Old Madam’s gaze swept over her daughters-in-law. “Fourth Aunt, stay. The rest of you, leave.”
Third Aunt, Xia Shi, felt a flicker of discontent, but she dared not defy her mother-in-law. She followed Madam Zhu out, and Madam Zhu made sure to close the door behind them, standing guard herself and motioning for the others to step farther away.
She might not understand the intricacies of household affairs, but before her daughter left, she had advised her: if she ever found herself uncertain about how to handle matters within the inner quarters and Lin Momo wasn’t by her side, she should simply follow Fourth Aunt’s lead. Her daughter’s competence was undeniable, and by following this advice, she knew she wouldn’t go wrong.
Xia Shi sidled up to her and whispered, “Even you, Eldest Sister-in-Law, were sent out. Mother is so biased.”
“Fourth Sister-in-Law is more capable than I am. Keeping her is more useful than keeping me.”
Xia Shi was left speechless. How could someone so readily admit their own incompetence!
Inside the room, Old Madam was breathing heavily and rapidly. Su Momo brought over a cup of tea. “Please rinse your mouth quickly.”
The metallic taste filled her mouth, and Old Madam wanted to rinse it out, but waves of dizziness made her realize she might not have much time left. Biting the tip of her tongue to focus her scattered thoughts, she turned directly to Fourth Aunt and said, “Suspend the Clan school. Dismiss both the civil and military instructors. The Hua family must close its gates tightly. Except for essential purchases, no one is to enter or leave. Haitang, you must take charge of the household. Use whatever means necessary to hold things together until Zhi Er returns.”
She spoke these words almost without pausing, her chest heaving violently, her breaths as heavy and labored as a bellows being furiously pumped.
Her gaze was so earnest that Wu Shi nodded firmly without a second thought. The Hua family had always enjoyed harmony between its mothers- and daughters-in-law, and seeing the once-vigorous old lady reduced to a mere wisp of her former self in such a short time pained her deeply.
“The burden on the Hua family is too heavy. Only Zhi Er can shoulder it. Haitang, you must support her well. She said she would bring the men of the Hua family back. Perhaps… perhaps she truly can do it. You must help her properly.”
Words that sounded like a final testament made the elderly servants weep as if their hearts would break. Wu Shi’s tears fell freely, and she could say nothing, only gripping Old Madam’s hand and nodding emphatically.
Old Madam’s gaze gradually grew unfocused, and she muttered self-deprecatingly under her breath, “So useless after all…”
“Mother…” Wu Shi’s hand trembled as she reached to check her mother-in-law’s breathing. Confirming that she was still alive, she slumped to the floor. “Why hasn’t Doctor Chu arrived yet? Someone go and hurry him along!”
Bao Xia hurried in with the medicine. Normally, it was Fu Dong who delivered it, often bringing along a plate of pastries to help Old Madam mask the bitterness of the medicine. But Bao Xia had already learned from the maids what had happened in Old Madam’s room. Resentful toward the eldest young lady, she had instinctively hidden Fu Dong away.
Wu Shi turned around. “Is this the medicine Old Madam usually takes?”
Su Momo quickly replied, “Yes, it’s the prescription from Miss Shaoyao. Old Madam has been feeling much better after taking it.”
Wu Shi understood her meaning and nodded. “Help Mother sit up.”
But they couldn’t get her to swallow the medicine! Even when Wu Shi steeled herself and pried her teeth open, it was useless—whatever went in just flowed back out. Old Madam had completely lost the ability to swallow.
Wu Shi’s eyes reddened. She covered her face for a moment to steady her emotions before helping Su Momo change her mother-in-law’s clothes, which were damp around the collar.
“Doctor Chu is here!” Chen Momo called out in a tone she would never normally use.
Wu Shi quickly moved aside. “Doctor Chu, please, take a look at my mother.”Seeing the current situation, Chu Shitang immediately disregarded all else. When he took the frail wrist to check the pulse, he was so shocked he nearly couldn't sit still, his brows furrowing tightly. "How could this be? When I came to check her pulse a few days ago, she had clearly improved significantly!"
