Upon their return to the Song manor, Song Chaoyu proceeded directly to the Painting and Calligraphy Academy without a word.
The capital was bathed in the pleasant spring sunshine, and the welcoming flowers outside the academy were in full bloom.
At this hour, little Qing'er would usually be toddling around the courtyard, babbling. After days apart, Song Chaoyu realized how much she missed the little one.
However, the Painting and Calligraphy Academy was unusually quiet today.
If it weren't for the occasional sight of maids sweeping the courtyard, Song Chaoyu might have thought something had happened within its walls!
"Auntie!"
As she entered the courtyard, disregarding all decorum, she called out into the grounds, "Auntie, I'm back!"
Hearing Song Chaoyu's voice, Consort Liu hurried out with a joyful expression, "Yu girl is back? That's wonderful! I was just thinking of going to the main hall to welcome you, but I got delayed. Yu girl, come let me have a look. Have you lost weight from being out these days!"
Her eyes held a hint of concern, causing Song Chaoyu to falter slightly, "Why do you act as if I haven't been eating or drinking? Auntie, don't worry, Grandmother has taken excellent care of me!"
She took Consort Liu's hand and peered into the room, "What's wrong with little Qing'er?"
"Alas!"
Consort Liu sighed, "I don't know what's gotten into him. He started having diarrhea a few days ago, and Physician Fan has visited several times, but he hasn't gotten any better. The last couple of days, he's also been very sleepy. This morning, he had another bout of diarrhea. Physician Fan is inside examining him, you should go in and see too!"
Song Chaoyu's brow furrowed, "How could it be so serious?"
Consort Liu shook her head, urging Song Chaoyu to relax, "It's not that serious. Don't be so pessimistic. He just has some diarrhea and is sleepy, but he's still lively when he's awake! And I can tell he misses you terribly since you left. He clutches the cloth tiger you gave him every day, which he never used to play with much before."
After speaking, Consort Liu sighed again, "It's not that I didn't want to welcome you, but I just felt it was pointless. The third girl got married the other day, and after that, your father welcomed that seventh consort into the household. Now, the fourth consort is very close with her, and neither of them has children to rely on, so they naturally look down on me. As for me..."
She lowered her voice, "I gave up on your father the day I gave birth to Qing'er. Seeing their pretentious behavior now is simply unbearable. Since they want to curry favor with your grandmother, let them. Why should I bother showing my face? Now that you're back, my heart can finally rest. I'll go pay my respects to Grandmother and ask for her punishment first thing tomorrow morning."
In such a short time, Consort Liu had become so insightful, and Song Chaoyu wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.
She hadn't seen Fan Jiangyue in a long time either. She pulled Consort Liu along towards the room, "Jiangyue, I'm back! I've also brought someone with me, you'll surely hit it off immediately!"
Fan Jiangyue had indeed heard Song Chaoyu's voice in the courtyard earlier. The two were now close friends, so she was naturally delighted.
However, as she emerged from the inner room, Fan Jiangyue's brow was etched with worry.
This made Song Chaoyu feel a pang of anxiety, "What's wrong, Jiangyue? Is there a problem with little Qing'er?"
Fan Jiangyue sighed, "I can't say for sure. I don't think Qing'er's condition is just ordinary diarrhea, but I can't find the cause, I fear..."
"Let me take a look!"
Seeing Fan Jiangyue's state, Qiu Qing also stepped out from behind Song Chaoyu, "Perhaps I can help."
Consort Liu saw Qiu Qing for the first time and was somewhat apprehensive.
But since she was someone sent by Mu Changxi, Song Chaoyu trusted Qiu Qing wholeheartedly. She quickly said to Fan Jiangyue, "This is Qiu Qing, an expert in detoxification. You two will surely become fast friends!"
Fan Jiangyue didn't doubt her and smiled at Qiu Qing, "Come with me, Qing'er is inside!"
The two of them went in together, while Consort Liu looked at Song Chaoyu with concern, "Is she reliable? She doesn't look like an ordinary maid. What if another Xun Lu appears and causes trouble for you?"
Song Chaoyu shook her head, signaling Consort Liu to relax, and then whispered, "She's someone he sent to my side, I believe she must be reliable."
Hearing Song Chaoyu say this, Consort Liu understood and sighed, "Back when we were on the estate, I often joked with the Han family's wet nurse that you two would be together someday. Now that it's come true, why does my heart still feel so heavy?"
It was indeed too strange, too awkward.
But as things stood, Song Chaoyu had accepted it.
This was much, much better than in her previous life.
The mother and daughter spoke outside for a while, and Fan Jiangyue and Qiu Qing emerged from the room.
Both of their expressions were grim, immediately making Song Chaoyu tense, "What's wrong? Has something happened?"
Qiu Qing glanced at Fan Jiangyue, who nodded at Song Chaoyu, "We suspect that Qing'er's diarrhea and sleepiness have a cause."
At this, Consort Liu immediately stood up nervously, "What is it? Has someone poisoned our Qing'er?!"
"No, no, it hasn't reached that point."
Fan Jiangyue quickly reassured Consort Liu, "We've checked his food and medicine, and even the wet nurse's health, and everything is fine. However, Qiu Qing gave me a hint, and we checked one more thing, and indeed found some clues!"
As she spoke, Qiu Qing suddenly carried out an incense burner from the inner room, "Auntie, what kind of incense have you been burning these past few days?"
Consort Liu suddenly froze, her eyes fixed on the incense burner, "So... the incense is the problem?!"
Her body swayed, as if she had thought of something.
Song Chaoyu quickly stepped forward and supported her, "Auntie, what's wrong? Have you thought of something?"
Consort Liu then sat down to the side, her gaze still fixed on the incense burner, "You know, ever since little Qing'er was born, I've had trouble sleeping. I have many dreams at night, or I simply can't sleep. So, I developed a habit of burning incense to calm my nerves. I asked Physician Fan earlier, and she gave me some incense, saying it wouldn't affect little Qing'er, so I used it with peace of mind."
She rubbed her forehead, beginning to feel remorse, "Perhaps it's been too long, and I've become careless! I have indeed changed the incense lately!"
Consort Liu grabbed Song Chaoyu's hand, "It was her! She gave me the incense! She said it was a good thing from her hometown, with a fragrant scent, and that it would ensure a night of restful sleep! You were away, and I was worried all day. So I didn't think much of it and used the incense she gave me!"