The weather wasn’t very good.
It was said that a blast of wind could break the glazed roof tile. The spring wind this year could probably break the city wall.
Today was Zhuang Jiaojiao’s third day after the wedding, the day of the first return to her natal home. She had only just returned to the wangfu, exhausted from dealing with the day’s events.
Just as she returned to Qingjingyuan, she saw the pozi Mi shi come and speak. “Da niangzi, you are back.” Mi shi seemed very anxious.
“What’s going on?” Zhuang Jiaojiao had an approachable demeanour.
“Wen guniang complained of a headache early this morning. You* weren’t here, we called the fu’s doctor to take a look but there was no use. She just said it hurts. She didn’t say anything when we asked her about it and simply cried. You see, this matter…” Mi shi was Qingjingyuan’s housekeeping servant.
It had only been three days since Zhuang Jiaojiao married, but the pozi and yatou were already testing the waters with her.
Otherwise, would they come to her on this particular day if a tongfang wasn’t feeling well?
This courtyard in the wangfu belonged to Zhao Liulang. Naturally, the mistress or daniangzi of the yard ought to be the newly-married Zhuang Jiaojiao. But she was in charge only in theory. How could these pozi and yatou who had been around for decades be easy to speak to, order around and manage?
Zhuang Jiaojiao was aware of this, so she wasn’t in a hurry. “Since that is the case, I’ll change my clothes and go take a look. An illness should be looked into. How can that be a trivial matter? You go and wait first, I’ll go at once,” Zhuang Jiaojiao said.
Mi shi replied in compliance and left.
While changing clothes, Wang Yue said with gritted teeth, “Daniangzi, how can you believe this? This Wen guniang is definitely pretending! I have inquired that this Wen guniang is somewhat favoured. Although she doesn’t have status, our langjun treats her differently. You really shouldn’t indulge her like this! What if she…”
“Okay, okay. Just because langjun favours her, I don’t dare to neglect her. How can I prevent her from seeing a doctor as soon as I enter the mansion? It won’t be good for me later,” Zhuang Jiaojiao said, smiling.
“You are da niangzi, and she’s just a tongfang. If she says she’s ill on this auspicious day, isn’t this cursing you? Anyone will say this is inexcusable!” Wang Yue said in a rage.
Zhiyue laughed. “Alright, just listen to daniangzi on all matters.”
“Ai! You are all truly… these high-ranking families don’t have good conduct. Aren’t I just worried?” Wang Yue quickly combed Zhuang Jiaojiao’s hair with her swift hands.
There was no need to have a complicated hairstyle at home. Changing to clothes worn at home, Zhuang Jiaojiao led Wang Yue and Zhiyue to the rear pavilion.
Presently, there were four concubines in Zhao Liulang’s houyuan. The first was this Wen guniang, originally given by the wangfei. The remaining three were maids who were promoted. Two of them were originally from Qingjing Yuan and the other was sent by er langjun’s da niangzi.
The people in Qiushuang Pavilion were not few. When Zhuang Jiaojiao went over, Mi shi came out. “Da niangzi, she still hasn’t said anything. She only says it hurts and cries.”
Zhuang Jiaojiao nodded and went inside. Someone announced that she had come.
Wen guniang sat up. “Da niangzi, why did you take the trouble to come? Today is the day you went to your natal family, you must be tired. This slave is alright.”
“How can you say you are alright? Look at you cry. Headache, this illness, is truly hard to describe. Sometimes, it is possible that doctors can’t identify the problem. Why don’t you tell me in what manner it hurts?” Zhuang Jiaojiao sat down and asked gently.
Wen guniang probably didn’t expect that she would be so gentle. She hurriedly said, “Just like a pincushion, pricking in bursts, wave after wave. It’s also because because I fall short, so I’m unable to explain why. I’ve really inconvenienced da niangzi. You can go back and rest, I will be fine after a nap.”
“Sometimes, the pain lasts for a long time and the reason can’t be clearly explained. Let’s do this. It’s getting dark, I will personally go meet mother-in-law.” Saying this, she quickly got up. “In any case, look for two good doctors to come. The doctors in the fu are clearly not useful. If that doesn’t work, let’s call two taiyi.”
“Da niangzi!” Wen guniang hurriedly called.
“You need to be a little careful. You’ve endured pain the whole day, and don’t know what to do. Don’t worry, just wait.” Zhuang Jiaojiao frowned and quickly walked out.
The remaining people were stunned.
Da niangzi could really walk fast.
Wen guniang was, without a doubt, pretending, but she didn’t expect that the outcome was so different from what she anticipated.
In the main courtyard, just as the meal was being served, Liulang’s wife was announced.
Wangfei was surprised. “What did she say?”
“Just said she wanted to see you. This slave saw that it was probably because of Wen guniang.” The girl who was serving had a gloating smile on her face.
“Tell her to wait. Whatever the matter, we can talk after my meal.” Wangfei said indifferently.
“Yes,” the servant came out. “Sixth madam, you have arrived at an unfortunate time. Wangfei just had the meal served.”
“It’s because I’m not thoughtful, disturbing wangfei’s dining. I will wait here for wangfei to finish eating and call me,” Zhuang Jiaojiao smiled and said.
“It is windy today, please take shelter to not be affected.” The servant Qiaohe said, smiling.
“Thank you for your concern, I know.” Zhuang Jiaojiao smiled.
In the room, wangfei finished her meal leisurely. “Still waiting?”
“Yes, since you told her to wait, she naturally doesn’t dare to leave,” Qiaohe said, smiling.
“Alright, take it away. Call her in to the hall.” Wangfei left for the hall.
Zhuang Jiaojiao entered and paid her respects. “I’m troubling wangfei.”
“This sincere child, I only knew now that you were waiting. You came right after returning from your natal home. What is going on?” Wangfei asked.
“It is like this. Wen guniang in my yard is also pitiful; she has had a headache since she woke up this morning. When I left for my natal home this morning, I actually didn’t know. I only found out once I returned. She said that she also saw the doctors in the fu but they weren’t able to say what the problem was. It’s just that she is truly not well and she hasn’t stopped crying because of the pain. I didn’t dare to neglect this so I came to the princess to either look for two doctors to see her or call two taiyi to the fu. After all, she is a member of liulang’s household and valued by him. In the end, it makes a difference.”
“Do you really think so?” Wangfei put down her tea.
“Wangfei’s words, erxi doesn’t understand. Erxi comes from a small household and my dimu was exactly like this in the family. What’s more, Wen guniang may be promoted to qie in the future and erxi doesn’t dare to be an unvirtuous person.” Zhuang Jiaojiao said, smiling.
“Okay, there’s no need for a taiyi. Since she complains of pain, invite two doctors from outside to come and take a look.” Wangfei said. “It’s not early. You must have not eaten since you returned. Go back and have your meal.”
“Yes, thank you, wangfei. Erxi will return first.” Zhuang Jiaojiao stood up and left.
Returning to Qingjing Yuan, Wang Yue said, “Should the meal be served first? We don’t know when langjun will return today.”
“Since Wen guniang is so unwell, langjun must go see her first. How could it be good to come to my place?” Zhuang Jiaojiao said with a smile.
“Da niangzi!” Wang Yue said anxiously.
“Okay, okay. I’m hungry. First, let’s dine properly and not talk about other things.” Zhuang Jiaojiao said, smiling.
“Da niangzi, there is no need to worry. Today is the day you visited your natal home. It is reasonable that the first three days after the wedding, langjun will definitely stay at your place. Since Wen guniang is unwell and she even asked for the doctor, she doesn’t dare to invite langjun to her place today. Langjun is also unlikely to go.”
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