Chapter 27: Heeding Good Advice
“Don’t underestimate her just because she’s a girl; she’s quite mischievous!” Liu Cuiyi said with a sigh. “I was thinking of changing her temperament when she gets a bit older. A girl should be more gentle.”
“Temperament is innate; how can it be changed by human effort? If one can guide it and perfect it, that would be fulfillment.” Wen Mingqian offered the child some dim sum. “Go play with your brother and sister!”
Liu Cuiyi’s eldest daughter, A Shu, was feeding fish by the pond with Gong Changan. Unlike her younger sister, she was clearly a gentle and well-behaved young lady.
“Sister, did you get the truth from Second Miss Cui that day?” Liu Cuiyi asked with concern.
“She did confess. It was Granny Yang from Concubine Song’s side who begged her to do it.” Wen Mingqian lightly brushed a fallen flower from her lapel. The roses on the trellis were blooming beautifully, but it also meant spring was nearing its end.
“I suspected as much. Alas, Concubine Song is always good at pretending to be a good person; so many people have been deceived by her.” Liu Cuiyi shook her head. “Are you just going to let it go, Sister?”
“You know, I’ve only just returned and haven’t settled in yet. And the Old Madam and the others are not in the Capital City. If this matter causes a world-shaking upheaval, it will inevitably end with both sides being reprimanded, and I won’t gain any advantage.” Wen Mingqian said, “The timing is not in my favor, so I will endure for now.”
“Indeed, there’s no need to rush this. What is true will not be hidden, and what is false cannot last. I don’t believe Concubine Song can keep up this act forever,” Liu Cuiyi said. “It’s clear that Little Madam Feng will definitely not be on good terms with her anymore.”
“Stop talking about my affairs. How have you been lately? Have the Zhou Family members troubled you again?” Wen Mingqian asked her.
“It’s the same as always,” Liu Cuiyi smiled, a hint of bitterness in her eyes. “He’s recently become infatuated with a singer at the pleasure quarters, and they’re quite close. He doesn’t come home often.”
“Your mother-in-law certainly won’t blame her son; she’ll probably scold you again, won’t she?” Wen Mingqian remarked.
“Isn’t that the truth? She says I’m incompetent and can’t hold my husband’s heart.” Liu Cuiyi sighed deeply, as if a lead weight were in her heart.
“Do you manage any affairs at home now?” Wen Mingqian asked carefully.
“I do manage some things. Major decisions are naturally not up to me, but I handle all the trivial matters,” Liu Cuiyi said. “This makes me even less favored.”
“I’ve already asked Granny Zhao to prepare a dietary therapy prescription for you. Take it back and start following it from today.” Wen Mingqian said. “From today onwards, just take care of yourself and the children. Don’t concern yourself with any other extraneous matters. You must remember to be a bit thick-skinned; no matter how unpleasant others say, just let it pass like a spring breeze.”
“But I can’t just stop managing things for no reason, can I?” Liu Cuiyi said with difficulty. “There must be a proper excuse.”
“Finding an excuse won’t be difficult. Just go to any nunnery and give the abbot some money. Have her help you say that you are eager to have a son, but there are unresolved karmic debts from a past life, requiring sincere repentance and cultivation.
Therefore, for this year, you must eat vegetarian, chant Buddhist scriptures, stay away from meat and fish, and not concern yourself with worldly affairs. This will also accumulate merit for the Zhou Family, and your mother-in-law will surely agree.” Wen Mingqian had already planned it for her. “Your body has been severely depleted; it will take at least half a year to recover.”
“Yes, Miss, just listen to Second Madam!” Granny Zhao chimed in. “What has the Zhou Family done to you? If you don’t take good care of yourself, let alone have a son, it will be difficult to even have a healthy body.”
“Cuiyi, no matter how much you endure now, the Zhou Family will not appreciate it. In the end, if you ruin your health and lose your life, except for your two unfortunate daughters who will be left without support, everyone else will continue to live their peaceful lives.
While there is still time to salvage the situation, you must plan for yourself. Fight with all your might to struggle free. If one does not save oneself, even gods and buddhas cannot help.” Wen Mingqian spoke earnestly. She herself had been deeply wounded and had walked through that unbearable mire, truly understanding that tears and complaints were useless. Only by hardening one’s heart and taking a step forward could one find salvation.
She treated Liu Cuiyi as a sister, which was why she spoke so frankly.
