Early in the morning, before dawn had even broken, Zhenzhu came to report that Cheng Jia had inexplicably fainted. Even someone as experienced as Old Madam Guo couldn’t help but be startled. She quickly said, “Since such a serious matter has happened to Jia girl, you naturally must go see! Also, did the messenger say anything else?”
Zhenzhu replied, “They said she felt unwell after dinner last night and went to sleep early. Young Master Li thought Fourth Young Mistress had caught a chill and considered calling a physician. But firstly, it was too late, and secondly, Fourth Young Mistress said she was fine, just very tired. So Young Master Li didn’t take it to heart. Who knew that when she woke up this morning, a maid had just brought her a cup of tea when Fourth Young Mistress smelled it and began vomiting. Before she could even stand up straight, she fainted directly. Young Master Li’s face turned pale, and he immediately called for a physician while also sending someone to fetch Fourth Madam’s wet nurse, saying that someone who had nursed young ladies would be more attentive and knowledgeable than others…”
Old Madam Guo nodded approvingly and said, “Jia girl’s husband is quite detail-oriented.” Then, thinking that Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi had carried on until the third watch before retiring, and that calling them now would likely cause quite a commotion, she quickly told Nanny Lü, “You hurry over and tell Fourth Madam not to rush getting up. There’s nothing she can do by going anyway. Young Master Li has already sent for a physician, who will arrive soon. Her presence there would actually be inconvenient. After the physician arrives and examines Jia girl’s pulse, it won’t be too late for her to go over.” She added, “Whoever is helping Young Master Li fetch the physician should take Grand Master’s calling card. It would be best to request a physician from the Imperial Medical Academy.”
Zhenzhu acknowledged and departed.
But the news reached Zhou Shaojin’s ears at the same time it reached Old Madam Guo’s.
Zhou Shaojin broke out in a cold sweat. Disregarding her body’s fatigue, she groggily fumbled for her undergarments while telling Chun Wan, who stood outside the bed curtains, “You must go see quickly. After all, this isn’t their own home, and Young Master Li might not have the same ease in handling matters as at home. Send someone right away to tell the stewards that whatever Young Master Li instructs, they should do exactly as he says without the slightest negligence. They must know how to handle things appropriately and not alarm the other distinguished guests, causing everyone unnecessary worry.”
Chun Wan acknowledged and hurried off to relay the message.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin feel something heavy falling in the flower valley.
The scene from last night when he had held her in his arms and taken liberties suddenly flashed through her mind.
Her face flushed crimson. She lowered her head and realized she wasn’t wearing a single thread, which made her blush again. She grabbed a garment at random and draped it over herself, then turned to search for her undergarments. But she saw Cheng Chi leaning against the head of the bed, bare-shouldered, exposing his fair skin and solid chest, watching her with interest, his gaze clear and bright as water.
The bed curtains still carried that ambiguous scent.
Her heart trembled violently. Not daring to look at him again, she turned her face away and murmured, “F-Fourth, Silang.”
Cheng Chi laughed, reached out to pull her into his embrace, and kissed the top of her head. “My little girl has grown up. Now when sudden matters arise, she knows how to handle them…”
The intimate contact of skin made her think again of last night’s entanglement.
Zhou Shaojin’s face burned as she said distractedly, “I… I don’t know if it’s right?”
“Very right!” Cheng Chi praised. “When such things happen at home, this is exactly how they should be handled. Especially since we don’t know how Jia girl is doing, it’s best not to let the household guests know something has happened. This is better for Jia girl, I…”
Before he could finish speaking, Nanny Shang’s voice came from outside: “Fourth Master, Fourth Madam, Fourth Young Mistress has awakened. She just says she feels unwell and wants to vomit—perhaps she ate something unclean. Young Master Li is investigating it now!”
Zhou Shaojin knew from her previous life about Li Jing’s affection and respect for Cheng Jia and didn’t feel offended. She instructed Ji Xiang, “Tell those serving in the guest rooms to listen to Young Master Li and do whatever he tells them to do!”
Ji Xiang went to relay the message.
Zhou Shaojin quickly struggled out of Cheng Chi’s embrace. “I should go see her.”
Cheng Chi also rose. “I’ll go see too!”
This was their home—when guests encountered problems, they naturally needed to show their faces to provide comfort and resolve the situation.
Zhou Shaojin fled from the bed and hid behind the screen to clean herself. After a long while, she emerged wearing her inner garment with every button fastened neatly at the collar. She lifted the bed curtains and called for Yuanyuan and Manman to come help her arrange her hair and dress.
Cheng Chi laughed, finding Zhou Shaojin’s ostrich-like behavior both confused and clever—very endearing.
The two of them went together to where Cheng Jia was staying.
The physician hadn’t arrived yet. Li Jing was pacing anxiously back and forth in the corridor. When he saw them, he immediately came forward. Despite the cold weather, sweat had formed on his forehead. He said urgently, “Thank you, Old Madam and Uncle Chi… Old Madam just had someone send over Uncle Jing’s calling card. Steward Xiang has already gone to request Imperial Physician Cao from the Imperial Medical Academy. I also sent someone to call the nearest physician. I’ve troubled Uncle Chi and Fourth Auntie. Fourth Auntie, please help me check on my wife. Uncle Chi, please come with me to the side room for a cup of hot tea!”
Even someone as shrewd as Li Jing became somewhat flustered when encountering such matters.
But Cheng Chi’s impression of him improved greatly, and he went with him to the adjacent side room for tea.
Zhou Shaojin was led by a maid into the inner chamber.
