Chapter 22: Faking Illness

  We are such diligent little bees, persisting for so long, come on guys, give us some votes!

  Ye Baiji was startled by Qizhen's voice, but quickly reacted and followed with a call: "Mother, what's wrong? Don't scare me!"

  Qī Zhēn ér followed to the bedside, calling out and comforting Sūn shì, who had a face full of tears. She signaled Yè Bái zhǐ to go upstairs to find Lǎo yé zi to come and take a look at Sūn shì, after all, only when Lǎo yé zi came to see it could the severity and authenticity of the problem be reflected.

  What's the best way to avoid people? Isn't it getting sick?

  Those who come to visit the sick can see whoever they want to see and ignore whoever they don't want to see, and no one can say anything against a patient.

  Ye Baiji went to the upper house, and Qi Zhen'er briefly explained the situation. Sun Shi had always listened to Ye Baiji's words, and when she heard that pretending to be ill was her daughter's idea, she would naturally do as she said.

  When Old Master Ye heard that his daughter-in-law was ill, he scolded his son in his heart. He didn't know how to spend his good days, always thinking of crooked ways, and made the whole family restless. Although he was angry with his son, he didn't delay and went to the room to see Hu Zi. Seeing that his eyes were wide open but not crying, he knew that he had been woken up by their quarrel just now. He let Ye Bai Zhi dress him in clothes and shoes and brought him to the east wing as well.

  Qizhen'er saw Ye Lao Yezi enter the western wing, and she retreated to one side with a knowing glance, making way for him to take her pulse. Hu Zi leaned against her side in a natural motion. Ye Baiju seemed anxious as he glanced at Qizhen'er, but seeing her nod, he felt relieved.

  Old Ye finished the pulse diagnosis and said it was a case of extreme anger leading to heart attack. He prescribed some medicine to clear the fire and told him to rest for a while, saying he would be fine.

  The son and daughter-in-law's room, he as a father and grandfather is always uncomfortable staying inside, instructs Ye Baiji to go decoct medicine later, then returns to the upper house.

  Ye Baiji saw the old man leave and completely put her mind at ease, she quickly sat down beside the bed and grasped Sun Shi's hand. "Mother, it's all right, Grandfather has left."

  Sun opened her eyes, looked around the room, didn't see the old man, took a deep breath, "Scared me to death, my hands are still shaking, I'm afraid your grandfather will know I was faking illness." If she got caught, she'd be too embarrassed.

  Ye Baiji was also relieved, "Fortunately, Zhen'er is clever and came up with a good idea."

  Qizhen'er didn't dare take credit for it and said: "Bai Zhi sister, do you really think that Ye Dafu doesn't know our tricks?"

  "Does Grandfather know?" Ye Baiji exclaimed.

  Qī Zhēnér nodded, "Of course, Ye Dàifu knows. He didn't say anything because he wants to see how we'll handle it, whether we can break the deadlock. Do you think he hasn't figured out that your dad and your third uncle want to make a deal with the Liao family? He also knows he can stop them this time, but next time is hard to say. What we're thinking, he's thought of too, it's just that he doesn't want to say or do anything, so it's more convenient for us kids to take care of it."

  Ye Baiji nodded repeatedly, "I knew why I said my grandfather was so easy to coax. It turns out that he had this idea all along. No wonder people say that ginger gets spicier with age. However, Zhen'er, you're not bad either, you've also figured out my grandfather's thoughts."

  Qizhen'er ignored Ye Baiju's teasing words and said to Sunshi, "Auntie, I'm going to the city with Baiju tomorrow. I was worried that you'd be alone at home tomorrow, but now that Doctor Ye has spoken up, we can all rest assured that you'll be staying home alone tomorrow."

  Ye Baiji nodded, "It's settled then. I'll spread the word tonight that you need to rest and recover, and that no visitors are allowed, especially those with ulterior motives!"

  The last sentence Ye Baiji said with gritted teeth made even Qi Zhen'er listen with trepidation.

  Huzi pulled Qizhen's hand: "Sister, are you going to the city tomorrow?" The tone of this sentence was very low.

  "What's wrong, Tuzi?"

  "I don't want to be separated from my sister."

  Qī Zhēnér stroked the head of Hǔ Zǐ. These past few days, she had been recuperating and taking medicine, so Yè Dàifu was worried it would be inconvenient, and he himself brought Hǔ Zǐ to live in the upper house.

  Huzi used to sleep with Qizhen'er all the time, and suddenly separating them would definitely make him uncomfortable and unwilling. If it weren't for seeing that Qizhen'er was really badly hurt, he wouldn't be willing to separate from his sister either. Now hearing that his sister is going to the city, he doesn't want to separate from his sister anymore.

  "Will Hu Zi go with his sister? It's settled then, this time Hu Zi must walk by himself, and his sister and Bai Zhi can't carry him." Qi Zhen'er set the conditions beforehand.

  Huzi listened and nodded repeatedly, a bright smile on his face: "I'll be very good, very obedient, I can walk by myself. I can walk for a long time on mountain roads, sister, I'm not afraid of hardship."

  Zi Chen'er listened and found out that her younger brother was not someone to be underestimated.

  Ye Baiji thought about going to gather information tomorrow, but it would be inconvenient with Hu Zi around. Just as she was thinking of opening her mouth to refuse, she saw how well-behaved and obedient Hu Zi was being, and couldn't bear to refuse him. Seeing the good sibling relationship between them made her think of Bai Ji, who had always been at odds with her, and feel even more like a failed older sister.

  Qī Zhēnér and Yè Bái zhǐ had just shouted, and then Yè Lǎo yézi went to the east wing in a hurry. What happened in the east wing was known to all members of the Ye family except for Yè Shí Xié who had already left and Yè Shí Wēi's family who hadn't returned yet.

  Ye Baiji was telling Ye Baizhao in the east wing about Ye Baituo's evil deeds, and upon hearing this news, she became flustered. Would her mother not be driven to some kind of illness by her?

  Ye Baihe was already fed up with her crying in her own room, and after persuading her for a long time, she finally stopped crying. He thought of sending her back to the east wing to see Sun Shi and casually ask about some news.

  But now Ye Baiji was frightened and no matter how Ye Baizhou tried to persuade him, he refused to leave, which annoyed Ye Baizhou greatly.

  But here, Jiang was also worried. Old Ye came out of the east wing and announced that Sun was ill, so from now on, Jiang would be doing the cooking.

  You're always idle all day, aren't you? Either making trouble with this or that. Alright, I'll find something for you to do, wear out your energy and calm down properly.

  Jiang pulled Ye Shiyan and said: "Isn't your father taking me for a fool? What does the business you brothers discussed have to do with me?"

  Ye Shiyuan shook her head, "Dad doesn't have that kind of energy, Eldest Sister has returned to her mother's home, Second Sister is ill, can't you just cook? It's always you women who think too much about good things."

  Jiang heard it wasn't like that at all, although he was dissatisfied with Ye Shiyan's tone and didn't refute anything.

  It was a worry for Jiang when it came to cooking. Previously living in the city, they had maids serving their mother-in-law and doing the cooking, these things didn't fall on them. Even during this period of return, either they weren't at home or there were Mao and Sun helping out, how could she manage all by herself? Having no other choice, she had to call over Ye Baihe and Ye Baixi to help out.

  Ye Baihe has always been self-proclaimed as a noble lady, a thousand-golden miss, from the moment she understood things, there were people serving her at home, and she was also one who didn't even touch the water used for washing vegetables. Now letting her cook and feed those dirty chickens and pigs, how could she do it? Fortunately, there is Ye Baiji who can be ordered around.

  The three of them were busy for more than an hour before they finally finished cooking the meal, but the flavor was a bit off.

  When Jiang called Ye Baihe to help, Ye Baizhi was waiting to see their good show. When she saw Ye Baizi also going to help, she was still very annoyed in her heart, but she also knew that she couldn't stop her from being foolish, so she just let her go.

  Sun was a kind person, and when she heard that Jiang needed help, she even prepared to get out of bed to help. But Ye Baiji and Qi Zhen'er stopped her. If Sun had gone out, their efforts would have been in vain.

  At dinner time, Ye Baiji was not polite either. She found a large bowl and first picked out a big bowl of rice and dishes for Sun Shi. Just as she was about to do the same for Qi Zhen'er, Old Man Ye spoke up and told Qi Zhen'er to go upstairs to eat together.

  Ye Baiji brought words to Qi Zhener when Qi Zhener hesitated for a moment and followed along.

  Having lived here for so long, the master of the house has returned, and we should at least recognize each other. Although Qizhen didn't really want to get to know those three people from the third house who had left a bad impression on her today.