Yunyi allowed Siqin to help her to the table. She spoke softly to her brother, "Rui-ge, you've been working hard these past few days. Sit down and have something with me."
Xiao Chenrui obediently took a seat.
Yunyi consumed only a small portion of the tonic before signaling she'd had enough. Instead, she ate a bowl of plain congee with some pickled side dishes. The warm congee finally restored a little strength to her body.
Seeing her brother had also set down his chopsticks, Yunyi said gently, "Rui-ge, go back to your courtyard. Your studies are important and shouldn't be neglected. I'll be recovered after a few days of rest. There's no need for you to worry over me constantly."
Chenrui stood up, still looking concerned. "Rest well, sister. I'll go check on our little brother in the next courtyard, then I'll return to study."
Once everyone had left, Yunyi instructed the maid, "I'm weary and wish to rest. Close the door securely and go. Don't disturb me unless it's urgent."
Siqin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Miss," she replied before withdrawing.
Finally alone in the quiet room, Yunyi leaned back against the pillows and methodically sifted through the original host's memories. The Xiao family wasn't particularly high-ranking, and its structure was relatively simple. The Old Madam, having fallen seriously ill years prior, had relinquished control of the household management to Madam He.
The eldest uncle was a scholar. Despite his eldest son already being married, he himself remained a mere Xiucai (lowest level scholar). Clinging to the belief that "where there's a will, there's a way," he stubbornly persisted in his attempts to pass the imperial examinations and attain an official rank.
From the memories, Yunyi learned that the young masters of the family were sent to prestigious academies in the capital upon reaching the appropriate age. The dual purpose was clear: firstly, in hopes they would succeed in the imperial examinations and bring glory to the family; secondly, even if an official career proved elusive, they could forge connections with the sons of other officials. To facilitate this, a large portion of the family's monthly income was funneled towards the young men, aimed solely at helping them cultivate relationships with the wealthy and influential young lords at the academies.
The young ladies of the household were tutored by a hired female instructor. The goal was for them to become literate and accomplished, enhancing their prospects of marrying into powerful families and becoming assets to the Xiao clan. With such expenditures, the family's finances were actually quite strained.
The original host had enjoyed a degree of favor within the household. This was largely because her father, though not the eldest son, held an official position, his rank only one step below their grandfather's. Naturally, people in the household dared not easily offend the Second Branch.
But now... with both parents gone, that protection had vanished. Yunyi understood clearly that the days of ease and comfort were likely over. People in such households were masters at reading the mood and currying favor with those in power.
Recalling Physician Lin's shifty, guilty expression and considering Madam He's behavior that day, Yunyi's gaze turned icy—this aunt was definitely not benevolent.
She raised her fingers and lightly pressed them to her own wrist, taking her pulse. Moments later, a cold smile touched her pale lips. Exactly as she had suspected! Madam He's heart was truly venomous. The medicinal decoctions the original host had been forced to drink these past days must have been heavily tampered with!
Physician Lin might have retained a shred of conscience, perhaps not fully carrying out Madam He's orders. Yet, even that hadn't been enough to save the original host's life...
Thinking of the Second Branch's infant brother, barely over two months old and still in swaddling clothes, a wave of frustration washed over Yunyi. The Xiao estate was far from a wealthy, aristocratic household; daily provisions were already stretched thin. Now, stripped of parental protection, Madam He couldn't even be bothered to maintain appearances—for the past two months, the monthly allowances for the Second Branch's young master and misses hadn't been delivered at all! Such conduct laid bare the profound coldness of her character.
Yunyi sighed unconsciously. If only her personal space had followed her through... As the thought formed, she instinctively reached out with her spirit sense, attempting to connect with the space.
In the next instant, her heart leaped into her throat!
The space... it was *still there*!
However, the scene that met her spiritual perception was utterly, shockingly different from what she remembered!
Forcing down the surge of shock, Yunyi held her breath and strained her ears, listening intently for any sound outside the room. Confirming no one was approaching, she slowly rose from the bed. Moving with utmost stealth, she crept to the door and peered through the crack—maid Siqin sat several paces away in the pavilion, head bent, diligently working on her embroidery.
Yunyi gently closed the door and slid the bolt home. Returning to the bed, she let the layers of bed curtains fall, enclosing herself within.
Taking a deep breath, she focused her mind inward—and vanished from the spot.