Chapter 9: Offspring

Yueyao looked at the three young ladies in front of her, thinking how the main branch of the Lian family had many heirs, not only three young ladies but also two legitimate sons and three concubine-born children. Her eldest cousin Lian Tingli and her second cousin Lian Tingyi were legitimate sons born to Lady Mo. Both were handsome and talented, praised by the Great Scholar. In her previous life, both had promising futures. As for the concubine-born, one died early, one was adopted into the second branch, and only the one born to Maternal Auntie Su, Lian Tinglun, grew up safely.

Yueyao murmured, "How nice it would be if I also had a brother." The main branch had five sons, while the second branch had none, eventually relying on adoption from the main branch. How wonderful it would be if she had a brother!

Standing close as Yueyao's personal maid, Hua Lei had sharp ears and could hear Yueyao's murmuring very clearly. Upon hearing, her eyes flickered a couple of times.

Lian Yuebing, seeing Yueyao's dazed expression, came over and took Yueyao's hand, laughing playfully, "Yueyao, what's wrong? What are you daydreaming about?"

Yueyao, lost in her thoughts, was startled when she saw Lian Yuebing's face and pushed her away with all her might, causing Yuebing to fall to the ground.

Hearing Yuebing's scream, Yueyao instantly came back to her senses, realizing she had been too forceful. Her mind quickly switched gears, and she promptly fainted to the ground. If she didn't faint, she would definitely have to explain herself, and how could she clarify the situation at that moment?

The people inside the room were shocked, even Old Madam Lian was taken aback. Nanny Zheng quickly ordered the servants to lift her onto the couch and then called for the maid to fetch the doctor.

The doctor was Doctor Tang, whom the Lian family always used. After taking her pulse, he said, "The Third Young Lady fainted from a severe fright. Old Madam, the Third Young Lady is too troubled and spiritless. Now she has had a fright and needs a lot of rest. I will prescribe some medicine; she needs to recuperate properly. Otherwise, it could lead to serious consequences, which wouldn't be good for a young mistress at all."

The doctor was always employed by the Lian family, and no one knew Yueyao's condition better than him, so his words carried authority.

Old Madam Lian, surprised, asked, "Frightened?" The child was fine just a moment ago; how could she get frightened by Yuebing's touch?

The doctor shook his head; how would he know what frightened the Third Young Lady? He only knew she had been frightened. After prescribing the medicine, he went to check on Yuebing, who had only scraped her hand. Taking some ointment, he said, "Don't touch cold water, and apply this ointment for a few days. Otherwise, it will scar," a little scar being a significant issue for a lady of high standing.

Hearing this, Yuebing burst into tears in anger.

The Old Madam rewarded the doctor handsomely. Turning back, she couldn't solve the puzzle, "What exactly happened? How did she get frightened all of a sudden?"

Nanny Zheng shook her head, expressing her inability to understand as well. Everyone had clearly seen the scene. It was baffling that the Third Young Lady got frightened just by being touched by the Second Young Lady.

Although Old Madam Lian was experienced and knowledgeable, she also harbored doubts but wouldn't normally think her granddaughter was possessed by something unclean. Of course, mostly because Yueyao did have some unusual aspects about her, but her behavior wasn't too outlandish, just slightly abnormal, "Have someone check what exactly happened? What nightmare did Yueyao have that night?" Since that nightmare, the child had been acting strangely.

Yueyao pretended to faint to escape everyone's questioning. Now lying on the couch, she told herself to stay calm, calm. Yet, she knew she still needed time to adjust. Otherwise, this behavior would certainly be considered possession.

Yueyao felt it was about time and opened her eyes. Old Madam Lian, seeing her awake, breathed a sigh of relief, "Awake now? Good, it looks like this child needs some good nourishment."

Yueyao, looking at the bedside sisters Yueying and Yuehuan, weakly said, "Big sister, just now, I was thinking about our parents and got startled when Second Sister called out to me abruptly. Please tell Big Sister and Second Sister that it wasn't intentional. I'll go and apologize to Second Sister right now." As she said this, she attempted to get up but was pressed back down by Yueying.

Yueying accepted Yueyao's explanation immediately. Yueyao copied scriptures every day in the Buddhist hall, her mind utterly pure, a fact known to everyone in the mansion, "Alright, don't think too much, just focus on recovering. I'll talk to Second Sister."

Yueyao, very weakly, nodded, "Thank you, Big Sister, for visiting me with Fourth Sister." Her pale appearance was pitiful to behold.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sisters left.

After lying down for a while, Yueyao spoke to Old Madam Lian about returning to Lanxi Courtyard. Being here would only disturb Old Madam Lian's peace. Initially, Old Madam Lian disagreed, but Yueyao was very insistent. Yueyao's stubbornness was well known to everyone; when she dug her heels in, not even ten oxen could pull her back.