Nanny Fu was startled when she heard the cough, but a gleam of joy lit up her eyes. She quickly stepped forward, lowering her voice so as not to disturb Qin Shuying. "Miss, Miss, you’re awake? How are you feeling? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable? Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?"

  The girl on the bed seemed not to hear Nanny Fu’s words. Her bright eyes flickered with a cold, sharp light, like hardened ice tipped with blue fmes.

  Nanny Fu froze for a moment, noticing how swollen Qin Shuying’s eyes were—red and puffy like overripe peaches, clear evidence of her crying. Turning her head, Nanny Fu wiped her own eyes. The young dy was always like this, mourning her parents and crying in secret. How could this continue?

  "Miss, is it true? Has the Miss really woken up?"

  A pin-looking maid barged in, around fourteen or fifteen years old. Her sleeves were rolled up high, and her hands were still wet, suggesting she had been washing something. She hurried to the bedside, knelt down in excitement, and without waiting for instructions, blurted out, "Nanny, I’ll go get some water!"

  The maid was quick-witted, but half of her face bore faint burn scars, making her appearance unattractive. Qin Shuying’s memories provided a hint—this maid, named Luyue, was someone she had saved when she was younger. Back when Qin Shuying and Qin Yongzhou were in the south, they had encountered Luyue, who had sold herself into servitude to bury her father. Starving and on the verge of death, she was taken in by the kind-hearted Qin Shuying.

  Qin Shuying had been the apple of her parents’ eye, living a sheltered life. She had no understanding of the hidden dangers and maniputions of a rge household. Her gentle and trusting nature led her to see the members of the Qin family’s main branch as her closest kin after coming to live with them, leaving her completely defenseless.

  The head of the main branch, Qin Yongtao, was a hypocrite, while Xu Shi was a malicious woman wrapped in a guise of virtue. Both had their eyes set on Qin Shuying’s fortune. Yet, under their deception, Qin Shuying trusted them completely. She even followed their suggestion to copy scriptures for her deceased parents and willingly distanced herself from the only person in the Qin family who genuinely cared for her—Old Madam Qin.

  Despite Nanny Fu’s repeated hints and warnings, Qin Shuying paid no heed. Coupled with Xu Shi’s deliberate instigations, Qin Shuying gradually alienated Nanny Fu, who had her best interests at heart.

  By now, most of the loyal servants who had come with Qin Shuying from the south had been dealt with by Xu Shi under various pretexts. Some were sold off, others sent to faraway estates. Only Nanny Fu and Luyue remained.

  Before his death, Qin Yongzhou had redeemed Nanny Fu’s indenture, making her a free woman. Xu Shi, mindful of her reputation, dared not openly harm Nanny Fu but instead maniputed Qin Shuying into targeting her. As for Luyue, her lowly status and perceived ck of importance had kept her off Xu Shi’s radar—so far.

  Luyue poured water from the table, and Nanny Fu helped Qin Shuying sit up while Luyue carefully fed her the water.

  After a few sips, the bitterness in her mouth faded. Qin Shuying took a breath, cleared her throat, and said, "I want porridge." She then closed her eyes to rest.

  Her body was terribly weak. The piece of pastry she had eaten earlier still sat in her stomach, barely digested.

  Nanny Fu’s face lit up with joy. Before she could speak, Luyue eagerly volunteered, "There’s porridge. I’ll warm it up right away!"

  Nanny Fu added, "Luyue, stay with the Miss. I’ll have Huiqin fetch it, and I’ll also report to Old Madam and ask for a doctor to examine her…"

  Hearing about the doctor, Qin Shuying pushed aside her weakness and quickly stopped Nanny Fu. "No need for a doctor. Just porridge."

  "Miss, your body is weak. How can you not see a doctor? I’ll go to Xuantang to ask Old Madam to send Doctor Chen…" Nanny Fu paused mid-sentence and sighed. "Ah, but Doctor Chen won’t come for you. Doctor Liu is Xu Shi’s man, and this old servant doesn’t trust him!"

  Doctor Chen, with her exceptional medical skills, served only the heads of noble families. In the Qin family, only Old Madam Qin and Xu Shi’s household could summon her. Qin Shuying would never be able to request her services. Instead, it was always Doctor Liu who attended to the younger dies of the household.

  Remembering this, Nanny Fu hesitated. She recalled how Xu Shi had brought Doctor Liu in these past days, who—as usual—diagnosed Qin Shuying as being physically frail and advised rest.

  Qin Shuying’s expression remained calm, but there was a resolute light in her eyes. Nanny Fu faltered under her gaze. Qin Shuying repeated firmly, "Porridge."

  Feeling a pang of sorrow over the growing distance between herself and the young Miss, Nanny Fu reluctantly instructed Luyue and left.

  Watching Nanny Fu’s slightly hunched figure and hurried steps, Qin Shuying’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Xu Shi, your ploy to sow discord is masterful. According to the original memories, Nanny Fu had been as devoted to Qin Shuying as if she were her own daughter. Though a free woman, Nanny Fu refused to leave Qin Shuying’s side. Yet, Xu Shi had orchestrated events so cunningly that Qin Shuying had come to see her loyal nurse as meddlesome and divisive, even growing to dislike her.

  "Miss, shall I fetch Huiqin?" Luyue asked cautiously.

  Luyue stood by the bed, looking deeply worried for her but also appearing timid and hesitant, her earlier quick-wittedness completely gone.

  Because her appearance was marred by scars, Luyue was only a third-rank maid in the courtyard, naturally unqualified to serve someone so closely. Yet, she genuinely cared, which was why she had rushed in earlier despite the risk.

  From the memories of the original Qin Shuying, Huiqin, her personal maid, rarely performed her duties personally and carried herself with an air more dignified than her own mistress.

  Qin Shuying nodded. Luyue went out to call for someone, but after a long while, no one came back.

  "Miss, Huiqin isn’t here," Luyue returned with her voice low and a look of unease on her face.

  "Then you do it," Qin Shuying said.

  Luyue seemed doubtful at first, but then her face lit up with joy. She quickly went to fetch water and attentively helped her wash up, her actions careful, steady, and thoughtful.

  Nanny Fu soon brought in a bowl of porridge. Qin Shuying ate it slowly and steadily, feeling strength gradually return to her body. She then instructed Nanny Fu and Luyue to stand guard outside, y back down, and let the tears silently stream down her face. The sobs grew louder until she pulled the bnket over her head, biting her fingers tightly to muffle the sound.

  Nanny Fu and Luyue noticed her crying but didn’t seem particurly surprised.

  From the memories she inherited, the original Qin Shuying had been sensitive and prone to tears, even at the slightest breeze. It seemed that her uncontrolble grief and despair could temporarily be passed off as part of her usual behavior, avoiding suspicion for now.

  That being said, Qin Shuying knew she needed to adapt to her current circumstances quickly and take control of her emotions. Otherwise, how could she prepare for the battles ahead?