Chapter 3 The fragrance of osmanthus, but she has lost far too much.

Xue Chan's illness became very serious, and she had a fever for two days.

When the news spread, the palace dispatched imperial physicians. The Marquis of Wu'an's residence sent three groups of people to visit him, and also delivered medicinal herbs to the Cheng residence in a continuous stream.

Xue Chan's fever didn't subside until the afternoon of the third day, thus delaying her planned trip to the palace.

She was sick for more than half a month, and by the time she was feeling better, it was already the end of October.

That afternoon.

Cheng Huaizhu sat by her bedside and wiped her hands, while Yun Sheng brought in the medicine.

Xue Chan frowned upon smelling the medicine; she had been taking it for many days. The medicine smelled terribly bitter, so she shook her head in resistance and hid behind the bed.

Cheng Huaizhu grabbed her, snatched the medicine bowl from Yun Sheng's hand, and brought it to Xue Chan's lips, threatening fiercely, "If you don't drink it yourself, I'll force you to drink it."

Xue Chan coughed as she smelled the strong medicinal odor around her mouth, and became even more reluctant to drink.

Seeing that forcing her wouldn't work, she started sobbing again: "You have no idea how worried Her Majesty is. She sends people to check on me every day. Look at me, I've lost weight taking care of you. Don't you feel sorry for me?"

Seeing her tears streaming down her face, Xue Chan reluctantly took the bowl of medicine.

Yun Sheng offered her a spoon, but Xue Chan waved her hand in refusal. Under the eager gazes of the two men, she pinched her nose and drank it all in one gulp.

The sour and bitter taste exploded in her mouth, swept through her throat, and a wave of nausea washed over her. Xue Chan's face turned pale.

Seeing that she was about to vomit, Cheng Huaizhu quickly covered her mouth: "Hold it in! Don't vomit, don't vomit!"

Yun Sheng helped her catch her breath and popped an apricot into Xue Chan's mouth.

The group was exhausted, as if they had just finished a battle, and collapsed onto their beds.

"Get up now! You have no manners!"

When Madam Zhou entered the room and saw the messy scene, she couldn't help but scold in a low voice.

Cheng Huaizhu immediately jumped up and then saw a bright and beautiful young lady following behind her.

Madam Zhou led her to sit down and introduced her to Xue Chan: "This is the wife of Marquis Wu'an."

Xue Chan prepared to get up and bow, but the man pressed her thin shoulders down even faster and pushed her back onto the bed.

"Alright, since you're sick, don't stand on ceremony. I've come today for no other reason than to visit you."

Xue Chan coughed lightly: "Thank you for your concern, Madam."

“My surname is Zheng, and my given name is Tan. We are about the same age, so you can call me Sister Tan.”

Zheng Tan's voice sounded exceptionally warm, which made Xue Chan relax a little.

Madam Zhou said, "Madam Zheng has come several times, but you are seriously ill and it is really not appropriate for you to receive guests, so she has made several wasted trips."

Xue Chan was a little embarrassed, her pale face slightly flushed: "I'm so sorry, it's only because you're so concerned."

Zheng Tan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Oh, what's the big deal? Besides, you're a patient and shouldn't see guests. The old lady asked me to come see you, but I'm happy to go out and have some fun since I can't see her. It's nothing serious, don't worry about it. Now that I see you're looking much better, I can go back and tell my grandmother."

Xue Chan: "Then please convey my greetings to the old lady on my behalf."

“Of course,” Zheng Tan added. “I brought two baskets of Yongping tangerines, which are the most delicious in terms of sweet and sour taste. If you drink too much medicine, your mouth will feel bitter. Eating sweet things will make you feel nauseous. Tangerines are the best way to counteract this.”

"Thank you for your trouble."

Cheng Huaizhu was admiring the beauty before her with her chin in her hand when she caught a glimpse of her mother's displeased gaze. She then pretended to be nonchalant and looked at the tassels on the curtain.

"And another matter—" Zheng Tan's lips parted again, "The tenth of next month is the old lady's birthday. We would like to invite Madam Zhou and the two young ladies to the banquet."

When Cheng Huaizhu was called out, she came to her senses and pointed to herself: "Huh? They actually invited me."

