Three maids were busy changing the wet clothes for Jennifer; Mia and May were at her back, clearly seeing the beautiful tattoo on Jennifer's back, and both had the same thought in their hearts: [Truly beautiful].
After changing, they helped Jennifer sit up leaning against the headboard, draped a rabbit fur coat over her, and covered her with a thick layer of wool blanket.
Mia and May each took a side to help dry her hair, while Caroline took hot oil and applied it to her palms and the soles of her feet, then put a pair of wool socks on her feet.
Just as they finished, Hal went to invite Mage Oniel back. The healer mage was elderly; he hurriedly walked in leaning on an old staff.
After using magic to drive the cold air out of Jennifer's body, he used a healing spell to help her recover part of her health:
"There are old injuries on the Madam's body, please forgive this subordinate for not having enough ability; I cannot cure it to the root."
Jennifer was much better; she spoke calmly:
"Thank you for helping me with the treatment, I feel much better. Sir, please do not blame yourself."
Jennifer habitually touched her middle finger, intending to take some items from her spatial ring to reward the healer, but she touched empty space. Only then did she remember her spatial ring had been snatched by Charles; perhaps the items inside had all fallen into his hands.
She looked apologetically at the healer. Oniel didn't feel anything, but Gideon keenly detected it. He ordered Hal:
"Go down to the basement, take the third barrel of wine on the right shelf and bring it to Mr. Oniel's place. This is my return gift, hope Sir does not dislike it."
Oniel shook his head, smiling:
"It is still the Lord who understands me best. Then I will accept your gift. Lord and Madam please rest, I will take my leave first."
Seeing the healer off, Gideon instructed the servants a few sentences then said to Jennifer:
"I know you have things you want to say, but now I need to return to the party first. You rest first, if there is anything, say it later."
Jennifer's lips, which had just slightly parted, closed because of these words; she nodded in agreement. Gideon turned and left.
...
"My Lord."
Housekeeper Bonnie waited for Gideon at the corner of the hallway; seeing him, she immediately stepped forward to welcome him. Gideon nodded:
"How is it?"
"That red-haired maid has committed suicide; the other servants completely don't know anything."
Gideon narrowed his eyes:
"Lock her up carefully, wait for the Madam to handle it."
Bonnie didn't enter the room so she didn't know that Jennifer was completely not a fool like the rumors; she felt very confused but didn't dare to ask more. She knew right now her Lord's mood was very bad.
When Gideon returned to the banquet, he acted as if nothing had happened, wanting to end it in peace. Unfortunately, someone was not satisfied and had to rush out and jump around a few times to be happy.
"Oh, Lord, I heard the new bride unluckily fell into the water? Truly unlucky. But the Lord should also teach the servants carefully; after all, the Madam's mind is not normal, right?"
Bruce Smith shook the wine glass in his hand, leaned back on the armchair, and uttered mocking words. Gideon's face darkened; the other guests neither joined in nor defended him, all displaying faces waiting to watch a good show.
Brian gripped the sword hilt, looking very much like he wanted to rush up and chop Bruce into two halves; Hugh secretly placed a hand on Brian's shoulder, holding him down.
Gideon was only silent for a moment, then smiled again, raising the wine glass:
"Mr. Smith is truly a gentleman with a good education; even the matter of teaching the Lord's manor servants troubles you to pay attention. This Lord really hasn't fulfilled his responsibility. This glass of wine I respect you; it is also late, let me tell the servants to see you off to rest."
The meaning was that his family affairs were none of the man's business to meddle in; if he was full, he should get out.
Old Smith's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Normally, however they mocked, this poor Lord would silently endure; today, he didn't understand why Gideon dared to stand up and refute.
His gall was truly as big as the sky.
The old man slammed the wine cup in his hand down and stood up:
"The Lord is truly majestic. If you are already so majestic, then surely you can also take care of the matter at the textile factory yourself. The Lord's manor chair is too 'soft'; sitting so long, my old bones cannot bear it. I ask permission to leave first."
Finished speaking, the old man wiggled his butt and left; after that, sporadically a few other nobles also left. Finally, even the non-noble guests left too; in the courtyard, in a moment, only the people of the Lord's manor remained.
Bonnie was worried and asked pressingly:
"My Lord, why did you... Offending that lot, what will we do in the future? They will certainly join forces to cut off the linen business path; what will the farmers in the territory do, and also..."
Gideon drank the wine glass in one breath, threw the silver cup hard onto the floor, and snapped:
"Don't know! Don't understand! Don't ask!"
He himself didn't know why he did that; perhaps enduring grievances for a long time, today he had reached the verge of exploding. He thought it was a happy occasion, but didn't expect slap after slap to land on his face.
He really didn't understand why his teacher wrote a letter to him, telling him he must propose to Baron Walter's daughter at all costs.
That old dog outwardly looked down on him, his hands grabbing the betrothal gifts not willing to spit them out, then he broke the promise, swapping in an illegitimate daughter for him. Although this girl was rumored to be a fool, just now he saw she was completely lucid; moreover, her appearance was dignified and elegant, not looking like an uneducated illegitimate child at all.
Looking at the pile of food that those nobles criticized and didn't bother to touch their chopsticks to, he told Bonnie:
"Call everyone over here to feast; the Madam also hasn't eaten anything, tell the kitchen to make some light food to bring up to the room for her..."
"No need, I came down."
A soft voice rang out behind. Everyone instinctively turned their heads, seeing Jennifer wearing the fur coat standing there since who knows when.