Hong Shao pushed open the window, and the cold north wind, carrying moisture, rushed in, chilling and fresh. She carried the wide-mouthed, round-bellied vase with plum blossoms to the windowsill, and the room, stuffy for a whole night, instantly gained a touch of vitality.
Lu Nian Fu looked pleased and praised, "Not bad."
Qing Miao, however, quickly draped a fox fur coat over her. "Wang Fei, opening the window for a while to let in air is fine, but leaving it open for too long is not."
"How can it be that serious? Don't we have the underfloor heating?"
"You cannot catch even a slight chill right now."
"Then I'll go have my meal first, and I'll close the window when I come back."
Qing Miao responded with an "Aiyo," and helped her towards the dining hall, with Hong Shao quickly following.
After she finished a bowl of congee, a basket of crystal dumplings, and two soup dumplings, Aunt Cui brought another bowl of steamed custard. Lu Nian Fu patted her stomach and picked up her spoon.
Hong Shao watched with concern and dared to advise, "Wang Fei, if you eat any more, you'll be too full. Perhaps eat the rest later?"
"No, it's mainly the child being greedy." Lu Nian Fu unhesitatingly shifted the blame to the baby in her belly. After taking a spoonful, she closed her eyes in satisfaction.
Aunt Cui chuckled, "What do you know, young girl? Wang Fei needs to eat more at this stage. However, after seven months, you can't overindulge, or the fetus will be too large and difficult to deliver. Wang Fei, although it's cold outside, you should still take a few strolls appropriately, as it's beneficial for childbirth."
Lu Nian Fu had wanted to go for a walk outside for a long time. Upon hearing this, she immediately said, "Then I'll stroll in the garden later."
Hong Shao said, "Wang Fei should still walk under the eaves. The garden paths are a bit slippery."
The snow these days had been intermittent, never completely clearing. There was still a thick layer of snow on the rooftops; no matter how diligent the servants were, the garden was off-limits.
Lu Nian Fu sighed. The eaves would have to do. It was better than being confined indoors all the time.
"Speaking of which, is the Imperial Academy on holiday today?"
"Yes, morning lecture, afternoon dismissal. Does Wang Fei wish to send someone to pick up the young master?"
"Naturally. Arrange for someone to pick up Madam in advance as well, to spend the New Year together at the estate. Last year's New Year's Eve, I was in the palace. I imagine future New Year's Eves will also be spent in the palace, so I can only take this opportunity to reunite with Xiao Fei this year. As for Madam Li, as long as she doesn't cause trouble, giving her some face is fine. Regardless, she is Xiao Fei's biological mother."
Qing Miao went to make arrangements.
Shortly after, Qing Ya came to work. Lu Nian Fu looked at the four maids by her side and felt that the day to select new maids could be postponed.
Lu Fei would not arrive until the afternoon, but Feng Xin Yao arrived in the morning. Having shed her travel-worn attire from Ling Yan Pavilion, she wore a simple apricot-colored padded jacket, looking fresh and lovely, like the innocent young lady from a noble family she once was.
She affectionately linked arms with Lu Nian Fu. "Sister Lu, why aren't you back in your room? It's windy outside; be careful not to catch a cold."
Lu Nian Fu was a little dazed. How long had it been since she last heard Feng Xin Yao call her Sister Lu so cheerfully?
"Xin Yao, you seem very happy today."
"It's New Year's! Let's go, let's go back inside and talk." Feng Xin Yao was eager to share her triumphant joy with her.
Could it be that her great revenge had been achieved? That shouldn't be. If Situ Jue had met with misfortune, she wouldn't have received any news.
An incense stick's time later, Lu Nian Fu was so shocked she shattered the teacup in her hand. "Are you sure? Situ Jue really?"
Hmm, Situ Jue in her past life didn't have this peculiar ailment.
Feng Xin Yao snorted. "Otherwise, would I be this happy? Sister Lu, just thinking about him becoming a eunuch, having to find ways to hide this secret, and living in constant fear, makes me feel incredibly satisfied."
Lu Nian Fu also felt incredibly satisfied.
But now, Feng Xin Yao was more important. "This illness of his, it has nothing to do with you, does it? Did you make a move against him?"
Feng Xin Yao waved her hand. "How could I have the ability? However, he offended so many people; it wouldn't be strange for someone to have made a covert move against him."
It was just a pity that the่ she bought at a high price from the ghost doctor had not yet been used.
Lu Nian Fu took her hand. "Xin Yao, since your great revenge has been achieved, why don't I send you back to reunite with your family?"
"How can that be? It's only a phased victory." Her ultimate goal was still Situ Jue's life. However, before that, she wanted to see him suffer.
"Xin Yao, he is not your enemy alone. You have done enough. Leave the rest to Sister Lu."
"Sister Lu also has a grudge against him?"
"The grudge is immense. In short, you should obediently go home and reunite with your family." A young lady like you shouldn't be hanging around brothels all day; it's not proper. If Governor Feng and Madam Feng were still alive, they certainly wouldn't want their beloved daughter to live like this.
If Feng Xin Yao could be easily persuaded, she wouldn't have come to the capital.
She firmly shook her head. "That, we can discuss after the New Year."
"Xin Yao, listen to me, you..."
A knock on the door interrupted her words. Qing Ya's voice sounded from outside. "Wang Fei, Imperial Physician Ji is here."
Ji Jin came every few days to check her pulse. Lu Nian Fu was about to ask him to wait a moment, but Feng Xin Yao couldn't miss this opportunity. She quickly said, "Imperial Physician Ji, then I'll go hide for a bit."
"Hide from what? He doesn't know you."
Feng Xin Yao's face crumpled. "How can he not know me? He was visiting Ling Yan Pavilion just a few days ago."
Lu Nian Fu: "..."
She had only heard before that Ouyang Wen frequented places of pleasure. She hadn't expected that Ji Jin, who appeared to be a man of integrity, would also go.
What about Situ Yan, who was so close to them?
Lu Nian Fu couldn't help but grit her teeth.
In just this short while, Feng Xin Yao had already reached the door. "Quick, invite the imperial physician in!"