Zheng Tan was amused by her: "Of course."

After visiting, delivering the invitation, and chatting for a while, Zheng Tan took his leave as it was getting late.

Xue Chan began to lie on the bed in a daze.

Why is she going to a banquet as soon as she arrives?

I have to go out and meet guests.

You should give a gift to celebrate a birthday, but what can she give?

It's exhausting.

She fell back, the medicine took effect, and she immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Yun Sheng added two spoonfuls of incense to the incense burner, and the citrus scent gradually intensified. She lit a candle near the window, and the flickering flame chased away the last rays of evening sunlight from the windowsill, eventually disappearing into the dark winter night.

The moon rose from the eaves of the high-flying building, and Zheng Tan walked through the covered corridor, stepping on the moonlight that bathed the ground.

Several old red plum trees stood under the eaves, their vibrant buds piled high, blooming in the wind.

The maid lifted the curtain to announce something, but Zheng Tan stopped her and went straight inside.

The room was as warm as a spring day, and two women with graying temples were playing chess by the window under the lamp.

Zheng Tan walked slowly, and the person to his right dropped a black stone: "Have you seen that girl?"

Seeing that she had been discovered, Zheng Tan simply sat down on the embroidered stool next to her: "I've seen you."

Old Lady Hou raised her head, revealing a warm face.

Although she is getting on in years, her eyes remain firm and bright, and the marks of time add a touch of kindness and gentleness to her smile.

She picked up the eaten piece and dropped a new one: "How is it?"

Zheng Tan got up, picked up the scissors from the embroidery basket, and trimmed the wick of the lamp on the table. The candlelight flickered, becoming a little brighter.

"He's refined and reserved, and even when he's sick he gets thin, but he seems quite well-behaved and sensible. It makes our Erlang seem unruly and unworthy of that girl."

Grandma Qi placed another piece, and the person sitting opposite her placed two more pieces and said, "You've won again."

The players put away the chessboard and removed it.

She gestured for Zheng Tan to sit opposite her and jokingly asked, "So, do you like it?"

Zheng Tan chuckled upon hearing this, then giggled, "What good is it if I like her? She's not going to marry me." She then propped her chin on her hand, "It's a pity I'm not a man, otherwise I would definitely have Erlang give her to me?"

Looking at the unserious Zheng Tan, Old Madam Qi and Mother An exchanged a smile: "Look at what this girl is saying! Aren't you afraid that Daoqing will be jealous?"

Upon hearing her mention Marquis Wu'an, Jiang Ji, Zheng Tan became furious and said, "He wouldn't do that. A few months ago, His Majesty issued an edict, and he left overnight. He didn't even bother to inform me. I was the last to find out."

Grandma Qi patted her hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, he will definitely come back for the New Year."

"However, Miss Xue has just arrived in the capital. Erlang has also been summoned back by His Majesty, and the two children are not familiar with each other. As the eldest sister-in-law, you should visit them more often and let them meet and get to know each other."

Zheng Tan said gently, "Don't worry, that's natural."

As the two continued talking, a young maidservant from the corridor sent word in.

"Grandma, Madam, the Second Young Master and the Third Young Lady have entered the mansion."

"Bring them to Yi'an Hall."

A servant carrying a lantern led the two people, one adult and one child, into Yi'an Hall. First, a pretty young woman came out.

The boy called out to her, "Sister Lvying."

Luying nodded and smiled, "The old lady and madam are already waiting. It's cold outside, Erlang, please take the third young lady inside to pay your respects."

Jiang Ce took the girl's hand and entered the room. Through the swaying beaded curtain, the warm yellow candlelight illuminated the figures of Old Madam Qi and Zheng Tan.

He parted the beaded curtain and strode forward.

The maid placed two cushions down, and Jiang Ce led the little girl to kneel on the cushions and kowtow respectfully.

"This unworthy grandson, Jiang Ce, pays his respects to his grandmother."

"Granddaughter Jiang Yao greets her grandmother. May her grandmother live a long and healthy life."

"Ayao, come here to Grandma." Grandma Qi ignored him, only beckoning to the little girl, pulling her into her arms, and smiling kindly: "Ayao, were you tired from the journey? Did you miss Grandma?"

