Chapter 44: A Little Trouble
Because of Liu Min, Wu Qingyu was a respectable person, and Madam Le was willing to give her face, so she nodded and smiled, "That would be perfect, thank you for your trouble." After speaking, she turned to look at Liu Min, her smile deepening, and said with a smile, "Have you had breakfast yet? I suppose not, I haven't either! Come to my place, let's eat together."
Liu Min didn't want to go. Their family was all happy and harmonious; why should he, an outsider, interfere? He'd only cause trouble, especially since Shanlai was so ill. But she had already asked, how could he refuse her? After all, they were on their turf, and the wet nurse's expression was... He truly couldn't bear it, so he lowered his head and said softly, "How can I refuse a meal offered by Madam?"
Madam Yue was delighted, her eyes crinkling with laughter. This son was easy to get along with, so she grew bolder, took his hand, and said reproachfully, "What do you mean by 'bestow'? We're family, why are you using that word? Don't be so distant from now on!"
Liu Min had nothing to say, so he just smiled.
He laughed, and Madam Yue laughed too. Laughing, she pulled him outside, saying, "Let's hurry over, Master should be back from his boxing match soon."
Madam Yue left in a hurry, and Liu Min was dragged along like an object, stumbling and falling as he walked. He was quite disheveled, and he knew it himself. He was angry. He had been pampered like a phoenix since he was a child, and he had never been treated like this before. If this were still at home... He was a man with a temper after all. He turned his face and rolled his eyes, but unexpectedly his eyes met those of Wu Qingyu.
Wu Qingyu's body was truly tattered; already worn, it had been further bruised and battered, leaving him in a terrible state. His back was hunched, and his face was deathly pale, not white, but bluish—a sight that chilled the heart. This was Wu Qingyu, his wet nurse, the one who had treated him with unwavering devotion for years, looking at him with weary eyes, a pleading glint in them… She must have seen the glare he gave her; she knew him best and feared he might lose his temper, offend his stepmother, and be unable to find refuge there afterward.
My mother has suffered so much in her life, and just when she was finally starting to live a better life, things have turned out like this because of him...
It's all for him.
His mother's feelings for him were no different from those of his own mother. As long as she could be at ease, what did it matter if he suffered some grievances?
So he smiled at Wu Qingyu.
That's enough. Mom understands him and knows what he means.
As he suspected, Wu Qingyu did indeed know, which brought him a sense of relief. However, he quickly became saddened, saddened by his understanding nature. Such a good child, yet he had such a tragic fate! His mother had died early, and he had no deep affection for his father. He only had an elderly grandmother, and her… She was willing to die for him, but her life was worthless and insignificant. Even in death, she couldn't make a difference or help him. The only thing she could do was try her best to live, to stay with him. She had already suffered so much, but it still wasn't enough. She had no future; her frail body couldn't even bear to live…
We can only rely on others.
Shanlai is this "other person".
She stumbled towards the bed, sat down on the edge, and grabbed the red hand, which burned her so much that tears streamed down her face.
"Good child, you will be alright, Buddha will protect you..."
After a flurry of activity, the location was finally set up, and the medicine was delivered.
First, feed the child porridge, then the medicine, carefully feeding them spoonful by spoonful. After feeding, begin chanting Buddhist mantras.
As expected, thanks to Buddha, he felt better after taking the medicine. His body was no longer as hot to the touch, and he was more alert and able to sit up and talk.
Upon seeing this, Wu Qingyu quickly pressed the person back down, saying, "Don't get up. Lie down and sweat it out. Once you sweat, you'll be cured."
Shanlai lay down and continued to sleep, sleeping all day. He was only woken up when it was time to eat. He ate a couple of bites of food like a bird pecking at food, then drank his medicine, sat for a while, and then lay down to sleep again.
Wu Qingyu stayed by her side the whole time, occasionally reaching out to touch her forehead. Seeing that the fever had indeed subsided, she finally felt relieved and relaxed.
Liu Min didn't return to Guangyi Hall until dark. His stepmother was a very enthusiastic and talkative person who seemed to have endless things to say, so Liu Min had no choice but to sit quietly and appease her.
Upon returning, he went straight to the side room where Wu Qingyu and Shanlai were.
While Shanlai was asleep, he asked Wu Qingyu, "Mom, is she alright?"
Wu Qingyu smiled and said, "It's much better now, the fever has subsided."
Liu Min was relieved and smiled.
He laughed, but Wu Qingyu cried, looking at him with tears streaming down her face.
Liu Min panicked and quickly grabbed Wu Qingyu's hands, asking what was wrong.
Wu Qingyu actually had a lot to say. She wanted to ask Liu Min how he was doing, what his stepmother's temperament was like, and whether she had ever made things difficult for him. These were all things she cared about. However, she couldn't ask. First, walls have ears, and she was afraid that Madam Le wasn't a good person, and Liu Min might say something unpleasant that would be heard by others and reported to his unpleasant stepmother, causing trouble. Second, once things started, it would definitely not be something that could be resolved in a few words. Shanlai was ill, and she didn't want Liu Min to stay for long. What if he got sick and his anger affected him? So it was better not to say anything.
"I was reminded of how she used to be, and it hurt my heart."
Liu Min also said, "It is indeed heartbreaking, but thankfully it's almost healed and nothing serious has happened."
It was a good thing that he cared so much about Shanlai. Wu Qingyu was very happy and couldn't help but smile, but she didn't forget to send him away.
