Returning to her own courtyard, Hua Zhi dismissed all the attendants except for Ying Chun. "Did you find out?"
"Yes," Ying Chun replied softly. "The servants in the Old Madam's quarters are very tight-lipped. It took me quite some time to coax a young maid into revealing that the Old Madam has been coughing severely lately. Every day, Su Momo takes some items to the small kitchen and supervises their burning. I've instructed a young maid to keep watch—she'll notify me as soon as the Old Madam's waste is disposed of, so I can search for things like handkerchiefs."
"Be discreet."
"Yes, I wouldn’t dare let the Old Madam know."
"Grandmother already knows. What I want to prevent is others finding out." Hua Zhi gestured for her to leave. Sitting for a while, she found herself too restless to settle, so she went to the desk and practiced calligraphy for some time.
They say handwriting reflects one’s character, but she refused to believe it. She had cultivated an exceptionally delicate and elegant small regular script, which she used in daily life—just as she presented herself as obedient and well-behaved. Only her grandfather knew how wild and untamed her private handwriting could be.
After venting her frustrations through calligraphy, most of her gloom dissipated. Hua Zhi then called for attendants to bring water and assist her.
As Ying Chun gathered the used papers to burn, as she had done countless times before, the young lady instructed, "Keep them."
"Yes."
"Has Nanny Lin returned?"
"She has. She came earlier to report that she brought back all the medicine. Old Madam Zhu even sent extra. I didn’t let her disturb you since you were busy."
"Where is the medicine?"
"Fu Dong has stored it."
"Tell her to prepare the medicine according to the prescription and deliver it personally to Grandmother."
"Yes."
"Also, go to the back gate and remind them to stay alert. If Shaoyao arrives, bring her to me immediately."
"Don’t worry, Miss. Shaoyao is easy to recognize." Nian Qiu wrapped her hands in a towel and gently wiped them. "Do you want Miss Shaoyao to examine the Old Madam?"
"I trust Doctor Chu’s diagnosis, but for someone as young as Shaoyao to serve a person of high status, her skills must be exceptional. Perhaps she might have other insights?" Hua Zhi stood and walked to the corridor, gazing at the overcast sky. Rain was coming.
After an autumn rain, the weather turned sharply cold. Caught off guard, four children in the clan fell ill. Even after Doctor Chu’s visit, Hua Zhi remained uneasy. In a world where a common cold could be fatal, she dared not let her guard down.
After assisting her grandmother with the medicine, Hua Zhi shared her decision. "I’d like to hire a martial arts instructor. Although the Hua family is a family of scholars, having stronger bodies would be beneficial—fewer illnesses and ailments."
"The idea is good, but with so many women in the household, we can’t invite just anyone. If Mr. Mu weren’t so trustworthy, I wouldn’t feel at ease having him here."
"I’ll seek Grandfather’s help with this. Anyone he approves of can’t be too far off."
The Old Madam still felt reluctant, concerned for the reputation of the Hua family’s women. She disliked the idea of another unfamiliar man in the house, yet her granddaughter’s suggestion wasn’t without merit.
"Moreover, the skills of our household guards are rather lacking. I want to select some to train alongside us, so they won’t hold me back when I travel north."
The Old Madam swallowed her objection. If it was for the journey north, indeed, better martial skills were necessary—they must be capable of protecting Zhi Er along the way."Then I'll trouble you, in-law."
Liu Xiang entered from outside and whispered a few words into Ying Chun's ear. Ying Chun nodded slightly and approached, speaking softly, "Miss, Bao Xia has returned, and Miss Shaoyao is with her."
Finally arrived. Hua Zhi instructed, "Go welcome them for me and bring Shaoyao here."
"Yes."
"Zhi Er, is this your friend? In my sickly state, I'd rather not receive guests. You may entertain her yourself."
"She's a doctor." Hua Zhi offered no further explanation. Regarding the old madam's illness, grandmother and granddaughter had reached a strange understanding - neither mentioned it directly, yet both knew the other was aware.
Soon, footsteps sounded outside. Hua Zhi rose and waited by the door. Shaoyao remained in her previous attire, removing her veiled hat upon entry. Though she didn't wish to startle anyone, she understood basic etiquette. This was her friend's grandmother - she couldn't appear secretive and risk displeasure, even knowing her uncovered face might provoke greater aversion.
A soft gasp came from a young maid in the room. Though equally startled, the old madam maintained her composure. Exchanging a glance with the similarly shocked Su Momo, who understood her meaning, Su Momo dismissed the extra servants.
"Grandmother, this is Shaoyao, a friend I met at the manor." Hua Zhi acted as if she'd heard nothing, holding Shaoyao's hand as she made introductions. "Shaoyao, this is my grandmother. I asked you here to examine her."
Shaoyao appreciated Hua Zhi's straightforward manner. There was nothing shameful about this - why should one weigh every word? Her friend was truly different from others.
Thinking this delightedly, Shaoyao patted her chest. "Leave it to me."
The old madam began to understand why her granddaughter favored this disfigured girl. In families like theirs, such straightforward personalities were rare.
She didn't distrust the female doctor despite knowing nothing about her, proactively extending her wrist with a kindly smile. "Then I'll trouble you to examine me, female doctor."
Highly sensitive to emotions, Shaoyao felt pleased by her genuine smile. Sitting on the round stool by the bed, she began carefully taking the pulse.
Seeing Shaoyao's increasingly serious expression, Hua Zhi knew it wasn't good news. Discreetly pressing lightly on Shaoyao's back, Hua Zhi caught her eye. Shaoyao's expression gradually relaxed before she said, "Madam, were you injured many years ago?"
The old madam was taken aback, having never connected her current illness to past events. "Indeed there was one incident. I was careless - at eight months pregnant, I had a miscarriage due to fetal disturbance. It took two years to truly recover. Is it related?"
"The root cause remains in your body, triggered by some recent factor. May I see the prescription you've been using recently?"
Hua Zhi interjected, "Fu Dong has the prescription. She'll show you later. Is grandmother's illness treatable?"It's not about whether it can be cured, but how easily it can be treated. Recalling her friend's earlier hints, Shaoyao chose her words carefully, "Some illnesses actually lie in the heart rather than the body. When one's mood improves, no ailments can take hold. Old Madam's liver qi stagnation clearly stems from excessive worries and melancholy in daily life. As long as Old Madam can let go of the burdens in her heart and supplement with medicinal treatment, the body will recover. All medicines in this world heal the body, but cannot cure heart ailments. I hope Old Madam can learn to be more open-minded."
How she wished she could let go! But decades of ingrained temperament couldn't be easily changed. Old Madam smiled bitterly, "I'll do my best."
PS: Seeking monthly votes.
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