Doctor Zhong came before long to feel Seventh Miss’s pulse.
With Quan Zhongbai not in the capital, Doctor Zhong was already one of the finest physicians in the capital. Compared to the officials at the Imperial Medical Bureau, everyone in the Xu family from the Grand Dowager to Duke Pingguo, even ordinary concubines and chamber maids with minor ailments, all preferred to have Doctor Zhong examine them. Precisely because he wasn’t an imperial physician, Doctor Zhong spoke with fewer reservations and prescribed medicines less conservatively than the gentlemen at the Imperial Medical Bureau—to put it bluntly, they favored safe prescriptions. Over time, this could easily turn minor illnesses into major ones, leaving lingering ailments.
Since marrying into the Xu family, Seventh Miss had been taking two or three safe prescriptions written by Quan Zhongbai—she’d been taking them for over a year now. The problem of insufficient blood and vital energy she usually had in winter wasn’t very noticeable this year. But recently she’d been sleeping restlessly and her spirit was somewhat depleted. After taking her pulse, Doctor Zhong asked, “Does Young Madam always sleep lightly and wake easily from time to time?”
“It’s an old problem. When I sleep, if people walk around in the room or talk near me, I wake very easily.” Because Doctor Zhong was advanced in years and Seventh Miss was already married, there was no screen separating them. She rubbed her wrist while slowly answering, looking at Doctor Zhong thoughtfully and spacing out.
The bowl of Perfect Major Supplement Decoction that Fifth Miss drank when the incident occurred had been a tonic prescribed by Doctor Zhong.
This old physician was about the Grand Dowager’s age—already over seventy with chicken-skin and crane hair. He looked extremely otherworldly, as if aside from medical conditions, he didn’t care about any other trivial matters at all. He showed no reaction to Seventh Miss’s blatant scrutiny. After contemplating for a moment and examining Seventh Miss’s eyelids, he stroked his beard and said, “Young Madam’s problem actually stems from weak vital energy, which makes you sleep uneasily. I hear the young divine physician from the Quan family prescribed you two or three formulas—”
Seventh Miss glanced at Lixia, who hurriedly fetched the prescriptions Quan Zhongbai had written for Doctor Zhong to review. Doctor Zhong looked them over, pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush to write a new prescription and handed it to Lixia, instructing, “The divine physician truly deserves his reputation. These formulas from Ziyin are balanced and moderate—most effective for long-term use. However, Young Madam is now a married woman. After the harmonizing of yin and yang, your vital energy hasn’t weakened but has actually increased. This is a good thing, but at this point, continuing this prescription would be too nourishing. I’ll write Young Madam a new prescription. In the future, when Young Madam feels restless and has difficulty sleeping, you can take this dose. The quantities are written above—Young Madam can adjust them yourself as needed. Most importantly, you mustn’t overwork your mind!”
When he mentioned bedroom matters, Lixia’s face reddened. Instead, it was Qiqiao who curiously asked Doctor Zhong, “They say bedroom matters deplete kidney water, so how is it that our Young Madam…”
The words had already left her mouth when she seemed to realize her presumptuousness. Her face turned crimson and she glanced at Seventh Miss somewhat uneasily.
Of course Seventh Miss wouldn’t hold one slip of the tongue against Qiqiao. In fact, this was also something she was curious about. She simply waved at Qiqiao, then heard Doctor Zhong say, “When essence and fluids meet, they nurture infinite vitality. As long as it’s not excessive, bedroom matters are also nourishing. Young Madam’s vital energy is depleted, so it’s even more appropriate to regularly replenish yang energy…” Seeing Seventh Miss’s face turn completely red, he stroked his beard and smiled. “This old man speaks of medical principles in this manner—Young Madam, please don’t take offense.”
Old physicians like this who had long-term cooperative relationships with the Xu family would be politely addressed as “Uncle” by most households, and they would even be invited to weddings and funerals. How could Seventh Miss take offense? She simply smiled. “I’m the one lacking worldly experience. Mister Zhong, please don’t mind.”
