Seeing Lin Shi was about to awake when she made a soft cry, Old Madam waved her hand to her grandson. She had many things to say which was not suitable for the hearing of her granddaughter, âYanâer, send your Younger Sister back.â
As all of her attention was focused on Lin Shi, she didnât notice the intense emotion in her grandsonâs eyes.
Yu Pin Yan agreed with a hoarse hum. Patting his younger sisterâs back, he carried her out.
Once both were a distance away, Old Madam picked a cup of cold tea from the table and splashed it directly on Lin Shiâs face with a shout, âLin Shi, you have better get up!â
Being on the brink of waking up, this splash made Lin Shi open her eyes when she immediately cried out, âMother, why did you save me? Just let me die! It has been four years and I still havenât found her. My daughter must not have bode well and thereâs nothing for me to live on anymore!â
She had have the thought of committing suicide when her husband died, but didnât have the courage at that time, thus she could only rely on the hatreds she had for Yu Xiang, the bandits, the unjust fate as well as Old Madam and even Yu Pin Yan to keep on living. But ten years had passed in a blink of an eye where these rootless hatreds soon dissipated while the void in her heart got bigger. When she looked back, she realized she could never get close to her children or Old Madam anymore because she had pushed them too far away. Just when she felt utterly disheartened, the fact Yu Xiang wasnât Yu manorâs lineage came forth. She still had a daughter stranded outside who was waiting for her to save.
Hence, like a soul that walked in the boundless darkness, she became desperate and pounced ahead when she finally saw the ray of light that would lead to Heaven. But this hope had her waited for four years. She felt truly exhausted and couldnât hold on anymore.
Even though she knew her scandalous death would bring slanderous rumors and even her maiden family would cause trouble for Yu manor if some inklings were discovered but she couldnât care less. She just wanted to be with her husband and daughter as soon as possible, no longer living in this world of sufferings.
Stroking her chest and coughing violently, Old Madam was panting erratically with anger. If she had the horse whip in her hand, she would not be courteous like Xiangâer but would have whipped Lin Shiâs face!
After a drink of honeyed water and the patting of Wan Qiu on her back, her gasping spells were soothed. She then enunciated each word, âIt was not me who saved you. If itâs possible, I wish I could strangle you myself!â
Seeing the inconsolable grieving expression on Lin Shiâs face, she continued, âThereâs no need for you to attempt suicide, let me tell you, that daughter of yours has been found. If you are willing to live your life placidly, I will bring her back to the manor someday.â
Did Yu family truly owed this pair of mother and daughter in the previous lifetime that they were back in this lifetime to collect their debts? They just wouldnât be idyllic without stirring troubles and causing turmoil in the Yu family? She couldnât continue pondering about this as she could feel pain in her heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and every part of her body the more she pondered! Old Madam rubbed her chest with an unsightly expression.
Lin Shi stared at her in trance before she anxiously asked, âMy daughter has been found? Where? Hurry, bring me to see her! Hurry up!â She cried nervously and simultaneously struggled to get out of bed.
Old Madam knocked her with the walking stick and furiously berated, âShe has been settled outside at the moment. After you behave yourself and recover from your illness, I will bring you there, otherwise both you, mother and daughter will not meet in this lifetime!â
Lin Shi quietened down and hurriedly covered herself with a quilt. She cried and laughed as she opened her mouth, âDonât worry Mother. I will surely get well soon. Is, is she alright?â
âShe is very well.â But those who met her, none was well at all. Just like Shen Yuan Qi who became a slave and servant without a future when he was with her. Once parted from her, his slavery record was removed and even got conferred the top-ranked scholar! Inwardly Old Madam was sneering yet her face was somewhat worried when she continued, âI have to warn you, even if she returns, Xiangâer is still the respectable Di Young Miss of my Marquis manor! If you want the scandal of your daughter living in a merchant household known by others, simply treat Xiangâer harshly so itâs obvious to the outsiders!â
âI will not. Daughter-in-law understands the damages among this. Please donât worry, Mother.â Lin Shi regained some sensibilities now that her anchor was found. When she talked, there appeared to be a little distinct shrewdness and capability of those years.
Old Madam took a glance at her before leaving hastily, not waiting for the doctor to diagnose and treat her.
When the group had gone a distance away, Yu Si Yu came out from her hiding within the rockery with a slight malicious smile. After waiting for so many years, the genuine phoenix was finally back and wouldnât the pheasant fall from the sycamore tree soon?