Feng Courtyard.
A slender figure leaned over the desk by the carved window lattice, writing furiously. The candlelight placed on the desk illuminated the young woman's features, as well as the elegant, neat calligraphy beneath her pen.
"Miss, it is getting late. You should continue copying tomorrow. Be careful not to ruin your eyes," Yun'er reminded her from the side.
Cui Yunfeng did not speak, simply lowering her head and continuing to copy. From time to time, a few teardrops rolled down, falling onto the rice paper and smudging the ink into small dark patches.
"Miss, please do not blame yourself. Today's matter was originally the Eldest Miss's fault. You told the Old Madam out of the goodness of your heart, for the Eldest Miss's own good."
Cui Yunfeng paused her pen, looking at the Admonitions for Women she had barely halfway copied, and sniffled. "No, it wasn't."
At that time, she only had one thought in her mind: to have their grandmother reprimand Cui Yunchu.
She wanted to see Cui Yunchu punished. She just never expected that their father would be at Songhe Courtyard.
Cui Yunfeng glanced at Yun'er. Thinking of her original intention, she only felt that she was petty, even despicable.
But in the next instant, she felt that it was wrong for Cui Yunchu to look at those filthy things in the first place. Although her own intentions were not pure, it was still Cui Yunchu who was at fault first.
Cui Yunfeng tossed the pen aside, dropping her head as she sat before the desk, resting her chin in her hands in a daze.
The next day, while Cui Yunfeng was still asleep, she was awakened by Yun'er.
"Miss, Miss, wake up quickly! Something has happened."
Cui Yunfeng opened her slightly swollen eyelids, looked at Yun'er for a moment, and quickly sat up. "What is it? Is it Cui Yunchu?"
Yun'er nodded. "The ancestral hall is cold and damp. The Eldest Miss caught a chill yesterday and has developed a high fever."
Cui Yunfeng immediately threw off the blanket and got out of bed. "Where is she? Has she been sent back to Chu Courtyard? Has a doctor been called to see her? Has she taken any medicine?"
"None of that." Yun'er seemed to find it difficult to speak. "The Prime Minister forbade it. He said that until her punishment is over, the Eldest Miss is not allowed to take a single step out of the ancestral hall. He won't even allow a doctor to see her. It is said that the Eldest Miss has already fainted from the fever."
Cui Yunfeng froze in disbelief. "What about Grandmother? Is Grandmother not going to intervene either?"
"Xing'er went to Songhe Courtyard to beg a long time ago, but she didn't even get to see the Old Madam. She was sent away by Nanny Li."
"Quick, help me dress and wash." Caring about nothing else, Cui Yunfeng ran barefoot to sit at her dressing table, urging Yun'er.
She had originally planned to go to Songhe Courtyard, but recalling her grandmother's unyielding attitude last night, she changed direction and went to the courtyard where Tang Qingwan lived.
Tang Qingwan's courtyard was not far from hers, taking only half a quarter of an hour to reach.
"Second Miss, my young lady is still asleep. Whatever the matter is, please come back later."
Cui Yunfeng was extremely anxious. "Go wake my cousin up. Just tell her that I have a very important matter and need her help."
The maid looked troubled and shook her head slightly. "Second Miss, my young lady is a guest relative after all. It is not appropriate for her to interfere in the internal affairs of the Cui Manor."
Cui Yunfeng instantly understood. Tang Qingwan wasn't asleep; she simply didn't want to get involved.
It made sense. Cui Yunchu had repeatedly tried to seduce the Crown Prince, pestering him endlessly. Her cousin probably wished she could strangle her to death, so why would she plead for mercy on her behalf?
Cui Yunfeng had no choice but to leave and rush to Songhe Courtyard.
Only after she left did the maid enter the room, continuing to grind ink for Tang Qingwan, who was holding a brush and painting behind the desk. "Miss, are we truly not going to intervene? They say the Eldest Miss is in a very bad condition."
Tang Qingwan's expression remained unchanged. She lifted her brush, carefully examined the scenery in her painting, and asked the maid beside her, "What do you think of this painting?"
"You are exceptionally talented, Miss. Whatever you paint is wonderful."
Tang Qingwan smiled and continued to finish her incomplete painting.
By the time Cui Yunfeng arrived at Songhe Courtyard, the Old Madam had just gotten up. Ignoring Nanny Li's attempts to stop her, she rushed into the inner chamber.
Old Madam Cui was sipping tea. Hearing the commotion, she raised her eyes and glanced at her. "What are you doing in such a frantic rush? Have you thrown all your manners and etiquette to the back of your mind?"
How could Cui Yunfeng care about any of that? She stepped forward, grabbed Old Madam Cui's arm, and tried to pull her outside. "Grandmother, hurry and save Cui Yunchu! She is terribly ill, and only you can save her."
Old Madam Cui frowned, using a bit of force to brush off Cui Yunfeng's hand. "Isn't that exactly what you wanted? Why are you in such a frantic hurry to save her now?"
