Chapter 112 Wicked Stepmother and Poor Child 5

Shen Ci woke up.

Upon opening my eyes, I felt incredibly light. The system had completely repaired this critically ill, near-death body, leaving me completely free of pain.

She moved her neck slightly; she had been lying in bed for too long and her body was a little stiff.

Turning her head, she saw two identical, equally adorable little faces nestled on either side of her.

The child didn't understand and thought that as long as he stayed with his mother, she would get better.

Her little face was rosy and her long eyelashes cast silhouettes on her face. The child's breathing was even and deep.

Shen Ci's heart softened instantly. My God, she has two such beautiful children!

If she doesn't have to give birth herself, then she really likes children.

Shen Ci sat up somewhat stiffly and cautiously, looking around.

The room was filled with a lingering, strong smell of medicine. The windows were tightly closed, and the room was dimly lit, making it feel very oppressive.

She frowned, got out of bed, walked to the window, and pushed it open with a whoosh.

Bright sunlight streamed in, carrying a gentle breeze and the fragrance of flowers, dispelling much of the gloom in the room.

"Splash—"

A crisp sound came from behind.

Shen Ci turned around and saw Dan Gui standing blankly at the door, with a broken medicine bowl and black medicine liquid at her feet.

She stared wide-eyed at Shen Ci, who was standing by the window, without daring to blink.

Although his face was still so pale, he was able to wake up and even get out of bed and walk around.

Dan Gui's lips trembled, as if she had seen a ghost.

"lady?

"Madam! You're awake! You're finally awake!"

Dan Gui finally came to her senses and, using both hands and feet, frantically ran over to support Chen Ci, unsure whether to step forward with her left or right foot first.

"How can you get out of bed? How can you be exposed to the wind? Please lie down properly."

"It's all my fault for being clumsy. I'll go and brew another bowl of medicine right away."

Shen Ci waved his hand, his voice still a little hoarse, because he had been sick for too long and hadn't been able to speak normally for too long.

"No need. From today onwards, this medicine will be discontinued."

Upon hearing this, Dan Gui's heart sank, and she hurriedly raised her head.

It's stopped? The lady won't even take her medicine anymore? Isn't this just a last gasp before death?

I've heard that people have a sense of when they're about to pass away, so this means they know that taking medicine won't help anymore!

Looking at Shen Ci, who seemed to be in good spirits, she thought about it more and more and realized that this was indeed the case; the lady was experiencing a final burst of energy before her death.

Otherwise, how could someone who had been sick for so long suddenly be able to get out of bed?

The more I thought about it, the sadder I became, and tears streamed down my face like beads from a broken string.

When the lady was still asleep, she had to hold on and protect the young master, and dared not cry. But now that the lady was awake, she could no longer hold back.

Dan Gui's crying woke up the two little ones in bed.

Gu Mingzhang and Gu Mingzhu sat up, rubbing their sleepy eyes, and immediately saw Shen Ci standing there.

"Mother!"

The two children exclaimed at the same time, their voices filled with surprise and joy. They could hardly believe that their mother had woken up after they had just taken a nap!

The two of them didn't even bother to put on their shoes. They rushed off the bed like little cannonballs, barefoot, and pounced on Shen Ci, hugging his legs tightly.

"Mother, are you feeling better?"

Gu Mingzhu tilted her small face up, her big eyes full of anticipation.

With a soft heart, Shen Ci knelt down and hugged the two small, warm children into her arms.

The two children nestled in her arms, nuzzling her affectionately; they were so adorable.

"Alright, Mother will never get sick again."

"I will never leave my Mingzhang and Mingzhu again."

She hugged them gently as she spoke.

Upon hearing this, the two children could no longer hold back; their little mouths twitched, and they began to cry.

All the fear and grievances they've felt these past few days can finally be released in their mother's arms, allowing them to finally cry.

Dan Gui felt a pang of sadness as she watched this scene. It looked so beautiful, yet it was the final farewell.

The two young masters were unaware that this was the last time their mistress would spend with them.

The news that the lady had woken up spread throughout the main courtyard. The others were initially overjoyed, but then, like Dan Gui, they realized something.

I fear this is just a final burst of energy before her death, and that the lady's time is drawing near.

Shen Ci was too lazy to guess what they were thinking. She had been lying in bed for too long, and although all her ailments had been cured, she felt weak all over.

Her stomach was empty, she instructed Dan Gui.

"Go to the kitchen and prepare some easily digestible food. The two children haven't eaten yet, so they can have some too."

Dan Gui responded and left, but when she returned, the tray she was carrying only had a few dishes on it.

A bowl of watery porridge so thick you could see your reflection, a plate of dry pickled vegetables, and two cold, hard white steamed buns.

"Madam, the kitchen says they didn't buy much today, this is all they have."

Dan Gui's voice was low, filled with suppressed emotion and grievance.

The two children were used to it, and obediently sat on the small stools, sipping the porridge that had hardly any rice grains.

Shen Ci's eyes turned cold. He patted Gu Mingzhang's head and asked softly.

"Mingzhang, tell your mother, have you been eating these things lately?"

Gu Mingzhang nodded and said in a low voice.

"Yeah, sometimes even less than that."

Shen Ci then looked at Dan Gui.

What were the children's rations like before?

"Reporting to Madam, according to the provisions for the legitimate sons and daughters of the household, their daily breakfast should include chicken porridge, crystal dumplings, steamed buns, and several delicate side dishes."

Lunch and dinner consisted of four meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and a soup, with snacks and fruits served continuously.

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, not daring to mention Zhou Jingxuan's misappropriation of funds.

The lady has not yet woken up and is unaware of Zhou Jingxuan's arrival in the mansion. It is best if she does not know, lest she be even more heartbroken.

Even in death, they cannot find peace of mind.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Shen Ci's mind.

"Ding-dong!"

Triggered an emergency mission: Improve the baby's food situation.

Task requirement: Spend fifty taels of silver within half an hour to solve the problem of food.

Mission Rewards: 100x return on spending, one special effect pill (effect can be specified), and +10% rescue points.

Shen Ci sneered inwardly, "Perfect timing!"

She looked at the bland, watery food in front of her, and then at her two children who had lost a lot of weight.

Dan Gui, with a sorrowful yet loyal expression, and the other servants made their decision.

"How can anyone stomach these things?"

"Dan Gui, change your clothes, prepare the carriage."

With a wave of her hand, Shen Ci instantly exuded the aura of the matriarch of the household.

Dan Gui was taken aback.

"Madam, what's wrong...?"

Did he want to go shopping before he died?

Shen Ci pointed to the thin porridge on the table, stopping the child from drinking it. There were many black, broken grains of rice in the porridge, which clearly wasn't new rice.

"Since there's no decent food at home, let's eat out!"

"I'll take you to Tianxiang Restaurant to properly reward these heroes who have worked so hard these past few days, protecting me and the young master and young lady!"

She then looked at the other people guarding the courtyard.

"Those who have been dutiful and dutiful in the courtyard these days will each be rewarded with five taels of silver when I return from my meal!"

These words shocked the entire courtyard.

Five taels of silver? Five taels of silver for each person! Madam, in this last burst of energy, you're being far too generous!