On the anniversary of Madam Zhou's death, Zhou Shuqing, though born out of wedlock, could not fail to return. Coincidentally, Shangde Academy was about to have its holiday, so Song Xia sent someone to ask him to return ahead of time.
After all, he was the biggest beneficiary in his previous life. Although we can't take action against him for the time being, it would be quite satisfying to let him see his beloved aunt, sister, and grandmother suffer.
Seeing her worried son, Song Xia dissolved the third pill in the soup.
Xiaoling said that the medicine needs to be taken three times to have a noticeable effect, but in fact, Yuqing has been eating and sleeping well these days, and her health has improved a lot.
The reason why the clan elders from her hometown supported her so firmly was not only because she sent gifts to her hometown every year, but also because Yuqing was not as frail as rumored.
"Don't worry about him, Yuqing. You must remember that you are always the eldest son of the legitimate wife, while he is just a son of a concubine. No matter how well he studies, he can never surpass you. Why lower yourself to compare with him?"
"But to outsiders, we've always been brothers, and so has our father..."
“In the eyes of outsiders, he is a son of a concubine who needs to make his own way in the world. You are different. You are your mother’s son, and you also have a maternal grandfather who is a prince, which is much more prestigious than him. As for your father’s opinion, he dislikes you not because of you, but because he dislikes your mother. He also dislikes Zhou Shuqing and Liu Fang’s mother because he loves her and her crows.”
Zhou Yuqing frowned slightly as he looked at his mother's calm expression.
"Mother is fine. Mother has long since let go of this. In this life, there are more than just men. You should also let go of this. There's no need to care about someone who doesn't love you. Don't hurt yourself over something like this."
Zhou Yuqing nodded as if she understood, her eyelids beginning to grow heavy.
Song Xia estimated that Yuqing wouldn't be asleep for too long this time, so she specifically instructed the maid not to panic if Yuqing woke up late tomorrow.
On the other side, Zhou Shuqing sat in the carriage with a heavy expression, not saying a word to the servants who came to pick him up.
He had already received two letters from his sister and had heard about the changes at home. If his mother hadn't sent someone to pick him up this time, he wouldn't have believed it.
Not only is my older brother still alive, but my mother has also started to reorganize the family rules?
Having read so many books, he actually knew that his mother and sister lived a relatively comfortable life in the mansion, but since they were his own mother and sister, he certainly couldn't bring it up.
What's wrong with Mother this time? Is it because she was triggered by my eldest brother's illness?
Ha, what's the use? Will my brother actually get better because of this? Will he be able to continue studying and compare himself to me?
It wasn't that Zhou Shuqing was boasting, but even in the academy, his studies were often praised by the teachers. His elder brother was a sickly fellow? Someone who had never even attended a proper school was not worthy of being compared to him.
"Why is the clan holding a memorial service for Grandmother?" Zhou Shuqing felt a little awkward when she mentioned this title, since she usually called her own grandmother. She was afraid that when she went back this time, she would have to call her great-aunt.
The groom was from Songxia and was very proper, answering all questions but never saying more: "I heard it was mentioned by the clan, and the other servants don't know either."
Zhou Shuqing found it boring, so she simply closed her eyes to rest and deal with whatever came her way. Did her stepmother have some other tricks up her sleeve?
This kind of fuss will only make my good-for-nothing older brother's health deteriorate even more. In that state, how can he compete with me?
Thinking of the high hopes her father had for her, yet the extreme disappointment he felt in her elder brother, Zhou Shuqing slightly curled the corners of her lips.
At this moment, in Han Hui Courtyard of the Zhou residence, Zhou Yuqing, whom he had disdained, slept until noon, feeling that it was the most comfortable sleep he had ever had since he became conscious.
The nanny and maids were initially anxious, but remembering Song Xia's instructions from yesterday, they peeked at Zhou Yuqing again halfway through, managing to hold back their anxiety.
After Zhou Yuqing woke up and washed, the nanny carefully examined her several times.
Zhou Yuqing asked blankly, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with your face?"
“Something does seem off,” the old woman said with a smile. “I feel you should be more energetic today, young master.”
The maidservant beside her exclaimed in delight, "Granny, do you think so too? I feel the same way. The young master's energy and spirit are much better than before, and his complexion is also much better."
"Hmm, your cheeks have gotten fuller, and you've grown quite a bit taller."
"My skin is also clearer now, unlike before when it always looked dull."
“Who can change so much overnight?” Zhou Yuqing said with a smile, though he denied it. But he himself felt it the most. In the past, he often felt breathless when he woke up, but today he felt refreshed and his mind was much clearer. He even felt that he didn’t need to take a carriage to go to his grandfather’s place anymore; he could walk there by himself.
After being ill for so many years, Zhou Yuqing was overjoyed to finally feel like a normal person again, and she even put aside her disappointment at her father's lack of attention the day before.
If things continue to improve like this, one day he will be able to be his mother's support.
Where is Mother?
"The Crown Prince's wife has arrived. She is receiving guests in the front courtyard."
Zhou Yuqing's eyes lit up: "Auntie is here!"
After saying this, he suddenly realized why his mother wasn't being entertained in the Ruyi Courtyard, but in the front courtyard? Unless there were other people who had come with her.
"Madam said that if you wake up, young master, go to the front yard."
Zhou Yuqing straightened her clothes: "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Actually, Song Xia didn't know that her sister-in-law and brother were coming today, and she wasn't sure when he would wake up. She thought that if he was still asleep, she would formally visit him another day.
In the front yard, Ye Wanrou was also helpless. Her eldest brother was coming to see Yuqing as soon as he returned to the capital, which prevented her from having time to send a visiting card to her sister-in-law so that she could prepare.
This wasn't the first time Song Xia had met Ye Xiangwen. Years ago, when his elder brother married his sister-in-law, Ye Xiangwen personally escorted the bride to the capital. Back then, he was already dashing and debonair. Song Xia never expected that even at his age, he would still be so handsome and dashing.
Zhou Yongli, as a former third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, is well-maintained, at least not as overweight as other officials. However, compared to Ye Xiangwen, he is still somewhat lacking, mainly in temperament. Ye Xiangwen is elegant and composed, without any feigned stiffness.
"We have met Master Ye. We have long admired your reputation. We should have paid you a visit in person, but we have troubled you to make this trip."
"Stop with the formalities, just call me Brother Ye like Wanrou does. It was my insistence on coming here, it has nothing to do with you. Where's my apprentice?"
Ye Wanrou looked helpless. She hadn't even formally become an apprentice yet, and he was already calling her a disciple. He really had no sense of propriety.
"Yuqing isn't feeling well, so I told you not to come here so abruptly."
Song Xia gestured for them to sit down: "Have some tea first, I've already sent someone to fetch some."
As the three were talking, Zhou Yuqing walked in surrounded by servants, and Ye Xiangwen's eyes lit up when she saw her.
叶婉柔也非常惊喜：“看着又养好了些，不错，真不错。”
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