Chapter 215: Chapter 215: Frail Child (3)
The Grand Dowager nodded, "Go!" and then turned to Nanny Wu, "See Nanny Jiang off."
Nanny Wu acknowledged and accompanied Nanny Jiang to the corridor.
On the road, Xiqiu and Xiao Yanzheng walked side by side, casually asking, "Sigh! Weren’t things fine just a few days ago?"
Xiao Yanzheng glanced back at Tong Xihua’s room, lowering her voice, "I don’t know what happened. She woke up with sudden stomach pains, and Mother immediately sent for Second Brother and the Imperial Physician. When the physician arrived, he just shook his head. If it weren’t for the face of the Marquis Mansion, he would have left already..." She sighed with concern, puzzled, "How could things suddenly turn like this?"
Xiqiu was also secretly puzzled, feeling something was strange, yet couldn’t pinpoint what exactly!
Lady sat at Tong Xihua’s bedside, looked at her bloodless face, her eyes slightly red, "Why do you insist on holding on? It’s only been two days since childbirth, and considering your condition, surviving is already a great blessing. You should take care of your body; think of Xing if not for yourself." Lady paused, squinting at Tong Xihua again, "I haven’t had a chance to talk to you these past days. I have something to ask you. In terms of childbirth, there are usually signs of premature birth. It can’t be for no reason... I asked Nanny Lin carefully, and she said there were no signs, no accidents, so how could it be like this?" Nanny Lin, having given birth to four children with rich experience, enjoyed the deep trust of Lady, so she was chosen to accompany Tong Xihua to the Marquis Mansion. Afterward, Lady interrogated Nanny Lin thoroughly, but she claimed she noticed nothing, saying that in the morning, the young lady suddenly cried of stomach pain, followed by bleeding.
This matter indeed seemed a bit peculiar!
Tong Xihua thought of Xing’s frail body and the conversation between the Imperial Physician and the Grand Dowager outside the room: "Grand Dowager, there’s something I don’t know if I should say."
The Grand Dowager said, "We’ve known each other for many years. The late Marquis specifically mentioned that you are the only trustworthy one in the Imperial Hospital. Now, our Marquis Mansion is going through turbulent times, and your presence is a great honor. Please speak freely if you have something to say!"
The Imperial Physician hesitated briefly, "Although the young master is currently not in serious danger, he has some congenital deficiencies due to premature birth. I’m afraid he also..." I’m afraid he won’t survive long.
He stopped at that point, leaving his statement unfinished. Yet the Grand Dowager understood his implication, her face showing a pained expression, as she pressed on, "In your opinion, how long can he last?"
The Imperial Physician shook his head, "If carefully cared for, three to five years..." He sighed heavily, and the Grand Dowager sat silently in a chair outside, speechless for a long time. Inside, she suddenly swooned, everything going dark. The child she had eagerly awaited, carried for eight months and birthed through great hardship, how could he be congenitally deficient?! How could he only live to five years old? Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!
Tong Xihua closed her eyes in pain, without saying a word. Lady thought she was tired, sighed, and said, "Get some good rest; the most urgent thing regardless of anything else is to first nurse your body back to health, everything else is on me!"
"Mother!" Tong Xihua suddenly opened her eyes, which were dim and lifeless, but they suddenly shone brightly. She squinted her eyes and said, "Mother, I want to discuss something with you."
Lady looked startled and examined her carefully, "What is it? Speak up!"
Tong Xihua hesitated for a moment, "Mother, the Second Young Master’s title has always been up in the air. My mother-in-law has also inquired in many ways, spending no small amount of silver. Only recently did we find out it might be the work of the Third Prince. The Second Young Master even went to see Second Uncle for this, but he was also powerless. Nowadays, it’s not as if the Third Prince consults him on everything, he didn’t know this in advance at all." Lady listened carefully, and Tong Xihua continued, "You also know Xing’s frail condition, and now my body has become like this, with no clue how long I’ll live. I must see the Second Young Master inherit the title and establish Xing as the Princely Heir before I close my eyes, so that in the future, Xing will have the protection of the Princely Heirship and will not be bullied by others because of his condition!" If he becomes the Princely Heir, the Grand Dowager would surely be even more attentive, perhaps Xing could live a long life...
Lady frowned, seeming to ponder the meaning behind Tong Xihua’s words. As Tong Xihua spoke, she coughed a few times, and each jolt of her body made the room’s bloody scent grow stronger. Lady took Tong Xihua’s hand, saying, "You should rest first. Whatever it is, we can talk about it tomorrow."
Tong Xihua firmly shook her head, "Mother, let me finish." She breathed heavily, and after recovering slightly, she continued, "The Third Prince is high in power; ordinary means won’t suffice. He usually has no particular hobbies. Even the Grand Dowager has no approach to him. However, I know what he likes..." Lady was taken aback and blurted, "What does he like?"
"Young boys!" Tong Xihua clutched her chest, her voice growing weaker. Lady lowered her head to get closer, and Tong Xihua whispered a few words into her ear, changing Lady’s expression drastically as she straightened up and said, "No way!"
"Mother! It’s just a concubine’s daughter, why hesitate to part!"
Lady’s face turned stern, her tone sour, "It’s not about whether I want to part or not, it’s about the Tong Mansion’s reputation. If things are as you say, our family will certainly be labeled as selling our daughters for glory. How will your father and elder brother face the court? How can we face others in the future?" She paused, her attitude resolute, "Let this matter end here. Don’t think about it again."
"Mother!" Tong Xihua grasped Lady’s hand, but the latter seemed unyielding, her eyes flickered as she reluctantly nodded. Seeing her like this, Lady couldn’t help but soften her heart, comforting, "Don’t worry about this matter. The Grand Dowager will not sit idly by; she will find ways from different angles. If all fails, we’ll write to your father to come back, discuss with him and then decide what to do."
Tong Xihua silently nodded and closed her eyes, saying to Lady, "Mother, I’m tired. I’ll sleep first." Lady looked at her with affection, nodded slightly, and as Tong Xihua fell asleep, she tucked her in, turned around, and went to sit for a while in Xing’s room, giving a few instructions to the nurse. She called Nanny Lin over and reminded her, "You must be ever vigilant with the young lady and Xing’s matters; there can’t be any negligence. If something happens, return to the mansion and inform me. Don’t make decisions privately!"
Nanny Lin was momentarily stunned but nodded, "I understand!" Lady nodded, was assisted by Nanny Fang and Daihe to the Grand Dowager’s room, sat for a while, and arranged to meet with Madam Zhou after the New Year. Madam Zhou examined Tong Xiyan carefully for a moment, asking many questions before the group dispersed from the Marquis Mansion.
Xiqiu went back to the Tong Mansion with Lady. Lady continued to visit the Marquis Mansion every other day, and after two visits, the New Year arrived. The mansion was decorated with lanterns and festoons, finally showing a bit of vitality. On New Year’s Eve, after having dinner, Xiqiu spent the night with Sixing, Chunyan, and Chunliu. The next morning, Tong Shen Zhi personally set off the firecrackers, opened the mansion doors, and welcomed the new year.