"You've had a long day, go back and rest. I'm here, don't worry."
Liu Min didn't want to leave. Wu Qingyu and Shanlai were both there, and he didn't want to go anywhere else. "I want to stay with Mom for a while longer. She fell asleep yesterday, so we couldn't talk."
Wu Qingyu certainly wanted to talk to him, but his well-being was more important. "You go back first. We can talk after she recovers."
Wu Qingyu understands Liu Min, and Liu Min certainly understands Wu Qingyu as well. He could even tolerate Madam Yue for Wu Qingyu's sake, so naturally he wouldn't go against her now.
"Then let's talk again tomorrow."
Wu Qingyu agreed as she saw him out.
Both of them felt that things would definitely get better tomorrow.
But no, it didn't get better; in fact, it seemed to get worse.
Shanlai developed a high fever again during the night, his whole body was burning hot, and his face was covered with a dense rash of bumps. He also developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
Wu Qingyu was terrified and went to Madam Le early in the morning to ask her to invite a doctor to examine her again.
Madam Le would certainly not refuse such a trivial matter, but unfortunately, Physician Qi was out on a house call and could not be invited. The old woman returned alone and went to Madam Le to report. Whether the message was misrepresented or not, this incompetent act greatly embarrassed Madam Le, making her so angry that she cursed loudly.
"You old fool! You're incredibly stupid! Do you think he's the only one in the world who knows medicine? If you can't find him, why don't you ask someone else? You've messed up such a small thing! Get out!"
After cursing, he smashed a teacup, knocking the old woman out of the house, which stunned Wu Qingyu, who was sitting nearby.
This is... how can she be easy to get along with? Will she really treat Lian Si well?
Wu Qingyu was plunged into deep worry and fear.
After scolding the man, Madam Yue made another assignment, telling someone to go to another street to fetch Judge Wang.
Although Physician Wang lived far away, the Liu family's carriage was fast, and the whip cracked like lightning, so Physician Wang arrived in no time.
It's the same old method: observation, listening, questioning, and palpation.
After all, he was a doctor, someone you never knew when you might need, and he was also the head of the academy. No matter how unwilling Madam Le was, she had to go along to appease him. However, this time she didn't tread on the lowly ground, but instead strolled around in the courtyard of Guangyi Hall.
When Liu Min finished washing up and came out, Wang, the imperial physician, was reporting on the patient's condition to Madam Yue.
"...It's a minor matter, but now that there's the added issue of acclimatization problems, and with both sides attacking each other, it's become a bit troublesome..."
"Oh! I really didn't expect that!" He hurriedly turned around to call someone to call Liu Min, but unexpectedly saw him coming out, which saved him the trouble. He quickly waved to him and called him over.
"This is our young master, he just arrived. Could you take a look and see if he has any of those ailments?"
"So it's you, young master. You are indeed a handsome young man." Wang Yuanpan smiled and bowed. He looked around and invited Liu Min to sit down at the stone table under the pine tree in the corner of the courtyard. He calmed his mind and began to take Liu Min's pulse. He also examined Liu Min's mouth and tongue and asked him a few questions.
"Young Master is in good health, but he is a little weak in the stomach and qi. He will be fine after taking some pills."
Madam Yue nodded, relieved. But then she thought again, "There are three people, and we've already examined two. It wouldn't be good to leave the other one out." So she asked Physician Wang to examine Wu Qingyu's pulse.
Wu Qingyu repeatedly declined, saying she felt nothing was wrong and there was no need to bother, covering her arm and resolutely refusing to let anyone see. It wasn't that she was ungrateful, but rather that she knew her own body all too well; it was incurable, so why bother? She didn't want to trouble her nursing son, who already had it hard enough.
She was unwilling to be seen, which pleased Madam Le. After all, no matter how respectable an old woman was, she was still a servant. Of course, she didn't care. She only said those words because of Liu Min's sake. Now that the favor had been given, whether or not to accept it was up to others. So she smiled and said to Physician Wang, "I hope you will take good care of that young lady's illness."
Physician Wang respectfully agreed, asked for paper and pen to write down the prescription, and gave some other instructions.
Madam Yue personally escorted Judge Wang out of Guangyi Hall, then turned back to find Liu Min, still wanting him to come to Yihe Hall for breakfast together.
Liu Min naturally agreed, but he was very absent-minded during the meal, his mind only on Shan Lai lying on the sickbed. He didn't hear Madam Le talking to him several times, which made Madam Le laugh out loud.
This was abnormal, so Liu Shen naturally had to investigate.
Madam Yue briefly explained, then smiled and said, "I never imagined that Lian Si, at such a young age, would already know how to cherish and protect women. What a fine young man!"
Liu Shen didn't want to say more, only saying, "It's worth it for her. You should put in more effort, after all, she's the person the old lady entrusted to you."
Madam Yue responded softly, "Don't worry, I wouldn't dare disobey your orders."
After the meal, Madam Le considerately did not keep them any longer. "I know you can't sit still, so go back now. I'll come over when I have some free time."
Liu Min was eager to return home. As soon as he left Yihetang, he ran all the way back to Guangyitang, panting heavily and with a flushed face.
Wu Qingyu felt extremely sorry for him and pulled him to her side, patting his back. "Why did you run so fast? Don't let it happen again. What if you fall and hurt yourself?"
Liu Min took out his hand and hurried to the bedside. "I'm anxious to see her. How is she right now?"
Wu Qingyu's response was a heavy sigh.
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