Even though Jiang Yue lived in the side hall of the main quarters, close enough to hear and attend to her at a single call, Fu Rong, claiming she was afraid of straining her voice, had unearthed a silver handbell from somewhere. A single shake of it was the signal for Jiang Yue to come and wait on her.
Seeing her enter, Fu Rong stroked the bell with her fingertips. She casually gestured toward the soup tureen on the table, a careless smile playing on her lips. "It's cold. Go warm it up."
The soup had been taken off the fire barely the time it took to finish two cups of tea, and it was still simmering over a small warmer. It could not possibly grow cold for hours.
For the past two days, Jiang Yue had been trailing behind Fu Rong in the gardens during the day, constantly exposed to the cold wind as they admired the flowers. At night, once everyone in the manor was asleep, she still had to brew soup for Fu Rong.
Preparing this soup was originally Mother Su's job—she would simmer it over a low fire for several hours so it would be ready to serve when Fu Rong woke up. But once the task fell to Jiang Yue, it became a constant torment: whenever Fu Rong felt like eating, Jiang Yue had to wake up at any hour to watch over the stove in the kitchen.
In just two days, Jiang Yue, who was already naturally slender, had grown visibly thinner, looking as though a gust of wind might blow her away.
Jiang Yue knew Fu Rong was deliberately making things difficult for her. She pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and silently reached for the soup tureen.
"You should eat the leftovers in the pot as well. If you want to get pregnant with a frame like yours, you'll need to prepare yourself."
Jiang Yue's heart shuddered, and she was too stunned to react for a long moment.
The soups Fu Rong drank were all meant to nourish a woman's blood and qi. Mother Su had once mentioned they were to help the young mistress prepare her body for pregnancy. But what did that have to do with Jiang Yue? She was supposed to leave once her month was up. Why would she need to prepare?
Suddenly, she recalled what Marquis Fu had said that day, urging Fu Rong to have a child as soon as possible. Jiang Yue's heart sank like a stone. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed, sliding down against the edge of the bed.
The woman on the bed, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them slowly. Seeing Jiang Yue in such a state, she let out a soft giggle.
"Oh, what is this? Everyone knows you're my favorite right now. If the Xiao family servants see you like this, they'll think I'm some sweet-faced, cruel-hearted mistress."
"Young Mistress, I know my place, and I have erred." Jiang Yue took two deep breaths, trying to collect her thoughts over the past few days. "I know I am foolish and lack the fortune for this. Staying by your side will only bring you trouble. Why don't..." Biting her lower lip, Jiang Yue forced herself to continue, "Why don't you let me leave?"
"You want to leave?" The smile vanished from Fu Rong's face. She sat up in bed, staring down at Jiang Yue for a long, tense moment. "Do you no longer want to save your sister?"
At the mention of Xingxing, a sharp pang of pain shot through Jiang Yue's chest, making it hard to breathe. She could only shake her head through her tears.
They had agreed to switch places for only a month. If she were to get pregnant and bear a child, she would have absolutely no escape. If she couldn't even protect herself, how could she save Xingxing? Besides, after all this time, Fu Rong had shown no intention of finding an imperial physician for her sister. Jiang Yue feared she would be tortured to death before that day ever came.
Even if she could afford to wait, Xingxing could not. It would be better to leave and find another way.
Jiang Yue bowed her head, bracing herself for Fu Rong to fly into a rage or have her dragged out for household punishment. But after a long silence, only her own ragged breathing filled the room. Her heart climbed higher into her throat.
Suddenly, something brushed past her ear and landed on the floor.
Jiang Yue turned her head, her eyes widening in shock. She stared in utter disbelief at the faded bright-moon pouch on the floor. Her own pouch was embroidered with stars and moons; Xingxing's had only a single bright moon. Xingxing always kept this with her. How could it be here?
Just as she reached out to pick it up, a foot stepped squarely onto her hand.
Jiang Yue cried out in pain, but she refused to let go, clenching her teeth as she squeezed the pouch tightly in her fist.
Fu Rong laughed softly, grinding her foot down with more force. Cold sweat broke out on Jiang Yue's forehead from the pain.
"What sisterly devotion. You recognized whose it was at a single glance."
