Suffered a fright?!
How did she suffer a fright?
What had Cheng Jia said to the little girl?
Cheng Chi’s brow furrowed deeply.
Doctor Zhou and Madam Zhou exchanged a glance.
When they saw that Jiuru Lane had sent a steward to fetch them both for a consultation, the couple had guessed whether one of the Cheng family’s old madams had fallen ill. Who knew that upon entering Hanbi Mountain Manor, it was to treat the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss who was staying with the Fourth Branch. At the time, both were secretly surprised—in just over a year since they’d last seen her, the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss had actually gained the favor of the First Branch’s Old Madam Guo.
What they hadn’t expected was that this Second Young Miss had not only gained Old Madam Guo’s favor but had also caught the attention of Fourth Master!
Women who walked the inner quarters might not know, but Doctor Zhou, who had moved among Jinling’s wealthy households for years, 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 Zhou family’s back courtyard. Could it be that the Zhou family’s Master was about to be promoted?
But that didn’t make sense either!
The Cheng family’s Master Jing was already among the Nine Ministers. Even if the Zhou family’s Master was promoted quickly, he couldn’t surpass Master Cheng Jing in such a short time!
He couldn’t figure this matter out no matter how hard he tried, but he understood clearly in his heart that this diagnosis must be conducted with extreme care, without the slightest carelessness.
So when Madam Zhou was writing the prescription, he watched from the side, occasionally discussing the dosage with her. Once the medicine was prepared, Doctor Zhou handed the prescription to Cheng Chi.
If not a good minister, then a good physician.
Someone like Cheng Chi who was well-read in the classics might not practice medicine, but still understood medical principles.
Sure enough, Cheng Chi studied the prescription for a long while before saying, “Should the ginseng be reduced by a few portions? Her constitution is weak—I’m afraid she’s too deficient to handle tonics.”
Doctor Zhou looked toward Madam Zhou.
He hadn’t examined the pulse himself, so it wasn’t proper for him to comment.
Madam Zhou, however, felt that the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss had a strong pulse, only somewhat irregular, and wasn’t someone deficient in constitution. She’d added ginseng only because wealthy families often felt that the more ginseng, angelica, deer antler, and similar ingredients the better. Since the patron had said so, she naturally wouldn’t contradict him, especially since he was a two-examination jinshi scholar proficient in literature.
“Fourth Master speaks most correctly,” Madam Zhou smiled. “I also thought carefully when using this ingredient.”
Only then did Cheng Chi nod in satisfaction. He handed the prescription to Huai Shan to have the medicine prepared, then instructed a junior maid to invite Nanny Shang to help brew it, and saw the Zhou couple out.
Watching this, Fan Liushi couldn’t help but feel anxious.
She thought Old Madam Guo and her son were silently reproaching her for not caring for Zhou Shaojin properly, and blamed Bitao who was on duty: “Didn’t you hear anything at all about what Young Miss Jia said to Second Young Miss?”
Bitao and the others were also very frightened.
Old Madam Guo had kept Biyu here to assist Nanny Shang, while all of them who usually attended had been set aside. They feared they would soon be dismissed somewhere.
“I really didn’t hear anything!” She said with a mournful face, “If I’d heard, I would have told Old Madam Guo long ago.”
Fan Liushi could only sigh. The several of them stood under the eaves, watching Biyu and Nanny Shang bustle in and out, sitting in worry as if in a besieged city.
Cheng Chi urged Old Madam Guo to go have her evening meal: “…I’ll stay here and watch!”
Hearing this, Old Madam Guo smiled, “How can I let you stay here? I should be the one staying while you go have your evening meal!”
Cheng Chi truly had no appetite, but also knew it was improper for him to stay here, saying, “You’re getting on in years—how can you withstand such exertion? If you fall ill too, what would I do?”
Old Madam Guo, fearing her son would worry, instructed the maids to set the evening meal in the hall where Zhou Shaojin was staying.
Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo hastily finished the evening meal, and the medicine was ready.
Zhou Shaojin was trembling all over, unconscious. Nanny Shang and Biyu both stepped forward and called her several times without waking her.
Biyu went forward to support Zhou Shaojin, letting her lean against herself, and had someone bring silver chopsticks, preparing to pry open Zhou Shaojin’s teeth to pour the medicine.
Nanny Shang thought for a moment and said quietly, “I fear Second Young Miss is delirious—we’ll have to force her mouth open. I think this matter should be reported to Fourth Master first!”
Second Young Miss was as delicate as porcelain—if she got hurt anywhere, it might not offset the merit.
Biyu was surprised, “This matter still needs to be reported to Fourth Master?”
Usually when medicine couldn’t be fed, wasn’t this how it was done?
Nanny Shang smiled, “Listen to me and you can’t go wrong.” Fearing this girl was too literal-minded, she added, “Fourth Master and Old Madam are sitting outside anyway—it won’t hurt to take this little bit of time. Don’t you think?”
Biyu was also a careful person and nodded upon hearing this.
Nanny Shang went to report to Old Madam Guo, but her eyes were looking at Cheng Chi.
Before Old Madam Guo could give instructions, Cheng Chi rose and headed toward the inner chamber.
Old Madam Guo was taken aback, supported by Manao as she slowly stood up.
Cheng Chi lifted the curtain and entered.
Biyu quickly stepped aside.
On the large black lacquered bed, Zhou Shaojin was curled into a ball, appearing even more small and helpless.
Cheng Chi felt a breath stuck in his chest, stifling and oppressive.
“Shaojin, Shaojin.” He bent down and called Zhou Shaojin in a low voice.
Zhou Shaojin’s eyes were tightly closed, her face flushed red, yet her forehead was covered in sweat, her mouth murmuring something unintelligible.
This was damnable!
Did this look like someone who’d suffered a fright?