fever. He lay on the bed curled up in a small ball, mumbling “Mother” in his delirium.

Old Madam Deng sat by his side, her expression extremely grim.

Whether legitimate or illegitimate, this was her grandson, and at her age, she couldn’t help but feel distressed for him.

She had made up her mind to take Hao Ge’er to raise for two reasons: first, she didn’t want her second son’s concubine to develop inappropriate thoughts from keeping the child by her side; second, it was for the child’s sake—after all, when he grew up, being called “raised by a concubine” would sound too harsh.

After observing, she could see that Hao Ge’er was sturdily built and didn’t seem to be a weak child. How had he suddenly developed such a high fever?

“Old Madam, the doctor has arrived.” The senior maid Qing Yun interrupted Old Madam Deng’s daze.

Old Madam Deng stood up, “Doctor, how is the child?”

The doctor handed the written prescription to Qing Yun and said to the old madam, “The child has caught a cold. Please prepare the medicine according to this prescription.”

Old Madam Deng glanced at the prescription and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Another Jingfang Poison-Defeating Powder—this was already the third prescription for Jingfang Poison-Defeating Powder from the doctors they had consulted.

“But the child hasn’t improved after taking the medicine.”

The doctor stroked his beard and shook his head knowingly, “External cold invasion with pathogenic qi stagnating in the lung and defensive qi—qi-recovery always requires a process.”

After the doctor collected his fee and took his leave, Old Madam Deng touched Hao Ge’er’s burning little hand, feeling quite heavy-hearted.

Such a small child—a cold like this could be fatal—

Old Madam Deng didn’t dare think further.

“Old Madam, Second Master has arrived.” Hong Song announced at the door.

Li Guangshu entered carrying the chill of winter air. After paying his respects to Old Madam Deng, he immediately asked, “Mother, how is Hao Ge’er?”

“Still feverish.”

Li Guangshu went behind the screen to wash his hands, then came out and sat beside Hao Ge’er. He reached out to feel his forehead, his brow furrowing tightly, “How did he fall ill?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Deng pressed her lips together.

“Mother, perhaps Hao Ge’er should move back to Jinrong Courtyard to live with Bing Niang. Hao Ge’er was raised single-handedly by Bing Niang—she knows how to care for him.”

“Second son, do you mean that if Hao Ge’er moves back to Jinrong Courtyard, his illness will be cured?”

“That’s not what your son means.”

“Then is Bing Niang a doctor?” Old Madam Deng asked irritably.

“Also not…” Li Guangshu squeezed out these three words, his mood equally terrible.

At his age, having this one young son, and born with the woman he loved most, seeing the child suffer now, how could his heart feel good?

His gaze fell on Hao Ge’er’s flushed little face, and Li Guangshu’s heart ached. He gently held Hao Ge’er’s small hand.

“Mother, Mother—” Hao Ge’er murmured deliriously with his eyes closed.

Li Guangshu closed his eyes and looked at Old Madam Deng, “Mother, look how pitiful Hao Ge’er is. When children are sick, what they want most is their birth mother by their side.”

Old Madam Deng’s expression was equally grim.

No matter how much she disliked Bing Niang in her heart, the child was innocent after all.

Hearing the child’s confused calls for his mother, Old Madam Deng’s heart finally softened. She compromised, “Then call Bing Niang over to temporarily stay at Qingsong Hall to care for Hao Ge’er.”

Li Guangshu walked back to Jinrong Courtyard. Just as he stepped through the courtyard gate, he spotted Liu Shi strolling with her two daughters in the yard.

Li Guangshu paused, feeling somewhat displeased.

Hao Ge’er was ill, yet as his legitimate mother, she showed no concern whatsoever, truly without an ounce of compassion. Fortunately, he hadn’t given in, or Mother would have insisted on giving Hao Ge’er to Liu Shi to raise. If Hao Ge’er had been raised by Liu Shi, who knows what might have happened?

