This remark touched on something the Old Madam was truly proud of. Born and raised in the capital, she had been representing her husband’s family in the homes of the powerful and influential from the moment she became a Hua Family bride. She had seen every manner of servant there was. She didn’t dare compare them to those within the imperial palace, but even the servants of the princely estates, in her eyes, couldn’t hold a candle to Ying Chun and the others.

Even the most skilled at concealing one’s true abilities would rarely manage to do so for ten years running — yet in her Hua Family, not only had her eldest granddaughter kept herself hidden, not a single one of her maids had ever given anything away either. Now that was true ability.

Nanny Su could tell from the Old Madam’s expression that she had said the right thing, and so she followed the thread and finally voiced what she had truly been wanting to say. Though she herself couldn’t match those maids in capability, her loyalty to the Old Madam was something she believed could stand comparison with any of them.

“You’ve always worried there’s no one to support the eldest young miss, but in this servant’s view, there really is no need. Setting aside her four senior maids, even the second-rank maids in her quarters are all capable — every one of them can be of help to the eldest young miss. And that skill she has for managing people certainly hasn’t become useless now. Every person she currently employs is full of drive and purpose. As this servant sees it, if others can’t be counted on, then so be it — let them simply follow the eldest young miss’s lead. She would never treat them poorly.”

The Old Madam’s mind gradually cleared. Rather than forcing someone to be placed at Zhi’er’s side and causing her to be constrained, it would be better to simply let Zhi’er be. With that warm and gentle nature of hers, as long as someone was family, even those she didn’t particularly favor she would still not abandon. Why should she presume to act in the Hua Family’s best interests and spare Zhi’er worry by doing things that would only make things difficult for her?

A voice requesting greeting was heard from outside. Nanny Su quickly tidied the room, added a pillow behind the Old Madam’s back, and the sound of footsteps reached the doorway.

Hua Zhi and Shao Yao — who was still wearing her veil hat — entered hand in hand. “Zhi’er pays her respects to Grandmother.”

Shao Yao followed along with a well-practiced bow.

“Come now, rise — this old one cannot possibly accept Shao Yao’s bow.”

Zhi’er helped Shao Yao up. “You needn’t put her on such a pedestal. She’s Granddaughter’s friend — just treat her as a junior.”

The veiled head above Shao Yao’s neck bobbed up and down in rippling waves.

The Old Madam smiled and nodded. “Then this old one won’t stand on ceremony with Miss Shao Yao. The Hua Family welcomes you whenever you care to come — no one will stop you.”

“Thank you, Old Madam.”

Though the Old Madam smiled with benevolent eyes, and Shao Yao appeared obediently agreeable, there was not even a flicker of genuine warmth in her heart. The only outsider she was willing to feel close to was Huahua.

“Cao Cao, go have a look at Grandmother.”

Shao Yao took her pulse for a moment and said, “It’s better. You needn’t push yourself — if you feel like sleeping, sleep. Rest well and the body recovers well.”

“Good, good.” The Old Madam looked at her granddaughter. “You two don’t need to keep watch over me. Go back and rest — no one in this household has been more exhausted than you.”

“We’ll leave after you’ve settled down to sleep.”

Neither of them left. When it came to medicine, Hua Zhi trusted Shao Yao completely. If she had said Grandmother would have nightmares, then she certainly would. It stood to reason as well — after being so badly frightened, a peaceful night’s sleep was difficult to come by, all the more so for an elderly woman whose health was already fragile.

Nanny Su and Ying Chun laid out bedding for the two of them on the floor. Shao Yao leaned close to Hua Zhi and murmured, “Huahua, sleep for a little while first. I’ll keep watch.”

Hua Zhi stifled a yawn and patted her on the back. “You’re more tired than I am. Sleep first — we’ll take turns.”

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ve trained in martial arts for so many years — my stamina is just fine. Now go to sleep.”

