Liu'er was so captivated by that laugh that her heart raced. She couldn't help but steal another glance at him. Seeing him smiling, she quickly lowered her eyes and shyly nodded. "This servant girl has been moving the beauty couch for the mistress all afternoon by herself. And smelling this fragrant porridge, of course I like it..."
She deliberately mentioned moving the couch alone, and there was even a hint of grievance in her words. Presumably, she hoped that Pei Zhiyan would show some tenderness towards her.
However, Pei Zhiyan didn't show the expected look of pity. He just nodded calmly. "Then you've really worked hard."
"It's not hard, not hard at all." Liu'er was overjoyed. "It's worth all the hard work if I can gain the master's favor..." As she said this, she blushed and lowered her head again, looking extremely shy.
The coldness in Pei Zhiyan's eyes grew stronger, but he still let out a soft laugh. "Really? Since you've worked so hard, this bowl of porridge is for you."
Liu'er's smile froze on her face. She watched as Pei Zhiyan pushed the porridge in front of her. Thinking of the powder she had poured into the porridge earlier, under Pei Zhiyan's gaze, a thin layer of sweat broke out on her forehead. She didn't know what to do.
"What? Didn't you say you liked it just now?" Pei Zhiyan stared at Liu'er. His tone was slow but carried a hint of scrutiny.
Liu'er didn't say a word. She could only force a smile, raise her hand to take the porridge bowl, and said, "Thank you for the master's reward."
Pei Zhiyan nodded. "Drink it."
Liu'er had no choice. Under Pei Zhiyan's watchful eyes, she could only brace herself and drink the porridge. She understood that if she didn't want to expose her secret, she had to finish the porridge. Otherwise, if Pei Zhiyan noticed something strange and found out the problem with the porridge, her end would be very miserable.
She finished the porridge in one gulp, forced a smile, and nodded in admiration. "The porridge from the kitchen is very delicious. The mistress should try it some other day."
Song Ruotang looked at her expression and smiled slightly. "Okay, I see."
"If there's nothing else, this servant girl will take her leave first." Liu'er held the empty bowl and her tone became much more respectful.
Pei Zhiyan looked at the bowls and dishes on the table and called out to Liu'er who was about to leave. "The mistress has walked a lot today. How can these things fill her up? Go to the kitchen and ask them to make some new food."
At this moment, Liu'er only felt her stomach rumbling non - stop. But she couldn't disobey Pei Zhiyan's order. She could only endure the discomfort and bow. "Yes, this servant girl will go right away."
As soon as she walked out of the door, she could no longer hold back the rumbling in her stomach. Just then, she met a young maid coming towards her. She quickly called out to her. "The Third Mistress is going to have a meal. Go to the kitchen for me. I need to go to the toilet..."
Before she could finish speaking, her stomach growled again. Liu'er's face changed. She quickly urged, "Remember to go quickly..."
After saying that, she fled towards the toilet as if escaping.
Liu'er had put a lot of laxatives in that bowl of porridge, but in the end, the porridge ended up in her own stomach. She had diarrhea for three days and three nights, and she was completely exhausted.
When Song Ruotang saw her again, she was staggering, with a sallow complexion, dark circles under her eyes, and looking listless.
"Third Mistress, this servant girl still can't serve you today..." Liu'er said in a faint voice, as if she was about to collapse at any moment.
Song Ruotang wasn't too surprised by her state. After all, she had suspected something when Liu'er urged her to drink the porridge. But she didn't expect Liu'er to be so cruel and put such a strong dose of medicine.
She lowered her eyes, and her gaze fell on the exposed part of Liu'er's neck. There were some slightly red bumps on it, but Liu'er lowered her head slightly to cover the marks.
Song Ruotang didn't make things difficult for her. She didn't want to have someone sent by Du Lingxuan monitoring her all the time. So she just nodded and agreed to her leave. "Go back and have a good rest."
Liu'er curtsied and left, holding her stomach.
At this time, Du Lingxuan was sitting in her room. The old maid who had made things difficult for Song Ruotang before was standing beside her. A young maid walked in. Du Lingxuan was holding a teacup and didn't even lift her eyelids. "How's it going?"
The maid shook her head. "Liu'er has been really miserable these two days. I don't know how she ate something bad. She has diarrhea so badly that she can hardly stand up..."
Du Lingxuan frowned slightly, and a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes. This stupid girl. She had given her the medicine, but in the end, she used it on herself.
She didn't want to mention Liu'er anymore. Instead, she asked, "And what about the master?"
"The master has only been to the Third Mistress's place once in these few days. Usually, he stays in the study." The maid replied truthfully.
Hearing this, Du Lingxuan's tightly knitted brows relaxed a little. She took a sip of tea, and her expression changed. Song Ruotang didn't follow the rules when she entered the mansion. Now Lin Yun was injured first, and then Liu'er was sick. All these were related to Song Ruotang...
Du Lingxuan narrowed her eyes slightly. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind. She turned to the old maid beside her and said, "Nanny Jiang, send someone to Qingyi Courtyard and tell her that we're going to the garden to enjoy the plum blossoms tomorrow. Ask her if she wants to go."
"Yes, this servant girl will go right away." Nanny Jiang knew that Du Lingxuan was up to something again just by looking at her expression. She agreed with a smile.
This was the last season of plum blossoms in winter. After this season, spring would come. When Song Ruotang received the invitation, she didn't want to go. Pei Zhiyan had also said that she should try not to provoke them, and she didn't want to clash with them for the time being.
But when she declined, Du Lingxuan came with a group of people the next day to call her. "Third younger sister, this is the last season of plum blossoms. Sister is still waiting for us in the garden. Won't you go?"
Song Ruotang was in a dilemma. Du Lingxuan smiled. "Third younger sister, you're not still holding a grudge about the day you entered the mansion, are you?" She pursed her lips and said apologetically, "I just wanted to follow the rules. Please don't take it to heart."
Song Ruotang smiled. "How could I? Second elder sister is overthinking. It's just that I'm not feeling well. If I go, I'll spoil the two elder sisters' mood."
"Little sister just entered the mansion. She should take good care of herself." Du Lingxuan showed a worried look. She asked a few casual questions and didn't force her. Then she led the people away.
Song Ruotang looked at Du Lingxuan's back, wondering what she was up to this time.
Pei Zhiyan came back quite late. Just as he stepped into Song Ruotang's courtyard and hadn't even taken off his cloak, a figure rushed in. Then came Nanny Jiang's anxious voice. "Master, please go and see the Second Mistress. She was very energetic this morning, but she fell ill when she came back at noon..."
Pei Zhiyan looked at Nanny Jiang's almost crying expression and frowned. "If she's sick, go and find a doctor. I'm not a doctor. Going to see her won't cure her illness."
Nanny Jiang was stunned for a moment, but still mustered the courage to explain. "Master, the Second Mistress hasn't seen you for a long time. Since she fell ill today, she's been calling your name in a daze. Please show some pity for the mistress and go and have a look at her..."
Pei Zhiyan pursed his lips slightly and curled his fingers together. He turned to look at Song Ruotang, who nodded. "Since the Second Mistress is ill, you should go and have a look."