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If Shen Xifeng discovered that Shen Wei was not her original self (propping his chin), what kind of situation would that be?
Upon hearing the commotion, Moqi lifted the curtain and looked outside. She turned back to Shen Wei and said, “Madam, have you forgotten? That’s the Princess of Qinghe and the only daughter of Minister Huo, our Changping County Princess of Qingyun Country. You used to have some interactions with her back home, but she has been living with her grandfather at the border for the past few years and rarely comes back. It’s normal for you not to remember her.”
Changping County Princess, Huo Feiguang.
The name passed through Shen Wei’s mind.
In the original book, aside from Chu Fuyun, the character Shen Wei liked the most was Huo Feiguang. Although she appeared only a few times, her charisma and personality were very impressive. In the book, even by the end of the first volume, Huo Feiguang had no final destination. She rejected all arrangements and gave up the luxurious life of wealth, going to the battlefield alone to fight alongside her grandfather against the enemy at the border.
She truly deserved to be called a heroine.
In an era like this, for a woman to disregard others’ opinions and persist in her own beliefs, it was more than just “rare.”
Thinking about this, Shen Wei put down the teacup in her hand. She leaned back against the wall of the carriage, watching the figure outside the corner of the curtain grow farther away, and softly said, “So, she is Huo Feiguang.”
Moqi, hearing this, wanted to ask something, but before she could speak, she saw Shen Wei had already closed her eyes.
She thought for a moment and said nothing, merely lowering the curtain in her hand.
When they returned to the Shen family, it was already the third quarter of Shen time.
As soon as Shen Wei, supported by Moqi, stepped out of the carriage, she saw someone pulling a doctor with a medicine box, hurrying along a path. Seeing this scene, she frowned slightly. Moqi, noticing the expression on her face, quickly called over a maid and asked, “What happened at home?”
The maid bowed to Shen Wei before respectfully answering, “Madam, it is the Third Master who fainted.”
Hearing this, Shen Wei did not speak but looked down the path. The maid was referring to Lu Bu Wei, the younger brother of Lu Bu Wei.
Lu Bu Wei had a congenital illness; he had been weak since birth. Despite the Lu family seeking out many famous doctors over the years, his condition remained untreated.
In the book, Lu Bu Wei was highly praised for his brilliance in literature and strategy. It was said that if he had come of age, even Master Yang from the Yang family academy would have had to avoid his sharpness. Unfortunately, his brilliance brought misfortune, and he did not survive long into adulthood.
Thinking of this, Shen Wei said, “Move the things we brought from the Shen family to the courtyard first. You come with me to the third house.”
Moqi responded promptly, issuing instructions to a maid before supporting Shen Wei towards the third house. Since Lu Bu Wei needed quiet due to his illness, the third house was a bit farther away. It took Shen Wei about two quarters of an hour to walk there. When she arrived, Madam Xie and Wang were already there.
Everyone sat silently in the room.
After greeting Madam Xie and receiving greetings from Wang and Wei, Shen Wei asked, “How is the third brother?”
“The doctor is still treating him…”
Madam Xie spoke calmly, but her hand, which was fiddling with prayer beads, trembled slightly.
Noticing that Madam Xie had already twisted several beads out of place in such a short time, Shen Wei said nothing but sat to the side.
The maids brought tea and snacks, but no one was in the mood to enjoy them. They all sat silently in their chairs, even the usually talkative Wang was uncharacteristically quiet. After about another quarter of an hour, the doctor with the medicine box finally lifted the curtain and came out.
Wei hurriedly stepped forward and asked, “Doctor, how is my husband?”
Although Madam Xie said nothing, she also rose and walked over.
The doctor bowed to everyone before responding, “Third Master Lu is fine for now, but I have noticed that he has been fainting more frequently lately. If this continues, I’m afraid…” Although he didn’t finish his sentence, the meaning was clear.
Hearing this, everyone’s expressions changed. Eventually, Madam Xie steadied herself and spoke, “Yinan, escort the doctor out.”
Yinan quickly replied, “Yes.”
