All was quiet in the early morning. A faint light appeared on the eastern horizon, illuminating the pale blue sky. A new day was slowly approaching from the distance.
"Miss, Miss, wake up, Miss, please wake up..."
Yuxi opened her eyes to see a woman sitting beside her. The woman had a round face, combed her hair in a bun, and wore a blue dress. She looked to be about thirty years old.
When the woman saw Yuxi open her eyes, she was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Miss, Miss, you've woken up! You've finally woken up!"
Yuxi looked at the person before her and was momentarily taken aback. It was Mama Fang who had come to get her. Fair enough. It was good that Mama Fang was here to take her. It meant she would be able to see her mother soon. She hadn't seen her mother in her whole life!
Mama Fang touched her head and exclaimed happily, "Miss, your fever has subsided." The fact that the fever had gone down meant the dangerous period was over.
Yuxi wanted to ask where she was, but when she tried to speak, she realised her throat was parched and sore. It felt like it was on fire, making it impossible to utter any words.
Mama Fang didn't think much of Yuxi's dazed and confused state. After all, the girl had just woken up after several days of unconsciousness, so it was only natural for her reactions to be a little slow. "Miss, are you hungry? Shall I get you a bowl of porridge?"
Yuxi nodded and quickly finished a bowl of millet porridge. "Another bowl?" she asked. She was starving, as she hadn't eaten anything satisfying during her escape.
Mama Fang smiled as she watched Yuxi eat a bowl of white rice porridge in no time. Hearing Yuxi say she wanted another bowl made her even happier. A good appetite was a sign that her health was improving.
Only after she had finished the porridge did Yuxi ask, "Mama, where is this place?"
Mama Fang's face froze momentarily before she replied, "Miss, this is Green Bamboo Cottage." Seeing Yuxi's confused look, she explained, "Miss, although Green Bamboo Cottage is a bit remote, it is still within the Duke Residence. You don't need to be afraid."
Yuxi murmured to herself, "Green Bamboo Cottage?" The name sounded familiar.
Mama Fang looked at Yuxi with a touch of sadness in her eyes. "Miss, don't you remember? You had smallpox, and the Eldest Lady brought you here. Don't worry, your fever has subsided now, and you'll recover soon. We'll be able to move back to the Rose Courtyard soon." Fortunately, the Eldest Lady stopped the Old Lady's plan to move Miss to the country estate.
Yuxi finally understood why this place felt so familiar. She had stayed at Green Bamboo Cottage for over a month when she had smallpox.
Mama Fang didn't know what Yuxi was thinking and assumed she was sad. "Miss, I know you're upset, but the most important thing now is to focus on recovering from your illness."
Yuxi's mind went blank, and she unconsciously responded.
Mama Fang continued, "Miss, take a little nap, and I'll prepare some medicine for you. If you feel uncomfortable, just call me; I'll be outside."
Yuxi nodded. "Okay."
Sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on Yuxi's body. Yuxi looked at her shrinking hands and whispered softly, "I'm alive?"
Mama Fang came in with the medicine and urged, "Miss, come, drink the medicine. Once you drink it, you'll get well soon."
In the past, Yuxi would need a lot of persuasion and trickery from Mama Fang to take her medicine. This time, however, she drank the entire bowl of medicine without so much as a frown.
The medicine contained sleep-inducing ingredients, and Yuxi fell asleep soon after taking it. She slept until the late afternoon. When she woke up, she looked around and pinched herself. It hurt. "I am really alive again," she whispered. And she had even returned to her childhood.
Mama Fang saw that Yuxi had woken up and immediately brought her the cooked millet porridge.
Yuxi looked at the porridge in the bowl and suddenly remembered something. Green Bamboo Cottage was in a remote area, and because she had smallpox, it was Mama Fang who cooked for her after she moved there. The main kitchen only delivered food once a day in the morning. However, the kitchen staff had failed to provide anything for two days in a row. When Mama Fang asked for food, they falsely accused her of trying to spread the smallpox virus to the rest of the residents. If Mama Fang hadn't been freed by her mother and became a commoner, she would have been beaten to death on the spot. Afterwards, Mama Fang was driven out of the Duke Residence. This incident made her depressed for a long time, and she passed away not long after.
