The next day, a message from the Leyi Yard said that Wei Zhenghong wanted to see his daughter.

Wei Changying knew that Wei Zhenghong had just met Shen Cangfeng yesterday, so she was a bit worried about him. She said, "Is my father feeling well today? If he's tired, I can visit him tomorrow."

The servant Luhan who had come to pass the message, smiled as she said, "Rest assured, Miss Wei. It is said that people are always vigorous when good things happen. What's more, your wedding day is coming. Yesterday, I saw the Elder Master highly praised Shen Cangfeng, and asked Shen Cangfeng to have lunch with him. At dinner, the Elder Master even added half a bowl of congee."

Hearing the word "wedding day," Wei Changying's face turned red, and she became even more blushed when she heard that Wei Zhenghong was satisfied with Shen Cangfeng. She said, "Uncle Lu, you only need to tell me that my father is in good condition. Don't mention other people."

Luhan, Luyuan, and the others had served Wei Zhenghong for years. They didn't even get married all their lives, only to take care of the sick lineal eldest son of the Wei Family—Wei Zhenghong. Old Madam Song had said in the early years that it was Miracle Doctor Ji's medical skills and the servants' meticulous care that made Wei Zhenghong live for so long and be able to see his family sometimes.

Therefore, they had a higher status than other old servants. Wei Changying and Wei Changfeng called them uncles so as to show respect to them.

Luhan had also watched Wei Changying growing up. He was even older than Wei Zhenghong. Although Luhan was a male servant, he could enter the rear courtyard. He smiled at Wei Changying and said, "I have always been accompanying the Elder Master. If you go to Leyi Yard and visit him, I dare not to disturb you two. Therefore, I only have such an opportunity to congratulate you in advance on your coming wedding day."

"What are you talking about?! Congratulate me...? I'm going to see my father!" Wei Changying said. She looked embarrassed, and then she jumped to her feet and ran out angrily. After all, she knew the way to Leyi Yard.

Mrs. He immediately asked other maidservants to catch up with Wei Changying. Mrs. Huang said to Luhan, "The First Miss has always been made fun of these days. I didn't expect that you would join too."

"Our First Miss is a lenient person. Although she looked angry, she was just eager to see her father after knowing that he is in good condition recently," Luhan smiled as he said, "Two days ago I heard that you had come back, but I was busy serving the Elder Master, so I didn't have time to visit you. It has been more than a decade without you here. Thinking of the past, it was really...."

"Yes, it was," Mrs. Huang smiled and said, "How is the Elder Master recently?"

"He has been using the prescription provided by Miracle Doctor Ji, and we have added medicine in his food as well.... He looks well when he is having a rest-cure, but he can't do tiring things, and he can't be disturbed before he returns to vitality," Luhan sighed as he said.

Mrs. Huang sighed and said, "I have been staying in the capital these years. Every year when I visit Doctor Ji, I would learn something from him. What about teaching you some medical skills when Miss Wei talks with the Elder Master?"

"That will be great," said Luhan happily, "I'll have to take notes!"

As they were chatting on their way to Leyi Yard, Wei Changying had already entered. This time, Wei Zhenghong was not waiting for her in the yard, and it was quiet everywhere. Two old servants, who were standing in the corridor, said nothing but smiled as they bowed at Wei Changying.

Wei Changying knew what they meant. She slowed her pace down and waved at the servants to imply that they needed not to bow and then went into the house.

After she entered, Wei Changying saw the new green window screen on the west window, setting off the branch of peach blossom beside the soft couch made of mica stone.

The weather was getting hot, but the soft couch was still covered with a thick mattress. Wei Zhenghong was lying on a pillow, with his quilt covering half of his body. He was holding a book in his hand, but it seemed that he was too tired to finish reading. His eyes were closed, and the book was opening on the quilt. His long fingers holding the book were thin and pale.

Maybe it was because he was taking a nap that he looked calm but was frowning in pain. The flower and tree patterned white robe embroidered with deer was draped on his shoulder. Wei Changying remembered that the robe was newly made this year, but it seemed to be wider than last time when Wei Changying saw her father wearing it half a month ago.

It seemed that Wei Zhenghong had suffered a lot in these days. People could easily get ill in spring, and it was even worse for Wei Zhenghong because of his health condition.... Wei Changying felt worried for her father.

Since Wei Zhenghong was ill, he couldn't stay in the house alone. However, it was Madam Song, but not a servant, who was accompanying Wei Zhenghong by his bed. She was holding Wei Zhenghong's the other hand to warm him up, but her eyes were staring at the plum green mandala vase with twig patterns on it.

Although the couple was quiet with one lying and the other sitting, they had generated a tranquil atmosphere in the house.

It seemed to be a sin to disturb them.

Seeing this, Wei Changying held her breath as she walked out of the house quietly, and then waited on the corridor.

Though Wei Zhenghong was not deeply asleep, his senses were not as sharp as the others, and Madam Song was in a trance. Because Wei Changying had learned martial arts for years, her steps would be even lighter than normal. Therefore, none of them noticed that Wei Changying had arrived. After about an hour, Wei Changying heard Wei Zhenghong asking Madam Song, "Is Changying still on her way?"

"I'll go and see...." Madam Song replied.

"Father, I'm here," Wei Changying immediately said. Hearing this, Madam Song scolded, "Why didn't you come in?! If you came in earlier, your father wouldn't have to ask!"

Wei Changying tidied her dress and entered the house while Madam Song was helping Wei Zhenghong sit up. Wei Changying stepped forward and helped, and then she was ordered to take some pillows and put them behind Wei Zhenghong's back to make him sit comfortably.