But if Liu Cuiyi repeatedly failed to rise to the occasion, then she would have nothing more to say. After all, everyone must walk their own path, and everyone must overcome their own tribulations.
Cultivate yourselves, bear your own karma, and so it is.
Fortunately, although Liu Cuiyi was weak, she was not entirely without ambition.
She lowered her head, thought for a moment, and gritted her teeth. “Sister, you are truly looking out for me, which is why you are teaching me without any reservations. Although I may not be capable, I can see clearly that if I continue like this, I will likely have no way to survive.
I previously only hoped to have a son, which would have been a lifelong security. But now, not only can I not have a son, but I also work hard all day without reward, enduring ridicule and disdain. I am like a bitter herb in the field, trampled by everyone. Even if I don’t die, I won’t live well.”
Wen Mingqian saw that the color of the clothes she was wearing was hibiscus paired with indigo, neither vulgar nor gaudy, and frankly unattractive. She said, “From now on, at home, only choose colors like eggshell blue, honeyed apricot, moon white, and flourishing prosperity to wear. Your hair is a bit dry and yellow; take this hair-washing recipe of mine. Use it every three days, and within a few months, it will be restored.
Also, use the Jade Dew Cream diligently. Although it’s unavoidable to rely on beauty to please others, having a beautiful and graceful appearance can earn people respect out of thin air, which cannot be overlooked.”
“Sister is truly thoughtful; you’ve considered everything for me. I will definitely follow your advice and not let your kindness go to waste,” Liu Cuiyi said gratefully.
“Also, avoid your husband. If you can avoid seeing him, don’t see him.” Wen Mingqian said. “Let those concubines cause whatever trouble they want; you just focus on taking care of yourself.”
Liu Cuiyi nodded at each word Wen Mingqian spoke, firmly remembering what she said.
It was time for lunch, and Zhang Ma personally cooked. Although there weren’t many dishes, each one was a delicacy.
“This table is all vegetarian dishes. Try them and see if you can get used to them. You’ll be living like this from now on.” Wen Mingqian smiled and handed the chopsticks to Liu Cuiyi.
“Zhang Ma’s vegetarian dishes are truly delicious; they smell so good,” Liu Cuiyi couldn’t help but praise.
“These all have recipes. If you follow the recipes, no one will go wrong,” Zhang Ma said with a smile. “I’ve written out the meal plans for morning, noon, and night for this month. You can just have Granny Zhao follow them.”
After Liu Cuiyi finished her meal, the two children hadn’t played enough yet. They played for a while longer, and then, thinking they had to go to the temple, they took their leave.
Wen Mingqian walked her to the door and watched until the horse carriage was out of sight before turning back.
As they walked inside, Zhang Ma said, “This Eldest Master Zhou is out fooling around all day; he’s probably already deficient in his kidneys. Can he still have sons?”
“That will depend on heaven’s will,” Wen Mingqian said. “Offspring are also determined by fate; who can say for sure?”
This morning, I suddenly found myself unable to get up.
As soon as I looked up, my vision blurred, and I felt nauseous and dizzy. I tried several times with the same result, and I became scared, thinking I had a stroke.
However, my limbs were not numb, and my heart felt fine. I thought it shouldn’t be too serious.
I’m used to waking up early, at the latest by 5:30 AM. Going to the hospital at this hour would likely mean only the on-duty doctor would be there.
So, I sought help from my all-knowing third sister. After listening to my symptoms over the phone, she directly asked me, “Did you leave the window open last night?”
I said it wasn’t completely closed, but I had drawn the curtains, which were two layers thick!
She said, “You’ve been invaded by evil wind. Get cupping done! One session and you’ll be able to get up.”
So, I had fire cupping done, right on the back of my neck.
My cervical spine has always been good. I’ve had cupping done before, and even after half an hour or longer, my skin would only be slightly red. This time, in less than ten minutes, it was covered in blisters, each as large as a corn kernel. There were also many small blisters, which made me feel claustrophobic.
However, after removing the cups forty minutes later, I could indeed get up. My neck still felt stiff, but the dizziness and nausea had subsided.
I just felt an indescribable weakness in my body.
Still worried, I went to the hospital. After a few tests, they said there was no organic lesion.
I saw a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, who also said it was an invasion of evil wind and prescribed several herbal medicines to promote blood circulation and clear the meridians.
After waking up from my nap at noon, my neck was still a bit stiff, but I could now type with my neck held straight.
Although the temperature is still high, the season has already entered autumn. Please be careful and take good care of yourselves.
