Now that she had no more reservations, Pei Yun focused all her attention on the recent events at Jingyuan.

Pei Yun couldn't help but ask, "Mother, are you really going to just stand by and watch them leave the Earl's Mansion and go to that remote, high-powered estate?"

Pei Yun felt that even if they couldn't do anything to Hejing Courtyard for the time being, as long as the people were still under their noses, they would always have a chance to get revenge. In time, they would surely find an opportunity.

But if we let them leave, everything will be uncertain, and the unknown is what is most frightening.

Liu glanced at her daughter and said resentfully, "Do you think I wanted this? But they want to stay at their own estate, what can we say? Are we supposed to confine them in the manor for no reason?"

"It would have been easier before; we could have found some excuse to keep her here. But for some reason, after Min Yueqing fell ill, her personality changed drastically, and her temper grew. She's not as easy to handle as before. Sigh..."

Pei Yun's eyes flashed, and she suddenly said, "People who have been bookish since childhood and become stupid, no matter how much their personality changes, are still rigid on important matters. I think you should pretend to be sick and have someone call her to serve you. She definitely won't dare to refuse, otherwise she will be accused of being unfilial."

Upon hearing this, Liu felt it was a terrible idea. How long could an illness hold her back? She couldn't keep claiming to be sick every day, could she?

But on second thought, this was actually a good idea that took an unconventional approach. Who can say for sure about health issues? Even if she felt unwell every now and then, no one else could say much.

And so the mother and daughter began to plan.

This matter should be handled sooner rather than later. If she waits until Min Yueqing comes to say goodbye and then claims to be ill, it will inevitably be suspected that she is deliberately making things difficult. Liu immediately called over the head maid Xi'er outside the door and instructed her on how to convey the message.

To make the effect more realistic, Pei Yun helped Liu Shi up and made her lie back on the bed. Then she went outside to arrange for someone to prepare the medicine. The medicine packet was naturally there; it was the beauty and skincare prescription that the doctor had given Liu Shi before.

Xi'er went to Hejing Courtyard as instructed. When the little maid guarding the gate saw that the main courtyard had sent someone, and it was the head maid who served the madam, she quickly went into the courtyard to tell Sister Azhu a message.

A-Zhu found Min Yueqing with a puzzled look on her face.

Min Yueqing was comfortably lying on a rattan chair, slowly flipping through a travelogue to pass the time. In front of her, two children were standing in a proper horse stance.

Shi Tou was older and looked relatively relaxed, though he had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead; Pei Ji, on the other hand, was struggling much more, her small, tender face flushed, with beads of sweat running down her cheeks.

Of course, Min Yueqing gave the two different time limits. Pei Ji was about to finish his horse stance training, but Shi Tou still had a long way to go.

A-Zhu stepped forward and whispered to Min Yueqing, "Miss, the head maid Xi'er from the main courtyard has come over and is waiting outside the door. Should we call her in?"

Min Yueqing chuckled lightly and said lazily, "The newcomers seem to have ill intentions."

Ah Zhu said angrily, "It would have been better if we hadn't had any contact before. People from that side never bring anything good."

Min Yueqing shook her head. "There's no way to avoid it. They're clearly looking for trouble. The more you try to hide, the more arrogant they'll become."

After thinking about it carefully, Ah Zhu realized that it made perfect sense. She looked at her young mistress with excitement, unsure whether to thank Liu or spit on her. If it weren't for Liu's malicious intentions, how could her young mistress have become so clear-headed as she is today?

Min Yueqing got up and walked into the house, then waved to Azhu, asking her to call someone in.

A short while later, A-Zhu arrived with Xi-er.

As Xi'er entered, she didn't see the young master or the boy who had caused so much gossip. Upon entering the room, she saw the First Madam reclining on a chaise longue, leisurely sipping tea while leaning against a soft pillow. She merely glanced up slightly when she saw Xi'er enter.

Xi'er thought to herself that the First Madam was really different from before. In the past, when she occasionally saw her, she would still smile slightly.

Seeing Min Yueqing's cold attitude, she didn't dare to say anything more. She simply relayed Liu's instructions: "Madam felt unwell when she woke up today. She called a doctor early this morning. The doctor said she might have caught a cold and needed to recuperate for a while. He also specifically told her that her family should take good care of her."

"Madam said that if the master were at home, she would definitely go over to do her best. Now that the master is away on business, the madam has no choice but to go over and do her filial duty on his behalf."

After saying all this, Xi'er herself felt a little unsure of herself.

Let alone the fact that the old man isn't home, given the historical relationship between the two institutions and the old man's personality, even if he were home, he wouldn't necessarily care much. He's just using the word "filial piety" to pressure people.

Upon hearing this, Min Yueqing didn't react much, simply saying "I understand" before dismissing Xi'er.

As soon as Xi'er left, A-Zhu was like a firecracker that had been lit. She spat and said, "I have never seen such a shameless person. She needs family to take care of her. It's not like she doesn't have children. She has a son and a daughter in her courtyard, as well as so many maids and servants. Isn't that enough to take care of her?"

After a pause, she continued, "She really has the nerve to flatter herself, saying that if the master were home, she would never dare to let anyone step into Hejing Courtyard!"

Min Yueqing almost burst out laughing when she heard this.

Liu's foolish move didn't anger her, the mistress, but it infuriated her loyal maid.

Not long after A-Zhu finished speaking, Pei Ji cheerfully entered the room.

He watched as Xiangran reached the position designated by Min Yueqing, then consciously stopped his horse stance and stood up.

His mother always said that exercise must be moderate; forcing oneself to do too much would not only be unhelpful but could also be harmful. He had always believed in his mother's words and had always diligently followed the standards she set.

As soon as Pei Ji entered the room, he ran to Min Yueqing. He was covered in sweat, so he didn't rush into Min Yueqing's arms, but instead brought his little face close to his mother's.

Min Yueqing smiled and skillfully took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

Pei Ji loved these moments the most. His mother had a unique, refreshing fragrance, which even lingered on her handkerchief. Moreover, her hands were gentle and soft, making him feel very comfortable.

Pei Ji closed his eyes and asked in confusion, "Why did Mother suddenly leave just now?"

In the past, when they did physical training, Min Yueqing would always watch from the side, both to encourage the two children in time and for safety reasons, in case they got injured during exercise, so that she could respond in time if there was any emergency.

In fact, after more than two months, these simple sports activities were no longer very dangerous for the two children, but out of habit, and because of the expectation hidden in the children's eyes, Min Yueqing still tried her best to stay by their side.

That's why Pei Ji asked this question.