The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The physician arrived at the Wei Estate at the middle of the hour of Chen as agreed.

The physician was originally of the Ji clan and a native of Leling Commandery. Several years ago, to flee the disasters of war, he rushed to Yuyang. His medical skills were outstanding and he also possessed a benevolent heart, gradually gaining renown within the city. People referred to him as the Leling Physician, while his original name gradually became obscure. Several days ago, he was invited to the Wei Estate. Upon learning that Madame Xu's body suffered from discomfort, he diagnosed and treated her with meticulous care.

Madame Xu had originally possessed a healthy body. It was merely that her age was advanced after all. Encountering this turn of profound grief and towering rage, the malicious fire attacked her heart, and the person collapsed all at once. Fortunately, after several days of regulation and treatment, the condition of her illness had gradually eased somewhat.

The Leling Physician was currently conducting a follow-up consultation. After a turn of inspecting, listening, inquiring, and palpating, he made a turn of additions and deletions to the old prescription, exhorting them to take the medicine according to the prescription before subsequently departing. Xiao Qiao personally escorted him out, but the Leling Physician hastily claimed he dared not, requesting the Madam to halt her steps.

Xiao Qiao still escorted him out for a few more paces. Seeing no servant women or maidservants in the immediate vicinity, she asked him in a low voice regarding Madame Xu's condition: "Is it truly without major impediment?"

The Leling Physician replied, "The Old Madam’s pent-up fire stagnated in her heart, and her blood vessels were uncoordinated; that is why she fell ill and could not rise. Although the momentum of the illness was fierce this time, if regulated slowly according to my prescription, she should be able to recover fully in ten days to half a month. May the Madam please set your heart at ease."

The Leling Physician’s tone was certain and his attitude was also quite honest and sincere, not appearing like casual, reckless words. Xiao Qiao finally felt slightly more at ease in her heart. Expressing her gratitude, she let a servant woman lead the physician out while she herself returned to the room. At this moment, a servant woman came inside, claiming that the wife of the Governor of Zuofengyi, born of the Su clan, had come to pay respects to the Old Madam.

Madame Xu lay upon her pillow. Xiao Qiao saw her close her eyes for a brief moment before slowly saying, "Say that I am asleep and it is inconvenient to see guests. Please have her return!"

The servant woman uttered a sound of assent. Just as she was about to leave, Madame Xu suddenly opened her eyes once more, changing her words: "Tell her to come in!"

After the servant woman left, Madame Xu then told Xiao Qiao to support her to sit up. Xiao Qiao supported her properly, placing a waist cushion behind her back. Nanny Zhong retrieved a bone comb, combing through the old woman's hair and tying it into a neat bun behind her head. Xiao Qiao attended to changing her outer robe. After everything was settled, just as Xiao Qiao was about to withdraw, Madame Xu’s hand pressed onto one of Xiao Qiao’s hands, commanding her to sit by the bed, saying, "You stay and accompany me."

Xiao Qiao sat at the side of the bed couch according to her words. Nanny Zhong commanded the servant woman to summon the guest. A short while later, along with a burst of quiet footsteps, a purple silhouette flickered at the doorway. Xiao Qiao raised her eyes, seeing the Su woman enter within.

Her dress and adornments today were exceptionally simple and plain. Arriving before Madame Xu’s bed, she knelt and kowtowed, saying, "This grand-niece by marriage kowtows to request the maternal grand-aunt's golden peace."

Madame Xu told her to rise. Su Ehuang rose and said, "Since parting at the Luli Platform that day, because my nephew Su Xin was reckless, lost his etiquette, and injured the Madam’s younger brother, this grand-niece by marriage has felt uneasy in her heart, wishing early on to come forward to express apologies. It was merely a pity that on the following day, due to the jolting upon the road, my head ailment flared up once more, and I remained at the relay station for several days. Only today was I able to step out the door. Just now upon the road, I unexpectedly encountered the Lord by chance. At the time of paying respects, only then did I learn that the maternal grand-aunt’s body suffers from discomfort. This grand-niece by marriage pulled at her heart, wishing to come and visit, yet also fearing to disturb the maternal grand-aunt’s quiet nursing. Fortunately, the Lord permitted it, and only then did this grand-niece by marriage come forward rashly. Furthermore, I do not know how the maternal grand-aunt’s physical condition is? Have you prolonged the physician and requested medicine?"

Madame Xu revealed a faint smile upon her face and said, "I am without impediment. You also possess a mindful heart."