Jiang Yao blinked, nodded emphatically, and then shook her head.

Grandma Qi asked her jokingly, "Are you not tired, or do you miss your grandmother?"

“I was very tired, but my second brother said that I could see my grandmother when I got home, so I didn’t feel tired anymore. And before I left, my father also said that my grandmother missed me very much and that I should spend time with her.”

Zheng Tan and Lü Ying smiled at each other, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Grandma Qi tapped her nose: "You're just like your father, always good at sweet talk to please people."

Jiang Yao tugged at her sleeve, blinking her eyes rapidly, "Then doesn't Grandmother like it?"

“I love it. Grandma loves Ayao the most.”

"Is Grandma happy that Ayao is back?"

"Of course I'm happy. Grandma has been looking forward to Ayao coming back to keep her company every day."

Jiang Yao hugged her waist, pouted, and began to whine, "Since Grandmother is happy, then don't make Second Brother kneel. The ground is so cold in winter, and Second Brother even got sick on the way."

After Jiang Yao finished speaking, Old Madam Qi looked back at the person who was still kneeling.

"Get up."

Jiang Ce did not get up, but continued to kowtow with his head bowed, his voice slightly choked.

"My grandson is unruly and has angered His Majesty. His grandmother is worried and his elder brother has been reprimanded. It is indeed the fault of the plan."

As the clear and powerful voice fell to the ground, the old lady's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she sighed.

"That's enough, get up."

Jiang Ce stood up; his knees, which had been kneeling for a long time, were a little sore and numb.

Does it hurt?

"This is what I should endure; I dare not complain of the pain."

"Hmph," she said irritably, "So young, yet you do nothing but cause trouble. Do you think I'm living too comfortably?"

Jiang Ce panicked immediately: "Grandmother, please don't say that. I really know I was wrong and I've already changed."

Old Mrs. Qi gave a cold laugh.

“I know you too well. Do you think you were wrong to hit Prince Ning? No, you just think you angered His Majesty and caused your elder brother to be reprimanded by His Majesty.”

"Change? Do you think this is what you've changed?"

Grandma Qi sighed, her voice quickening with anger, "Your brother sent you to Liangzhou to avoid trouble, thinking it would be tough in the army and temper your temper. But what have you done? How old are you? What are you capable of? You dared to chase after the Western Rong army all by yourself and even fought with the son of the Jing'an military governor! If your third uncle hadn't written back to tell me, I wouldn't have known you had such abilities!"

"Just like your father, none of them are easy to deal with, they're all troublemakers."

"Don't think about this anymore. You should stay home and study."

He lowered his head and said, "Please forgive me, grandson, but I absolutely cannot comply."

Jiang Ce's refusal was so decisive that Old Madam Qi gave a bitter smile and asked him, word by word.

"Have you forgotten how your father died? This vast Wu'an Marquis's mansion is now scattered, with some dead and others gone, leaving only you few children. Do you really want to make this old woman, half-buried in the ground, bury her son again? Why are you still so stubborn!"

Jiang Ce stood up from beside Old Madam Qi, lifted his robe and knelt down, his back straight.

"Grandmother, because your grandson is unwilling and resentful."

“I hate that the Western Rong seized my city of Daliang, killed my father, uncles, and soldiers, and harassed the people on the border. I hate that for so many years, my father’s body is still outside the pass and he can’t return home. I hate that I was young and incompetent and could not rush into the enemy’s camp to avenge them.”

"You can hit me or scold me, I'll agree to anything else, but my resolve will never waver."

He raised his face, his expression firm and resolute, his words forceful and clear.

"you!"

Grandma Qi stood up abruptly and pointed at him.

She felt sorry for him and angry, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything to blame him, so she sat back down.

He was filled with hatred, and so was she.

She went to war with her husband when she was young, and gave birth to her eldest son while defending the city. In middle age, her husband and son died on the battlefield one after the other. A few years later, her youngest daughter died in the palace, but this did not diminish her spirit. She raised her children and grandchildren and supported the entire Marquis's mansion.

But she lost far too much.

A note from the author:

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