So, immediately after news spread throughout the estate that the marriage arrangement with the Fu family was jeopardized due to the Young Miss’s health, the eldest daughter, Xia Wanyu, proclaimed that her ailment was cured and her body was fine.

This astonished Lord Xia and Madam Xia. Just two days prior, Xia Wanyu had been lying weakly in bed, so how could her illness vanish so quickly?

Thus, when Lord Xia visited Madam Xia, he voiced his confusion.

“Madam, Wanyu’s illness just vanished?” Lord Xia still found it hard to believe. Had it not been for the renowned physician they had previously summoned, he might have suspected Xia Wanyu was feigning illness. However, that physician had indeed confirmed Xia Wanyu’s severe weakness, dispelling the thought of pretense. Yet, he remained puzzled—how could an illness that looked so serious disappear overnight?

Madam Xia smiled and shook her head. “I find it equally astonishing! But since Wanyu is well, it is a good thing, isn't it? Let us not overthink it; perhaps it was a blessing from the Bodhisattva!”

Lord Xia nodded upon hearing this. “You speak wisely, Madam. Perhaps it was indeed a divine manifestation!”

After Lord Xia departed, Madam Xia was heard letting out a cold laugh: “Hmph! A divine manifestation? I suspect that wretched girl is currently dragging her weak body up from that bed!”

“You are truly astute, Madam. A little maneuvering, and the Eldest Miss can no longer sit still,” wet nurse Gu chimed in agreement.

“Hmph. That wretch finally managed to snatch the engagement with the Fu family; naturally, she won't let it go easily. After hearing the rumors circulating the estate, I refuse to believe she can remain 'sick'!” Madam Xia sneered.

Madam Xia had initially thought, since that wretch’s days are numbered anyway, I shouldn't bother tormenting her further. Who knew that the wretch would be so ungrateful as to curse Ting'er? If that was the case, she wouldn't show mercy anymore; she would ensure the girl knew no peace in her final days! After all, the moment that wretch declared herself well, Madam Xia could openly dispatch a wet nurse to instruct her on proper etiquette, even demanding she travel back and forth daily to pay respects without anyone daring to object. Furthermore, to prove she wasn't ill, the wretch would have to endure it all silently.

In the estate, Concubine Liu had been deeply worried upon hearing her daughter was ill and immediately planned to visit her. However, before going, she suddenly recalled how impatient her daughter usually was with her as a mother, causing her to hesitate. Coupled with the dissuasion from her attending maid, Concubine Liu kept putting off the visit to Xia Wanyu.

But just as Concubine Liu could no longer bear it and was about to leave to see her daughter, news swept through the estate that the Eldest Miss, Xia Wanyu, was recovered. This brought a wave of relief to the worried Concubine Liu. Still, since she had already decided to visit, she resolved not to cancel just because her daughter was well; she would go anyway, if only for peace of mind. Besides, her daughter wouldn't be in the estate much longer anyway.

Xia Wanyu had been weakly reclining on the couch when a maid reported Concubine Liu’s arrival. A flicker of impatience crossed her face. However, considering this was her birth mother, refusing her entry could be twisted into gossip by ill-intentioned people later. Thus, Xia Wanyu reluctantly commanded the maid to usher Concubine Liu in while she forced herself up to a seated position.

When Concubine Liu entered her daughter’s chamber, she saw her daughter sitting up on the couch, a thin quilt draped over her legs. Assuming her daughter hadn't fully recovered, she approached with concern: “I heard you were ill and came specifically to see you. You’re sitting here with a quilt; is your body still not quite recovered?”

Hearing Concubine Liu, a mix of bitterness and anger surged in Xia Wanyu’s heart. She had been deathly ill, worrying constantly about this and that, terrified her illness wouldn't pass, jeopardizing her chance to marry into the Fu family. Yet, due to her naturally strong temperament, she never exposed her vulnerabilities. These fears were buried deep, only surfacing late at night when she lay alone in bed, realizing no one in the estate truly cared. Xia Wanyu had genuinely believed that Concubine Liu would visit, as she was, after all, her own flesh and blood. Despite her usual impatience toward Concubine Liu, at that moment, she wished her mother would visit and offer words of comfort; that would have been a small solace.

Xia Wanyu never expected that the person she assumed would undoubtedly visit would only arrive after she publicly announced her recovery. How could this not fill her with disappointment and rage? Did Concubine Liu believe she had an incurable disease and feared catching it?

