I Did Say For Now, Didn't I?

In the residence of 'General Long Zhao Xue', a cold war was taking place between the manors of Second Madam and Third Madam. Although Long Yan and the Second Madam had recovered completely, no one could blame the Second Madam for still holding a grudge on Xiao Yue. She had expected to see Xiao Yue punished, or at least banished from the house but their dear husband did not arrange to do so. No. Precisely because it was not her husband so he did not bother to kick the Third Madam out!

Since he came back, Long Zhao Feng had to endure rounds of scolding from the Second Madam. The Second Madam had truly changed after giving birth, even her maids and servants were surprised to make such observations. She was like a mother tiger, intent on protecting her young. All traces of the good relationship between them disappeared, whether it was as pretend husband and wife or as brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

When they were alone, Second Madam hissed at Long Zhao Feng in low voice, "After you inherit the title, do you not care about me and First Sister anymore? Then what about Long Yan? He is still your nephew! The only son of your brother! Long Zhao Feng, you tell me here and now, are you still trying to find your brother's murderer or have you given up to stay with that... that girl???"

Long Zhao Feng took all the accusations quietly, letting the Second Madam unleash all her fury on him. And yet after all that, he still did not change his mind. The Third Madam was to remain in the household. When asked about her punishment, Long Zhao Feng merely replied that the days she spent in the prison were enough to account for her crime, which was merely to plant the wolfsbane. Long Zhao Feng refused to believe that Xiao Yue was involved in Long Yan's poisoning incident. This did not make Second Madam any happier. She was even more enraged when one day baby Long Yan was taken from her side, using the excuse that it required the staffs' full attention to take care of both of them, so it would be better if they were separated for the time being.

"Are you going to give my baby to her??" Second Madam had directly flung the accusation to Long Zhao Feng's face. Her eyes were brimming with tears, born from hatred toward anyone who was not siding to her.

"Of course not," Long Zhao Feng calmly replied. "You can come to see him anytime you want. Wan Rong, take good care of yourself. If the mother is sick, how can she take care of her child?"

Second Madam cried and begged to no avail. The child was still removed from the Second Madam's manor.

To avoid inciting the Second Madam even further, Long Zhao Feng stayed at the First Madam's manor during his stay away from the palace. Long Zhao Feng took the baby to First Madam. First Madam was a reasonable and well-tempered woman. Although Long Yan was not her child, he was still her husband's child. Long Zhao Feng thus did not have any qualms to leave the child in her care. First Madam agreed to take care of baby Long Yan for the time being. Baby Long Yan was not even a month old. After the poisoning incident took place, he stopped nursing from his mother and a few wet nurses were employed to feed him. The wet nurses came with him to the First Madam's manor, but the baby missed his mother and thus cried a lot for her. The wet nurses had a lot of difficulties to calm him, let alone the First Madam. Baby Long Yan's first night in the First Madam's manor was thus restless, for the baby as well as everyone who resided in the First Madam's manor including First Madam and Long Zhao Feng.

When Long Zhao Feng visited his little nephew the next morning, he found him sniffling in First Madam's arms. First Madam did not look too good. Her tired eyes spoke volumes. The fact that she did not complain said a lot about her character.

While cradling the crying baby in her arms, First Madam asked, "What are your plans?"

She naturally referred to Xiao Yue. Long Zhao Feng pursed his lips as an answer. He knew that things had gone past the point of no return. The fire had spread to the whole residence. Even if he was willing to forget the whole thing, he knew that he could not infiltrate everyone's mind. The maids and servants had their own opinions. Though their opinions mostly did not matter if compared to Long Zhao Feng's, the latter was barely around the house. He could not safeguard Xiao Yue's safety from far away.

After he brought Xiao Yue home that day, he did not come to visit again until three days later. Unfortunately, Xiao Yue was sleeping when he came by so they could not have a little chat. Yu Fen took the liberty to report the progress of her young lady's recovery.

"Third Madam sleeps a lot, but when she's awake, we make sure that she eats and drinks properly. Her fever is gone, and she is more lively now."

"You have done a good job," Long Zhao Feng praised.

Truly, having a trustable and reliable servant was more precious than a chest of pearls and diamonds. Yu Fen was the only maid Chun Ya took with her to the Long household. She was loyal without doubt, going as far as risking her own life to speak on her young lady's behalf. Maids and servants were very fickle. They were loyal to their masters and mistresses only if said people could safeguard their life and their family's life. It might sound heartless, but that was the way things work. After all, a lot of masters and mistresses did not shy from sacrificing their people if it could save their own lives.

"No, it is this servant's duty," Yu Fen humbly answered.

Long Zhao Feng dismissed her and sat with Xiao Yue for a while. He gazed at the peaceful sleeping face and pondered about a few options in silence. Even after waiting for an hour, Xiao Yue did not wake up so Long Zhao Feng summoned Yu Fen and left her a few messages.

"Situation is rather delicate right now," he said. "Avoid doing anything excessive to attract attention. Stay low-key at all times."

"Yes, General."

Long Zhao Feng left that day to go back to the palace. Yu Fen did as she was told, and she also informed the other maids and servants, who swore they would not go to seek troubles with the Second Madam's manor.

Another three days went by peacefully. Long Zhao Feng came home again, and he headed to First Madam's manor directly.

"Sister-in-law, I am going away for a long time. A war with the Hei Kingdom is unavoidable."

First Madam nodded. It was not the first time that she heard similar words. Whenever her husband left, he always left her with the message to take care of everything at home. Now that Long Zhao Feng was in charge, she had to share his burden as well. Especially with the conflict between Wan Rong and Chun Ya... ah, these younger women were truly immature.

"Don't worry, I will make sure that no one is causing any more trouble."

"I appreciate it, Sister-in-law. I need you to pay extra attention to Wan Rong and Long Yan. Especially Wan Rong. With the way she is right now, I don't think Long Yan should stay with her at all."

First Madam nodded in agreement. Second Madam had been ill-tempered since she gave birth. It was not a good idea to leave her alone with the baby. Who knew what would happen when her temper again flares up. She might unwittingly hurt the child.

"I will make sure that Wan Rong and Chun Ya never stay in the same room. Not seeing each other will help both overcome the differences with time."

Long Zhao Feng laughed.

"Sister-in-law is wise. That is why I am taking Chun Ya with me."

"!!!!"