Chapter 50: Throwing Off the Rules

Xie Yunzhao stood up, “Qian Mama, these wild foods are rare. I don’t know if you can eat them; if not, have someone take them away. I’ll head out to check on the night watch and the horses’ feed.”

Qian Mama had long been salivating at the table; it had been years since she had eaten wild vegetables from the fields. Hearing him say the rabbit meat was fragrant made her even hungrier. “I didn’t expect Second Master to be so considerate, arranging everything so well.”

“I’ve been careless myself, but when it concerns the Junzhu, I must attend to it personally to ensure there are no hidden dangers.”

“Second Master is thoughtful; it’s hard work.”

Xie Yunzhao smiled as he walked out, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

Qian Mama sat down. With no one to disturb her and ample time while the Junzhu bathed, she could thoroughly enjoy this dinner.

She first tore off a rabbit leg, inhaling the aroma as she bit into it. The seasoning was just right, with a perfect balance of saltiness, and the tender meat burst with flavor in her mouth.

Delicious.

She then picked up some wild vegetables, the slightly bitter taste was exactly as she remembered from her childhood.

The combination of rabbit meat and wild vegetables was incredibly satisfying, making the journey worthwhile.

After Shen Shurong finished washing up, Yinzhi applied a special rose-scented ointment on her. The Junzhu’s skin was so smooth and supple it seemed like it could be pinched for water.

Once Qian Mama finished her meal, she came to help Shen Shurong with her hair, wiping it down with a towel, and after drying it, she applied the rose oil.

“You all go ahead; I’ll stay here with the Junzhu tonight.”

Suihan and Yinzhi nodded and retreated.

Qian Mama ran her fingers through Shen Shurong’s long hair and couldn’t help but sigh, “In the blink of an eye, the Junzhu’s hair has grown so long.”

“Yes, I’m already eighteen; I’m not a child anymore.”

“In the eyes of the Commandery Princess, you will always be a child.”

Shen Shurong felt helpless; she couldn’t fight back against that perception.

After taking care of her long hair for a quarter of an hour, Shen Shurong’s eyelids felt heavy. Qian Mama helped her climb into bed to rest.

Just as she was about to get up, a sudden pain shot through her stomach.

She stood up, trying to endure it, but the pain intensified, making it hard to straighten her back.

“What’s wrong, Mama?”

“I’m fine; I just need to wash my hands, and I’ll be alright. I’ll call Yinzhi to accompany the Junzhu,” she said, thinking it was just due to overeating.

“Alright, Mama, don’t hide anything from us. We can call a doctor if needed.”

“Thank you for your concern, Junzhu.” After forcing those words out, Qian Mama rushed out the door.

When Yinzhi arrived, she didn’t know what had happened. Shen Shurong was too worried to sleep, “Have someone fetch a doctor to check on Qian Mama.”

“Yes, Junzhu.”

After Qian Mama was relieved, she felt better; it must have just been due to overeating.

When she returned, she ran into Xie Yunzhao. “Why are you here, Second Master?”

“Qian Mama, I just had a stomachache and ran to the latrine a couple of times. I wanted to see if the Junzhu was alright.”

“Second Master is worried the food wasn’t clean?”

“Yes.” Xie Yunzhao’s expression turned anxious, suddenly thinking, “Did Mama eat after I left? Is she feeling unwell?”

Qian Mama nodded with a frown, “I also have a stomachache; I just went to wash my hands.”

“Quickly check on the Junzhu.”

Qian Mama was also eager to go and no longer emphasized the rules of gender defense.

Shen Shurong’s complexion was rosy, and she showed no signs of discomfort.

The two of them sighed in relief, glad that the Junzhu was fine.

Xie Yunzhao suddenly remembered, “It must be the wild food that caused the issue. Good thing I didn’t even let the Junzhu eat.”

“Brother Yunzhao, you and Qian Mama should see a doctor too,” Shen Shurong said with concern. She didn’t want to delay their journey on the first day.

“Yes, we’ll go right away. Don’t worry; get some rest. We have to travel tomorrow,” Xie Yunzhao said, his deep eyes filled with tenderness, but then they turned anxious. “Junzhu, I’m feeling pain again; I’ll head out first.”

“Yinzhi will take care of the Junzhu.” Qian Mama furrowed her brow as she followed out. She was also in pain, and it seemed she truly had eaten something bad, not just overindulged.

Xie Yunzhao had already rushed out three times after only eating a couple of bites, while Qian Mama had consumed the wild vegetable soup, thinking about it made her fear.

The doctor arrived to take their pulses and, with a sigh, advised, “Second Master, Qian Mama, when traveling, it’s best to eat less wild food. You’ll definitely need to make more trips to the latrine. However, I’ve prescribed some medicine; drinking it will relieve some pain.”

Xie Yunzhao obediently accepted the advice, “Thank you, doctor. I hardly ate anything; I’m not particularly fond of it, but I’ll be more careful in the future.”

Qian Mama said nothing, feeling embarrassed and aware of her condition.

Xie Yunzhao ended up rushing to the latrine three more times.

Qian Mama made four trips, and by the next day, she could barely get out of bed, lying weakly with a look of exhaustion that Shen Shurong had never seen before.

She looked like a tiger that had lost its teeth, no longer possessing the majesty of the king of the forest.

Yinzhi and Suihan looked on, feeling a strange sense of relief.

Shen Shurong felt pity for her, but she couldn’t afford to delay the journey; one day might not be enough. She left two second-rate maids to take care of her. “Qian Mama, I still have important matters to attend to; I can’t afford to be delayed.”

Qian Mama propped herself up on her elbows, trying to rise, but couldn’t lift her head, feeling both weak and hungry.

“Don’t move, save your strength.”

Xie Yunzhao hadn’t entered yet; he stood outside the door, his tone filled with worry, “Qian Mama is suffering. I have already punished the relay station’s steward.”

“As for the journey, Young Master Gu is also at the relay station. I’ll escort the Junzhu first, and once Qian Mama feels better, she can follow Young Master Gu. There won’t be too many women around, so I’m sure we can catch up quickly.”

“Is Young Master Gu going to the same destination as the Junzhu?” Qian Mama wondered why they weren’t traveling together.

“The locations aren’t the same, but they are not far apart. I’ll have a word with him, and he will bring Qian Mama to find the Junzhu.”

Shen Shurong thought this arrangement was quite good; it wouldn’t delay her journey, and someone would be there to take care of Qian Mama.

She patted Qian Mama’s arm, “Mama, don’t worry. I’ll take care of myself and won’t do anything to cause concern for you or Grandmother. Just focus on recovering.”

At this moment, Qian Mama couldn’t refuse. Xie Yunzhao’s plan was well thought out, and she nodded slightly in agreement, “Thank you, Second Master, for mentioning this to Young Master Gu.”

“It’s no trouble; he’s my friend. I’ll go find him now.” As he turned to leave, a smile crept onto his lips.

Gu Kaizhi was very happy when he was invited by Qingying to stay at the relay station yesterday, as it seemed Xie Yunzhao had no intention of sending him away.

Seeing Xie Yunzhao approach him made him even happier. He walked over, “brother Xie, what do you need?”

“There’s someone I need you to take with you.”

“Who?”

“The Junzhu’s mama; she’s ill and may need to delay her journey for two days.”

Gu Kaizhi stood up straight, filled with respect, “Don’t worry, Xie ge. I will definitely escort her safely.”

“Good. Qian Mama has been with the Junzhu for many years; she was previously in the palace and then at the Duke of Lu’s Mansion. Now that she’s older, she wants to experience civilian life. I appreciate your help.”

Gu Kaizhi felt a surge of emotion, realizing that Xie Yunzhao thought highly of him. “It’s nothing, nothing. I enjoy traveling, and I’ll definitely ensure she has a good experience.”

Seeing him, Xie Yunzhao patted his shoulder and turned to return.

Qian Mama, for the first time, didn’t understand the rules, unable even to properly send the Junzhu off as she boarded the carriage.

Xie Yunzhao mounted his horse and rode at the forefront.

Once they had left the relay station, he couldn’t wait to dismount and slip into Shen Shurong’s carriage…