When Shen Lianxin rushed over, Xiao Huanyu was still delirious, burning with a high fever, unable to take even a drop of medicine.
"He can’t keep any medicine down, and we can barely manage to feed him two mouthfuls of water. It’s been an entire night; this can’t go on," sighed Mother Xu of the Marquis Manor.
At first, she hadn’t dared to disturb Madam She, but since Shen Lianxin had left for the Shen Residence without giving any instructions, she, as a servant, had no authority to make decisions. It was only after daybreak that she finally dared to send someone to invite Madam She.
She had spent the entire night diligently tending to the boy, but as soon as Shen Lianxin returned and before she could even report on Xiao Huanyu’s condition, she was slapped across the face.
"You incompetent fool! How have you been looking after him? If Huanyu doesn’t wake up, how many lives would it take to pay for him!"
Shen Lianxin’s eyes blazed with fury as she glared at the child on the bed. Her delicate brows knit together. "Where is the medicine?"
The maid, Cui Liu, hurriedly handed it over. "In reply to Third Young Mistress, the medicine has been kept warm, but we haven't been able to feed it to him..."
"That’s just your incompetence! Since he’s burned to this state, you naturally should have found a way!" Shen Lianxin ranted before grabbing the spoon to feed him herself with great care.
She managed to get the medicine in, but Xiao Huanyu’s body was weak, and he suddenly gagged, vomiting the medicine all over her.
"Ah!"
Her sharp shriek startled Aunt Mei, who had just entered the room. Madam She, who had just taken a seat, also furrowed her brows.
Shen Feiwan was the last to walk in. She raised her eyebrows slightly. Shen Lianxin only knew that Xiao Huanyu liked martial arts and mistakenly assumed he was sturdy. In reality, Xiao Huanyu suffered from an inherent constitutional weakness from birth; he was not suited for martial arts at all. In her previous life, she had poured her heart and soul into seeking out doctors everywhere to bolster his health, feeding him bowl after bowl of tonic medicine by coaxing him spoonful by spoonful. Only Shen Feiwan knew the toil that had cost her.
Hearing the shrill, unreasonable shouting from Shen Lianxin inside, Madam She’s frown deepened. "She is either too young or completely lacking in common sense! The child is ill, yet what good does all this shouting at the servants do?"
"You there, go in and pull her out. Send two senior managing nurses in to take care of him. Find a way to get the medicine into him, no matter what; if they can't feed him, they must find another way."
Only then did Shen Lianxin realize that Madam She and the aunts had arrived. Her face fell, and she began to sob, "Mother, I have tried everything, but he simply won’t take the medicine. What am I to do?"
Madam She’s expression turned cold. Aunt Mei immediately stepped in, "Taking care of a child requires extreme meticulousness; illnesses don't just appear out of nowhere. Before Third Young Mistress returned to her maiden home, did you not think to settle the children properly?"
With that, the blame shifted to Shen Lianxin’s irresponsibility. Shen Lianxin bit her lip and glanced at Xiao Aoshi, but he stood there stone-faced, not saying a word to help her. Unable to cry and unable to vent her rage, her eyes turned red with fury.
She then looked to the side of Shen Feiwan. Xiao Zhizhi and Xiao Yanran were being looked after beautifully by Mother Meng and two maids. They were dressed in new outfits made of high-quality cloud brocade, which made the children’s skin look fair and jade-like, exuding a clever, lovable air.
As they spoke, the two nurses came out to report that they had used candied fruit to coax Xiao Huanyu into taking the medicine. Madam She nodded, her expression softening slightly. She looked at Shen Lianxin’s aggrieved face. "If it weren't for your aunt’s foolish kindness, Aoshi wouldn't have taken you back to the Shen Residence, and Huanyu wouldn't be this ill today!"
"Since you chose to adopt them, you must fulfill the duties of a mother!"
These words were heavy. The atmosphere in the room felt oppressive. Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhizhi pondered for a moment, then looked toward Shen Feiwan, as if seeking her approval. This child had always been cautious.