The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere actually relaxed. In fact, in Great Qin, although unmarried men and women had to carefully observe propriety, after marriage, people were actually bolder than modern people in many matters. Seventh Miss had simply not been married long and was still thin-skinned.
Doctor Zhong gave Seventh Miss a few more instructions on health maintenance secrets, then rose to take his leave. Seventh Miss smiled and instructed Lixia, “I won’t get up. You see Mister Zhong out for me.”
Lixia seemed unable to comprehend and gave Seventh Miss several meaningful looks, her face showing slight confusion. Seeing Seventh Miss ignore her, she attentively helped Doctor Zhong out the door. Qiqiao observed Lixia’s expression and was also thoughtful. She walked back and forth near Seventh Miss a few times before tidying up the room.
Seventh Miss watched Qiqiao’s figure and smiled in praise. “Qiqiao is becoming more and more graceful. How old are you this year?”
Qiqiao’s face showed more joy. “Young Madam flatters me. I’ll be nineteen after New Year’s. Young Madam has forgotten—last year on my birthday, you rewarded me with a pair of earrings.”
“Already a grown young lady!” Seventh Miss sat up straight and picked up Doctor Zhong’s prescription to examine carefully. “Your mother must be thinking about arranging a match for you?”
Qiqiao’s movements paused. “Young Madam has forgotten again—my parents are still in the South…”
Her words carried faint homesickness and longing. Although Ninth Brother had already left Baifang Garden, the Dong couple still had to look after the aunties and the Yang family’s properties in Suzhou.
Seventh Miss had truly forgotten this detail. For a moment she too was stirred by thoughts of home and spaced out. When she came back to her senses, Qiqiao had vanished. Instead, Lixia had entered the room with a face full of confusion, repeatedly glancing at Seventh Miss—clearly she had something to say.
“Whatever it is, just say it.” Seventh Miss was amused. “Who can I hide things from if not you?”
Lixia had walked this path with her from the South Side Courtyard. The bond between them couldn’t be explained in a few words. The entire Zhou family worked under her. The person Seventh Miss trusted most in this world was probably still Lixia.
“This servant wants to ask but is somewhat afraid.” Lixia hesitated. “Who knows what arrangements Miss secretly has—not telling this servant is for my own good… This servant thought that when you invited Doctor Zhong here, you wanted to ask about the Perfect Major Supplement Decoction, but who knew…”
Seventh Miss suddenly understood. “And here I thought it was something serious.”
Her face showed traces of a smile. “Silly girl, what kind of person do you think Doctor Zhong is? Would he spill everything like beans from a bamboo tube just because I, a young madam without authority, asked him?”
If there were any doubts about the Perfect Major Supplement Decoction, Doctor Zhong couldn’t possibly reveal them just from being asked like this. Otherwise, how could Madam Xu not know? People become cunning with age—this old gentleman was even older than Grand Dowager Ni. To extract information from him, she needed some groundwork.
Lixia excelled at steadiness but was truly lacking in perceptiveness.
Even with Seventh Miss being this explicit, she still didn’t understand. “But if Doctor Zhong is determined to bury this matter in his heart…”
“When I hadn’t taken charge yet, Doctor Zhong might indeed have thought that way.” Seventh Miss smiled confidently. “Regarding the Perfect Major Supplement Decoction, if Doctor Zhong is completely clean, that’s fine. Otherwise, when the Xu family changes leadership… just you wait and see.”
She raised the corners of her lips and smiled slightly. “After two or three comfortable months, it’s time to clear my throat. From now on, Mingde Hall must be especially careful in our conduct. You’ll supervise the maids—we must be cautious in everything and absolutely cannot give others any grounds for criticism.”
Lixia solemnly acknowledged.
#
The next day, after paying her respects to Madam Xu at Qingping Courtyard, Seventh Miss returned to Leshan Residence.
“Fifth Sister-in-law.” She greeted Fifth Young Madam warmly. “Mother must have spoken to you already? Starting today, I’ll trouble Fifth Sister-in-law to teach me household management!”
