Chapter 183: Chapter 183: Life and Death (4)
Tong Shen Zhi had just entered Tong Xiyan’s room when he saw Tong Xiyan jump off the bed, barefoot, grabbing Tong Shen Zhi’s hand and saying, "Big Brother, they say Young Master Jiang is dead. I don’t believe it. I just want to ask you, how is he now?"
Tong Shen Zhi frowned deeply, showing a hint of displeasure, and reproached, "Fourth Sister, behaving like this is not proper. Marriage has always been dictated by parents. You should listen to Mother."
Tong Xiyan shook her head while crying, "Big Brother, scold me later. First, tell me, how is he really?"
Tong Shen Zhi hesitated slightly when suddenly the door curtain was lifted by Lady. She said coldly, "Acting all crazy... get back to bed quickly." Tong Xiyan didn’t listen to her at all, only pulling on Tong Shen Zhi’s sleeve, "Big Brother, I beg you, tell me, how is he really?"
"Young Master Jiang, he..." Tong Shen Zhi started to speak but was cut off by Lady’s sharp command, "Shen Zhi!" Lady stepped forward to release Tong Xiyan, pressing her onto the bed, "You don’t need to ask your elder brother. Now everyone in the city knows that the funeral rites were held at the Jiang Mansion last night. Just give up!"
Tong Xiyan’s eyes widened, and with a roll of her eyes, she fainted.
Tong Shen Zhi looked at her, wanting to speak but held back, shaking his head silently as he swept his sleeve and exited the room.
Lady frantically placed Tong Xiyan on the bed and called for Daihe, "Go quickly and fetch the doctor." She took the tea from Nanny Fang and personally fed it to Tong Xiyan, but she seemed unaware, letting the water spill from her mouth!
This time, Lady was truly panicked, pinching the people’s acupuncture of Tong Xiyan while rushing Nanny Fang, "Quickly check if the doctor has arrived yet." Nanny Fang was also in a state of disarray, not expecting the Fourth Miss and that Jiang to have reached such a point that hearing of his death would cause her to faint. What should be done now?
Nanny Fang suddenly thought of the Sixth Miss, pressing Lady’s hand, "Why not call in Sixth Miss? She understands medicine, and it’s been she who has been caring for Fourth Miss’s condition these past two years without any relapse. Even the Second Miss of the Marquis Mansion was saved twice by her; she might have a way."
Lady had no other thoughts, only waving her hand, "Quickly go!"
Nanny Fang rushed to the Zhiqu Courtyard with a younger maid, and soon they saw Sixing and Chunyan supporting a limping Xiqiu out the door, hastily heading to the Zhuhui Garden.
As soon as Xiqiu entered, she saw Lady sitting tearfully by the bedside. Seeing Xiqiu come in, she immediately took Xiqiu’s hand, saying, "Sixth Girl, it was my mistake to blame you. It’s all your Fourth Sister’s fault. This wretch got infatuated by that Jiang and fainted upon hearing of his death. Go take a look at her."
Xiqiu held Lady’s arm, comforting, "I was close with Fourth Sister but didn’t detect her feelings in time. It’s my responsibility, and Mother punished me rightly!" With that, she and Lady walked towards the bedside, "Let me have a look."
Xiqiu gently laid Tong Xiyan flat and loosened her collar, turning to Nanny Fang, "Go prepare some sugar water." Nanny Fang immediately left to prepare the sugar water.
Pinching the people’s acupuncture a few times, pressing the He Gu acupuncture point, Xiqiu sighed that without advanced technology, even her nursing efforts were limited to this. Fortunately, when Nanny Fang returned, Xiqiu instructed someone to fetch a bamboo straw, feeding Tong Xiyan some sugar water, and after a while, she finally woke up.
Lady breathed a sigh of relief, hugged Tong Xiyan, while Xiqiu, standing and busy, felt significant pain in her legs and sweat covered her forehead. Nanny Fang noticed and offered a stool, "Sixth Miss, please sit down and rest."
Xiqiu smiled at her, not hesitating to sit down.
Lady spoke to Tong Xiyan for quite some time, but the latter showed no response. Fortunately, the doctor arrived then, dismissing everyone else. Xiqiu, supported by Sixing, left the room, and Nanny Fang personally escorted Xiqiu, "Sixth Miss, please don’t take it to heart. Lady was beside herself with anger that day." Looking at Xiqiu’s leg, she added, "Perhaps Mr. Hu should take a look at Sixth Miss’s leg later?!"
Xiqiu shook her head with a smile, "No need." Taking Nanny Fang’s hand, she said, "Nanny’s words are too kind. Mother punished me because I was wrong. How could I hold it against her? Just trouble Nanny, if Fourth Sister feels better, let me know so I can have peace of mind."
Nanny Fang nodded, "Alright!"
Xiqiu returned to Zhiqu Courtyard with Sixing and Chunyan. In Zhuhui Garden, Doctor Hu prescribed some medicine to boost qi and nourish the heart, then he took out another prescription, saying to Lady, "This is for Sixth Miss. Her leg’s been affected by cold and dampness, and if not properly cared for, it may become a serious ailment."
Lady’s eyes flashed, nodding to Nanny Fang, "Take both prescriptions and let someone accompany the doctor to fetch the medicine. Once Sixth Miss’s medicine is ready, send it over."
Nanny Fang bowed, "I’ll have someone fetch the medicine right away."
When the medicine was ready, Tong Xiyan was fed half a bowl reluctantly, but she vomited it all, lying limply on the bed with empty eyes, staring blankly at nothing. Lady worried for her, moved her to her own room, and cared for her for two days, but there was no improvement.
On the morning of the third day, Tong Xiyan suddenly got better; she took half a bowl of medicine and got up, insisting on combing her hair. Lady stopped her, "Silly child, you’re at home, you can be casual. Besides, you’re sick, no need to concern yourself with this."
Tong Xiyan stubbornly shook her head, "I want to comb my hair!" Lady didn’t dare oppose her too much, so she allowed a maid to comb her hair. Tong Xiyan then smiled and said to Lady, "Mother, I’d like some time alone."
Lady hesitated, but Tong Xiyan looked vibrant, "Mother needn’t worry, I’ve thought it through. I just want to be alone for a while, nothing will happen."
"I’ll leave the maids outside. Call them if you need anything." Lady reluctantly exited the room. Tong Xiyan shut the door and took out pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, sitting quietly at the table to write. Nanny Fang discreetly peeked in through the door crack, returning to report to Lady, "She’s very quiet, currently writing."
Lady nodded with a frown, "Let her be, writing can bring peace to the mind."
Nanny Fang nodded but hesitated, "Should I inform the Eldest Miss and the concubine?"
Lady firmly shook her hand, "Xihua is expecting, and she’s always doted on Fourth Girl. If she knew it became an issue, it would be troubling. As for the concubine, there’s even less reason... she’d likely laugh at us rather than show any sympathy."
Nanny Fang lowered her face and said nothing.
Xiqiu was also taking her medicine at the time. Sixing used a warm towel from the stove to apply to Xiqiu’s leg. She looked at Xiqiu’s swollen knee, "They say a woman can tend her previous ailments during confinement. When Miss gives birth, you must take good care."
Xiqiu laughed, "Alright, I’ll leave my post-birth confinement care to you then." Exchanging a glance with Chunyan, they both laughed.