Chapter 348: Chapter 123: Yueying Descends the Mountain

The autumn air was clean and crisp, the sky as if washed pristine and clear. Bursts of gentle breeze swept through, bringing a fresh scent that invigorated the senses with each breath.

As Yueying walked along deep in thought with her head bowed, Cai Lan nudged her and reminded, “Miss, Third Young Lady is still up on the mountain!” They continued walking down, while Third Young Lady stood above and had not yet descended.

Yueying turned her head and saw Yueyao a few meters away; she hurriedly called out, “Third younger sister, third younger sister, what are you doing there?”

Yueyao, brought back to her senses, looked around. No longer admiring the scenery, she followed Yueying down the mountain. Midway, a strong wind arose, causing the leaves to fall and twirl wildly in the air… many landing upon Yueyao.

Yueying was not in such high spirits. Not as robust as Yueyao, she had already started to sweat from the walk, and now subjected to the severe wind, she sneezed several times in succession.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Yueyao had Nanny Hao make ginger soup primarily to prevent catching a cold. Unfortunately, Yueying refused to drink it, declaring, “I’m fine.”

Yueyao didn’t insist, knowing well enough to be responsible for her own body. She felt a bit cold herself upon returning, and couldn’t understand how Yueying, having a weaker constitution, claimed to be fine, likely just pushing herself. Yueyao wasn’t one to fight against her own body; she drank two bowls of brown sugar ginger tea, and Qiao Lan also had two bowls. Afterward, both sweated profusely.

In the middle of the night, Yueyao was awakened by shrill screams. Once again, it was Cai Lan who screamed, but this time, it was Cai Qing who came knocking, crying out, “Third Young Lady, our Miss has a fever. Third Young Lady, our Miss has a fever.”

Yueyao dressed quickly and upon checking, found Yueying burning up with fever, already unconscious. Due to Tingzheng’s teachings, Yueyao knew about physical cooling methods and ordered, “Nanny Hao, heat some water immediately.” With no ice or alcohol available on the mountain, they resorted to warm compresses.

Meanwhile, Cai Lan, gripping Yueyao’s hand, pleaded, “Third Young Lady, we must call a doctor quickly! Our Miss might die if the fever continues. Third Young Lady, I beseech you, you must not stand by and do nothing. It’s crucial we fetch a doctor now.”

Yueyao shook off Cai Lan’s hand, wishing she could add a kick. Angrily, she exclaimed, “But it’s pitch black outside; where do you expect me to find a doctor? Now go help Nanny Hao immediately.”

Comparatively calm, Cai Qing asked, “Third Young Lady, what should we do?” She knew that she should have persuaded Miss to drink those two bowls of ginger tea; had the tea been drunk, such a situation wouldn’t have arisen.

Cai Lan brought the hot water, slipped due to her haste, and fell, the copper basin escaping her grip and spilling water all over the room. Yueyao, despite her restraint and displeasure, instructed, “Hurry and fetch another basin.”

Qiao Lan quickly swept the water dry with a broom.

Once the hot water was brought, Yueyao instructed Cai Qing on what to do. Somewhat anxiously, Cai Qing asked, “Miss, will this help, or should we still call a doctor?”

The same sentence, spoken differently by two people, resulted in entirely different outcomes. Yueyao was well aware of the need to call a doctor, but outside it was pitch black, fraught with wild animals, making it extremely dangerous to venture out. She comforted, “Let’s wait another ‘shichen’. It should be nearly dawn by then, and we can go to the temple for help. I believe there will be someone with medical skills there.”

Without thinking, Cai Lan blurted out, “Third Young Lady, why not seek their help now?” There was a trace of accusation in her words.

Yueyao coldly retorted, “Fine, Nanny, hand her a lantern and let her find the temple on the mountain herself.”

Nanny Hao lit a lantern and handed it to Cai Lan, leading her out of the courtyard and pointing the way, “Miss Cai Lan, this is the path to the mountain; just follow it to the end, and you’ll reach the temple gate. Call out, and the gatekeeper monk will surely hear you.” Nanny Hao had previously thought Cai Lan was merely too talkative, never realizing her intentions could be so sinister. Urging the Miss to send someone up the mountain for help seemed a ploy to endanger the three of them under cover of darkness, along a treacherous mountain path with wild animals about, making this venture more likely perilous than not.

As someone calm by nature, Nanny Hao, upon this realization, glanced coldly at Cai Lan. It appeared increasingly likely that this maid was indeed from the Lady family, not only seeking to create discord between the Eldest Miss and her own young lady but also aiming to burden her young mistress with a reputation of indifference toward her siblings.

Outside, it was pitch black, the path invisible, and the wind howled like the wailing of ghosts. Cai Lan’s face turned pale with fear, and before she even took a step, she heard the howling of wolves.