The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 273 - 277: The Struggle in the Inner Residence (Part 3)

Chapter 273: Chapter 277: The Struggle in the Inner Residence (Part 3)

Old Madam was the person closest to Gai Yinyin’s heart. Even after being rejected by Su Shi and expelled from Duke Ying Mansion, Gai Yinyin wasn’t particularly frightened, for she believed that as long as Old Madam returned, she and her daughter could go back as well.

Gai Yinyin’s lips trembled as she said, "If that’s the case, I, I won’t disturb Old Madam anymore... After you go back, please convey my regards to Old Madam."

Hehua pretended not to hear Gai Yinyin’s change in tone and said with her usual expression, "Madam, you’ve misunderstood. Old Madam has sent me today to escort you and the young miss back to the mansion."

"It’s just that she wants you to temporarily avoid the influence of that person in the mansion. Old Madam has prepared another small courtyard for you and the young miss..."

Gai Yinyin’s expression improved slightly.

Su Li, listening to their conversation, thought that they absolutely should not follow Hehua back.

Hehua was about to speak when the young miss, who had been lying quietly, suddenly let out a heart-wrenching cry.

Startled, Gai Yinyin quickly picked up her daughter from the bed. "Baby, what’s wrong? Why are you suddenly crying?"

Gai Yinyin was reluctant at heart but felt powerless. How could a weak woman with a child survive in this world? It was just too difficult.

About to agree as she opened her mouth and looked at her daughter, Gai Yinyin was cut off when, "I..."

The baby in her arms started to cry and fuss again, writhing uncomfortably.

With a cry in her voice, Gai Yinyin said, "Baby, what’s wrong with you?"

Hehua was waiting for Gai Yinyin’s reply, but now Gai Yinyin’s entire focus was on the child. She had no time to pay attention to Hehua.

Gai Yinyin, holding her child, pushed the door open and called over a servant, stuffing a piece of broken silver into his hand. "Please rush to the medical clinic and fetch the doctor."

"Hehua, you see my current situation. I might not be able to go with you for now."

Hehua was about to persuade her again, "Madam, there are plenty of good medicinal materials in the mansion, and the environment is much better. It’s suitable for the young miss to recover. It’s better than staying outside."

Gai Yinyin hesitated again. What Hehua said was indeed true.

Raised in sheltered chambers, Gai Yinyin was naturally a weak and indecisive woman. Seeing her wavering, Su Li forcefully summoned a heat sensation in her body with her Spiritual Power.

Gai Yinyin felt the burning sensation on the child’s body, "The baby has a fever..."

She no longer cared about Hehua next to her, hurriedly laid her child on the bed.

Fortunately, the medical clinic was not far from the inn; the clinic’s doctor carried his medicine box and jogged over.

Gai Yinyin’s tears didn’t stop flowing. "Doctor, come quickly, the baby has a fever... I... wuwuwu..."

During this period, Gai Yinyin had experienced too many shocks. Now her child was her life. If anything happened to her daughter, she certainly wouldn’t be able to go on living.

Hehua returned without success.

In the main hall of Duke Ying Mansion, Old Madam sat uneasily in her armchair.

Two maids close to her attended her, one constantly comforting her while the other carefully blew on a cup of ginseng tea and placed it beside Old Madam’s hand.

Old Madam was infuriated by her irresponsible son.

Yet Su Shi didn’t care at all, grinning shamelessly, "Mother, it’s already like this anyway. Liu Sha is carrying our family’s eldest grandson; you should treat her well."

Zhu Liusha, with her exceedingly large belly, smiled timidly at Old Madam.

Old Madam glared fiercely at Zhu Liusha, which only made Su Shi even more protectively affectionate. He stepped in front of her and shielded her behind him, treasuring her as if she were his most precious possession. Seeing her son’s behavior infuriated the Old Madam once again, and she cursed the "fox spirit" in her heart.

Su Shi, feeling somewhat remorseful when he saw how upset his mother was, patted Zhu Liusha’s hand and approached the Old Madam with a playful smile on his face.

"Mother, I know you love me the most. If only you could accept Liusha and Su Ying, I might reluctantly agree to allow Gai Yinyin and her daughter to enter the mansion."

The Old Madam pounded Su Shi forcefully with her hand a few times. "You foolish child, by doing these things, what will people outside think of you? Although General Gu and his wife have passed away, many of his subordinates are still serving in the army. If you treat Gai Yinyin like this, what will they think?"

"Our family has declined since your father passed away, and you...."

As she thought about it, the Old Madam couldn’t help but hit Su Shi a few more times.

Su Shi, unconcerned, replied, "Mother, you worry too much. If General Gu’s subordinates truly remembered old affections, how could they stand idly by as Gai Yinyin was cast off so easily? Their pretending ignorance is a clear sign that they don’t care for Gai Yinyin. There is no need for you to worry so much."

Su Shi laughed and took his mother’s hand. "Mother, if you hit me a few more times, and you get angry, my heart will be in pain for myself."

Knowing that Su Shi’s words were meant to cajole her, the Old Madam couldn’t help but burst into a chuckle despite herself.

"Why would I hit you..." The Old Madam began to feel pity for her son again. "You didn’t even try to dodge earlier. Did I hurt you when I hit you so hard?"

Su Shi replied, "As long as you aren’t angry, Mother, I can handle the pain."

Su Shi understood his mother’s weakness very well. When he had agreed to marry Gai Yinyin, he had not expected to encounter Liu Sha, or to fall deeply in love with her.

Su Shi turned his head and lovingly winked at Zhu Liusha. "Mother, about Liusha..."

The Old Madam softened her tone as well. "Since she’s carrying your child, let it be. But I have made myself clear. Once Yinyin comes back, she must offer tea to Yinyin as a sign of respect."

The Old Madam’s words immediately chilled the warming atmosphere.

Not only did Su Shi’s expression sour, but Zhu Liusha, holding her belly at the side, staggered unsteadily, her eyes brimming with humiliation and grievance.

She stubbornly bit her lip as she looked towards Su Shi, saying nothing; yet that very look nearly broke Su Shi’s heart.

The Old Madam’s momentarily softened gaze instantly hardened as she spoke in a sharp voice, "What’s the matter, you feel wronged, do you?"

Su Shi frowned and immediately retorted, "Mother, Liusha is now my wife, lawfully wedded. Please don’t treat her this way.... As for offering tea, does Gai Yinyin even deserve to receive such a gesture? Let’s not bring this up again."

"You...."

"Old Madam, Aunt Hehua has returned." A second-tier maid shouted from outside, lifting the door curtain.

The Old Madam couldn’t stay angry and quickly stood up, anxiously saying, "Hurry, that poor girl Yinyin must have suffered a lot."

Aunt Hehua bowed deeply to the Old Madam upon entering.

The Old Madam glanced at Aunt Hehua, then craned her neck to look behind her. The joy on her face gradually faded, returning to an expressionless state.

"What happened?"

"Why didn’t Madam and the young miss come back with you?"

Hearing this, Zhu Liusha’s face took on a bitter and self-deprecating expression, turning Su Shi’s countenance darker with each passing moment.

He couldn’t help but interject, "Mother, a woman who has been divorced, how can she be worthy of the title ’Madam’? My wife is standing right in front of you. Don’t make a mistake with titles."