This day had been rather trying for Ye Yunniang.
Returning to Zhiyu Pavilion, she slumped wearily against the table to rest.
When Shanhu entered with her attendants, Ye Yunniang hastily rose to her feet.
"Wet Nurse Ye has served the young master diligently. This is a reward from Fourth Madam Jiang."
"My gratitude for Madam’s kindness, but caring for the young master is merely my duty," Ye Yunniang declined politely.
Shanhu offered a few more pointed remarks before leading her entourage away.
Ye Yunniang examined the gifts from Fourth Madam Jiang—a bolt of soft, light green cotton-silk fabric, perfect for making clothes for Pan'er; several gold-inlaid jade hairpins, a dozen silk flowers, and a pair of solid gold bracelets.
She marveled at Fourth Madam Jiang’s generosity.
After organizing the gifts, Ye Yunniang selected four silk flowers for Li'er and gave two to Nanny Shi.
Both accepted them with delight.
The atmosphere in Zhiyu Pavilion was cheerful—except for Ding Fang, who glared resentfully at Ye Yunniang’s rewards.
"Sister, you should be careful around Wet Nurse Ding," Li'er warned.
"I will," Ye Yunniang replied, having already noticed Ding Fang’s venomous gaze. She sensed trouble brewing.
From then on, Ye Yunniang remained vigilant. Each time she returned to Zhiyu Pavilion, she meticulously inspected her room, ensuring nothing was missing or suspiciously added.
Ding Fang had intended to act, but Ding Xiang stopped her.
"Right now, it’s just you and Ye Yunniang. If anything happens to her, you’ll be the first suspect. Don’t stir trouble—focus on caring for Sixth Young Master."
Though resentful, Ding Fang dared not disobey.
When Ye Yunniang entered Fanghua Courtyard, Ding Fang yawned and left as usual, tossing over her shoulder, "The young master is asleep."
Approaching the bed, Ye Yunniang gazed at the sleeping Jiang Tingjun and gently touched his cheek.
Her hand froze—his forehead felt unnaturally warm.
Voice tense, she called, "Hong Cai!"
"Sister Ye, what’s wrong?" Hong Cai hurried in. "What happened?"
"Wah—!" Jiang Tingjun suddenly burst into tears.
"The young master has a fever," Ye Yunniang said, unwrapping his swaddling clothes to find his bottom soiled.
Hong Cai rushed out and soon returned with another maid carrying warm water.
As Ye Yunniang cleaned Jiang Tingjun, she noticed small red spots on his skin. He cried louder when she touched them.
She recalled the midwife’s advice—overly tight wrapping trapped heat, and delayed cleaning worsened rashes.
Ye Yunniang left him unswaddled, soothing him as she worked.
"Little master, your nurse will make it better. All clean now—does it feel nicer, hmm…?"
Zi Yuan strode in, felt Jiang Tingjun’s forehead, and paled. Without a word, she dashed out.
Soon after, Fourth Madam Jiang and Jiang Mingrui arrived.
Jiang Tingjun, still feverish, whimpered in Ye Yunniang’s arms, refusing to let anyone else near him.
"Just days ago, I praised your competence! Is this how you care for Tingjun?" Fourth Madam Jiang snapped, barely restraining herself from striking Ye Yunniang while the child clung to her.
"Scolding her won’t help. Where’s the physician? Why isn’t he here yet?" Jiang Mingrui demanded, glaring at Zi Yuan.
"He’s been summoned—he’ll arrive shortly," Zi Yuan replied.
Moments later, a physician was ushered in, breathless from running.
But Fourth Madam Jiang’s face darkened. "Why Doctor Li? Where’s Doctor Du? He specializes in pediatrics!"
"Doctor Du was taken away by Madam Jiang the Third and her people. They said the Fifth Young Miss wasn’t feeling well this morning."
"Bai Xiuxiu, how dare you delay my son’s treatment? I won’t let this slide!" Fourth Madam Jiang fumed, ready to confront Madam Jiang the Third, but Jiang Mingrui stopped her.
"You stay with Tingjun. I’ll go talk to Third Brother," Jiang Mingrui said before leaving.