Shen Feiwan reached out and gently stroked her hair, giving Xiao Zhizhi a nod of consent. The first thing she taught her children was to trust one another unconditionally; if she wanted the children to trust her, she had to lead by example. She trusted that Xiao Zhizhi wouldn't act without purpose. As soon as Shen Feiwan relaxed her hand, Xiao Zhizhi stepped back and circled from behind the maids to Madam She’s side.
With her small hands, she picked up a teacup from the table. "Grandmother, what kind of tea are you drinking today? It smells wonderful. Zhizhi is a little thirsty, I wonder, could I trouble Grandmother for a cup?"
The remark drew Madam She’s attention. So many people knew she was angry with Shen Lianxin, yet no one dared to speak, not even Xiao Aoshi. Yet, the eldest daughter raised by Shen Feiwan...
Madam She observed her well-behaved demeanor. How had this girl suddenly become so much more gentle and graceful than the day she was formally recognized in the hall only two days ago? When she looked at Shen Feiwan again, there was a hint of approval in her eyes. Compared to Shen Lianxin’s carelessness, Shen Feiwan was at least reassuring. If only Xiao Huanyu had a foster mother like this, he wouldn't have to suffer so much!
In truth, everyone knew why Madam She was angry. Firstly, she cared about the health of her adopted grandson; having just been brought into the Marquis Manor, he had suddenly fallen deathly ill, which, if word got out, would damage the manor's reputation. Secondly, she wanted to teach Shen Lianxin a lesson so she wouldn't cause bigger trouble later. Had it been the former Shen Feiwan, she would have sensed Madam She’s true intentions, rather than standing there like a wooden chicken, as Shen Lianxin was now.
Madam She didn't speak but nodded slowly. The aunts nearby also smiled, and the atmosphere finally eased. They all found Xiao Zhizhi quite adorable.
But then, Xiao Zhizhi knit her brows. "Grandmother, this tea is so hot!"
Everyone looked over, their first instinct being that Xiao Zhizhi was throwing a tantrum.
"Grandmother, would you help Zhizhi taste it, to see if it’s too hot?" Xiao Zhizhi held the teacup steadily and offered it to Madam She.
In that instant, a smile gradually appeared on Madam She’s face.
"You child, are you trying to find a roundabout way to silence me?" Yet, she took the cup and sipped it carefully.
Standing to the side, Xiao Zhizhi smiled and said, "This Xiaojiancui tea is the best for calming fire and clearing the mind. If Grandmother drinks more, it will be better for your health."
"You even understand tea?" Madam She was surprised. "Did you learn this before?"
Usually, a seven or eight-year-old girl would have no interest in tea! Even when forced to do needlework, they would usually complain about being tired. But Xiao Zhizhi’s manner did not seem feigned at all.
"Mother asked Mother Meng to teach my sister and me," Zhizhi said, and with great perceptiveness, she took the teacup from Madam She’s hand and gave a slight nod to the maid nearby, signaling her to refill it with fresh tea.
This gesture made Madam She feel very comforted. Just then, the nurse inside came out to report, "Madam, Young Master Huanyu has woken up."
Madam She nodded. Looking over, she saw that Xiao Zhizhi had already returned quietly to Shen Feiwan’s right side.
"This child is very thoughtful and sensible. Feiwan, you have done very well," Madam She said, rising to look outside. "The end of the year is approaching; I wonder how the business at the fabric shop is faring."
"If Mother has time, I could accompany you to check on it now?" Shen Feiwan replied, stepping forward to gently support Madam She. She held her with a light, steady touch that felt intimate without causing any discomfort.
Being so sensible and measured, Madam She was very pleased. Seeing the two of them leave, Aunt Mei took charge and dismissed the others.
Once the aunts had gone, Shen Lianxin still couldn't swallow her frustration. As she turned back, she saw Xiao Aoshi hiding at the very end. A surge of anger rose in her heart, and she rushed over to grab Xiao Aoshi by the ear. "Where did you run off to just now!"