Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Mingyi said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt Yu. I am in good health."

Mingyi always tried to avoid this troublesome concubine whenever possible, and avoided direct conflict as much as possible.

Yu looked her up and down, and seeing her docile appearance, she felt very disdainful.

Yu said with a faint sneer, "Judging from your appearance, you don't seem to be in good health."

Then, she changed the subject: "Has the old lady been treating you very well lately?"

Mingyi paused slightly, unsure of the purpose of her question, and could only answer cautiously: "The old lady is kind and benevolent, and has always been very considerate and compassionate towards me."

However, the preferential treatment these past few days has been too much. Although he often bestowed gifts in the past, they were all ordinary and elegant little things. But these past few days, he has visited the warm pavilion every day and sent a continuous stream of rare and precious silks and jewelry.

Mingyi knew he had no merit and could not accept such a reward, so he declined several times in a roundabout way, but Madam Zong insisted on giving it to him.

They said that since she was all alone and had no relatives to support her, if she were to marry into the Xie family in the future, her meager dowry would inevitably lead to her being looked down upon. Therefore, they specially added to her dowry.

Grateful for the old man's kindness, Mingyi could not refuse and had no choice but to accept it.

"Is that so?" Madam Yu suddenly laughed, turning to look at her. "If she truly pitied you and genuinely cared for you, why did she neglect you and deliberately leave you soaked to the bone outside because of a mere maid?"

Madam Yu was also in Yongshou Hall that day, so she knew better than anyone what had happened.

Madam Zong was Yu's maternal aunt. She had served the old lady for many years and knew best how hypocritical and selfish Madam Zong was at heart.

Mingyi's face stiffened, and he was unable to speak.

She had a vague feeling that something was wrong these past few days, but her head was so tired that she couldn't think straight.

Madam Yu stepped closer, a cold, indifferent smile curving her bright red lips: "Do you know why the old lady has suddenly been so kind to you? Let me tell you, she's already planned to leave you with her son as a concubine!"

Boom—!

Mingyi's mind went blank for a second, and her almond-shaped eyes widened in shock.

Seeing her distraught appearance, Madam Yu sneered, "Otherwise, why do you think she would treat you so well for no reason? Do you really think you're some kind of princess? In the end, you're just a lowly orphan girl. What makes you worth her scheming for you?"

Mingyi dug her fingertips into the soft flesh of her palm, forcing herself to remain calm, and said, "The old lady clearly promised that once Brother Huaiyu returns, she will let me leave the Zong Mansion."

The words had barely left her mouth when she suddenly realized something.

That day, she had only soaked in cold water for a while. Although she had caught a cold, she should have recovered by taking her medicine on time, but instead, her body became more depressed and weaker day by day.

The herbal medicine was prepared and delivered daily by the old lady of the Zong family. Could it be that the old lady tampered with the medicine?!

How could she do this?

Madam Yu sneered, "You're still waiting for your Huaiyu brother? Do you think anyone else can take away the person the Zong family wants to keep? Unless, of course, they want to take away a corpse."

Ms. Yu wasn't just trying to scare her.

The reason why Madam Zong did not use force at the beginning was because she felt that Ji Mingyi was young and would eventually understand, so she slowly wore her down.

If Ji Mingyi insists on leaving, then Old Madam Zong will not be so easy to talk to.

And then there's Zong Xian; like mother, like son. He's no good person at all.

Madam Yu covered her lips with her handkerchief and said, "If you are unwilling to be Zongxian's concubine, why don't you leave sooner?"

Mingyi raised her eyes to look at Madam Yu, who was standing close by.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Madam Yu's eyes as she continued, "If you've thought it through, pack your things and leave through the northwest gate tomorrow night. I'll prepare a carriage and travel expenses for you. Once you leave, never come back."

Mingyi narrowed her eyes: "Why are you helping me?"

