Shосkеd?!
Ноw could she hаvе been shоcked?
Whаt did Сhеng Jiа sау to the уoung lady?
Cheng Chi frоwnеd deеplу.
Dосtоr Zhou аnd his wifе ехсhangеd a glancе.
Еarliеr, when they sаw that Nine Рrospеritiеs Lаnе hаd sеnt а steward tо fеtch thеm fоr а cоnsultatiоn, thе couрlе had guеssed that pеrhaps somе еldеrly lаdy of the Сhеng fаmily hаd fаllеn ill. Littlе did thеу eхрeсt that uрon entеring Cоld Grееn Mоuntаin Ноuse, they wоuld be treating the Seсond Miss of thе Zhou familу, who wаs stаying with thе Fourth Branch. At the time, they were secretly astonished—in just over a year, the Second Miss of the Zhou family had actually won the favor of Old Madam Guo of the main branch.
But it turned out this Second Miss had not only won Old Madam Guo’s favor but had also caught the eye of Fourth Master!
Women who moved within the inner quarters might not know, but Doctor Zhou, who had long moved among the wealthy and powerful families of Jinling, understood clearly. This Fourth Master of the Cheng family, known as the "God of Wealth," though amiable, never involved himself in the trivial matters of the Cheng family’s inner quarters. Could it be that the eldest master of the Zhou family was about to be promoted?
But that didn’t seem right either!
The eldest master of the Cheng family’s main branch already held a position among the Nine Ministers. Even if the eldest master of the Zhou family were promoted quickly, it would be difficult for him to surpass the Cheng family’s eldest master in a short time!
This matter left him utterly perplexed, but he understood clearly that this diagnosis had to be handled with extreme care, without the slightest negligence.
So while his wife was writing the prescription, he watched closely the entire time, occasionally discussing the dosage with her. Once the prescription was finalized, Doctor Zhou handed it to Cheng Chi.
If one cannot be a good minister, then be a good physician.
Someone like Cheng Chi, well-versed in the classics, even if he did not practice medicine, understood medical principles.
Sure enough, Cheng Chi studied the prescription for a long while before saying, "Shouldn’t the ginseng be reduced a little? Her constitution is weak—I fear it may be too much for her to bear."
Doctor Zhou glanced at his wife.
He had not taken the pulse himself, so it was not his place to comment.
His wife, however, felt that Second Miss Zhou’s pulse was strong, though somewhat erratic. She was not someone with a weak constitution. The addition of ginseng was mainly because wealthy families often believed that ingredients like ginseng, angelica, and deer antler were always better in larger quantities. Since the master had spoken, she naturally would not argue, especially since he was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and was well-versed in literature.
"Fourth Master is absolutely right," Madam Zhou said with a smile. "I also gave it much thought when adding this ingredient."
Only then did Cheng Chi nod in satisfaction. He handed the prescription to Huaishan to have the medicine prepared, then instructed a maid to summon Nanny Shang to help decoct the medicine, before seeing the Zhou couple out.
Madam Fan Liu watched this with growing anxiety.
She thought Old Madam Guo and her son were silently blaming her for not taking good care of Zhou Shaojin and reproached the maid on duty, Bitao, "Did you really not hear anything of what Miss Jia said to Second Miss?"
Bitao and the others were also frightened.
Old Madam Guo had left Biyu here to assist Nanny Shang. All of them who usually served were now sidelined, and they feared they would soon be sent away somewhere.
"I truly didn’t hear anything!" she said with a tearful face. "If I had, I would have told Old Madam Guo long ago."
Madam Fan Liu could only sigh. The few of them waited under the eaves, watching Biyu and Nanny Shang bustling in and out, feeling as trapped as if sitting in a city of sorrow.
Cheng Chi then urged Old Madam Guo to go for dinner, saying, "...I’ll stay here and keep watch!"
Old Madam Guo laughed upon hearing this. "What sense does it make for you to stay here? I’ll stay, and you go for dinner instead!"Cheng Chi truly had no mood for anything, but he also knew it was inappropriate for him to remain here. He said, "You are getting on in years, how can you withstand such turmoil? If you were to fall ill as well, what would I do?"
Old Madam Guo, fearing her son would worry, instructed the maids to serve the evening meal in the main hall where Zhou Shaojin was staying.
Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo hastily finished their dinner, and just then, the medicine was ready.
Zhou Shaojin trembled all over. Unconscious, neither Nanny Shang nor Biyu could rouse her despite calling her name several times.
Biyu stepped forward to support Zhou Shaojin, letting her lean against her body, and asked someone to bring a silver chopstick to pry open Shaojin's teeth and force the medicine down.
Nanny Shang thought for a moment and whispered, "I'm afraid Second Miss is delirious. If we have to force it open, I think it's better to report this to Fourth Master!"
Second cousin is as delicate as porcelain; if she gets bruised or injured, it might not be enough to make up for the mistake.
Biyu was surprised and said, "Do we need to report this to Fourth Master?"
Usually, when medicine couldn't be fed, wasn't this how it was done?
Nanny Shang smiled and said, "Trust me, it won't be wrong." Worried that this girl might be too straightforward, she added, "Fourth Master and the old madam are sitting outside anyway; it won't take much time. What do you think?"
Biyu was also a sensible person and nodded in agreement.
Nanny Shang went to report to Old Madam Guo, but her eyes were fixed on Cheng Chi.
Without waiting for Old Madam Guo's instructions, Cheng Chi stood up and headed toward the inner chamber.
Old Madam Guo was taken aback and slowly rose to her feet, supported by Manao.
Cheng Chi lifted the curtain and entered.
Biyu hurriedly stepped aside.
On the large black lacquered bed, Zhou Shaojin was curled up, looking even more fragile and helpless.
