Doctor Bian stood up angrily and wiped the spittle off his face with his sleeve: "You ignorant old woman, I have been practicing for many years, even a novice apprentice wouldnât mistake a pregnant womanâs pulse, let alone me. Let me tell you, I am a descendant of Bian Que, inheriting generations of medical expertise. Who are you insulting?"
Yanhong cheerfully added, "Old Madam, you donât know that Doctor Bian is called Sai Bianque."
Doctor Bian, still fuming, packed up his medical kit and was about to leave, refusing to write a prescription.
Just then, the vulnerable Lady Yu started to sob weakly, "Cousin, can you say something for me?"
Only then did Lin Ziqi snap out of it and stopped Doctor Bian, pleading for a prescription.
Bai He said coldly, "Oh, so the child in Miss Cousinâs belly is Mr. Linâs."
Then she took Sai Bianque and left, saying, "It doesnât matter whose child is in Miss Cousinâs belly, itâs gone. But our missâs child is what matters."
Lady Yu was pierced by these words and cried out loud.
Mrs. Lin panicked, hurriedly stopped Lin Ziqi, and signaled to him, "A woman after miscarriage needs good care and nourishment. Right now, itâs the child in Wanâerâs belly that matters."
No matter what, the childâs gone, getting medicine isnât urgent.
Feeling sympathetic for Lady Yu, Lin Ziqi lost his judgment but quickly followed the maids to Qin Wanâs side.
No matter how heartbroken Lady Yu was crying behind him.
As soon as he reached the door, he was stopped, Bai He coldly said, "Mr. Lin, please sit outside, itâs crowded inside, too many people can make the air foul, which might discomfort the miss."
What a statement!
Were they implying he was foul?
But this was not the time to react.
Lin Ziqi had to endure it.
Lately, Qin Wanâs attitude towards him was inconsistent, unlike when they were newlywed.
When she first arrived, Bai He was silent and obedient, today being suddenly cold only showed that their mistressâQin Wanâhad changed.
Lin Ziqi could only pace back and forth outside with hands behind his back.
After a while, Yanhong hurriedly came out to call the little kitchen maid over, Lin Ziqi seized the moment to ask, "How is madam?"
Yanhong replied briefly, "Not very well."
Lin Ziqi asked anxiously, "What happened?"
Yanhong sneered, "You should ask what good deeds Lady Cousin has done."
Lin Ziqiâs face turned blue one moment, red the next.
"Such impudence, saying this to the master."
Yanhong stepped back two steps as Qin Wanâs sharp angry voice resounded from the inner room, "Mention your darling and you denigrate my maid like this, will you someday let your darling ride all over me?"
Lin Ziqi wanted to go in and explain, but Bai He stopped him again, urging Yanhong, "Hurry and call people."
Yanhong said, "Iâm looking for someone to watch the medicine for miss, what if someone takes advantage of the situation again?"
Bai He responded indifferently, "Just have a nanny watch over; donât let the Lin Family get close. Their lady cousin, struck by karma, is now bedridden, likely unable to make a move again."
These words struck Lin Ziqi like a thunderbolt on a clear day.
"You... you, explain to me, donât make groundless accusations."
Bai He impatiently said, "Mr. Lin, you canât intervene here, better to rest inside lest you get a headache later. Besides, you can go check on Lady Cousin."
Lin Ziqi, face flushed, rebuked, "What nonsense are you talking about, we are not involved..."
Before finishing, he closed his mouth under Bai He and Yanhongâs mocking gazes, forced to stand aside angrily.
The little maid, having received the orders, came over with a medicine pot.
Lin Ziqiâs eyelid twitched.
An ominous feeling rose in his heart.
"What is this?"
Bai He just sneered.
The little maid said, "Mr. Lin, this is the medicine pot for you."
Yanhong said, "Quick, take it inside for Sai Bianque to see."
The little maid didnât spare Lin Ziqi a glance and hurried inside.
Lin Ziqi asked, "What are you implying?"
Bai He sneered, "Mr. Lin, why not ask what Lady Cousin has done? Speak earlier to prevent needing legal actions later."
Lin Ziqi shouted angrily, "Ridiculous, what has a weak woman done to involve the law, donât make groundless accusations."
He then tried to rush in.
This time Bai He didnât stop him, just let him barge in.
The Lin Family was small, the commotion Bai He made could be heard by Mrs. Lin in Lady Yuâs room.
Mrs. Lin panicked and asked, "Xiao Lian, you didnât do anything, did you?"
Lady Yu looked pale, cold sweat broke on her forehead, she weakly said, "Aunt, I lived under your watch, what could I have done?"
Mrs. Lin gave her a meaningful look.
Lady Yu also realized.
She and Lin Ziqi had done it right under everyoneâs noses.
Saying this now seemed even less believable.
Lady Yu grasped Mrs. Linâs hand tightly, "Aunt, you saw how domineering Qin Familyâs daughter is, even her dowry maids step on Cousinâs head, if she gains power, wouldnât she ride over you and Cousin? Iâm with you."
Mrs. Lin hesitated for a moment and said, "Youâre my niece, and youâve consummated with my son, I must give you a resolution, or I canât face my family. Rest assured, I will make Ziqi give you a status."
Lady Yu whispered, "Aunt, youâre like my own mother now, I will serve you like a daughter, and help you. Ziqi said, Cousin married over for Ziqiâs prospects, otherwise she wouldnât have been so generous and obedient. I heard she was quite spoiled at home, and even stepped over the Marquis Mansionâs madam as a maiden. If she gains the upper hand, gains leverage over Ziqi, how would she continue to treat us well?"
This touched a sore spot in Mrs. Lin.
Mrs. Lin said, "Indeed, it was supposed to be her."
She discreetly pointed towards the Marquis Mansionâs direction, "They say marrying up is with heads held high, while marrying down is bowing. I originally worried about Jiujie Mansionâs high status, fearing weâd be snubbed, but seeing that girl, I was very satisfied. Pretty, obedient, and motherless, a concubine born, no worries to control. But didnât expect to be replaced by this one."
Mrs. Lin pursed her lips.
Qin Wan initially looked down on their mother and son, only maintaining a facade, but later snatched the marriage and humbled herself upon marrying.
"Though sheâs legitimate, not very clever, or aunt wouldnât manage her easily. But such matters you canât repeat, her mother is formidable, Ziqi will rely on connections from his father-in-law and her brother-in-law for future official career."