Fifth Young Madam smiled as if the clouds were light and the wind gentle. “Mother only spoke to me yesterday. I didn’t expect Sixth Sister-in-law to be in such a rush.”
Still so full of hidden barbs.
Seventh Miss looked at Fifth Young Madam and smiled. “How can I not be anxious? Though Little Seven learned household management from Mother before, I lived in Suzhou for many years after all, and my natal family is simple. Unlike Duke Pingguo’s household with so many matters—I must ask Fifth Sister-in-law for much guidance.”
Given Seventh Miss’s birth order and status, the education she received shouldn’t have been suitable for managing a ducal household like this. But for the Grand Madam to value her enough to specifically teach her household management could indeed surprise many people.
For instance, Fifth Young Madam now—a faint shadow passed through her eyes, like a dark cloud covering a clear sky.
“Not at all.” She brought out that cold manner again. “Sixth Sister-in-law is so intelligent—how could you need me to teach you?”
As the actual victor, engaging in verbal sparring was a leisurely pastime, but continuing the entanglement wasn’t particularly necessary. Seventh Miss smiled but didn’t pick up Fifth Young Madam’s conversational thread.
Fifth Young Madam’s heart was probably already sufficiently annoyed. Seventh Miss had laid her cards on the table—studying under her today was to seize her authority in the future. Yet this matter was completely legitimate. Even if she had other schemes, facing this situation, anyone less than a sage would feel frustrated.
She maintained her composure and sat down in an armchair on the west side of the outer flower hall at Leshan Residence, then in an affected voice instructed a maid, “The ground warmth has returned these past few days. I don’t know what’s been calling all night—it’s so noisy one can’t sleep. Brew me a strong pot of Cloud Mist tea!”
Seventh Miss couldn’t help exchanging smiles with Bailu. Bailu asked Seventh Miss in a clear voice, “The osmanthus fragrant dew you instructed to be prepared this morning is probably lukewarm by now. Should this servant send someone back to Mingde Hall to fetch it for you?”
Before Seventh Miss could speak, light footsteps sounded outside. Zhongyuan entered the flower hall with a smile, holding a small Western glass pot. “Your usual large glass pot would be too heavy to carry out. Sister Lixia searched for ages and finally found this matching small pot in a corner. Young Madam, please don’t mind the delay.”
Though glass was no longer particularly rare among wealthy households, such exquisite red and green Western glass was certainly a rare imported item. Most wonderfully, Zhongyuan had no idea about Fifth Young Madam’s earlier remark. Her casual manner carried an air of taking things for granted, clearly showing that Seventh Miss’s daily living was just this extravagant.
Having Zhongyuan deliver the water was truly an excellent move by Lixia.
Seventh Miss glanced at Fifth Young Madam and smiled while dismissing Zhongyuan. “I understand. Go get your Sister Lixia to attend me instead—your endless chatter is annoying.”
No matter how much Fifth Young Madam could endure, her breathing became slightly rougher. She carefully placed the teacup in her hand on the plum blossom table. Just as she was about to speak, over ten stewardess matrons with solemn expressions filed into the room.
Fifth Young Madam immediately straightened her expression and sat up properly.
Seventh Miss also waved Zhongyuan away, propped her chin on one hand, and examined each face before her with great interest.
In great aristocratic families, stewardess matrons couldn’t be replaced at will. Many veteran servants could even embarrass young daughters-in-law, especially the senior stewardess matrons who had served the elders—even daughters-in-law had to be courteous to them. Therefore, although Fifth Young Madam had made many moves these years, there were still quite a few familiar faces among the stewardesses.
Seventh Miss mentally reviewed the names of all fifteen stewardesses, her eyes flowing like water over each person’s face, silently taking notes. Physiognomy reflected the heart—seeing them herself was worth ten sentences from old matrons.