Su Ehuang attentively fixed her gaze upon Madame Xu for a brief moment before finally letting out a sigh of relief, smiling slightly as she said, "As long as the maternal grand-aunt is fine, I shall set my mind at ease." Having finished speaking, her gaze fell onto Xiao Qiao, who had consistently remained seated by Madame Xu’s couch side. Stepping forward slightly by a pace, she said earnestly, "That day, my nephew Su Xin accidentally injured your esteemed younger brother. Within his heart, he feels endless remorse, having no face to enter within. At this very moment, he is precisely bearing thorny rods and waiting, kneeling outside the main gate. If he could safely obtain the younger sister's permission, I shall call him to come and beg for forgiveness."

Xiao Qiao said, "Swords and spears possess no eyes. For a moment, the hand cannot be held back, so accidental injuries also occur. My younger brother at that time already possessed no intent of blame or resentment, and I all the more will not place it upon my heart. The Madam's etiquette is heavy; there is no need to keep it hanging upon your mind..."

Su Ehuang’s gaze fell upon Xiao Qiao’s face, pausing slightly, and immediately afterward she smiled and said, "It is fine as long as the younger sister does not blame him. Otherwise, I would truly find it difficult to shirk the blame."

Xiao Qiao gave a brief smile, not opening her mouth further.

"Can the maternal grand-aunt permit me to remain before the couch to serve for several days?"

Su Ehuang once again turned toward Madame Xu: "Over the many years, this grand-niece by marriage has rushed about outside, possessing the intent yet lacking the strength. Encountering the opportunity of the Luli Grand Assembly this time to return to Yuyang, within my heart, ten thousand thoughts emerge with deep emotion. I all the more hope to be able to fulfill a bit of my filial devotion before the maternal grand-aunt, so as to complete the many years of filial affection."

Madame Xu’s single eye fell upon Su Ehuang’s face, quietly watching her intently for a brief moment.

From the moment Su Ehuang entered within just now, Madame Xu’s face had consistently carried a faint smile. At this moment, gazing at her like this, that thread of faint smile upon her face, however, began to gradually disappear.

"I am very well here, and the people serving are also not lacking. Your filial intent is accepted by my heart. Yuyang possesses no beautiful scenery worth lingering for. The location is situated in the north, and the season is gradually entering deep winter. Once a snowstorm falls, the roads will be obstructed. I remember the previous time I went to Zhongshan, your mother also came to see me. I saw that her physical condition was also weak. You had still better return early to your home in Zhongshan; staying here in vain, your family members will probably worry and miss you."

Madame Xu finally said slowly.

Her voice was still gentle, yet it carried an implicit, forcing power.

Su Ehuang lowered her eyes: "Thanks to the maternal grand-aunt's pointer. This grand-niece by marriage has recorded it down."

Madame Xu nodded her head.

Xiao Qiao, seeing her look as if she wished to lie down, hastily leaned her body forward to support her shoulders and arms, helping her slowly lie down.

The moment Madame Xu lay down, she closed her eyes.

Su Ehuang said, "I dare not further disturb the maternal grand-aunt's quiet nursing; this grand-niece by marriage will first kowtow and withdraw." Just like when she arrived, she respectfully kowtowed to bid farewell.

Madame Xu closed her eyes and said, "Nanny Zhong, you escort her out."

Su Ehuang rose, her gaze finally sweeping a last glance over Madame Xu and Xiao Qiao. Smiling, she turned around and was escorted out by Nanny Zhong. A short while later, Nanny Zhong returned, and Madame Xu opened her eyes to inquire, "Departed?"

"She said she would go to pay respects to the Madam next."

Madame Xu said, "Her etiquette has always been sufficient." Her tone was indifferent. Immediately afterward, she inquired again, "Over by the eastern rooms, what have they been doing these past two days?"

Nanny Zhong said, "The Madam these past few days has consistently been bedridden with illness inside her room. She dispatched Nanny Jiang to come over, saying she feared extending the sickly air to the Old Madam, so she dared not come forward to serve."

Madame Xu was lost in thought for a brief moment, then said, "Since she is bedridden with illness, the various household management affairs inside the home will probably also be difficult to look after thoroughly. You go convey my words, telling her to divide some matters out, letting the grandson's wife help her handle them. Regarding the various matters of the ancestral fields and agricultural estates of the clan, you also tell the accounting room to speak of them for the grandson's wife to hear."

