Chapter 37 The Imperial Edict in the Belt (Part 1) He was currently enjoying wine with General Zuo in his residence…
Deng Jie is unusually free today, but everyone else is busy.
Guo Jia left the city early to handle military affairs; Qingwu was on duty at the Sikong Mansion and had not returned; after the Shangsi Festival, the incense shop was indeed deserted, with only Li Shi left to guard it; even Xun Wei went back to his hometown with Chen Qun; and since the Sikong Mansion's wife did not summon her, she could not go there often.
Deng Jie walked around for a while, but finally returned to Guo Jia's study alone and sat down, taking out a piece of bamboo slip from his bosom to look at it over and over.
This is the letter Deng Zhao sent home through someone last time, which was more than half a year ago.
The message was brief: All is well, don't worry.
No further information was provided.
Since their parting in Xinye, Deng Zhao's attitude towards her has become increasingly cold. The intervals between his letters home have become longer and shorter, and the letters are now shorter and shorter, a far cry from the passionate letters he used to write on silk in Lujiang.
Although Deng Jie could understand the inconvenience of communication and knew that his sister-in-law was no longer by his side, eagerly waiting for his letters, he still felt a little lost.
Her gaze lingered for a long time on the small, blurry half-handprint at the bottom of the bamboo slip.
This comes from Deng Mu, the son of Deng Zhao's second wife, Lady Lu.
Guo Jia explained the word "慕" to her, which has both the meaning of "admiring the deceased" and the meaning of the five elements of "water generating wood". Deng Zhao always thought that his son was also Yu Qiu's son.
Madam Lu knew about this, and it was she who advocated for Deng Zhao's decision.
That's natural, as the Lu family had some connection with Yu Qiu back then.
She was originally a head maid in the household of Lu Kang, the prefect of Lujiang, and had dealings with Yu Qiu in the affairs of the city's shops. Because Deng Zhao had saved her life, she secretly harbored feelings for him, which Yu Qiu could see. He even teased Deng Zhao, saying that he could ask the prefect for her to be his concubine.
Deng Zhao and Yu Qiu were a young couple who had weathered many storms together, and she had never thought of anything else.
However, he did not want the tragedy of the Deng family's destruction to lead Deng Zhao to sneak into the governor's mansion at night to assassinate Sun Ce.
After his defeat, Deng Zhao was almost captured, but fortunately he met Lu Shi, who led him away through a secret passage, allowing him to escape and reunite with Guo Jia and Deng Jie.
After Deng Zhao officiated at their wedding, he originally wanted Lu Shi to accompany Guo Jia as part of the dowry, but Guo Jia refused, saying that he was used to the two of them.
Deng Jie could see Lu Shi's affection for Deng Zhao, and also harbored the hope of using her to tie Deng Zhao's mind down so that he would stop thinking about revenge. He privately advised Deng Zhao to take her as a concubine.
At that time, Deng Zhao was busy sending them away. It wasn't until two years later that he received a letter from his family in the south, informing him that he had married Lu and had a child.
If I count on my fingers, Mu'er should be three years old by now.
I wonder what he looks like, whether he resembles Deng Zhao more or Lu Shi more, and how much he resembles Ming'er? These thoughts arose, and a subtle pang of sorrow welled up in my heart.
From the other side of the room came the sound of Ayu playing with her daughter Axiang, as clear and crisp as birdsong on a spring branch.
Deng Jie's heart stirred slightly. Upon closer reflection, she realized that A Xiang and Mu'er were born in the same year. This coincidence filled her with emotion, so she took the newly embroidered cloth doll to tease A Xiang, holding her delicate little hand and comparing it in her mind.
Huai Niang was tidying up her needlework when she noticed that Deng Jie seemed a little lonely. So she put down her work, brought out the small wooden stove that A Yu had made for A Xiang, and said to Deng Jie with a smile, "If you don't mind, Madam, would you please play with A Xiang for a while? This child is being particularly clingy today, and I can't keep up with my work." As she spoke, she pulled A Yu away to do other things.
Deng Jie readily agreed, took the doll, and earnestly played house with A Xiang.
Looking at Ah Xiang's innocent and cheerful smile and listening to her childish and innocent words, my empty heart seemed to be filled with a brief moment of tenderness.
