At this point in the conversation, what else could Shi Fengju say? He could only smile and deny it, leaving his delicate wife behind in the mansion and set off alone.
Mrs. Wang's illness was actually one part real, two parts feigned, and five parts pique. After Shi Fengju left, Sang Wan and Gu Fangzi took care of her day and night, and things remained peaceful.
It was initially thought that the illness would soon pass, but after several days, not only had it not lessened, it had worsened. Mrs. Wang, pampered and an elder, had lost her appetite and couldn't eat; her appearance grew more haggard. A few days prior, she was still able to get out of bed and walk about, but now she was too languid to even leave her bed.
This alarmed everyone in the household.
