"I'll go back and write the prescription, boil the medicine, and have Chu Qing deliver it to you," Feng Jin said. After finishing, she was about to stand up and leave. As she reached the doorway, Ling Muzhu quickly called out, "Eldest sister-in-law, wait... I have something else I want to tell you."
Ling Muzhu walked over to Feng Jin, her expression a little shy. "Eldest sister-in-law... I..."
"What is it?"
"Actually... it's just that... can you not tell anyone else about this? I'm a grown man, and if others find out I'm weak, won't they laugh at me? Please keep it a secret for me, eldest sister-in-law..." After all, this matter concerned a man's dignity. If others found out, wouldn't he be utterly ridiculed? He wouldn't be able to face anyone.
"Pfft..." Feng Jin couldn't help but laugh out loud. If Ling Muzhu hadn't reminded her, she would have completely forgotten about it. For any man, regardless of age, this was indeed the biggest taboo. Feng Jin understood Ling Muzhu's feelings, as this wasn't the first time she had encountered such a situation. She readily agreed to Ling Muzhu's request, "Don't worry, I'll definitely keep this a secret for you and won't let anyone else know." Otherwise, if this got out, Ling Muzhu would never be able to find a wife again.
"Thank you, eldest sister-in-law. Your great kindness..."
"Don't say any more of that nonsense. Go pack your things first. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll help you get it." Since Ling Muzhu's birth mother, Madam Zhao, was not at home, and Second Master Ling was confined to the ancestral hall, it was said that a sister-in-law was like a mother. If she didn't show concern for Ling Muzhu now, who else would? She had to put in more effort.
"Eldest sister-in-law, you don't need to worry. Everything has been prepared, and there are no missing items." He was going to take up his post, not go to war. If anything was missing, he could get it in Ning County. He only brought a few changes of clothes.
"Alright, then you pack. I'll be going now." Ling Muzhu's departure date was drawing nearer. Before he left, she wanted to help him recover his health. She couldn't let Ling Muzhu go to his post with a sickly body. With time still available, Feng Jin did not linger and hurried back to her courtyard to boil the medicine.
"Young Madam, let me handle these things. You should go rest quickly." Seeing Feng Jin placing the medicine pot on the stove, Chu Qing quickly put down what she was holding and hurried over, taking the medicine pot from Feng Jin's hands.
"It's nothing. I can do this small task myself. You can't snatch away all the work..." Feng Jin realized that Chu Qing couldn't bear to see her do anything these past few days and would immediately rush to take over. Was she planning to treat her like a painting on the wall to be worshipped?
"Young Madam, I just see that you have to take care of the children these days and do other things, which is too tiring. That's why I wanted to help you do some things so you could have more time to rest." The young madam had no time to rest all day. She was snatching up work because she wanted the young madam to have more time to rest. She couldn't let her get worn out.
"My body isn't made of water, it's not that delicate. If you keep me from doing anything and always have me sitting and resting, I'll probably become a fat lady in no time."
"How could that be... Young Madam is naturally beautiful. Even if you become a fat lady, you'll still be the most beautiful fat lady in this world." The young madam was truly the most beautiful woman the young maidservant had ever seen. No one could compare to the young madam.
"Stop your flattering talk. I don't want to become a fat lady. Go and attend to your own matters. I can manage to watch the medicine pot here."
"No, Young Madam, I'll do it. Young Madam, I beg you, go and rest for another day. Tomorrow, I won't snatch things from you anymore." If she could rest for another day, it was another day. Chu Qing stubbornly guarded the medicine pot, refusing to let Feng Jin near it. She was determined to drive Feng Jin away, insisting that Feng Jin get more rest for a day before she would give up.
Feng Jin was finally defeated by Chu Qing's stubbornness. With a helpless sigh, she stood up. "Alright then, you guard it well. I'll go back and be lazy. After the medicine is boiled, deliver it to Ling Muzhu."
"Is this medicine for Second Young Master? Is Second Young Master sick?" Chu Qing, upon hearing that the medicine was for Ling Muzhu, asked with a slight tinge of anxiety. She had seen Second Young Master just two days ago, and he seemed perfectly fine. How could he suddenly be sick? She hadn't heard anyone mention it.
Feng Jin didn't pay much attention to Chu Qing's unusual behavior. Remembering her promise to Ling Muzhu, she vaguely mumbled a few words to brush it off, "It's nothing, just a slight cold. He'll be fine after drinking some medicine. Don't forget to send it to him." After speaking, Feng Jin left immediately, worried that she might slip up and break her promise, which would be truly difficult to explain to Ling Muzhu. "Just a cold..." Chu Qing frowned slightly, a hint of worry flashing across her mind.
...
After Feng Jin returned to her courtyard, she felt that the courtyard was unusually quiet today. Usually, as soon as she stepped inside, she could hear the sounds of the two children playing. Today, the silence was abnormally so. This was completely out of character for the two mischievous rascals. Such quietness, were they plotting something again? Feng Jin walked forward with great vigilance. When she reached the door of the room, she first pressed her ear against it and listened carefully. It was still quiet. This stark contrast made Feng Jin a little puzzled. Could it be that the two little ones had gone out and weren't in the room? She then immediately pushed open the door and walked in. She saw Da Bao and Er Bao sitting neatly on chairs, all with their heads lowered, intently studying something.
"What are you two doing?" As Feng Jin's voice fell, Da Bao and Er Bao simultaneously looked up at Feng Jin.
"Mother, you're finally here!" Da Bao and Er Bao said in unison. Then, they both jumped down from their chairs and rushed to Feng Jin's side, holding up the cubes they were holding. A jumble of voices erupted.
"You two, speak one at a time. Slow down, no grabbing. Don't rush."