Chapter 21: The old lady would rather be three points clumsy than show off seven points of ability. ...
Lu Jiaan walked into the room, his shoulders slumped slightly, and he looked discouraged: "Second sister, I seem to have caused you some trouble."
"What?" Chu Yufu was a little confused when she heard her words.
The dim winter light filtered in through the lattice window beside them, falling on the girl's pure and clean profile. Looking at his oblivious sister, Lu Jia'an felt even more guilty. He took a step forward, took her hand, and said dejectedly, "It's a long story..."
The two of them sat in front of the charcoal stove, and Lu Jiaan told them everything.
When she entered Beijing, she encountered bandits and was rescued by Zhao Chunheng and his guards. Later, the two met again in Beijing and had several interactions. She felt a little moved. When she learned that Zhao Chunheng was also at the winter relieving party, she dressed up specially.
During the plum blossom viewing party, Chu Jinhe's poem about snow-viewing drew praise from everyone, so dazzling that even Prince Zhao took a few more glances at her. After the plum blossom viewing, Prince Zhao invited Lu Jiaan to view the ice lanterns, and Chu Jinhe insisted on joining in, turning the group into a threesome. During the meeting, she quoted from classics and talked about the ice lanterns with Prince Zhao, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.
Lu Jiaan couldn't say a word along the way. She wanted to change the subject, but there was nothing new to say for a while. Thinking of how Prince Zhao had mentioned that his grandmother had severe back pain, she rashly mentioned that her second cousin was an excellent doctor and that it was her second cousin who cured her when she was seriously ill before. She wanted to ask the old lady what the symptoms were so that she could ask her second cousin when she got back. Maybe she had a way to cure it.
Prince Zhao's interest piqued, and he stopped talking about the ice lanterns and began discussing his grandmother's condition. Finally, he hoped to invite Miss Chu to visit her in person someday to see how she was doing. Lu Jia'an couldn't refuse, so he agreed.
"It's my fault for being too careless, not speaking from the heart, and having no sense of propriety..." Lu Jiaan lowered his head dejectedly and twisted his handkerchief.
For the first time after being in Beijing for so long, she felt regretful. She regretted why she didn't study hard, so that when her cousin and Brother Zhao were chatting about literature, she couldn't get a word in, and could only stand there like a wooden stake, in a daze.
She was not stupid and could see that Chu Jinhe had the same feelings for Prince Zhao as she did. To be honest, Brother Zhao was a learned and elegant young man, and her cousin was a famous and aloof talented woman in the capital. The picture of the two of them standing together and talking and laughing looked very suitable - at least better than herself, a girl from outside the capital with little knowledge.
At that time, Chu Jinhe was talking about ice lanterns, but not just ice lanterns. When he got excited, he insisted on talking to her. She couldn't respond and felt embarrassed in front of Mr. Zhao. She was very embarrassed. After two or three times, she became anxious and hurriedly brought up the story of her second sister treating her illness.
If my second sister comes to treat the old lady of the Zhao family, and she is cured, then it would be a great success. But if she is not cured, or if the old lady suddenly becomes seriously ill, how can I bear the responsibility?
She bit her lip and said, "Otherwise, when the people from the Marquis' Mansion come to your house, you can just say you are sick, or, or you can just go and have a look, and then say that you can't cure the disease."
Chu Yufu looked at her nervous expression and suddenly smiled, revealing a row of bright white teeth.
Who said this was a bad thing? It was like someone offering a pillow to someone who was sleepy! A few days ago, she was still worried about how a girl like her could make a name for herself in the capital and catch the eye of the General Zhenbei. Her cousin's departure had given her a good job. If she could cure the ancestor of the Mingxuan Marquis family, she wouldn't have to worry about not having a good reputation.
"Cousin, please don't be anxious. Tell me more about the old lady's illness. It sounds familiar to me."
"Brother Zhao said that her grandmother has had this illness for many years. It's not serious, but it's extremely uncomfortable. She gets back pain when she sits or stands for a long time, and it only gets better when she lies down. The pain gets worse if she gets cold, and it's gotten worse recently. Not only does it hurt her back, but she also has numbness and pain in her right hip and leg..."
Seeing her blinking eyes as she listened attentively, Lu Jiaan couldn't help but ask, "Second sister, do you really have a solution?"
Chu Yufu pursed her lips and smiled, "There are some clues, but we'll have to see for the details."
This matter could not be hidden from the grandmother at the cold-eliminating party. Lu Jiaan was a person who could not keep secrets, and he did not want to hide it. The next day, Chu Yufu was called to Cishou Hall by her grandmother, and Master Chu was also present.
Old Mrs. Wei leaned on the couch, holding a beeswax rosary in her hand, while the father and daughter sat below her.
In the quiet sandalwood fragrance, the old lady slowly spoke: "Jia An was indeed reckless in what happened yesterday, but it was not necessarily a bad thing."
Master Chu put down his teacup and replied in a deep voice, "Son, I understand."
The current emperor is already old, and in recent years his ministers have been arguing endlessly about the issue of who should be the crown prince.
The Emperor has three sons: the eldest prince, born to Empress Wu; the second prince, born to Consort Wen; and the third prince, born to Consort Yun. The eldest and second princes are only one year apart in age, and behind them stand the Duke of Jin and the Marquis of Pingjin, respectively. The third prince is still young and is not currently involved in the battle for succession.