The two stared at each other wide-eyed for a good while. Shao Yao was the first to cover her mouth and laugh. Warmth rose in Shao Yao’s eyes too, and in the end they pressed their heads together and both closed their eyes. It was impossible for them to keep watch through the night on sheer willpower alone — they had to seize whatever sleep they could.

When movement came, it was Shao Yao who stirred first. Her shifting woke Hua Zhi from her startled sleep, and the two exchanged a glance before rushing together to the bedside.

The Old Madam lay with eyes shut, her face twisted in anguish, murmuring in a low, broken voice, “My lord… my lord, come back, please come back, you mustn’t go, don’t go… I’ll go with you, my lord, my lord… Yuzi, Yanji, Yangzi, where are you, where are you — come to Mother, come quickly…”

Shao Yao said softly, “Huahua, call to her.”

Hua Zhi nodded and leaned close, calling gently, “Grandmother, Grandmother, can you hear me? It’s Zhi’er. We’re here, we’re all here. Grandmother, Grandmother…”

Shao Yao poured a few drops of liquid into her palm, pressed her hands together, and rubbed them warm, then climbed onto the bed and began gently massaging the back of the Old Madam’s neck. A lingering, mild fragrance gradually drifted through the air. After a while, the agitated Old Madam slowly grew calm. Though her brow remained furrowed, she no longer cried out.

Shao Yao stilled her hands. “That’s enough for now.”

“That’s it?”

“I mean for this time.” She let out a wide yawn and returned to her own bedding to lie back down. “It’ll happen several more times through the night. Get back to sleep while you can.”

Hua Zhi gestured for Nanny Su, who had been waiting in the room, to bring water. She wrung out a cloth and wiped Shao Yao’s hands. “Sleep now.”

The Old Madam suffered through nightmares four times that night. By the last bout, the sky was already nearly light.

“That should be the last of it.” Shao Yao looked a little wan. She took a stick of incense from her medicine case and passed it to Nanny Su. “This incense will last three days. Don’t fuss over it — just let it burn down on its own. It’s for calming the spirit.”

Nanny Su received it with great care and bowed deeply. “This servant thanks Miss Shao Yao.”

“Thank Huahua.” Shao Yao collapsed face-first onto Hua Zhi’s chest and stopped moving. “I’m so hungry.”

“…You ate more at dinner last night than I eat in an entire day.”

“Still hungry.”

Hua Zhi wrapped an arm around her and stroked the back of her neck the way one might smooth down a cat’s fur. “That’s just how it feels. What you really are is tired. Go back and sleep — I’ll follow shortly.”

“Sleeping here. You sleep too.”

Hua Zhi was genuinely exhausted as well and said no more. She lay back down with Shao Yao on the floor bedding.

She still had to wait until she was certain Grandmother was truly out of danger before she could go. She had already come ninety-eight steps of a hundred — there was no sense in not finishing the last two.

Old people sleep lightly. Even after a night of disturbance, the Old Madam woke at her usual hour.

A faint, unfamiliar fragrance drifted at the edge of her senses — very pleasant. The room held no lamplight, and everything was dim and indistinct.

Before long, she saw Cui Xiang carrying a small lamp and tiptoeing closer. Catching the Old Madam’s gaze, she showed not the least surprise. Instead she made a hushing gesture with one finger, then pointed down at the floor.

The Old Madam propped herself up and looked over. By the faint light she could make out two young women leaning against each other, sleeping soundly.

There was nothing the Old Madam didn’t understand now. She reproached herself inwardly for becoming a burden — and yet her heart felt warm. This eldest granddaughter of hers was simply exceptional in every regard: character, virtue, temperament — there was nothing to fault.

She signaled for Cui Xiang to leave, then lay quietly with her eyes closed to rest. Her health was declining more and more with each passing day. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold on. If she went on like this, dragging Zhi’er down with her, it might be better to go sooner and be done with it. And yet…

She was unwilling to accept it. Her husband, her sons and grandsons had not yet come home. How could she go in peace?