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Chapter 79: Drunken Tea
In the afternoon, Meinang parted from Ning Rulan and went to Qui Hua Court to see Heng Ge’er. As she faced Madam Zheng, her mind was filled with doubts: “This woman is no better. She clearly knows that her younger son and daughter in law are in an illicit affair, yet she turns a blind eye. Now, she simply snatches her grandson back and plans to raise him as Xu Jun Ying’s son, hoping to make Heng Ge’er the heir and have him inherit the title.*
Sigh… “How foolish can she be? Does she think Xu Jun Ying is so easily fooled? He already suffered a hidden loss far away. Do you really think he would openly let you scheme like this?”
Meinang cradled Heng Ge’er and observed his features, which were strikingly similar to Xu Jun Ying’s. She couldn’t help but smile bitterly: “After all, they are close relatives. Xu Jun Ying and Xu Jun Jie should look alike. If anyone claimed Heng Ge’er was Xu Jun Ying’s son, no one would doubt it.”
She tightened her embrace around Heng Ge’er and glanced surreptitiously at Madam Zheng, who was sitting nearby sipping tea. “That old woman must have raised her son well. A son who dares to have an affair with his sister in law must have been spoiled rotten from a young age, with little discipline. Heng Ge’er will likely be spoiled as well if raised under her care. What should I do? I need to find a way to get my son back before she ruins him.”
While she was lost in thought, Madam Zheng suddenly spoke, startling her: “After the fifteenth, we’ll have them bring Yu Er back. What do you think?”
Meinang suddenly realized: “Yes, there’s also Zheng Mei Yu, who is involved in an affair with Xu Jun Jie and Qin Meinang. There’s one key person in the middle of this without Zheng Mei Yu spreading rumors and taking action, they probably wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”
Zheng Mei Yu… “Why could she come and go freely between the Qing Hua Court and the Eastern Court, acting coquettishly in front of Xu Jun Ying? How did she dare to leak information about her affair with Lord Hou? Even Xu Jun Ying didn’t give Zhuang Yu Lan the precious silver fox fur, but he gave it to her. She must have already allied herself with Xu Jun Ying and betrayed her cousin, Xu Jun Jie, for the benefits Xu Jun Ying offered her marriage into his household as a concubine, though later, Zhuang Yu Lan, a stronger and harder to defeat opponent, appeared. Zheng Mei Yu had no choice but to settle for being a concubine.*
“What a despicable cousin. What a terrible woman. And yet Madam Zheng still protects her, making plans for her.”
Meinang said, “Mother, it’s your decision. My cousin must be used to living in Hou’s residence. She can’t even stay home for a few days.”
Madam Zheng put down her teacup and sighed: “Indeed. After she was born, my brother’s health deteriorated, and we consulted various doctors who all said that Yu Er’s fate clashed with her father’s. Since our family is a large one, we couldn’t send her off to someone else to raise. So, my sisters and I took turns caring for her. She liked staying with me, and after she turned five or six, she spent more time in Hou’s residence. She got along well with Jun Ying and Jun Jie. My cousins treated her with tolerance and spoiled her.”
Meinang nodded: “Spoiled her indeed, and now she’s turned into an ungrateful wretch.” Madam Zheng was no fool, yet she never considered that if Zheng Mei Yu fell in love with Xu Jun Ying, she might spill everything. “Does she think she can read her niece’s heart and assume she’s always loyal to her family? Fortunately, Xu Jun Jie died. Otherwise, seeing what the foolish mother and rotten cousin did, he’d be driven mad.*
Meinang made up her mind. When Zheng Mei Yu arrived, she would probe her thoroughly and figure out exactly how she had helped Qin Meinang and Xu Jun Jie get together.
On the eighth day of the new year, Meinang had Cui Xi visit Xian Ke Lai to inquire about the banquet. Cui Xi returned to report that from the sixth day of the new year, guests had started reserving tables, and the entire floor was booked until the tenth.
Cui Xi, looking uneasy, said, “I saw Bao Yu there, almost letting him see me. I asked the shopkeeper, and he said Bao Yu booked ten tables for a banquet to entertain colleagues and friends… “Dà” Nǎi, are we really going to take Hou Ye’s money?”
Meinang, with her hands tucked into her sleeves, was walking around the water pond in Qing Hua Court. Hearing her question, she looked up and sighed: “What else can we do? Should we tell him this is Dà” Nǎi’s restaurant and refuse Hou Ye’s money? We’d be asking for trouble. Anyway, it’s the shopkeeper’s decision. Let him take as much as he wants. We should pretend we don’t know anything. When is Hou Ye’s banquet scheduled?”
