The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 175: Chapter 175 Song Ruqi is Scared Sick

The Duke Cheng’en Mansion, which had stood empty for over twenty years, finally welcomed its master. No, now it was called the Marquis Mansion.

The lacquered plaque of the Marquis Mansion, said to be personally bestowed by the Emperor, brightly replaced the Duke Cheng’en’s plaque, hanging high above the gate, attracting the attention of passersby, and making many people wonder if they should send congratulatory gifts.

But the Marquis only returned to the small ancestral hall in the mansion to worship his ancestors and parents, then returned to the palace, leaving only a few old servants and some guards in the mansion.

It is said that the Marquis would often reside in Cining Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, study at the Imperial Academy, and only return to the Marquis Mansion for rituals and offerings on the first and fifteenth of the lunar months until he came of age.

It is also said that Empress Dowager Wang and the Emperor granted the Marquis short stays at Prime Minister Song’s mansion, ostensibly to seek academic guidance from Prime Minister Song.

No matter the hearsay, it all reveals that this newly-appointed Marquis is deeply favored by the Emperor, including at the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Why say this?

For the Wang clan, closely related to the emperor, and even the Uncle’s Mansion, do not have such favors, which clearly indicates where the imperial favor lies.

The Uncle’s Mansion has been the butt of many jokes, and involuntarily, it has fostered a lot of jealousy towards the Prime Minister’s Mansion. However, they are helpless, as the Prime Minister’s influence and power are far superior.

Song Ci listened to the rumors from outside, treating them as mere amusement, without paying much attention because Song Ruqi had fallen ill.

”How did she get sick all of a sudden? Didn’t Lin Qing go there?”

Nanny Gong replied, ”They said a maid heard her talking in her sleep asking for water in the middle of the night. She woke up to find she had a high fever. They reported it immediately and called Doctor Lin overnight.”

Song Ci stood up, ”Let’s go and take a look.”

Nanny Gong assisted her, heading towards Fuqu Pavilion.

At Fuqu Pavilion, Madam Song was in a rage, pointing at a few maids, scolding them harshly. ”How could the main person have a high fever without anyone knowing? Who knows how long she’s been suffering!”

The maids were both ashamed and fearful. They didn’t expect their mistress would suddenly fall so ill.

”Tell me, how did she get this sick? She’s so feverish she’s delirious.” Madam Song looked at her daughter’s furrowed brows, feeling an immense heartache.

What happened to this child?

The maids mumbled, afraid to speak.

Could she dare say that the Second Miss became so scared that she fell ill upon hearing the Prime Minister intended to betroth her to a scholar from a poor family?

What kind of person is Madam Song? One look at the maid’s expressions and she knew there must be something amiss, so she glared, ready to inquire further, when she heard the report that the Matriarch had arrived outside.

Madam Song had to suppress her interrogation temporarily and went to greet her instead.

As Song Ci entered the room, she was welcomed by Madam Song, who asked, ”Why did mother need to come here?”

”I heard the second girl is ill; I came to take a look.” Song Ci entered the inner room and saw Song Ruqi lying in bed, her face flushed red, and the windows tightly shut.

Nanny Cheng, who was attending by the bedside, bowed to Song Ci and moved aside.

”Has the fever not subsided? Has she taken the medicine?” Song Ci asked while reaching out to feel Song Ruqi’s forehead. The warmth on her palm indicated it was at least thirty-eight degrees.

”She took a dose of medicine. It subsided a bit but has climbed up again.” Madam Song looked anxious.

Song Ci then said, ”This won’t do. Go get some strong liquor, and a cotton handkerchief, wipe her body to reduce the fever. Also, open the window a bit; no air is coming through. It’s suffocating in here.”

Madam Song frowned—was this really alright, opening the window when her daughter was ill? What if it made the cold worse?

”Listen to the Matriarch!” Lin Qing walked in.