Rong Fei's voice was not loud, but with only two people in the room, Li Yue Shu faintly heard a bit.
She looked at Rong Fei in confusion, "What is Your Ladyship talking about?"
Rong Fei looked at her and suddenly smiled, "I'm saying you are indeed different from ordinary women. No wonder you've captured the Regent's heart."
Li Yue Shu was caught off guard by what she said and was stunned for a moment.
Her expression made Rong Fei inexplicably find her a little cute, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
But her body was already extremely weak. This sudden laugh caused her to cough directly.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The violent, continuous coughing sounded concerning, as if she were coughing up her lungs.
Li Yue Shu quickly poured her a cup of hot water, gently patting her back with her other hand.
This interruption naturally stopped them from continuing their previous topic.
When Rong Fei finally recovered, Li Yue Shu flipped through the medicine box, using her body to shield herself, and took out several types of medicine from her space.
"Your Ladyship, these medicines can temporarily alleviate your condition and make you feel less uncomfortable. I've marked the dosage instructions."
Rong Fei took the medicine and nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "Miss Li, how much time do I have left?"
When she asked this, her face was full of composure, as if the person facing death was not herself.
Li Yue Shu knew that she had already accepted this fact, which was why she wasn't so sad.
After thinking for a moment, Li Yue Shu gave her answer, "At most a year, at least a few months. All I can do for you now is to alleviate your pain."
Upon hearing this, Rong Fei suddenly laughed, "Miss Li's medical skills are indeed superb. Those old men from the Imperial Hospital said I wouldn't live past six months!"
She smiled with her eyes curved, "I must hold on for more than half a year to show those old fools that after years of studying medicine, they are not even as good as a young girl. Shame on them!"
Her playful demeanor was nothing like that of an eight-year-old's mother, but rather like a lively and spirited young girl.
In reality, Rong Fei was not old either, only a university student who had graduated a few years ago in modern times, yet she was nearing the end of her life in this feudal world.
Li Yue Shu sighed silently in her heart, her tone softening slightly, "Your Ladyship seems to dislike those imperial physicians very much?"
"Of course, I dislike them!" Rong Fei nodded without hesitation. "They sigh and look grieved in front of Zi Min every day, and then they fawn over me, saying my health will recover soon and I'll regain the Emperor's favor."
"As if anyone would want to be this 'Your Ladyship'!"
She mumbled, then leaned in mysteriously, "I know they're just flattering me, so I deliberately said that if my health improved, there would be great rewards, and if it didn't, they'd be dragged down with me. You wouldn't believe how funny those old men looked then!"
Li Yue Shu found it both funny and exasperating.
Even without seeing it herself, she could imagine how wonderfully hilarious the imperial physicians' expressions must have been.
Looking at the woman before her, who could calmly joke about her own impending death, Li Yue Shu felt a pang of sadness.
She really liked this free-spirited woman, and moreover, she was A'Min's mother.
If there was more time in the future, they could have become very good friends.
With that thought, Li Yue Shu got up and pretended to take a small cake from the medicine box. "Your Ladyship, I made this myself. Would you like to try it?"
Since she was going to the palace, she had prepared a lot for A'Min and A'Lian, so sharing one piece would be enough.
Rong Fei had never seen a cake before and was full of curiosity. "Why does your medicine box have everything?"
Li Yue Shu smiled faintly and handed her a spoon. "Try it. If you like it, I have more."
Hearing this, Rong Fei didn't stand on ceremony and directly scooped a spoonful into her mouth.
The smooth, sweet, and rich flavor exploded in her mouth, and Rong Fei's expression lit up. "What is this? It's too delicious!"
Li Yue Shu's lips curved. "This is called cake. If Your Ladyship wants to eat it, you can send someone to the Regent's manor and let me know."
She knew that very few girls could resist the temptation of sweets.
Rong Fei nodded repeatedly and quickly scooped another spoonful. "You don't need to call me 'Your Ladyship' anymore. I'm older than you. If you don't mind, call me 'Sister' in private from now on."
Li Yue Shu naturally did not refuse and readily agreed, "Sister, then you can call me Yue Shu from now on!"
Friendship between girls was often simple, built on a few conversations of shared aspirations.
But these two chatted happily, completely forgetting the anxious group waiting outside.
It was only when Rong Fei, weakened by illness, couldn't endure a long conversation and fell asleep unconsciously that they ended their discussion.
Li Yue Shu gently helped her lie down, then opened the door and walked out.
Everyone immediately stepped forward to inquire, but Li Yue Shu quickly shushed them. "Her Ladyship is asleep. Don't disturb her."
She led them a little further away from the room, then turned to the palace servants attending Rong Fei and explained all the matters that needed attention.
Shen Yi Min had been standing by the side, silently noting down everything Li Yue Shu said.
After finishing, Li Yue Shu only instructed, "If anything happens, have Qin... Regent inform me, and I will come to the palace to see Her Ladyship again."
She didn't say much about Rong Fei's condition.
Being as perceptive as Shen Yi Min, he already had a vague premonition.
He personally escorted Li Yue Shu to the palace entrance. Only when no one was around did he finally speak, "My mother..."
Shen Yi Min hesitated to ask, afraid of hearing the same answer as the imperial physicians.
Li Yue Shu, who had noticed his emotions, felt a pang in her chest. For a moment, she almost wanted to lie to A'Min, just as Rong Fei had said.
But the thought only flashed and disappeared. She still chose to tell the truth. "If it was when the poisoning first happened, I might have had a way, but now... it's too late."
Shen Yi Min staggered slightly. Although he had mentally prepared himself, he still felt a sharp pain.
Seeing him like this, Li Yue Shu also felt bad. "Spend more time with your mother. If anything comes up, come to the Regent's manor to find me."
Shen Yi Min nodded slightly and remained silent.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu said no more.
Some things needed to be endured alone; the more one tried to comfort, the more painful it became.
Li Yue Shu turned around and pretended to take a small packet from the medicine box.
"This is some pastry I made for you and A'Lian. Your mother can eat it too, but don't let her eat too much."
Shen Yi Min instinctively reached out. The warm touch through the cloth seemed to burn his heart.
Shen Yi Min's eyes reddened, and he opened his mouth, but only managed to utter two words: "Thank you..."
This woman before him had given him so much warmth, he didn't know what to thank her for.
Li Yue Shu reached out and gently stroked his head, her voice filled with a helpless yet doting tone, "Silly child."
Shen Yi Min didn't resist her action, only lowered his head, swallowing the moisture in his eyes.