Living under someone else's roof?
Was this something she wanted? She had her own manor, her own residences, and when she wanted companionship at night, who couldn't she find?
It wasn't as if the original owner's father's side had no relatives; their connection was just a bit distant. If the original owner's personality had been a bit more assertive, she could have managed. After all, the original owner had been raised as a boy.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to let go so easily, nor would she have thought of breaking off the engagement after realizing her cousin was not a suitable partner.
Of course, it was truly difficult for a girl who had always been pampered to suddenly stand up for herself. Moreover, the original owner had been educated in orthodox Confucian thought, valuing benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, which made her even less likely to fight for such things.
In that case, it would have been better if the original owner had been like those sharp-tongued girls in the marketplace who became feisty to survive; at least then she wouldn't have been taken advantage of.
Even the act of worshipping her own parents required such caution, and asking for her dowry meant having to look at others' faces. If she could have been more assertive, her fate might have been better.
However, if the original owner had been like that, she wouldn't have been the original owner. But now that Lin Yan had taken over her life, she would strive to fulfill her regrets.
When Lin Yan returned to her small courtyard, she felt a discomfort in her body.
It seemed that even without induced vomiting, she would still fall ill. However, this illness was timely. With this illness, she should be able to leave the Marquis's mansion.
Lin Yan waited for the maids to bring water for her to wash up and then prepared to sleep.
"Miss, don't you want to eat something?" Madam Fang said with concern.
"Miss didn't eat?" Lin Yan's head maid said with surprise.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't," Madam Fang glared at the maid.
"Mama, don't be so stern. Gu Yu is also concerned about me. I have no appetite, so I won't eat," Lin Yan said weakly. This weakness was not feigned but genuine.
The exhaustion from the journey, coupled with the day's troubles, meant that this body could no longer endure.
"Then Miss, you sleep first. I'll go to the kitchen to ask for some porridge and keep it warm on the stove. You can eat it whenever you want." Gu Yu quickly helped her lady lie down.
"Then hurry up," Madam Fang sat by the bed and reached out to feel Lin Yan's temperature.
"Miss, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"A little dizzy. I feel like I'll be fine after a sleep." Lin Yan did not avoid her hand.
"Then you sleep, and I'll stay by your side to watch over you."
"Okay." Lin Yan fell into a peaceful sleep.
A while later, Gu Yu returned empty-handed. Seeing Lin Yan asleep on the bed, she quickly tiptoed.
"Why did you come back empty-handed?" Madam Fang frowned. Logically, even at night, someone would be left in the kitchen. After all, one never knew if the masters would want a late-night snack.
But Gu Yu returned empty-handed. Was the kitchen deserted, or were they unwilling to cook for them?
"The kitchen said that the masters of the Marquis's mansion do not have the habit of eating late-night snacks, so only a few scullery maids were left. They couldn't cook porridge and gave me the ingredients to cook it myself," Gu Yu said, a look of indignation on her face.
"How can they do this! This Marquis's mansion is truly bullying people."
"Forget it. Go and ask Lichun to light the stove and cook porridge for Miss. I have a feeling Miss might develop a fever tonight. After the porridge is cooked, you can make her medicine."
These servants were all sycophantic. The Marquis's wife's displeasure towards Miss had already been evident today, so such a thing was quite normal.
However, this Marquis's mansion was truly going too far. If their Miss were to marry into this family, her life would likely be difficult.
"Then I'll go ask Lichun to light the stove now." Gu Yu said and walked out.
They had actually brought quite a few things with them, including charcoal and a stove. This was originally for boiling tea and cooking on the boat. Since it wasn't all used up, Madam Fang had them brought in.
It was originally said to be for emergencies, but they hadn't expected to use it so soon.
In the middle of the night, Lin Yan was woken by her discomfort. Her mouth was dry and parched, making it almost impossible to speak, and her entire body felt weak.
She realized she had a fever. "Water."
Then she felt herself being helped up, and warm water was brought to her lips. In her daze, she seemed to hear the maids and Madam Fang talking beside her.
But soon, she fell back into a deep sleep. When she woke up again, it was already the next day.
"Miss, you're awake. How do you feel? Do you want to eat something?" Gu Yu noticed Lin Yan stirring in bed and quickly came to ask.
"What happened to me?" Lin Yan said weakly after Gu Yu helped her sit up.
"Miss, you had a fever in the middle of the night. Fortunately, Mama Fang had already warned us last night, so we were able to discover it in time. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous."
Gu Yu recounted the events of the previous night to Lin Yan like a string of firecrackers.
"Thank you, Mama." Lin Yan looked at Madam Fang, who had rushed over as soon as she knew Lin Yan was awake, with a grateful expression.
"Miss is awake. Would you like to eat something? I've already sent someone to inform the Marquis's wife, and the doctor should be here soon." Madam Fang was also relieved to see Lin Yan awake.
Although she had sensed that Lin Yan would have a fever at night, she hadn't expected her temperature to be so high. They had tried everything they could to bring it down before dawn.
"I don't have much of an appetite, just bring me a bowl of plain congee. Gu Yu, bring me some water to wash up first." Lin Yan said, trying to get up.
"Oh, my dear Miss, please don't get up. I'll bring the water to you." Gu Yu quickly stopped Lin Yan from getting out of bed. After all, Lin Yan's fever had just broken; what if she got sick again with a bit of exertion?
"Gu Yu is right. Miss should stay lying down. Your body is weak. We'll wait for the doctor to come and prescribe new medicine before asking if you can get up," Madam Fang also disagreed.
Lin Yan did not get up again. However, she felt that the doctor would not be coming so soon.
Indeed, it was nearly lunchtime, and the doctor invited for Lin Yan had still not arrived.
"I'll go urge them again." Xiaoman kept looking at the door, but the doctor never showed up.
"No need," Madam Fang came out from the room. Lin Yan had eaten something and drunk a lot of water. She was now asleep again.
"You go directly to the outer court and find Steward Qian. Ask him to help invite a doctor."
It seemed this Marquis's wife was accustomed to being pampered. Yesterday was her fault, and instead of making amends, she was taking her anger out on their Miss.
"Then I'll go right away!" Xiaoman was about to run out.
"Wait, do you remember the way?" Madam Fang felt a headache looking at this impulsive maid.
But Xiaoman was chosen for Lin Yan by her mother. Since her own daughter was too quiet, she had picked a few lively maids, hoping they could help Lin Yan become more cheerful.
"I remember, I walked past it yesterday." Saying this, she ran out directly.