Chapter 100: A Dream at Night

  "Really?" Madam Liu put down the half-finished small garment and asked in surprise.

  Cui Ping poured a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Indeed, the old master carried two boxes from the main house, turned around and went to the upper house, seemingly the old master's face didn't look good."

  Liu Yiniang pondered for a moment and thought to herself: "Could it be that Old Lady Zhang is going to ask something of Eldest Mistress again? This kind of thing has happened before, after all."

  Liu Yiniang somewhat looked down on Old Lady's greedy face, but still hoped to see Old Lady tormenting Eldest Lady.

  It's better to think again, the old lady is a person who values face the most. Just like the way she treats Lao Ye and Er Lao Ye, she obviously favors one over the other, but still tries to maintain a good image so others won't think she's being unfair.

  The grinding of Mrs. Tao has always been done behind Mr. Lao's back; this time, did she capsize in the gutter?

  Thinking of this, Liu Yiniang felt sour and astringent, and even the needlework she had done halfway didn't want to continue, so she sighed and casually put the small garment aside.

  Cuiping sympathized with Liu Niang and grumbled, "The little clothes made by Niang's own hands have been sent to the main house several times, but they still can't be shown off in front of the mistress."

  Although the voice was small, Mrs. Liu still heard it, she frowned and didn't say a few words to Cuiping, looked out of the window, and saw that the jade orchid tree in the courtyard was budding, adding a touch of spring to the quiet courtyard.

  When she was pregnant, she still tightly grasped her husband and wouldn't let go. No family has such rules, but Master actually never looked for anyone else again. Now that Su Ying is out of confinement, there's even less intention to push Fu Ye away.

  Madam Liu was also very clear that it was just to please Su Ying, but she didn't budge. She had no way out, and even if she had grievances, what could she do? After all, the other woman was the legitimate wife.

  Moreover, I myself want to find Fu Yiyang to vent my grievances. But that also depends on whether I can see the old master or not.

  "I still have to finish this little dress," said Madame Liu, coming back to herself and glancing at the small dress she had casually put aside. After a moment's thought, she said to Cui Ping: "Go take another look, I keep feeling that something is not quite right about this."

  Yesterday, Su Ying went to Yunruo Temple to burn incense and got sick after returning. Mrs. Liu naturally heard the news, but it was hard for her to find out more about it.

  Cui Ping hadn't even left the courtyard when she saw Yongping hurrying along, leading a doctor and a medicine boy carrying a medical box on his back towards the main house, urging them to hurry.

  Cui Ping didn't even bother to look at the doorkeeper's wives' gaze. She quickly went to pass on the message to Liu Niang. "I heard that it seems Master is ill. Yongping is in a hurry. Should we go take a look, Niang? The eldest mistress is also ill. How can there be no one in charge?"

  Liu Yiniang's heart was moved by Cuiping's words, and she tightened her grip. After all, she was still the aunt of the Hou Mansion. Madame wanted to find fault with her but couldn't, so she stood up supporting Cuiping's hand. With a worried expression on her face: "Let's go, we'll head to the main courtyard."

  Main Hall

  Yongping's mouth was covered in blisters, "The old master had coughed up a mouthful of blood earlier, and ordered the servants not to call for a doctor, also telling them to keep it from the mistress. Mistress, look at this!"

  Su Ying subconsciously furrowed her brow, and when she thought about why Fu Yeyang had vomited blood, a faint smile appeared in her heart. She had originally thought that he had really become numb to joy and sorrow. How could these compare to the pain she had endured yesterday when her life was hanging by a thread? Anyway, now that she and Fu Yeyang had already talked things through, his current state was entirely self-inflicted.

  "Doctor, how is it?" Su Ying ignored Yongping and asked the doctor directly.

  The doctor was about to put away his medical bag when Su Ying frowned impatiently and said, "Just say it."

  The doctor's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused, and he swallowed the professional term that had reached his lips. He took a deep breath and said: "Your Excellency has suffered a great shock, which is why you vomited blood and fainted. You need to rest quietly, and for this period of time, it's essential to avoid excessive emotional fluctuations."

  The people around let out a sigh of relief. Su Ying pursed her lips, "Yongping, take the doctor to write a prescription, and give him a good reward."

  Mint Black came in with a gloomy face and said, "Mrs. Liu has arrived."