Although Deng Jie was usually most concerned about Cao Chong's affairs, their statuses were ultimately different. With Guo Jia's advice, she knew she had to keep a certain distance and never held him affectionately in her arms.
Today, I'm enjoying this rare moment of freedom, and I realize that Ah Xiang and I get along the best. After all, we live in the same neighborhood, and I personally delivered her and watched her grow up.
While Guo Jia was away, she took Ah Xiang to the backyard to look at the flowers and water. She sat the child on her lap, pointed to the flowers and plants in the yard and taught her to identify them by smell. She also told her some old country nursery rhymes and stories in a soft voice.
She wasn't called away until dinner time.
Deng Jie watched Huai Niang leave with her daughter in her arms, then stood alone at the door of the study for a long time, unable to recover from his shock.
Guo Jia has not yet returned home at this hour, presumably because he is preoccupied with military affairs and will probably not be back tonight.
An indescribable loneliness enveloped her, just as the deep twilight surrounded her.
She took the food stand back to the backyard and sat alone, watching the cold moonlight spill into the empty courtyard. Faced with the carefully prepared dinner, she couldn't muster any appetite.
She had never voluntarily drunk alcohol before, but at this moment, she thought that if she didn't get drunk like last time, she wouldn't have to endure this loneliness anymore. So she fetched a pot of wine and sipped it, one cup after another.
The cool, slightly spicy liquor initially felt warm as it entered her throat, but gradually turned into a burning sensation, which only made her more confused.
As the alcohol took effect, my vision became somewhat blurry.
Over the years, she has always been busy with other people's affairs and rarely had such empty thoughts. Today, Ah Xiang's departing figure has made her longing for a child even stronger.
If you listen closely, you can almost hear the baby's laughter coming from the other side of the room.
She picked up the bamboo slip again and looked at it by the candlelight. The longing for her family members in the Deng family residence that she had left behind welled up in her heart. Her mind was filled with images of her mother's indulgence in her coquettishness, her sister-in-law's gentle comfort, and Ming'er's playful antics... Scenes from the past, along with surging thoughts, rushed out like a tidal wave that broke through her defenses.
"Fengxiao..." she murmured, her eyes glazed with drunkenness, as she slumped weakly onto the table, reaching for her wine cup.
Before my fingertips touched the wine cup, I did feel a familiar hand.
She was startled, and with her head heavy, she forced herself to sit up. It really was him who had returned.
"How could you drink like this all by yourself?" he said, taking the first sip of his drink. When he took his seat and caught Deng Jie as she rushed towards him, he found her crying uncontrollably. He glanced at the bamboo slips on the table, his heart clenched, and he put his arm around her to comfort her.
"Fengxiao, I really want a child..." Deng Jie closed his eyes in his arms, reminiscing about the fun he had with A Xiang during the day. "I've checked you so many times, there should be no more blood stasis... Could it be that I'm actually infertile?"
"Don't overthink it. At least there's Ah Xiang in the courtyard... And I received a report from the front today that Hua Shi will be able to enter Xudu tomorrow!" Guo Jia rushed back because of this news.
"Really!" Deng Jie's drunken eyes lit up for a moment. She pressed Guo Jia's arm to help her up. "When he has some free time, we must ask him to take a good look at us... So... shall we give it another try?"
Guo Jia stared at the burning affection in her eyes, unsure whether it was the alcohol or the loneliness of the day, which made her so proactive. He raised his hand and cupped her face, saying, "How dare I disobey my lady's command?"
The next day, Hua Tuo arrived safely in Xuchang and was summoned to the mansion.
After finishing his business at the Sikong Mansion and the Medical Office, he was invited by Guo Jia and his wife to their home.
As soon as Hua Tuo took his seat at the banquet in the front courtyard, Deng Jie personally poured him a teacup and offered him a bow, saying, "Master, you have had a long journey. I am truly sorry that I was unable to greet you from afar."
Guo Jia took Deng Jie's hand and gently stroked it: "Of course, Master taught well and Shuo Yi took good care of you."
"But it just keeps recurring... and I'm always getting afflicted with minor illnesses." Deng Jie was still dissatisfied and grumbled a little at Hua Tuo.