The Xu family was a ducal household and should theoretically arrange personnel according to the regulations for ducal households, but regulations were dead while people were alive. After many years of frequent personnel changes, both Grand Dowager Ni and Madam Xu had reformed the household’s personnel system. Fifth Young Madam had also changed some rules according to her preferences. Now the Xu household’s personnel situation was much more complex than the Yang family’s, with matters inside and outside quite entangled.
The Yang family had previously divided all internal affairs into domestic and external matters. Each concubine had her own monthly allowance, and if they were raising young ladies, the ladies’ allowances were also directly given to the concubines. The entire Baifang Garden used dwelling units as the basic unit—everyone ate from the main kitchen. In the entire inner courtyard, only the Grand Madam had her own small kitchen. As for external matters, naturally Mama Dong handled them, and the Grand Madam rarely inquired. The Grand Master’s secretaries were all kept at the Governor-General’s office, and he ate meals from the Grand Madam’s small kitchen.
As for the servant maids and matrons attending the young ladies, they were all decided by the main courtyard. The young ladies’ own wishes were merely one factor the Grand Madam considered. The entire main courtyard monopolized power—the Grand Madam made all decisions unilaterally. Domestic affairs were handled cleanly and clearly, so that even the Grand Master could rarely find fault.
As for external matters, that was even more straightforward. Never mind the young ladies of Baifang Garden—the concubines were not easily permitted to go out. All social engagements were handled by the Grand Madam appearing in person. Whether to go or not was the Grand Madam’s own business. Social relationships were managed by Mama Wang, personnel by Mama Liang, the small storeroom by Mama Yao… Everything was orderly, which was why Twelfth Auntie could assist so easily.
The Xu family was different. First, there were many factions. Setting aside when Madam Xu was managing things, though Fifth Young Madam now managed the household, both emotionally and rationally she had no restraining power over her sisters-in-law, especially regarding personnel appointments. With personnel appointments in chaos first, Fifth Young Madam only stepped in to serve them when the parties themselves made requests. For instance, today First Young Madam sent someone to ask Fifth Young Madam for two servant women to manage cleaning—the original two matrons weren’t working conscientiously, so she’d already sent them to work on her dowry estate. Fifth Young Madam had to discuss with two matrons at her side and give First Young Madam two honest people.
Second was the matter of meals. The main kitchen existed in name only, only serving a few unmarried concubine-born sons and daughters and the concubines. Zhishan Hall, Shensi Hall, and the other four married children’s courtyards, plus Menghua Pavilion, Qingping Courtyard, and Leshan Residence—all had their own small kitchens. Regarding daily food supplies, the mistresses often made special requests and cooks would come to register, collect money, and go out to purchase on the spot. How profitable this was went without saying. But Fifth Young Madam seemed unable to do anything—after all, this was an accumulated problem of many years. As a concubine-born son’s wife, what could she really do?
Then there were the education issues for several children. The Xu family had no family school. Several children of the third and fourth generations were all school-aged, and the carriages picking them up and dropping them off each day were all different—another whole heap of matters. Not to mention procurement, laundry, needlework, social relationships, the storerooms… Almost every matron who stepped forward had a whole pile of matters. Fifth Young Madam handled everything without the slightest disorder, at most pausing briefly to think before giving instructions. Only then could the Duke Pingguo household machine operate smoothly.
But Seventh Miss had only watched for half a day and already had several matters on her mind.
By lunchtime, Fifth Young Madam finally had some leisure.
Even she couldn’t help showing fatigue on her face. After exchanging a few perfunctory pleasantries with Seventh Miss with a forced smile, she left Leshan Residence directly.
Seventh Miss also slowly strolled out of Little Cuijin, contemplating all the way as she entered Mingde Hall.
Just as she reached the door of the third western room, she heard Xu Fengjia’s voice.
She hadn’t expected the young duke, busy as he was, to still have time to come back for lunch.
Seventh Miss couldn’t help pursing her lips in a smile.
This smile had just appeared when the door of the third western room suddenly burst open heavily, slamming against the partition wall beside it.
Qiqiao rushed out from inside with a completely flushed face. She only glanced at Seventh Miss once, didn’t even greet her, and swept out of the hall like a whirlwind.