Qiao Zhao returned to the residence, and when the lanterns were first lit, Binglu came swaying in while carrying a rather large rattan chest.
Seeing the little maid’s labored appearance, Qiao Zhao smiled: “Why didn’t you find someone to help?”
She truly hadn’t expected the Marquis Taining’s residence to have so many books related to Lingnan.
Binglu set the rattan chest on the ground with a thud, wiped her forehead, and said with a grin: “What Miss wants are all extremely important items. How could I let others get involved?”
At this, Binglu glanced at A’Zhu and proudly puffed out her chest.
Look at that! At crucial moments, Miss still relies on her. She is undoubtedly the head maid by Miss’s side.
A’Zhu smiled gently.
She wouldn’t compete for favor with someone stronger.
A’Zhu took a clean cloth and carefully wiped down the rattan chest, then looked up and asked: “Miss, shall we open it now?”
Qiao Zhao nodded: “Open it.”
A’Zhu opened the rattan chest, revealing a chest full of books.
“So many books! Miss, are you going to read all of these?” Binglu looked at Qiao Zhao with eyes full of admiration.
“Alright, you two, go rest. You don’t need to keep watch tonight.”
“Miss, this servant should still stay. You’ll get thirsty after reading for a long time.” A’Zhu said.
Qiao Zhao thought for a moment and nodded: “That’s fine, A’Zhu can stay.”
A’Zhu walked to the desk and lit another lamp, immediately making the room much brighter.
Qiao Zhao picked up the book that was placed on top of the chest and began reading.
Time flowed like sand through an hourglass, yet the young lady leaning on the couch seemed tireless in her focused reading.
The candlestick on the desk had already been replaced with new wax. A’Zhu held a cup of honey water and offered it to Qiao Zhao: “Miss, please drink some water first.”
Qiao Zhao took it and drank.
A’Zhu hesitated before saying, “Miss, the books are right here. Why rush for a moment? Staying up late harms the body.”
Hearing this, Qiao Zhao smiled: “The books aren’t urgent, but I am.”
Grandmother wanting to personally raise and educate Hao Ge’er was a good thing for the entire West Residence’s future, but just as Hao Ge’er was brought over, he fell ill. This was like delivering a blow to Grandmother’s head, and the old lady’s heart must feel terrible.
Moreover, children are innocent. For Hao Ge’er to fall ill at such a young age was equally suffering for him, and she would be happy to see him recover sooner.
Of course, there was another reason – she was curious about how Hao Ge’er displayed symptoms of wind-cold yet seemed strange at the same time.
She was, after all, a divine physician’s successor, yet she couldn’t determine Hao Ge’er’s condition. This was truly frustrating.
Found it!
Qiao Zhao suddenly paused while staring at a line of text in the book, instinctively straightening up.
Could it be this?
Her slender fingers gently traced over the tiny characters on the yellowed ancient book, and the young lady’s brows furrowed tightly.
Dawn gradually broke.
Qiao Zhao set down the book, her voice slightly hoarse as she instructed A’Zhu: “Organize these books carefully. Don’t damage them, and have Binglu take them to Chen Guang later. I’ll sleep for a while first. Remember to inform both Madam and Old Madam that I’ll pay my respects later.”
In Qingsong Hall, Old Madam Deng hadn’t slept well all night.
Her youngest son bringing back that disaster-like concubine was already enough to infuriate the old lady, and now the grandson she had just taken in to raise had fallen ill. For someone of advanced age with light sleep, it would be strange if she could sleep well.
“Old Madam, Concubine Bing has come to pay her respects.” The head maid Qing Jun said.
“Let her in.”
Last night, Bing Niang stayed in Qingsong Hall to care for Hao Ge’er. Old Madam Deng glanced at the time and thought to herself that this person was impeccable in terms of propriety, giving no room for criticism.
“How is Hao Ge’er?” Looking at Bing Niang with lowered brows and downcast eyes, Old Madam Deng asked.
“This concubine felt that Hao Ge’er wasn’t as hot anymore.”
