Chapter 13 – Isn’t It Good Enough That the Young Master Pampers You?

Early the next morning, Wanru finally woke up. Dingdong came in to announce:
“Miss, the Seventh Young Lady has come.”

Wanru coughed twice, still feeling weak.
“Quickly, invite her in.”

“Yes.”

Dingdong hurried out, and before long, Xie Xiulin came rushing in.

“Wanru-jiejie!” Xiulin sat by her bedside, holding her hand anxiously. “How did you suddenly get so sick?”

Wanru’s face was pale, but she forced a small smile.
“It’s nothing, I was greedy for cool air at night and didn’t cover myself well. I didn’t expect this lingering spring chill to be so harsh.”

“Have you called a doctor? Taken medicine?”

Wanru nodded gently.
“Yes, already. Don’t worry about me.”

“You really—! To be careless at this time of year! And now you’ll miss so many gatherings—spring outings, flower banquets, poetry meetings. Being sick like this, you’ll miss them all!”

Wanru smiled faintly.
“I don’t care for such things anyway. You enjoy them.”

“It’s not just about fun! These gatherings are also perfect opportunities to discuss marriage prospects. Even the Old Madam mentioned your marriage. Today, the Jiang family is holding a poetry banquet, and Second Madam specifically said you should come.”

Second Madam was always attentive—since the Old Madam had brought up Wanru’s marriage, she took it to heart. No wonder she managed the large Xie household so orderly. But Second Madam was also smooth and pragmatic: Wanru’s marriage wasn’t her responsibility. At most, she could prepare new clothes and take Wanru to such events, which was already generous.

But in truth, whether Wanru could connect with anyone there or not, Second Madam wouldn’t care.

For Wanru, those gatherings had no meaning anyway. She had never planned to go.

“I appreciate Second Madam’s kindness, but I truly can’t get out of bed. Besides, those events are filled with high-ranking families—how could I possibly fit in? You enjoy yourself.”

Xiulin sighed regretfully.
“Then just focus on recovering.”

“Mm.”

Wanru smiled. She did feel a little regret—she had originally planned to take the chance to go out and meet Lin Han again. But now she had no choice but to wait. She would first have to deal with Xie Xianyu.

Xiulin soon left.

After sending her off, Suyue brought in a bowl of hot tea.
“Miss, have some tea to soothe your throat.”

Wanru sipped and then asked softly:
“How is the Eldest Young Master?”

“They say he left before dawn. I heard there was a complication in his case, so he really seems busy.” Suyue reported honestly.

Wanru nodded.
“Good. He should stay busy.”

“Miss should still take care of herself. Luckily, Young Master has gone to the clan school again, otherwise he’d be upset seeing you like this.”

“Don’t tell him I’m ill.”

“I know my place. But… how long do you intend to keep this up? It’s bad for your health.”

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

By evening, Cuizhu arrived.

“Sister Cuizhu, why are you here personally? Please come in.” Suyue quickly ushered her inside.

Cuizhu was the head maid of Songhe Garden—her position carried even more weight than some of the older housekeepers.

She smiled.
“The Eldest Young Master asked me to check on Miss.”

Suyue sighed.
“Our Miss still hasn’t recovered. Be careful not to catch it.”

Cuizhu laughed.
“Us servants worrying about that? Impossible.”

She entered and was immediately struck by the heavy smell of medicine. Wanru was half-reclined on the bed, coughing delicately behind a handkerchief.

“Miss, you’re so gravely ill?” Cuizhu quickly came to her side, holding her hand.

Wanru shook her head lightly.
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry to trouble you. Please go back and apologize on my behalf—I truly can’t manage to attend to him.”

“You’re still worrying about that when you’re this sick? Didn’t the doctor come? Why hasn’t there been improvement?” Cuizhu touched her forehead and was startled by the heat.

“The doctor came. He said it’s just a chill and prescribed medicine. I’ve been taking it. Perhaps I’ve grown delicate from living idly here, so even a small illness drags on.”

Cuizhu frowned.
“That doctor must be negligent! I’ll have Qing’an fetch another physician right away.”

Wanru forced a small smile.
“It’s only a cold. Hardly necessary.”

“How not necessary?” Cuizhu glanced around the simple little courtyard, sighing.

“To be honest, you should move into Songhe Garden sooner. The Eldest Young Master already intends to give you a formal place. If you became his concubine, you wouldn’t have to live here—looked down upon, and even given poor doctors.”

