Chapter 115: Collapsing Like a Mountain
Everyone let out a sigh of relief after hearing Gong Changan’s account, and they all marveled at how courageous and resourceful he was at such a young age.
“It’s a blessing that you’re back,” Wen Mingqian said. “Go wash up, change your clothes, and get a good night’s sleep!”
“Then I’ll take my leave. Mother has worked hard these past few days. Now that I’m back, you don’t have to worry anymore, and you should also rest well.” Gong Changan had long noticed the dark circles under Wen Mingqian’s eyes.
Including Zhang Ma, Sang Er, and others, they all looked worried and gaunt.
“You know, I didn’t feel anything before, but now my body feels so heavy?” Wen Mingqian couldn’t help but smile. “I actually feel like I’ve been quite composed these days.”
Despite saying that, she felt the fatigue and pain in her body intensifying, as if the strength she had been holding onto had suddenly dissipated.
“Madam, Madam!” Yun Ying arrived at this moment. Seeing Wen Mingqian’s complexion worsen, with fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, she exclaimed, “Quick, go fetch a doctor!”
“I’m not…” Wen Mingqian wanted to say “I’m fine,” but she only felt her vision darken, her body go limp, and then she lost consciousness.
“Mother! Mother!” Gong Changan cried out in terror, leaning over Wen Mingqian, his voice hoarse.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,” Zhang Ma said as she approached. “She’s just suddenly let go of her tension. All the worry and fear she’d been suppressing has come back, and she’s likely to fall ill.”
Saying this, she and Yun Ying together carried Wen Mingqian to the bed.
At this time, the doctor who had been treating Heming was present. He had just finished bandaging his wound and prescribed medicine.
Zhang Ma then asked the doctor to quickly attend to Wen Mingqian.
Upon seeing Wen Mingqian’s condition and taking her pulse, the doctor said, “I will first perform acupuncture on a few acupoints for Madam, and then prescribe a herbal decoction. Have her take it for two meals, and then we’ll switch to another prescription.
However, Madam’s illness is not minor. It is extreme shock and fear, melancholy that has entered the heart meridian. It’s fortunate she is still young, but she will require careful recuperation and must not be taken lightly.”
“I was actually impressed by how calm and composed Madam seemed before. I never imagined she was more worried than anyone else, but because Young Master hadn’t returned, she couldn’t collapse, so she forced herself to hold on,” Sang Er said, crying.
“Regardless, now that Young Master is back, everything is fine. The rest is for Madam to slowly recover,” Yun Ying said. “If we all put our hearts into it, do you think Madam’s illness won’t be cured?”
Meanwhile, Gong Xu and the others, unable to find Gong Changan, had rounded up all the old Taoist priests at Xuanmiao Temple.
Although they hadn’t conspired with Ma Daguang, this place had become a den of thieves, and they couldn’t escape responsibility.
Fortunately, officials soon arrived and stated that Gong Changan had returned on his own. Gong Xu’s heart finally settled, and without a second thought, he rushed out of the Taoist temple and headed home.
By the time he arrived home, Gong Changan had already tidied himself up and bowed respectfully before him, saying, “Your son is unfilial, Father, for making you worry.”
Gong Xu embraced him tightly and said, “It’s good that you’re alright, it’s good that you’re alright.”
He then asked, “Where is your mother?”
At this time, Wei Shi had also heard that Gong Changan had returned and knew that Wen Mingqian was ill, so she had come specifically to care for her.
“When my sister-in-law saw Changan, her heart finally settled, and her body couldn’t take it anymore. She hasn’t woken up yet,” Wei Shi told Gong Xu. “But there’s no need to worry. The doctor has examined her and said she needs a period of careful recuperation.”
Upon hearing this, Gong Xu showed a worried expression and started towards Wen Mingqian’s room, but Sang Er stopped him at the door.
“Please, Master, stop. Madam has just taken her herbal decoction and is resting; she should not be disturbed,” Sang Er said. “Master, you must be very tired after rushing all night. Concubine Yun has already made all the arrangements. Please go and rest in her courtyard.”
Gong Xu could only cough twice and say, “Alright, let Madam rest well!”
And so, he went to Yun Ying’s courtyard.
Wen Mingqian’s illness was quite severe, especially at night. Her body was burning hot, making her completely unaware of her surroundings.
Wei Shi, worried, personally attended to her bedside.
“What is to be done? Even the Imperial Physician from the palace has examined her, yet the fever won’t subside?” Wei Shi said, again placing a warm towel on Wen Mingqian’s forehead. “It’s no wonder! It’s the height of summer, and her heart is inflamed from distress. Her body is already frail, how can she withstand this?”
“The Imperial Physician also said that although they performed acupuncture and drew blood, the heat toxin will likely not dissipate quickly,” Zhang Ma sighed. “They said as long as there’s improvement within three days, it’s not a major issue. This Awakening Spirit Pill should be taken more frequently; it can protect the heart meridian.”
After Gong Xu returned, he slept for most of the day. In the evening, he sent someone to inquire about Wen Mingqian’s condition, and the reply was that she had not yet woken up.
He couldn’t help but worry and decided to get up and go see her.
Yun Ying naturally knew that Wen Mingqian did not wish to see him and tried to dissuade him with gentle words for a long time, finally managing to persuade him.
In her dreams, Wen Mingqian felt extreme pain, as if all her bones were being broken inch by inch, hurting so much she dared not breathe.
It felt as if a large hand was dragging her down, down into an endless abyss.
She even thought, let it be! It would be good to die like this.
A pair of hands gently caressed her forehead, carrying a faint scent of plum blossoms in the snow, which was refreshing.
“Good sister, you have suffered,” these hands were so light and gentle, as if each touch could take away a bit of pain. “I know you’ve been holding on so hard all these years, so just sleep well! Sleep!”
“Sister, it’s all my fault. I didn’t protect Changan well,” Wen Mingqian blamed herself. “I’m truly useless.”
“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault. You did very well, better than I did,” the voice was also so gentle, constantly comforting Wen Mingqian. “You’re just tired, sleep!”
“Sister, don’t go, let me see you again,” Wen Mingqian clutched the hand. “Sister, stay with me a little longer, okay?”
“Alas! My sister-in-law is delirious from the fever, why is she calling for her sister non-stop?” Wei Shi sighed from the side. “When did she ever have a sister? Her maternal home only had two elder brothers, didn’t they?”
“She must be having a dream. When people are sick and confused, they dream all sorts of things,” Zhang Ma said dismissively. “First Madam, you’ve been busy these past few days, and it must have been exhausting. It’s late now, and you still have to attend to Old Madam tomorrow morning. You should go back and rest.
If you get too tired, we’ll feel even more guilty. Moreover, with our young lady in this state, you’ll have a lot to worry about here. Please take good care of yourself and don’t overexert yourself.”
“Alright,” Wei Shi said after thinking for a moment. “If you are all here, I have nothing to worry about. Then I’ll go back and get some sleep. If anything happens, please be sure to call me.”