  Su Ying was slightly stunned, her face didn't show any joy or anger, she thought that Mrs. Bo would invite Liu Yiniang in, but instead heard her say: "Let her not come over to make trouble."

  The mint leaves rustled in response.

  "Auntie's concern for Master is understandable, but because of Master's situation, Madame is also worried. It's really not convenient to entertain Auntie right now, so it's better if Auntie goes back." Mint thought to herself, as soon as Master fell ill, Willow Auntie knew about it and hurried over, saying something about there being no one in charge, isn't this looking down on Madame?

  Mint is not very good at this and doesn't have a good expression when speaking out.

  Madam Liu's expression stiffened, and then a worried look appeared on her face: "I'm also thinking of the old master, how did he get sick all of a sudden? What did the doctor say? Even if I couldn't see the old master, I should at least be able to know about his condition, so that I can put my mind at ease."

  Madam Liu's words were like a slap in the face, what was meant by "good and proper" had turned into illness. Her face twisted as she forced out a smile: "The doctor is inside examining Master, he just said that Master needs to rest quietly."

  Mint also intentionally or unintentionally slightly emphasized the word "quiet".

  Madam Liu originally thought she could still show off in front of Fu Yeyang while taking advantage of the old master's illness, but unexpectedly, she couldn't even see him. Now, she was being bossed around by a maid in front of Su Ying, which was an unprecedented treatment for her.

  Su Ying had not treated her concubines unfairly in terms of money and shares, even when Wei Niang was confined to the south courtyard, her share remained the same as before. Liu Niang did not make any big mistakes, but she had many small ones, yet Su Ying did not deduct from her share, and now Liu's courtyard was still being managed by her. Even though the incident with Li Yue had occurred in the past, Su Ying only symbolically scolded Liu Niang a few times before letting the matter pass lightly.

  Madam Liu could only hold back, gritting her teeth and saying: "The mistress is ill, and her energy is probably insufficient. Although I am just a concubine in the mansion, I can still lend a hand. Moreover, if I don't see Master with my own eyes, I won't be at ease..." As she spoke, Madam Liu's tears fell out.

  Mint saw that she was determined to go in. Embarrassed by Mrs. Liu's identity, it wasn't good to say anything more. At this time, Baiju came out and, wiping away Mrs. Liu's tears, said with a forced smile: "Auntie, please stop crying, our mistress is inviting you inside."

  Madam Liu didn't feel particularly delighted. On the contrary, she was made anxious by this rejection and welcome, and it wasn't until Cui Ping supported her from behind that Madam Liu came back to herself: "Let's go."

  Mint frowned and pulled Bai Zhi's arm as they entered the house. Lowering her voice, she asked, "What's going on?"

  Bai Qi glanced at the back of Liu Niang and smiled: "Madam said that if she wants to come and serve, let her come. I think she can't do any good either." Bai Qi added another sentence: "Madam also said that later on, whatever she wants to do, don't stop her or persuade her."

  Isn't it just about showing off? How can you not give others this opportunity?

  Mint slightly pouted, thought for a moment, and then smiled somewhat satisfactorily.

  Madam Liu hadn't been to the main house for some time. Ever since Su Ying stopped paying her respects, she had been exempt from doing so. Later on, Madam Liu took charge of the courtyard and it wasn't convenient for her to always go to the main house to take care of household matters.

  As soon as she entered the house, Mrs. Liu's eyes scanned the furnishings in the room. Her hands clenched into fists in her sleeves, comparing them to those in Zhengyuan last year. It was like a snow cave. In previous years, she had envied the luxurious decorations in Mrs. Wei's house in Nanyuan, but now, after comparing them with those of the mistress, it was clear which ones were superior.

  Liu Yiniang's heart, which had just been lifted, sank back into the Huanglian soup as soon as she saw Su Ying. She hastily paid her respects, and Su Ying waved her hand: "Go take care of Master inside." Not even a word of polite conversation was exchanged.

  Su Ying's uneasy expression made Liu Niang stiffen, she raised her head to look at Su Ying, seeing that although her face was pale, it didn't seem like she was bedridden with a serious illness. After glancing at the gauze wrapped around Su Ying's hand, she opened her mouth and changed what she was going to say to: "Thank you for your concern, Madame."

  Su Ying raised an eyebrow. This was originally what Liu Niang herself had asked for, so why did it become that she was being generous and considerate of her now?

