Chapter 41

Chapter 41

The two men stepped out together, while the two maids, Ying’er and Ping’er, busied themselves with changing my used bedding and pillows.

I stood up, poured myself a cup of tea, and walked to the door, pushing the thick curtain aside just enough to create a small crack.

It was snowing outside.

Yuan Heng irritably reached out and yanked off a lantern tassel, his voice low and resentful. “What kind of evil spirit has possessed us? First, you fell and broke your hand, and now Qing Qiu has caught a rash from that lowly slave. What a nuisance! When will we finally be able to swap the faces?”

Meng Huaiqing looked at his right hand, his expression helpless. “You know that is delicate work, and my hand is injured.”

Yuan Heng glared at Meng Huaiqing, taking several deep breaths to suppress his rising temper.

“Wait!” Yuan Heng gave a sudden start. “Since returning from Qiyun Temple these past few days, Qing Qiu and I have been sharing a bed. Could I have caught the rash as well?”

Meng Huaiqing took a step forward. “Come, let me take a look at you.”

“No need. I’m thick-skinned and hardy, it doesn’t matter. I’m just afraid of passing it to Yun’er.”

He grew increasingly frantic. “Go quickly and check on Yun’er.”

Meng Huaiqing gestured with his chin toward the room. “Then the Madam’s side…”

Yuan Heng frowned. “Don’t worry about her; Yun’er is what matters. Set off now. No, I’ll go with you. I truly cannot rest easy.”

With that, he grabbed Meng Huaiqing’s right arm and started walking.

Meng Huaiqing hissed, sucking in a sharp breath of cold air, and said helplessly, “Don’t be in such a rush. Wait for me to go back and get my medicine chest.”

Yuan Heng ignored him completely. “Why are you dawdling? Yun’er has everything you could need at her place.”

Soon, their figures disappeared into the snow.

I drained my tea in one gulp.

Yun’er. So that was the name of the woman he truly loved.

Yuan Heng did not return all night. He sent a servant to inform me that because he had visited the Empress Dowager several times recently, he feared passing the rash to her and was going to the palace to pay his respects.

He told me not to worry.

I’ll only stop worrying when he’s dead.

Early the next morning, Meng Huaiqing came to check my pulse.

I took my time getting dressed, washing up, and eating.

The maid Ying’er was getting a bit anxious and reminded me, “Mr. Meng is the Marquis’s guest of honor. It’s so cold out, yet he’s been standing in the courtyard for half an hour. We told him to go back for a bit and that we’d invite him over once you were ready-after all, we’re all in the Marquis Manor, so it’s convenient. He just smiled and said it wasn’t necessary. We brought him hot tea, but he wouldn’t drink it, just stood there waiting in the freezing air.”

See? Meng Huaiqing’s beautiful, kind face was so good at deceiving young girls.

Seeing that I neither spoke nor moved, Ying’er asked in confusion, “Madam, do you dislike Mr. Meng?”

I gave a faint smile. “We’ve only just met, so I wouldn’t say that. I just feel like looking at him brings bad luck. Fine, invite him in.”

After giving the order, I stood up and walked over to peer out from behind the curtain separating the inner and outer rooms.

A moment later, Meng Huaiqing entered.

Ying’er hurriedly served hot tea and whispered, “Please don’t take it to heart, Sir. Miss Hongyu passed away recently, so Madam hasn’t been very happy. She’s been listless lately and doesn’t care to talk much to us maids.”

Meng Huaiqing smiled and took a sip of tea. “Thank you for the reminder, sister.”

Ying’er’s face flushed slightly, and she seemed to pluck up her courage. “By the way, Sir, I’ve been having nightmares lately. Could you check on me as well when you’re finished?”

Meng Huaiqing nodded with a smile. “Of course.”

I let out a cold sneer and walked out.

“Madam.” Meng Huaiqing bowed and said in a deep voice, “I have been entrusted by the Marquis to treat you during this time.”

I sat down and said indifferently, “I shall trouble you then.”

Meng Huaiqing sat on the small round stool opposite me to check my pulse, keeping his head down the entire time. “Your pulse is not good. I expect your mood is somber due to Miss Hongyu’s passing, and your fetal qi is somewhat unstable. I believe we should first use moxibustion and acupuncture to protect the pregnancy before treating the rash.”

I hummed in response and said coldly, “Tell the details to the Marquis. If he agrees, I’m fine with any treatment.”

Meng Huaiqing paused. “Is Madam blaming me… for coming too early today?”

I smiled faintly. “How could I? You mean well, Sir.”

Meng Huaiqing pursed his lips, turned to open his medicine chest, and took out a medicinal sachet.

It was a white fabric bag with blue flowers, exactly like the one from my previous life. Even the scent was identical.

“I have prepared a medicinal sachet for Madam. Smelling it can help relieve your anxiety.”

I was just about to decline.

Meng Huaiqing didn’t give me a chance to speak. He placed the sachet on the table, stood up, and smiled. “I will head back to write the prescription and decoct the medicine for Madam. I shall take my leave now. Please rest well.”

With that, he packed his medicine chest and hurriedly left with his head down.

Seeing this, Ying’er stepped forward anxiously, wanting to say something but not daring to.

I asked with a smile, “Didn’t you want to ask Mr. Meng to check your pulse?”

Ying’er’s face turned beet red instantly. “I… I…”

I waved my hand. “Go on.”

Ying’er gave a joyful bow. “Thank you, Madam!”

Once the room was empty, I took the medicinal sachet into the inner chamber.

I opened the sachet and reached inside with two fingers. Sure enough, I felt a piece of paper. It read: “Stop using the Jade Beauty Cream. Meet me tonight at the hour of the Ox, between one and three in the morning, in the rockery next to the Tinglan Pavilion.”

He really was reborn as well.

Not letting me use the Jade Beauty Cream… Hah, I suspect this rash of mine was his handiwork in the first place.

This man is incredibly calculating. During the pulse reading last night, he used the pretext that the illness would become even more severe if passed back and forth to convince Yuan Heng to drive away Nanny Lin and most of my personal maids.

Was it to make it easier for me to go out and meet him in secret?

Just then, there was a sound outside as someone entered.

I hurriedly tossed the note into the charcoal brazier. The paper caught fire instantly and was soon reduced to ashes.

The curtain was pulled aside. I thought it was the maid returning.

To my surprise, the person who entered was… Cuinong?

I looked at her in shock. How could she be back?

What shocked me even more was that her hair was styled in a married woman’s bun. The plain-colored brocade padded jacket she wore looked ordinary, but anyone who knew their fabrics could see it was worth a fortune.

“You… you…” For a moment, I didn’t know what to ask or say. “Cuinong, how are you… you?”

Cuinong knelt with a smile and kowtowed. “Madam, I have returned.”

She looked up at me, appearing somewhat embarrassed as she bit her lip. “I have become… Steward Li’s successor wife.”

I was completely stunned. “What?!”