Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Returning Home (Part 5)
Nanny Qian’s gaze flickered slightly, then she smiled and said, "I was wondering what was the big deal. You go back first, I’ll send someone to deliver it to you later." Dongqing’s eyes lit up, "Thank you, Nanny!"
"You hurry along with your tasks then. If anything comes up, just send someone to find me." Dongqing was overjoyed. Ever since the concubine and Seventh Young Master left, she had been alone in the courtyard, often struggling to find her next meal. Whenever she went to the kitchen for food, those matrons would either give her hard, cold buns or half a bowl of bland porridge. But now, finally, the concubine was safely back, and even brought along the First Master. She knew her days of hardship were over!
Nanny Qian watched Dongqing hop away with joy, and she exhaled softly, her gaze distant towards the direction of the West Courtyard, murmuring, "Looks like the winds are changing."
Three days later marked Tong Xihua’s death anniversary. The Grand Dowager sent Nanny Wu to Fahua Temple for three days to hold the Water and Land Dharma Assembly. Xiao Yanyi took Xing to honor Tong Xihua. Meanwhile, the Lady personally went to Puji Temple to perform rites for Tong Xihua in the morning. In front of the Buddha, Xiqiu, alongside the Lady, burned the forty-nine copies of the Ksitigarbha Sutra she had painstakingly copied. The Lady cried for a while, then wiped her tears and approached Xiqiu with reddened eyes, holding her hand, "You’ve truly grown thinner. I’ve heard from your eldest brother that you’ve fallen ill. You’re so stubborn, this girl! We’ve gone back and forth so many times to bring you home, yet you insisted on holding out until today. How about... today you must follow your mother back."
Xiqiu lowered her eyes, her face devoid of color, tinted with a dark greenish hue. Her voice was weak, as if each breath required immense effort, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. I vowed to mourn for Sister for three years, and now it’s barely been one year. How could I possibly return home yet."
The Lady furrowed her brow and scolded, "I say you’re stubborn, and you truly defy your mother this way. Your body is already in this state, how can you not return to seek proper medical attention? Your mother has a frail fate, and I can’t bear it if you have further troubles. How will I live then?" She spoke, then pulled out a handkerchief and began to sob softly.
Xiqiu subtly raised her eyebrows and glanced at Master Puning. Master Puning smiled and stepped forward, addressing the Lady, "Madam, you mustn’t let your thoughts drift wildly, and Sixth Miss, you should no longer cling to this. The eighty-one days previously mentioned have now doubled, and the affliction has been removed; it’s time Miss should return to the mansion. Regarding First Miss Tong’s mourning, returning home to observe it is quite acceptable."
This provided an exit for both parties. The Lady, listening, wiped her tears and nodded, "Master speaks reasonably!" Xiqiu put on a reluctant expression. The Lady was about to persuade her further when Xiqiu suddenly swayed and fell straight to the ground.
Chunyan and Chunliu hurriedly ran over to catch Xiqiu!
Frowning, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. Master Puning was also startled, quickly ordering someone to fetch a doctor, "Quick, carry Sixth Miss back to her room." Tong Shen Zhi personally drove the carriage into town to find a doctor. A group of people stood by the bed. An unfamiliar doctor arrived, silently taking her pulse, first checking the left hand as if unsure, then switching to the right. After a moment, he turned around, surprised, asking Xiqiu’s personal maid, "Has Miss suffered any external injury recently?"
Chunyan hurriedly replied, "On her neck, there is a wound." The doctor slightly opened Xiqiu’s collar to examine it closely. The Lady’s face changed as she asked, "Sixth Girl’s symptoms? Doctor, have you identified the cause?"
The doctor examined for a long time, then turned around with a strange expression. He glanced at the Lady and hesitated, "Miss’s condition is peculiar, resembling tetanus... yet it’s not quite..." He spoke ambiguously, standing up and shaking his head, "Apologies for my lack of expertise. I suggest, Madam and Young Master, call for someone more skilled!" Saying this, he picked up his medicine chest and, despite everyone’s attempts to retain him, insisted on leaving.
They’ve seen the doctor’s attitude many times. If it truly was a failure to diagnose, why did he change his expression? By leaving insistently, it’s clear he finds the waters at the grand mansion too deep, unwilling to immerse himself in the oddity of Sixth Miss’s illness!
Chunyan cried against Xiqiu, while Chunliu knelt before the Lady, "Madam, please call more doctors for Sixth Miss, the maid begs you!"
As if she wouldn’t want Sixth Girl diagnosed! The Lady’s face froze with anger, looking back at Tong Shen Zhi, "Have the servants prepare the sedan, first bring your Sixth Sister back to the mansion." Tong Shen Zhi glanced at Xiqiu, lying on the bed with weak breath. He frowned slightly and went out.
Xi’er had imagined various ways Xiqiu would return, but never thought Xiqiu would be carried back. Seeing Xiqiu’s noticeably thinner face, she covered her handkerchief and cried. Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu also came to see Xiqiu, but since Xiqiu was asleep, the two sat facing each other, wiping tears for half the day. Only when Doctor Hu and the Imperial Physician, still summoned by Second Master from the palace, arrived, did they stop their tears.
The Lady was irritated by the crying. If she had died, it might have been simpler, but with things like this, surely this girl is doing it on purpose! The Imperial Physician, after examining her, also appeared somewhat vague like the previous doctor. Doctor Hu checked the pulse gently, exchanged glances with the Imperial Physician, seeing surprise in each other’s eyes. Being familiar with the Tong Mansion, Doctor Hu showed fewer reservations, glancing at everyone before stating, "Sixth Miss seems... poisoned..." sounding a bit uncertain.
Such a remark stirred a massive reaction.
Poisoned? How could she be poisoned?
The Lady furrowed her brow subtly. Could it be that those people’s blades were poisoned? But those few people are still neither alive nor dead — even if asked, there’s no one to inquire!
Tong Shen Zhi narrowed his gaze, asking solemnly, "Have you identified the poison? How could it have been contracted? Is there a cure?" The Imperial Physician stroked his beard, "If it really is poison, then it likely seeped through the wound. As for whether it’s toxic and what kind, this old man can’t conclude." He finished, looking at Doctor Hu, "Do you have any insights?"
Doctor Hu also shook his head, at a loss, saying, "I dare not determine myself; further examination is needed." He paused, seeing the faces inside the room change, and explained further, "However, looking at this situation, there doesn’t seem to be an immediate threat to life. Allow me to return and consult medical texts. If First Young Master can find the source of the poison, it should make things significantly easier. If a cure can be found within seven days, Sixth Miss can be saved, though if not..." His words faded, ending with a regretful shake.
Tong Xiyan began to weep softly, holding with Chunliu, while Chunyan also cried!
The Imperial Physician also stroked his beard, "This poison is quite peculiar; I too will investigate... If there’s any information, I shall send word!" He stated, then addressed Tong Shen Zhi, "I will first prescribe some medicine to stabilize her condition. If any changes occur within these seven days, please have Lord Tong send someone to the palace to notify me." Doctor Hu nodded slightly.
Tong Shen Zhi took the prescription and responded, "Thank you, both, for your trouble."
The Lady was raging at this moment, in eight days First Master would return to the mansion, and Sixth Girl being like this wouldn’t be optimal for him to witness.