The grandmother's worried voice grew fainter, and the surroundings felt colder.
That sensation of consciousness blurring returned, leaving Song Chaoyu unable to resist the encroaching darkness.
So cold!
That was the only feeling in her heart.
Was she to leave this world like this in this lifetime as well?
No! She still had so many things left undone!
—
"It's alright, I won't let anything happen to her. Please rest assured, old madam."
Whose voice was that? So close to her ear, so unfamiliar, yet so reassuring?
Song Chaoyu wanted to struggle to open her eyes, to tell everyone she was still alive!
But it felt as if a fire was burning within her, making it impossible to open her eyes.
She only heard a woman's voice before falling back into a deep coma.
—
"Her fever has broken. Her body is too weak now, which is why she hasn't woken up. But don't worry, she's out of danger."
That voice again... But who was she?
It sounded like she had saved her!
The burning sensation within Song Chaoyu had disappeared.
But she still couldn't open her eyes, as if all strength had left her body.
She was still alive, wasn't she?
She had to live!
—
"Fourth girl, you mustn't frighten your grandmother! It's been two days, why haven't you woken up yet?"
It was her grandmother's voice!
This time, Song Chaoyu finally heard her grandmother's voice clearly, right by her ear!
Her tone was filled with worry and genuine distress: "Fourth girl, you must be alright, you absolutely must be alright! Grandmother is here with you, always with you!"
This time, she truly wanted to open her eyes and tell her grandmother that she was fine!
—
This time, Song Chaoyu succeeded!
Though a burning sensation still lingered in her body, Song Chaoyu was finally able to muster the strength to fight against the pain and fatigue.
Perhaps it was the instinct for survival, or perhaps someone was waiting for her, helping her.
It gave her boundless strength, and she finally opened her eyes—
The first person she saw was her grandmother!
Her grandmother was old and not in good health.
Yet she was leaning by Song Chaoyu's bedside, tightly holding Song Chaoyu's hands, murmuring, "My fourth girl, you must not have any trouble!"
"Cough, cough!"
She opened her mouth, wanting to tell her grandmother she was alright.
But her dry throat prevented her from making a sound, and she could only cough in vain.
It was this cough that made the old madam of the Song family look up in surprise.
The moment she saw Song Chaoyu's eyes open, the old madam's eyes reddened: "Fourth girl! You're awake?! That's wonderful, truly wonderful!"
She suddenly stood up and shouted outside, "Fourth girl is awake! Miss Qiu, quickly come in and see, fourth girl is awake!"
Miss Qiu? Who was that?
Song Chaoyu looked towards the entrance and saw a slender, cool woman carrying a medicine box enter the room.
Her appearance wasn't conventionally beautiful, but her phoenix-like eyes held a faint, sharp coolness that made her temperament unforgettable.
Upon entering and seeing Song Chaoyu awake, a slight smile appeared in her eyes, dispelling her earlier coolness: "Old madam, it's alright now. As long as the young lady is awake, that's all that matters. She's been unconscious for two days, so she's likely hungry and thirsty. Old madam, perhaps you could have someone prepare some food for the young lady?"
She truly understood her condition. Song Chaoyu was indeed hungry and thirsty, and her body felt an indescribable discomfort and fatigue.
"Good, good!"
The old madam lowered her head, wiped away a tear, and then happily ran out to call for people.
This Miss Qiu then sat by Song Chaoyu's side, smiled, and nodded at her: "My name is Qiu Qing. I will be serving Fourth Miss from now on. I will be administering acupuncture to remove the poison, which may be painful. Please bear with it, Fourth Miss."
Qiu Qing?
Song Chaoyu carefully recalled both her past and present lives, confirming that she did not know this person.
Qiu Qing seemed to notice the doubt in Song Chaoyu's eyes and quickly explained, "I am from Prince Chang's retinue. I am skilled in toxicology. My father owes Prince Chang his life, so I am willing to obey Prince Chang's commands. I will stay by your side from now on, and such poisoning will not happen again."
Someone from Mu Changxi?!
Although she had revealed her identity, Song Chaoyu felt more questions arising in her heart.
Why would someone from Mu Changxi suddenly appear by her side?
And what did this Qiu Qing mean by staying by her side?
Was this still Jiangzhou? Had Qiu Qing always been in Jiangzhou, or had Mu Changxi sent her? How did she happen to arrive just in time to detoxify her?
Song Chaoyu was filled with questions, while Qiu Qing skillfully began to administer acupuncture: "You must have many doubts, young lady, but I will explain them to you slowly. I have not revealed my identity to the old madam or the first madam of the household. So please, do not mention it. I will simply say I am a wandering physician with no fixed abode. Having saved you, I hope to remain in a prestigious family like the Song family."
It seemed she had thought everything through.
Song Chaoyu then nodded, and Qiu Qing continued, "I am not in the capital, nor in Jiangzhou city. I have a medicinal herb garden in the nearby Qingzhou city. A few days ago, I received a letter from Prince Chang asking me to come to Jiangzhou and find a way to stay by your side. Prince Chang cares for you and did not ask me to hide my identity, so I am telling you this directly. Please trust me."
Song Chaoyu truly liked Qiu Qing's straightforward and decisive nature.
Since she had explained everything clearly, Song Chaoyu no longer had any doubts.
At this moment, Tiao Hong also came in with warm water and food. Seeing Song Chaoyu awake, Tiao Hong was almost moved to tears: "Young lady is finally awake! You scared us all to death! There are people kneeling in the courtyard, all waiting for you to wake up!"
People kneeling in the courtyard?
The needles from Qiu Qing made Song Chaoyu frown in pain.
Tiao Hong handed her the warm water and said to Song Chaoyu, "You haven't eaten for two days, so drink some water slowly, and then have some porridge. Ever since you were poisoned, the old madam has had everyone in the Song family kneeling outside. She said they could only rise when the person who poisoned you is found."
The old madam was willing to offend the entire Song family of Jiangzhou for her sake.
Song Chaoyu was immensely grateful to her.
After drinking some water, Song Chaoyu felt her throat much more comfortable.
She opened her mouth, her voice still hoarse: "Has anything been found out?"