The mistress was the only other person left in the room. She took Jun Huang’s hand and frowned. “You should’ve stayed indoors. What are you going to do if your illness has lasting effects? We’ve done all we could to help you recover, but all our work has been undone. You don’t want to be riddled with illness in the future, do you?”

Her forehead creased in concern, her tone reprimanding. Nan Xun balled his hands into fists and scowled. It was hypocritical of the woman to say such things.

Jun Huang lowered her eyes and made a sound of assent. She didn’t want to risk exposing her fake illness.

“I just want the best for you,” the mistress said, letting out a sigh at Jun Huang’s meek look. She stroked her hair and looked at her with sympathetic eyes. “If you don’t recover,...