Yu Tao’er walked over and said slowly behind Ding Jingman: “Jingman jie, you must be careful of the white-eyed wolf around you!”
Ding Jingman was only half a year older than Yu Tao’er, but she was always called “Jingman jie,” which made her seem older. Every time she heard these three words, Ding Jingman got angry. She ignored Yu Tao’er and stormed into the room. When she turned back and saw Yu Yi gently close the door, she realized that Yu Tao’er’s “white-eyed wolf” must be referring to A Ju.
She looked suspiciously at Yu Yi: “A Ju, what does that little actress mean by those words?”
Yu Yi had been prepared since seeing Yu Tao’er’s jealous look at the doorstep. When she heard Yu Tao’er’s provocative words, she had already planned her response while closing the door: “This afternoon, Madam was asleep. A Ju was afraid of waking you, so she went downstairs to clean the living room. She heard the Fourth Concubine tell the Commander that she got two tickets for a big star’s performance and wanted the Commander to accompany her tonight. The Commander told the Fourth Concubine to find you to go together, but she refused, saying she would rather take A Xiang than go with you…”
Originally, the two tickets could have allowed Ding Jingman and Yu Tao’er to each bring A Ju and A Xiang into the Xile Gate. But Yu Tao’er preferred to let A Xiang be seated rather than go with Ding Jingman.
Ding Jingman was furious before even hearing the full story: “What?! That little actress is getting too full of herself! Who is she? Before she became famous, she was nothing compared to A Xiang! If she hadn’t married Fei Bai, how could she have a chance to enter the Xile Gate? No, I must get Fei Bai to get me tickets!”
Ding Jingman was about to go downstairs to the study to find Tu Fei Bai.
Yu Yi hurriedly said: “Madam, please don’t go!”
Ding Jingman stopped: “Why not?”
“The Fourth Concubine’s words were too aggressive. A Ju saw the Commander frown, which means he probably also thinks she’s not good. In the future, he will naturally favor you. But if you go to make a scene now, the Commander will think you’re just like the Fourth Concubine, and then…” Yu Yi explained patiently.
Ding Jingman thought A Ju’s words made sense. So far, following A Ju’s advice had been effective. She calmed down and returned to her room, but still felt indignant: “A Ju, help me think of a way to deal with that little actress. She’s so annoying!”
Yu Yi sighed secretly. This Third Concubine was hopeless, but this was also why she chose to become a maid to get close to Tu Fei Bai.
She advised Ding Jingman: “Instead of thinking of ways to deal with the Fourth Concubine, why not think of ways to make the Commander like you. The Fourth Concubine is out, and the Commander is alone in the study. Why don’t you personally make some snacks or soup?”
Ding Jingman was delighted: “Right! But I don’t know how to make soup or snacks.”
Yu Yi said: “Then don’t make it yourself. Have the kitchen prepare it, and you can deliver it as a gesture of care.”
Ding Jingman nodded, and Yu Yi went downstairs to have the kitchen prepare a warm soup. After the soup was ready, Ding Jingman took it to the study, while Yu Yi waited outside the door.
A young man came in, another of Tu Fei Bai’s subordinate officers named Zhang Qi. He was carrying a leather document bag and looked slightly surprised at Yu Yi before knocking softly: “Commander.”
After a moment, Tu Fei Bai’s voice came from inside: “Come in.”
Zhang Qi entered, and Ding Jingman came out of the study with a disappointed expression.
When she returned upstairs, Ding Jingman complained in a low voice: “What urgent telegram? He didn’t even let me stay a moment longer.” She had hoped to get close to Fei Bai by bringing the soup, but Zhang Qi’s arrival cut their conversation short.
Yu Yi thought to herself: “The Commander must be waiting in the study for this telegram, so it must be very important.”
Ding Jingman snorted: “Isn’t it just about the factory and mine? They’ve been discussing it for half a year.”
After blowing for more than half an hour, the entire room had become freezing cold. Ding Jingman’s teeth were chattering, her face pale with a bluish tinge, her hands and feet icy, and she suddenly sneezed several times. Yu Yi saw this and quickly closed the window, taking a wool coat to drape over her.
Ding Jingman pushed away the coat Yu Yi handed her and persevered for over an hour, constantly asking Yu Yi to feel her forehead to check if she was developing a fever. She said, “If I don’t get a fever, I’ll go take a cold bath.” She looked determined not to give up until she got sick.
Yu Yi, seeing her continuous sneezing and hoarse voice, advised her to be patient and wait, explaining that catching a cold doesn’t immediately cause a fever.
Ding Jingman might not be clever, but she was persistent. That noon, she didn’t even eat and continued wearing thin clothing. By around 1 PM, she finally began to develop a fever.
Ding Jingman happily asked Yu Yi to call a doctor, instructing, “Don’t call a very good doctor. If this illness gets better too quickly, I’ll have suffered for nothing.”
When Yu Yi checked the information, she learned that Western doctors existed during this period, but since Ding Jingman hoped to recover slowly, she called a traditional Chinese doctor.
After the doctor left, Yu Yi said, “Madam, please rest. A-Ju will prepare the medicine for you.”
Ding Jingman was indeed exhausted and closed her eyes, nodding slightly.
Yu Yi stood by the bed watching her for a moment. A sense of guilt arose in Yu Yi’s heart, and she silently apologized to Ding Jingman.
Yu Yi went downstairs to instruct the cook about preparing the medicine, saying she was worried about the madam and would feel at ease only by watching over her. After leaving the kitchen, however, she didn’t go upstairs. Instead, she walked to the study door. There was no one downstairs – it was the perfect opportunity.
Yu Yi ran in a hurry, her heart still pounding, and she placed a hand on her chest, half-genuinely and half-pretending to be out of breath, saying: “The madam has fallen ill. I originally wanted to tell the commander, but I didn’t know where he had gone. When I heard the commander had returned, A Ju quickly ran down.”
“Fallen ill?” Tu Feibai took off his coat and strode upstairs, “What illness? Has a doctor been called?”
Yu Yi nodded: “Yes, the madam caught a cold and has a fever. The kitchen is currently brewing medicine.”
” Tu Feibai frowned and reprimanded: “Brewing medicine? We should have called a Western doctor, why find a Chinese doctor?! Who went to call the doctor?” His wife had previously drunk Chinese medicine, yet her high fever never subsided, and she was barely coherent when she passed away.
“It was me,” Yu Yi followed behind him timidly: “Those Western doctors look quite intimidating. Can their medicine be taken?”
Tu Feibai saw her timid appearance, his expression softened, and his tone became gentler: “Of course it can be taken. Their medicine is especially effective for reducing fever.”
Yu Yi then said: “Then, I’ll go call a Western doctor.”
Tu Feibai stopped her: “A Ju, no need. First, let’s see Jingman’s condition. If the fever goes down, you won’t need to run again. If the fever doesn’t subside, I’ll directly drive her to the hospital.”
Yu Tao’er watched everything, and when Tu Feibai turned around, her gaze towards Yu Yi became unfriendly.
Yu Yi could only pretend not to notice.
—
For the rest of the day, Tu Feibai stayed in Ding Jingman’s room.
Ding Jingman was secretly delighted, spending half the day looking weak and powerless, even eating dinner by the bedside. She even got Tu Feibai to promise that once she recovered, he would help her buy an electric heater from Qianhai to place in her room. “