"Where is she?"
"How should I know who you're talking about?"
"My sister. Where... is she?"
Jiang Yue's breath trembled with pain. She clutched the pouch as if it were her last lifeline, lifting her head to meet Fu Rong's gaze. Sweaty strands of hair clung messily to her forehead, a testament to her disheveled state, yet the unyielding stubbornness in her eyes did not waver as she stared back at Fu Rong.
"Waiting for you to save her, of course. Didn't you want to leave? I will grant your wish, but once you go, that little girl will have nothing to do but wait for death." Fu Rong scoffed and made to draw her leg back.
Jiang Yue frantically grabbed Fu Rong's ankle, her face drained of all color.
"It's so late. Why is Madame not asleep yet?"
A voice suddenly sounded from outside the door, startling them both.
Before either could react, the door was pushed open. The visitor's eyes fell upon Jiang Yue kneeling before Fu Rong. He paused, clearly not expecting to walk into such a scene.
Xiao Yunsheng walked over with a deep frown. His gaze swept over them, landing on Jiang Yue's hand, which still hadn't let go of Fu Rong's ankle. "What kind of play is this?" he asked coldly.
It was his usual aloof, chilly voice, but to Jiang Yue, it sounded like heavenly music, sparking a fresh glimmer of hope within her. Just days ago, she had prayed that Xiao Yunsheng would return late, or be kept away by official business so she wouldn't have to serve him in Fu Rong's place with her heart in her throat. Looking back now, the few days Xiao Yunsheng had been in the manor were actually the best days she had had.
Knowing that the current scene was impossible to explain without raising further questions, Jiang Yue quickly released her grip and spoke up first. "It is my younger sister who is ill. The young mistress promised to find an imperial physician for me. I was so overcome with joy that I forgot my manners. I have made a fool of myself before the master."
Xiao Yunsheng stood in silence, his expression giving no hint as to whether he believed her.
Fu Rong had no idea when he had returned, how long he had been standing outside, or what he had overheard. She quickly scrambled off the bed and went to greet him. "Husband, you've returned so suddenly without sending word. If you had sent someone ahead, I would have had a hot meal prepared to warm you up."
As she spoke, she shot a meaningful look at Jiang Yue.
Jiang Yue scrambled up from the floor, intending to head to the kitchen.
But Xiao Yunsheng stopped her. He casually picked up the soup tureen near the bed and said flatly, "No need to trouble yourself at this hour. I will have this bowl of Madame's."
When he lifted the lid, a sweet, fragrant aroma filled the room, though to Xiao Yunsheng, it smelled cloyingly rich. "Why are you eating this? Isn't this for women in confinement?"
It was black chicken soup with red dates and aged ginseng.
Although they had only been married for a few days, he recalled that Fu Rong's tastes during meals were exceptionally light. He had heard from married soldiers in the army that the wives of ordinary commoners would be overjoyed to have just a few bowls of black chicken soup after giving birth. For Fu Rong to drink this daily, and always late at night, seemed highly unusual, especially given how obsessed she was with maintaining her figure.
Fu Rong's face stiffened momentarily before she recovered, laughing playfully. "What do you know of women's matters, Husband? Anyone can drink black chicken soup; it is highly nourishing. My qi and blood have been weak, and after hearing Grandmother's words the other day, I wanted to prepare myself to bear a child for the Xiao family as soon as possible. That is why I had the maid brew this."
The mention of Old Madame reminded Xiao Yunsheng of her jesting about wanting a grandchild soon. He nodded, yet looking at Fu Rong's radiant complexion and glowing skin, she did not look at all like someone with deficient qi and blood. On the other hand, the little maid standing nearby looked shockingly gaunt and exhausted after just two days of absence.
Remembering her mention of her sick sister, Xiao Yunsheng did not dwell on the matter, assuming her haggard appearance was simply due to worry.
He casually set the bowl down, pondered for a moment, and continued, "It just so happens that Grandmother is due for her routine health examination. You should have the physician take a look at you as well, Madame, so he can prescribe a proper dietary therapy instead of forcing yourself to eat things you don't care for."
He turned his eyes to Jiang Yue. "If you wish, you may have your sister brought in to be examined by the physician as well."