WBSGVS Chapter 161 V1

Xie Rongyun was completely ruined.

Qingli had only allowed him to regain consciousness briefly, just long enough for him to understand exactly how he’d been ruined. But to avoid further trouble, he was only kept awake for that short moment.

The people caring for Xie Rongyun went from several maids down to just one—Mu Lan’er.

The Xie family’s estate had been confiscated by the Emperor long ago, and the once-wealthy household had nothing left. The only thing remaining was a few small businesses Xie Rongyun had set up on his own. Now, to treat his condition, all kinds of rare herbs were being delivered to the manor. Qingli used the excuse that the household couldn’t afford such high expenses, claiming the other concubines were pregnant and needed care. She reassigned the remaining help, leaving only Xie Rongyun and Mu Lan’er in the entire Laurel Courtyard.

She had wanted that man, so he was given to her. Did Qingli still have to spend money to hire servants to take care of him? Not!

When Mu Lan’er woke up and realized the last maid was gone, and the Laurel Courtyard felt utterly lifeless as if she were the only one left breathing, a sinking feeling hit her.

She rushed next door to the room where Xie Rongyun was recovering. As she opened the door, she saw him, parched and barely conscious, lying there with his lips cracked and pale, mumbling weakly, “Water…”

Mu Lan’er blinked, and tears streamed down her cheeks. With trembling hands, she went over and gently fed him water herself.

His dry lips moistened, and Xie Rongyun looked a little more at ease, falling back into a fitful sleep. But even with his eyes closed, his eyeballs twitched beneath the lids.

He wanted to wake up.

His body was weak, but his mind was still somewhat aware. He knew what condition he was in, but was powerless to change anything. All he could do was endure it in silence.

Mu Lan’er wiped her tears. Her gaunt face was full of bitterness. What should I do now?

Was she supposed to spend the rest of her life taking care of someone like this?

At lunchtime, food was delivered—just a portion for her and a bowl of porridge for Xie Rongyun.

Sniffling, she picked up her bowl and began eating quickly, ravenously.

She ate so fast she started coughing, her face turning red. But unlike before, no one came to pat her back or wipe the sweat from her brow. In the entire Laurel Courtyard, aside from her, the only other person was Xie Rongyun, lying like a corpse in the distance.

A soft sob escaped her throat.

It was so quiet around her, and no one else was there. At first, Mu Lan’er didn’t even dare to cry aloud. But once she realized this, she couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into tears. “Wuu wuuu wuuu…”

“What are you crying about? Mourning someone’s death?” A sharp voice snapped.

Xie Yu’ning stormed in, clearly irritated by the crying.

“N-nothing,” Mu Lan’er stammered, choking back her sobs and covering her mouth as she lowered her head and continued eating.

Xie Yu’ning strode in, glanced at her, then at the bowl of porridge meant for her brother. She frowned. “Why are you eating first? Shouldn’t you be feeding my brother first?”

Mu Lan’er froze, then quickly put down her bowl and picked up the porridge to feed Xie Rongyun.

But he was lying down and couldn’t eat properly. She wasn’t strong enough to lift him, and the moment became awkward.

Annoyed, Xie Yu’ning stepped in to help, lifting him so Mu Lan’er could feed him more easily. “Useless. Where are the maids?”

Mu Lan’er pressed her lips together. “I don’t know,” she replied softly.

Of course, she did know. Over the past few days, the maids of the Laurel Courtyard had been transferred to other areas of the estate—clearly at Qingli’s direction.

But just the mention of Qingli filled her with fear. She didn’t dare speak ill of her in the slightest.

Xie Yu’ning cursed under her breath. “You’re useless. Can’t even take care of one person properly. I don’t understand what my brother ever saw in you. And don’t give him so much porridge! He’s sick—he can’t even swallow properly!”

“Mu Lan’er, are you stupid?”

Mu Lan’er bit her lip and became even more careful. It took everything she had just to feed him that one meal, and by the end of it, she was drenched in sweat.

Xie Yu’ning barked, “And now wipe him off!”

“Yes.” Mu Lan’er went to get water to clean himself.

But cold water wouldn’t do—it would chill Xie Rongyun’s body. She had to heat some…

After finally seeing Xie Yu’ning out the door, Mu Lan’er clutched her aching, cramping stomach and went to eat. But by then, the food was completely cold.

She still ate it. After finishing, she sat on the edge of the bed in a daze.

When would this kind of life end?

Would it only be over when Xie Rongyun died?

The thought made her heart skip a beat. She slowly turned her gaze toward the unconscious man lying there. Her hand reached out slowly, only to shrink back quickly the moment it touched the cold blanket.

She covered her mouth in horror.

What had she just done? Since when had she become so terrifying?

Xie Yu’ning had come in a rush and left just as quickly.

After leaving the Laurel Courtyard, she went to the main courtyard and greeted Qingli with a smile. “Sister-in-law, I noticed Laurel Courtyard is a bit short on help. Lan’er isn’t exactly the most capable… maybe we could send over a few more hands?”

Qingli gave her a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Big Sister, do you know how much your brother’s medicine costs each day? Do you know how much money the Xie family has left?”

Xie Yu’ning chuckled awkwardly, but deep down, she felt bitter. It’s not like she doted on her brother that much. Even though they were born of the same mother, she had been sent to the music bureau at a young age, while her brother was spared.

Later on, he’d chosen this man for her.

She didn’t want to give up that easily, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t resentful.

Still, he was her full-blooded brother. As long as Xie Rongyun was alive and well, she had a place in the family. The rest of the clan wouldn’t dare look down on her.

But now, seeing him like this, she was truly afraid he wouldn’t make it. And Qingli wasn’t going to let her take advantage of things like before.