"Should we invite Celestial Master Zhang from Dragon Tiger Mountain to take a look?" Song Jiyun said worriedly, "You know how skilled Celestial Master Zhang’s medicine is. In our Jiangxi, if he claims to be the second best, no one dares to claim the first."
She gave an example, "Didn’t the Old Dowager Consort from Prince Huai’s Mansion experience the same thing as Great Aunt? She was talking with the younger generation, then suddenly fainted. Many doctors couldn’t cure her, and she remained unconscious until they had no choice but to ask Celestial Master Zhang to come down from the mountain. With one acupuncture, she regained consciousness."
Song Tao replied with a bitter smile, "You know she was the Old Dowager Consort of Prince Huai’s Mansion, right? How can our family compare to her? You’re still too young, sister, and don’t realize how precious an invitation from Celestial Master Zhang is.
"Celestial Master Zhang treats illnesses of the nobles and notables, not just in Jiangxi but across the four seas—his medical skills are top-notch. The former Celestial Master Zhang even went to the capital to treat the Emperor."
She went on to persuade Song Jiyun earnestly, "I know your family has an invitation from Celestial Master Zhang. But that’s an invitation your uncle left for saving lives. If I were to use it, what would that make me?"
"Since it’s an invitation for saving lives, it should be used when it’s needed to save a life," Song Jiyun said, "I can’t just watch Great Aunt lie there like this, can I?"
She added, "Moreover, Celestial Master Zhang aims to save the world. Otherwise, the monks from Gratitude Temple wouldn’t provide us with medicine for free every day. If used appropriately, whether it’s Celestial Master Zhang or our deceased father, they would feel it’s worth it."
As the two were talking, Great Madam became exceedingly anxious.
Song Jiyun could sit here all she wanted, but she couldn’t stay lying down forever!
Especially since there was still Song Daliang in the main room who needed to be given medicine regularly.
Ignoring her daughter’s feelings, she moaned, and with a groan, opened her eyes.
"Great Madam!" Everyone was delightedly crowding around her.
Since Great Madam had started pretending, she had to keep up the act.
"What happened to me?" she was helped up by the maids and propped up against the big pillow at the head of the bed, weakly saying, "Everything went dark, and then I knew nothing?"
"It’s alright, it’s alright!" Song Jiyun comforted her and gestured for a maid to hand her the bowl of medicine, a gesture that she intended to feed Great Madam, "It’s good that you’re awake!"
But Song Tao intercepted the bowl of medicine halfway and said, "I’ll feed Mother."
Song Jiyun quietly raised an eyebrow.
She respected her parents and protected her sister, but she had no intention of being a pawn for others.
What was Song Tao afraid of?
As Song Tao fed Great Madam, she implied to her, "The doctor said you were just too exhausted. A good rest should do the trick."
Great Madam was startled and then showed a look of realization, quickly replying, "That’s good! That’s good! I will definitely listen to the doctor and rest well."
Then, as though she was afraid Song Jiyun wouldn’t leave, she apologetically said, "I’m not in the right mind to entertain you. Let Sister Tao accompany you for tea and pastries."
Hearing this, Song Jiyun gracefully stood up and said with a smile, "Then I shall take my leave. I’ll come to see you again once I have time in a few days."
Mother and daughter Song Tao felt greatly relieved.
Especially Great Madam, who hurriedly asked Song Tao to see Song Jiyun out.
Song Jiyun then asked Song Tao and Great Madam, "I heard from Old Master Song that your Kiln Factory is opening in a couple of days. Is the grand opening still set for that time?"
Song Tao grew wary and said, "What about it?"
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "I was just about to go to Eleventh Grand Master before coming here to discuss sending congratulations for your family’s Kiln Factory opening. If the date changes, remember to send me a message."
Song Tao said, "The date will not be changed!"
After speaking, she immediately realized that her tone was too determined and promptly added, "The doctor said that if my father doesn’t wake up tonight, he will definitely wake up tomorrow morning. The date was chosen by a high monk, and my father would definitely not change it."
Song Jiyun smiled and nodded, saying, "Good! When I go to Eleventh Grand Master, I will let him know."
"Okay!" Song Tao sent Song Jiyun out the door.
When she turned around, she saw Great Madam pacing anxiously back and forth in the side room.
Upon seeing Song Tao, she rushed to her like a lifeline, grabbed her hand, and said, "What should we do? Your father can’t just keep lying there; he has to wake up and get the Kiln Factory going!"
Song Tao, seeing her like this, a flash of disdain passed through her eyes, but she turned around and spoke in a gentle voice to the maidservants and grannies serving in the room, "You all can leave us. The madam and I have things to discuss."
The maidservants and grannies in the room all sensed something unusual.
In the past, whenever Great Madam had something important to handle, she would only discuss it with her married eldest daughter.
But no one showed it and all quietly withdrew.
Only when the room was empty did Song Tao lower her voice and scolded Great Madam, "What’s there to panic about? Didn’t we agree to keep calm? Song Jiyun is not some kind of demon with three heads and six arms; what’s there to be afraid of!"
Great Madam could not control herself at all.
She said nervously, "That’s not it! You heard her just now! She came to take our family’s Kiln Factory."
Song Tao’s gaze turned deep and dark as she said, "Don’t worry, no matter what she’s planning, I won’t let her succeed. You just do as I say."
Her words obviously did not comfort Great Madam.
Great Madam continued pacing and worrying, "As long as your father doesn’t wake up, the Kiln Factory cannot start. I did as you said and gave all my personal silver to your father. If this Kiln Factory doesn’t succeed, what will Tianbao do? He’s still so young, he needs to study, to marry. What if your father squanders all the silver?"
Song Tao felt as if there was a huge stone pressing on her chest.
Why could Song Jiyun accomplish things with the full support of their family!
She closed her eyes and said in a deep voice, "That won’t happen! Trust me! I won’t let our family’s Kiln Factory fall."
Great Madam lifted her skirt and muttered to herself, as she prepared to head towards the main house where Song Daliang lived, "No, no! I can’t let Song Jiyun take over my property. When it opens, it still needs to be your father presiding."
And then, regretting, she said, "I shouldn’t have listened to a young girl like you, letting you, showing your face publicly, preside over the opening ceremony of our house. After all, you’re just a girl! When your father wakes up, he’s definitely going to kill us."
The stone in Song Tao’s chest could no longer suppress her surging irritability.
"Mother!" she grabbed Great Madam’s shoulders, "If Song Jiyun can succeed, why can’t I? Can’t you trust me just once? Just trust me once!"
Great Madam was stunned.
She was stared at intently by her daughter’s stormy eyes and it took her a while to stammer, "But, but Song Jiyun’s family has no sons, while our family, our family has Tianbao, we have a son!"
Song Tao’s hands, which had been gripping her mother’s shoulders, slowly slid off, powerless.
Her expression gradually grew colder, taking on a frosty edge.
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