Chapter 260: Chapter 260

The County Magistrate said, "If you’re feeling tired, just rest in your room. Tell me what you wish to eat. If my wife hasn’t looked after you well, come to me, and I’ll arrange it for you."

"Master, you’re so good to me," Aunt Hua felt relieved. With the County Magistrate standing in the way, the wife wouldn’t dare to punish her.

The County Magistrate laughed, "You’re carrying my child; naturally, I care for you."

Aunt Hua touched her belly, a trace of panic flickering in her eyes.

She dared not raise her head, burying it in the County Magistrate’s chest.

The County Magistrate comforted her, and seeing her lying still with even breaths, thought she was asleep. He laid her body flat and then got up to leave.

He stepped into the outer room and instructed the nanny and maid, "Take good care of Aunt, don’t let anyone disturb her."

The maid considered Aunt Hua’s intentions and said, "What if someone from the Lady’s side comes looking for her?"

"She’s feeling unwell; whatever the matter is, let’s discuss it in a few days. Even if the wife herself asks, say the same," the County Magistrate replied coldly.

The maid rejoiced for Aunt Hua, "Yes, sir."

As soon as the County Magistrate left, the maid immediately went into the room.

Aunt Hua had already sat up, leisurely playing with her hair.

The maid smiled, "Aunt, the master truly cares for you; the lady wouldn’t dare to punish you."

Aunt Hua proudly lifted her chin, "Of course, the master has taken four concubines before, two have left, and though the other remains, she has no offspring and is just living off him idly. The master couldn’t even be bothered to look at her; only I am favored by him the most."

The maid chuckled, "Because Aunt is beautiful and gentle, that’s why the master likes you."

The words made Aunt Hua even more smug.

In the County Magistrate’s Wife’s bedroom, Aunt Tian was whispering softly to the wife.

"Madam, I heard Miss Li say that after the tumor in your stomach is removed, you won’t be able to walk for ten days. To manage household affairs, you’ll need a month of complete recovery before undertaking them; does this mean letting Aunt Hua enjoy another month?"

"Besides, after removing the tumor, you’re supposed to keep a joyful mood to recover quickly. But with this unresolved matter, how can you stay cheerful? Getting angry now could affect the wound."

The County Magistrate’s Wife stared at her marriage-dowry Aunt Tian with solemn eyes.

She was from her natal family, older than her, and had family employed there, always looking out for her; she cared for her almost as much as her mother.

After hearing Aunt Tian’s reminder, the County Magistrate’s Wife shook her head, coldly laughed, "No, not even a single day; I won’t let her have a good time, or I’ll be driven to my grave by anger."

Just before Aunt Hua’s troubles began, her son came with infuriating news!

Aunt Hua had buried witchcraft charms around the house!

Though she didn’t believe in witchcraft, she was nonetheless unnerved upon learning this.

How dare a concubine secretly curse the legitimate wife?

If this matter wasn’t handled, how could she lead the household?

Just like Aunt Tian mentioned, even with the tumor removed, if she remained frustrated throughout her recovery month, the illness wouldn’t heal!

It might even pull on the wound, worsening her condition considerably!

The County Magistrate’s Wife’s gaze became increasingly frigid; her hands tightly grasped the bedsheet beneath her, not wanting to delay, not for a single hour!

"Mother, may I come in to see you?" Li Lixing called softly from beyond the screen.

"Oh, it’s Ah Xing, come in," the County Magistrate’s Wife took a breath, sat up straighter.

Li Lixing scuttled from behind the screen to the bedside, throwing himself to the headboard.

"Mother, I just visited Aunt Hua’s room," he said mysteriously.

At the mention of Aunt Hua, the County Magistrate’s Wife’s good mood at seeing her son evaporated in an instant.

"Oh, why did you go there?" she gently stroked her son’s head.

She must recover; she cannot die, and she cannot let her son be forced to kneel before that demon Hua Yanrong in the future!

She wouldn’t be at peace even in death!

"I went looking for Xiao Hua and ended up there, but I overheard a secret of Aunt Hua’s." Li Lixing’s brow arched proudly.

"Woof woof woof woof," Xiao Hua barked nearby.

Aunt Tian pressed its head, "Don’t make noise, the Madam and Young Master are talking."

Xiao Hua lay flat silently.

The County Magistrate’s Wife blinked, "A secret, what secret?"

"She’s afraid you’d punish her, so she’s feigning illness!" Li Lixing said gleefully, "She was talking quietly to Xiao Cui, but I overheard, um, Xiao Hua too, right Xiao Hua?"

"Woof—" Xiao Hua wagged its tail.

Aunt Tian snorted, "Such hypocritical behavior!"

The County Magistrate’s Wife threw off the quilt and stood up, "Since she’s ’ill,’ I should go see her. Lest people say she’s been diligently contributing to the household, while I, as the legitimate wife, showed no care, I don’t want to bear that reputation."

Aunt Tian smiled, "Madam, bring Miss Li along. She’s also a doctor, so there’s no need to make a fuss inviting someone from outside."

"Yes, I thought the same. An outside doctor arrives slowly, and Aunt Hua’s illness shouldn’t be delayed." The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled faintly, "Aunt Tian, let’s invite Miss Li to visit Aunt Hua’s ’ailment’ together."

"Yes, Madam," Aunt Tian replied happily.

As Aunt Tian and the County Magistrate’s Wife hummed along, Li Lixing didn’t fully comprehend, but his mother’s smiling expression uplifted his mood.

