The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1532 - 1529: Fallen Ill

Back in the courtyard, Wang Yongzhu finished washing and sent the maids who were serving her away.

Lying on the heated brick bed, she closed her eyes, and began to recall every move and action of Lady Gao just now, as well as some of her past words and deeds.

Previously, she didn’t pay much attention and didn’t even notice it.

Now that suspicion arose, upon careful contemplation, she indeed discovered many incongruities.

Especially today’s behavior, it truly went against Lady Gao’s usual image.

At this moment, Wang Yongzhu was still unaware of Song Hong’s overthinking, believing that Lady Gao took his coaxing words seriously, genuinely intending to treat Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu as her own son and daughter-in-law, to rely on in old age.

One by one, she analyzed it in her mind.

Initially, when returning to the Song Family, Lady Gao’s attitude, although gentle and generous, didn’t hold any special regard for Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu.

When did Lady Gao’s attitude change, showing goodwill towards Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu?

It was after Wang Yongzhu hit Lady Wang, the youngest daughter of Duke Qiguo.

At that time, Wang Yongzhu thought that Lady Gao supported her because her actions, together with Old Granny Zhang, did not tarnish the reputation of Duke Weiguo, thereby disciplining Lady Wang.

But now thinking back, it was more than just that.

Leaving aside the small matters that followed, Lady Gao’s obvious stance happened when Song Chongjin and herself were about to be assigned to Chicheng County.

She even inserted her own people among the guards Song Hong had chosen.

At that time, it felt strange; Lady Gao, known for her gentle compliance towards Song Hong, shouldn’t have left such a plan.

Now thinking about it, how many people like Song Xiaoyin among the four brothers are there within Song Hong’s personal guards?

Does Lady Gao, as seen by everyone, really love Song Hong by being gentle and compliant in everything, without any opinions of her own?

Sure enough, today’s behavior of Song Hong seemed very normal to Wang Yongzhu.

In everyone’s eyes, Wang Yongzhu was tied with the Imperial Noble Consort and was already abandoned.

Any family head making the decision to discard such a daughter-in-law and save the entire family could not be blamed.

Lady Gao, as the head lady of the mansion, acting in such a manner is puzzling—if Song Chongjin were her own son, a mother’s reasonable fight for her own son would, of course, be undeniable.

Of course, most head ladies, in the long run, would agree.

After all, if a daughter-in-law is lost, a new one can be found, but losing a son to implicating matters cannot be accepted!

Yet, Lady Gao acted as if Wang Yongzhu was her own daughter, only caring for her, apparently putting the Song Family and Song Chongjin as secondary.

Or rather, Lady Gao seems to bind Wang Yongzhu, the Song Family, and the entire Duke’s Mansion tightly together.

When unusual events occur, there must be something suspicious!

Wang Yongzhu pondered for half a day but still couldn’t fathom why Lady Gao acted in such a way.

Outside, the watches had already struck the third geng of the night, and Wang Yongzhu couldn’t care to think any further.

No matter what Lady Gao’s intentions were, there would be a day when they were revealed.

She decided to conserve her energy, as she would need to go to the palace tomorrow, which was the real responsibility.

Early the next day, after having breakfast in her courtyard, Wang Yongzhu ordered a carriage to go to the palace.

Before long, the maid reported that the carriage was ready.

Wang Yongzhu went to the main courtyard, as she ought to inform Lady Gao.

Upon reaching the main courtyard, she had the maid announce her arrival. Shortly after, Lady Gao’s personal maid hurriedly came out.

Apologizing to Wang Yongzhu, she said Lady Gao was so enraged last night that she developed a fever by nightfall, summoned the Imperial Physician in the middle of the night, and received medication.

The fever had only subsided, and she was in a deep sleep.

Wang Yongzhu was stunned, turned her head, and asked the maid beside her, "Why didn’t you call me when Madam fell ill last night?"

The serving maid quickly knelt and said, "Mistress, seeing the Wife of the Heir-Apparent sleeping soundly, I didn’t—"

Wang Yongzhu interrupted her, "You didn’t wake me when I was asleep last night, but why didn’t you tell me this morning?"

The maid trembled, kneeling on the ground, unable to speak.

Lady Gao’s close maid hurriedly smiled and said, "Please don’t blame the Wife of the Heir-Apparent; it was Madam’s instruction last night, saying it is of utmost importance for the Wife of the Heir-Apparent to accompany the esteemed Imperial Noble Consort in the palace. We have the Imperial Physician and us to serve here, so no need to worry."

Wang Yongzhu contemplated for a moment: "Then let me look in on Madam to ease my worries."

The personal maid hesitated but met Wang Yongzhu’s dark gaze and finally agreed.

Entering the room, the scent of medicine wafted over.

First, Wang Yongzhu warmed herself at the incense burner before heading inside.

On the heated bed inside, Lady Gao was wrapped in an apricot red damask quilt sleeping soundly; her complexion indeed didn’t look good.

Wang Yongzhu approached, looked, and took Lady Gao’s hand from under the quilt, feeling her pulse for a while—it was indeed a fever.

However, it wasn’t due to anger attacking the mind; rather, it seemed like the suppressed inner heat was released yesterday, causing the fever.

This release of inner heat, although alarming, was actually beneficial.

After taking medicine, the fever subsided and recovering over the next few days will bring improvement.

Wang Yongzhu calmly lowered her eyelids and tucked Lady Gao’s hand back under the quilt.

She then rose and went outside, quietly saying, "I checked Madam’s pulse, and it’s fairly stable. Let me see the prescription from the Imperial Physician, and also bring me the medicine."

The personal maid had no choice but to bring out the prescription and also a bowl of the medicine brewed outside.

Wang Yongzhu took the prescription, examined it, and found that the prescription given by the Imperial Physician was indeed appropriate.

She then took the medicine, tasted it, and found nothing unusual.

About to speak, they heard someone outside saying that the Third and Fourth Miss had come to tend to the illness.

Wang Yongzhu glanced at the personal maid, who quickly said, "Please invite the two young ladies in."

Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu entered hand in hand, hurriedly greeting Wang Yongzhu.

After exchanging greetings and inquiring about Lady Gao’s condition,

Wang Yongzhu saw that time was pressing and couldn’t delay further, so she got up and instructed Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu, "In principle, I should attend to Madam during her illness, but the summons from the Imperial Noble Consort in the palace is important and shouldn’t be delayed. I must ask the two Misses to fulfill my filial duty on my behalf—"

Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu were just worried about not having a chance to show themselves favorably in front of Wang Yongzhu. Hearing this, they nearly swore an oath to heaven: "With the Consort’s summoning from the palace, how can there be any delay? Sister-in-law, please rest assured, you can leave this to us sisters!"

Wang Yongzhu smiled and nodded, "If that’s the case, then I am relieved. I’ve seen the prescription for Madam, and the medicine tasted as appropriate; you just need to ensure Madam takes it on time. If Madam wakes up, please convey my apologies!"

Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu nodded repeatedly, assuring Wang Yongzhu to leave without worry.

After making the necessary gestures, Wang Yongzhu left through the second entrance, where a carriage awaited.

Although Song Hong had threatened to divorce Wang Yongzhu the previous day, only a few were aware, and with the palace involved, Song Hong had no choice but to endure for the time being.

Thus, the household perceived the Wife of the Heir-Apparent as being highly favored in the palace and were eager to curry favor, preparing the carriage and horses early on.

The prepared carriage was laid with fur cushions, a charcoal brazier, and warm tea and snacks, all well-prepared with care.