Chapter 8: Old Madam Falls Ill
Yet Hua Zhi ultimately failed to get a proper night's rest.
Having been unsettled by the day's upheavals, she slept lightly and woke groggily at the sound of voices outside. Soon after, the door opened and Nian Qiu's voice sounded by her ear, "Young Miss, Old Madam isn't doing well..."
Hua Zhi instantly became alert, sitting up abruptly as she threw off the covers and got out of bed. "Who brought the message? Bring them in quickly."
While Nian Qiu helped her dress, Ying Chun escorted Chen Momo from Old Madam's quarters inside. The moment Chen Momo saw Hua Zhi, she seemed to find her anchor and urgently said, "Eldest Miss, please come see Old Madam immediately. She's been delirious and burning up with fever..."
"What time is it now?"
"The first quarter of the Chou hour."
Only the Chou hour. Hua Zhi frowned as she walked out. "Is Liu Xiang here?"
Liu Xiang responded from outside the door, "Young Miss, your maid is here."
"Go wait at the inner gate. Have the locks opened early at daybreak and tell your father to summon Doctor Chu."
"Yes."
Liu Xiang was born into household service, with both parents working in the outer court. Her eight-year-old brother served as Hua Bolin's study attendant, while she herself was a second-rank maid in the eldest miss's chambers, usually working under Bao Chun's supervision. She was the most suitable person for this task at such a time.
Old Madam's courtyard was fully illuminated with lanterns, with maids and serving women coming and going, all wearing anxious expressions.
Hua Zhi quickly sat by the bedside and reached to feel her grandmother's carotid artery. The temperature beneath her fingers was frighteningly hot, likely close to forty degrees. This wouldn't do - an elderly person running such a high fever all night could lead to serious complications.
Removing the two heavy quilts weighing down the old woman, Hua Zhi moved aside. "Take these quilts away and bring a lighter blanket."
"Eldest Miss..."
"Do as I say." Sweating couldn't even break through like this, and the situation would only worsen if this continued.
Su Momo gritted her teeth and indeed removed all the quilts, while Chen Momo quickly brought the usual blanket to cover Old Madam.
"Find some strong liquor. If there's none in the inner quarters, look outside."
"But Eldest Miss, at this hour..."
"Her life is what matters." Seeing everyone's disapproving expressions, Hua Zhi didn't insist. In this era where reputation outweighed life itself, even her grandmother would likely forbid such actions if awake. "Go search in Fourth Madame's courtyard. Fourth Uncle used to reside there."
"Right, right! Fourth Master always enjoyed his drink - he must have some." Chen Momo slapped her thigh and hurried off in great haste.
"Bring several basins of warm water and some soft cloths. Remove all of Grandmother's clothing."
Hua Zhi's composure influenced everyone. With tasks to focus on, people stopped circling anxiously and efficiently set to work.
When everything was prepared, Hua Zhi adjusted the blanket to cover vital areas, then rolled up her sleeves. "Watch what I do."
Neck, chest, armpits, arms, palms, and soles - Hua Zhi gently massaged each area with soft cloths. "Remembered?"
The watching maids all nodded. Su Momo asked, "The movements aren't difficult, but how much pressure should we use?"
"Gently massage. Continue until the fever breaks."
"Understood." Without another word, Su Momo selected several maids to take over the task from Hua Zhi, their movements much more meticulous than hers."The rice wine has been found." Chen Momo hurried in carrying a wine jar, "How should it be used?"
It was an unopened jar of wine. Hua Zhi patted the sealed lid and opened it, a rich aroma of alcohol wafting out. She dipped her finger in and tasted it, estimating it to be about forty percent alcohol—quite strong for this era. Though it didn't meet her exact requirements, using more would suffice.
She poured some into each basin, and soon the room was filled with the scent of wine.
"How is Mother?" Wu Shi entered supported by a maid. She hadn't been sleeping deeply and had known something was amiss when Chen Momo asked the maid for wine—which woman in this household would need alcohol? Upon learning that Old Madam had fallen ill, she could no longer rest and hurried over, throwing on her clothes.
"Fourth Aunt, please go back and rest. Don't risk catching the illness."
Seeing that although the room was crowded, there was no chaos, Wu Shi covered her rapidly beating chest and sighed in relief. The Hua family absolutely could not afford another mishap.
Not wanting to add to the confusion, she went outside to wait. Worried there might not be enough wine, she sent a maid to fetch another jar. Knowing her mother-in-law was ill and sleeping herself would be against how the Wu family had raised their daughter.
Basins of water were changed repeatedly. After half the night of busy work, the fever finally subsided. Shortly after daybreak, Doctor Chu was invited to the estate and escorted by the steward and several senior maids to Old Madam's courtyard.
Old Madam's clothes had been changed, and the bed curtains were drawn. Doctor Chu sniffed—the scent of alcohol was quite strong.
Hua Zhi curtsied, "Doctor Chu, we apologize for the trouble."
"You are too polite, Miss Hua."
Chu Shitang was the proprietor of the Chu Family Pharmacy. The Chu family had practiced medicine for generations, and since his father's time, they had been treating the Hua family. Hearing that Old Madam was ill, he had rushed over immediately, fearing that any misfortune befalling her would add to the Hua family's troubles.
After taking the pulse for a while, Chu Shitang inquired about Old Madam's condition.
Su Momo answered each question in detail. When Chu Shitang asked what treatments they had administered, she glanced at Hua Zhi for approval before explaining everything they had done throughout the night.
Chu Shitang looked at the usually low-profile eldest daughter of the Hua family. "May I ask, Miss Hua, what is the principle behind wiping those areas with wine?"
Hua Zhi naturally couldn't explain that alcohol evaporation carries away heat. She simply said, "I've always enjoyed reading miscellaneous books. I vaguely recall seeing it recorded in some text. At the time, Grandmother was burning with fever and unconscious, and we couldn't summon a doctor. I took a bold risk to try it, never expecting it would actually work."
Chu Shitang didn't press further, merely noting everything down to study later.
"Doctor Chu, how is my grandmother's condition?"
"Old Madam suffered from a sudden surge of fiery energy. The illness struck fiercely. Fortunately, you employed this method—otherwise, it's hard to say if she would have lasted until my arrival. The most critical period has passed. In my opinion, she has stabilized for now. She should rest and recuperate properly from here on."
"Yes, thank you for coming so early in the morning."
"It is my duty."
Chu Shitang wrote a prescription and handed it to the steward. After packing his medical kit, he hesitated and said, "If I were to teach your method to others, would that be acceptable? Many families cannot afford doctors. This method costs little and might save lives."
"I didn't invent this method myself. There's no reason why I can use it but others cannot. Please feel free to use it, Doctor Chu."
"You are kind-hearted, Miss Hua. You will surely be rewarded."
"Thank you for your kind words."Watching the poised and graceful eldest daughter of the Hua family, Chu Shitang also felt happy for the Hua family. Allowing Steward Xu to take and carry the medicine chest, he slowly bowed and walked out.
Hua Zhi glanced back and followed him out.
—Content from [Migu Read] book recommendation
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