Yuxi asked, "Has there been no food from the kitchen for the past two days?"
Mama Fang was shocked. She hadn't mentioned this matter to Yuxi at all, and she had no idea how Yuxi found out. "Miss, it's possible that something held up the kitchen. They will probably send the food later."
As expected, Yuxi smirked. "Mama, please use the kitchen supplies sparingly." Eldest Aunt was the mistress of the household, and with her overseeing the kitchen, no one dared to intentionally delay things. There must be something fishy going on.
Yuxi's mother, Ning Shi, had saved the life of Second Young Master Han Jianye. The Duke's wife, Qiu Shi, was a person who could distinguish between gratitude and grievances. Since Ning Shi had saved her son, she returned the favour to Yuxi. Because of Qiu Shi's protection in her previous life, Yuxi grew up safely and peacefully. If not for Jiang Hongjin's sudden appearance, Yuxi would have married into the Qiu family and become Third Young Master Qiu's wife. She might not live a rich and noble life, but she would definitely have a peaceful and happy life.
A noob translator, きつね, translated this noob translation. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.site. If you read this in another location other than the site stated, it has been taken without the translator's permission. Please don't support this kind of act.
Mama Fang forced a smile and said, "Miss, please rest assured. I will make sure that the kitchen will speed up the food." The delay in the food delivery was a small matter, but what worried her the most was that the physician still hadn't arrived.
Yuxi believed Mama Fang hadn't taken her words to heart and expressed her thoughts directly: "Mama, someone must have instructed the kitchen not to deliver the food. You mustn't go out; if you do, you'll fall into their trap, and you won't be able to stay by my side anymore." As she reached this point, tears fell from her eyes. "Mama, with Mother gone, you're the only one by my side. What will I do if something happens to you in the future?"
Mama Fang hugged Yuxi and comforted her, "Don't worry, Miss. I won't go out. I'll stay by your side."
Yuxi nodded and asked, "Did the physician not come today?"
Last year, there had been a smallpox outbreak in the capital, and many people, especially children, had been infected. Even in the Duke Residence, two children had contracted smallpox: Yuxi and her half-brother, San Ge1 Han Jianhui. Her San Ge1 was treated by an Imperial Physician brought in from the palace by the Old Lady, while Yuxi was cared for by a physician hired by her Eldest Aunt. However, when the Old Lady heard that Yuxi's physician had good medical skills, she took away the physician without bothering about Yuxi's well-being.
Mama Fang's expression changed; she hadn't expected Yuxi to become so perceptive during her illness. "Don't worry, Miss. If the physician hasn't arrived by tonight, I'll go and plead with the Old Lady."
Yuxi shook her head. "No need. My fever has already subsided. I won't have any problems." If she could have gotten through her previous life, she would undoubtedly be the same in this one.
In the evening, it was millet porridge again.
Mama Fang felt a bit sad. Yuxi had just recovered from a severe illness and needed nutritious food, but this was all they could afford: "Miss, please make do with this." Fortunately, a sack of rice was still left in the kitchen; otherwise, they wouldn't even have had millet porridge to eat.
Yuxi smiled gently. "It's alright." It was already quite good to have millet porridge. She had been picky about what she ate in her previous life, but now she wouldn't be. Only when you've experienced hunger do you realise how fortunate you are for not being hungry.
After finishing the porridge, Yuxi said, "Mama, don't worry. Eldest Aunt will know about this soon. The supplies *will be delivered tomorrow morning." The fact that the person behind the scenes could keep the information hidden for two days was already remarkable. With so much chaos in the mansion these days, it would have been discovered sooner if not for all the commotion.