  When Madame Liu entered, Gui's expression turned disapproving as she looked at Su Ying, "Madam, why must you do this?"

  Su Ying didn't know how much of her conversation with Fu Ye Yang was overheard by Gui Ya, anyway she just didn't feel like continuing to act as the legitimate wife anymore. She said lightly: "It can be blocked for a while, but it can't be blocked forever, let her go."

  Just then, Cui Zhu ran over and said: "Wen Jie has a fever."

  "Old Mrs. Guan jumped in fright, 'What are you still standing there for? Has the doctor been called or not?'"

  "Let Grandma Sun go and take a look first, if there's anything that needs to be done, she'll come back and tell me." If it weren't for this, Su Ying would have really forgotten about one thing. She didn't have the mood to play with mice now, whoever made her unhappy, she would really go and squeeze that person to death.

  Gu Yan looked at Su Ying with a worried face, seeing her pale complexion, the words that were about to be spoken were swallowed back, and she sighed in her heart, ordering someone to hurry up and invite the doctor.

  Su Ying saw it and knew what Gui was worried about, suddenly felt a little sad, sighed: "Gui, I let Liu's family raise Yuanyu, how is that?"

  "Madam, how could you have such an idea? It's only proper for the concubine and her children to be raised in front of their legitimate mother."

  "What rules?" Su Ying sneered, rules are meant to be broken. Her thoughts turned around in circles, and she said nonsensically to Gui Yatou, "Trouble you to keep an eye on things, I'm still ill and can't exert myself. I'll go rest first and wait until my spirit is restored before going to beat the snake."

  Then she called Mint again, Mint was not as seriously injured as Aloe, originally Su Ying had agreed to let them go and rest, with gauze still wrapped around their heads, Aloe was driven away to rest, but Mint insisted on running out.

  Fu Yiyang was resting in the inner room, Liu Yiniang was serving him, Su Ying was too lazy to go over and took Baohe to Fulu's twins' room.

  Fu Lu Shuang's house still belongs to the main house, originally prepared for the east wing.

  It's called a wing room, but it's actually a small courtyard with a layout of one bright and two dark rooms. There are three main rooms and two side rooms, connected to Su Ying's main house by a moon gate. This wing room was set up early on and even had glass windows installed.

  When the twins were born, Su Ying couldn't bear to let them be carried by their wet nurse every day between the wing room and the main house, suffering from the cold. She specially separated two rooms in the front yard, connected them together for the twins as a living room. When they grew up a bit more, they would move to the wing room to live.

  Anyway, the main house has many rooms, with a front porch and a back wing, and behind it there is also a covered house. Not counting the ear room, there are over ten houses. In the early years, Old Master Hou and Madame Fu lived here. At that time, it was built in a grand and luxurious style, but later when Fu Yeyang and Su Ying got married and moved in, it gradually became more elegant.

  It's still burning with the dragon, and the house is warm and cozy. Su Ying lay on the warm bed, staring at Bo He: "What are you running around for? Do you want to heal the wound on your forehead?" If something goes wrong, there will be no place to cry.

  Mint pressed her forehead and said, "Madam, isn't it strange? Yesterday at the Cloud Temple, when Chen Erguniang came to visit you, she saw the injury on your hand and gave me and Lü Hua a bottle of ointment, saying it was for removing scars and bruises without leaving any marks. But she didn't even understand how you were injured in the first place, yet she recklessly gave us a bottle of medicine."

  At that time, Su Ying was 'frightened beyond measure'. However, she knew about this matter. The bottle of medicine is still in Su Ying's hands now.

  Su Ying opened the bottle cap. Immediately, a faint and elegant fragrance wafted out, making people feel comfortable just by smelling it. Just this kind of fragrance would make people think that what's inside the bottle is not an ordinary thing.

  Su Ying thought, this is probably what Chen Wanqiu did with things in her space. She really doesn't mind spending money.

  Mint frowned and said, "It's fine, but today she sent someone to deliver some medicinal cream, including shares for me and Lü Hu. I had Sun Mama take a look, and Sun Mama said that Chen Erniang gave us good stuff. I applied it to my forehead and felt refreshed and cool, so it shouldn't leave any scars. But somehow, I feel that Chen Erniang is too..."

  "Too enthusiastic, right?" Su Ying picked up her words, and Mint nodded vigorously.

  Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Su Ying saw Bo He frowning and smiled: "Since it's a good thing, if someone gave it to you, then you and Lu Hui can use it, and when I return the gift someday, that will be thanks enough."

  Zisu carried in a small tray with red lacquer and gold-painted haitang flowers, "Madam, it's time to take your medicine."

  Su Ying looked at the dark medicine in the blue and white porcelain bowl with a disgusted frown, letting Zi Su put down the bowl, and casually asked: "How is it outside?"

  Zi Su thought for a moment and replied, "The old master has not woken up yet. The doctor has written a prescription, and Madame Liu personally went to the small kitchen to decoct medicine for him. As for Miss Wen's place, Granny Sun went to take a look and said that she might have caught a cold. Since spring began, it's not the first time Miss Wen has fallen ill, so madam doesn't need to worry too much."

  Mint hummed from her nose: "It's probably because she has always been lenient with the mistress, so she dares to do things that she didn't dare to do before. Just now, I heard her say that the master's illness was also blamed on the mistress."

  "Oh." Su Ying nodded, and Liu Yiniang thought that since she wanted to take care of Fu Yeyang personally, she might as well let her do everything in person, "Whatever she wants to do, don't stop her."

  He then said to the hesitant Mint: "You also go back and rest."

  Zi Su stared at the medicine bowl, Su Ying choked back a sob. Under the gaze of Zi Su and Bo He's eyes, she managed to finish only half the bowl. "Alright, you can all go down now."

  Zisu put away the medicine bowl and exchanged a glance with Tonghao. Both of them saw the worry in each other's eyes, but Su Ying closed her eyes again, thinking that it was just the mistress who was ill and not feeling well. She retreated, and Tonghao called Xiaoying to guard outside the screen again.

  The main house is another style.

  The maids in the main house had all received instructions, and whenever Madame Liu asked for something, there was no one who didn't respond. When Madame Liu personally took care of Fu Yiyang, they all advised her a few words, such as "Such rough work is still done by slaves, how can you stoop to do such things?" After Madame Liu said it was okay, they all stepped down and started doing their own things.

  Cuiping also followed Liu Niang busy back and forth, but even if she felt something was wrong, she couldn't say it. The people in the main courtyard didn't treat her coldly or with contempt, and even when she went to the small kitchen, a maid gave her two steamed buns.

  The fried dough was golden yellow, with a layer of white sesame seeds on top. The bean paste filling inside was still visible. Cuiping swallowed her saliva, and didn't dare to eat in front of others. She waited until she turned around and found a secluded spot, then pinched one and sent it into her mouth. When she returned to Mrs. Liu, she acted as if nothing had happened.

  Madam Liu was uncertain, so she sent Cui Ping to find out what Su Ying was doing. Cui Ping didn't dare get too close to Madam Liu, and only slightly lowered her head and spoke in a low voice: "Earlier when I went to the kitchen, I saw that another stove was simmering medicine, probably for the mistress, and Zi Su carried it over to the west wing."

  "Maybe Madam has let you take care of Master, and perhaps she's also relaxed her guard." Seeing that Aunt Liu was uneasy, Cuiping carefully came up with this sentence to comfort her.

  "If it were really like this, it would be great."

  Liu Yiniang couldn't figure out Su Ying's attitude, so she could only take care of the previous things first and wait for Master to wake up. He wouldn't wipe out all her hard work, would he?

  Fu Yiyang was dazed and given medicine, then fell into a deep sleep.

  Dazed and confused, as if returning home from outside, I lifted my head to see the peach blossoms in full bloom in the courtyard, so I stopped to take a look. Just thinking about whether to pick two branches for my wife.

  Just then, Yongping came running over from the other side with a crying face. Fu Yeyang was about to call out to him and tell him to go welcome the spring flowers, but Yongping ran straight past him. Fu Yeyang felt displeased in his heart. Just as he was about to open his mouth to scold Yongping, he heard Yongping thud to the ground with a cry: "Master, Madam is gone!"

  Fu Yiyang was furious in his heart. The madam is still alive and well, how dare this dog slave curse the master, he really deserves to be beaten!

  Before Fu Yiyang could scold, a woman in a pink dress with a high collar and a long skirt floated over. "Please accept my condolences, sir. The mistress's body has not been well since giving birth to the young one. She finally couldn't hold on any longer. I'm also very sad. Now that I see you, sir, my mistress and the eldest daughter can rest easy."