“On the twelfth day of the new year.”
“Okay. After the fifteenth, the New Year’s banquets should be over. You can go collect the payment then. I didn’t even account for the New Year’s banquet income.”
The weather became brighter after the eighth day. It was no longer as cold, and Meinang spent her days managing the affairs of the Hou residence, checking both public and private accounts, walking more often, and practicing her body exercises in her room. She would also make regular visits to the old lady and the madam’s rooms, and spend time with Heng Ge’er, reading books borrowed from Rulan, and trying to play the Yao Qin (a traditional Chinese instrument).
Rulan had recently given her some Shu brocade and woolen thread to make a net for herself. She asked Cui Jian to wind the thread into balls and drew patterns to help the maids crochet sweaters. They quickly became hooked on the hobby. Cui Xi, Cui Jian, and Cui Si made sweaters for the family, and Meinang even made one for Heng Ge’er. At the same time, she had planned to make one for Xu Jun Ying to win his favor, but after hearing of the incident with Wang Mama, she lost her enthusiasm and packed it away.
Cui Xi, Cui Jian, and Cui Si finished their first sweater and started making vests for themselves. Cui Jian, being quick, also made one for Wang Mama, while Meinang made one for herself.
Time flew by, and soon it was the twelfth day of the new year. Bai Jing Yu, Ning Rulan, and even Gan Shi and Fang Shi all returned to their homes for the festival. Xu Jun Ying had not given any instructions, so Meinang remained silent as well, secretly hoping that after the fifteenth, when he would be busy with court affairs, she could sneak away to visit her own family.
That evening, Meinang was reviewing the account books under the light when Wang Mama entered and said, “Madam, Rui Bao from the Eastern Court is here. She says there’s something urgent.”
Meinang nodded, “Let her in.”
Rui Bao quickly entered, bowed to Meinang, and said with a worried expression, “Please, Madam, go to see Hou Ye. He… he’s been like last time again.”
Meinang froze, “What’s wrong with him?”
Rui Bao replied, “I don’t know. Today, Hou Ye was out drinking at Xian Ke Lai, and after returning, he went to greet the old lady. Bai Zhan said, after drinking tea made by Miss Zhuang, he started feeling unwell vomiting again…”
“Vomiting again?” Meinang asked, alarmed.
“Yes, but this time, it was only vomiting and dizziness, no diarrhea. He vomited bile, and then felt nauseous.”
“Didn’t you send for the doctor?”
Rui Bao anxiously replied, “Bai Zhan said you could cure Hou Ye, as you did last time, so he asked me to hurry and get you.”
Wang Mama brought Meinang’s shoes, saying, “Madam, please hurry. Go see what’s going on, and then have them fetch the doctor.”
Meinang quickly put on her shoes and said to Rui Bao, “Did you report it to the Madam and Old Madam? If something happens, I won’t”
Wang Mama interrupted, “Madam, please go quickly.”
Meinang stopped talking, put on her outer robe with Cui Xi’s help, and rushed to the Eastern Court.
Inside Wen Jin Xuan, Xu Jun Ying was vomiting violently. Meinang stood outside, frowning, waiting for him to finish before she entered. She instructed Bai Zhan to send for the doctor. He replied, “Bao Yu has gone already.”
The room was lit by two lamps, and Meinang brought one to the bedside. Xu Jun Ying’s eyes were closed, his face flushed. She asked Bai Zhan what had happened, and he explained:
“Hou Ye started drinking at Xian Ke Lai around noon. He was a little drunk by the time the banquet ended but still able to walk back. After greeting the old lady, Miss Zhuang brewed tea for him to sober up. He drank several cups, and then came out, but felt uncomfortable dizzy, with a headache, and wanted to vomit. By the time we reached the pond, he began vomiting non-stop until just now. I’ve already sent for the doctor.”
Meinang stepped closer to Xu Jun Ying’s side. His breathing was still erratic, but he wasn’t as pale as he had been during the first illness. She guessed it was related to his previous health issues.
She said softly, “It’s not serious. He’ll be fine after a while.”
Bai Zhan nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Madam.”
Meinang couldn’t help but ask, “What happened? What did Miss Zhuang put in the tea?”
Bai Zhan turned pale and said, “Madam, you suspect something’s wrong?”
“Be honest. What’s the problem?”
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