Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 404: Weathering the Storm Together

"Why are you here? It’s terribly cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill and end up with a headache later. You’ll suffer plenty then."

Mrs. Dong, gentle as a mother and caring as a mother-in-law, cherished her daughters-in-law a lot.

Therefore, Mrs. Feng, grateful for her mother-in-law’s concern, stepped forward to comfort her.

"Mother-in-law, please don’t be upset. I just received news from my family, they say that Grandfather’s family is doing well, and Second Uncle is recovering quite well. It seems that they won’t take long to be out of trouble. Please take care of yourself and don’t worry too much."

"Really?"

The news brought by Mrs. Feng was like a calming pill.

It eased Mrs. Dong’s long-standing worry considerably.

"It’s true, I came over specifically to bring you the news. Also, Ying has been crying a lot these days, probably because he likes to be with you. I hope you don’t mind taking care of him a bit more."

Hearing Mrs. Feng mention her little grandson, Mrs. Dong felt her sadness diminish a little.

So she called for hot water to wash her face and hands.

Then she spoke to Mrs. Feng.

"I can’t help with matters outside, but I can certainly help take care of Ying. Though you’ve finished your confinement period, you still need to take good care of yourself. Having a child isn’t easy, and it often leaves behind small ailments. While you’re young, they might not show, but as you age you’ll feel them. So go back and rest more."

"With me and the nursemaid around for Ying, you need not worry."

With her mother-in-law Mrs. Dong’s mood improved, Mrs. Feng felt at ease.

In fact, Ying was a well-behaved child and rarely cried.

But to cheer up Mrs. Dong, she naturally exaggerated a bit.

Perhaps if she focused fully on caring for her grandson, she wouldn’t dwell so much on the Dong Family matters, feeling sad.

"Alright, thank you for your concern, Mother-in-law. I’ll accompany you to see Ying and then go back to rest."

"Very well, let’s go."

Mrs. Feng supported Mrs. Dong, and the two women got along harmoniously.

Compared to the calm at the Lin Family, Doctor Dou, busy at the Charitable Hall caring for patients, could finally catch his breath.

Since receiving the Emperor’s command, he hadn’t rested at all.

Even at his advanced age, rushing back and forth had exhausted him.

After this, he planned to request retirement from the Emperor.

With Da Wei prospering, the Imperial Hospital now had plenty of talent.

If he continued holding on here, there’d be no opportunity for them to develop.

So it’s better to step down and enjoy the later years of life.

Moreover, in September, his little grandson was already engaged to the Dong Family’s Second Miss, Qiuyue, waiting to marry next year.

By then, he could spend more time at home with his great-grandchildren.

Thinking about the Dong Family, he couldn’t help but sigh twice.

A supposedly good marriage unexpectedly encountered such a mishap in the middle.

Doctor Dou had used all his abilities, constantly tending to the patients.

Terrified any issue might arise.

One reason was for his in-laws, the second due to the Emperor’s orders, and the third was for the innocent lives.

Fortunately, with his excellent skills, the conditions of those 30-plus patients had stabilized over these days.

However, he had thought about it.

If the Dong Family truly were to suffer punishment, he intended to arrange the marriage in advance.

He must ensure the Dong Family woman became part of the Dou Family before then.

This way, the Dong Family could keep some bloodline preserved.

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, someone knocked on the door.

His once-relaxed heart tensed up again; could something else have happened?

He hurriedly called out towards outside.

"Enter."

Seeing the visitor, Doctor Dou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why are you here?"

The person was none other than the disguised and altered Second Madam Mrs. Yun, presently named Lang Kun, acting as a medical officer beside Doctor Dou.

Her eyes were red from exhaustion and her complexion showed fatigue.

But her gaze held a different kind of brightness, as if she had found evidence for the Dong Family’s turnaround.

The reason for her presence here owed much to Feng Jichun.

After leaving the palace, she headed straight for the Dong Family.

Anxious about the Second Master, how could she mind her own safety?

Yet just when she entered the street, she got intercepted by Feng Jichun.

He secretly stopped Second Madam Mrs. Yun and reminded her.

"Second Madam, returning home now is like handing over your future. Instead of being trapped at the residence doing nothing, why not think of a way to save those good people? As long as they don’t die, the Dong Family’s troubles won’t worsen, right?"

Hearing these words, Second Madam Mrs. Yun found them reasonable.

Thus, she handed a box to Feng Jichun, saying to him.

"Please, General, help by delivering this item to the Dong Family’s manor outside the city. My mother-in-law and others are there; with a bit of silver coin on hand, things might be better."

If not for encountering Second Madam Mrs. Yun, Feng Jichun wouldn’t have realized the Dong Family was separated.

But as sentiment was placed here, help was certainly to be given.

Thus he nodded and accepted the box, personally delivering it.

As for Second Madam Mrs. Yun, she quietly hid away.

She lay low until the Holy Emperor ordered Doctor Dou to come forth and treat the good people.

She then seized the chance to slip in and meet Doctor Dou.

The Dou Family and her family shared a deep history.

So when Second Madam Mrs. Yun, disguised, came forward, Doctor Dou decisively had her pose as a medical officer and accompany him to care for the patients.

There’s no denying, without Second Madam’s Golden Needle Skill, these people might not have survived.

As for Feng Jichun, he made haste to the Dong Family’s manor.

He met the Dong Family’s dependent women and children.

Though the Dong Family’s Old Madam was worried, fortunately, Madam Dong had weathered a few storms.

At times like these, she could bear the burden.

So after Feng Jichun gave her the silver notes from Second Madam Mrs. Yun, he quietly left.

Toward her younger sister-in-law’s whereabouts, Madam Dong remained both concerned and hopeful.

She knew well that for the Dong Family to clear their name, the best way was to avoid any fatalities.

With Second Madam’s medical expertise, staying idle at the manor would be pure waste.

Better to personally tend to the patients, perhaps unveiling some truths.

All hopes in her heart were pinned on Second Madam, and Second Madam clearly did not disappoint their hopes.

Her identity was unique, so she always stayed alone in a room.

The other three medical officers accompanying her resided in another room.

They were the direct disciples of Doctor Dou, so no information was leaked.

"Uncle, I found the evidence of their plot against the Dong Family!"