Xiao Qiao was slightly startled. Hastily standing up, just as she was about to open her mouth to decline, Madame Xu looked toward her, smiled gently, and said, "You have entered the door for nearly a year, and you have gradually grown familiar with each place. Right now it is also not requiring you to entirely take over the matters. There is a pile of muddled accounts at home; my age is advanced, and I do not wish to manage them. Your mother-in-law's energy is insufficient, so it is also right for you to help her with some things. If there is anything you do not know, just ask Nanny Zhong."

Xiao Qiao could only say, "I will definitely exert my heart and efforts, not daring to fail Grandmother's profound love." She then expressed thanks toward Nanny Zhong: "I am young and do not understand matters; there will be many places where I fall short. Please do not hesitate to guide me, Nanny."

Nanny Zhong nodded with a smile: "The Madam's words are too heavy. This servant will definitely exert her efforts."

...

Su Ehuang arrived at the eastern rooms, standing quietly outside the door. After waiting for a moment, Nanny Jiang, accompanied by a servant woman by her side, came out from within, saying coldly, "The Madam does not wish to see you. She commands you to leave quickly. This is also not a place for you to linger for long."

Su Ehuang said, "Multiplied thanks to the Nanny for conveying the words on my behalf. The Madam’s instructions—every single word and phrase—I will definitely engrave and record within my heart, not daring to forget them." Having finished speaking, she turned around, traveling neither fast nor slow just like when she arrived. Stepping out the main gate of the Wei Estate, the waiting Su Xin flew and sprinted over, inquiring, "Aunt, was the person seen? What did they say?"

The smile that Su Ehuang had consistently carried upon her face just now finally vanished, and she said coldly, "I originally hoped you could cut a striking figure at the Luli Grand Assembly, yet you went and lost face for me! How do you think the people inside could still speak?"

Su Xin bore a face of shame and mortification, hanging his head in dejection, not daring to respond.

Su Ehuang cast a glance at him, her expression easing slightly as she spoke again, "Forget it! Since the matter has already emerged, blaming you further is also useless. Just now, I also tore down my face and discarded it, speaking good words for you before them, making amends on your behalf. Fortunately, there is still some acquaintance from early years remaining, so the matter is just brushed over like this; you do not need to worry further."

Su Xin on that day did not know that the young general in a white robe who was his adversary was precisely Wei Shao's brother-in-law. These past few days, he had been fearful and uneasy. Suddenly hearing her say this, it must be that the matter had indeed been brushed over. Overjoyed, he hastily bowed his body with a companionable smile: "Multiplied thanks to Aunt. I just knew Aunt has always been doting and loving toward me. In the future, this nephew will never dare to be so reckless again."

Only then did some smile reveal upon Su Ehuang’s face, letting out a hum: "It is fine as long as you know your aunt dotes on you. Let us go."

Su Xin hastily commanded the carriage to drive over. He personally led Su Ehuang to the front of the carriage, pulling up the light gauze for her: "Aunt, please take the upper seat."

Before Su Ehuang boarded the carriage, she turned her head to cast a final glance at the tightly closed main gate of the Wei Estate behind her. After returning her body, her expression was already calm and without waves, and bending her waist, she sat into the carriage. Amid the pleasant jingling sounds, the carriage gradually departed.

...

Xiao Qiao, accompanied by Nanny Zhong, went to the eastern rooms.

Lady Zhu was originally in the room precisely along with Nanny Jiang disparaging the Su Ehuang who had just been driven away by herself. Suddenly hearing that the two of them had arrived, she hastily went onto the bed to lie down, pulling the quilt to cover up to her neck, facing inside completely motionless. It was only after Xiao Qiao went forward to inquire after her health that she turned her head with an air of lacking strength to ask her what the matter was. Nanny Zhong then spoke of Madame Xu's meaning. Lady Zhu was greatly alarmed, sitting up from her pillow all at once. Only after a long while did she reluctantly agree to it.

The moment Xiao Qiao and Nanny Zhong left, Lady Zhu could not restrain herself. Both angry and ashamed, she swept every single utensil above the tables and desks to crash onto the ground.

The various servant women, seeing her display her fury with the continuous clattering and smashing inside the room, all did not dare to draw near. In the end, it was still Nanny Jiang who came inside, advising her again and again, before Lady Zhu slowly halted. Her hand propped up her forehead, her face pale as she said, "That old woman not only married the daughter of an enemy house for my son, right now within her eyes, she more and more possesses only the Qiao girl. With her present, within this Wei family in the future, I fear there will no longer be a place for me to accommodate my body!"

...

On that day, Xiao Qiao’s matters became busy. She received the keys and the account books of the two storehouses for food and cloth. Accompanied by the managing servant women, she took a cursory look for a round before coming out, commanding people to first send the account books to her own room.

