Chapter 10: Catching Typhoid
That day, she came to serve her mother-in-law dinner as usual. Her fourth sister-in-law was telling a joke when she suddenly vomited.
Mrs. Zhao, "I'm fine, what's wrong with you?"
He Lingfei gently blocked her chest and drank a few sips of water. "I just smelled the sandalwood in the room and felt a little nauseous."
Mrs. Zhao had given birth before, so when she heard Concubine He Ling say this, she quickly grabbed her hand and said, "Good girl, you are pregnant."
He immediately ordered Chu Huang, "Quickly put out the sandalwood incense in my room and go get the doctor."
Chunhua Pavilion was bustling with activity, and everyone was smiling. After the doctor left, Madam Zhao told Concubine He Ling what she should pay attention to, and also told her daughter-in-law the interesting story of when she was pregnant with her fourth child.
After listening to the stories about pregnancy, Yu Huatang secretly glanced at her fourth brother's wife's belly and felt envious.
There was nothing for her to do here anymore, so she bowed to her mother-in-law.
In the past few days, there have been maids coming and going in the courtyard, either bringing supplements or fancy clothes.
The second sister-in-law was in charge of the household affairs and also showed the generosity of the head of the family, sending many gifts. Yu Huatang also handed the jade pendant she had put away to Chu He and asked her to pass it on.
Chu He complained, "Madam, it's too early to send it over now. It would be better to wait until the Fourth Madam gives birth to the child."
"Everyone in the mansion says that once the Fourth Madam gives birth, the Second Madam's household duties will likely be taken away by the Fourth Madam. It might be better for you, the Third Madam, to go and deliver the child when that happens."
Yu Huatang was puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
Chu He muttered, "The Second Madam is a vengeful person. If she knew you were trying to curry favor with the Fourth Madam when she was pregnant, she would definitely make things difficult for her in the future."
Yu Huatang disagreed, "It's just to add some joy, why go through so much trouble?"
Chu He, "That's because you didn't notice, Madam. The Second Madam never took you seriously. Didn't you not send her any gifts when she was pregnant?"
Yu Huatang remembered that when her second sister-in-law was pregnant, she had a conflict with Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan was forced to come to her room by his mother. At that time, she was preoccupied with how they would get along in the future, and indeed she had never given a gift to her second sister-in-law.
Thinking of this, she felt a little tired.
Seeing her deep in thought, Chu He muttered, "Madam, why don't you try to get some money? The Second Madam has a child, and the Fourth Madam is pregnant again. Madam is the best candidate right now."
Yu Huatang didn't say anything.
What could she use to fight? None of the servants in the mansion were afraid of her. She couldn't figure out the relationships between people, and she had no idea who was a close friend of whom.
The last time she was in charge of the household, a servant falsely accused her of taking bribes. She was young then, but now she understands. I'm afraid everyone in this mansion knows that she was wrongly accused, but no one is willing to stand up for her...
Even Zhao Yan, after hearing this, said, "Second sister-in-law is more suitable."
So what does she have to fight for...
A month after Zhao Yan left, news came from the Ministry of Works that a newly repaired dam was leaking and the project needed to be postponed.
Anfu came back from the Ministry of Works and told Zhao Yan what he needed.
After hearing this, Madam Zhao frowned worriedly. "Is your young master okay there? Besides some medicine for the typhoid fever, is there anything else he needs?"
Anfu replied, "Master, you've been busy all day. Although it's tiring, I think you're in good spirits. This time you caught a cold because a colleague had passed away."
"The young master said that if there is any fresh food at home, we should bring some over. It will only be one meal. He has been suffering from typhoid fever recently and has no appetite. The Ministry of Works is serving large dishes, so he will eat less."
Mrs. Zhao was extremely worried after hearing this. This was her favorite child, and now he had typhoid fever and couldn't eat. She hurriedly asked Anfu to go to the pharmacy to get some medicine, and asked the kitchen to prepare some light food. She told Yu Huatang to send it over as soon as possible tomorrow.
