Free Web NovelChapter 1069: Chapter 1059: Three Steps (1)
Fourth Madam Xiao experienced extreme difficulties during both of her childbirths. Although there was no real danger, her vitality was greatly impaired. Her health not only failed to recover but deteriorated day by day, until rumors of her critical illness began to circulate.
Those who heard couldn’t help but feel regret, and praised Grand Commander Xiao endlessly. He stayed by her bedside all day, personally serving her tea and water, showing meticulous care without any rest.
Despite this, Fourth Madam’s condition worsened daily, causing everyone to shake their heads and sigh.
Xiqiu lay in bed while Chunliu and the others came and went with bitter faces, aimlessly standing in the yard with water and medicine, and even low sobbing could be heard from the courtyard.
The air of despair emanating from the Governor Mansion seemed palpable throughout the entire Capital.
"Fourth Master, the Imperial Physician is here." Tiancheng called from behind the curtain, and Bihuai entered and softly reported to Fourth Master Xiao and Xiqiu.
Xiqiu pursed her lips and smiled faintly, removed the pillow behind her, and lay back down. Fourth Master Xiao adjusted the bedding for her. Their eyes met, but the clarity they had moments ago faded into a look of helpless anxiety.
"Grand Commander." The two Imperial Physicians entered the room one after the other, and Bihuai lowered the curtains on the bed. Through the curtains, Xiqiu saw Fourth Master Xiao rise and nod slightly to the two: "Thank you for your trouble."
"Please!" The Imperial Physician approached the bed, and Bihuai assisted Xiqiu in placing her hand on the pulse-taking position. Xiqiu watched as the Imperial Physician placed his fingers on her wrist, and the room fell silent.
Three days ago, after Fourth Master Xiao returned from the palace, they discussed and spread news of her critical illness the following day. Naturally, Fourth Master Xiao didn’t go to court or the government office, staying home to take care of her, as everyone knew of their harmonious marital relationship. With the Grand Dowager caring above her and babes-in-arms below, should she leave, the household would surely fall into chaos. So, Fourth Master Xiao’s reaction was not surprising to anyone.
But this morning, when Fourth Master Xiao submitted a resignation memorial, it stirred strong reactions throughout the court.
The memorial contained many emotional words, moving readers to tears, and ended with sincere wishes to care for his wife, hoping to exchange anything for her health and safety. He was willing to climb mountains of swords and plod through seas of flames, dedicating his life just to have her by his side, never to part.
People were shocked that the usually cold and taciturn Fourth Master Xiao was indeed a romantic, willing to forsake power and fame for beauty...
The Emperor, holding the memorial, was startled but not as astounded as the uninformed masses. He handed it to Min, who reacted naturally: "...The Governor and Fourth Madam have always had a great relationship. Now that Fourth Madam’s health is failing, the Governor’s resignation to focus on her care doesn’t surprise me."
The Emperor looked at him and nodded slightly. Subsequently, he sent the Imperial Physicians to the Governor Mansion to check Fourth Madam’s pulse.
"How is it?" Fourth Master Xiao saw the Imperial Physician withdraw his fingers and stepped forward to inquire softly.
The Imperial Physician took the pulse back seriously, stretched out his hand to Fourth Master Xiao: "Could I borrow a moment to speak?" He was unwilling to discuss the condition in front of the patient.
Fourth Master Xiao nodded slightly and instructed Bihuai: "Take good care." Bihuai agreed, and he followed the Imperial Physician out of the room to the Warm Pavilion.
"Madam," Bihuai was slightly nervous, "Will the Imperial Physician notice anything?"
"Shhh!" Xiqiu glanced outside, motioning Bihuai to be calm: "I’ve been taking the medicine Sister Jingliu provided for half a month, and a different doctor noticed nothing during diagnosis yesterday; they won’t be an exception." To create an atmosphere, they paid heavily to gather almost all the doctors in the city. With so many people coming in and giving consistent results, it wasn’t long before rumors spread that she wouldn’t survive the month.
Bihuai was uneasy and responded with an "Oh," hanging up the curtains softly, "But aren’t the Imperial Physicians’ skills supposed to be better than outside doctors, Madam?" Xiqiu wanted to eavesdrop on the conversation next door but seeing Bihuai murmur, she replied, "Their medical skills might indeed be more sophisticated, but they won’t distinguish by pulse diagnosis. Don’t worry too much."
Fourth Master Xiao returned with his hands behind his back, stepped to the bedside, and Xiqiu eagerly asked: "How did the Imperial Physician respond?" Fourth Master Xiao smiled and nodded: "No difference."
"Amitabha Buddha." Bihuai reacted quicker than Xiqiu, clasped her hands together, and sighed in relief, knowing this was serious business: if the Imperial Physician had detected anything, Fourth Master might have faced the crime of deceiving the Emperor.
Xiqiu laughed with a snort and said: "Hurry and check on Ying and Gong, tell the Ma Family it’s time for feeding."
Bihuai laughed and agreed, retreating to the door where she suddenly hardened her expression as she stepped out. She smartly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
Xiqiu was about to speak when Nanny Cen called from behind the curtain: "Madam, Madam Ruan and Madam Qian have arrived." Then, pausing, she added: "Seventh Master, Grand Aunt, Seventh Aunt, and Madam Chen from Count Dingyuan also came one after another."
With a look exchanged, Fourth Master Xiao rose: "I’ll go to the outer courtyard." Xiqiu acknowledged nonchalantly as he lifted the curtain and left.
Madam Ruan and Madam Qian stormed in: "Fourth Madam." Madam Ruan approached the bed quickly, and upon seeing Xiqiu lying there looking pale and bluish, distinctly different from her usual elegance and beauty, now cloaked in a deathly pallor, she teared up: "Weren’t you doing well a few days ago, how did you suddenly fall ill."
"I was truly startled when I heard, thought it was just a rumor, but didn’t expect it..." Madam Qian followed behind, choking and incredulous.
"Quickly serve tea to the two Madams," Xiqiu instructed Chunliu to brew tea, then said: "Thank you both for coming to see me, please have a seat."
Madam Ruan waved her hand: "At a time like this, why concern yourself with us." She sat by the bed, saw Xiqiu’s thin hand and lovingly tucked it under the blanket, smoothing the covers: "How have you become so thin." Pausing, she asked: "What did the doctor say?"
"It’s nothing serious," Xiqiu replied helplessly, "just a woman’s condition." She hesitated to speak, "Since giving birth to Ying and Gong, I have not been clean for nearly two months, it’s like the tide..." She sighed: "Only careful nourishment can mend."
Madam Ruan and Madam Qian believed her deeply, lamenting: "This is most harming to a woman’s body." Madam Qian recalled something: "I heard of a fumigation method, where one sits in a wooden tub infused with herbal medicine, and after months of steaming, any illness can improve by seventy or eighty percent, should you give it a try?"
Xiqiu knew they were genuinely worried, with the current situation unstable; should anything happen to her, with Fourth Master Xiao’s character, he might truly quit. At such a crucial moment, if mishap occurs, no one could fare well.
"Thank you, I’ll have someone ask Sister Jingliu for some medicine to try," Xiqiu expressed gratitude.
