Mr. Lin seemed to remember something, “Oh, right, you haven’t told me if the daughter is better?” Although Mr. Lin hadn’t visited them much this year, he knew his only daughter couldn’t speak or even open her mouth. Hearing her call him “Daddy” earlier filled him with joy; she was dressed in a yellow jacket with a furry border around the collar and cuffs, gently swaying in the breeze, looking somewhat cute. Though still dark-skinned, she was much sturdier than last year, perhaps because she wasn’t taking those medicines anymore.
“Yes, Master, the new doctor says the daughter is gradually improving. Although not completely recovered, she’s almost there.” The Third Madam cleverly lied. Before, even in her struggles, she disdained lying; now, she couldn’t help but mock herself internally.
Snow now realized that this was the “famous” Third Madam. Hearing that her daughter was getting better, she could no longer hide her naked dislike and hatred. Which woman could tolerate her husband chatting with an old flame on their wedding night? Suddenly, Snow had an idea; she clutched her belly, seemingly in great pain. Mr. Lin could no longer concern himself with anything else, personally supporting her, “Snow, are you alright?”
There was a time when Mr. Lin asked the Third Madam with the same gentle concern: “Ping’er, are you alright? Ping’er, are you okay?” Now, he was asking the same question to another woman.
“My stomach hurts so much… I…” Snow was almost incoherent; if she were faking, her acting was too skilled.
“Hurry, hurry, call for the physician.” Mr. Lin, supporting Snow, left in haste, perhaps forgetting the other woman who had waited for him for so long in the pavilion.
The Third Madam was in a daze, unsure how she returned to the east wing. The next morning, before dawn, Mama Hong came to wake the Third Madam, “Madam, a magpie has landed outside the door, it must mean good fortune is near.”
