Granny Chang quickly stepped forward, caught sight of the two maids who had entered, and subtly scrutinized them before shouting, "What are you still looking at? Hurry up and clean up!"

Madam Xu seemed reluctant to say more: "It's not too late yet. Erlang, go and pay your respects to the main courtyard before returning to Songyuan. I'm tired. Yan Yan will stay here with me tonight. You can go now."

The two maids at the door were caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to go in or back. After watching Xu Yunci walk out, the two maids looked up and simultaneously glanced at Granny Chang, who was standing beside Old Madam Xu.

"What are you looking around for, you blind fool? Haven't you ever seen the ground cleaned up before? Is this your first day in the manor?"

As expected of an old nanny who had served Madam Xu for many years, Granny Chang did not need Madam Xu's prompting at all.

When she turned around, her voice was still loud: "Madam, please don't be angry, and Miss, please don't be sad. There are things that our young master can't avoid when he's out socializing. Maybe he's trying to avoid them, but he can't escape the scent of cosmetics."

Li Shiyue removed the handkerchief covering her face, revealing her red eyes. She looked up with teary eyes, and the two maids could clearly see her expression.

"But I'm so scared, Granny. Father treated Mother the same way. I'm afraid my cousin will pick up those bad habits. I just said something to tell him to be careful when he's out."

"That makes sense. My cousin is the heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion. He was a famous top scholar in the capital before he even came of age. I guess many girls are infatuated with him. What am I?"

"I only have a dilapidated mansion behind me, and no brothers to rely on. My only support is my maternal grandmother, so it's no wonder that people look down on me."

After she finished speaking, she covered her face and cried again.

"nonsense!"

Madam Xu glanced at Granny Chang, then turned and embraced Li Shiyue to comfort her.

Granny Chang led the two maids out. As soon as they came out, her usually gentle face showed a hint of displeasure: "How can you two be so clumsy? You've been in the manor for almost two years now, and this is how you're supposed to work."

She rarely showed such a stern expression. The maid on her left, dressed in a plain blue winter coat with narrow sleeves and a front opening, shrank back and lowered her head, hurriedly saying, "This servant knows her mistake and begs for punishment, Madam."

This maid is called Xiangshu. She is only thirteen years old. I heard that she was terrified of being beaten by her parents in the past, and she always shrinks back when she sees anyone.

Another maid, also dressed in a plain blue jacket, was named Xiangwu. She was two years older than Xiangshu, and her eyes darted around as she held a shard of a teacup in her hand.

She glanced up but met Chang Mama's gaze, and quickly lowered her head in fright: "This servant, this servant was worried that the old lady would get sick from anger, and thought that if there were any instructions, I could help you inside, Mama."

"Really? You're quite thoughtful."

Looking at the lowered face, Granny Chang said nothing, nor did she point out the flaws in Xiangwu's words.

"Alright, Miss, you can stay tonight. You don't need to come back. I'll be with the old lady. Go back now."

"Yes." Xiang Shu lowered her head and bent down to clean up the things in her hands.

Xiangwu, who remained behind, glanced at Xiangshu's retreating figure with her head down and curled her lips in a smirk. When she looked up and saw Granny Chang's gaze, she smiled obsequiously and took two steps forward: "Granny."

Granny Chang didn't speak, crossed her arms in front of her, glanced sideways at the fawning smile on her face, and suppressed the coldness that crept onto her lips.

She didn't speak, but Xiangwu didn't want to wait idly, so she took the initiative to speak: "What's going on tonight? Why is the old lady so angry?"

Granny Chang rubbed her clasped hands together, looking at her with a hint of suspicion: "Why are you asking about this?"

Xiangwu Liangshang smiled and pulled Granny Chang aside, lowering her voice: "Granny, you know me. After we entered the manor, you were the one who took care of me and Xiangshu. You were also the one who gave us our names."

"The old lady is usually very kind to us. I was worried about why she was so angry. Isn't the old lady the one who likes the young master the most?"

She was young, but little did she know that what Granny Chang wanted was precisely her lack of intelligence.

With a cold expression, Granny Chang withdrew her hand: "Why ask so many questions? Hurry up and go back. The young master is the old lady's darling, and no one can compare to him. Do you understand? Once you leave the courtyard, keep your mouth shut."

“If you gossip about your masters, be careful, or I’ll punish you severely.”

After saying that, Granny Chang ignored her and went inside, lifting the curtain. But she didn't leave; instead, she stood at the doorway and quietly opened a crack in the curtain from the inside.

Xiangwu didn't stand in the courtyard for long. She rubbed her hands together and walked out of the courtyard gate. Just as she stepped out of the gate, a figure emerged from behind a tree at the base of the wall.

She raised the child herself, and Granny Chang recognized the dark figure as Chang An at a glance.

Only then did he feel relieved and walk into the inner room, nodding to the two people on the bed.

Li Shiyue's eyes were red, and she really looked very sad. Seeing that Granny Chang nodded, she felt a little relieved.

“This servant saw it clearly, it was Chang’an who was with him.”

"It's getting late, you should rest. Your aunt will definitely be waiting for news tomorrow morning if she knows."

Li Shiyue withdrew her gaze, having already noticed the weary expression on Old Madam Xu's face. She helped her lie down properly before leaving.

The next morning, news that Madam Xu of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion had fallen ill and was unconscious spread throughout the capital. As the matriarch of the Xu family, Madam Yang was anxious, and even the imperial physicians in the palace were helpless.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, the Princess of Yichang, who was attending to the sick, also collapsed for no reason. It was said that the Duchess of Rongguo was extremely worried and spread the word to find a person with extraordinary abilities. If the old lady Xu and the Princess of Yichang could be cured, the Rongguo Mansion was willing to offer half of its family property as a reward.

A few days ago, during the morning court session, the civil and military officials could see that both the Duke of Rong and his son looked pale and tired, as if they hadn't had a good rest.

A few days later, when attending the morning court session, it was learned that Xu and his son had requested leave. While Xu and his son were away from court, several officials were causing quite a stir at home.

"Speaking of which, the heavy rain earlier might have been a warning from heaven. Even the old lady of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and the Princess of Yichang County collapsed. Maybe there is something evil in the palace."

"I don't think so. I heard that the heir of the Rongguo Duke's mansion was keeping someone outside, and his family found out, as did the Princess of Yichang County, which caused them both to collapse from anger."

"I think this time it's going to be tough. The Princess of Yichang is so young, and her health has never been good. I'm afraid she won't live long, just like the Lady of Yunyang."

The young men chatting together outside the carriage, some older and more experienced, others newly appointed to official positions, were all dressed in official robes and had just emerged from the palace gates.

Chang Shun, who was sitting in the carriage with him, glanced at a certain young master whose expression was gloomy and whose fists were clenched and veins were showing. Without making a sound, he moved to a corner.