Mama Fang's lips moved slightly, but she didn't dare say anything, not wanting to worry Yuxi. "Hmm, the kitchen staff will definitely come tomorrow." She just hoped that the physician would come tomorrow as well.
The Duke's wife, Qiu Shi, had been extremely busy over the past few days, with a pile of things to do both inside and outside the residence. There were also two children in the family who had contracted smallpox, and she had to look after the Old Lady. She was almost exhausted.
Qiu Shi's trusted confidant, Mama Wang, saw that Qiu Shi's expression was not right and asked, "Madam, what's wrong? Is the Third Young Master not doing well?"
Qiu Shi didn't answer but instead asked, "I asked you to go outside and find a physician. Why is there still no news?" What the Old Lady had done was outrageous. When the Old Lady heard that Physician Bai was skilled, she had taken him away without regard for Yuxi, who was still unconscious.
Mama Wang shook her head. "Madam, you know what the situation is like outside right now. Where can we find a physician?" The Duke Residence wouldn't accept barefoot physicians2.
Qiu Shi's expression was grim. "Then I'm afraid the child's chances are slim?" With the Third Young Master still unconscious despite the Imperial Doctor's treatment, Yuxi's chances were even slimmer.
Mama Wang comforted her, "My Lady, you've already done enough." The Old Lady had originally intended to send the Fourth Miss out of the residence, but her mistress kept the Fourth Miss here, even going to the trouble of inviting the renowned physician Bai to treat her. If it wasn't for her mistress, the Fourth Miss would have died long ago and wouldn't have been able to hold on until now.
Qiu Shi's expression was heavy. She had promised Ning Shi to take good care of Yuxi and raise her to adulthood, but now she would break her promise.
At that moment, the maid, Liuyue, walked in and reported, "My Lady, the main kitchen hasn't sent any food to the Green Bamboo Cottage for the past two days."
When an already frustrated Qiu Shi heard these words, she slammed her hand on the table and angrily asked, "Who dares to be so bold? Who dares to cut corners with the Fourth Miss?" She hadn't expected someone to take advantage of her being busy for the past two days.
Liu Yue whispered, "I asked the old woman who delivers the things. She said that Fourth Miss had been unconscious for three days and thought delivering the items would be a waste, so she decided to be lazy."
Qiu Shi didn't believe this excuse for a moment. She ordered, "Tie that person up and interrogate her thoroughly."
Mama Wang hurriedly tried to persuade her, "My Lady, it's a busy time in the household. If the Old Lady finds out, she will surely be displeased with you. My Lady, this matter doesn't warrant drastic measures." The kitchen stewardess was the Old Lady's personal attendant, and her mistress usually showed her some respect. If they captured the old woman servant and implicated the kitchen stewardess, her mistress would not fare well.
Qiu Shi fell silent momentarily, then asked, "Why has this only been discovered now?" Two days, it had been concealed for two whole days? What did this signify? It meant someone could easily deceive her. It was about Yuxi this time, but what would it be next time? With this realisation, Qiu Shi decided not to let this matter go so easily.
In reality, it was mainly because Mama Wang did not pay much attention to Yuxi and neglected her duties, allowing someone to take advantage of the situation.
Mama Wang was Qiu Shi's personal attendant, but she was not her confidante. Qiu Shi's confidante was Mama Li. However, a few days ago, Mama Li caught a cold and had a fever, and it just so happened that there were a lot of rumours at that time. So Qiu Shi allowed Mama Li to rest at home. If Mama Li had been here, such a mistake would never have happened.
Qiu Shi stood up and said, "Let's go to the Green Bamboo Cottage."
Footnotes Full List
- san=third, ge=elder brother, short form for Gege
- Better known as 'barefoot doctors'. The terms referred to a rural healthcare provider who offered basic medical services to people in remote areas. These individuals were often from the local community and had limited formal medical training. They were called 'barefoot doctors' because they typically travelled on foot and didn't have access to advanced medical facilities or equipment. - POE AI
Tags:
The Rebirth of Han Yuxi