WBSGVS Chapter 145 V1

After resting for a while, Qing Li regained some energy and made a small sound.

Immediately, Qiyue appeared. She never let anyone else take care of her mistress.

Qing Li gave a weak smile, suppressing her discomfort as she said, “I’m hungry.”

Qiyue quickly responded, “Alright! I’ll go prepare something right away. What would Madam like to eat? White porridge? Or maybe some soup?”

Qing Li softly murmured, “I want my mother’s meat porridge.”

“Alright, alright.” Qiyue nodded happily but then hesitated. “Should we inform the Madam of the Mu family first?”

If it were up to Qing Li, she would have nodded immediately. But it had already been a month since the original Qing Li’s miscarriage. Her mother had visited at first, heartbroken to see her suffering. After that, Qing Li had sent word home saying she was recovering well, not wanting her mother to worry.

In reality, she had not been well at all. She hadn’t left her room in two months, and only then did her mother suspect something was wrong. By the time she realized the truth, the illness had already worsened.

In ancient times, a married woman who contacted her maiden family too frequently could make her husband’s household seem weak.

The original Qing Li had considered this. Although Xie Rongyun was successful, having ranked first in the imperial exams and rising quickly, his family was small, just him and his sister. Compared to the powerful Mu family, the Xie family still fell short.

Faced with Qiyue’s question, Qing Li couldn’t bring herself to nod. Instead, she turned her face away, tears brimming in her eyes, torn by conflicting emotions.

Qiyue felt a pang of sorrow at the sight. Without asking further, she turned and left, giving quiet instructions to the other maids before heading out.

Half an hour later, Qing Li’s mother, Madam Mu, appeared before her.

Seeing her daughter, so pale, so frail, Madam Mu’s eyes filled with tears. She pulled Qing Li into her arms, scolding, “Child, what is the meaning of this?! You’ve been sick for so long and didn’t tell me? Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you’re not my daughter anymore!”

Qing Li nestled against her mother affectionately, murmuring, “Mother, I feel awful… I want your meat porridge…”

Madam Mu’s heart softened instantly. How could she stay angry? With a heavy sigh, she let go of her daughter and gently stroked her head. “I’ll make it for you right away, but first, let Doctor Zhang take a look.”

“Mm~” Qing Li obediently nodded and lay back down.

Madam Mu stepped aside, allowing the family doctor to examine her. After a careful check, he spoke in a warm tone, “It’s nothing serious—just some lingering weakness and a bit of a chill. Some medicine and rest will be enough.”

That simple?

Qiyue immediately sensed something was off. Once Doctor Zhang finished writing the prescription, she handed him the previous one given by another doctor and asked, “Could you take a look at this? Is there anything wrong with it?”

Doctor Zhang studied it carefully, then shook his head. “There’s no major issue, but one of the ingredients was incorrectly prescribed. It doesn’t seem intentional—probably just a lack of skill.”

Qiyue finally relaxed and smiled. “Thank you, Doctor.”

After seeing him out, she returned to escort Madam Mu to the kitchen while she prepared the medicine.

By now, it was nearly noon—the busiest time in the kitchen. When Madam Mu arrived, the other servants quickly stepped aside. Then, suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure.

Since they were in the Xie household, Madam Mu almost thought she was mistaken. She hesitated for a moment before saying, “Lan’er?”

Last night, Mu Lan’er had slept soundly, grateful to her brother-in-law for taking her in. Wanting to show her appreciation, she had planned to make some pastries for him. Just as she finished and was cleaning up, she heard the voice.

Startled, the pastry in her hand crumbled under her grip.

Mu Lan’er snapped her head up. Standing at the kitchen entrance, surrounded by attendants, was none other than the head madam of the Mu family.

Her heart pounded. Forcing a smile, she greeted, “Aunt…”

Madam Mu’s sharp eyes locked onto her. In a firm voice, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

Flustered, Mu Lan’er wiped her hands and stepped forward, her eyes slightly red. “Aunt, I… I came to see my third sister. My parents want to marry me off as a concubine to my father’s superior. I don’t want to, so I came to ask my sister for help…”

The caution in Madam Mu’s gaze faded slightly as understanding dawned. “You’re already seventeen?”

Mu Lan’er was indeed seventeen, while Qing Li was nineteen. They were two years apart and had always been close as children. If something like this happened, it made sense that Mu Lan’er would seek out her sister.

Years ago, due to Second Master Mu’s reckless behavior, the family had split early. He had never held a high position, and after the separation, the two households no longer lived on the same street. Although they were still family in name, their interactions had become infrequent. Because of this, Madam Mu hadn’t seen Mu Lan’er in a long time.

But why hadn’t Qing Li mentioned her?

Then again, considering how sick her daughter was, it was understandable if she had forgotten.

Hearing the mention of “seventeen,” Mu Lan’er’s eyes reddened. Unlucky as it was, she had actually been engaged two years ago, but just before the wedding, her fiancé met with misfortune, leaving her in limbo.

Now, after two failed engagements, whispers had begun—people saying she was cursed to bring misfortune to her husband. She wasn’t from the main branch of the family, nor was she a legitimate daughter. Despite her beauty, no one was eager to propose, except those hoping to curry favor with the Mu family.

The few decent offers her father dismissed, and the household’s mistress had no interest in arranging a proper marriage for a concubine-born daughter. And so, she had been left waiting.

“Yes, I turn seventeen this August,” she replied meekly.

Madam Mu sighed. “Your sister is unwell. I’ll speak to your father about this matter.”

“Thank you, Aunt.” Mu Lan’er sniffled before hesitantly asking, “Is my sister sick?”

Madam Mu looked surprised. “She’s been ill for a long time. You didn’t know?”

Mu Lan’er’s heart clenched. Hurriedly, she explained, “I just arrived yesterday. I haven’t even seen her yet… I thought I’d make some pastries for her first, then talk to her about it.”

“That’s thoughtful of you,” Madam Mu said with a small smile. “But no need for pastries—she can’t eat them. I’ll make her some meat porridge instead.”

“Then I won’t disturb you, Aunt,” Mu Lan’er quickly said.

Seeing Madam Mu nod, she turned and left immediately.