Liu Shi also saw Li Guangshu. Her lips moved slightly, but she pretended not to see him and continued walking forward.

Li Guangshu simply walked over to them.

Liu Shi stood still, feeling only desolation in her heart.

She had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion, but had never expected such an awkward situation. Even last night, though Li Guangshu had stayed in her courtyard, they had slept in separate rooms.

“Hao Ge’er is ill. Do you know this?”

“Yes, I know,” Liu Shi said indifferently.

Li Guangshu frowned, “Since you know, why haven’t you gone to see him? You’re his legitimate mother—don’t you have even this much heart?”

Liu Shi stared steadily at the man before her, his mouth opening and closing, and wanted to take off her embroidered shoe and stuff it in his mouth: “Now, Master remembers that I’m Hao Ge’er’s legitimate mother? Yesterday, Master didn’t treat me as Hao Ge’er’s legitimate mother.”

Seeing Li Guangshu frown, Liu Shi said indifferently, “Moreover, if I don’t go see him, Master still has wild thoughts when Hao Ge’er is ill. If I were to watch over him day and night, you might suspect I was the one who harmed him.”

Did he think she was stupid? Why would she invite such trouble for herself?

“How can you think this way?”

Liu Shi lifted her head slightly. “Then how should I think?”

“Forget it, I won’t argue with you!” Li Guangshu flicked his sleeves and left.

Liu Shi stood in the courtyard where grass and trees were withered, her heart growing even colder.

“Mother—” Fourth Miss Li Yan gripped her sister’s hand tightly and called out with concern.

Liu Shi looked down and patted Li Yan, forcing a smile, “Mother is fine.”

She looked up toward the moon gate where the dark blue robe hem had disappeared and said coolly, “Yan’er, Chan’er, remember this: after you marry, never put all your thoughts on a man. When you feel you can’t live without a man, then you truly only have the path of death left.”

“Your daughter understands,” Li Yan said softly.

Li Chan looked confused but nodded along.

Liu Shi patted both daughters’ shoulders, “No matter what, you must have the ability to establish and support yourselves, just like—”

At this point, Liu Shi paused, her gaze turning toward Yahe Courtyard as she murmured, “Just like your Third Sister—then you won’t fear anything.”

Li Guangshu went straight to the west side courtyard and brought Bing Niang to Qingsong Hall.

“This humble concubine pays respects to the Old Madam.”

Old Madam Deng looked at Bing Niang deeply, her expression emotionless as she said, “Rise. Hao Ge’er is calling for you.”

Bing Niang hurried to Hao Ge’er’s side, her eyes immediately reddening.

“Mother—” Hao Ge’er murmured.

“Hao Ge’er, be good. Aunt is here.” Bing Niang took the warm cloth from the maid’s hands and gently wiped Hao Ge’er’s hands.

Old Madam Deng’s gaze deepened.

This Bing Niang was far more careful than she had imagined—calling herself “Aunt” came so naturally to her.

And Li Guangshu, hearing this “Aunt,” immediately showed tender affection in his eyes.

“Old Madam, Third Miss has arrived.”

A moment later, Qiao Zhao entered. After paying her respects, she asked, “Grandmother, is Hao Ge’er better today?”

Old Madam Deng shook her head, “Still feverish, can’t even open his eyes.”

Qiao Zhao came to Hao Ge’er’s side and bent down to feel his forehead, showing a slight smile, “He seems less hot than when I felt him last time.”

“Really?” Old Madam Deng’s heart lightened as she looked at Hao Ge’er.

The little person nestled in Bing Niang’s arms, his expression particularly peaceful.

Li Guangshu couldn’t help but smile, “Mother, you see—what your son said was right. The child just wasn’t adapting to being away from his birth mother. Look how much better Hao Ge’er looks now. Mother, why don’t you let Hao Ge’er stay with Bing Niang for now, and we’ll discuss it again when he’s older.”

Qiao Zhao silently observed Hao Ge’er, gradually frowning.