Free Web NovelChapter 986: Chapter 982: Reunion (2)
Xiqiu furrowed her brows slightly. Such a small child only drinks milk, and Wan doesn’t eat much. How could she have indigestion? She thought for a moment and asked Lianqiao, "How many times does she have bowel movements in a day?"
"Once every other day." Lianqiao didn’t understand Xiqiu’s point and replied, "She hasn’t gone today yet."
Xiqiu nodded and said to Lianqiao, "When you go back, try feeding the wet nurse a lighter diet."
Lianqiao was a bit surprised. She was just worried that the wet nurse’s milk wasn’t suitable, causing Wan to suffer. Currently, Wan is the youngest in the household, so the best is naturally reserved for her. Was the Fourth Madam suggesting that she was over-feeding the wet nurse?
Seeing Lianqiao not agreeing immediately, Xiqiu explained, "Some children have trouble digesting well. If the milk is too rich, it can lead to indigestion and absorption troubles." freewёbnoνel.com
"I understand." Lianqiao replied with her head lowered, "I’ll ensure the wet nurse follows a lighter diet from now on," she said, still somewhat reluctantly.
Xiqiu glanced at her and said no more.
As they were speaking, evening settled in, and the Grand Dowager instructed the wet nurse to take Wan to rest in the Warm Pavilion. She then turned to Bilian and said, "Go to the outer courtyard and invite the Marquis and his brothers inside." Bilian affirmed and, after a while, brought in Xiao Yanyi and his two brothers.
"What’s the matter?" Xiao Yanyi noticed the Grand Dowager’s displeased expression, knowing the Imperial Physician had been summoned to the courtyard. The Grand Dowager glanced at Lianqiao and replied, "Wan has some indigestion. She took medicine and then vomited."
Xiao Yanyi furrowed his brows slightly but said nothing further.
The First Madam entered, smiling, "Mother, is it alright to set the meal in the grand hall?"
"Yes." The Grand Dowager, patting Xiqiu’s hand, stood up. "It’s been a while since the whole family dined together. Let’s use the grand hall today. This way, when we perform the moon ritual, we don’t have to go back and forth." She then turned to ask Xiao Yanyi, "Where is Xing? Is everything prepared?"
"Outside." Xiao Yanyi followed behind, "Everything is ready."
The Grand Dowager nodded, supported by Xiqiu, with Xiao Yanyi trailing behind. Fourth Master Xiao and Xiao Yanting walked at the end. As the family exited to the main room, the Grand Dowager turned and asked Xiao Yanting, "Is she feeling better these past two days?"
"A bit better. Yesterday we fed her some rice broth and she managed to eat some," Xiao Yanting replied, his face showing a bit of guilt when mentioning the Fifth Madam, "but she hasn’t woken up yet."
The Grand Dowager sighed and said no more.
The family sat together for dinner. Sheng and Zhi, alongside Xuan and the other children, clamored to go light lanterns. The Grand Dowager chuckled and held them back, "Wait until after the moon ritual."
Xing was already dressed in the Princely Heir’s formal attire, his expression serious. Despite a few stumbles while purifying his hands and burning incense, he managed to execute everything step by step.
"Our Xing has truly grown up." After the ceremony, the Grand Dowager, holding Xing’s hand, appeared very pleased and turned to Xiao Yanyi, "Look, didn’t he do well?"
Xing blushed and lowered his head, while Xiao Yanyi smiled with pride at his son.
"Indeed, Xing did extremely well. Even Fifth Uncle couldn’t match that," Xiao Yanting joked with a broad smile, "There was one year when I was presiding, and I was so flustered I even knocked over the candlestick."
The family laughed together.
Xiqiu looked towards Fourth Master Xiao with anticipation, and he subtly nodded.
Xiqiu smiled, knowing that after 7 p.m., Min would come to the manor.
The children took lanterns to the back garden to release them, and the family again gathered in the courtyard to admire the moon. Late into the night, Xing returned to his own courtyard to sleep, Xiao Yanting took Sheng back, Xiao Yanzheng took his two children back with Pang Guibin, and Zhi fell asleep on Fourth Master Xiao’s shoulder.
The Grand Dowager, looking serious, sat on the Arhat Bed sipping tea. She lifted her gaze to look at Fourth Master Xiao, "Should someone go to fetch him?" She glanced at the time, "It’s getting late."
"No need." Fourth Master Xiao replied, "There will be someone from the palace accompanying him." With the Emperor’s permission, there would certainly be someone with Min.
The Grand Dowager said no more, and the First Madam spoke softly, "There’s a feast in the palace tonight, Min might find it hard to leave easily."
As they talked, suddenly Wan’s cries emerged from the next room. The Grand Dowager furrowed her brows and wanted to go check, but the First Madam stopped her, "Let me check." She walked over and found Lianqiao holding and comforting Wan, while the wet nurse wiped the corners of her mouth. The First Madam asked, "What happened?"
Lianqiao, her face full of distress, said, "She vomited again." She then lowered her head, feeling guilty.
The First Madam noticed that the wet nurse’s front was still unbuttoned. She frowned and asked, "Did you feed her?" Lianqiao rushed to explain, "She was fussing, and I couldn’t bear to let her go hungry... so..." She added, "She only had two mouthfuls, truly!"
