"Chu Chu, it's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright." Madam Feng feared that Feng Changshan might harm Feng Chu Chu if she learned those things.
She wouldn't believe that even a tiger wouldn't eat its cubs. Feng Changshan was not human at all; he would sacrifice anything for his own benefit.
"Mother, I've made you worry." Feng Chu Chu knew her father must have summoned her, which had frightened her mother.
"Chu Chu, promise your mother that even in the future, you will be as calm and composed as you are today."
"Mother, I will." After so many events and experiences, Feng Chu Chu knew she was no longer the carefree Feng Chu Chu she used to be.
She had secrets and things she needed to do.
"Chu Chu, you've grown up. I always thought you were too innocent and naive, but now I see you've truly matured."
"Mother…" Feng Chu Chu hugged Madam Feng. "Mother, don't worry about me. I'll take good care of myself. Instead, you must be extremely careful in handling things."
"Don't worry!" Madam Feng patted Feng Chu Chu's shoulder with relief. "Go back, it's getting late."
Feng Chu Chu nodded and left.
Madam Feng watched her daughter's retreating back, knowing she had to keep striving for her daughter.
Back in her room, Feng Chu Chu fell silent. Liang Yizhi, who was beside her, walked over. "Chu Chu, what's wrong? Did something happen with Madam Feng?"
Feng Chu Chu shook her head. "Mother is fine. It seems we've passed the test today."
Liang Yizhi said, "We can't afford to be careless. Feng Changshan is a cautious and meticulous man."
Feng Chu Chu nodded. "I know that. But what do you plan to do?"
"Today, I noticed a very clean spot in his study, as if it's wiped daily. I wonder if the things there, which he looks at every day, have anything to do with Wu and Father's affairs?"
Feng Chu Chu replied, "I can help you with other places, but I'm powerless regarding his study."
"Does Feng Changshan guard it very strictly?"
Feng Chu Chu said, "Not just strictly, but heavily guarded. So tight that not even a tiny insect can fly in."
Liang Yizhi frowned. "This might be difficult to handle."
"Heaven always leaves a way out; there must be a solution, but it needs careful planning. Otherwise, we'll be discovered by my father before we even get close."
Liang Yizhi nodded. "That's precisely what I was thinking."
That night, Feng Chu Chu lay in bed, feeling as if the past few days had been her entire life.
The next morning, Feng Chu Chu heard the news that Madam Feng had lost her voice.
Feng Chu Chu rushed to Madam Feng's room. Seeing Madam Feng, she turned to ask the doctor, "Doctor, what happened to my mother?"
The doctor said, "Madam is likely suffering from a heart ailment. A heart ailment requires a heart cure; I am powerless to help."
After seeing the doctor out, Feng Chu Chu returned to Madam Feng's room and, looking at her mother, finally couldn't help but cry.
Madam Feng sighed and reached out to stroke her daughter, as if telling her, "I'm fine."
"Madam, what happened? Where is the doctor?" Feng Changshan entered and began to inquire.
Feng Chu Chu wiped her tears, stepped forward, and said, "The doctor said Mother has a heart ailment and cannot be cured."
Feng Changshan sighed upon hearing this. "Madam, what's wrong? Is there something troubling you?"
Madam Feng shook her head.
Feng Changshan comforted her for a few more words before leaving.
Feng Chu Chu stepped forward and suddenly asked, "Mother, are you doing this for me?"
Although Madam Feng remained silent, Feng Chu Chu could feel her mother's concern when she spoke these words.
"Mother, you are so foolish. How could you make such a great sacrifice for me? It's not worth it!"
Feng Chu Chu sobbed uncontrollably, leaning on the bed.
Madam Feng simply held her hand and wrote three words on her palm: "I am willing."
"Mother, please hold on a little longer. I will take you away from here to live the life we desire."
Madam Feng smiled, as if saying, "Okay, I'll wait."
Leaving Madam Feng's room and returning to her own, she grabbed Liang Yizhi's hand and said, "Young Master Liang, how can I help you?"
Liang Yizhi was taken aback. He didn't understand why she had become so proactive after visiting Madam Feng.
"Chu Chu, what's wrong?" Liang Yizhi couldn't help but ask.
"I want to help you quickly, and then take Mother away from here. As long as Feng Changshan stands, she and Mother cannot leave this place. To leave means to stand in opposition to Feng Chu Chu."
"Chu Chu, there's no need to rush. We need to plan carefully."
"But I can't wait any longer." She truly couldn't wait and didn't want to stay here at all.
Never before had she disliked the place she was born in as much as she did now.
"Chu Chu, without a plan, any action will lead to failure and will alert the enemy."
Feng Chu Chu fell silent. She knew Liang Yizhi was right. She could only wait now, patiently.
"Chu Chu, don't be anxious. You'll eventually get your chance," Liang Yizhi said.
Feng Chu Chu nodded. "I was a little out of line just now."
She was just too anxious. She didn't want her mother to harm herself because of her in the future. She would rather her mother hurt her than the other way around, as that would bring her some solace.
"Chu Chu, you don't need to be so polite with me. We are all in the same boat."
Feng Chu Chu nodded. "It won't happen again."
A few more days passed. Feng Chu Chu had adapted to the fact that her mother could not speak. The only advantage of this was that Feng Changshan's control over her mother had lessened considerably.
With her mother unable to speak and no paper or brush in the room, she couldn't write anything. This put Feng Changshan at ease, and his control over his wife decreased.
Feng Chu Chu found some comfort in this, as her mother now had more freedom and wasn't constantly under Feng Changshan's surveillance.
An opportunity finally arose. In a few days, it was Feng Changshan's mother's birthday. Feng Changshan always held a grand celebration, and this year seemed to be no exception.
In the evening, Liang Yizhi secretly left the Feng mansion and went to an inn. Liang Yihan was not happy to see her brother; he hadn't come out with news for several days, and now his words were full of praise for the young lady of the Feng family. She felt abandoned.
"Tomorrow, I hope the Imperial Censor can help me hold back Feng Changshan, allowing me to enter Feng Changshan's study to find evidence."
Yan Zhao nodded. "I can."
Xue Zining asked, "How are things between you and Miss Feng?"
Liang Yizhi nodded. "Miss Feng is a good person. She has helped me a lot."
Xue Zining nodded. "That's good."
After sending Liang Yizhi off, Xue Zining looked at Yan Zhao and said, "Your plan is good, except for the slightly underhanded aspect."