Feigning Illness

Early the next morning, the Lady left the Yu family. Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Ning Qian was suddenly seized by a sense of fear. She remembered the words the Old Madam had let slip in her courtyard the other day. The only reason the Old Madam had left her in peace these past days was due to the Lady’s presence; during this time, the Lady had been her shield. Now that her protector was gone, the Old Madam would certainly not let her off so easily.

Glancing furtively at the Old Madam not far away, she saw the stern, cold face and felt her anxiety deepen. Lowering her voice, she said to Yu Ziqi at her side, “My Lord, do you have business to attend to outside today?”

“Yes, I have a business meeting. Why? Do you need something? If it’s not urgent, wait until I return. Or if it’s something you need done, just tell Xiao Liu. I’ll be back late today.”

Looking at his face, Ning Qian grumbled inwardly: always busy with business, busy, busy—if he keeps this up, he might not even have a wife left. Given the Old Madam’s character, she doubted the next punishment would be as simple as copying scriptures.

Hearing no response for a while, Yu Ziqi looked down in surprise. He sensed something odd about Ning Qian today, as if she was hiding something from him. “What’s wrong, my dear? Is something the matter?”

Ning Qian forced an awkward smile. What could she say? She couldn’t very well confess she was worried the Old Madam would make things difficult for her. And she hadn’t even mentioned that the Lady had spoken to her in secret. “It’s nothing, I just feel you’ve been too busy lately, and I’m worried about your health.”

“So that’s it. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to me. Until I’ve accomplished what I must, I won’t let anything happen to myself.”

After seeing the Lady off, everyone returned to their own courtyards. Ning Qian and Yu Ziqi also went back. After sitting for a while, Yu Ziqi prepared to leave. Seeing him go, Ning Qian hurried to grab his hand. “My Lord, um, there’s something I’d like to say to you.”

Having thought it over, she realized that Yu Ziqi was her only hope now. Once the Old Madam lost her temper, who else but him could speak on her behalf?

“Very well, go ahead,” Yu Ziqi replied, turning back and sitting with her. Before they could even sip their tea, Xiao Liu came running in, shouting, “My Lord, something terrible has happened!”

Yu Ziqi shot him a cold glare. “Have you forgotten your manners? What’s happened?”

Xiao Liu hurriedly bowed deeply. Standing straight again, he panted, “My Lord, it’s terrible—our cargo ship met with disaster. They say it was struck by a fierce storm, but the details are still unclear.”

Yu Ziqi’s face changed drastically, and he sprang to his feet in anger. “How could this happen? Prepare the carriage, I’m going to the docks immediately.” Turning to Ning Qian, he said, “My dear, there’s a major incident at the shop. I must go at once. Whatever you need, wait until I return.”

Ning Qian could only nod in resignation. She thought to herself, “I just hope I’m still in one piece when you get back.”

After Yu Ziqi left, Ning Qian quickly told Nianyu, “Bring in some hot water right away, and get several thick quilts.”

“Huh? What for? Are you feeling unwell? If you’re sick, I’ll send for the physician immediately—illness is no small matter,” Nianyu said anxiously, seeing Ning Qian’s cheeks rosy as apples, yet missing the sign.

Ning Qian clapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m fine, don’t panic. I’m just trying to survive. Have you forgotten what the Old Madam said the other day? Now that the Lady is gone, she’ll definitely come after me. We have to prepare, or it’ll be too late.”

Nianyu finally remembered, and her nerves returned at once. “Alright, I’ll get started. I nearly forgot with all that’s happened these days.” Not daring to delay, she ran out to find Shuni, and the two of them set about preparing everything Ning Qian asked for.

Once all was ready, Ning Qian crawled under the blankets, the heavy quilts pressing down so hard she could barely breathe. Worse, it was unbearably hot. She’d always hated the heat—every summer was torture, and some years, she was bedridden for a month. If she hadn’t been desperate, she would never have willingly burrowed into this suffocating cocoon.

Curled up on the bed, she had hot towels placed on her forehead, changed regularly. Before long, her cheeks flushed red. Watching the beads of sweat form, Shuni asked in concern, “Madam, isn’t this dangerous?”

Already dizzy with heat, Ning Qian waved her hand weakly. “I’m fine. Another hot towel—quickly, there’s no time.”

Despite her worry, Shuni diligently changed the towels. At Ning Qian’s insistence, not only were towels placed on her forehead, but also on her face—after all, if they were going to stage an illness, it had to be convincing.

About half an hour later, Nianyu hurried in to announce that Jiaoran was on her way. Ning Qian quickly instructed Shuni to clear everything away, then turned her back to the door.

Soon, Jiaoran entered and, seeing Ning Qian lying in bed, paused in surprise before asking Nianyu, “What’s wrong with Third Madam?”

Nianyu replied sorrowfully, “Madam has fallen ill—perhaps from yesterday’s chill. She’s been frail since childhood and falls ill easily. Even this morning, she forced herself to see the Lady off. I said we should inform the Old Madam she shouldn’t go, but she insisted. Look where it’s gotten her.”

After some hesitation, Jiaoran asked, “May I go over and take a look at Third Madam?”

“Of course. She’s just drowsy—she may have dozed off.”

“That’s alright. I just want to check. With her health so weak, I’ll have to report to the Old Madam. She needs proper nourishment.”

Nianyu secretly laughed. So the woman wanted to see whether the illness was real—fortunately, they were prepared. The Old Madam really had intended to cause trouble for Ning Qian as soon as the Lady departed.

Jiaoran moved slowly to the bedside and peered over, startled by the sight. Ning Qian’s face was flushed with fever. Reaching out, Jiaoran touched her forehead, feeling the burning heat and realizing the illness was genuine. Biting her lip, she stepped away from the bed, offered Nianyu an awkward smile, and took her leave.