Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 620 - 622: Breaking the Cauldrons (Part 2)

Lianqiao was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, quickly grasping the Second Madam’s intent, she smiled at Zijuan and said, "Maid Zijuan, please wait a moment, I will change my clothes."

This request was reasonable, so Zijuan nodded and said: "Please be quick, Concubine, the Madam is waiting." Saying this, she turned and left the room first!

But she was just a maid like herself, who somehow used tricks to ensnare the Marquise’s eyes, allowing her to climb into bed. She wasn’t even as good as Teng Qiuniang back then, a lowly thing. After silently cursing in her heart, Zijuan remembered how the Second Madam once said she would give her a place, but now it’s...

Her heart grew more uneasy.

Lianqiao returned to her room to change clothes and instructed the young maid Ling’er beside her, "At this time, the Marquis should be back soon. You keep an eye outside, and if I haven’t come out in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, go to the outer courtyard to find the Marquis and say I’m unwell and request his visit."

Seeing Lianqiao’s serious demeanor, Ling’er also became anxious and immediately nodded in agreement, "This servant will remember."

Clenching her teeth, Lianqiao changed her clothes and, taking two other maids with her, went to the Second Madam’s room.

Zijuan was waiting at the door and raised the curtain upon seeing Lianqiao enter, saying, "Madam Wang is here, the Madam is inside." Lianqiao’s family name was Wang.

Lianqiao lifted her skirt and entered the room, immediately greeted by a wave of heat. She only then noticed that a charcoal stove was set up in the center of the bedroom for heat, with several windows tightly shut. She had only stood for a moment when sweat started pouring down her body, soaking her inner garments.

Though it was nearing mid-autumn, the outside temperature remained high, and to have the doors and windows closed with a stove burning...

"Madam!" She wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and softly approached the bed to check on the Second Madam, only to see her unresponsive. She called again, "Second Madam!"

After several calls, the Second Madam slowly opened her eyes, glanced at Lianqiao, and then closed her eyes again, saying indifferently, "Mm. You’re here, sit down!" Lianqiao felt a bit apprehensive as she watched her. In the past, while in the Grand Dowager’s room, she frequently dealt with the Second Madam, who had treated her with some regard, even giving her several rewards. Now, with her changed status, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy when seeing the Second Madam again.

Yet, remembering her own injuries and humiliation, she straightened her back, curtsied, and sat on a stool by the Second Madam’s bedside, softly thanking: "Thank you, Madam." She paused, wanting to say something, but didn’t dare to ask as the Second Madam remained silent.

Her inner garments were soaked through, causing the hair to stick to her face.

The Second Madam lay there with her eyes closed, breathing gently, her face free of sweat, and Lianqiao couldn’t help but think of how everyone in the manor gossiped that the Second Madam suffered from a cold ailment and was most afraid of the cold, making even the hottest summers unbearable for her to go outside.

She sat by the bedside, lost in thought, feeling increasingly uncomfortable in the heat.

After some thought, she couldn’t help but ask, "Madam, would you like some water?"

"Mm." The Second Madam replied, her eyes still closed, making Lianqiao even more unsure of why she had been summoned. She had no choice but to stand and pour some tea from the table, taking one of the teapots and offering the tea to the Second Madam, "Madam, please have some tea!"

The Second Madam propped herself up, and Lianqiao handed the tea to her. The Second Madam took a sip, her expression suddenly changing. Without a second thought, she hurled the cup at Lianqiao, "Do you have no brains? Are you trying to kill me with such cold things?"

Lianqiao was startled by the sudden turn of events and immediately knelt before the bed, "Madam, please calm your anger! This servant didn’t know you couldn’t drink it... This servant saw two teapots on the table..."

"Silence!" The Second Madam interrupted her, angrily saying, "You are simply ill-intentioned. You knew there were two teapots, yet deliberately gave me the cold one!" Saying this, she squinted, watching Lianqiao instinctively shrink back, satisfied with what she saw.

Pulling the blanket around her, the Second Madam pointed at Lianqiao, "Bring the stove closer to the bed."

Seeing that she no longer mentioned the tea, Lianqiao felt greatly relieved and went over to move the stove closer, but the Second Madam looked at her again, "The temperature’s not enough, raise the stove higher!"

Sweat dripped from Lianqiao’s forehead and down her eyelids, making it difficult to keep her eyes open; nevertheless, she had to comply by holding the stove up high at the bedside. The Second Madam watched her in satisfaction and lay down again, once more closing her eyes, "Don’t put it down, hold it like this!"

"Yes!" Lianqiao held up the hot stove, standing there, feeling as if she was being roasted alive.

Only after a short time, her vision began to blur with heat, her steps unsteady, her arms trembling uncontrollably.

She thought, if she wrung out her clothes, surely half a bucket of water would come out.

Before long, the place where she stood became soaked with sweat and then dried by the heat of the charcoal, repeating over and over...

Lianqiao timidly glanced at the Second Madam, who appeared asleep, and then turned towards the door, hoping Ling’er would bring Xiao Yanyi.

Her lips parched, she licked them, trying to call out, "Madam!" wanting to set down the stove.

But suddenly the Second Madam opened her eyes, her gaze piercing.

Startled, Lianqiao lifted the stove again.

As she swayed, her vision darkened intermittently, and with a sudden stagger, she collapsed headlong onto the floor, the stove toppling over.

The Second Madam opened her eyes, gazing at Lianqiao lying on the ground, the spilled coals glowing red and scattered to the side. She closed her eyes again, a smirk playing at her lips. At this moment, the curtain was lifted, and Xiao Yanyi strode in. As soon as he entered, he furrowed his brow, his gaze falling on the unconscious Lianqiao.

Taking a few steps forward, he saw Lianqiao’s pale face and weak breath, obviously having fainted from the heat. He picked up a teapot from the table, checked the temperature, and poured some water into her mouth. Then, turning, he ordered the outside: "Someone, carry Madam Wang out!"

Two servants entered to carry out the unconscious Lianqiao.

Xiao Yanyi’s eyes were cold as he looked at the Second Madam lying on the bed. He spoke angrily, "What exactly do you think you’re doing!"

"Marquis, what brings you here!" The Second Madam only then opened her eyes, pretending to just notice Xiao Yanyi had come, forcing herself to sit up, "Where’s Lianqiao? Why don’t I see her?"

Xiao Yanyi didn’t bother to listen to her further, standing with hands behind his back, coldly gazing at her, "You summoned Lianqiao to see me, didn’t you? Speak, what do you want?"

"Marquis, you’ve misunderstood me." The Second Madam’s face was full of feigned weakness, shaking her head, "You raised Lianqiao. As the Marquis’ wife, it is only right that I see her and have a chat, that’s all."

Xiao Yanyi was already weary of speaking with her, turning on his heel, heading toward the door, "The matters in the room will be handled by others. You should rest!"