Suffered a fright?!

How did she suffer a fright?

What had Cheng Jia said to the little girl?

Cheng Chi’s brow furrowed deeply.

Doctor Zhou and Madam Zhou exchanged a glance.

When they saw that Jiuru Lane had sent a steward to fetch them both for a consultation, the couple had guessed whether one of the Cheng family’s old madams had fallen ill. Who knew that upon entering Hanbi Mountain Manor, it was to treat the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss who was staying with the Fourth Branch. At the time, both were secretly surprised—in just over a year since they’d last seen her, the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss had actually gained the favor of the First Branch’s Old Madam Guo.

What they hadn’t expected was that this Second Young Miss had not only gained Old Madam Guo’s favor but had also caught the attention of Fourth Master!

Women who walked the inner quarters might not know, but Doctor Zhou, who had moved among Jinling’s wealthy households for years, understood clearly. This Fourth Master of the Cheng family, known as the “God of Wealth,” though amiable, never involved himself in the trivial matters of the Zhou family’s back courtyard. Could it be that the Zhou family’s Master was about to be promoted?

But that didn’t make sense either!

The Cheng family’s Master Jing was already among the Nine Ministers. Even if the Zhou family’s Master was promoted quickly, he couldn’t surpass Master Cheng Jing in such a short time!

He couldn’t figure this matter out no matter how hard he tried, but he understood clearly in his heart that this diagnosis must be conducted with extreme care, without the slightest carelessness.

So when Madam Zhou was writing the prescription, he watched from the side, occasionally discussing the dosage with her. Once the medicine was prepared, Doctor Zhou handed the prescription to Cheng Chi.

If not a good minister, then a good physician.

Someone like Cheng Chi who was well-read in the classics might not practice medicine, but still understood medical principles.

Sure enough, Cheng Chi studied the prescription for a long while before saying, “Should the ginseng be reduced by a few portions? Her constitution is weak—I’m afraid she’s too deficient to handle tonics.”

Doctor Zhou looked toward Madam Zhou.

He hadn’t examined the pulse himself, so it wasn’t proper for him to comment.

Madam Zhou, however, felt that the Zhou family’s Second Young Miss had a strong pulse, only somewhat irregular, and wasn’t someone deficient in constitution. She’d added ginseng only because wealthy families often felt that the more ginseng, angelica, deer antler, and similar ingredients the better. Since the patron had said so, she naturally wouldn’t contradict him, especially since he was a two-examination jinshi scholar proficient in literature.

“Fourth Master speaks most correctly,” Madam Zhou smiled. “I also thought carefully when using this ingredient.”

Only then did Cheng Chi nod in satisfaction. He handed the prescription to Huai Shan to have the medicine prepared, then instructed a junior maid to invite Nanny Shang to help brew it, and saw the Zhou couple out.

Watching this, Fan Liushi couldn’t help but feel anxious.

She thought Old Madam Guo and her son were silently reproaching her for not caring for Zhou Shaojin properly, and blamed Bitao who was on duty: “Didn’t you hear anything at all about what Young Miss Jia said to Second Young Miss?”

Bitao and the others were also very frightened.

Old Madam Guo had kept Biyu here to assist Nanny Shang, while all of them who usually attended had been set aside. They feared they would soon be dismissed somewhere.

“I really didn’t hear anything!” She said with a mournful face, “If I’d heard, I would have told Old Madam Guo long ago.”

Fan Liushi could only sigh. The several of them stood under the eaves, watching Biyu and Nanny Shang bustle in and out, sitting in worry as if in a besieged city.

Cheng Chi urged Old Madam Guo to go have her evening meal: “…I’ll stay here and watch!”

Hearing this, Old Madam Guo smiled, “How can I let you stay here? I should be the one staying while you go have your evening meal!”

Cheng Chi truly had no appetite, but also knew it was improper for him to stay here, saying, “You’re getting on in years—how can you withstand such exertion? If you fall ill too, what would I do?”

Old Madam Guo, fearing her son would worry, instructed the maids to set the evening meal in the hall where Zhou Shaojin was staying.

Cheng Chi and Old Madam Guo hastily finished the evening meal, and the medicine was ready.

Zhou Shaojin was trembling all over, unconscious. Nanny Shang and Biyu both stepped forward and called her several times without waking her.

Biyu went forward to support Zhou Shaojin, letting her lean against herself, and had someone bring silver chopsticks, preparing to pry open Zhou Shaojin’s teeth to pour the medicine.

Nanny Shang thought for a moment and said quietly, “I fear Second Young Miss is delirious—we’ll have to force her mouth open. I think this matter should be reported to Fourth Master first!”

Second Young Miss was as delicate as porcelain—if she got hurt anywhere, it might not offset the merit.

Biyu was surprised, “This matter still needs to be reported to Fourth Master?”

Usually when medicine couldn’t be fed, wasn’t this how it was done?

Nanny Shang smiled, “Listen to me and you can’t go wrong.” Fearing this girl was too literal-minded, she added, “Fourth Master and Old Madam are sitting outside anyway—it won’t hurt to take this little bit of time. Don’t you think?”

Biyu was also a careful person and nodded upon hearing this.

Nanny Shang went to report to Old Madam Guo, but her eyes were looking at Cheng Chi.

Before Old Madam Guo could give instructions, Cheng Chi rose and headed toward the inner chamber.

Old Madam Guo was taken aback, supported by Manao as she slowly stood up.

Cheng Chi lifted the curtain and entered.

Biyu quickly stepped aside.

On the large black lacquered bed, Zhou Shaojin was curled into a ball, appearing even more small and helpless.