What she recorded most upon her heart was still Madame Xu's diseased body. Approaching dusk, she went to the northern rooms once more. After serving Madame Xu to consume her meal, she went to the small kitchen again to look at the medicine.

The Nanny Guo who was brewing the medicine, seeing her arrive, hastily welcomed her. Without waiting for Xiao Qiao to open her mouth, she then said, "The medicine is about to be settled. May the Madam set your heart at ease; I personally watched the fire, not leaving for a single instant."

This Nanny Guo was also an old elderly woman who had served Madame Xu for many years, being extremely loyal. Because she had previously received Xiao Qiao's specific exhortation, and Nanny Chun had also passed some reward money to her under the pretext of the Madam seeing her working hard, she was therefore all the more attentive. After the medicine came out, she carried it on a tray to send into the room. Madame Xu took the medicine and sat for a moment. As the properties of the medicine surged up, the moment she lay down, she sank into a deep sleep.

At the time when darkness brushed the sky, Xiao Qiao returned to the western rooms. Wei Shao had not returned yet.

This day had enough matters. Within her stomach at this moment, she was also hungering with her intestines turning. She went to eat her meal by herself, and returning to the room to sit down, she then flipped open the entry and exit account books of the storehouses.

Right now, paper had already emerged into the world. But the texture was coarse and rugged, unable to withstand long usage. For literary figures and scholars writing books and establishing words, or ordinary recording of accounts, most still adopted bamboo slips. Just for the food storehouse, with only three months of account books, what was piled up here was almost a basketful.

Xiao Qiao flipped through the bundles of bamboo slips, thinking within her heart that if there was an opportunity in the future, she would look for craftsmen to manufacture some durable and good paper to replace these bamboo slips for recording accounts, saving even the moving of them requiring several people to lift.

Wei Shao returned slightly later than ordinary days. The moment he entered the room, seeing Xiao Qiao seated behind the desk busily working, to the point that even her head was about to be blocked by the bamboo slips piled up before her, he was slightly taken aback. Coming to the immediate vicinity, he cast a glance.

Lady Zhu did not recognize many characters. Madame Xu over these past few years had already ceased to ask about these trifling matters. The accounts within the storehouses below were unavoidably disorderly. Xiao Qiao's reading was somewhat difficult. Suddenly Wei Shao returned; raising her head to see him standing before the desk watching her, she then laid down her brush and rose to welcome him.

When Xiao Qiao served Wei Shao to change his outer clothing, she smoothly mentioned the matter of Madame Xu letting her help Lady Zhu share the domestic duties during the day.

"I also did not possess this thought. It was merely that the elder commanded it, and I did it out of lack of alternative. After some time when Mother-in-law's body is nursed back to health, I will then listen to her dispatch."

Wei Shao let out an "en" sound: "Since Grandmother has commanded it, you just do it."

Xiao Qiao smiled a bit. Inquiring and learning that he had not eaten his meal yet, she then turned to go for the meal. Arriving at the dining hall, it was still Xiao Qiao who accompanied him to one side to serve him.

Within her brain, those large accounts of muddled numbers from just now were still flying, so her gaze was a bit stagnant, displaying an absentminded appearance.

Wei Shao took a couple of mouthfuls of food, casting a glance at her. He suddenly said, "You also consume together, there is no need to wait."

Xiao Qiao returned to her senses, letting out a sluggish "oh" sound: "May Husband just consume by yourself. I was hungry just now and have already eaten."

Wei Shao cast another glance at her, no longer speaking words. Burying his head, he quickly finished eating his meal and returned to the room, saying he was going to the study.

Xiao Qiao escorted him to the doorway.

Ever since the matter of that box the previous time, that study of his in the western rooms—Xiao Qiao had not stepped foot inside for a single pace.

Wei Shao strode across the threshold. Just as he was about to go, he suddenly seemed to recall something, turning his head to inquire, "Did anyone visit the home today?"

Xiao Qiao leaned slantingly against the doorframe, exchanging a look with his eyes.

Upon the corridor, the lanterns had already been lit. A burst of evening wind precisely surged from the mouth of the corridor, brushing and sweeping past that patch of dim red lantern light shining down from overhead. Beneath the depths of Wei Shao's eyes, it appeared as if a layer of unstable dark shadow was also shrouded. His two eyes looked at her without blinking even once.

The corners of Xiao Qiao's lips curled up slightly: "I do not know who it is that Husband asks about? Quite a number of people visited the home today.”