Family scandals shouldn't be made public, so Wu Shi could only vaguely explain: "The Old Madam suffered from anger, Doctor Chu, my mother she..."
Looking at Old Madam Hua whose face was as pale as gold paper, Chu Shitang sighed inwardly. He had visited many noble households, received rewards and endured hardships. Having lived to this age, he had gained some experience, but there was only one person he held in genuine respect - Old Master Hua.
Whether it was when the old master casually asked him a few questions while holding a book, or when they met on the road and chatted briefly like old friends, he remembered it all clearly. It was as if the old master didn't clearly distinguish between social classes in his heart, even though he was a high-ranking official of the second grade.
He respected that ease about him.
And now, the person he admired had been exiled, while his wife of many years was hovering between life and death.
With a long sigh, Chu Shitang looked at Wu Shi. "This old man can only do his best and leave the rest to heaven."
Wu Shi barely managed to stay standing without collapsing. To think... to think it had reached this point!
"Can you summon that young lady named Shaoyao?"
Wu Shi smiled bitterly. "She's not in the capital."
Chu Shitang inwardly lamented the bad timing as he quickly wrote a prescription. "Go prepare the medicine, and be quick about it."
Bao Xia, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke: "This maid boldly requests to see the prescription. Miss Shaoyao left many medicinal ingredients here. As long as they're not too rare, we likely have them."
Chu Shitang handed it to her directly. "Was the prescription the Old Madam was taking before prescribed by her? May I take a look at it?"
"Yes, this maid will fetch it immediately."
Comparing it with Shaoyao's prescription, Chu Shitang carefully considered it and replaced two ingredients in his own prescription. "Do you have these?"
Bao Xia glanced at it and nodded. "Yes, we have them all."
"Good. I'll have my medicine boy accompany you to prepare the medicine."
Bao Xia didn't mention that previously, Fu Dong had always been the one to prepare and brew the medicine. She simply agreed and led the medicine boy to the side courtyard where the medicinal ingredients were stored - that was where their young lady handled affairs while Shaoyao tinkered with herbs.
Chu Shitang applied a set of silver needles to the Old Madam - nine needles, all inserted into her head.
This acupuncture technique was a family heirloom, but no descendant of the Chu family would use it lightly, because this technique essentially stimulated the body's vital energy. Even if it succeeded in saving the patient, it would shorten their lifespan by several years.
His earlier words weren't meant to leave himself an escape route - the Old Madam was truly in critical condition and might not survive. He had to do his utmost to be worthy of Old Master Hua.
Everyone in the room kept their breathing as light as possible, afraid of disturbing Doctor Chu. Su Momo continued to shed tears but didn't make a single sound.
Wu Shi went out to make some arrangements.
Soon, Mr. Mu and Wang Rong (the Wu Xiansheng arranged by Gu Yanxi) were informed to leave the residence immediately and wouldn't need to come for the next few days. Although Mr. Mu didn't understand, he didn't ask questions. Wang Rong, however, was more cautious. He stood inconspicuously in several places and quickly gathered what was happening.
Considering how differently his master treated the Hua family's eldest young lady, he didn't dare delay. He immediately sent a message to his master via carrier pigeon. Worried that circumstances might change, he had no choice but to become an unwelcome guest, lurking on the Hua family's rooftops for several consecutive days.Watching the Hua family descend into chaos, seeing bowls of medicine being carried in and tear-soaked clothes being brought out, witnessing their transformation from positivity to utter disarray, he felt the Hua family was on the verge of collapse—a collapse from the very core.
He sent another letter to his master.
Gu Yanxi dared not breathe a word to Hua Zhi, merely using the excuse of urgent business in the capital before once again riding off with double mounts.
Hua Zhi sensed his urgency. She asked no questions, enduring even when her thighs swelled and chafed raw without complaint, applying medicine at night before continuing the journey at dawn.
She remained completely unaware.
PS: Thank you, dear readers, mwah! Special thanks to Chestnut Girl who expressed surprise at my updating over a dozen chapters this week—she’s living proof that Kongkong hasn’t been slacking off.
OpenNovel