Cheng Chi felt a tightness in his chest, suffocating.
"Shao Jin, Shao Jin." He leaned over and called her softly.
Zhou Shaojin's eyes were tightly shut, her face flushed red, yet sweat beaded on her forehead. She murmured something unintelligible.
How dreadful!
Is this the look of someone frightened?
Clearly, she was burning with fever.
Cheng Chi sat on the edge of the bed and helped Shaojin lean against him.
Shaojin's body alternated between hot and cold flashes.
One moment, it was Cheng Chi's disdainful gaze; the next, the pointing fingers of the servants; then, Madam Yuan's mocking face. In her ears buzzed the sharp, faintly excited voices of women.
"What a vixen, so young and already knows how to seduce men and cause trouble!"
"Look at her, slender waist and full bosom, with eyes that seem to glisten when she looks at people. How could a proper young lady from a respectable family look like this!"
"Who would have thought someone as gentle and kind as Madam Zhuang could give birth to such a daughter. If Madam Zhuang were still alive, she'd be furious to death!"
...
She didn't know whether she was in her own room at Floating Emerald Pavilion or in the small side room where Madam Yuan had made her stay at Accumulated Truth Hall.
Zhou Shaojin shook her head desperately, loudly protesting, "I didn't!" But her throat felt blocked, and no sound would come out.
Her tears fell like rain.
Yet she fell into a warm embrace.
A faint, elusive fragrance, like sandalwood.
It was Uncle Chi.
Uncle Chi was by her side.
Let's see which of these wicked women dare bully her now!
She leaned toward the source of the fragrance and forced her eyes open.
Dark, ink-like brows and eyes. A gentle expression.
It really was Uncle Chi!
She cried bitterly, overwhelmed with grievance.
Cheng Chi felt his heart shatter.The little girl gazed at him with wide eyes, her originally clear eyes now red-rimmed like a little rabbit's. How much suffering had she endured!
He instinctively tightened his arms around her and asked softly, "Shao Jin, do you know who I am?"
"It's Uncle Chi!" she pouted, tears streaming down continuously.
Was she dreaming?
How could Uncle Chi be holding her?
She looked around.
A sky-blue flower vase held bright red pomegranate blossoms.
She really was dreaming!
This was her inner chamber in the Floating Emerald Pavilion. How could Uncle Chi possibly come to her inner chamber?
Feeling reassured, she nestled softly into Cheng Chi's embrace.
Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Biyu, "Bring the medicine over."
Biyu was already dumbfounded.
Second Cousin had not woken to anyone's calls, yet she woke as soon as Fourth Master held her... Last time, Zhenzhu was the same—no one could cure her, but Fourth Master brought a prescription and she recovered... Fourth Master was actually so capable!
She hurriedly handed over the medicine.
Cheng Chi placed a handkerchief under Zhou Shaojin's chin and fed her the medicine with a spoon.
But Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and said weakly, "The medicine is bitter. I want to drink it all in one go."
Feeding spoonful by spoonful would only prolong the suffering.
Cheng Chi smiled faintly, his eyes revealing unmistakable admiration.
Zhou Shaojin's heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.
But then her expression changed drastically.
She remembered what had happened earlier...
What if someone discovered she liked Uncle Chi?
Let them scold her all they wanted—she couldn't let Uncle Chi's name be linked with hers.
He was such a good person. Noble and pure, even being mentioned by those gossipy women would be an insult!
She couldn't bring trouble to Uncle Chi.
Zhou Shaojin struggled.
But as she was ill, her so-called struggle was merely a slight twist of her body. Not only did she fail to break free from Cheng Chi's embrace, but it made Cheng Chi think he was holding her uncomfortably. He adjusted his position, brought the medicine bowl to her lips, and said gently, "Be good! Drink the medicine, and then have a few candies—it won't be bitter anymore!"
That word "good," spoken as if coaxing a child, tugged at her heartstrings and made Zhou Shaojin feel as if her heart were being torn apart.
In the future, who would Uncle Chi say such words to?
If she died right now, could she be reincarnated as Uncle Chi's daughter?
She began to sob.
Cheng Chi thought she was suffering from the fever and patiently comforted Zhou Shaojin.
Unconsciously, Zhou Shaojin drank the entire bowl of medicine.
Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief, fed Zhou Shaojin a candy, gently stood up, helped her tuck in the blanket, smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, and only then straightened up.
Without the warm embrace and familiar scent, Zhou Shaojin's body instantly felt cold.
She stared at Cheng Chi, her gaze careful and earnest, as if he would disappear if she blinked.
Cheng Chi's heart trembled, and it took him a long moment to regain his composure. But once he did, he couldn't help but lean down and stroke her head, whispering, "Be good! Take the medicine and sleep well. You'll feel better when you wake up."
Then he told Biyu to light some calming incense.
Biyu complied and left.
Perhaps it was the feverish haze, or perhaps the calming effects of the medicine and incense took hold, but Cheng Chi's face gradually blurred and faded in Zhou Shaojin's eyes.
She sank into a deep slumber.
Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief.Old Madam Guo stood outside the bamboo curtain of the inner chamber, quietly watching everything unfold. She suddenly seemed to have aged ten years, leaning against the nearby doorframe for support.
Nanny Lu hurriedly whispered, "What’s wrong, madam? Are you all right?"
"It’s nothing, I’m fine!" Old Madam Guo murmured, straightening her posture. Her gaze fixed firmly on her youngest son, just as he turned around and their eyes met.
Cheng Chi was taken aback.
He stared directly at his mother but remained rooted to the spot for a long while.
Inside and outside the bamboo curtain, the silence was the same, the stillness identical.
※
Dear readers, here is today’s update.
Corrected typos, next update around midnight.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel