After Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao returned, they expected Madam Cheng to storm over, as neither Madam Cai nor Madam Xi had cooked according to her wishes. Little Liuzi had already been bullied so badly by her, so they thought another outburst was imminent.
However, the people who came were humble maids and servants, humbly requesting Su Miaomiao to examine the two women. They claimed the two had risen too early that morning and caught a chill, falling ill and suffering severely, to the point where they could barely muster the strength to get out of bed.
Su Miaomiao inwardly chuckled, thinking these two had brought it upon themselves. They wanted to cause trouble and had indeed troubled some people, but they also made themselves sick. It was truly a case of karma, with heaven watching.
Still, she feigned seriousness and coughed a couple of times, indicating she would go and take a look.
Cheng Hao frowned, telling her not to go, "Can you really do it?"
The illness had come too quickly.
It wasn't the fierce cold wind, but rather their recent diet being too bland.
Malnutrition coupled with lack of exercise had weakened their resistance, leading to their illness.
But he also feared contagion!
Cheng Hao was unwilling to risk his little childhood sweetheart, urging her not to go.
Su Miaomiao replied, "I can cover my face with a handkerchief. It'll block some germs. Besides, I can just keep my distance from them. After the examination, I'll wash my hands. It'll be a good opportunity to properly treat them!"
She grinned as she said this.
Hearing Cheng Xiaotian recount the wicked deeds of the two aunt and niece, and remembering how Little Liuzi had been beaten, Su Miaomiao thought these two were truly awful. Especially Jiang Xiyue, who had tried to throw herself at her childhood friend. There had always been many girls who wanted to get close to him since they were young. Su Miaomiao had been too lazy to bother, but now they had practically delivered themselves to her doorstep?
She absolutely had to deal with them properly, make them behave, and ideally, ensure they didn't recover too quickly, letting them suffer slowly!
If they weren't made to feel uncomfortable, then she, her childhood friend, and the people in this convoy would be the ones suffering. Therefore, it was better to let these two suffer, leaving them with no energy to cause further trouble!
Su Miaomiao then gleefully began preparing her protective gear, intending to cover her face with a handkerchief.
Seeing her go ahead with it, Cheng Hao sighed and stepped forward to help her tie the handkerchief. It covered half of her tender young face, leaving only her cat-like eyes to twinkle with mischievous intent.
"Remember to maintain distance, don't get too close, lest you catch their illness," Cheng Hao earnestly advised.
He intended to follow behind her, not letting her go alone.
Su Miaomiao gave him an "okay" gesture, indicating she understood and would be fine.
Cheng Hao then patted her head, telling her to follow the servants and maids outside, while he trailed a step or two behind her.
The maids and servants were somewhat surprised. They always revolved around their mistresses and served them, rarely interacting with outsiders.
Therefore, they were not seen often.
Seeing Cheng Hao follow Su Miaomiao so closely astonished them.
They truly hadn't seen much of them.
The people in the third convoy were now accustomed to seeing the young couple being so affectionate and didn't find it strange at all. They were truly used to it.
However, the maids and servants didn't speak up but quickly ushered the couple inside.
Master Cheng and the others were also in the room. Hearing that the young couple had arrived, he quickly said, "Quickly! Miaomiao, you know medicine, don't you? Come quickly and see what's wrong with them! They're so dangerously ill!"
He had heard that his new wife had rarely stepped out to manage household affairs and direct the servants today, but she had fallen ill shortly after returning.
It was truly strange.
Su Miaomiao immediately peered inside, and saw Madam Cheng and Jiang Xiyue lying stiffly on a bed, listlessly.
Upon seeing her arrival,
Madam Cheng disliked her, especially when she herself was suffering from a splitting headache, yet Su Miaomiao appeared so energetic, her bright eyes looking irritating.
"No! I don't want her to examine me! I want another doctor! Any barefoot doctor will do! How can I let such a young girl practice on me?"
Madam Cheng was so unwell that she didn't even bother to pretend anymore.
She clutched her head, crying out about her headache.
She urged Master Cheng to send Su Miaomiao away, stating she didn't want her treatment.
Madam Cheng didn't voice her deepest fear: she was afraid that instead of treating her, the girl might actually do her in. How could she possibly allow her to treat her?
Master Cheng rebuked her, "Nonsense! What time is it, and you're still being picky?! Do you think we're still in Fengcheng? If you don't like one doctor, you can find another, or a few! But where can we find a doctor to treat you now? I think Miaomiao is clever and knowledgeable. She'll surely be able to cure you! Look at yourself now?"
He wagged his beard as he scolded her.
Madam Cheng was intimidated by his scolding but still struggled to say she didn't want Su Miaomiao to examine her.
Let her suffer on her own!
Or listen to the wet nurse's folk remedies. In any case, she absolutely refused Su Miaomiao's treatment!
Cheng Hao seized the opportunity. He pulled Su Miaomiao out of the room, saying, "Since you look down on us so much, we'll leave immediately. We won't trouble you."
By chance.
This suited his intentions perfectly.
He directly took Su Miaomiao away.
What was his relationship with this stepmother? Even his birth mother could harm him in his past life, let alone a stepmother with no blood relation and no affection?
Su Miaomiao looked regretful and muttered, "I didn't expect her to have a shred of caution!?"
Cheng Hao replied helplessly, "Even if she let you treat her, if you couldn't cure her, wouldn't your reputation be ruined? Or what if she deliberately slandered your name?"
In his opinion,
Madam Cheng was still somewhat foolish.
Su Miaomiao then pondered, "Wow! So I almost handed them a weapon? But, if I could cure everyone else but her, you know, sometimes it might not be my skills, but some people are just bad-hearted, and it's not impossible they're getting their comeuppance~"
So it was fine if she didn't get better, or took a long time to recover. It wouldn't all be her fault!
Cheng Hao squeezed her hand and said, "It's best this way. There's no need to get involved with her. Let her fend for herself. We shouldn't dirty our hands."
He was afraid that if she stayed in that room for even a second longer, she might catch a cold.
He brought her back to his own bed and casually drew the curtain.
Cheng Hao personally cleaned Su Miaomiao's hands meticulously with disinfectant and sprayed her entire body with disinfectant mist. Finally, he watched her drink a large cup of instant brown sugar ginger tea before he finally felt at ease.
Su Miaomiao, seeing his nervous demeanor, cooperated obediently throughout the process.
Finally, she beamed a big smile.
She reached out and asked for a solid, tight hug, and only then was it over.
Su Miaomiao couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, forget it, forget it. Let her suffer on her own then!"
Originally, she wouldn't have been so cruel as to directly end her life, she just wanted her to be sick for a while. Since that didn't work out, she'd let her deal with it herself.
Madam Cheng was clearly already displeased with the young couple, and they naturally wouldn't show her any kindness.