NFBE Chapter 496 Something is wrong
Chapter 496 Something is wrong
When the gatekeeper of the Xiao residence saw the rosewood plaque with the character "Yun" engraved on it and noticed the understated yet luxurious nature of the carriage, he realized that the person inside was no ordinary person. Not daring to be negligent, he hurriedly went into the residence to announce the arrival.
Yu Wan waited in the carriage for only a short while before the steward of the Xiao family hurriedly came out to greet her.
Yu Wan said to Xi Zhu, "Let's go down and take a look."
Xizhu quickly lifted the carriage curtain and helped Yu Wan slowly get out of the carriage.
Upon seeing Yu Wan, the Xiao family steward recognized her and immediately bowed, saying, "Madam Yun, it is an honor to have you here. I apologize for not greeting you sooner."
Yu Wan nodded slightly: "No need for formalities. I have come here today to meet Miss Xiao Er."
Upon hearing the words "Second Miss Xiao," a strange light flashed in the steward's eyes.
Immediately, a hint of embarrassment flashed across her face: "This... Second Miss has been unwell recently, and I'm afraid it's inconvenient for her to see you, Madam."
Yu Wan didn't miss the strange look that flashed in the housekeeper's eyes. Her expression turned cold, and Xi Zhu immediately understood.
Xi Zhu stepped forward and said coldly, "Miss Xiao Er had an appointment with my lady, but she has been late, causing my lady to wait for an hour or two in vain. Now that my lady has come in person, is she going to be stopped at the door?"
The gatekeeper, sweating profusely, quickly bowed and said, "This... I wouldn't dare, how could I possibly stop Madam Yun? It's just that the Second Miss is indeed unable to receive guests."
A hint of worry flashed across Yu Wan's eyes, but a faint smile appeared on her face. "I am good friends with Miss Xiao Er. If she is unwell, I should go and visit her."
"Now that I'm here, there's no reason for my trip to be in vain."
After saying this, Yu Wan walked directly into the Xiao residence.
Considering the other party's status, the steward dared not stop her and could only watch helplessly as Yu Wan strode into the mansion.
The steward's expression darkened slightly, and he beckoned a servant to whisper a few words in his ear.
Xi Zhu, who was walking ahead, caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of her eye and whispered to Yu Wan, "Master, something seems amiss at the Xiao residence."
Yu Wan gave a soft "hmm," and said, "These people are preventing me from seeing Xiao Huanyan. Something must have happened to Xiao Huanyan."
Yu Wan had never been to the Xiao residence before, so Xi Zhu went up to ask a passing servant. However, as soon as Xiao Huan Yan was mentioned, the servants in the residence became evasive and dared not say anything more.
After walking a few steps, a voice came from behind.
"Madam Yun!"
Yu Wan and Xi Zhu turned their heads and saw a woman in her thirties walking quickly toward them with several maids.
Xi Zhu's eyes flickered slightly. "Master, this should be Lord Xiao's second wife, Madam You."
Madam You stopped two or three steps away from Yu Wan, her face full of smiles: "I did not know that Madam Yun had come to visit. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."
Yu Wan's gaze lingered on Madam You's face for a moment before she said calmly, "Madam Xiao, you're too kind."
"My arrival was unexpected."
“Madam Xiao, I came here today mainly to see Huanyan. She had an appointment with me, but she has not shown up yet. I have something important to discuss with her, so I have to come in person.”
Madam You's face showed a look of sudden realization. "I see."
She sighed, “Madam Yun, you may not know this, but Huan Yan contracted smallpox a few days ago. The doctor said that this disease is highly contagious and that she cannot have contact with others until the infection is cured. The courtyard where Huan Yan lives has been temporarily quarantined. Apart from Huan Yan, who is sick, and a few maids who stay in the courtyard to serve her, no one in the manor goes there.”
"Please forgive me, Madam Yun."
Yu's words clearly shut down any further words Yu Wan might say.
Smallpox is not an ordinary cold; it is highly contagious. Moreover, Xiao Huanyan has already been isolated. If she were to force her way in, it would make her appear to be in the wrong.
Yu Wan's eyes flickered slightly, but her face remained expressionless: "I see. But..."
She suddenly changed the subject, "I saw her just a few days ago and didn't notice anything wrong with her. How could she suddenly have contracted smallpox?"
Madam You unconsciously twisted the handkerchief between her fingers, and a look of worry appeared on her face. "Perhaps it's because Yan'er often ran outside the mansion a few days ago. Now that it's smallpox season, it's possible that she came into contact with someone who has smallpox."
"I see." Yu Wan nodded, seemingly not insisting on her opinion of Xiao Huanyan.
Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief.
However, before she could even catch her breath, she heard the woman opposite her say, "Huanyan is my friend. There is no reason for me to ignore her illness. Madam Xiao, I happen to know a doctor who is extremely skilled at treating smallpox. If I take the medicine he prescribed, I will be cured in less than two days."
Madam You's face stiffened. "This... how could I trouble Madam Yun? We have already invited a doctor for Yan'er, and her symptoms have improved. She should be fully recovered in a few days."
"You said it would take a few more days." Yu Wan's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes. "Every day it drags on, Huan Yan will suffer for another day. Madam Xiao treats Huan Yan like her own daughter, so she probably wouldn't want to see her suffer, would she?"
"This, this..." Madam You was speechless for a moment.
Yu Wan looked into her eyes, her tone tinged with doubt, "Why do I feel that Madam is rejecting my kindness? Madam's hesitation and evasion... could it be that Huan Yan doesn't actually have smallpox?"
Upon hearing this, Madam You's heart skipped a beat.
Because of Yu Wan's status, she dared not offend her, but Xiao Tengtian had given instructions that Xiao Huanyan must not be allowed to see Yu Wan.
Madam You inwardly groaned, beads of sweat forming on her forehead: "Madam Yun is joking. How could I fabricate such a serious matter?"
"I was just afraid of troubling you." Madam You forced a smile. "Since you are not afraid of trouble, then I will trouble you to send someone to have that divine doctor come and examine Yan'er."
Yu Wan smiled and agreed, "That's it. Madam Xiao treats Huan Yan like her own daughter, so she should care about Huan Yan even more than I do."
"Yes, yes, yes," Madam You hurriedly replied. "It's too hot here, Madam. Why don't you move to the flower hall and have some tea and snacks?"
No matter what, we need to get Yu Wan away first.
Yu Wan could easily see through Madam You's thoughts and directly refused, saying, "No need, I'm worried about Huan Yan and have no appetite for tea and snacks."
Madam You could barely keep her smile going. "Then... then what does Madam Yun think?"
Yu Wan's eyes darted around as she looked at the surroundings. "This house is nicely decorated. Would Madam Xiao mind showing me around?"
Madam You wanted to refuse, but she had no excuse, so she could only force a smile and say, "Of course."
Madam You led Yu Wan slowly through the Xiao residence, occasionally pointing out the sights they saw, but inwardly she was extremely anxious.
She couldn't help but glance at Yu Wan out of the corner of her eye from time to time, only to see that the other party looked calm and composed, as if he really was just there to enjoy the scenery.
“The peonies in this garden are blooming beautifully,” Yu Wan said, pausing in front of a blooming peony and gently tracing the petals with her fingertips. “I heard Huan Yan say that she loves peonies the most. Does she have any in her yard?”
Madam You forced a smile and said, "Yes, the Second Miss has planted a few in her courtyard as well."
Yu Wan nodded, then suddenly looked up at Madam You, "By the way, which direction is Huan Yan's courtyard in? I'd like to take a look from afar."