Yu Huatang asked about the ingredients prepared by the kitchen and felt that they were all meat and a bit greasy, but it was her mother-in-law's idea after all, so she couldn't just refuse it.
I remembered that there is a dish called Runbing in my hometown. It is made by wrapping shredded carrots, bean sprouts, shredded tofu, seaweed and other ingredients in a thin dough. It tastes refreshing and the ingredients inside have some health-enhancing effects.
The next day, they started preparing before dawn. After they were done, Anfu also came to invite people.
In the carriage, she was happy to see Zhao Yan, but also worried about his health.
She guessed that Zhao Yan's condition was definitely not just a simple typhoid fever. Given his personality, such an illness would never bring Anfu back.
She carefully checked the things she was going to take with her several times before she felt relieved.
The carriage finally arrived after an hour's journey.
Yu Huatang brought Chu He and An Fu down from the carriage and explained the reason to the officers and soldiers guarding the gate.
The man said, "This is an important place for officials. You need a gate pass to enter or exit."
Just as Anfu was about to look for her, someone came out and asked, "Why is my sister-in-law here? Are you here to see Master Zhao?"
Qiao Qingxian walked over slowly and said to the officers and soldiers, "This is Master Zhao Yan's wife."
The officer guarding the gate said, "I am short-sighted, but the higher-ups have issued an order that even officials and their families can only enter alone."
Qiao Qingxian ignored the man and said to Yu Huatang, "Sister-in-law, please follow me."
Yu Huatang picked up his things and walked through the gate. Rows of palaces and newly separated houses stood before him.
At this time, Qiao Qingxian said, "I'm really sorry for what happened last time, my sister-in-law. Everyone thinks that Zhao Yan and the one from the He family have lost their marriage, but in my opinion, my sister-in-law is the most suitable person for Zhao Yan."
Yu Huatang was a little stunned.
He continued to explain, "I've heard a bit about my sister-in-law's awkward situation in the Zhao family. But I have something to say. Zhao Yan's current treatment of my sister-in-law probably means he's still holding a grudge. He's not the heartless person my sister-in-law thinks he is."
Yu Huatang was puzzled, "Why did Master Qiao say that?"
Qiao Qingxian led the group and said, "Zhao Yan was unhappy about being suddenly asked to marry his sister-in-law. At the time, he was arrogant and proud, and a new noble in the court. Naturally, many people flattered him, and he naturally felt resentful."
After saying that, he whispered again, "He accidentally said this when he was drunk last time. My sister-in-law, just pretend you don't know."
"After crossing the bridge ahead, the third room on the right is Zhao Yan's rest room. Qiao will take his leave first. Sister-in-law, take care."
Yu Huatang stopped and looked back at Qiao Qingxian's leaving figure, feeling anxious and confused.
Is it true that my husband is just holding grudges as he said?
She gathered her thoughts and walked quickly towards the rest room. As she was almost there, she faintly heard a woman's voice, "Zhao Yan, thank you for sending the false accusation list to my father last time."
"Father has lost all his energy. Although his defense testimony has been submitted to the Dali Temple, he has also expressed his intention to retire and return home."
A long-lost cool voice sounded, "It's just a small effort. I'm very lucky that my uncle is safe."
"Last time I heard, your uncle has arranged another marriage for you."
The woman's voice was desolate. "I've already refused. My heart is dead. I won't do anything that would delay others."
The room was silent for a long time, and a cool voice sounded, "...I have delayed you after all."
"If I may, I would like to..."
Yu Huatang felt a pang of pain in her heart, afraid of what he was about to say.
At this time, the patrolling official called out, "Who is this official's family member?"
Yu Huatang calmly replied, "I am the wife of Lord Zhao."
The patrolling officials did not stop after hearing this, and the people in the house also got up and came out after hearing the conversation outside.
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