The people coming and going, the hurried footsteps, and the suppressed, low breathing — nothing else could be heard.

When had they ever felt like this before? Someone immediately recalled that it was the last time the mistress gave birth to Young Master Zhi. It was also so silent, so stifling one almost wanted to gasp for breath...

"Third Brother." Young Master Zhi ran over from the backyard, stood at the door of the room, and with his innocent, unknowing eyes, asked, "Why are you standing here? Mother is back. Let’s go find her."

Young Master Min’s hand was tugged by Young Master Zhi, his body trembled briefly, like a sapling with broken roots, he suddenly fell to the ground.

"Young Master Min!" Someone hurriedly came to support him, but he waved them off and tightly held onto Young Master Zhi’s hand.

Young Master Zhi was startled, not expecting his strength to be so great, pulling lightly made his brother fall, and he began to cry. He went over to use his sleeve to wipe Young Master Min’s tears, patting his back, remorsefully saying, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Does it hurt? Shall I blow on it?" After saying this, he squatted in front of Young Master Min, trying to pull him up, "Third Brother let me see, where does it hurt? Shall I blow on it?"

"Young Master Zhi." A hoarse voice sounded, syllables dry and scratchy, "Brother doesn’t hurt, it’s alright." Yet the tears flowed uncontrollably.

Mother, moments ago, just lay motionless in Father’s arms, her dress stained with blood, no matter how others carried her, whether running, jumping, or calling her, she had no response... the mother I knew was always lively, her lips forever curved with a gentle smile, regardless of how upset I was, just seeing that smile could melt away all worries in an instant.

But moments ago, I didn’t see that smile on Mother’s face, and I felt so frightened, so scared... I never thought this would happen, never thought that one day I’d look back and never see that most cherished smile from my memories again.

If that smile were gone, wouldn’t my life be consumed by darkness?

Young Master Min clutched tightly to his collar, tears falling down steadily...

Dongling and Madam Yu Zhang stood on the side, their hearts tightly clenched as well, understanding why Young Master Min was sad, so no one went over to comfort him.

Young Master Zhi was shocked, he looked at Young Master Min in extreme confusion, knitting his brow and saying, "Third Brother, don’t cry, don’t cry! At most... at most I’ll let you push me down, okay?" He felt guilty for having hurt Young Master Min.

"Young Master Min!" Mrs. Zhou couldn’t help it, stepping forward cautiously and whispering, "Madam will be fine, please don’t frighten Young Master Zhi." She tenderly hugged Young Master Zhi.

Young Master Min paused, looking at Young Master Zhi who was a bit anxious, Mother’s illness made him upset as a brother, he should be helping his mother take care of his younger brother... seeing him look, Young Master Zhi loudly said, "I’ll let you push me down, don’t cry!"

"Brother won’t cry anymore." Young Master Min quickly wiped away his tears, "Brother doesn’t hurt, it’s just sand in my eyes." He forced a smile, pulling Young Master Zhi over to face him, "Do you want to go play in the backyard? Brother will go with you, okay."

Young Master Zhi furrowed his brow, looking back at the main house, "Can we wait a while? I want to tell Mother, otherwise she won’t be able to find me later." After saying this, he released Young Master Min’s hand and urged, "Wait for me."

"No!" Young Master Min stopped him, "Mother is speaking with Father and Aunt Ruan inside, discussing something very important, you’ll interrupt them if you go in now."

"Can’t I even say hello?" Young Master Zhi was a little puzzled.

Young Master Min nodded and said, "The maids in the courtyard know we’re going to play in the backyard, if Mother asks, they’ll tell her." After saying this, he looked at the maids and old women standing in the courtyard, all nodding their heads.

Young Master Zhi was convinced, he thought for a moment and told Wenyu, "You stay here and keep watch, if Mother asks, you must tell her." Wenyu nodded repeatedly, "I understand, Your servant will do so." Gazing at Young Master Min leading Young Master Zhi, bouncing through the courtyard doors.

Nanny Cen came from the main courtyard, calling for Tiancheng who was waiting outside, "Tiancheng, quickly go to the medical clinic to fetch the medicine, hurry!"

In the blink of an eye, Tiancheng ran in from the courtyard, took the prescription from Nanny Cen, and nodded, "Alright." Without delay, he was out the door in no time. Nanny Cen then turned to look at Nanny Rong, "You tell the kitchen to make some light food so the mistress can have some when she wakes up."

"I’ll go now." Nanny Rong responded and walked out the door. Nanny Cen then directed Wenyu and Lyuzhi, "Go to the second gate and wait, Grand Dowager said she’s coming over, go and welcome her." The two responded as well.

Only then did Nanny Cen turn to go inside, the curtains drooped outside the bedroom, she lifted them and entered, seeing Fourth Master sitting by the bed, still holding the mistress in his arms indiscriminately, regardless of Nurse Zhang’s advice, Fourth Master held on tightly, causing Nurse Zhang to glare in frustration, saying, "Go ahead, keep holding her," turning to take a needle to give the mistress treatment.

The way Fourth Master Xiao held her had remained unchanged since he entered the estate.

"Wan’er." Ruan Jingliu straightened up and instructed, "Fetch my set of Golden Needles." Wan’er dutifully complied, and Ruan Jingliu looked at Fourth Master Xiao like a wooden figure, "The child can’t be saved, I need to perform a uterine evacuation now, are you sure you don’t want to leave?"

Fourth Master Xiao didn’t raise his eyelids, still holding Xiqiu tightly, unmoving.

Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brow, angrily saying, "Your presence here is inconvenient, if something goes wrong, how would you take responsibility!"

Fourth Master Xiao’s countenance finally softened, he lowered his head to look at Xiqiu, his gaze full of tenderness and reluctance, though his demeanor remained cold and intimidating, Ruan Jingliu observed him and continued, "That turning of the carriage was suspicious, aren’t you going to investigate?"

"No need." Fourth Master Xiao finally uttered his first words in a long time, he frowned and said, "I already know what happened."

Ruan Jingliu paused in surprise, but did not find it odd, nodding, "Then do what you need to do, don’t stay here and be a hindrance." After saying this, she didn’t look at him again, received the items Wan’er handed over, proceeding to do what she needed to.

Xiqiu remained tightly closed-eyed, lips pale, absent of their usual vibrant hue, he reluctantly laid Xiqiu flat on the bed, glanced at her deeply once more, turning away with a heavy expression and left the room.

Ruan Jingliu seemed not to notice Fourth Master Xiao’s departure, her hands busy with the needles, turning back to Nanny Cen, "Go heat some water, we’ll need it for cleaning her later." Looking at the sheets gradually soaked with crimson, her actions were calm, yet her voice was filled with exhaustion and heartache.

Nanny Cen responded as well and left, leaving Ruan Jingliu and Wan’er in the room.

Fourth Master Xiao went out, meeting Grand Dowager and First Madam along with Xiao Yanyi who had already rushed over there. Grand Dowager, upon seeing Fourth Master Xiao, eagerly questioned, "What exactly happened, how did such a stable carriage overturn, how is Xiqiu? Is she injured?"