After Wei Zhenghong had sat up, his face was even paler. He turned away his face and began to cough. Wei Changying was surprised, and Madam Song looked worried as she shouted to the door, "Lu'an!"

One of the servants on the corridor came in without asking. He rushed to the long table at the side, chose one bottle from the various porcelain bottles, and poured a black pill into the tea bowl. He then took the silver pot beside him, poured the hot water into the bowl to melt the pill, and brought it to the couch.

Madam Song took the bowl and fed Wei Zhenghong carefully.

After finishing half of the medicine, Wei Zhenghong waved his hand to let Madam Song take the bowl away. Seeing this, Madam Song sighed and persuaded, "Drink some more?"

"I won't be in a good mood if I drink it too much," replied Wei Zhenghong. He refused to drink it no matter how Madam Song persuaded.

Since Madam Song couldn't persuade Wei Zhenghong to drink some more medicine, she could only hand the bowl to Lu'an. After cleaning up the table, Lu'an left the room.

Although Wei Zhenghong had only drunk half of the medicine, it seemed that Ji Qubing's prescription was effective. Wei Zhenghong looked much better and stopped coughing after he had rinsed his mouth. He smiled as he asked his daughter to come to his front.

Wei Changying did as he said. After examining his daughter carefully, Wei Zhenghong said sadly, "How time flies! My daughter has grown up, and now she is going to get married."

Wei Changying had been hearing such words thousands of times, but what her father said almost made her cry. Madam Song didn't want her fragile husband to feel melancholy, so she smiled and said, "Girls will always have to get married after they grow up. We can rest assured since she is going to marry into a good family.... How do you feel about the boy of the Shen Family? I didn't have a chance to ask."

Wei Zhenghong smiled with satisfaction and said, "He is a good boy."

Hearing his comments, both Madam Song and Wei Changying were happy. Wei Changying compressed her emotions and said, "As long as he is good to father and mother, I...."

"Nonsense! The most important thing is whether he treats you well or not!" Wei Zhenghong and Madam Song said at the same time. "If he doesn't treat you well, it will be no use even if he is filial to us! After all, we have Changfeng," said Madam Song.

Wei Zhenghong smiled and interrupted his wife as he said kindly, "If he treats you well, he will also be filial to us. It's common sense!"

Wei Changying spat out her tongue and said, "You are right, father."

"I think that child is a man of thoughts, and he is modest and gentle," said Wei Zhenghong. He didn't know that her daughter's reputation had been destroyed, and the engagement was nearly canceled. Although he had a good impression of Shen Cangfeng, he did not believe in Shen Cangfeng totally, because his daughter would marry him in the capital, which was far from Fengzhou. Therefore, Wei Zhenghong reminded his daughter, "However, this is how he looks in front of the elders. You have to judge by yourself whether he treats you well or not.... I heard that Old Madam Song has let Mrs. Huang serve you. Mrs. Huang was smart, so you can learn from her a lot. Don't ever look down upon her just because she is a maidservant."

According to the rules, before a girl got married, her parents should teach her something in public at her wedding. However, Wei Zhenghong was infirm, so he couldn't attend in such an occasion. Even if he wanted to participate in his daughter's wedding, Old Madam Song and Madam Song wouldn't allow him to. Therefore, he could only exhort his daughter privately before she got married.

Wei Changying stood up and answered seriously, "Yes, father."

"Being a wife is different from being a daughter. You cannot be willful anymore, and you should be respectful and careful to others in the future. You should be filial to your parents-in-law, and be kind to your brothers- and sisters-in-law."

"Yes, father!"

"You should obey your husband and help him as much as you can. You should not stir up trouble or mess the whole family up."

"Yes, father!"

"If your parents-in-law stand on your husband's side, you should forgive them instead of bearing grudges. If your sisters-in-law said any rumors about you, you should ask them privately instead of hating them."

"Yes, father!"

"Think twice before you say. The cases in your family should not be spread, and the gossips from the outsiders should not be taken! Remember, never put shame on our family custom!"

"Yes, father!"

After saying these, Wei Zhenghong's face came up with an unnormal blush. Seeing this, Madam Song immediately said, "There, there. Our daughter is always obedient. She knew these."

Wei Changying poured a cup of hot tea and served her father to drink it. Wei Zhenghong then smiled and said, "Those are the words that every parent will say before their daughters get marries.... I suppose that your grandmother and your mother have told you several times." He then changed the topic, with his face coming up with a sharp expression, and said, "Wei Family is not inferior to the Shen Family, so you only need to do what a wife should do. If the Shen Family mistreats you, you don't need to tolerate it. You can order a servant to tell us your sufferings, and we will find justice for you!"

Wei Changying's tears fell. She sobbed as she said, "Yes, father!"

"My daughter, you have grown up, and it's inevitable for you to get married," Wei Zhenghong said as he looked at Wei Changying gently, "However, no matter who you marry to, you are always our child. If you get into trouble, don't forget to send a servant to tell us. Even if your mother and I pass away in the future, you can still ask Changfeng for help. You two are brother and sister, so you should help each other...."

Hearing this, even Madam Song had begun to cry.

Although Wei Zhenghong looked calm, he was also sighing. He took his wife's hand as he put his other hand on his daughter's head. Wei Changying could feel her father's palm, which was large, dry, and weak. Because of his illness, his hands were a bit cold.

His hand was so weak that Wei Changying could break it easily. But when feeling her father's hand on her head, Wei Changying was at ease for no reason.

She was like a nestling, being protected under her father's wings. She felt safe and sound even if she was facing the whole world.