"Mother, are you really alright?"
Jiang Segu asked again, still not entirely convinced.
In the past, when my mother was sick, she would indeed avoid my brother and me, afraid of catching her illness. But today... perhaps it's because I'm anxious, I can't calm down without seeing my mother!
Grandma Jiang tidied herself up with her hands, pulled the quilt up a bit, and then lifted the curtain.
"What could possibly be wrong with Mother! Hurry up and go, don't delay tomorrow's business."
When Jiang Segu saw that Grandma Jiang was willing to lift the curtain, he was about to step forward when Grandma Jiang stopped him in time.
She covered her mouth and nose with her hand and urged Jiang Segu, "Why are you so disobedient, child! Don't get too close to your mother, or you'll catch a cold!"
Then he called to Xiuhe, "Quickly take the Sixth Miss out!"
Xiuhe then lifted the curtain and came in, supporting Jiang Segu. "Sixth Miss, Third Mistress is not feeling well. Please let Third Mistress rest well. It's not too late to come and talk to Third Mistress after you've seen the Eldest Miss off tomorrow!"
Jiang Segu glanced at Grandma Jiang reluctantly, "Mother, I'll be going now. Please rest well, I'll come to see you again tomorrow!"
After Jiang Segu left, Grandma Jiang, who hadn't shed a tear since returning from Puji Temple, burst into tears like pearls from a broken string. She stuffed the quilt into her mouth to avoid making a sound...
Jiang Segu was going to take stock of the dowry for Jiang Chuhui with Xiuhe, so Jiang Chuhui couldn't go with him.
"Sixth Sister, it's getting late, I should go back to my courtyard!"
"Okay, big sister, drive carefully!"
Jiang Chuhui nodded to Jiang Segu, turned around and took a few steps, then stopped and said to Jiang Segu, "I think Third Aunt isn't feeling well, Sixth Sister, you should spend more time with Third Aunt!"
"I understand, thank you for your concern, big sister!"
Jiang Chuhui looked at Jiang Segu, who seemed not to have understood the meaning of her words, and said, "Third Aunt is always a reliable person, and what she prepares is definitely not wrong. If Sixth Sister has some free time, please ask a doctor to come to the manor to examine Third Aunt!"
He left without waiting for Jiang Segu's reply.
Jiang Segu watched her departing figure, wondering: What's wrong with my eldest sister? Is there something she can't say directly? Or is she truly worried about Mother's health?
Xiuhe, standing to the side, also said, "Yes, young lady, even if we don't find a doctor from outside to examine Third Madam, we should at least have Doctor Zhang come and take a look!"
Jiang Segu was somewhat distrustful of Doctor Zhang, so she said to Qinghong, "Go to Yongxiang East Alley and ask Doctor Li to come over."
After Qinghong left, Xiuhe looked at Jiang Segu and said, "Miss, shall we still go and take stock of the eldest daughter's dowry?"
"There's no need for us to count them; someone has probably already counted them countless times!"
The dowry prepared by the whole family for Jiang Chuhui is all placed in Wangchun Hall, and Madam Jiang has been there three times today.
“Madam, the items have been checked three times already, so there shouldn’t be any omissions!” Zijin said to Madam Jiang, who wanted to go to Wangchun Hall again.
Madam Jiang, however, could not be persuaded. "You have no idea what I, as a mother, am thinking. I'm always so anxious because these things aren't going out of the manor with Yuan Niang!"
The third branch of the family has lost a lot of money this time. She was horrified just looking at those things, let alone the Marquis who has been eyeing the third branch all along!
She was genuinely worried that the Marquis might lose control and take away his granddaughter's dowry!
Zijin knew more or less what Madam Jiang was thinking. "The eldest daughter is going to enter the palace, and these dowry lists have been reviewed by the two matrons. Even if someone wants to make those kinds of moves, they'll have to think twice!"
Better safe than sorry!
Madam Jiang still wanted to go and check on him to put her mind at ease, and on the way she asked Zijin, "Has Young Master still not returned?"
Zijin shook his head, "I heard that he went out with Disheng early this morning, saying he was going to find the Sixth Miss, and he hasn't come back yet!"
Madam Jiang scoffed disdainfully, "What a good-for-nothing! All he does is fawn over Sixth Girl! What great things can someone like that accomplish in the future! He's just..."
She didn't say the rest, but instead steered the conversation towards Jiang Shaohui.
"Have you given the instructions to the Second Miss?"
"I've already spoken with the Second Miss and also with Green Bamboo, who serves her. I don't think there will be any problems!"
"Hopefully she'll be of some use this time and won't disappoint me again!"
Zi Jin knew that Doctor Jiang was referring to Deputy Commander Gu's matter. After a moment's thought, he still didn't speak up for Jiang Shaohui.
This is a matter for the master's family; how could a mere maid like her meddle?
After the master and servant arrived at Wangchun Hall and checked the list for a while, Mama Jing came over.
"Madam, the eldest young lady, the fifth young lady, and the sixth young lady have all returned, but we haven't seen the young master!"
Madam Jiang's eyes sharpened, and she suddenly clenched her fist over the list.
That brat must have run away!
"Is Second Aunt still alive?"
"Yes, this old servant asked the people who were assigned to serve Second Miss, and they said that Second Miss is currently talking with the Old Madam in Zhaotai Courtyard!"
"Go to Zhaotai Courtyard and tell Second Aunt that Young Master Cousin is missing. See how she reacts!"
Madam Jing left in a hurry, and Madam Jiang lost interest in checking the dowry. She returned to Jiyue Courtyard with Zijin to await news.
Not long after they returned to Jiyue Courtyard, Madam Jing came back.
"My second aunt said that my cousin will also be taking the imperial examination this year, and since the old lady's birthday banquet is over, she has sent my cousin back to Kaiping first!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang threw down her teacup!
My second sister is really amazing!
After Aunt Jiang left, the smile on her face became much more genuine than before.
“Mother, after we send Yuan Niang off tomorrow, I should go back. Today, I will do my best to show my filial piety to you.”
Madam Jiang pretended not to know about the rift between her and Madam Jiang, saying, "Since you are willing to keep this old woman company, I naturally have no reason to send you away."
Then he instructed Zhou's mother, "Go and tell the kitchen to make more of Second Aunt's favorite dishes!"
Mrs. Zhou responded and left.
However, after leaving the Shotai-in, she didn't go to the kitchen on the east side, but instead went in the west direction...
At this moment, Qinghong returned alone.
"Why isn't Doctor Li here?"
"General Gu was injured, and Doctor Li is bandaging him, so I didn't disturb Doctor Li."
"What? He's injured? Where is he injured? Is his life in danger?"
He was perfectly fine when we met yesterday, so how did he get injured today?
"This morning at court, General Gu impeached the Duke of Zhenguo for illegally amassing troops. The Duke of Zhenguo then took action, drawing a sword from a member of the Imperial Guard and wounding General Gu. Fortunately, he was not seriously injured, but he will need to rest for several days!"
Jiang Segu was anxious and wanted to go out of the manor to visit Gu Songhan, but seeing that it was getting dark, she had to suppress this impulse.
"Go and have Qiaohe open the storeroom, take two catties of bird's nest and some ginseng and send them to General Gu!"
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