Seeing Hua Tuo place his hand on the table and beckon him with his fingertips, Guo Jia extended his wrist for Hua Tuo to take his pulse.
Hua Tuo pondered for a moment, feeling his pulse, and then examining the whites of his eyes and throat. Deng Jie then handed him a bamboo tube so that he could use it to listen to Guo Jia's lung sounds.
"It's much better indeed. You can stop the medication for now... Have you checked if there's still any accumulation of the poison?" Hua Tuo straightened up and asked.
Deng Jie and Guo Jia exchanged a glance, and Deng Jie scratched her head. "I tested it and it's non-toxic... but it seems..." She rolled her eyes and touched her lower abdomen meaningfully.
Hua Tuo pursed his lips, his dry, bristling gray beard expressing his helplessness: "Hmm... take it easy, overworking won't help with having offspring."
Deng Jie's face immediately turned red, and he fell under the table without daring to make a sound, clenching his fist and punching Guo Jia's calf.
Guo Jia suppressed a laugh and complained to Hua Tuo, "This is cheap. Yesterday I was worried that it was her own problem... Ouch!" Deng Jie suddenly pinched him, catching Guo Jia off guard and making him cry out.
Hua Tuo chuckled. The two were still as affectionate as they had been six years ago at the medical clinic, which put him at ease. "Are you still practicing the Five Animal Frolics? A strong physique is the most important thing."
Faced with a moment of silence, Hua Tuo shook his head helplessly, "...It's good that you all know the situation. I've heard that Yi Jun is in charge of organizing the medical records. Will you come with me tomorrow?"
From under the table came Deng Jie's trembling reply: "Yes..."
In the following days, Deng Jie took Hua Tuo to and from the residences of various officials. The imperial physician Ji Ping looked down on Hua Tuo's rural reputation, but after working with him for several days, he actually learned a lot from him and couldn't help but have more respect for this "miracle doctor".
On this day, they arrived at the residence of General Dong Cheng.
Dong Cheng already had reservations about Deng Jie's identity, and now that she also had a master, his disgust only grew.
Fortunately, Ji Ping warmly relayed the message between him and Hua Tuo, adding, "Although Yuan Hua comes from Pei State, his nature is pure, and it's not necessarily true that he has much hometown sentiment."
These words startled Deng Jie slightly. He was still pondering their deeper meaning when the gatekeeper came to report: "Noble Lady Dong has returned to the mansion."
Upon hearing this, Ji Ping winked at Dong Cheng, "Perfect timing, Your Excellency is pregnant, please trouble Madam Deng to take a look."
Dong Cheng nodded slightly and led Deng Jie and the others to wait for Consort Dong to enter the hall.
Consort Dong glanced at the three physicians and remarked, "The manor is quite lively today."
"It's quite a good time for you to arrive today. This lady of the Imperial Academy is a disciple of Huashi, so she can take your pulse. It's much better than chatting with the imperial physicians and other men," Dong Cheng said with a smile as he introduced her.
A hint of surprise flashed in the nobleman's eyes. He glanced at Ji Ping, straightened up, and beckoned to Deng Jie: "Oh, right, I've been feeling a bit down lately. Come with me to the inner room and let me take a look at you."
Deng Jie subconsciously looked at Hua Tuo, only to see Ji Ping step forward and whisper something to Hua Tuo, leading him away.
"Yes..." Deng Jie had no choice but to follow Consort Dong and her maid into the inner room.
After the maid helped Consort Dong to the low couch, she left and closed the door.
Deng Jie was puzzled by their intentions when the nobleman extended his wrist for her to take his pulse.
"Is your pregnancy five months along, Your Excellency?" Deng Jie asked, looking at her still barely noticeable belly.
Consort Dong smoothed out her clothes, revealing a pert little ball. "It'll be soon. After these few days, it will be May."
A hint of envy appeared in Deng Jie's eyes, as if he could see a little guy sleeping soundly nestled in that small ball.
She composed herself and carefully felt the pulse under her fingers. The pulse was smooth and rapid, like pearls rolling on a plate, indicating that the fetus was thriving. However, the radial pulse was slightly weak, and the cun and guan pulses were slightly superficial, combined with the noblewoman's description of "feeling stuffy"...