Doctor Li entered the room to check Jiang Tingjun’s pulse. The child had caught a chill overnight and was now feverish. Medicine was prescribed.
After drinking the medicine, Jiang Tingjun fell asleep.
Watching her son toss and whimper in discomfort, Fourth Madam Jiang could no longer suppress her rage. She slapped Ye Yunniang twice across the face.
"If anything happens to Tingjun, I’ll have your life!"
"Madam, last night, it was—"
"Silence! Get out!" Fourth Madam Jiang cut her off before she could explain.
Zi Yuan pulled Ye Yunniang out of the room. "Hong Cai, escort Nanny Ye back and inform Nanny Shi that the wet nurses are not to leave or enter without permission."
"Yes," Hong Cai replied, leading Ye Yunniang away.
Ye Yunniang returned to Zhiyu Pavilion, where Li'er and Nanny Shi were cleaning the courtyard. Seeing her return with a troubled expression, they immediately sensed something was wrong.
Hong Cai relayed Zi Yuan’s orders to Nanny Shi before departing. Nanny Shi promptly closed the gates of Zhiyu Pavilion.
"Sister, let’s go inside first," Li'er whispered, approaching Ye Yunniang, who stood frozen in the courtyard.
Ye Yunniang entered her room and sat before the dressing table, staring at the red handprints on her face. Her heart ached with injustice—she had done nothing wrong, so why was she the one punished?
A knock sounded at the door, and Ye Yunniang quickly wiped her tears.
"Sister, I fetched some water. Use the well water to soothe your face," Li'er said, pouring water from the bucket into a basin. She dipped a cloth, wrung it lightly, and handed it to Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang unfolded the cloth and pressed it to her face, wincing at the sting.
"Sister, what happened? Who hit you?"
Ye Yunniang shook her head, unwilling to explain. "Li'er, keep your distance from me these next few days. Don’t let yourself get implicated."
Li'er hesitated. "I’m not afraid. I know you did nothing wrong. Everything will be fine."
"Thank you, Li'er," Ye Yunniang said, touched. "I’m thirsty."
"Alright, I’ll fetch hot water." Li'er took the teapot and left.
Alone again, Ye Yunniang buried her face in her hands and wept silently.
She had expected to be expelled from the household.
But it was Ding Fang who was cast out instead.
Ding Fang was accustomed to daytime duties and struggled with night shifts. Exhausted and seeing no maids keeping watch, she dozed off on the bed. When Jiang Tingjun cried, she paid little mind—her own children had cried at night too, and they eventually slept when ignored.
Only when the child’s wails grew unbearable would Ding Fang sluggishly rouse herself, half-heartedly cleaning him with little care.
Her drowsiness led to sloppy work—residue left behind caused rashes on Jiang Tingjun’s bottom.
Her sluggishness also left the child exposed to the cold night air, undressed for too long, resulting in fever.
When Fourth Madam Jiang learned the truth, she nearly beat Ding Fang to death in her fury.
Ding Fang wailed for mercy, blaming Ye Yunniang instead, insisting she had been diligent.
But Zi Yuan’s duty logs and testimonies from other servants proved Ding Fang had been the one on night watch.
After being restrained by those around her, Fourth Madam Jiang, out of respect for Old Madam Jiang, settled for expelling Ding Fang from the household.
Someone so careless could never be allowed near her son again.
Ye Yunniang was led by Hong Cai into the small courtyard, where the heart-wrenching cries of Jiang Tingjun echoed.
Fourth Madam Jiang held and soothed him, yet his wails only grew louder.
Upon seeing Ye Yunniang, Fourth Madam Jiang handed Jiang Tingjun over to her, urging, "Quick, comfort Tingjun."
"Yes," Ye Yunniang replied, taking the child into her arms. She cradled him against her shoulder, gently patting his back while humming a lullaby.
Soothed by the familiar embrace, Jiang Tingjun gradually quieted down and drifted off to sleep, nestled against his nursemaid.
Once he was sound asleep, Ye Yunniang attempted to lay him down.
But the moment his head left her shoulder, Jiang Tingjun burst into tears again.