He has always been cautious in his official duties, never taking sides easily, and rarely speaking out against the crown prince, but as things progressed, it seemed unavoidable.
He believed he lacked the talent to become a minister, and would be content to hold the position of Vice Minister of Works for the rest of his life. He didn't aspire to rise to prominence under the future Crown Prince, but he also didn't want to risk causing trouble due to a single misstep. The Third Prince's mother, Concubine Yun, was the legitimate daughter of the Mingxuan Marquisate. She enjoyed close ties with the Empress within the palace and was considered a member of the First Prince's wing. If he approached the Mingxuan Marquisate, he would both align himself with the First Prince and avoid getting involved in public controversy. After careful consideration, this seemed like the best option.
The Chu family had no connection with the Mingxuan Marquis Mansion, but when the niece spoke yesterday, it was like building a good ladder.
Chu Yufu had no idea what the two were thinking. After all, "The Marquis's Wife" was just a romance novel, and the court situation was only briefly mentioned as a background. Chu's father, who was involved in the situation, knew everything better. She sat upright and listened to her father.
"When you come to the Marquis's residence for a consultation, remember the saying 'a doctor heals the heart'. Your father doesn't expect you to truly cure the old lady's illness, but as long as you are courteous and do your best to serve her, that will be enough."
Old Madam Wei smiled and said to her, "Old Madam Jiang's illness is a chronic one, and it's been getting better and worse over the years. Your father's message is: when using acupuncture and medicine, it's better to be clumsy than to overdo it. Don't be overconfident when treating patients. Even just taking the pulse is enough. If the patient can't be cured, it's not a big deal, but if something goes wrong, it will be troublesome. Our family only cares about kindness."
After learning about this yesterday afternoon, she asked Mother Yang to go out and investigate. She learned that Madam Jiang had suffered from back pain for nearly ten years. Not only had she been treated by sage doctors outside the palace, but even the imperial physicians in the palace had come to see her. However, none of them had been able to completely cure the old lady, and she could only be slowly nursed back to health.
How much could a young girl like Fu Yatou do for such a strange disease? Although she diagnosed Jia'an's drug rash, didn't Doctor Zhang also see it when he came? It was very different from Madam Jiang's situation.
Chu Yufu was still a little confused, but after her grandmother's explanation, she understood. The two of them didn't think she could really cure any serious illness at all. She could go to the Marquis' Mansion and make herself familiar to the old lady and the wife, and then after taking the pulse, she could just say that she couldn't cure it. This way, she would show her kindness without getting into trouble. It was a smart idea, but wouldn't her plan be ruined?
The words "Maybe I can cure it" swirled around her tongue before being swallowed back. She fluttered her eyelashes and replied sweetly, "Fu'er understands. Please rest assured, Grandma and Daddy."
Father Chu hummed a satisfied sound, and Mrs. Wei said, "You are obedient and sensible, and you do things properly. I have nothing to worry about." Then she waved to Mother Yang to bring a wooden box to her.
Chu Yufu opened the box and saw a crabapple hairpin with excellent water content inside. The old lady said with a smile, "Tomorrow, comb your hair into a heart-shaped bun and wear this hairpin. Go out in a neat and elegant manner. Don't be nervous. I have met Madam Jiang before, and she is not a strict person."
"Yes." Chu Yufu nodded slightly, and the hair on her temples moved slightly.
After saying a few more irrelevant words, Old Lady Wei did not keep the father and daughter any longer. Chu Yufu followed her father and walked out of Cishou Hall.
Her original self, T, and her father weren't particularly close; they were more respectful than affectionate. In all the time she'd been here, she'd never been alone with this new father. The two of them walked out in silence, one after the other, the atmosphere subtly awkward.
After passing through the hanging flower gate, Father Chu suddenly slowed down, as if he wanted to say something. Chu Yufu's mouth reacted faster than her brain, and she subconsciously frowned and said, "I heard that Dad has been very busy with official duties recently, leaving early and returning late. When I saw you today, I found that you have lost a lot of weight... I will make you some nourishing soup later."
Father Chu was stunned when he heard this, and his expression suddenly relaxed. His usually tense face showed a rare softness.
During this period, officials in the ministry had been taking leave one after another, and he had remained as tense as a string until now, not daring to rest even when he had a cold and a cough, often working late into the night at his desk, and then retiring in his study when it got dark. Of his four children, he loved his third son and eldest daughter the most, followed by his second and fourth daughters. Now that he was unwell, the first to come to him to show concern was unexpectedly his second daughter, who was usually the least noticeable.
Thinking back to how she had recently tended to the old lady, and how it was because of her that the Chu family had had the opportunity to establish a conversation with the Marquis of Mingxuan, Father Chu couldn't help but find his second daughter more and more pleasing to the eye. Why hadn't he noticed earlier that Fu'er was such a sensible and filial child? Looking at her pair of dark eyes filled with worry, his heart warmed slightly.
He patted his daughter's narrow shoulders and said slowly, "Your filial piety is enough for your father. You are weak, so just get more rest." He paused and continued, "When you go to the Marquis' Mansion, your every word and action will represent the Chu family. Remember: listen more, talk less, and act prudently."
Chu Yufu lowered her eyes and responded softly.
After returning to Zhuyuyuan, she sat at the desk and thought for a moment, then picked up the medical book she had been reading halfway last night, turned to the page explaining "arthritis" and continued to read carefully.
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