The weather in June was already quite hot and humid. My injured foot had improved a lot thanks to everyone's careful care. The purplish-blue color had turned into a pale yellow with a slight bluish tinge, and it looked like it would regain its former whiteness in a few more days.

Wang Shi leaned lazily against the soft pillows, unceremoniously sidling up to the window. She pushed open the checkered window covered with fine blue silk gauze, irritably fanning herself with a round fan, muttering, "It's so hot."

Just then, Mrs. Zhang brought over a bowl of plum juice. Hearing what she said, she smiled and said, "It's like this at this time of year. It will get better after it rains in another month or so."

Zhang's mother glanced at Chunlan, and Chunlan immediately understood. She went to the window and closed it a little closer, since it had been pushed too open earlier.

Wang was already annoyed, and upon seeing him, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.

Mrs. Zhang hurriedly said, "The wind is still a bit strong at this time. The girl may not feel hot now, but she might feel uncomfortable later."

Wang frowned, unwilling but unable to refute.

At these times, she also realized that her body was not as strong as it used to be, and there was some truth to what Zhang's mother said.

Mrs. Zhang placed the small white porcelain bowl, which was covered with a thin layer of water droplets, on the table and said in a low voice, "Girl, drink some plum juice to cool off in the summer heat."

The most expensive thing Wang used to drink was a large bowl of tea that cost one coin for two bowls. This was the first time she had ever seen such a high-class product as sour plum juice.

Looking at the dark liquid with curiosity, Wang picked up the bowl and took a tentative sip. It was sour and cool, and it made her mouth water.

Wang simply tossed her head back, and a bowl of icy sour juice slid down her throat and into her stomach. She shivered, and the heat she had felt earlier immediately dissipated.

Mrs. Wang raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Mother Zhang, give me another bowl."

Zhang's mother said demurely, "Miss, this plum juice has been thoroughly soaked in the cool air from the well. Drinking just a little will relieve the summer heat, but drinking more might harm your health."

Nothing she said or did went her way, and Wang's temper flared up again.

The half-understood words of Madam Yu's sermon echoed in her mind. She had just driven Yunzhu away a few days ago, and if she drove away this wet nurse who had "nursed" this body today, Madam Yu would probably nag her again.

After much deliberation, Wang, thinking it best to avoid trouble, forcibly suppressed her anger.

A series of hurried footsteps came from the courtyard, and Xia Zhu, a newly promoted second-class maid, ran in to report: "Miss, the Jiang family heard that you are ill, so they specially sent two large carts of tonics."

Ever since the last time Wang was suspected of having amnesia after mentioning the annulment of the engagement, Yu had not brought it up again. Wang was anxious, but she didn't want to keep bringing it up. With the wedding date approaching, Chunlan added fuel to the fire. Wang, who believed that a good woman should not remarry, was understandably furious.

Unfortunately, Xia Zhu was oblivious to social cues and continued to boast about what she had just seen, "Miss, you didn't see it, the gift boxes on that carriage were all topped off. I heard from the driver that Young Master Jiang will be coming to visit us in person later."

When Zhang Mama was serving the mother and daughter, she learned that Wang Shi wanted to break off the engagement. Seeing that Wang Shi's face had changed color, she was worried that Xia Zhu would follow the same path as Yun Zhu, so she quickly scolded, "Alright, it's getting late. Go to the kitchen and see if it's time to serve the young lady some tea and snacks."

Xia Zhu pouted, looking aggrieved.

Was it easy for her? If she hadn't known that the visitors were from the girl's future husband's family, she wouldn't have rushed out to see them. She had hoped to get some good luck from the girl, but instead of getting any, she was scolded.

Xia Zhu looked up at Wang Shi.

Wang's face remained cold, as if she hadn't noticed the beads of sweat that had appeared on the woman's forehead from running too fast.

Zhang's mother glared at her and whispered, "What are you standing there for?"

Xia Zhu then realized what was happening and quickly agreed and withdrew.

Wang snorted coldly, feeling as if a fire was burning in her chest. She fanned herself vigorously, hoping to calm down, but instead only fanned the already raging fire in her heart even more fiercely.

Mrs. Zhang stood there with her eyes downcast, as if she were just a decoration.

Wang was annoyed by what she saw, and with a wave of her hand, she knocked the small white porcelain bowl on the table to the ground.

With a crisp 'crack', the thin-walled white porcelain bowl shattered into pieces.

Madam Zhang dodged the flying shards of porcelain and whispered, "Miss, don't worry. Master and Madam always love their own flesh and blood. They will definitely consider your opinion."

Wang was an outsider, and she didn't trust anyone here from the bottom of her heart. She didn't take Zhang Mama's advice seriously. Thinking about the peace she had enjoyed these past few days, Wang was determined to go all in. She didn't believe that Yu was really so heartless as to want this marriage rather than her daughter.

As night fell, Wang sent all the servants out of the room. Then she tied her sash to the top of one side of the canopy bed, secured it, and climbed up on an unnecessary small stool. She put the sash around her neck, and with one foot on the carved ridges of the headboard to make sure it wouldn't slip, she kicked the stool over. Only when Zhang Mama's calls and a group of staggered footsteps reached the door did she release her foot, leaving herself hanging on the headboard.

After calling out several times without receiving a response from Wang, Zhang's mother hurriedly led her people in.

Upon seeing Wang Shi hanging herself, Zhang Mama panicked and hurriedly reached out to hug Wang Shi's body and lift her up, while directing the terrified Chunlan and Xiazhu to remove the rope from her neck.

Several people worked together to lift Wang Shi onto the bed, and only then did Zhang Mama remember to send someone to inform Yu Shi.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, the lights in the main courtyard came on, and Madam Yu, with her hair disheveled, hurried over.

Zhang's mother first told the girl that everything was alright, and then explained the situation as briefly as possible.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yu rushed to the bedside and wept bitterly, "My son, if you leave, how will I live?"

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