"I’ll go call Li Yuzhu," Li Lixing joyously ran outside.

So Aunt Hua is the reason mother is unhappy, then it’s best to drive her away, Li Lixing thought to himself.

The County Magistrate’s Wife adjusted her outer garment and, with Aunt Tian’s help, went to the outer room.

In the main room, Li Yuzhu and the others had already finished eating and were sipping tea.

Li Lixing ran over and tugged at Li Yuzhu’s arm, "Li Yuzhu, our family’s aunt is sick, could you go check on her?"

Mu Yuanxiu’s eyes were deep and solemn as he pulled Li Yuzhu back, "She needs to examine your mother; there’s no time for the aunt’s illness."

Li Yuzhu blinked and asked Li Lixing, "She is sick?"

Wasn’t Aunt Hua being arrogant just now? Could she be feigning illness?

The County Magistrate’s Wife, supported by Aunt Tian, approached, "She is indeed sick, Miss Li. My illness is not urgent; let’s delay it for now and go check on her together."

Li Yuzhu looked at her, her eyes sparkling slightly. The County Magistrate’s Wife personally visiting an aunt—could it be that Aunt Hua is indeed feigning illness? Check latest chapters at novᴇlfire.net

She disliked getting involved in others’ troubles, but since Aunt Hua had just schemed against her, she didn’t mind making an exception this once.

"Alright, Madam." Li Yuzhu nodded.

Li Xing’an and Mu Yuanxiu were not convenient to accompany them to check on the aunt’s illness in the residence.

The two rested in the County Magistrate’s Wife’s main room.

Li Lixing led the group forward joyfully, occasionally waving to Li Yuzhu.

Mu Yuanxiu stood under the eaves of the corridor, glancing over at Li Lixing, and huffed lightly.

Li Xing’an looked at him, scratching his chin, "Mu Yuanxiu, what are you looking at?" With a darkened face, as if looking at someone who owed him money.

Mu Yuanxiu turned to look at him, frowned slightly, "Third Brother Li, I think we should head back to the village soon."

Li Xing’an glanced at the sky, then at the garden filled with colorful flowers before him, "No rush, no rush. Third Sister said she wants to check out the streets in the county town."

Mu Yuanxiu’s expression grew even more unpleasant.

The County Magistrate’s Wife led Li Yuzhu to visit Aunt Hua, and on the way, she saw the County Magistrate coming out from the direction of Aunt Hua’s courtyard.

She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and tried to keep herself from getting angry.

As long as she remained the official wife, the concubines couldn’t cause much trouble.

She hadn’t done anything wrong, so the County Magistrate dared not divorce her!

Unless he no longer wished to be the County Magistrate!

"Master." The County Magistrate’s Wife stepped forward to greet the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrate frowned at her, "I heard you’ve been fasting since last night, preparing to heal today. Why aren’t you resting indoors, and instead wandering outside?"

The County Magistrate’s Wife suppressed her anger, "Master, I heard Aunt Hua was unwell, so I thought about checking on her." She pointed at Li Yuzhu and said, "I’ve asked Miss Li to examine her. She’s carrying your child; nothing can go wrong."

Realizing she intended to check on Aunt Hua’s condition, the County Magistrate’s expression softened.

However, knowing his wife had never accepted this concubine, fearing she might be harsh on the concubine, he said, "I’ll go with you. I’m worried about the child in her belly as well."

The County Magistrate’s Wife sneered inwardly. She couldn’t ask for more; it was the perfect opportunity to expose Hua Yanrong’s trickery in front of her husband!

"Yes, Master." The County Magistrate’s Wife smiled.

They all entered Aunt Hua’s small courtyard together.

The nanny cleaning in the courtyard was surprised to see both the County Magistrate and his wife arrive, unsure why, she exclaimed towards the house, "Aunt, the Master and Madam are here."

She hurriedly put down the broom to greet them.

Inside, Aunt Hua was startled and sat up abruptly from the bed.

Why on earth would the Madam bring a doctor to see her?

She reached out to cover her heart, feeling increasingly anxious.

"Aunt, don’t be afraid. The Master is here; the Madam won’t dare bully you." The maid comforted her.

"...Yes." Aunt Hua glanced at the maid, "You... you help me sit properly."

The maid looked at her suspiciously, fetched a pillow to support her back, and helped her lean against the headboard.

The sound of footsteps approached from behind the screen to the bedside.

Taking a deep breath, Aunt Hua clutched the bedside, trying to get out of bed.

Her fragile appearance was pitiful.

The County Magistrate’s Wife curled her lips slightly and said flatly, "You are pregnant; there’s no need for you to get out of bed for the ceremony. Just lie down properly."

The County Magistrate sat in the chair at the bedside and said, "Honghong, Fei Niang brought a doctor to examine your well-being."

Aunt Hua lifted her head and saw Li Yuzhu walking towards her.

She gritted her teeth in anger at this meddlesome country girl!

"Aunt, please extend your arm to me." Li Yuzhu placed the cloth bag containing silver needles and medicine pills on the table and sat down on the small stool at the bedside.

With both the County Magistrate and his wife watching, Aunt Hua had no choice but to comply and extend her hand.

Her hand trembled slightly, her face grew paler, her eyes darted around, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

Li Yuzhu, only a foot away, observed her panic and felt a surge of doubt.

This concubine is afraid!