Cheng Chi felt a breath stuck in his chest, stifling and oppressive.

“Shaojin, Shaojin.” He bent down and called Zhou Shaojin in a low voice.

Zhou Shaojin’s eyes were tightly closed, her face flushed red, yet her forehead was covered in sweat, her mouth murmuring something unintelligible.

This was damnable!

Did this look like someone who’d suffered a fright?

She was clearly delirious with fever.

Cheng Chi sat on the edge of the bed and helped Zhou Shaojin lean against himself.

Zhou Shaojin’s body alternated between hot and cold.

One moment it was Cheng Chi’s contemptuous gaze, the next the pointing fingers of servants, then Yuan Shi’s mocking face, with the buzzing of women’s sharp voices tinged with hidden excitement in her ears.

“Such a vixen—at such a young age already knows how to seduce men and cause trouble!”

“Look at her—slender waist, full bosom, and those watery eyes when she looks at people. How could a proper young lady of good family grow up to look like this!”

“How could someone as gentle and kind as Madam Zhuang give birth to such a daughter? If Madam Zhuang were alive, wouldn’t she be angered to death!”

…

She didn’t know whether she was in her room at Fucui Pavilion or in that small side room at Yunzhen Hall where Yuan Shi had made her stay.

Zhou Shaojin desperately shook her head, loudly protesting “I didn’t,” but her throat seemed blocked, unable to make any sound.

Her tears fell in streams.

But she tumbled into a warm embrace.

A faint, subtle scent like sandalwood incense.

It was Uncle Chi.

Uncle Chi was by her side.

Let’s see which of those evil women dared bully her now!

She leaned toward that fragrant place, struggling to open her eyes.

Ink-dark brows and eyes, gentle and warm expression.

It really was Uncle Chi!

She cried out in grievance.

Cheng Chi’s heart broke.

The little girl looked at him pitifully, her originally clear eyes red like a little rabbit’s. How much suffering had she endured!

He couldn’t help but tighten his arm, saying softly, “Shaojin, do you know who I am?”

“It’s Uncle Chi!” She pouted, tears continuously falling.

Was she dreaming?

How could Uncle Chi be holding her?

She looked around.

In a sky-blue vase were inserted bright red pomegranate flowers.

She really was dreaming!

This was her inner chamber at Fucui Pavilion—how could Uncle Chi possibly come to her inner chamber?

She relaxed and nestled softly in Cheng Chi’s arms.

Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief and instructed Biyu, “Bring the medicine over.”

Biyu was already dumbstruck.

Second Young Miss wouldn’t wake no matter who called, but woke up as soon as Fourth Master held her… Last time with Zhenzhu too—no one could cure her, but Fourth Master brought a prescription and cured her… Fourth Master was actually this amazing!

She quickly handed over the medicine.

Cheng Chi placed a handkerchief under Zhou Shaojin’s chin and took a spoon to feed her the medicine.

But Zhou Shaojin pressed her lips together and said weakly, “The medicine is bitter. I want to drink it all in one go.”

Being fed spoonful by spoonful would make the suffering process very long.

Cheng Chi smiled slightly, his eyes showing unmistakable approval.

Zhou Shaojin’s heart felt as sweet as if filled with honey.

But then her expression changed drastically.

She remembered what had happened before…

What if people discovered she liked Uncle Chi?

Let those people scold her if they wanted—she couldn’t let Uncle Chi’s name be linked with hers.

He was such a good person, noble and upright—to have gossips mention him would be humiliating!

She couldn’t implicate Uncle Chi.

Zhou Shaojin began to struggle.

But she was ill, and her so-called struggling was merely twisting her body slightly. Not only did she fail to break free from Cheng Chi’s embrace, but it made Cheng Chi think he was holding her uncomfortably. He adjusted his position and brought the medicine bowl to her lips, saying gently, “Be good! After drinking the medicine and eating a few candies, it won’t be bitter anymore!”

That word “be good,” spoken as if coaxing a child, made Zhou Shaojin’s heart feel soul-stirring.

In the future, who would Uncle Chi say such things to?

If she died right now, could she be reborn as Uncle Chi’s daughter?

She began crying with sobs.

Cheng Chi simply thought the fever made her uncomfortable and patiently coaxed Zhou Shaojin.

Before she knew it, Zhou Shaojin had drunk that bowl of medicine.

Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief, fed Zhou Shaojin a candy, gently rose, and helped her pull up the covers. He smoothed her somewhat disheveled hair before straightening up.

Without the warm embrace and familiar scent, Zhou Shaojin’s body immediately felt cold.

She gazed at Cheng Chi, her eyes careful and earnest, as if he would disappear if she blinked.

Cheng Chi’s heart jolted. It took him a long time to recover. But upon recovering, he couldn’t help but bend down to touch her head, saying in a low voice, “Be good! After taking the medicine, sleep well, and you’ll be better when you wake.”

Then he had Biyu light a calming incense.

Biyu responded and left.

Whether from the fever making her confused, or from the calming effects of the medicine and incense, Cheng Chi’s face gradually became blurred and faded in Zhou Shaojin’s eyes.

She sank into deep slumber.

Cheng Chi breathed a sigh of relief.

Old Madam Guo stood outside the bamboo curtain of the inner chamber, quietly watching all this. Suddenly she seemed to age ten years, supporting herself against the nearby doorframe.

Nanny Lü quickly said quietly, “You—what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, I’m fine!” Old Madam Guo muttered, straightening her body. Her gaze fixed on her youngest son and met his eyes directly as he turned around.

Cheng Chi froze.

He looked straight at his mother but stood there for a long time without moving.

Inside and outside the bamboo curtain, equally silent, equally wordless.