Evening had fallen, and the Duke Wei’s Mansion, lively throughout the day, had once again reclaimed its tranquility.
Grand Madam had aged and, after busily entertaining a host of female guests for most of the day, she too felt tired.
Yet she remained in the bedroom, watching He Tiantian take her medicine.
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang and He Yi were also present.
He Yi actually wanted to get closer to help Tiantian take her medicine, but the always perceptive Nanny Seo seemed unable for once to decipher her subtle cues and stood directly in front of He Yi.
Whether it was administering medicine or wiping her brow, Nanny Seo did everything herself, never letting a second person intervene.
He Yi: ... Hmph, as if I coveted such a task!
If it weren’t for Grand Madam being present, He Yi, a daughter of the Lord’s Mansion who usually wouldn’t soil her ten fingers, would never stoop to serving others.
"... Grand Madam, you must be utterly exhausted from today’s affairs?"
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang didn’t notice her daughter’s unusual behavior; with a smile plastered on her face, she tried her best to cozy up to Grand Madam.
"Alas, it’s to say that our Tiantian is down on her luck. With you as a good mother-in-law, she—"
Saying this, the Wife of Marquis Yongchang theatrically dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
"Tiantian is doing well. Having her as a daughter-in-law is my good fortune as well!"
Grand Madam didn’t quite like the Wife of Marquis Yongchang, who was too mercenary. Unlike He Tian’s mother from the Wang Family, now she was a true lady from the noble family.
What a pity, too much cleverness leads to disaster.
Lady He and the Wang Family’s mother and daughter just proved this saying.
Both passed away at the tender age akin to blooming flowers.
Especially Lady He, who had even saved her own son—Grand Madam now felt immense gratitude and guilt toward "He Tian."
She had truly grown fond of "He Tian" and considered this daughter-in-law as part of her own family, so she disliked even more hearing others speak ill-omened words.
Grand Madam understood perfectly the intentions of the Wife of Marquis Yongchang: reminding her that as an aging in-law, with Tiantian’s life hanging by a thread, Duke Mansion would soon need someone to take over the household affairs.
After all, there would be more guest hosting and socializing in the future; it wouldn’t do to always wear out an elderly lady like Grand Madam.
As for the candidate to take over, naturally, it had to be He Yi.
Although He Yi had not yet married into Duke Mansion, this matter was already clear to everyone involved.
To outsiders, one could merely say that the sister was helping her elder sibling with some tasks, which sort of excuse might pass muster.
It might look a bit unseemly on the surface, but everyone could understand.
Besides, it was a matter of sooner or later, better to let He Yi start practicing early so she wouldn’t be overwhelmed when she formally entered the household.
Though understandable, Grand Madam still couldn’t help feeling discomfort.
Lady He hadn’t yet passed, yet the Wife of Marquis Yongchang and He Yi were so eagerly forward—such eagerness was quite distasteful!
"Tiantian has bestowed a great favor on our Kang Family; I, an old woman, am more than willing to do anything for her!"
Grand Madam glanced indifferently at the Wife of Marquis Yongchang and spoke with significant meaning.
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang felt that her little schemes had been seen through by Grand Madam and was somewhat sheepish.
She awkwardly twisted her mouth, wanting to say something more but fearing to displease Grand Madam, so she forcefully restrained herself.
Separated by a screen, He Tiantian lay on the sickbed; having just taken her medicine, she had dozed off briefly and was now waking up.
She overheard Grand Madam’s words and called out softly, "Mother, I, I have a favor to ask of you!"
Upon hearing her daughter-in-law had awoken, Grand Madam quickly rose to her feet, walked around the screen, and approached the sickbed.
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang and He Yi did not dare delay and followed behind Grand Madam.
With a loving smile, Grand Madam asked softly, "What is it? Tell me, and as long as I can do it, I will help you!"
She speculated internally, was her daughter-in-law still worried about Brother Yuan, wanting to entrust him to her as his mother-in-law?
"Mother, my, my sister has also reached the age for marriage. Originally, I wanted her to marry into the Duke Mansion, but, but upon further contemplation, I realize this is too selfish of me!"
