He didn’t yet know that Yun Jinnian had resolved the poisoning of Prince Rui and Prince Yanjun on his trip.
If he knew, he wouldn’t have resorted to this approach.
"When Second Master falls ill, just summon a doctor or fetch a prescription to invite the Imperial Physician. What’s the use in seeking the lady? If it’s a lack of people taking care of him, let Aunt Rou or Aunt Lian attend to him!" Having said that, Bai Que directly shut the courtyard door.
The butler’s face immediately turned an ashen hue.
This maid had the same temperament as the lady, a real stone in a latrine, both stinky and hard.
Wanting to say something, in the end, he said nothing and turned to leave.
Bai Que returned to the parlor and whispered a few words to Mrs. Han, who responded with a faint smile, "Let him make a fuss, let’s have our meal!"
She didn’t believe Yun Qi was sick in the slightest.
Yun Jinnian pursed her lips and didn’t say more.
Between parents, she didn’t know what to say; towards Yun Qi, her father, she harbored resentment.
Real, tangible resentment.
Yun Jinnian didn’t know how deep this resentment was, but she was unwilling to forgive, that was certain.
She picked up a bowl, took up chopsticks, and chewed slowly and carefully.
Yun Qi was aware that Mrs. Han wouldn’t come, but still couldn’t help looking towards the door.
He thought, as long as Mrs. Han arrived, no matter what he had to do, he would be willing.
Old Madam Yun hurried in, "Qi’er..."
Yun Qi looked at Old Madam Yun, noticing her temples were streaked with white and the wrinkles around her eyes had multiplied.
"Everyone else leave, I have a few words with Old Madam!"
The maids, granny servants, and page boys promptly exited the room.
Aunt Lian hesitated for a moment, then followed suit and left.
Aunt Rou cast a longing glance at Yun Qi before also retreating.
In the room, just mother and son remained.
Old Madam Yun looked at Yun Qi with heartache.
This son had been the most filial and considerate in his earlier years but had gradually grown distant from her after marrying a wife, and only then had she grown envious of Mrs. Han and done those things.
And having done one of those things, to cover the truth of the previous deed, she had to commit another, until she realized, when her son’s life was a fate worse than death, that it was too late to retract her actions.
Yun Qi sat up, his hand gently tidying Old Madam Yun’s hair, "In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, Mother has aged!"
At these words, Old Madam Yun’s eyes suddenly brimmed with tears.
"I still remember how in earlier years, Mother’s hair was so dark, and there were no wrinkles at the corners of your eyes and brows, but now white strands have appeared at your temples..."
"Qi’er, what’s really wrong with you?" Old Madam Yun was anxious, sensing that something was about to happen that she couldn’t control.
"Mother, today I truly call you ’Mother,’ and when I ask you something, you won’t hide the truth from me, right?"
Old Madam Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She stared incredulously at Yun Qi, "What do you wish to ask?"
"I just want to ask, was it truly me who, drunk, climbed into Aunt Hua and Aunt Su’s beds? Were Aunt Shu and my third brother truly engaged in an illicit affair that resulted in their illegitimate child, or were they framed by someone else’s scheme?"
Yun Qi’s words were heavy, hammering against Old Madam Yun’s heart.
They also terrified her into shrieking, as she leaped up and asked sharply, "What do you mean by asking this? Are you doubting me?"
Yun Qi remained silent, just looking steadily at Old Madam Yun.
Watching her panic, her fear, her dread, her guilt.
So that was it, that was...
Overwhelmed, Yun Qi spit out another mouthful of blood.
Old Madam Yun wanted to step forward, but Yun Qi raised his hand to stop her, forbidding her to come closer. Despite his reluctance, he still asked, "Mother, can you tell me today, do you truly have nothing to do with all this?"