Because they had stayed late watching the fireworks yesterday and returned late, they hadn’t gone home but temporarily stayed in the guest quarters. Besides Cui Huan and another young maid, the others serving at Cheng Jia’s side were all maids and elderly servants from the Cheng family assigned to the guest rooms.
When Zhou Shaojin entered, the room was crowded with people crouching everywhere. She couldn’t be bothered to identify who was who and went straight to Cheng Jia, who lay on the bed. Sitting on the brocade stool beside the bed, she grasped Cheng Jia’s hand and asked repeatedly, “How do you feel now?”
“All right,” Cheng Jia replied listlessly, her complexion somewhat sallow. “I just feel weak and want to sleep but can’t.”
“It’s fine!” Zhou Shaojin comforted Cheng Jia. “Someone has already taken Grand Master Jing’s calling card to request an imperial physician. The physician will arrive shortly. If you feel unwell, just close your eyes and rest for now.”
Cheng Jia smiled weakly. “If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have teased you. This must be the Bodhisattva seeing me cause trouble everywhere and deliberately teaching me a lesson.”
Zhou Shaojin felt both sad and amused. “Let’s see if you’ll still be mischievous in the future!”
The two exchanged a few desultory words when the physician Li Jing had sent for nearby arrived.
Zhou Shaojin withdrew behind the screen.
The physician took her pulse for quite some time, then smiled at the nervously standing Li Jing. “Congratulations! The madam has a joyous pulse!”
“A joyous pulse?!” Li Jing’s eyes widened. For a long moment, he couldn’t process what he’d heard.
It was Cui Huan who joyfully thanked the physician that Li Jing finally reacted, speaking incoherently: “Are you certain you haven’t made a mistake? How could it be a joyous pulse? We’re still guests at someone else’s home! Then we must hurry back to Luoyang. No, we must first go pay respects to our ancestors…”
The physician had never previously treated anyone in the Cheng household and had no idea who Li Jing was. Seeing his undisguised joy now, his heart finally settled. He smiled and said, “Rest assured, I’ve practiced medicine near Chaoyangmen for nearly twenty years and have never been mistaken! Moreover, the pulse signs are very clear…”
As he was speaking, Steward Xiang led Imperial Physician Cao in.
The physician quickly withdrew to the outer room.
Imperial Physician Cao examined her pulse and also declared it a joyous pulse: “However, since the madam is still in her early months, it’s best to be careful with the pregnancy for these two or three months. Don’t move about recklessly. I’ll write a prescription for her to take first. After she finishes it, I’ll come examine the madam’s pulse again and adjust the prescription as needed.”
Since even the palace’s imperial physician confirmed it was a joyous pulse, Li Jing no longer had the slightest doubt. He respectfully escorted Imperial Physician Cao to write the prescription, gave the previous physician twenty taels of silver as a consultation fee, and sent the delighted physician on his way. Only then did he excitedly go see Cheng Chi, who was waiting in the adjacent side room.
Zhou Shaojin also emerged from behind the screen.
Cheng Jia grasped Zhou Shaojin’s hand with reddened eyes. “Pinch me—am I dreaming? How is it that just after saying I wanted a child, I have one?” At this point, she exclaimed “Aiya!” and sat up. “I just remembered—some time ago I went to Hongluo Temple to pray for a child. I promised the Bodhisattva that if my wish came true, I would donate ten catties of gold to gild his statue. I must go fulfill my vow!”
“Didn’t you hear what the physician said?” Zhou Shaojin pressed Cheng Jia back down. “You’re still in the early months and shouldn’t move about. You should rest properly in bed. First, let Li Jing go fulfill the vow for you. When you’re stronger, it won’t be too late to personally visit Hongluo Temple! Also, don’t be so startled and jumpy—that’s the easiest way to cause bleeding.”
Cheng Jia indeed no longer dared move recklessly and carefully lay back down. Her eyes and brows couldn’t conceal her joy as she asked Zhou Shaojin, “You’ve just gotten married—how do you know these things?”
Zhou Shaojin thought quickly. “Don’t forget, I came to the capital to help Elder Sister with her confinement period.”
“Oh!” Cheng Jia no longer doubted.
Li Jing strode in, his smile bright and radiant, unable to contain his joy as he addressed Cheng Jia: “Ajia, you’ve worked so hard! Now that you’re with child…” Before he could finish the sentence, his eyes also moistened.
Zhou Shaojin tactfully rose to take her leave, allowing the couple their intimate conversation.
Cheng Chi smiled as he supported Zhou Shaojin. “Though we were awakened so early in the morning, hearing such joyous news makes it worthwhile!”
Zhou Shaojin smiled with pursed lips.
Cheng Chi leaned close to her ear. “I’m truly envious!”
What did he mean by that?
Did he also want to become a father?
Zhou Shaojin’s face bloomed with rosy color as she glared at Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi laughed heartily.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, news of Cheng Jia’s pregnancy spread throughout the household.
Old Madam Guo chanted “Amitabha,” saying it was good fortune and hoping Zhou Shaojin might also benefit from the auspicious occasion. She had someone send over two fifty-year-old ginseng roots along with bird’s nest, dried longan, and other blood-nourishing and qi-strengthening medicinal ingredients.
All the aunts and cousins went to see Cheng Jia.
Cheng Jia couldn’t rest properly.
After kowtowing to Old Madam Guo in thanks, Li Jing went to see Cheng Chi: “We’ve caused trouble for your household. I’ve already arranged for a sedan chair. After the midday meal, we’ll head back.”
Cheng Chi urged him to stay: “You needn’t be so formal with me. If the physician feels Jia girl shouldn’t travel, let her stay here for a few days. Just have the maids and elderly servants who usually attend her brought in to care for her. Going back to where you’re staying, there are no elders around—it’s not as convenient as here!”