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Normally, after administering such medicine to a child, He Cheng should have stayed for at least two quarters of an hour to observe the child’s reaction. However, he disliked the main household, especially Madam Hong who scrutinized him constantly. Instead of returning home immediately, as Crane Hall was closer, he decided to pay his respects to the Princess and spend some time there.
He mentioned, “I will go to Crane Hall to pay my respects to the Princess. If anything happens, you can find me there…”
The Grandmother expressed her gratitude and escorted He Cheng out of the chamber.
On his way to Yiluo Pavilion, He Cheng encountered Jiang Zhanxun, who had come to check on Young Master Deyu after school.
He Cheng exchanged greetings with him, then hurriedly continued on his way.
Jiang Zhanxun caught up and said, “Brother Cheng, our theater troupe has prepared a new play called ‘Zilong Battles Changban.’ It’s really exciting. Shall we go watch it this afternoon?”
He Cheng, still walking, shook his head and replied, “I’m busy, so I’m not going.”
“Then how about tomorrow?” Jiang Zhanxun persisted.
“Busy tomorrow too.” He Cheng declined.
“On the tenth, will you join us for a meal at the restaurant?” Jiang Zhanxun asked loudly.
By then, He Cheng had already left the courtyard.
Jiang Zhanxun stood there, staring blankly at the gate. Despite wanting to follow and have a heart-to-heart chat, he refrained, fearing his elder brother and father’s reprimands.
Madam Hong, watching from the window, fumed, muttering, “Judging by his appearance, he’s clearly not a good person, daring to tempt Zhanxun to watch the play. Why did the Princess keep such a person in the mansion? He should have been sent away long ago.”
Internally resolved to reclaim control and expel unwanted individuals once she regained authority in the future, she vowed to take back the Yuling Courtyard and remove such elements from the premises.
Despite being back for a while, the Princess hadn’t assigned Lu Man any household duties, stating that the steward handled most matters while Lady Han managed the miscellaneous tasks, advising her to enjoy her leisure time.
Hearing Madam Hong’s words, Young Madam Han remained silent. She thought to herself, Lu Man had helped their child and even brought miraculous medicine. Instead of showing gratitude, her mother-in-law was speaking nonsense. Lu Man’s brother hadn’t enticed Jiang Zhanxun, in fact, he couldn’t avoid him.
Thinking about her husband’s repeated advice to improve relations with Lu Man, Young Madam Han planned to discuss the matter with him in the evening, ensuring Jiang Zhanxun wouldn’t cause trouble and that their relationship wouldn’t further deteriorate…
Pretending not to hear the Madam Hong’s words, Young Madam Han sat by the bed, worry etched on her face as she watched her son.
When Jiang Zhanxun entered, Madam Hong frowned and reprimanded him, “In the future, have fewer interactions with that He Cheng. You are the Princess’s grandson and the Marquis’s son, with a noble status. That He family boy comes from a disgraced lineage, clearly not well-behaved. Don’t let him lead you astray…”
Jiang Zhanxun obediently nodded and replied, “Mother, I understand. I won’t.”
After another quarter of an hour, Young Master Deyu’s face remained red-hot, asleep with his eyes shut.
Young Madam Han fretted, “They say salicylic pills are miraculous. Why is Deyu still so feverish? Grandmother felt much better shortly after taking the miraculous medicine, the fever subsided.”
Madam Hong, observing her grandson’s flushed face and closed eyes, felt immense anguish. She remarked, “Look at these pills, the size of soybeans. They say to give only half a pill each time, three times a day. How can such a small dose cure the illness? I’ve taken large herbal pills before, the size of longans, needing one or two at a time. Smaller pills than these require twenty or more at once. Deyu is a child, so he should eat a bit more. It could be that He Cheng is upset that Haobai flirted with Lu Man, and Ling scolded Lu Man, so they devised this malicious plan to prolong Deyu’s illness.” She continued, tearfully, “Heaven, it would be better to call the imperial physician. They would wholeheartedly treat the child. If Deyu’s brain gets overheated at such a young age, what will happen? I heard of a relative’s child from my mother’s family who became mentally impaired due to a fever.”
Young Madam Han, feeling even more distressed, shed tears and exclaimed, “What should we do! Should we call for the imperial physician again?”
Observing the remaining four and a half pills, Madam Hong commented, “Since this medicine cured the Princess so quickly, it’s definitely a miraculous remedy for colds. If Deyu hasn’t improved, he must have taken too little, so give him two more pills.” Sternly, she added, “If the fever persists, I will speak to the Princess. Deyu is the eldest grandson of the main branch, if they refuse treatment, I won’t tolerate deceitful behavior.”
Young Madam Han was at wit’s end, considering her mother-in-law’s point that such small pills might not be sufficient with half a dose. Hesitating, she suggested, “Shall we send someone to Crane Hall to inquire with Lu Man and the He Cheng?”
Madam Hong’s expression darkened, and she coldly huffed, “You always get flustered at the first sign of trouble. Since they don’t want Deyu to recover quickly, if you ask them, will they tell the truth? Most likely, they’ll spout empty platitudes like ‘illness comes like a mountain, goes like unraveling thread’ to deceive us.” She then instructed the maid, “Go fetch a bowl of warm water.”
The maid brought a small porcelain bowl of water, and Madam Hong received it herself.
Young Madam Han lifted Deyu into a sitting position, softly saying, “Be good, Deyu. Once you take your medicine, you’ll feel better.”
Madam Hong added, “Listen well, Deyu. Good medicine often tastes bitter but is beneficial for your illness.” She then placed two small pills in his mouth and offered him water from the bowl.
Despite his drowsiness, Deyu obediently swallowed the pills and drank the water eagerly, finishing the entire bowl due to his thirst.
Once he fell asleep, Madam Hong, Young Madam Han, and Jiang Zhanxun proceeded to the dining room. Halfway through their meal, they heard the nursemaid of Deyu screaming loudly.
Startled, Madam Hong and Young Madam Han hurried to Deyu’s room in the eastern wing.
Upon entering, they saw Deyu’s face turning blue, gasping for air with vomit stains on the pillow.
The nursemaid sobbed, “Young Master Deyu suddenly vomited in his sleep, and the vomit sprayed high like a fountain. Now he can’t breathe properly…”
Young Madam Han fainted and was caught by the maid, who helped her onto a chair.
Madam Hong, in tears, held Deyu close, crying, “Quick, fetch the imperial physician who treats colds.” She instructed the nursemaid attending to him, “Take someone to Crane Hall, bind He Cheng, give him twenty lashes, and lock him in the woodshed. If anything happens to Deyu, I’ll have him beaten to death.”
Jiang Zhanxun intervened, “Mother, Cheng wouldn’t kill anyone. Perhaps it was an accidental overdose…”
Angered, Madam Hong’s eyes red with fury, harshly scolded, “You foolish boy, your nephew is nearly poisoned to death, yet you dare defend that wicked boy. When your father returns, I’ll have him break your legs.”