Wanru gently pulled her hand back, turning her face away.
“The doctor wasn’t negligent. You’re overthinking.”

“I know what you’re worried about. It doesn’t look good for the Young Master to take a concubine before marriage—but it’s different when it’s you. The Old Madam favors you and knows you’re obedient. She would never think you scheming for this.”

Lowering her voice, Cuizhu continued:
“Better to secure your place in Songhe Garden before the Young Mistress enters. Wouldn’t that be wiser?”

Wanru had always treated the servants kindly, even gifting them little medicine sachets she made herself. That was why she had a good relationship with Cuizhu.

Wanru pressed her lips together.
“I know you mean well. But I’m truly afraid. Cuizhu, please don’t bring this up again.”

Cuizhu sighed helplessly.
“You really… The Eldest Young Master values you so much. What is there to fear? Once you enter Songhe Garden, you’ll realize how many women envy you.”

She knew best how many women had tried to get close to Xie Xianyu—and how many were willing to be offered to him.

Wanru whispered instead:
“I envy you more.”

“Me? Don’t. It looks like I’m respected now, managing Songhe Garden, but I’ll be married off next year at the latest. Once I leave, I’m nothing. If I’m lucky, I’ll marry into an ordinary family; if unlucky, perhaps to a servant. How could I compare to you?”

“At least you’d be a proper wife, not under anyone’s thumb. If your husband is diligent, there’s hope.”

Cuizhu shook her head with a small smile.
“Better to be a concubine in a great family than a poor man’s wife. Especially to the Eldest Young Master—do you know, even now when his marriage is nearly set, some families still want to send their daughters as honored concubines, just to win Xie family’s favor? In status, in learning, in future prospects—tell me, who in all of Yanjing can compare with him?”

But Wanru knew—his brilliance would always be his own. His concubines would remain in the small, square courtyards of the inner residence, serving the main wife and relying on his favor.

Even now, at the spring banquets, the concubines weren’t even seen—while even the suppressed Third Madam could host guests. When concubines grew old and faded, their very names would vanish.

Wanru smiled faintly.
“Perhaps I’m just overly sentimental from being sick. You’ve comforted me.”

“Miss should focus on getting well. Otherwise, how will you serve the Young Master?”

“Yes, I want to recover too. But my body doesn’t cooperate.”

“I’ll have another physician come. I even brought some nourishing herbs—please take them, they’ll strengthen you.” Cuizhu said warmly.

Wanru nodded, letting Suyue accept them.

After a few more words, Cuizhu left and returned to Songhe Garden.

“I just visited—Miss is still ill. Perhaps the doctor wasn’t attentive. It looked quite serious to me, so I thought I’d have another physician check.”

She reported everything truthfully to Xie Xianyu.

He had just returned, still in his traveling clothes. Hearing this, his brow tightened.
“Take my token. Summon Director Liu from the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

Cuizhu froze.
“What?”

Then she quickly came to her senses.
“Yes, at once.”

Half an hour later, she returned to Qiushui Court with Liu Taiyi, though quietly. He wore plain clothes, and since it was dark, no one recognized him.

Suyue quickly dropped the curtains, letting the doctor examine Wanru’s pulse.

After comparing her condition with the previous prescription, Liu Taiyi stroked his beard.
“The prescription wasn’t wrong, but too cooling. Since she hasn’t improved, I’ll substitute two ingredients. Try this new medicine.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” Wanru said softly.

“No thanks necessary. Since the Eldest Young Master asked me, I’ll certainly do my best.”

Wanru froze slightly at his words, but the doctor had already left.

Cuizhu lifted the bed curtain with a smile.
“It wasn’t me who invited him—the Young Master did.”

Wanru’s face stiffened.
“The Eldest Young Master… invited the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau?!”

Seeing her expression, Cuizhu reassured quickly:
“Don’t worry. Such physicians won’t gossip. And he doesn’t know who you are—no one will spread it.”

Wanru forced a small smile.
“It just feels a bit… too much fuss.”

“Isn’t it good that the Young Master pampers you? Stop worrying and rest.” Cuizhu patted her hand gently before leaving.

Wanru’s expression remained heavy. Somehow, she felt an ominous foreboding.

Suyue brought in the new medicine.
“Miss, will you drink this?”