Mo Zi took the cloth from Old Madam Hua’s hands and wiped A’Yue’s sweat and blood.

Yang Qiao turned away to secretly wipe her tears, unaware that everyone present could hear her sobbing.

“Madam… don’t be sad.” Though her body felt like it was splitting apart in pain, if she didn’t speak now, there would never be another chance.

Mo Zi’s eyes, which she had just dried, grew hot again. “A’Yue…” She couldn’t speak the truth. “I’ll find other physicians for you. You’ll get better.” She couldn’t give up! Not yet! A wretched life was better than a good death.

A’Yue shook her head with difficulty. “Madam, could you please ask Imperial Physician Hua to prescribe… medicine that will let me go peacefully?” Actually, when Old Physician Hua turned away from her, she knew the last hope was gone. She also understood medicine and knew that continuing like this would only mean dying after enduring torture—not only would she suffer, but those around her would suffer too. Mo Zi was still in her postpartum month, yet spent most of her time here, unable to rest properly.

“A’Yue, give me a bit more time. Maybe…” Mo Zi knew that at this stage, only surgery could possibly extract those two needles, but she wasn’t a doctor—she couldn’t even theorize on paper. This was the first time she hated her rebirth. Knowing there was a method to save her but being unable to do anything—it would have been better not to know.

“A’Yue had no parents since childhood and was adopted by Aunt Jiao…” Her pupils contracted. The pain made her vision darken, but she had to finish speaking. “I was only a living puppet. Young Master gave A’Hao and me to Madam, for us to serve unto death. Eventually, we would die for our master—that was the destiny we knew from the moment we became aware.”

“Stop talking. You need to rest.” According to Old Physician Hua, the needles moved with A’Yue’s breathing.

“Old Madam Hua, please trouble you to ask Old Physician Hua to prescribe medicine for me.” A’Yue’s mind was made up.

Mo Zi opened her mouth but pressed her lips tight again. What ability did she have to save this girl’s life? If she couldn’t, why not let her go more comfortably?

Seeing Mo Zi say nothing, Old Madam Hua walked out.

“Madam made us feel like we were living as people.” Not treated as death warriors or shadows. Mo Zi treated them with warmth and equality, cherished their lives more than anyone, and never required them to shield her with their bodies.

Recalling the past, A’Yue’s tears fell. “Though A’Hao and I never said it, we knew it in our hearts.” So between Aunt Jiao and Mo Zi, they had chosen the latter. Even if poisoned with strange toxins, they only hoped to stay as long as they could.

“I’m the one who should thank you.” Mo Zi gripped her hand tightly, not daring to cry in front of her.

A’Yue’s tears continued. “A’Hao doesn’t like talking to people, but she has a very soft heart. Madam, don’t mistake her cold face for a cold heart.”

“I won’t. I know A’Hao’s temperament.” She didn’t dare say yes. A’Hao had suffered severe internal injuries at this time and remained unconscious.

“What is your own wish?” As Mo Zi asked this question, her heart ached.

“…” A’Yue parted her lips but slowly shook her head. “Being able to follow Madam, I have no regrets in this life.”

Yang Qiao really couldn’t bear it anymore and burst into tears.

“Qiaoqiao, go bring the baby here.” But Mo Zi understood A’Yue’s hesitation to speak.

“Madam mustn’t. I fear the bloody aura will bring bad fortune to the young master.” A’Yue had spent months learning how to deliver babies and care for infants, though she hadn’t used it. But in her heart, she wanted to see the little baby, because it was rare for her to have expectations for the future.

“I don’t believe in such things.” Mo Zi insisted.

Yang Qiao brought the sleeping baby. Yuan Cheng took him over. It was his son, but he didn’t indulge in looking at him. He handed him to Mo Zi.

The baby suddenly woke, opening eyes as beautiful as black jade, looking directly at A’Yue.

