CHAPTER 535: CHAPTER 535 TENSION

Xique stepped out just as Hong Ying approached.

Being the head maid beside Princess Nanzhang, having an air of importance was inevitable.

With a tight expression, she caught Xique and gave her a thorough scolding:

"In such a large Qingqiu Garden, not a single maid to look after it! Just because Lady Chi can’t speak, you all bully her like this?!"

These words felt extremely piercing to Xique.

As for bullying, who could surpass Princess Nanzhang?

A few days ago, Madam fell ill. We sought Princess Nanzhang to invite a doctor, but she was delayed in coming.

Left without a choice, we had to trouble the Heir’s wife, and only then did Princess Nanzhang send a doctor.

After being scolded, one still had to smile along.

"Qingqiu Garden is seldom visited, and Madam just awoke and is being attended to inside. I hope Sister Hong Ying will forgive us," Xique said sweetly.

In front of the doctor, Hong Ying also dared not go too far.

"Has Lady Chi awakened?" Hong Ying asked.

"The Commandery Princess asked me to bring the doctor to see her."

Xique replied, "A few days ago, Madam was ill, but she has recovered."

Hong Ying’s face dropped. She brought the doctor here, only to be told the illness had passed?

Recovered, yet yesterday still lodged a complaint with the Heir’s wife?!

And even alarmed the Prince?!

"I’m merely following orders to bring the doctor. Even if Lady Chi has recovered, having the doctor take a peaceful pulse will allow the Commandery Princess to account for it with the Prince," Hong Ying said with a sour expression.

Lu Qiao walked over and pulled Xique aside, saying, "Let the doctor take Madam’s pulse, so we can be at ease."

Xique looked doubtful.

If the doctor were permitted to take a pulse, she would not hinder.

Lu Qiao used a little force, pulling Xique to the side.

Hong Ying stepped inside.

The doctor followed closely behind.

A puddle of water on the floor made Hong Ying look disdainful.

Lady Chi lay on the bed, with the gauze curtains closed.

As she walked in, Lady Chi pulled back the veil and glanced at Hong Ying.

Their eyes met.

Lady Chi was startled for a moment, quickly dropping the veil.

But Hong Ying still caught sight of Lady Chi’s face.

Very beautiful.

And very unsightly.

Scars crisscrossed it, clearly visible.

This was even after using the scar-removing ointment given by the Heir’s wife. Without it, it would be hard to imagine how dreadful it would look.

Seeing the embroidered shoes beside the footstool, Lu Qiao’s expression changed.

She hurriedly carried an embroidery stool over, lightly kicked the shoes under the bed.

Setting down the stool, she said, "Please trouble the doctor to take my lady’s pulse."

The doctor sat down and said to the gauze, "Extend your hand."

Soon, a hand reached out.

Seeing that rough hand, Xique was stunned.

Madam’s hands were long and slender like bamboo shoots, extremely beautiful.

This is...

Lu Qiao draped an embroidered handkerchief over the hand, and only then did the doctor start taking the pulse.

Within a breath or two, the doctor frowned.

"Madam need not be nervous," the doctor said.

"The heartbeat is too fast; I can’t assist with taking the pulse."

A look of contempt appeared on Hong Ying’s face.

Really not poised for public appearances.

Even having the doctor take a pulse can scare someone into a rapid heartbeat.

Could there be anyone more timid than Lady Chi in this residence?

After a while, the pulse finally stabilized.

After taking the pulse, the doctor said, "Madam’s pulse is stable; there’s not much of a problem, just a bit of liver fire. Some prescriptions can be taken to remedy that."

The doctor wrote the prescription, and Hong Ying said, "I will send someone to prepare the medicine and deliver it."

After saying this, she took the prescription and led the doctor out.

Lu Qiao escorted Hong Ying out of Qingqiu Garden.

Once certain they had left, Caiju lifted the veil and wiped the cold sweat off her forehead with her sleeve.