"Lord Duke is certainly all kinds of wonderful in my heart, but it cannot be denied that Lord Duke already has a legitimate eldest son. It’s not, not suitable for her to be a stepmother. I know our Yiyi has always been kind and gentle, but, but I can’t be selfish and put her in an uncomfortable situation!"
"But because of my small-mindedness, I have implicated my sister’s reputation. Though I have languished in bed for many days, I can imagine the kind of gossip and slander there must be outside!"
""""Blame me, it’s all my fault, I am the one who wronged Yiyi! So, Mother, I beg you to help Yiyi find a suitable match. With your noble birth and high esteem, and the Capital City’s nobles all being in good relations with you—""""
Speaking thus far, He Tiantian grit her teeth and struggled to rise, trying to get up so she could plead with the Grand Madam from a more humble position.
""""Don’t! Child, please don’t get up!""""
The Grand Madam was startled and reached out to stop her, all the while calling out, """"Nanny Seo, hurry and support your lady!""""
""""Mother, I beg you, please help me put this worry to rest!""""
But He Tiantian would not lie down obediently and continued to struggle to get up.
The Grand Madam was confused.
Originally, it was Lady He who had proposed the idea of having He Yi as a stepmother, but now it was also her who was rejecting He Yi’s entry into the family.
What exactly was Lady He thinking—
Wait, could it be that He Yi’s recent behavior had been too frivolous? Assuming the role of the Duke Mansion’s female lead a bit too soon had angered Lady He?!
The Grand Madam’s eyes flickered with thought.
Truly, from He Tian’s perspective, one could understand this whole ordeal.
After all, He Tian wasn’t dead yet!
Not to mention, just moments ago, right in He Tian’s bedroom, the Wife of Marquis Yongchang had been subtly pushing for He Yi to take over the housekeeper role.
Even if He Tian were lying right there behind the screen, one could imagine she’d be so angered by this move that she might come back to life even if she had just expired!
""""...This matter is not all that difficult,"""" the Grand Madam pondered her words carefully, speaking slowly while observing He Tiantian’s expression.
She wondered whether He Tiantian’s words were spoken in a moment of frustration or whether she truly didn’t wish He Yi to marry into the Duke Mansion.
If it were the former, the Grand Madam didn’t want to agree too hastily, lest He Tiantian later change her mind.
If it were the latter... the Grand Madam narrowed her eyes, thinking the best outcome would be not to marry He Yi at all!
She had already been considering finding her son another match from a noble family, but out of consideration for He Tian’s plea, she hadn’t wanted to refuse outright.
Moreover, Marquis Yongchang’s Mansion was increasingly starting to lose its luster, and He Yi was far less refined and proper in her mannerisms compared to He Tian.
Her judgments were too superficial, and her conduct not stringent enough. The Grand Madam found nothing satisfactory in her.
Now, the daughter-in-law, who was most troubling the Grand Madam, also seemed to not want He Yi to enter the family, which suited the Grand Madam’s own wishes perfectly.
""""No! Tiantian, you must be delirious from your illness!""""
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang felt something was amiss the moment she heard He Tiantian’s first sentence.
As He Tiantian went on, her words became more and more preposterous, and the Wife of Marquis Yongchang was so angered she nearly jumped to her feet.
What did He Tian mean?
Pulling such stunts over and over, was she deliberately playing with their Yiyi?
Or was she intent on ruining Yiyi’s reputation, making her the laughingstock of Capital City?
Well done, He Tian, truly vicious.
No wonder she had come up with the wicked plan to drug He Yi.
She must have been jealous of Yiyi for securing her place in the Duke Mansion, envious of Yiyi’s youth and health. She, she...
The Wife of Marquis Yongchang’s thoughts were in chaos, a jumble of ideas swirling in her head.
In her urgency, she disregarded all propriety and berated outright.
""""Auntie, I am truly heartbroken for Yiyi!"""""
""""Don’t worry, although I have tarnished Yiyi’s reputation, as the mother of the Duke Mansion, I can certainly arrange an excellent match for her!""""
He Tiantian was still weak, but she spoke with unwavering determination.
Seeing this, the Grand Madam knew she wasn’t acting on a whim and slowly nodded...