“Such a beautiful baby.” A’Yue found it difficult even to pull a slight smile. “He looks more like Madam. I’ve heard that when sons resemble their mothers and daughters resemble their fathers, the children will have good fortune.”

“Yes, he has both a father and mother. His fortune is better than ours.” Mo Zi placed the baby beside A’Yue. “The little one doesn’t cry or fuss when he sees you. It seems he likes you.”

A’Yue looked at the baby for a long time. No matter how much it hurt, she bit her teeth and endured, not wanting to frighten him.

The room was very quiet. Mo Zi felt as though she could hear time ticking away.

The curtain lifted and Old Madam Hua brought in a bowl, steam rising from it.

Yang Qiao couldn’t bear it and rushed out.

Mo Zi heard her wailing outside, and tears slid from the corners of her own eyes.

“Minister Yuan, please take the baby out.” A’Yue bit her lip. Without attachments, one wouldn’t fear death, but she was very afraid now. Mo Zi, the baby, A’Hao—she couldn’t let go of any of them.

Seeing Mo Zi nod slightly, Yuan Cheng took the child away, but he didn’t go outside. “A’Yue, let our family of three see you off. Birth, aging, illness, and death—no one can escape. One day we will come to reunite with you.”

A’Yue nodded through her tears. “Madam, in the next life I’ll be your maid and help you care for the young master again.”

Mo Zi helped her sit up. “No, A’Yue. In the next life, you’ll be born into a good family, loved by your parents, free and unrestrained, never having to shield others with your life again. I wish to be your close friend and the godmother of your son.”

In the mist of tears, A’Yue seemed to see that happy scene. “Please trouble Old Madam Hua to feed me.”

“I’ll do it.” Mo Zi took the bowl. Her tone was firm, but her hands trembled. “A’Yue, I’m sorry.”

A’Yue drank the medicine. “It’s not bitter at all. Madam—”

“Yes?” Mo Zi wiped the corners of her mouth clean.

“I’ve always been very curious—which medical text contains those medical theories you told me about before? They didn’t seem made up either.” Having said so much, A’Yue felt tired. Her body felt very light, and the pain was lessening.

Mo Zi leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, “In medical texts from many, many years in the future.”

A’Yue wanted to say Madam was joking, but when she opened her mouth, she was too tired to speak and closed her eyes.

Mo Zi looked at her as if she had fallen asleep, even with a trace of sweet smile. She carefully reached out her hand—there was no longer any breath.

In an instant, tears poured down like rain.

As if sensing something, the little one suddenly burst into wails.

“Yuanbao, remember this—your life was exchanged for many people’s lives, so you must be stronger than anyone.” Mo Zi reached out her hand.

Little Yuanbao grasped his mother’s finger. His eyes were bright and sparkling. He stopped crying.

Yuan Cheng’s temple twitched when he heard Mo Zi call their son Yuanbao.

After one month, Yuanbao reached his first full month.

Because too many innocent lives had been sacrificed, neither Mo Zi nor Yuan Cheng wanted to make a grand celebration with banquets, so they decided to keep things as usual—not even celebrating in their own home.

In the afternoon, Yuan Cheng returned from the Ministry and had a meal with Mo Zi. The couple went to the study to discuss some official business and chat idly, leaving their son, the full-month baby, to one side.

The two weren’t ordinary parents, but there were plenty of ordinary people around them.

Ming Nian was the first, openly talking to himself outside the study—actually speaking for the two to hear. “It’s not easy for a person to come to this world. The full-month celebration is for celebrating the first birthday. How can it just pass like this?”

Yuan Cheng wanted to laugh but didn’t. He retorted, “At the beginning of coming to this world, the mother merely suffered, while the little fellow just ate and slept. What troubles did he have? Even if the full month should be celebrated, it should celebrate his mother’s recovery from the suffering of giving birth to him. It has nothing to do with him.”

Ming Nian began muttering to those behind him. “See? What did I tell you? The master only dotes on Madam. The young master isn’t in his eyes at all. Maybe we should just forget it—don’t lose the chicken trying to steal the rice, and provoke the master’s anger, making him think now about settling accounts with the young master.”

