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“All of you, get up! Damn it, do you still think you’re the young master or young lady of the capital, huh? Do you even know where you are?!”
“You’ve missed the right time to travel. We won’t reach the next inn tonight—just wait and see how I deal with you all!”
The jail officer cracked his whip in the air, each lash snapping sharply as it narrowly missed the children of the Feng family. Old Madam Feng, frightened, hurriedly pulled them up one by one.
“You all pack up first. I’ll go with your mother to take a look.”
Wei Yunlan finished instructing Ningshuang and walked with Madam Gao toward the mule cart.
Inside, Cheng Yue’e cradled little Jiarong, her eyes half-closed, a faint, unnatural flush on her cheeks. On closer inspection, her gaze was dull, the light already fading from her eyes. Wei Yunlan’s heart sank. She quickly pressed her hand to Cheng Yue’e’s forehead.
“So hot…”
“Cough… Yunlan?” Cheng Yue’e opened her eyes. She tried to sit up and make room for her sister-in-law, but dizziness overwhelmed her. Her body collapsed backward, hitting the rear wall of the cart.
Wei Yunlan swiftly caught her by the neck, cushioning her head from the impact.
“Big Sister-in-law, you’re sick.”
“I know…” Cheng Yue’e whispered, shame written across her face. “It’s only been a day since we set out. I usually don’t get sick. I don’t know why it’s different this time… I’ve become a burden.”
Wei Yunlan understood. After a long period of emotional turmoil and intense stress, illness often struck just when the body finally relaxed. Her sister-in-law had just completed her confinement. Then came her husband’s disappearance, her father-in-law’s arrest, the confiscation of family property, and the abrupt departure from the capital. Now, having finally rested for a night, her weakened body had succumbed.
“Big Sister-in-law, don’t blame yourself. Anyone can fall ill. You just need to rest and get well.”
Though Wei Yunlan comforted her calmly, unease grew in her heart. Before leaving the capital, she had instructed Tingxue to prepare a stock of medicinal herbs. But without a physician to prescribe the right formula, they were of little use.
Just then, Madam Gao took over with experience. “Lan’er, carry Jiarong out.”
“Gui Xiang, bring a damp cloth.”
She entered the cart, drew open the tightly shut curtain, and rearranged the seat cushions. Gently supporting Cheng Yue’e, she helped her into a half-reclining position.
Outside, the officer was still shouting for them to move. Madam Gao took the damp cloth from Gui Xiang and told them, “I’ll stay here and tend to her. You all get moving and catch up with the others.”
The 3 other families had already set off, and the constables’ whips were growing more urgent. Wei Yunlan’s group quickly followed suit.
But the damp cloth wasn’t lowering the fever much. Holding Jiarong, Wei Yunlan walked beside the cart, racking her brain.
Suddenly, she remembered: in her previous life, while in the Marquis’s residence, she’d seen Xue Linglong’s maid use alcohol rubs to treat a fever.
They hadn’t packed any wine before leaving, but Dong Da or Liu Quan might have some—if not, surely one of the constables did.
Wei Yunlan handed Jiarong to GrannyWang and Ningshuang and hurried ahead to catch up to Liu Quan.
“There’s still more than half a pouch of yellow wine,” he said, unfastening the wine pouch from his waist and handing it to her. “If you need it, take it.”
“Thank you, Uncle Liu.”
She rushed back. Inside the cart, Madam Gao looked increasingly anxious—Cheng Yue’e was now barely conscious.
Wei Yunlan handed her the pouch and explained the method she had seen.
“Mother, try this first. I’ll think of another solution. Ideally, we’d get a doctor.”
“Of course a doctor would be best,” Madam Gao sighed, “but in this desolate place, where would we find one? Never mind—I’ll try your method and hope it helps.”
The convoy pressed onward, Jie Guan driving the cart carrying Wei Maolin, Liang daren, and Feng daren at the front.
Wei Yunlan hurried to ask Wang Guan about nearby inns.
When she learned the nearest inn was still 40 miles away, too far to reach before nightfall, her heart sank.
The road ahead was barren—no villages, no travelers, no shops. Detouring to a town was impossible.
Only after Wei Yunlan discreetly handed over a small silver piece did Jie Guan reluctantly agree to try and find a doctor once they reached the inn that night.
Back at the cart, Madam Liu—an elderly nanny from the Bai family—entered. She was strong and experienced, which calmed Wei Yunlan a little.
The nanny checked Cheng Yue’e’s eyelids and pulse carefully. Her expression grew serious.
“This lady is weakened by fatigue, not infected by an external illness. The fever comes from overexertion and emotional strain. If she can rest and take medicine, she should recover.”
Madam Gao sighed in relief. “Is there anything you can do to ease her discomfort now?”
Madam Liu considered. Then she took a small pouch from her bag, pulling out a few herbs. “These can be used to brew water for a bath to help reduce the fever. If she also drinks some cooling decoctions, it will help.”
“We’ll get the herbs ready,” Wei Yunlan said quickly. “Tingxue, bring the herb list.”
This list, prepared before their departure, had been written by a pharmacist under Wei Yunlan’s instructions.
Madam Liu read through it, then nodded in relief. “All the necessary herbs are here. I’ll give you the prescription now.”
But just as she was about to begin, a weak voice interrupted from the cart.
“She can’t take medicine!”
“Sister-in-law?”
“Yunlan…” Cheng Yue’e’s voice was faint, hesitant. “I… I can’t. Jiarong…”
She trailed off, embarrassed to say it aloud—but the women understood.
Jiarong’s wet nurse had left them before their exile began. Cheng Yue’e had been breastfeeding the baby herself.
Taking medicinal herbs would mean she could no longer feed him.
What would happen to a child just over a month old if he were suddenly weaned?
Madam Liu hesitated, unsure if she should continue.
She looked at Madam Gao and Wei Yunlan. “Madam Wei, Miss Wei… the decision is yours.”
“Continue,” Wei Yunlan said firmly.
As Madam Gao and Ningshuang began recording the prescription, Wei Yunlan stepped closer to the cart and made a solemn vow.
“Sister-in-law, take your medicine. Get better. I’ll take care of Jiarong.”