"What did you say? Aunt Xiang has left the courtyard?"
Madam Wu sat in front of her dressing table, and her maid was doing her makeup in front of the mirror. When she heard the maid's report, she was somewhat surprised.
The beaded flowers in her hands left red marks on her delicate little hands, yet she felt no pain.
The maid who came to report lowered her eyes, not daring to look up, and carefully answered, recalling what she had just witnessed.
"Yes. This servant saw with her own eyes that Consort Xiang took the child and went to the west courtyard to admire the flowers."
Madam Wu put down the pearl hairpin and waved her hand behind her. The maid who was dressing up immediately stopped and took two steps back.
Madam Wu turned to the side and looked at the bowing maid. A hint of disbelief flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
To avoid missing any details, she asked again, "How long were they gone?"
The maid thought for a moment, estimated the time, and under Madam Wu's pressure, her voice trembled as she spoke, "I saw them stay in a corner of the west courtyard for nearly an hour, until Fifth Miss started crying, and then I hurriedly rushed back."
Madam Wu stared at the maid's expression and was certain that she wouldn't dare to lie.
However, Aunt Xiang's urinary incontinence symptoms were more severe than when she gave birth.
It's unbelievable that I can go out and stay for an hour now without anything happening.
What kind of miraculous medicine did she take to cure this hidden illness?
Madam Wu was eager to know the reason behind it, and she said sternly, "Investigate! Find out exactly what kind of miracle drug she used!"
"Report on her recent food, clothing, and daily necessities; the guests visiting her courtyard; and which doctors she has recently hired. If the herbalist is found entering the mansion, inform her immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." After receiving the order, the maid hurriedly retreated, fearing that the Madam might punish her severely if she was displeased.
After the maid left, Madam Wu sat up straight again and looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her face was still the same, but there were a few wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She secretly suppressed her displeasure.
"Hurry up and get ready."
Today she has to attend the wedding banquet of a wealthy salt merchant in the border town. No matter how favored Aunt Xiang was in the past, she is still someone who cannot be brought to the table.
She also had to represent the General's Mansion by attending a merchant's banquet, which was a great honor for them.
Speaking of this, she was somewhat displeased. She didn't know what the general was thinking, actually asking her to support a mere merchant!
Aunt Xiang carried Xiao Lingyue back to her own courtyard, closed the door, and then fed her milk.
Xiangling poured a glass of cold water from the table and handed it to Aunt Xiang.
"The head of Kang Le Township said that you should not drink tea now, so please have a cup of water instead, Auntie."
Aunt Xiang took the cup, drank it all in one gulp, and then returned the cup to Xiangling.
She said, "When I was at home, life was not easy. I didn't even know what tea looked like or what it tasted like. These years, thanks to the general, I have been living a good life."
She chuckled self-deprecatingly, "It's true what they say: it's easy to go from luxury to simplicity."
When this was mentioned, Xiangling couldn't help but be curious. Since Aunt Xiang was illiterate, why was it so hard for anyone to find fault with her words? Even the First Madam couldn't get a hold of Aunt Xiang, who was so soft and gentle.
What Xiangling didn't know was that Aunt Xiang had been sold to others by her family when she was young. After several years of education, she naturally wouldn't be easily found fault with, since there were very few people left who had lived with her back then.
Once the baby is fed, at this stage, all the baby does is eat and sleep, and he still fusses every night. Even so, Aunt Xiang still loves this flesh of her own flesh and blood dearly.
Xiangling took the young lady from her and carried her into the small wooden bed to sleep.
Then, they prepared medicine for Aunt Xiang and applied it to her stomach.
Aunt Xiang unbuttoned her inner garment, and soon felt a cool sensation on her belly.
Xiangling was surprised to find that "Auntie, the stretch marks on your belly have really faded a lot."
When Aunt Xiang heard Xiangling's exclamation, she tried to get up. With Xiangling's help, she stood up and looked down to find that the stretch marks on her belly had indeed faded considerably.
"That's wonderful! Xiangling, that's really wonderful!"
Aunt Xiang was too excited and kept repeating the same two sentences.
Xiangling was happy for her too, "Yes, that's wonderful."
Previously, whenever Aunt Xiang saw the markings on her belly, she would look sullen. She said that if it weren't for the fact that Miss was still young, she would be afraid that Aunt Xiang would do something foolish.
That's great! The stretch marks on my stomach have faded. Maybe after using it a few more times, they'll disappear completely.
Thinking this, Xiangling wished she could run to the Lady of Kangle Township and kowtow to her properly.
If it weren't for the village head's superb medical skills and his willingness to accept Aunt Xiang's status and give her a bottle of miraculous medicine...
The two of them, mistress and servant, truly had no hope left.
Xiangling applied both kinds of medicine to Aunt Xiang's body. While the child was asleep, Aunt Xiang did the Kegel exercises that Lu Qiqi had taught her on the bed.
After she finished ten sets of exercises, Xiangling quickly handed her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.
After wiping away the sweat, she instantly felt much better. Aunt Xiang said softly, "Xiangling, pour me a glass of water."
"Oh," this time, Xiangling didn't pour cold water, but poured a cup of warm water instead.
Even in summer, one should never indulge in too much coolness, or it will be difficult to deal with if it harms one's health.
Now that the First Madam sees that the concubine is out of favor, she not only allows the servants to embezzle her allowance, but it will probably not be easy for her to call a doctor in the future.
The concubine knew nothing of these matters, but as the concubine's personal maid, she had to be careful.
...
Madam Wu returned from the salt merchants' banquet, patting herself twice with a handkerchief in disgust. As soon as she stepped into the Wu residence, she saw the maid who had come to report earlier walking quickly toward her.
Madam Wu's personal maidservant looked at the maidservant and said loudly, "What kind of behavior is this, all flustered? If you have something to say, go back to the courtyard and explain."
The maidservant bowed and stepped back, and Madam Wu returned to the East Courtyard surrounded by servants.
Upon hearing the maid's report, Madam Wu was surprised to find that Princess Kangle, a young girl who had just come of age, could possess such great abilities.
However, what she couldn't understand was why she would repeatedly visit a concubine to treat her illness.
But that's fine too. Since she's willing to treat even a concubine, then surely the mistress of the house, Princess Kang Le, would not refuse.
She said, "Send someone to inform the general that I am feeling unwell after attending a banquet today, and ask him to invite the Princess of Kangle Township to the mansion for treatment."
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