Luo Ying pushed him. “What accounts? He’s such a tiny baby, and it’s not his fault either. The full-month banquet must be held.” She and Water Snake had moved to Yang City half a month ago. They were also deeply saddened by A’Yue’s death, but life had to go on.

“Madam, please celebrate the young master’s birthday.”

Mo Zi recognized A’Hao’s voice.

A’Hao’s internal injuries were severe. Though gradually recovering, her martial skills were ruined. Her hands and feet were no different from ordinary people who had never practiced martial arts. When she woke from her coma and learned that A’Yue, whom she regarded as a younger sister, had left this world, she was in such pain she wanted to die. But seeing the baby, her heart softened. Such an adorable little one melted the coldness A’Yue had left her.

Yuan Cheng looked at Mo Zi’s expression and knew she couldn’t refuse A’Hao, so he helped speak up. “The dead are paramount. A’Yue’s forty-ninth day hasn’t passed yet. Celebration isn’t appropriate. We’ll discuss it when he turns one.”

Mo Zi smiled gratefully. This was exactly her thinking.

A’Hao was moved. “Minister Yuan and Madam’s regard for A’Yue—A’Hao accepts it on her behalf. It’s just that A’Yue would surely hope for the young master’s peace and wellbeing. It needn’t be a grand affair, but a simple banquet is still needed.”

Luo Ying raised her voice. “When my Xiami reached her full month, we had fifty tables! But you two are stingy toward your own precious son—not even one table of good food.” Xiami was a baby girl, Water Snake’s treasured pearl.

Mo Zi said in a low voice, “This full-month banquet can’t not be held, or everyone will condemn you and me.”

“The name Yuanbao isn’t good—it makes people like him for no reason.” Yuanbao, Yuanbao—each call was sweet.

Mo Zi found it amusing. “I originally wanted to use it as his formal name.”

“I need to think about it and choose something more obscure—when people can’t call out his name, will they still condemn you and me?” Yuan Cheng’s lips curved up, his smile rather sinister.

What kind of father is this? Mo Zi thought critically, forgetting she was no better herself.

“You go first. Two or three tables should be about right. I’ll flip through books for a while.” Looking for obscure characters.

Mo Zi glanced at him. “Are you serious?”

Yuan Cheng said nothing, picking up a copy of Strategies of the Warring States and casually flipping through it, truly picking out characters.

Mo Zi suddenly felt her Yuanbao was a bit pitiful. However, this thought only lasted until mealtime.

When Yuan Cheng came out from the study, Ming Nian told him the full-month banquet would be held at Zuixiang Restaurant.

“At a restaurant outside?” He hadn’t expected this.

“Madam said the house is chaotic, and since this is a household celebration, there’s no reason to have the kitchen cook for ourselves to eat. At a restaurant, it’s convenient and we don’t have to wash dishes—economical and practical.” Ming Nian relayed the message like a parrot, not getting it wrong.

“Don’t have to wash dishes, economical and practical?” Yuan Cheng smiled. “Ming Nian, isn’t my judgment very good? What a virtuous household manager—a household celebration that doesn’t leave out even the kitchen staff.”

Clearly just a household manager too lazy to bother with things. This was actually what Ming Nian thought of Mo Zi. Having lived together so long, he knew that Mo Zi was diligent at carving wood, but pushed off household matters whenever possible, not liking to touch them at all.

The master and servant set off for Zuixiang Restaurant, but as soon as they entered, they felt something was wrong.

“How many tables did I tell Mo Zi?” Yuan Cheng asked the equally puzzled Ming Nian.

“Two or three tables.” Ming Nian replied.

Before Yuan Cheng were dozens of tables upstairs and downstairs, covered with identical red cloth and displaying various porcelain dolls.

Mo Zi came down from upstairs. Seeing him, she showed helplessness.