After Yinan led the doctor out, Madam Xie said to Wei, “Sangrou, don’t worry too much. Every doctor has said the same thing over the years. When the third child was born, some said he wouldn’t live past sixteen, but now thirty years have passed, and he is still with us.”
As soon as she finished speaking—
Wei collected herself and softly replied, “Mother, don’t worry, I understand.”
While speaking, she glanced at the brocade curtain, adding, “As long as he is alive, I am happy. Even if that day comes…” Wei paused briefly before continuing, “I will not seek death. Wang’er and Xian’er are still young; they need me.”
Just then, someone inside lifted the curtain and said, “Third Master is awake.”
Hearing this, everyone moved inside without further words. On the bed carved with mountain and water motifs lay a man in green. His face was pale, but his eyes were clear, without a hint of sickness. Half-reclining against the headboard, he smiled warmly as they entered, “Mother, sisters-in-law, I’m not in a condition to get up, so I won’t be formal with you.”
His tone was carefree, and he maintained a gentle smile on his face.
Madam Xie hurriedly responded, “We are all family, there’s no need to be so formal…” After saying this, she asked, “How are you feeling now? Is there anywhere you’re still uncomfortable?” She had two sons and raised three. Her eldest son was healthy from a young age and never required much care. Her second son also rarely needed her attention. But her youngest son was different.
This youngest son, who had been dependent on medicine since birth, was her constant worry.
Madam Xie felt that she had never wronged anyone in her life, but when it came to this youngest son, she often felt a sense of guilt. Thinking of this, her eyes reddened slightly, but she held back her tears, not wanting others to see.
Lu Bu Wei naturally noticed the sorrow in Madam Xie’s eyes.
He kept a smile on his face, and his voice was gentle, “Mother, don’t worry. Doctor Li gave me acupuncture, and I’m feeling much better.” After saying this, Lu Bu Wei glanced at the sky outside the window and added, “It’s getting late, and it will be cooler soon as night falls. You aren’t in the best health yourself, so please let my two sisters-in-law accompany you back.”
“With Sang Rou here, I’ll be fine.”
Hearing this, Wei Shi also joined in to persuade her.
Madam Xie knew that Lu Bu Wei didn’t want her to worry. She didn’t say much more, only gave a few more instructions before Shen Wei and Wang Shi helped her out. When the curtain fell, Shen Wei turned back to look inside the room. The candles had been lit earlier during their conversation.
Under the warm candlelight—
Wei Shi had shed her previous formality and grace in their presence. Her eyes were red as she leaned against Lu Bu Wei’s chest.
Lu Bu Wei gently looked at her, his hand softly covering her head, and said in a warm voice, “Don’t be afraid, I’m alright, aren’t I?”
Seeing this scene, Shen Wei suddenly understood why Wei Shi had married Lu Bu Wei back then.
With Wei Shi’s family background, she could have married into any prominent family and become the matriarch. Yet, she had chosen to marry Lu Bu Wei without hesitation. But remembering Lu Bu Wei’s fate in the book, Shen Wei couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. Such a brilliant man, what a pity.
—-
It was already the hour of You (5-7 PM) when they finally escorted Madam Xie to Dacheng Zhai.
The sky outside had long turned dark. After helping Madam Xie finish her meal, Shen Wei and Wang Shi took their leave. A maid with a lantern led the way, and Shen Wei and Wang Shi walked slowly along the path. They didn’t speak along the way until they reached a fork. Wang Shi stopped, bowed slightly to Shen Wei, and said, “Sister-in-law, take care.”
After saying this, Wang Shi, supported by An xiang, walked down the left path.
Shen Wei watched her leave, feeling a bit puzzled. Wang Shi had been unusually quiet today. Usually, she would make snide remarks and veiled jabs along the way. But today, she hadn’t said a word and seemed off.
Moqi, who was by her side, also noticed her expression.
She didn’t say anything, just took the lantern from the little maid ahead and let her leave. Once the maid was gone, Moqi supported Shen Wei as they walked towards Taoran Zhai, speaking softly, “I heard from an old servant in the Lu family that our Third Master got sick because Madam was poisoned while she was pregnant with him.”