The First Madam went over, took Wan in her arms, and said to Lianqiao, "You go rest now; the child will stay here tonight." She said this without looking back as she exited the Warm Pavilion.
"Mrs...." Lianqiao followed behind, on the verge of tears.
After holding Wan in her arms, Mrs. explained the situation to the Grand Dowager. The Grand Dowager instructed Ziwei to call Lianqiao in, looking as though she had more to say. Fearing Lianqiao might encounter Min, Xiqiu said, "Mother, let’s give Wan some water." She brought over a spoon and bowl.
Only then did the Grand Dowager relax her brow and waved for Lianqiao to leave.
With Wan inside, time passed quickly. When the Western clock struck ten times, Housekeeper Hu hurriedly entered: "Marquis, Grand Dowager, Fourth Master, they’re here!"
Almost everyone’s faces lit up with joy. The Grand Dowager immediately handed Wan to Ziwei and hurried out.
The servants had been sent away early by Mrs., and the courtyard was now quiet, not a single person in sight.
Xiqiu stood beneath the steps and watched as lights flickered closer outside the courtyard. The heavy footsteps grew distinct, and soon, six eunuchs wearing court attire entered first, standing with their heads bowed on either side of the path. Only then did Min appear, dressed in an azure gown with dark cloud patterns and gold edges. His hair was tied up, adorned with a blue sapphire the size of a cat’s eye, sparkling with each step.
"Your Highness!" Xiao Yanyi and Fourth Master Xiao immediately clasped their hands and bowed in salute, and Xiqiu assisted the Grand Dowager and Mrs. in curtsying.
Min walked over in a few steps, extending a hand to help them, but then paused and halted his steps, saying, "Rise!"
Only then did everyone stand and rise, refraining from making eye contact with Min.
Following behind, a eunuch approached, smiling: "Grand Dowager, Marquis, Great Governor, Mrs., Fourth Madam, His Highness just came from the Imperial Study Room. Tonight, all cabinet ministers were present and dispersed just now, so he arrived a bit late."
"Indeed!" Xiao Yanyi waved his hand: "Your Highness, please."
Min’s face held a smile, though it seemed somewhat bitter. Yet he couldn’t help but eagerly instruct, "You wait here." With that, he stepped onto the steps and entered through the door.
The Grand Dowager and others nodded to the eunuchs behind them before following Min inside. Xiao Yanyi stayed behind: "There’s tea ready in the Warm Pavilion; eunuch, please enter and rest." The eunuchs agreed and followed Xiao Yanyi to the Warm Pavilion.
Upon entering, once the Grand Dowager was seated, Min stood and knelt before her: "Grandmother!" He kowtowed three times and then turned to kowtow to Mrs....
"This child." The Grand Dowager, emotionally moved, stood up to help him rise. Xiqiu smiled and intervened: "Mother, he is showing filial piety. Regardless of his status, you remain his grandmother in his heart."
Min’s eyes reddened. After steadfastly kowtowing to Mrs., he turned to kowtow three times to Fourth Master Xiao. Finally, tears fell as he looked at Xiqiu, calling out: "Mother!"
Xiqiu’s eyes also reddened, and she helped him to rise: "The ground is cold, get up quickly." Min stood up, and Xiqiu eagerly asked: "Where is the injury, is there a scar?"
The Grand Dowager nodded: "Let Grandmother take a look."
Min then lifted his garment and, just like when he was a child, bent forward to reveal the skin on his lower back. Xiqiu saw a scar the size of a copper coin with new skin that was still somewhat reddened and said with concern: "Remember to apply ointment daily."
Min agreed, and the Grand Dowager added: "In the future, when it rains, I don’t know if it will hurt. You need to be mindful since in the palace, unlike at home, without your mother following behind, there will inevitably be neglect."
Min nodded vigorously.
Mrs. smiled and said: "It’s good that you are back. Let’s not speak of melancholy." She motioned for Min to sit down: "How is everything in the palace?"
Min sat down, glanced at Fourth Master Xiao, and replied: "Everything is well. All the people around me were arranged by Father early on. The eunuchs who accompanied me here were personally chosen by Consort Le; they are trustworthy."
Fourth Master Xiao, who hadn’t spoken before, heard this and asked: "Have you met with the cabinet ministers in the Imperial Study Room tonight?"
Min returned to the palace three days ago; his presence caused a sensation in the court on the first day. Many had seen Min, especially Scholar Dai and several cabinet ministers, even people like Lord Han were surprised, and everyone inhaled sharply, coming to understand something, and fell silent.
"Yes!" He replied slowly: "Tonight was not as sensational as that day. With Grandfather present, his calm demeanor kept everyone from saying much."
Fourth Master Xiao slightly nodded, advising: "In the palace, speak and act with caution. Even with the Emperor, think thrice before speaking." After a pause, he added: "Classes begin tomorrow at Wenhua Hall, are you prepared?" frёeωebɳovel.com
"Prepared." After a pause, he added: "I met Scholar Dai today."
The father and son ceased their conversation, and Min turned to look at Xiqiu. The Grand Dowager noticed and said: "Time is limited, you two haven’t seen each other in a long time, have a good talk." She gazed at Min: "Did the Emperor mention when you’ll return to the palace?"
Min lowered his head in frustration and replied: "Before midnight." The Grand Dowager sighed, nodded, and told Xiqiu: "You two talk." Then she stood up!
