"No... your granddaughter has made a mistake."
Song Chaoyu certainly couldn't admit that this was her scheme, but she did reveal half of her heart to the old madam. "Granddaughter knows that upon returning to the manor, there will likely be many storms. Everything granddaughter has done is solely to protect Concubine and the child in her womb. Granddaughter knows this is against the rules, please punish me, Grandmother!"
The old madam had seen countless people in her life, but she found herself unable to understand this young girl, who had only just reached her maiden years: "The Song family is the household of the Minister of Rites, how can there be storms? Could it be that the great Song family cannot protect you, Concubine, and her unborn child?"
Song Chaoyu also couldn't fathom whether Old Madam Song truly didn't know the intentions of the First Madam and the Second Concubine, or if she simply didn't care.
She could only advance by retreating. "Granddaughter is Concubine's daughter, naturally, I must do my utmost to protect her. Granddaughter is merely afraid in her heart, seeking only self-preservation, nothing more. Please, Grandmother, show mercy and show Concubine and granddaughter a clear path!"
In the past, she had lost the old madam, a potential "pillar," from the very beginning. This time, perhaps she could try.
If the old madam could protect them, mother and daughter, their lives in this household would be much easier.
Song Chaoyu knelt before the old madam, her gaze fixed on Song Chaoyu, as if probing her inner thoughts.
But all she saw was the sincerity in Song Chaoyu's eyes.
Even as someone who had lived two lives, Song Chaoyu felt the old madam's authority pressing down on her, making it difficult to breathe.
After a long while, the old madam sighed, then nodded at Song Chaoyu. "You may rise. I didn't expect you, child, to have such thoughts. It is commendable that you are filial to your concubine and that you cherish the unborn child. That is my grandson as well, and I will naturally look after him in this manor."
With the old madam's words, Song Chaoyu felt a bit more at ease.
As she rose, the old madam waved her away. "Alright, if you have time in the future, come and keep this old woman company. Go back soon, don't let your concubine wait too long."
Leaving the old madam's courtyard, Song Chaoyu felt a little more settled.
At least from now on, she and Concubine Liu would not be as helpless as in her previous life.
The old madam was a just and reasonable person. Although she didn't yet have her favor, if she could receive some protection, life in the manor wouldn't require such constant walking on thin ice.
***
Since Concubine Liu was with child, upon returning to the Song manor, a physician was naturally required to check her pulse regularly.
On the estate, Concubine Liu's health had seemed quite robust.
Unexpectedly, two days after returning to the manor, with bowl after bowl of fetal-preserving medicine, Concubine Liu began to suffer from severe morning sickness.
A physician had to be summoned. Doctor Zhou was the physician who usually served the Song family.
Song Chaoyu clearly remembered that in her previous life, Doctor Zhou had played a part in Concubine Liu losing her child!
Therefore, in this life, finding a way to replace Doctor Zhou was an urgent matter.
However, Doctor Zhou had served the Song family for many years; it would likely not be enough to rely on Song Chaoyu's few words.
As Song Chaoyu was contemplating a plan, Concubine Liu also called for her.
She sighed, taking Song Chaoyu's hand, and then looked out towards the courtyard. "Yu'er, that old woman Qiu has been coming to my chambers these past few days. I don't know what she's trying to do, but having someone like that around us is never appropriate."
Indeed, since returning to the Song manor, there had been so many things happening that Song Chaoyu hadn't had the chance to deal with this old woman Qiu.
Seeing now that even in the courtyard, old woman Qiu was restless, Song Chaoyu had an idea. "Concubine, I have a plan! This matter requires your help!"
***
The next morning, after paying her respects to her grandmother, Song Chaoyu went to the Second Concubine's courtyard to find Song Yuan, who had not yet gone to the morning court.
Her voice was anxious. "Father, Concubine has been vomiting non-stop since this morning. Her complexion has worsened. Father, please go and see Concubine!"
Upon hearing this, Song Yuan immediately got up and opened his door.
He might not have been genuinely concerned about Concubine Liu, but he was concerned about the child in her womb.
Song Chaoyu also looked at the Second Concubine, who had come out with Song Yuan. "Second Concubine, please go and see her as well. My Concubine looks truly frightening!"
She wanted as many people as possible!
The group hurried through the Song manor early in the morning, which naturally alerted the First Madam.
Song Yuan, with uncharacteristic concern, asked Song Chaoyu, "Have you sent for a physician?"
Song Chaoyu nodded. "Yes, I sent someone to fetch Doctor Zhou as soon as Concubine started vomiting badly this morning. He should be on his way by now."
Concubine Liu's persistent vomiting was not a lie. For the past two days, Concubine Liu felt better after eating breakfast, but today, she had deliberately not eaten.
The sky outside was still dimly lit. When Song Yuan entered the Huashu Courtyard, Doctor Zhou had not yet arrived.
He frowned, pacing back and forth in the main hall for a long time before Doctor Zhou finally arrived in a hurry.
It was evident that Doctor Zhou had been woken from his sleep; his clothes were hastily put on, and his belt was not even properly fastened.
As soon as he entered, Song Chaoyu rushed forward to meet him, handing over Doctor Zhou's medicine box to Tiaohong.
Song Chaoyu's voice choked with emotion. "Doctor Zhou, please hurry and see my Concubine! She's been vomiting since this morning, and her complexion has changed!"
Song Chaoyu pulled Doctor Zhou so hard that he couldn't even bow to Song Yuan before going to see Concubine Liu.
After taking her pulse, he said that Concubine Liu's body was fine. He would change the prescription, then administer acupuncture to relieve her vomiting, and have her eat something. That should be fine.
Song Chaoyu had always been reluctant to let Doctor Zhou administer acupuncture to Concubine Liu, but today...
She voluntarily took the medicine box from Tiaohong. "Thank you, Doctor Zhou. I hope Concubine feels better!"
Doctor Zhou nodded, then opened the medicine box—
But the moment he opened the medicine box, Song Chaoyu heard Xunlü beside her exclaim, "Ah, what is this?!"
This exclamation drew everyone's attention to them.
"Hiss—"
Concubine Liu gasped and withdrew her hand from Doctor Zhou's grasp. "This... Doctor Zhou, how can there be such a thing in your medicine box?!"
In Doctor Zhou's medicine box, a woman's bellyband was clearly visible!
It was placed on top, and now many people in the Song family saw it, their faces turning grim!
A bellyband was a woman's private item, and in the eyes of Song Yuan, a scholar who prided himself on his integrity, it was even more "filthy."