Qing Jun whispered in Old Madam Deng’s ear: “Concubine Bing didn’t sleep all night, frequently wiping down the young master.”
Old Madam Deng’s gaze fell back on Bing Niang, and she said indifferently: “You’ve worked hard.”
“Being able to care for Hao Ge’er is this concubine’s blessing. How could it be hard work?” Bing Niang said softly.
Old Madam Deng couldn’t help but sigh.
This Bing Niang was not simple. If not for her preconceived impressions, she would probably find it difficult to develop ill feelings toward such a water-like, gentle woman.
“You’ve cared for Hao Ge’er all night. Go back and rest.”
Bing Niang didn’t say a single word of argument, bowed to Old Madam Deng, and respectfully withdrew.
But by noon, Hao Ge’er developed a fever again.
At this time, the government offices were sealed and schools were closed, so the masters were all in the residence and came to Qingsong Hall one after another to visit Hao Ge’er.
Li Guangshu’s expression was already terribly ugly: “Mother, your son has said before that if you want to raise Hao Ge’er, that’s fine, but at least wait until Hao Ge’er grows two years older. The child is too young now and can’t be separated from his birth mother.”
“Second son, are you blaming me for causing Hao Ge’er’s illness?” Old Madam Deng’s expression wasn’t much better either.
Li Guangshu stamped his foot: “Mother, your son doesn’t mean that. It’s just that Hao Ge’er is different from other children. He was born in Lingnan, and it’s natural for him to be unaccustomed to the climate when he first arrives in the capital. Combined with separation from his birth mother, it’s inevitable that he would fall ill.”
Old Madam Deng kept a taut face and said nothing.
“Mother, yesterday Bing Niang stayed with Hao Ge’er all night, and didn’t Hao Ge’er get much better?”
Old Madam Deng’s eyes flickered slightly, but she still didn’t speak.
Seeing this, Li Guangshu knew the old lady was somewhat swayed, and quickly continued: “If it doesn’t work, let Bing Niang stay in Qingsong Hall first. Once Hao Ge’er recovers, she can return to Jinrong Courtyard. What do you think of this arrangement?”
Bing Niang stood in the corner with lowered brows and compliant eyes. Hearing Li Guangshu’s words, her expression remained gentle and showed no reaction whatsoever.
Qiao Zhao, who had stopped the maid from announcing her, stood outside the window thinking secretly: Such a gentle and lovely woman – even if Grandmother initially disliked her, after several days of living together, wouldn’t she gradually change her opinion?
Qiao Zhao’s gaze fell on Bing Niang.
The woman was strikingly beautiful, standing quietly in the corner like a blooming water lotus.
A cold smile escaped from the corner of Qiao Zhao’s mouth.
This woman had calculated well. By staging such a scene, either Hao Ge’er would return to her side, or Grandmother would change her opinion of her. Either outcome would be advantageous.
“Mother—” Seeing Old Madam Deng’s changing expression, Li Guangshu called out.
“Very well, then let’s—”
“Wait a moment.” Qiao Zhao walked in, interrupting Old Madam Deng’s words.
Seeing Qiao Zhao enter, Old Madam Deng’s tense expression unconsciously relaxed by two degrees: “The maid said you didn’t sleep well last night. Why didn’t you sleep a bit more?”
Qiao Zhao glanced at Bing Niang and smiled slightly: “I was worried about Hao Ge’er’s illness and couldn’t sleep.”
At the mention of Hao Ge’er, Old Madam Deng’s expression darkened again.
She had originally been wholeheartedly planning for the family, but with Hao Ge’er’s illness, she was truly in a difficult position and had lost face.
“Grandmother, you absolutely cannot let Hao Ge’er return to Jinrong Courtyard.” Qiao Zhao said directly.
Old Madam Deng was stunned, and the others in the hall were even more shocked.
Li Guangshu looked at Qiao Zhao with displeasure: “Third Miss, you’re still young. Don’t interfere in adult matters.”
If this niece weren’t the Marquis Guanjun’s fiancée, requiring such careful treatment, he would have taught her a proper lesson on behalf of his elder brother long ago.