The first watch, asking for pink.

*******

Lady Gu hugged Lian Huahua and cried bitterly. The mother and daughter had not seen each other for a long time and wanted to send away the servants of the Song Family to have a private chat. However, Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong, who were attending Lian Huahua, refused to leave, saying it was the order of Old Madam Song and Song Hailong that Lian Huahua, being ill, must not be left unattended at any moment.

Lady Gu had no choice but to speak with restraint in the presence of the servants.

Lady Gu first asked why Lian Huahua had ended up in this state. Lian Huahua gave Aunt Sun a furtive glance and then shook her head, saying she did not know. It was Aunt Sun who informed Lady Gu that after Lian Shouren was imprisoned in Taicang, Lian Huahua became agitated, suffering insomnia and irregular menstruation. Aunt Sun said that Old Madam Song and Song Hailong had already summoned an excellent Imperial Physician to check Lian Huahua’s pulse, who stated that there was nothing seriously wrong with her. As long as she opened her mind and recuperated well, she would gradually recover.

In a word, Lian Huahua mainly had a heart ailment, which led to her current state.

Lady Gu was filled with suspicion, but she also knew that with Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong around, there were certain matters she and Lian Huahua could not discuss in detail. Therefore, she suggested staying to accompany Lian Huahua for some days, which would help in treating Lian Huahua’s heart disease. Her initial intention was to rely on Lian Huahua for a living. Now, seeing Lian Huahua’s condition, she wanted even more to stay by her side to help Lian Huahua secure a foothold in the Song Family.

Lian Huahua naturally agreed.

The mother and daughter had not spoken much before a servant came to deliver a message, saying that Old Madam Song invited Lady Gu over for a talk. Lian Huahua stood up to escort Lady Gu out of the room, but Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong stopped her, stating the Imperial Physician’s advice that Lian Huahua should not leave the room.

The mother and daughter had no choice but to bid farewell inside the room. Lian Huahua quickly whispered something into Lady Gu’s ear.

Lian Huahua suspected that the people of the Song Family intended to kill her and asked Lady Gu to save her.

Lady Gu was frightened and torn, and on her way to meet Old Madam Song, she thought about how to speak to her to be allowed to stay and look after Lian Huahua. However, once she met Old Madam Song, she was not given the chance to speak.

Old Madam Song, as soon as she started talking, inquired about Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou and casually conversed with Lady Gu, saying filial piety comes first among all virtues. Old Madam Song also mentioned that when Shouxin Family visited, they spoke highly of Lady Gu’s filial devotion to her parents-in-law. Old Madam Song expressed her deep respect for Lady Gu’s thoughtful care of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

Then, Old Madam Song casually shifted the conversation and asked Lady Gu if she had come to the county with the permission of Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou.

As she asked this question, Old Madam Song’s gaze meaningfully lingered on the clothes worn by Lady Gu and Lian Duo.

Even in ordinary families, no matter how poor or downcast, when visiting relatives, one would dress decently, even if by borrowing clothing. But Lady Gu and Lian Duo looked too disheveled. Though Old Madam Song said nothing, her gaze implied that she believed Lady Gu and Lian Duo had come to the county without permission.

Under such scrutiny from Old Madam Song, even Lady Gu felt a bit guilty when lying.

But Old Madam Song did not expose Lady Gu’s lie. Instead, she instructed someone to bring out silver and other gifts for the Lian Family, stating she deeply appreciated Lady Gu’s visit to the city. She mentioned her health was not good enough to chat more with Lady Gu. She also believed that the Lian Family could not do without Lady Gu, so she dared not detain her any longer, asking her only to convey her regards to Old Master Lian and Lady Zhou and then had someone present the items to Lady Gu.

Though Lady Gu was initially outmaneuvered by Old Madam Song, she was not so easily dismissed.

Lady Gu then inquired about Lian Huahua’s illness.

Old Madam Song explained the cause of Lian Huahua’s illness exactly as Aunt Sun had.

"That’s one reason," Old Madam Song said after that, adding, "there’s also a second, which is not for outsiders to know. But since you’ve asked, I’ll speak of it."

Old Madam Song then informed Lady Gu that besides Lian Huahua’s heart ailment, there was another cause involving Yingzi. Apparently, after Yingzi came to the Song Family, there was once a quarrel between her and Lian Huahua.

"... It’s unknown what they argued about, but after that, Huahua’s spirit changed, unlike before. She often had nightmares, claiming someone was demanding her life.... We’ve prayed to gods, offered incense oil countless times, yet it’s ineffective. Later, even after Yingzi left, things remained unchanged. Eventually, dear, you know what happened. Huahua ended up like this."