Lu Nianfu didn't know how to answer. She and Zeng Weiyang weren't that close. Yet, by blood, Zeng Weiyang was her sister and was currently ill.
It would be too hurtful to tell her directly that she had nothing to say, when she seemed so eager to connect.
At that moment, Qingya offered a suggestion: "Second Miss, the Book of Songs is quite dull; reading storybooks is more interesting for passing the time. Since you're unwell, you can't read yourself, but you could have the maids read to you. Miss, why don't you read a storybook to Second Miss?"
"Where can we find a storybook so quickly?"
"That's true. Shall we bring some next time?"
Zeng Weiyang asked curiously, "Does elder sister usually like reading storybooks?"
Lu Nianfu replied, "It's good for passing the time when I'm idle. If you're interested, shall I have Qingya run an errand?"
"Then I'll trouble elder sister."
"It's no big deal. Qingya, run along. However, going back to the manor is too far. Just buy a few from a nearby bookstore." As she spoke, she reached for her purse.
Qingya exclaimed, "Oh, my lady, it's just buying storybooks, why are you taking out money? The silver you gave me earlier is enough to open a bookstore."
"That was a gift for you!"
"What's mine is yours." Qingya hurried off, and Lu Nianfu stayed to chat with Zeng Weiyang. As they talked, she gradually lost consciousness.
A hand lifted the beaded curtain, and Suxin entered with a silver needle and a bowl, looking approvingly at Zeng Weiyang. "Second Miss, you did very well this time. The Earl will surely reward you handsomely."
Zeng Weiyang didn't care about rewards. She just hoped Lu Nianfu could share some of her burden.
Zeng Guangyi needed more and more blood, and it was all being taken from her. She was almost at her limit. However, she still instructed, "Take a little less. Don't let her notice."
If discovered, it would be a one-time deal.
Suxin understood this. She held Lu Nianfu's finger, not daring to insert the silver needle too deeply. After collecting a small bowl of blood, she quickly stopped the bleeding, applied the best wound medicine, and by the time Lu Nianfu regained consciousness, the needle marks had almost disappeared.
Watching Suxin leave with the small bowl of blood, Zeng Weiyang finally breathed a sigh of relief. She reached out and touched Lu Nianfu's face, muttering softly, "Sister, please don't blame me. I don't want to do this."
A quarter of an hour later, Lu Nianfu slowly woke up.
Zeng Weiyang leaned in, "Sister, you're awake? Have you been tired lately?"
The matter of accounting was from over half a month ago. Lu Nianfu shook her head, "Perhaps I walked out in the sun and caught a bit of summer heat."
"That's plausible. Sister, your complexion is quite pale now. I'll have Yin Zhu boil you a bowl of brown sugar water. Would you like to have some while it's hot?"
"Mm."
Lu Nianfu did not refuse.
After drinking the bowl of brown sugar water, her complexion improved considerably, so much so that Qingya didn't notice anything unusual when she returned. Zeng Weiyang, however, leaned against the headboard and started to feel drowsy again.
Qingya whispered, "Miss, it seems the storybooks won't be needed today."
Lu Nianfu held up her middle finger and shushed her, "Let her sleep."
She placed the storybook on the bedside table and quietly withdrew. Yin Qiao followed her out to see her off. "Eldest Miss, in a little while, the Earl will be finishing his duties. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Lu Nianfu felt rather awkward interacting with Zeng Weiyang and really didn't want to deal with the overly enthusiastic Earl Pingning. So, she refused, "No, I have some matters at home that need my attention."
"Then, Eldest Miss, when you have time, can you visit Second Miss more often? She was very happy when you came today."
Lu Nianfu nodded. "I will come when I have time. Take good care of her, and when you have the chance, read to her and tell her about interesting news from outside."
This was Qingya's specialty. When she was in mourning at home, it was Qingya who kept her entertained.
Of course, lending Qingya to Zeng Weiyang was out of the question.
Yin Qiao replied obediently, "I will."
After seeing off Lu Nianfu and her servant, Yin Qiao quickly returned to the room. Zeng Weiyang had already opened her eyes. "How was it? Did she suspect anything?"
"Miss, rest assured, she didn't notice anything."
"That's good. I hope her blood is more effective than mine."
"It surely will be." Yin Qiao helped her sit up. "You've been lying down all afternoon, Miss. Would you like to get up and move around?"
"After it gets dark. Since I'm pretending to sleep, I need to maintain the act. Although she has left, the one in the Sandalwood Courtyard (the Earl's wife's residence) is still here, and I can't let her discover anything."
Yin Qiao nodded. "Miss is indeed thoughtful."
Zeng Weiyang felt a pang of sadness. In her current predicament, she had to be thoughtful in every aspect.