CHAPTER 130: CHAPTER 130: SACRIFICE (PART 5)

She quietly helped Madam Xia clean the wound. Just then, Doctor Hu, accompanied by Nanny Fang carrying the medicine chest, came in. Nanny Fang smiled and said, "The old gentleman is here, the concubine is lying on the bed." A maid quickly let down the bed curtain, and Doctor Hu diagnosed Madam Xia’s pulse through the curtain. After about half a cup of tea’s time, Doctor Hu looked up and said to the First Master, "The madam’s cardiac pain is a chronic ailment. As long as she’s taken care of carefully and not agitated, it will be fine." He paused, then continued, "I prescribed medicine last time too; if it’s not enough, I can prescribe more."

With Xiuzhi not around, there was no one in Madam Xia’s room to respond. Doctor Hu waited a long time and nobody replied to him. Just as he was about to question the First Master, Xiqiu responded with a smile, "There’s still some medicine left. Please don’t trouble the doctor further if it’s not necessary." The First Master frowned and suddenly asked Doctor Hu, "Should we take a look at the injury on her forehead?"

In a concubine’s courtyard, there’s only one maid who can handle matters!

The First Master felt slightly displeased.

"Is there still an injury on the forehead?" Doctor Hu put down his pen and saw the First Master already saying to Xiqiu, "The doctor often comes to the mansion, so there’s no need for these formalities. Raise the curtain and let the doctor look at the wound on the forehead."

Xiqiu, following instructions, raised the curtain, and Doctor Hu stepped forward to examine Madam Xia’s wound carefully, shaking his head, "It’s just a scraped skin. Apply some ointment carefully and avoid water. It’s nothing serious." In the silent room, someone let out a heavy sigh of relief.

After seeing off Doctor Hu, the First Master stood up, looked at Lady, and said, "Since there’s no issue, let’s return." He didn’t express much more.

Lady slightly raised her eyebrows and gave a deep look at Madam Xia lying on the bed, then nodded, "Alright." She turned to Xiqiu and instructed, "Work hard to take care here." Then she looked for Nanny Fang, "You stay here too and help the Sixth Miss."

Nanny Fang nodded in agreement. The First Master then left with Lady, Madam Luo, Madam Mei, Tong Xiyan, and Tong Xiyu.

Xiqiu went to see the First Master and Lady out. Just as they reached the courtyard, suddenly a figure dashed out from a wing on one side, kneeling straight in front of the First Master and Lady, "Master, Lady!" Everyone was startled and realized it was Xiuzhi. She was still in her wet clothing, shivering with water all over her head and face, kneeling before the First Master.

"What is this?" Lady angrily said, "You seem to have grown capable, not only learning from others to seek death but now even blocking your master’s way." She spoke harshly and pointed to a maid at the side, "Since she’s alright, tie her up for me and notify her family tomorrow morning to take her away. Tong Mansion can’t afford such a maid to prevent more from trying to die here, turning this place into a rescue center."

Some maid was about to drag Xiuzhi away, but the First Master suddenly waved his hand and looked at Lady, "People seek to live. If she’s thinking of death, it must be due to some unavoidable hardship." He looked at Xiuzhi kneeling on the ground, "Can you explain the reason?"

Lady narrowed her eyes, gritting her teeth while looking at the First Master. Just one glance, and he’s already protecting her maid.

Xiuzhi cried softly, kowtowing to the First Master and Lady, "Master, Lady, I was wrong. I only beg you not to send me away." She looked up teary-eyed, pleading with the First Master, "Master, I came with my concubine mother, Madam Twelve, when the concubine gave birth to the Sixth Miss here. I was only six years old then, knowing nothing, often clumsily breaking teapots and bowls. Once, I even burned the new clothes made for the concubine while warming her jacket, yet she never scolded me or beat me. Since then, I’ve vowed to serve my concubine all my life."

Crying, she grabbed at Lady’s skirt, "My age is up, and Lady is kind enough to send me out of the mansion. It’s my fault I didn’t appreciate Lady’s good intentions. I deserve to die! If Lady wants to punish me, I have no complaints, only begging Lady to let me stay in the mansion after combing my hair, I won’t even ask for monthly wages, just to follow my concubine. I beg Lady’s mercy!"

"Silence!" Lady coldly interrupted Xiuzhi’s plea, "Rules are rules. Today you’re spoiled. You should be grateful that your master treats you well. If you break the rules and involve the master, how can I dare keep such a person? Pack your things and leave the mansion first thing tomorrow morning!"

This was like pulling up a carrot and bringing out the mud with it, hinting at Madam Xia for poor discipline, overly indulging the servants.

Xiuzhi’s face turned pale, continuously kowtowing on the ground, "It’s all my fault, nothing to do with the concubine. Since knowing Lady’s decree, although she has cried secretly several times, she still instructs me to respect Lady’s orders and get out early to marry. I’m just reluctant to leave my concubine. The Sixth Miss, Seventh Young Master are still young. The concubine is alone, with no one to talk to. How can I, ungrateful, abandon her?" While speaking, she raised her reddened forehead to the First Master, "I know Father is angry with the concubine, but I, as a servant, have no right to interfere with the master’s affairs. However, I see the concubine sitting with a wilted leaf in hands every night. I understand nothing, but I feel sorry for her, begging Father and Lady to let me stay in the house. I won’t complain if you want to punish me."

Xiqiu stood at the door, her heart aching as she watched Xiuzhi’s forehead grow red and swollen, her fists clenched tightly, even somewhat regretting letting Xiuzhi suffer such hardship.

She held back her tears and looked at the First Master, seeing his face gradually soften...

As Lady saw this, her eyes flashed as she was about to speak. However, the First Master turned around and spoke first, "Have someone check out her family situation. If there’s nowhere for her to go, let her stay. It’s just one more person."

"How can this be?" Lady said, "If you change the rules today, what if everyone starts learning from her tomorrow? How am I supposed to manage this mansion then?"

What she said was harsh but reasonable.

Seeing the First Master hesitate, Xiqiu immediately stepped out from behind Tong Xiyan and kneeled beside Xiuzhi at the master’s feet, "Mother, Father!" She looked up at the First Master and Lady, "I’m not supposed to speak in this matter, but I can’t bear it in my heart, risking the crime of transgression, I’d like to plead for her." She sincerely looked at Lady and spoke to the First Master, "From the beginning of my memory, I’ve lived with my concubine in the East Cross Courtyard. At that time, Mother was busy taking care of Fourth Sister, then with Eldest Sister marrying and Eighth Younger Sister being born, managing everything in the mansion alone. There were times when you were tired or couldn’t attend, and the servants bullied my concubine and me. My concubine said nothing as she is gentle in nature. If not for Xiuzhi always protecting me, I wouldn’t be here talking with you now. Though I endured some suffering, I had no complaint; Mother’s kindness to me has always been remembered, and I can never repay it even a little throughout my life. But my concubine is my biological mother, and I can’t help but worry about her. She is both aloof and fastidious in nature, and I wouldn’t be assured of others serving her. I only ask Father and Mother to keep Xiuzhi, to let her stay by my concubine’s side to serve her."

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