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The little girl furrowed her delicate brows, breathing rapidly, calling out “Mother” over and over, her nose twitching as tears streamed down, soaking the pillow. She was clearly trapped in a nightmare.
Lan Xun raised his sleeve, intending to wipe away her tears with a handkerchief.
But Mu Shengsheng suddenly lifted her hand, grabbed his arm, and hugged him tightly, like a frightened child, her soft voice trembling: “Mother, don’t go, don’t…”
He had meant to pull his arm away, but seeing her cling to him without crying or struggling, he let her be. She fell into a calm and steady sleep.
So be it.
Lan Xun sat by the bed, letting her hold his arm until she released it herself. How long he waited, he did not know.
That night, Mu Shengsheng finally had a good sleep, even dreaming of the person she missed day and night. She awoke the next morning in high spirits.
Previously, because Mu Shengsheng had a sudden episode, Lan Xun had used the excuse of injury to avoid attending court for several days. This morning, he had gone to the palace, and she had not seen him.
But now, with ten days ahead, she wouldn’t die so easily. There was no need to rush; everything needed careful planning.
Rising early, Mu Shengsheng had nothing pressing to do, so she instructed Xuanji to fetch some sewing needles, thread, and fabric.
Xuanji complied immediately.
Mu Shengsheng sat by the window with her sewing supplies, passing time with embroidery.
By midday, the dark blue fabric had begun to take shape.
Xuanji tilted her head curiously. “Miss, are you embroidering a pair of mandarin ducks?”
Mu Shengsheng nodded. Her embroidery skills weren’t great, so she chose the simplest pattern, one that anyone familiar with embroidery could recognize.
Xuanji’s eyes lit up. “Miss, is this a gift for His Highness?”
“Of course.” Who else would she give it to?
Mu Shengsheng knew that if a woman had feelings for someone, she would give a token of affection. Since she admitted her admiration for Lan Xun, she ought to give him a token of sincerity.
Xuanji smiled secretly.
Over the past few days, she had observed how, during Mu Shengsheng’s illness, Lan Xun had stayed by her side without sleep, showing unprecedented care.
If Miss Mu survived, perhaps one day she could truly become the lady of the Regency Prince’s mansion.
Xuanji looked forward to that day eagerly. She thought Lan Xun and Miss Mu were a perfect match—both strikingly beautiful. If they had a child together, who knew how beautiful it would be…
Yet upon reflection, she sighed. With Miss Mu’s fragile body, it was a miracle she had survived. Bearing a child would be impossible.
Sigh… Xuanji felt pity for the little girl.
For the next two days, Mu Shengsheng recuperated at the mansion, passing her time with embroidery and wandering the garden when tired.
Lan Xun was busy with too many pressing matters. Mu Shengsheng only went to the study twice to deliver calming tea, hugging him briefly but not lingering.
After all, she couldn’t let others neglect state affairs on her account.
Outside the Regency Prince’s mansion, the people from the Duke Zhen Guo’s household had been waiting for seven days. Originally, Mu Shengsheng was supposed to die within two days, according to their plan, but there was still no sign of it.
When Lady Lin of the Marquis Xuanwu household heard that Mu Shengsheng was still alive, she was visibly unsettled.
When Lady Lin had sent Mu Shengsheng off in the sedan chair, the girl had been on the brink of death, barely alive. How could she now be perfectly fine, clinging to the Regency Prince as a protector, leaving even Duke Zhen Guo powerless?
Today, Lady Lin hurried to Duke Zhen Guo’s mansion to consult with Madam Cui about the matter.
The two noblewomen sat across a low table on the divans.
Madam Cui spoke first: “I heard that the Regency Prince found a divine doctor and saved that girl’s life.”
“What are we to do?” Lady Lin frowned, anxious.
That Mu Shengsheng had not died kept her tossing and turning all night. Her eyes twitched constantly, fearing some mishap.
Madam Zhen Guo was also anxious. She had originally expected Mu Shengsheng to die within two days, so she had delayed the burial of Fu Er, planning to bury him together with Mu Shengsheng.
But now Mu Shengsheng was still alive, and Fu Er’s body had already lain seven days. If not buried soon, it would start to smell.
She could wait no longer!
Previously, the Regency Prince had only promised that Mu Shengsheng’s body would be handed over after her death. Who would have thought he would bring a divine doctor to save her?
No one had said what to do if she survived.
Madam Zhen Guo’s eyes gleamed coldly. “In any case, my son will be buried tomorrow. She must be brought back!”
Whether alive or dead, Mu Shengsheng belonged to the Zhen Guo household. Even if she survived, she ought to return to serve her late husband’s family, not live ambiguously in that man’s mansion.
Lady Lin wanted the matter resolved quickly as well, but sighed. “The Regency Prince’s mansion is heavily guarded. Not even a fly could get in. How could we possibly get her out?”
Madam Zhen Guo sneered. “She belongs to my household. I shall fetch her openly and righteously.”
Lady Lin was astonished. “With the Regency Prince backing her, how could she come with you so easily?”
Madam Zhen Guo’s eyes gleamed confidently. “I have a plan.”
The next day, the sky was gloomy, with drizzle falling, shrouding the capital in a thin veil. Roof tiles glistened wetly.
A carriage rolled through the rain, splashing water, and finally stopped outside the Regency Prince’s mansion.
A maid stepped down first, holding an umbrella, followed by a woman in golden silk robes, assisted by an elderly woman. She stepped down gracefully from the carriage.
Before the mansion’s gates, two rows of guards stood at attention.
Madam Cui was about to approach but was blocked by the guards holding their halberds. “No one may enter without a prince’s invitation.”
Madam Cui remained composed, standing with dignity. “Please inform the Regency Prince. Tomorrow my son is to be buried. I am here to fetch my daughter-in-law to pay her respects. This is the natural order. If you continue to detain my daughter-in-law unfairly and tarnish her reputation, my household will not let this go.”
The guards glanced at each other and dispatched someone to relay the message.
After some time, Mu Shengsheng was in the house working on embroidery when Xuanji hurried in, reporting, “His Highness summons you to the study.”
Usually composed, Xuanji appeared flustered this time.
Mu Shengsheng set aside her sewing and asked, “Is there something important?”
As she made her way to the Wen Yuan Pavilion, Xuanji explained, “Madam Zhen Guo herself has come, saying she intends to take you to the Zhen Guo household. Judging by her demeanor, she came prepared.”