Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Injured (5)
The Third Prince turned back and patted Xiao Yanyi’s shoulder, with a half-smile he said, "Yanyi, you go ahead with your tasks." As he spoke, he swung his sleeve and strode away!
Fourth Master Xiao stopped in his tracks and gave Xiqiu a meaningful look! The Third Prince, walking away, asked, "Is this Sixth Miss really just Yanyi’s cousin?"
Fourth Master Xiao remained silent, and the Third Prince nodded, saying, "So he has a taste for this too!" Then he laughed ambiguously, and Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows and changed the subject: "I heard the Third Prince rented the whole Jingchun Courtyard on the second day of the second month?"
The Third Prince’s interest was immediately piqued by this interruption, and with enthusiasm he said, "You know?" Then he laughed again, "I forgot, you are well-versed in this!" The two gradually walked further away.
Meanwhile, Nanny Lin stared in shock at the Third Prince’s departing figure, wondering why this was different from what the Second Madam had said. She clearly saw the Third Prince’s gaze fall on Sixth Miss with amazement, so why did he change his mind so quickly? She turned back to look at Xiao Yanyi, who was speaking with Sixth Miss in the pavilion, his brows furrowed in seriousness—such an expression she had never seen on Xiao Yanyi’s face before.
The eldest daughter has been married here for nine years, yet her husband has never spoken to her in such a manner!
Nanny Lin was deeply shocked, turning away from the matters in the pavilion and Tong Xiyu, she quickly ran back to Tong Xihua’s courtyard.
Tong Xiyu stood dumbfounded outside the pavilion, finally understanding what had transpired!
Seeing Nanny Lin rush away, Xiao Yanyi’s face turned icy. When the sedan chair arrived, he had Xiqiu carried to the Changchun Garden, and he ordered her placed on the kang in the Warm Pavilion, telling someone to warm the bed before he sat down to speak: "This place may be modest, as it hasn’t been lived in for a while. Please rest here, endure it a bit until the Imperial Physician arrives to examine you, then we’ll send you back."
Xiqiu nodded, glanced at Chunyan, who perceptively took Xi’er and spoke to Nanny Song, "Nanny, accompany me to boil some hot water." She said this without caring whether Nanny Song was willing or not, leading her out. Tong Xiyu sat on the chair opposite Xiao Yanyi, her gaze falling upon his face, and Xiqiu glanced at Tong Xiyu, smiling at Xiao Yanyi, "Thank you, brother-in-law, for your help today." With that, she sought to get off the kang to express gratitude to Xiao Yanyi.
Xiao Yanyi intended to stop Xiqiu, but she sidestepped his arm to avoid it, still kneeling to pay respects: "If my eighth sister and I have been inappropriate, please forgive us, brother-in-law." Changing from her earlier intimacy, reverting to her previous distant demeanor.
Xiao Yanyi looked disappointed, nodding at Xiqiu to indicate she should sit down and talk. Xiqiu resumed her seat on the kang, and Xiao Yanyi asked, "Did you and your eighth sister come to the mansion this morning? Was there a reason for it?"
Xiqiu glanced at Tong Xiyu and replied, "Not really, our elder sister sent Nanny Lin to invite us over for a chat, but after a while, our elder sister said she was tired, so Nanny Lin took us for a walk in the courtyard. My eighth sister and I said we wanted to return, but Nanny Lin said to wait a bit longer, and then we met you."
Xiao Yanyi’s hands tightened on his knees. So it was Tong Xihua’s doing; she knew the Third Prince would visit the mansion and deliberately had the two sisters come over. Her ulterior motives were clear without him having to think it over—obvious at a glance!
Though not her real sisters, she shouldn’t have done such a thing!
He understood Xiqiu’s earlier unusual behavior. She couldn’t refuse the arrangements of her stepmother and elder sister, nor could she get into a direct confrontation with Nanny Lin, much less do anything improper in front of the Third Prince, so she used this seemingly disgraceful method to protect herself.
The Third Prince, being of high status, would never vie with him over a woman! Moreover, this woman was his wife’s sister!
Though risky, it was executed brilliantly!
His initial disappointment transformed into a full-hearted sympathy and temporary admiration. Looking at her, Xiao Yanyi stated, "I’ve got things covered at your elder sister’s end. I’ll arrange for someone to escort you both back to the mansion shortly."
Xiqiu gave him a grateful look, "Thank you, brother-in-law." At that moment, Chunyan led the Imperial Physician in, prompting Xiao Yanyi to step outside. The Imperial Physician took Xiqiu’s pulse and examined her leg, shaking his head he said, "The young lady’s leg mustn’t be exposed to cold or stress anymore, or else the consequences will be unimaginable."
Xiqiu nodded slightly, fully aware of the consequences, and said to the Imperial Physician, "Though medications are applied daily, the results aren’t satisfactory. I would trouble you to administer acupuncture." The physician looked at Xiqiu’s knee, swollen like a bun, and nodded, "It’s the only way. However, once we start the acupuncture, it cannot be interrupted; it must be continuous for half a month!"
Xiqiu lowered her face, her gaze subtly shifting. The skills of the imperial physicians are meticulously screened, qualifying them to serve in the palace, so they are naturally the best. Requesting an imperial physician to visit the mansion is a privilege not every official has; even First Master Tong’s rank does not qualify, nor is Second Master Tong able to summon an imperial physician at will.
Only a household like the Marquis Mansion can take a token to the palace to share resources with the highest authorities at any time.
Xiqiu understood this well, nodding, "Please, do perform the acupuncture." The physicians silently took the needles and attentively administered acupuncture for Xiqiu, who bearing the pain, bent down to instruct Chunyan in whispers, leaving Chunyan incredulous, "Miss..." But Xiqiu, with a furrowed brow, remarked, "If we remain meek and retreat, who can save us? Go!"
Chunyan nodded, determined as if it were do or die. Xiqiu then turned to the Imperial Physician, "May I ask your name? Also, please make sure to inform Second Master Xiao of my condition after we leave." Raising a brow, the Imperial Physician was surprised, so Xiqiu explained with a smile, "I don’t want him worrying."
The Imperial Physician nodded.
Outside the hall, Xiao Yanyi stood by the door as Tong Xiyu nervously stood behind him. After hesitating for a while, she spoke up, "Brother-in-law, did we cause you trouble today?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yanyi only just noticed Tong Xiyu’s presence, raising his brow with a faint smile as he shook his head, "No, brother-in-law troubled you and your sixth sister!" He finished with a slight sigh.
Tong Xiyu, unsure of the context, cautiously asked, "Is Sixth Sister’s leg not going to recover?" Xiao Yanyi frowned and shook his head in denial, and Tong Xiyu sighed, "If it continues to hurt like this every day, even if it heals in the future it might be crippled!"
This implied to Xiao Yanyi that even if Xiqiu’s leg healed, she might become lame!
Xiao Yanyi waved away her concerns, "Eighth sister needn’t worry, with the Imperial Physician here, there must be a way."
Tong Xiyu cautiously caught a glance of Xiao Yanyi and then dropped her gaze, thinking perhaps that with such a leg issue, one visit from the Imperial Physician might not be enough, right?! Furthermore, how could Lady ever request Second Master to have the Imperial Physician come for Sixth Sister?!
Tong Xiyu showed a stoic face as she turned, recalling her concubine mother’s words from this morning, "The eldest daughter’s health declines by the day, it would be good if you could move around!"