"Have you been overthinking lately, making it difficult for you to sleep?" Deng Jie asked softly, his gaze falling on her tired face.
Consort Dong lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding Deng Jie's gaze, and gave a guilty "hmm".
Deng Jie recalled that "Dong Cheng" was also on the list Guo Jia had given her. If the Dong family really started the trouble at the School Affairs Office, could it be that Consort Dong was also aware of it? However, the School Affairs Office had already resumed operations, and the Dong family had not been affected, so it should be fine now...
Thinking this way, Deng Jie boldly said, "Now that the matter of the School Affairs Office is over, and there is no problem with the General's Mansion, you don't need to worry about it anymore. You should focus on resting and recuperating."
However, what she thought were comforting words were interpreted differently by Consort Dong. What did she mean by "it's all in the past" and "there's no problem in your household"?
Was she implying something by speaking to herself so calmly? Who didn't know that although Lu Hong held the position of Director of the Imperial Academy, her husband, the Military Advisor, was behind her? Could it be that she came today to give Guo Jia a warning... or even to gather evidence?!
A look of immense fear flashed in Consort Dong's eyes as she abruptly withdrew her hand and scrutinized Deng Jie: "You...you..."
Her lips trembled, yet she dared not speak openly. Deng Jie's concerned and puzzled gaze seemed like a ferocious beast to her.
Deng Jie was also shocked by Consort Dong's violent reaction. She didn't know what she had said wrong and quickly searched her mind to see if there was something else.
However, her actions still prioritized her role as a healer. "Yes...I misspoke, please don't take it to heart, Your Excellency..."
"Bang!"
A muffled thud came from the outer hall, followed by a piercing metallic scraping sound, stern shouts, and the terrified cries of the servants of the Dong family.
That familiar voice, tinged with a lazy smile, rang out from the hall: "General Dong, why the need for such a high level of preparedness?"
The voice made Deng Jie's heart skip a beat. Seeing the even greater fear on Consort Dong's face, she abruptly stood up: "Consort, please calm down. Let me go and see!"
Deng Jie quietly opened the door a crack and peered through it, holding his breath.
Guo Jia indeed stood in the center of the hall, holding an exquisite bamboo basket in his hand. It was impossible to see what was inside, but his smile was completely out of place with the armored soldiers standing outside the hall behind him.
Dong Cheng had his back to the inner room. Although Deng Jie couldn't see the expression on his face, he could catch a glimpse of his clenched fists.
"Our lord is in high spirits today and specially ordered some green plums to be picked. He is currently enjoying plum wine with General Zuo in the mansion."
He placed the bamboo basket on the ground, picked up a green plum from the basket and played with it, his smile widening. He strolled around the hall with ease and continued, "Knowing that the general has been stationed in Liangzhou for a long time, he must rarely come into contact with fresh fruit. I specially ordered Jia to send this over for the general to try as well."
Deng Jie frowned. Guo Jia had given her the list after Zhang Fei's wedding, and the wedding ceremony had been held at Liu Bei's residence. Now he had specifically mentioned "General Zuo." Did Liu Bei have something to do with this...?
Just as she was pondering Consort Dong's reaction and the connection between them, Guo Jia's gaze swept across the crack in the door and met her surprised and suspicious eyes.
Their eyes met briefly. A hint of surprise flashed in Guo Jia's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He then gently shook his head. Was it a reminder? A warning? Or was he telling her to keep quiet?
The strange look was quickly covered by his perfect smile, and he returned to Dong Cheng. "Now that the plums have been delivered, I won't bother the general any longer."
When Guo Jia turned around, the fully armed soldiers regrouped and followed him out of the courtyard, leaving behind a group of Dong family servants who were still in shock.
Dong Cheng stood frozen in place, and it took him a while to recover.
"Such a grand gesture, just to send a basket of plums...?" Dong Cheng asked, staring at the bamboo basket on the ground.
Ji Ping stepped forward and said something to him. Suddenly, the two looked into the inner room, which startled Deng Jie, who quickly took two steps back and gently closed the door.
A note from the author:
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Historically, this time should be June of 199, and Consort Dong's five-month pregnancy should be January of 200. However, for the sake of plot pacing... we've combined them here. Please forgive us.
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