"So, I was gravely ill and forced into seclusion at a villa because the Old Madam passed away?" Qi Yue inquired, reaching for a nearby teacup and handing it to Ah Hao.

Ah Hao had been speaking until her throat was dry, but seeing Qi Yue personally offer the water, she frantically waved her hands in refusal.

"It's for you," Qi Yue said with a smile.

Ah Hao then glanced at Ah Ru beside her.

"Thank you for the reward, Young Mistress," she finally bowed in thanks and accepted the cup.

"Yes, counting today, it has been exactly three years," Ah Ru took up the conversation.

Three years... time felt like a dream.... The two maids fell silent for a moment.

"What was my illness?" Qi Yue frowned, feeling quite well in this body. Could there truly be some underlying chronic condition?

If so, would she instantly perish and return to the modern era, or would she have to seek out another host?

"At first, we gave you some calming medicine, but later the medicine was stopped," Ah Ru murmured, looking down.

She neither specified an illness nor stated there was none. This ambiguous way of speaking sounded profound but was simple enough: Qi Yue understood instantly. Oh, it wasn't an illness; it was a form of soft confinement.

It seemed the Young Mistress's situation was rather delicate, Qi Yue thought secretly, her fingers tapping restlessly on the armrest.

"Then... if I am the Young Mistress, where is the Young Master?" Qi Yue asked. "Does he come by regularly to attend to me or something?"

Having a husband—an arranged, blind marriage—suddenly gaining an ancient husband, this complicated things immensely....

"After the Old Madam passed and the requisite forty-nine days were over, the Eldest Young Master received his military orders and left for the northern encampment. He hasn't returned since," Ah Hao interjected eagerly. "Young Mistress, the Eldest Young Master is nearly due back. Once he returns, you can move out, and you won't have to suffer this torment anymore..."

Well, perhaps it was better if he took his time returning. Qi Yue nodded; whether this man was reliable was still up for consideration.

"That's enough for today. If the Young Mistress has more questions, we can discuss them tomorrow," Ah Ru stepped in.

Qi Yue then realized the sky outside had darkened. Unconsciously, they had been talking all day, even through dinner.

She had gathered enough information for today; it was enough to digest.

"It is late. Everyone is shaken and tired from today’s events. Go wash up and get some rest," she said with a slight smile.

Ah Ru and Ah Hao responded, one preparing Qi Yue for bed, the other making the bed.

"Sister, let me sleep here with you tonight," Ah Hao whispered to Ah Ru.

Having witnessed and heard the story of traveling the path to the Yellow Springs and being brought back to life, the young girl was thoroughly frightened.

Qi Yue, who had been curiously exploring the ancient undergarments nearby, overheard them. She looked up and spotted a small cot by the main hall—apparently the spot for the night-watch maids.

Although she had experienced this inexplicable transference of spirit and soul, as a surgeon, she possessed considerable courage. Moreover, she had matters to contemplate and preferred to be alone.

"You both can return to your own rooms to sleep," Qi Yue stated.

Ah Ru glared at Ah Hao, who shamefacedly lowered her head.

"I wish to be alone to quiet my thoughts. Perhaps I can remember something," Qi Yue continued before they could speak, her voice carrying an undeniable finality.

The Young Mistress had never spoken so decisively before. Ah Ru hesitated for a moment, then bowed and agreed.

"If the Young Mistress needs anything, just call for me. We will be in the side room," she said.

Qi Yue nodded, watching Ah Hao draw the curtains, then lower the screen at the moon gate. Ah Ru extinguished the exterior lamps one by one.

"Young Mistress, we are leaving," they said in unison. Only after receiving Qi Yue’s soft acknowledgment did they withdraw, closing the door behind them.

The faint sound of retreating footsteps faded, leaving the night after the heavy rain eerily still, punctuated only by the distant croaking of frogs.

Late into the night, Ah Ru returned from the window and lay down after removing her outer robe.

"Sister, has the Young Mistress rested?" Ah Hao asked, nestled under her blanket, covering half her face.

"She blew out the lamp," Ah Ru replied, puffing out the oil lamp beside her bed in one breath.

"Don't blow out the lamp..." Ah Hao murmured softly.

"Hurry up and sleep, stop jumping at shadows," Ah Ru chided in a low voice.

Ah Hao dared not speak again. She listened to the wind outside, occasionally mixed with the strange calls of night birds, and huddled further under her quilt. Soon, she heard Ah Ru's breathing deepen, suggesting she had fallen asleep.

"Sister, Sister..." she couldn't help but whisper again.

"What is it now?" Ah Ru turned over and asked.

Ah Hao cautiously poked a small part of her head out.

"Sister, back then... when you checked the Young Mistress... was she truly without breath? No pulse?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"Go to sleep. This matter ends here. You are forbidden to mention it again," Ah Ru suddenly sat up, sharply commanding in a low voice, "Ah Hao, if you continue to be so disobedient and thoughtless, I will report you to Mama Su and have you sent away, no longer following me."

"I’ll obey, I’ll obey! Sister, don't be angry, don't send me away," Ah Hao, forgetting her fear, sat up, repeatedly bowing and raising her hands in oath.

Ah Ru sighed again.

"Lie back down. You were caught in the rain several times today; be careful not to catch a chill. If you fall ill, we can’t even summon a physician, and it will be all up to fate," she said, her voice low and filled with dejection. "Why are you like this? All five maids the Old Madam sent over found a chance to leave. You even had a chance when the Second Miss specifically requested you because she liked your hairstyling, but you refused to go, choosing to stay here. Who knows if there's any future here. Why put yourself through this..."

"Didn't you stay too, Sister?" Ah Hao said with a slight grin.

"I am different from you two. You have parents here; you were assigned by the household. I was bought from outside, having followed the Old Madam since childhood. The Old Madam personally took my hand and gave me to the Young Mistress. Unless the Old Madam gives another order, I will not go anywhere," Ah Ru explained.

The Old Madam was gone; she would never give another order in this life...

Ah Hao was silent for a moment.

"I won't go anywhere either. I like following the Young Mistress and you, Sister, because, because you are both good people," she finally managed to say after holding it in.

Ah Ru let out a soft laugh and tossed a pillow at her.

"I just scolded you, and you're speaking nonsense again," she chided playfully. "These words must never be spoken outside—'good people' or 'bad people'—don't let your tongue run wild."

Ah Hao giggled and tossed the pillow back.

"I know. I'll only say it here with you, Sister," she laughed.

"Alright, lie down and sleep. There's much work tomorrow," Ah Ru said, lying back down first.

Ah Hao agreed and settled down. Talking for a while had chased away the dread in her heart. Today had been both exhausting and terrifying, and soon she fell into a deep sleep.

Only then did Ah Ru gently exhale, gripping the corner of her blanket, her eyes wide open in the dark.

"At that time..." she moved her lips, speaking in a voice barely audible, "The Young Mistress truly had no breath...."

】. div> BAIDU_CLB_LT_ID = "519311";