Madam Yu slightly raised her chin and said coldly, "Because I hate you and don't want to see you in the Zong Mansion. If you become a concubine of the second wife, wouldn't you be on equal footing with me? Just thinking about it makes me sick."

That's the truth.

But Mingyi felt that she was hiding half a sentence.

After finishing her sentence, Madam Yu left gracefully.

Yuegui looked at Mingyi with a mixture of panic and hesitation. "Miss, what Aunt Yu said might be true. What should we do? Should we listen to her and pack our bags and leave tomorrow?"

Mingyi considered for a moment and said, "I must leave, but Aunt Yu is untrustworthy. She is the old lady's person, and even if she hates me, she won't risk offending the old lady to help me."

Yuegui then realized, "The young lady is indeed very thoughtful."

"Let's go back first."

"Back to the warm pavilion?"

Mingyi looked up at the elegant pavilion and felt it was a magnificent cage. Looking at the servants sweeping fallen leaves around her, she felt a vague sense of unease, as if she were being watched.

She said coldly, "Well, we should find an excuse to leave first, so as not to arouse the old lady's suspicion."

-

Not long after Mingyi returned to the warm pavilion, the same maidservant pushed open the door and entered, carrying a bowl of steaming hot medicine.

"Miss, it's time to take your medicine." The maid lowered her eyes, her tone respectful, showing no sign of anything amiss.

"Let's leave it there for now," Mingyi said lazily, leaning back on the soft couch.

The maid hesitated for a moment, then placed the medicine on the pear blossom table as instructed, but did not leave, standing there instead.

Mingyi glanced at her discreetly and could basically conclude that the other party was sent by Madam Zong to monitor her, and that there was most likely something wrong with that bowl of soup.

A cold glint flashed in Mingyi's eyes.

After a while, the maid urged softly, "Miss, the medicine will lose its effectiveness if it gets cold. Please drink it while it's hot."

Mingyi, her fingers still holding the book pages, didn't even look up when she heard this. She instructed the maid, "Go to the west bookshelf and find me a copy of 'Xianzhai Zaji' (Miscellaneous Notes from the Leisurely Study)."

"Yes."

When the maid returned with the books, the medicine bowl on the table was already empty.

Mingyi pretended to wipe her mouth with a handkerchief, "You can leave now, I'm tired."

"Yes, this servant will take her leave." The maid put down the book, picked up the empty bowl, and left.

Soon after, Laurel returned.

"Miss, I've brought your things."

Mingyi snatched the medicine packet from her hand and hid it under her pillow.

The maid delivered the medicine twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Mingyi still managed to avoid the bowl of medicine at night, and the maid didn't notice.

When Mingyi woke up the next day, she felt that her limbs had regained a lot of strength and she was more energetic than the previous two days.

She immediately changed her clothes, took out the medicine packet from under her pillow, and swallowed it without hesitation.

Yuegui poured her a cup of tea to soothe her throat.

Mingyi put down her teacup. "Let's tidy up and go for a walk."

The maid on duty outside the courtyard saw her go out for a stroll and immediately put on a warm and respectful smile: "Miss, are you out for a walk?"

Mingyi: "Being cooped up in the warm room all day is really stifling."

The maid asked with concern, "Is the young lady feeling any better? The old lady is still worried about her."

Mingyi feigned discomfort, rubbing her temples with her delicate hand. "I'm not feeling well. I guess my constitution is too weak; it won't get better anytime soon."

The maid wasn't surprised; a smile remained on her face. "It's windy today, young lady. Take care of yourself and don't stay outside too long."

Mingyi was too lazy to deal with her, so she nodded slightly and walked towards the cherry blossom tree not far away.

As the medicine gradually took effect, his arms became slightly itchy, and Mingyi quickened his pace.

Beside the cherry blossom tree stood a tall figure, dressed in a dark blue robe with subtle patterns, his features as cold and sharp as sculpted jade.

Mingyi stopped in her tracks, and Zongxian looked at her and said, "I was just looking for you. Come here."