Chapter 47 I Won't Acknowledge Her, You Are My Only Sister
Cressida had only slept for two hours when Emma woke her up.
"Ms. Cressida Hamilton, Ms. Rose Hamilton is back with the medicine."
Cressida became alert almost instantly. She sat up: "Help me get dressed."
When she went to the main courtyard, Clio sent Tatum to block the door.
"Ms. Cressida Hamilton, Mrs. Clio Hamilton says that with Mr. Patrick Hamilton injured, the household is in chaos. She wants you to stay in your room. Mrs. Clio Hamilton and I will handle everything here, so don't worry."
Looking at Tatum's half-smiling face, Cressida said: "I'm visiting my own father. I won't cause trouble. Won't Mother even allow that?"
Tatum pretended to be in a difficult position: "Ms. Cressida Hamilton, Mrs. Clio Hamilton has already said so, you see..."
Before she could finish, Patrick's voice came from inside.
"Is that Cressida? Let her in."
Tatum's expression changed. Cressida sneered: "Tatum, you see, blocking me from seeing Father almost made you a sinner. Be careful—once Father recovers, he might have you beaten with a stick again."
Cressida's warning made Tatum bow her head lower and lower.
Tatum quickly lifted the curtain and let Cressida in.
Inside, the lamplight was dim and yellow. Bright candlelight illuminated a room filled with the scent of medicine.
After Rose returned with the medicine, she had gone to brew it herself.
She had just brought the first dose, and Clio was helping Patrick drink it.
Patrick only drank half before putting it down.
"Why do I need to drink two doses this time? I remember it was only one before."
"This medicine is very strong. Don't worry and drink it, Mr. Hamilton." Clio's tone was cold and indifferent.
She still remembered how Patrick had just wrongly accused her, and she was upset about it, but she couldn't not attend to him.
Cressida walked over: "Father."
Patrick put down the medicine bowl: "Clio, go check on Rose's medicine and see how it's coming along. Cressida, come here. I need to talk to you."
Cressida moved closer, and Clio stood up.
Clio glanced at her twice and said coldly: "Take good care of your father."
After she lifted the curtain and left, Patrick asked: "Cressida, I heard that Princess Palace has the largest tiger bone. If I want to recover quickly, I'll need your help."
Cressida frowned: "Father wants me to ask the Princess for it?"
"That sounds too harsh. Can't we buy it? That wouldn't offend the Princess either." Patrick thought he was being clever.
He was a military general, lacking both social grace and long-term vision.
Cressida suppressed the impatience rising in her chest.
"The Princess probably won't care about the money."
"But the Princess values General Hamilton's reputation and will surely help."
Cressida frowned: "This tiger bone isn't easy to get. Besides, tiger bone isn't necessarily the most effective treatment for leg injuries. If Father is really worried and anxious, I can ask a palace physician for you."
Hearing this, Patrick's eyes lit up even more.
"Really? That would be wonderful! Palace physicians are all highly skilled. If we could get one to come, I wouldn't have to worry about my leg injury."
Outside the door, Tatum, who had been eavesdropping by the curtain, heard this and her expression changed. She quickly and quietly ran off to report to Clio.
Rose was brewing medicine in the kitchen, with Michael helping her.
He was putting firewood into the stove. Seeing Rose coughing from the smoke, he felt terrible.
"Rose, go rest over there. Leave the fire-tending to me."
"I'm so glad Michael is here." She took out a bag of dollars from her sleeve and placed it in his hand.
Michael was very surprised: "Where did you get so much money?"
Rose smiled gently: "Mother ordered the steward to give me money to buy rare medicinal ingredients. How would he dare delay? Look, there's still this much left over, and I was worried about having nowhere to use it."
"I think even if I returned it, there's no need. I'll just say it was used to buy tiger bone. But I can't spend this much money myself, so you take it."
Michael was usually kept on a tight leash. Ever since his family found out about his visit to the gambling house, Clio had made him hand over even this month's wages.
Having so much money in his hands made Michael incredibly happy!
He beamed: "Rose, you're the one who really cares about me."
Rose pretended to scold him: "Don't you dare mess around with this money, and especially don't go to the gambling house. Otherwise, if your real sister finds out, I'll become the family sinner again."
At the mention of Cressida, Michael's face showed deep disgust.
"What is she? Being her brother makes me sick. I'll never acknowledge her. You're my only sister."
Rose smiled with satisfaction and told him to put the money away safely.
She was good at pleasing people and knew what to give to win their hearts.
She also knew that Michael was the only child Patrick and Clio truly loved. As long as she kept him firmly on her side and made him support her, she would always have a place in this estate.
Now Cressida had the upper hand. Rose wouldn't be stupid enough to confront her directly. But once Doyle and Sophie cast Cressida aside, Rose would see how she'd deal with Cressida!
Originally Rose didn't want to fight for anything, but Cressida was too greedy, insisting on taking away everything she had.
So she couldn't blame her.
Just then, Clio's voice came from outside: "How's the medicine coming along?"
Michael quickly hid the money bag.
When Clio came in and saw the two of them tending the fire and brewing medicine together, a satisfied smile appeared on her face.
"Seeing you two siblings together eases much of my anger."
Michael immediately stood up: "What's wrong, Mother? Did that disaster give you trouble again?"
Hearing his gritted teeth, Clio didn't want him causing trouble at this time, so she said: "Don't go provoking her. Your father is already upset lately."
"It's getting late, Michael. Go rest. You have work tomorrow."
Michael nodded, put down the firewood, and left first.
After he left, Tatum, who had just arrived, told Clio: "I heard Ms. Hamilton promise Mr. Hamilton that she would call a palace physician to treat his illness."
Rose's face instantly turned very ugly.
"Mother, what should we do? If a palace physician really comes to examine him, they'll discover that the prescription I brought back is fake."
"Cressida can't get a palace physician that quickly," Clio frowned in thought. "I'll find a way to delay her from leaving."
Rose: "But Father's broken leg is real. If we don't get someone to treat it quickly, something bad will happen. Mother, I'm very worried."
Seeing the sincere light in Rose's eyes, Clio held her hand and patted her shoulder gently.
"I have a doctor I know well. I've already sent word to him, but he's not in Emerald City right now. He'll be back in a couple of days. Until then, we just need to stall."
Rose looked at the medicine pot beside her: "What about this medicine?"
"The medicine Octavia gave won't cure the illness, but it won't harm the body either. Let Mr. Hamilton take it for now."
After Clio returned, she arranged for Cressida to copy scriptures at home to pray for Patrick's recovery.
She wanted to use this to delay Cressida from entering the palace to request a palace physician.
Patrick sent people several times to urge Cressida to quickly get a palace physician, because after drinking Rose's medicine for three or four days, he showed no improvement.
Cressida refused each time, saying that copying scriptures couldn't be interrupted and required sincerity.
When Della came to pay her respects to Cressida, it was noon.
Spring noons were especially quiet, and the fragrant courtyard attracted butterflies.
The Flower Festival was also approaching.
"Ms. Hamilton," Della entered, "thank you for your kindness in promoting me."