The Princess Consort pressed her lips together. “I know. I was just venting a few words. I raised him myself—could he really grow distant from me over a few scoldings? Isn’t he off duty today? Has he left the residence?”
Nanny Chang sent a little maid to inquire, and after a while the girl returned. “They said the young master just got back and has gone to the study.”
“Go invite him here. Tell him I’m feeling unwell.”
The maid hurried to Fu Yi’s courtyard, but after a while, it wasn’t Fu Yi who came—it was a physician. The little maid, trembling with fear, reported, “Young Master said that if Your Highness is sick, you should see a doctor. Use whatever medicine is needed. He still has books to read and won’t be coming over.”
The Princess Consort’s face shifted between green and white. Fu Yi had never treated her before. Was he truly angry over a few harsh words?
“Go again. Tell him that if I can’t see him, I won’t see any doctor at all!”
After such a scene, Fu Yi finally showed up, slowly and without hurry. Even upon arrival, he said little—only telling the physician to examine her. After the doctor concluded that her illness was caused by pent-up frustration and advised rest and calmness, Fu Yi simply ordered someone to fetch the prescribed medicines and said nothing more.
The Princess Consort lay on the soft couch, a cloth draped across her forehead, her eyes closed, looking weak and frail. Nanny Chang coaxed in a soft voice, “Young Master, Her Highness was only anxious before. She regards Miss Qingyun almost as a daughter—her anger came from sorrow, not from true malice.”
But Fu Yi’s expression remained unchanged. In his heart, he couldn't understand—how could his mother be so kind to Lu Qingyun, yet so cruel to Bai Qingqing? Everything Lu Qingyun had done, Bai Qingqing had done in her past life as well—and even with more care and devotion.
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At this moment, the Princess Consort slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Fu Yi, she tugged weakly at the corner of her mouth. “You’re really angry with me? You have no sisters, and Qingyun has been by my side since childhood, calling you cousin as she grew up. Why is it that suddenly the residence can no longer tolerate her? When she left, she cried so pitifully, and you didn’t feel a thing? That’s why I was angry at you.”
Fu Yi replied calmly, “It’s true that no one is unwelcome in this household, but Father said that Qingyun is getting older, and it’s no longer appropriate for her to continue lodging here. I believe Father is right. If Mother truly cherishes her, you should consider her reputation. That is real care.”
The Princess Consort took a deep breath, about to lash out, but caught Nanny Chang’s warning gaze and barely held herself back. Even so, her tone was no longer as gentle as before. “You and your father really do think alike. I didn’t hear you object before. Don’t think I don’t know—it’s because of that Bai girl that you’re acting this way.”
Fu Yi said nothing. The Princess Consort, convinced she had guessed correctly, grew even more resentful toward Bai Qingqing. That little vixen—she hadn’t even entered the household yet and had already bewitched Fu Yi into disobeying her. If she truly married into the family, wouldn’t it be even worse?
“If it were up to me, that Bai girl wouldn’t be worthy of joining the Fu family. It’s only because of the Bai family’s respectable background. Soon, it’ll be the Duchess of England’s birthday banquet. If my illness doesn’t improve, I might not be able to attend.”
She didn’t believe Fu Yi could bear to miss it.
Yet Fu Yi suddenly felt an urge to laugh. He thought of Bai Qingqing’s smile back at Yanlai Tower—without even looking in a mirror, he knew his own smile now must carry the same mocking curve, identical to hers.
“Then don’t go,” he said.
Fu Yi looked steadily at the Princess Consort. “Mother, please take good care of yourself. As for the Bai family, I will have someone pass along your regrets.”
There was no hint of panic in him, not even a moment’s hesitation. He turned and left without lingering. The Princess Consort stared after him, dumbfounded, her fingers trembling as she pointed toward his retreating figure. “This—this is rebellion! How could he speak to me like that? When did I say I wasn’t going?!”
Nanny Chang’s strained smile almost crumbled. The young master truly wasn’t the same anymore. If the Princess Consort kept pushing , she might one day regret it bitterly.