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As the conversation reached a pause, the Third Concubine suddenly stopped, as if recalling something important. She looked deeply at Su Yuntang and said, "Qing Xi, you must remember this: in this household, no one can be fully trusted, including myself."
Her words were rather strange. Just as Su Yuntang was about to inquire further, she suddenly heard footsteps outside the courtyard, accompanied by the voices of maidservants. Noticing that the Third Concubine had fallen silent, Su Yuntang also stood up and adjusted her clothing. "I apologize for disturbing you for so long; it’s time for Qing Xi to return."
"Alright." The Third Concubine nodded and escorted her to the door. "You must remember what I just said; you need to be cautious in this household. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come find me."
Su Yuntang bowed slightly and turned to leave Lanxin Courtyard. Hong Xiu and Lu Ao had been waiting outside the gate and hurried forward to greet her.
As they walked back through the garden, nearing Guiyun Courtyard, Su Yuntang suddenly sensed someone following her from behind. She deliberately paused by the pond, pretending to adjust the beaded flowers on her embroidered shoes. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a figure darting behind the Fake Mountain.
It was Chun Tao again.
A cold smile crept onto Su Yuntang's face as she continued walking forward. It seemed that Lady Long truly did not trust her; even now, she was still sending someone to monitor her every move.
Once back in her own courtyard, Su Yuntang's thoughts swirled in her mind. The information conveyed by the Third Concubine was too abundant; she needed to ponder it carefully. Especially that phrase, "no one can be fully trusted, including myself," what could it possibly mean?
The next afternoon, during the hottest part of the day, Su Yuntang was reading medical texts in her room while cicadas chirped outside.
Hong Xiu entered quietly, looking somewhat anxious. "Second Young Mistress, Madam Hu has come to the estate and is speaking with the lady in the front hall."
Su Yuntang nearly dropped the book from her hands, her heart tightening. "Madam Hu? Why has she suddenly come?"
"I heard from the doorman that she came specifically to visit you and your family and brought many gifts," Hong Xiu whispered. "The lady originally intended to take her directly to meet Madam Tai, but since Madam Tai is resting and cannot be disturbed, Madam Hu suggested she would like to see you first, saying she has missed you dearly after so many days apart."
Taking a deep breath, Su Yuntang set down her book and stood up. The summer heat was stifling; she used a fan to cool herself down a bit before adjusting her hair in front of a bronze mirror. She changed into a light blue summer garment over a pale white tunic before heading toward the front hall with Hong Xiu.
Upon entering the front hall, she saw Lady Long seated at the head of the table with her hair styled in a falling horse bun, holding a bamboo fan made from Xiangfei bamboo. Madam Hu sat on one side dressed in a pale blue pleated skirt paired with a light summer shirt and adorned with a white jade hairpin.
Seeing Su Yuntang enter, Lady Long stood up with a smile and said, "Mother-in-law, Xu Er has arrived. Look at this child; we’ve raised her well in our Long Family—she’s even more robust than when she first came here."
"Mother." Su Yuntang stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Madam Hu.
Madam Hu scrutinized her closely; a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes. This "daughter" before her moved gracefully and spoke with composure—so different from the shabby medical girl she had known back in the Hu Family.
"Xu Er, come here so I can have a good look at you." Madam Hu patted the embroidered stool beside her. "Your father and I have been thinking about you often."
Su Yuntang sat down beside Madam Hu. "How have Father and Mother been? Thank you for your concern; my husband’s family treats me very well, and Madam Tai is especially caring."
"Madam Tai?" Madam Hu looked at Lady Long in surprise.
Lady Long's expression stiffened slightly as she forced a smile. "My mother has always been kind and gentle. She appreciates Xu Er for being knowledgeable and understanding, and for having some medical skills. Just a few days ago, when Xu Er was ill, my mother even personally ordered someone to prepare medicine and take care of her."
Madam Hu nodded and then took Su Yuntang's hand to examine her closely. "You look well, my dear. I heard you were unwell recently. Are you feeling much better now?"
"I'm fine now," Su Yuntang replied. "Thanks to my husband finding a good doctor for me, I recovered quite quickly."
The nurse accompanying Madam Hu spoke up, "Miss, the lady specially had the kitchen prepare your favorite candied lotus seeds and abalone with bones this time."
Su Yuntang's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Mother, for remembering. I truly miss the snacks from home."
Lady Long chimed in with a smile, "My dear mother-in-law is very thoughtful. Xu Er loves to eat delicate treats. I will have the kitchen learn how to make them as well, so this child won't feel homesick."
Just then, Cui Zhu entered and bowed to everyone. "Madam, Madam Tai has awakened. She heard that Madam Hu is here and specifically sent me to invite you. Madam Tai also asked for Second Young Mistress to come along to speak with her."
Madam Hu quickly stood up. "Madam Tai has summoned us; how could we be negligent?" She turned to Su Yuntang, "Xu Er, let us go pay our respects to Madam Tai together."
Su Yuntang felt anxious inside but kept her composure on the outside as she followed Madam Hu toward Madam Tai's Ci'an Hall.
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