Chapter 82: Delivering Medicinal Supplements
Now, Gong Xu, having gotten drunk in the company of his beloved wife and beautiful concubines, was helped back to You Zhu Garden by Yun Ying and the young maid who followed her.
“Quickly go fetch some hangover tea for Master,” Yun Ying helped Gong Xu to sit down and busied herself by ordering the young maid, “I had them start boiling it when I left.”
The hangover tea was brought over. Yun Ying tested its temperature before letting Gong Xu drink. After watching him finish a bowl of the sobering tea, she personally took a towel to wipe his face.
Gong Xu’s body felt as if it were in a fog. The scent of orchid and musk from the woman beside him only made him feel more intoxicated. He reached out and encircled Yun Ying’s slender waist, wanting to make love to her.
Yun Ying gently broke free and said softly, “Master is drunk, please rest for a while! When you’ve sobered up, go and see Concubine Song.”
Gong Xu’s voice was slurred, “No rush, no rush, I’ll take a nap with you first.”
Yun Ying said, “Master has been staying with me these past few days. Madam is fine, but I fear Concubine Song might be unhappy. After all, she is pregnant, and Master favored her exclusively before. It’s inevitable she’ll feel disappointed.”
Gong Xu then said, “Don’t overthink it. She is virtuous and won’t be jealous over such a small matter.”
“What woman isn’t jealous? It’s just that some show it, while others hide it in their hearts. Unless she doesn’t care about you, she’s bound to be upset.” Yun Ying helped Gong Xu lie down on the bed and then knelt to remove his boots.
“You little thing, you have so many thoughts! Let me tell you, I’ve treated her well over the years. Ever since Madam left the Capital City, I’ve stayed by her side day and night. Can any man say they’ve done the same?” Gong Xu felt quite proud as he spoke.
“We talk about it privately too, Master is actually a very devoted and long-suffering person.” Yun Ying sat gently on the edge of the bed. “Actually, when I was by Madam’s side, she often blamed and regretted herself, which is why she wanted to make amends in every way possible.”
“Old Madam said, who is without fault? As long as she truly repents, how could I not accept her?” Gong Xu genuinely felt magnanimous and didn’t think he had betrayed Consort Song. “As long as you all live in peace from now on, I will treat you all well.”
Although Wen Mingqian had also had a few drinks, she was mainly there to encourage others to drink and hadn’t consumed much herself.
After returning to rest for a nap, Liu Cuiyi came to visit, and Wen Mingqian changed her clothes to see her.
“Look who it is! It’s only been a short while, and you’ve blossomed into a beauty,” Wen Mingqian said, holding Liu Cuiyi’s hand and examining her from head to toe with great delight.
“Sister, please don’t tease me. Any bit of beauty I have now is thanks to your merit,” Liu Cuiyi said shyly and happily.
“Your complexion is so much better than before. I was just telling Zhang Ma yesterday that your face cream is probably running out. I’ve already prepared a new batch for you. This time, I’ve made more, enough for three months.” Wen Mingqian said, leading her to the inner room. “Have you been living comfortably these days?”
“Thanks to Sister, everything is fine. The few concubines in the mansion have caused a few disturbances over household matters. It annoyed my mother-in-law so much that she sent away the two most troublesome ones. The mansion has become much quieter, and the remaining ones have all become more restrained,” Liu Cuiyi said with a hint of joy in her eyes.
“Your mansion was too chaotic before, it really needed a good clear-out. How is your body recovering now? Have you seen a doctor?” Wen Mingqian asked again.
“I’ve been recuperating according to the method Sister taught me for almost three months. The doctor said my pulse is much better than before. However, I’m still a bit weak in qi. Since summer doesn’t nourish yang, I’m afraid it’s not easy to regulate.”
“That’s nothing to worry about. The most important thing in health preservation is to follow the seasons. And you can’t rush this; the more anxious you are, the less beneficial it will be. First, focus on getting your body well. If you can have a son, it will solve many worries.” Wen Mingqian knew that for Liu Cuiyi, not having a son to rely on was not an option.
“Speaking of which, I’m also a bit worried. Some of the concubines in our mansion have given birth in the past year or two, and some have been pregnant. But either they miscarry after only a few months, or the child is born weak and sickly.”
We called a doctor to examine him. He said that he didn’t take care of himself and had depleted himself too much, which is why this happened. He was furious upon hearing this, cursed the doctor away, and then cursed me too. Ever since then, he refuses to see a doctor. I’m truly…”
Liu Cuiyi’s husband was a troublesome man, constantly seeking pleasure outside. He had many young wives at home, and his body was almost depleted. Naturally, he couldn’t produce healthy children.
“Your husband is afraid of seeking medical treatment. Since he refuses to be treated or to take care of himself, it’s no wonder you’re worried.”
“On the day your Master took a concubine, I saw that Sister was very busy, so I didn’t say much. Now that someone is on equal footing with Consort Song, I imagine she must be unhappy. Sister, you must guard against her!” Liu Cuiyi kindly reminded Wen Mingqian.
“You know to guard against others, so you should also know how to plan for your own future.” Wen Mingqian looked at her meaningfully. “Always protect yourself. You don’t need to be solely kind-hearted. As long as you don’t intend to harm others, plan for your own lifelong security. If you need to use tactics, then use them.”
“What Sister says is golden advice. I will slowly comprehend it.” Liu Cuiyi said, “Before, I was too weak and indecisive in everything, wasting my best years. Sister taught me not to give up on myself, taught me to look forward, and more importantly, taught me to cherish myself. I remember all of this.”
“A teachable student!” Wen Mingqian smiled. “I believe your future will be much better than before.”
Consort Song, being pregnant, naturally slept more. She vaguely woke up as the sun was already setting.
“Little Madam is awake. Please have some clear tea first,” Hua Hong said, bringing over a cup of tea.
Consort Song merely rinsed her mouth and spat it out.
“Who is talking outside?” Consort Song asked.
“Let me see.” Liuyun said, looking out the window. “It’s Mei Zhi from Old Madam’s room.”
“Let her in,” Consort Song said, raising her hand to adjust her collar.
Mei Zhi, dressed in an apricot-red dress and with her hair in twin buns, walked in holding a tray.
“Concubine Song, this is the bird’s nest and donkey-hide gelatin soup that our kitchen stewed for Old Madam. Old Madam specifically instructed us to stew extra and asked me to bring it to you, saying it’s best for stabilizing the fetus.”
“Thank Old Madam for her concern, and thank you for bringing it.” Consort Song smiled as she spoke. “I will thank Old Madam again later.”
“Old Madam fears you’ll be too formal. She already told me that since Concubine is pregnant and it’s inconvenient, you don’t need to observe too many proprieties,” Mei Zhi said with a smile. “I still have work to finish, so I’ll be going back now.”
“Hua Hong, please escort Mei Zhi out properly,” Consort Song said. “Don’t neglect the people from Old Madam’s side.”
“Granny Yang, bring the medicine,” Consort Song said, glancing at Granny Yang.
Granny Yang fumbled around on her person for a moment and produced a medicine packet.
Her hands trembled slightly as she shakily handed it to Consort Song.
Consort Song took it steadily, opened the medicine packet, and sprinkled all the powder inside into the nourishing soup that Mei Zhi had brought.
“Little Madam, this medicine is potent. Don’t… don’t put too much,” Granny Yang watched with a pounding heart. But before she could finish her warning, Consort Song had already poured all the powdered medicine in.