  Wei Shi!

  Fu Yiyang felt that the pink was piercing his eyes, turned around and went to the main courtyard, even the glass lanterns originally hung outside the gate had been replaced with white lanterns. The yard was filled with white silk, and all the servants were wearing plain hemp clothes. Cries echoed everywhere.

  "Madam, open your eyes, the master has returned!" Fu Yeyang took a closer look and it was Gu Yiniang. Could it be that his wife, with whom he had shared joys and sorrows in raising their children, had truly passed away?!

  For a moment, Fu Yiyang thought it was just a nightmare, his wife was still alive! Fu Yiyang had some crazy thoughts to go into the house and take a look, but he couldn't move his feet, staring blankly as another himself, Wei Shi, wearing a pink cheongsam, walked into the courtyard with no expression.

  Fu Yiyang woke up from his dream, feeling a sharp pain like being pricked by a needle. His eyes were so painful that he couldn't open them, and his hand was clenched tightly on the quilt, with blue veins bulging out.

  Liu Yiniang was also keeping watch in front of the bed and hadn't fallen into a deep sleep. She woke up as soon as she heard the sound, and seeing Fu Yeyang like this, she thought he was being haunted by evil spirits. She hurried to the bedside and softly said: "Master? Master, wake up."

  Just then, a maid who was keeping watch came in and lit the lamp. Fu Yeyang endured the pain and opened his eyes to see that Liu Niang wore a pink cloud-patterned embroidered jacket with floral designs, which pained his eyes. Before he could speak, he rebuked her: "You unruly slave!"

  Liu Yiniang was stunned, Fu Yiyang propped up his forehead and sat up from the bed, "Where's my wife?"

  For a moment, no one responded, and Fu Yiyang felt like he had fallen into an ice cellar. He was startled by the thing he had dreamed about and for a moment couldn't tell what was real or fake. Suddenly, he pounded on the bed and couldn't help but ask again: "Where's my wife?"

  "Madam is ill and afraid of disturbing Master in his convalescence, so she has gone to rest in the west wing." Bai Zhi replied with a bold tone.

  "Are you ill?" Fu Yeyang used his hand to press against his temples, trying to alleviate the lingering pain.

  Liu Yiniang was just knocked to the ground by Fu Yeyang's words and a wave of his hand, Cui Ping quickly reached out to help her up, wanting to comfort her with a few words, but now is not the right time.

  Waiting for Yaya to call the madam, Cuiping whispered: "The slave saw that the old master was just having a nightmare earlier, and what he said can't be counted. The aunt doesn't have to take it to heart. Besides, tonight is all about the aunt guarding in front, when the old master finds out, even if there's no merit, he will remember the aunt's hard work."

  Liu Yiniang protected her scraped arm and smiled bitterly, but she didn't feel much better because of Cuiping's words of comfort.

  Su Ying was called up by Zi Su, and she hastily put on her clothes without even tying the belt of her cloak properly. With her hair disheveled, she was led to Fu Ye Yang's presence.

  Su Ying originally thought that Fu Yiyang shouldn't have reacted like this, according to his self-esteem, he should be the one who doesn't want to see her, so why is he acting like a child who gets comforted by his mother after being scared by thunder?

  Without thinking much, Fu Yiyang raised his hand and pulled Su Ying onto the bed to sit down, stretched out his arm to hold her around, and couldn't see anyone else in his eyes.

  The maids in the house who had a discerning eye quietly retreated, Madame Liu opened her mouth unwillingly, but for some reason she thought of what Fu Yiyang said when he woke up and saw her earlier, "A servant without rules", her heart was bitter and astringent, she lowered her head with tears in her eyes, and still retreated.

  Su Ying was held by Fu Yeyang and felt uncomfortable, moving slightly: "What's wrong with you?"

  Fu Yiyang gazed at her quietly and unexpectedly said: "I dreamed that you died."

  Su Ying: "......" Damn it, every day I think about it at night and dream about it, scumbag!

  ps：

  [Happy spinning around] Thank you for finding Yu Qing's reward ~~ I don't know what to say qwq.

  Also thank you ~ sweet ~ little shoes' reward, as well as little shoes' pink votes, recommendation votes and update votes.

  *bows repeatedly* (○^～^○)