Qian Mengyun Enters the General's Estate to Seize Power

Since it was a matter of importance, it could not be delayed. Upon this thought, the old madam said to Steward Zhao, "Speak your mind directly; there is no harm."

Zhao Cheng hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.

Seeing him thus, the old madam did not stop him. He leaned close to her ear and murmured in a low voice for a good while.

Before Zhao Cheng could finish speaking, Madam Mo’s countenance darkened instantly, her eyes filled with a sinister glare as they fell upon Chu Xi before her.

Unaware of the reason behind this sudden expression of hatred, Chu Xi felt her heart tremble involuntarily, and she instinctively drew closer to Caiping.

"Steward Zhao, starting from today, ensure that the charcoal supply to the young lady's courtyard is fully adequate. Do not let her freeze." The old madam uttered these words with a harsh countenance yet a hypocritical pretense of benevolence.

Surprised, Chu Xi shifted her puzzled gaze toward Steward Zhao.

At that very moment, however, Madam Mo’s legs went limp, and her entire body pitched forward as she collapsed.

Steward Zhao let out an exclamation on the spot, "Oh dear, someone come quickly! The old madam has fainted."

Chu Xi hurriedly stepped forward to support her head, pressing her philtrum while calling out, "Auntie Mo!"

As it happened, the Qian couple had just returned, and upon learning of Madam Mo’s critical condition, they had no choice but to turn back.

In an instant, the general's residence was thrown into utter chaos due to the old madam's sudden collapse. Fortunately, Zhao Cheng was an experienced man, and after a brief moment of panic, he managed to steady the situation.

He immediately sent for an imperial physician from the palace, who promptly administered acupuncture to the stroke-stricken old madam and prescribed a remedy.

Chu Xi remained constantly by her bedside, serving water, feeding her medicine, and tending to her with meticulous care.

For two whole days and nights, Madam Mo finally opened her eyes slowly.

"Child, is it you?" These were her first words upon waking, thread-thin and exceptionally weak.

Chu Xi said with joyful surprise, "Auntie Mo, it is me. You have finally awakened." With that, her eyes reddened.

"Have you been guarding me here the entire time?" the old lady asked with a hint of disbelief.

Chu Xi nodded, her voice choking with emotion, "Yes, I dared not leave until Auntie you woke up."

"Yet you are still sick yourself."

"Daniu is fine. Daniu promised Zixiao that after he led his troops into battle, I would fulfill filial duties on his behalf."

Hearing this, Madam Mo sighed deeply. "That unfilial son—he has only you in his heart; when has he ever regarded me as his widowed mother?"

Chu Xi quickly knelt down. "Auntie wrongs Zixiao; he is the most filial to you."

Tears streamed down the old lady's temples. "Yet that rebellious son actually told Steward Zhao before leading his troops away that if I could not tolerate you after his departure, or if any harm should come to you, he would move out and establish a separate household upon his return."

Hearing this, Chu Xi was struck dumb with astonishment, her eyes wide as she shed tears of guilt.

"Do not ever think that because Zixiao threatened me this way, I will compromise on your marriage. Dismiss the thought entirely."

Kneeling on the ground with her head bowed, Chu Xi said, "Auntie should first recover her health; that is of the utmost importance."

Madam Mo closed her eyes and sighed, saliva trickling down the corner of her mouth.

Seeing this, Chu Xi rose and picked up a handkerchief to wipe it for her.

The old lady was far too weak; having spoken just these few words, she exhausted her strength and lapsed back into unconsciousness.

Chu Xi still did not leave; she continued embroidering the Empress Dowager's "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" while keeping watch over Madam Mo.

Suddenly, the hurried footsteps of Mammy Wang sounded from outside. "Oh dear, what is to be done now?"

Hearing this, Chu Xi stood up just as Mammy Wang lifted the curtain and entered.

"Miss Chu, that Qian Mengyun has arrived. She claims to be the betrothed fiancée of our General, and now that the old madam is gravely ill, she has come to take charge of the household affairs."

Caiping let out a sudden chuckle upon hearing this. "Is she talking in her sleep?"

Mammy Wang wore an expression of intense anxiety. "How could she be talking in her sleep? At this very moment, she is standing in the front hall, and Steward Zhao is doing his best to manage her."

Lowering her gaze in thought for a moment, Chu Xi asked Mammy Wang, "Was it Steward Zhao who sent you to inform me?"

Mammy Wang nodded. "Indeed. With the old madam gravely ill in the general's residence, there is no second person besides you who can make decisions."

Frowning, Chu Xi thought to herself that this was likely a scheme plotted by the Qian family upon their return.

"Let us go. I shall go and take a look."

With that, she took Caiping and walked quickly toward the front hall.

Before even stepping through the doorway, she heard Qian Mengyun's voice.

"Steward Zhao, what is the meaning of this? Miss Chu, the eldest daughter of the Marquis's estate, and I had our identities swapped due to a mix-up at birth, which is why she married into the State Duke's residence. Therefore, the one whom the Qian family betrothed to General Mo should rightfully be me."

Steward Zhao smiled ingratiatingly. "Miss Qian, this old servant is merely a steward in the general's residence; how would I dare presume to discuss my superiors?"

Qian Mengyun simply seated herself in the principal host's chair and assumed an imposing posture. "Now that Madam Mo is gravely ill, there is not a single family member in the general's residence capable of tending to her bedside, nor is there anyone to oversee the household affairs. Therefore, as the prospective daughter-in-law of the Mo family, it is only proper that I step forward and shoulder this burden."

"Who says there are no family members to tend to the old madam's bedside?" Chu Xi stepped into the room, her cold gaze flashing with a piercing light.