Thinking she had found the answer, Xia Wanyu scoffed, “Doesn’t Auntie feel she’s rather late? If you never intended to come, why bother with this hypocrisy now? Aren’t you afraid of catching my illness?”

Concubine Liu felt deep sorrow hearing her daughter’s words. She couldn't understand why every encounter with her daughter ended this way. They were the closest kin in the world, yet why was there such a vast distance between them?

Concubine Liu struggled to explain, “Wanyu, the reason I didn’t come before was…”

“No need to find excuses,” Xia Wanyu interrupted. She had held onto the belief that, no matter what, Concubine Liu would care for her and feel sympathy. Since reality proved otherwise, there was no need for her to pretend she valued her mother’s attention. So, Xia Wanyu asked coolly, “You didn't come before; fine. What brings you here today?”

Concubine Liu still wanted to explain, but seeing her daughter’s unfriendly expression, she held back the words.

“I came today to see if your illness has truly subsided. I heard you were sick and couldn't sleep well for several nights; I thought coming personally would put my mind at ease,” Concubine Liu stated.

Xia Wanyu responded with a disdainful curl of her lip. Couldn't sleep well for several nights? Who was she fooling? If she truly hadn't slept, she would have come to see her much earlier.

Completely unconvinced by Concubine Liu’s claim, Xia Wanyu impatiently said, “Since you’ve seen I’m fine, you should be relieved now? Auntie, please leave!”

Blocked by her daughter’s sharp reply, Concubine Liu was left speechless and could only leave her daughter’s courtyard with a look of resignation.

As soon as Xia Wanyu saw Concubine Liu depart, she could hold on no longer; her body slumped weakly. This was precisely why Xia Wanyu’s earlier words had been so pointed in driving Concubine Liu away—she could feel herself about to collapse and needed rest. If she forced herself to stay upright, any sudden slip-up could be disastrous.

While Xia Wanyu lay back down, Concubine Liu walked back sadly. As she walked, she suddenly recalled the thin quilt covering her daughter when she was seated. What was that about? She remembered her daughter never sat on the couch with a quilt before. Could it be that the illness hadn't fully gone away?

This thought brought a wave of self-reproach. After hearing her daughter’s harsh words, she had only focused on her own hurt, failing to press the issue further. I am her mother; how could I quarrel with my own daughter? Her health matters far more than my feelings! With this realization, Concubine Liu abruptly turned back midway and headed toward her daughter’s courtyard.

When Concubine Liu returned this second time, Xia Wanyu’s maid had just been sent out to gather estate news. Thus, Concubine Liu skipped sending word through the maid and entered her daughter’s chamber herself.

Upon entering the courtyard, Concubine Liu noticed an absence of maids. She softened her footsteps, continuing until she saw her daughter, Xia Wanyu.

Xia Wanyu was already lying on the couch, covered by the quilt, her eyes closed—perhaps asleep.

Looking at her daughter, Concubine Liu initially thought she was resting because she hadn't recovered. But after a moment, confusion set in. If her health wasn't fully restored, why would she have publicly claimed she was well?

This thought immediately conjured the pervasive rumors from the last two days—whispers that the Eldest Miss was failing, that the Fu family marriage was lost, and that Lord and Madam Xia were discussing either breaking the engagement or substituting the Second Miss. Could her daughter be forcing herself to appear well because of this? And these rumors...

Concubine Liu grew increasingly alarmed. For so many people in the estate to spread such rumors without consequence could only mean they were deliberately circulated by someone with a purpose—most likely Madam Xia.

Had Madam finally decided to take decisive action against her daughter? She always knew Madam wouldn't let her daughter off easily. It seemed Madam wasn't inactive; rather, her actions, when they came, were designed to inflict grave harm.

Wait, Concubine Liu suddenly realized, why would my daughter suddenly fall ill at this precise moment? And the doctor couldn't diagnose it. Thinking of the undiagnosable illness, Concubine Liu’s eyes widened. Such a scenario—a doctor unable to diagnose—had occurred in the estate years ago. That time involved a favored concubine, and that concubine had ultimately...

Madam wasn't just plotting a simple reprimand; she intended to take her daughter’s life! Realizing this, Concubine Liu panicked, discarding all caution. She rushed out of her daughter’s courtyard and hurried toward Madam Xia's residence.