That truly scared her just now.

Luckily, she managed to bluff her way through without danger.

Next time, she shouldn’t be tasked with such matters; she’s faint-hearted.

After sending the doctor off, Hong Ying returned to Peony Garden and recounted the process of inviting the doctor for Lady Chi’s pulse.

Princess Nanzhang showed little interest.

Hong Ying continued, "This servant saw Lady Chi’s face, covered in scars, and had it not been for mental preparation, might have been quite frightened."

This matter caught Princess Nanzhang’s interest more.

Hong Ying handed over the prescription, Princess Nanzhang’s eyes flickered, just about to signal Hong Ying, when someone outside called, "Commandery Princess, the Old Madam requests your presence at Qihao Hall."

Princess Nanzhang’s brows furrowed.

It’d been some days since she last visited Qihao Hall to pay respects, momentarily forgetting about it.

She didn’t expect someone would be sent to invite her just because she was delayed.

Unwilling to go, Princess Nanzhang said, "Just say I’m unwell and will pay respects tomorrow."

Qihao Hall.

Inside the room.

The Old Madam knelt on the prayer mat, reciting the scriptures for blessings.

The maid walked in, saying, "Old Madam, the Commandery Princess is unwell and will come tomorrow to pay respects."

The Old Madam’s lips curled into a cold arc.

Manipulating the Buddha beads in hand, she sent Mrs. Wang away.

Mrs. Wang left, turning back with each step.

Standing outside for a moment, a little maid hurried out.

Mrs. Wang’s eyes dimmed; she knew the Old Madam’s purpose for summoning Princess Nanzhang, though didn’t expect the Old Madam to be so guarded against her.

The little maid continued to Peony Garden.

Upon hearing the Old Madam sent another maid, the Commandery Princess’s face flashed with annoyance.

"Let her in," she said.

The little maid entered, and the Commandery Princess reclined leisurely on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch.

The little maid respectfully bowed, "The Old Madam says if the Commandery Princess doesn’t want the authority of the household to fall into the Heir’s wife’s hands, then she shouldn’t tamper with Lady Chi’s medicine."

Princess Nanzhang’s brow furrowed.

She meant to teach Lady Chi a lesson, and the Old Madam guessed it?

After reporting, the little maid bowed and retreated.

Seeing the Commandery Princess’s furrowed brow, Mrs. Zhao advised, "Commandery Princess, best heed the Old Madam."

"Lady Chi poses no threat to you, but if the Heir’s wife catches wind, it could be disastrous."

Princess Nanzhang felt uneasy.

In the past, she wouldn’t have heeded the Old Madam’s words.

But now, with the Heir of Uncle Yongcheng deceased, dying at the Heir and Heir’s wife’s hands.

No one wishes ill for them more than the Old Madam.

If she loses authority, the one to take over would certainly be the Heir’s wife.

"Fine, let her have a few more days of peace," Princess Nanzhang reluctantly agreed.

...

Qingyu Pavilion.

A Hidden Guard entered.

He handed the Shopkeeper the brocade box with the broken jade pendant to inspect.

"Can you craft an identical one?" the Hidden Guard asked.

The Shopkeeper looked over the jade pendant for a few moments and shook his head, "This jade pendant is of superior material, but broken thoroughly; a small shop like ours can’t craft it."

Disheartened, the Hidden Guard took back the brocade box and left the shop.

Outside, the skies had started to darken.

The Hidden Guard noticed a small puddle on the floor, which Hollie had disdainfully tried to kick away earlier, outside Qihao Hall.

The puddle appeared in front of a little beggar who had been lingering nearby.

The little beggar looked up, startled.

Jingchen, the Heir of Marquis Beining, stood by the window watching the Hidden Guard.

Upon spotting him, Heir of Marquis Beining said, "Brother Jingchen."

The Hidden Guard approached with his head hung low.