My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 180: Fortunately, You Met Me

When it came to this, Nanny Zhao had nothing to say to offer comfort.

Not only has the Marchioness avoided any mistakes recently, but she’s also managed the outer courtyard with utmost precision.

All the stewards look up to the Marchioness as their leader.

The housekeepers and stewards have to report the affairs of the day to Wutong Garden daily, and over time, the Marchioness’s prestige has only grown.

No wonder the Sixth Lady Gu is anxious.

They are confined to their courtyards, making it difficult to gather information.

Initially, some housekeepers who passed by would speak of things both relevant and irrelevant.

Later, as the guards’ patrols tightened, the housekeepers stopped passing by.

It is still Doctor Liu who comes to check daily, picking up bits and pieces of news from the accompanying servant.

In Nanny Zhao’s opinion, after the mansion opens, the household management might just...

"Lady, think positively. Pepper can be incredibly profitable. With silver, life surely will improve."

At this mention.

The Sixth Lady Gu’s face finally showed some improvement.

Nanny Zhao tentatively said, "I’ll invite Doctor Li to examine the little girl and prescribe some medicine for Aunt Huang. Doctor Li mentioned that if Qin isn’t well yet, the adult might fall ill first."

The Sixth Lady Gu was somewhat surprised and said, "This approach is much more thorough than Doctor Liu’s."

"Isn’t that so," Nanny Zhao complained, "Doctor Liu is cold and unattainable, as if he’s of a superior class. It must be because Doctor Li has been sitting in his practice for years; despite his stubbornness, there’s nothing to criticize about his care for patients."

The Sixth Lady Gu said, "Then bring him here, please."

When Nanny Zhao went back to the side room, Doctor Li had already finished examining everyone and had prepared the prescriptions. They were just waiting to be taken to the pharmacy through the small door for compounding and delivery.

The medicine boy and servant were quietly sitting on one side waiting and stood up when they saw her enter.

Nanny Zhao beamed as she approached and said, "Doctor Li, our Lady invites you inside to examine the little girl."

Doctor Li nodded and said, "Alright, let’s go."

With that, he followed Nanny Zhao into the main house.

Qin Yuan entered again and noticed the Sixth Lady Gu’s demeanor had softened considerably, nodding secretly.

It had to be said, Xiao Dong was very clever.

With just a few words, he elevated Doctor Li’s standing.

If it were Doctor Li by himself, it would not have been possible.

The Sixth Lady Gu smiled and said, "Please proceed to the inner room to examine Qin."

Doctor Li said, "Lead the way."

The Sixth Lady Gu and Nanny Zhao then led them to the inner room. Outside the inner room, an incense burner was lit with incense prepared by Qin Yuan. Only after smelling it did they enter.

It was Qin Yuan’s first time stepping into the Sixth Madam’s courtyard, unexpectedly entering the inner room.

The Sixth Madam’s courtyard was about the size of Wutong Garden, without as many winding paths and scenes, rather a layer of extending courtyards within extending courtyards.

It seemed that the courtyards housed concubines who had borne children.

The main house, where the Sixth Madam resided, was lavishly and luxuriously decorated.

Seeing the treasure pearl curtain hanging in the inner room, the Eight Treasure Gold Account on the bed, the fine mat of ivory silk, and a full set of black lacquer camphor wood furniture inlaid with Fuhu Jade... she realized the Sixth Madam must secretly be someone who spends extravagantly.

The Sixth Master Gu’s expenditures on flowers, redeemed women, and lake societies were apparent, but the Sixth Madam’s expenses were unclear.

Qin Yuan lowered her gaze, no longer looking around, and followed Doctor Li to the bed.

A small girl lay on the bed, so thin that her sharp chin could prick someone, her breath weak; though slightly better than Aunt Huang’s daughter, yet not by much.

Qin Yuan sighed.

Who would have thought unexpectedly, Doctor Liu would suddenly intervene halfway?

Originally, these two children wouldn’t have had to suffer so, nor would there be so many sick in the mansion.

The seemingly simple Dingbei Marquis Mansion turned out to be perilous.

In her past life, the Marquis Mansion never faced such a situation.

Greater caution would be necessary in the future.

Doctor Li extended his hand to feel the little girl’s pulse. After a long moment, he said, "This child is severely deficient. Although not as troublesome as the previous child, her internal organs are already weak and inflamed..."

Before he had finished, tears began to fall from the Sixth Madam’s face in large drops, her sallow complexion appearing even more haggard.

Doctor Li paused and said, "Fortunately, you met me, but..."

"But what?"

Nanny Zhao asked anxiously.

Doctor Li said, "You must promise not to act rashly anymore, to strictly follow my instructions."

The Sixth Madam choked and said, "Alright."

Doctor Li said, "First, remove this child’s outer coat. I need to insert a few needles to boost her energy. She will sleep later and drink some medicine. Regaining her strength, she might cry and fuss, but don’t panic, that is a sign of improvement. I will come back tomorrow for more acupuncture."

Hearing him explain clearly, Nanny Zhao quickly stepped forward, removed the little girl’s outer clothes, leaving only her gauze garment.

At such a young age, she was not yet at an age where gender decorum mattered; Doctor Li pulled out his needles, calculated the time of day with his fingers, and slowly inserted the needles.

Qin Yuan and Xiao Dong watched intently.

Doctor Li used the Li family’s ancestral acupuncture technique, very difficult to learn. The point allocation had to be calculated based on the patient’s condition and the heavenly stems and earthly branches of the time; only through rigorous practice could one even begin to learn it.

In her past life, Qin Yuan had studied his medical books thoroughly, ultimately falling short in some areas.

She silently calculated in her mind, the points Doctor Li aimed for were precise, though the strength and method of insertion differed from what she expected.

Qin Yuan recorded everything, reconciling it with her own calculations.

Doctor Li hadn’t inserted many needles, yet he was sweating heavily.

Xiao Dong approached and handed him a towel to wipe his sweat.

Doctor Li took it, wiped his brow, and after a moment, removed the needles, saying, "Alright, once the prescription is written, follow my instructions."

After a pause, he added, "Sixth Madam also needs a check-up. Your liver’s energy is severely stagnant; if left unadjusted, over time it may become chronic and difficult to heal."

The Sixth Madam had been living in distress, unable to sleep or eat, with many unspoken worries, gradually developing a sense of panic; it was unexpected that it originated from the liver.

Nanny Zhao quickly said, "Please, Doctor Li, examine the Madam quickly. She has become very frail."

Doctor Li said, "Let’s go outside for the examination."

Everyone exited the inner room to the outer room, where Doctor Li took the Sixth Madam’s pulse and wrote a prescription, then said, "You worry too much and are overly competitive, naturally inviting much unease. If this energy isn’t released, it will impact your lifespan. If released, others might suffer, so it’s better to cultivate calmness."

This left Nanny Zhao very convinced.

Though the Sixth Madam’s expression was not pleasant, she did not voice her displeasure.

Nanny Zhao asked, "How should one cultivate calmness?"

"By exploring scenic locales, indulging in poetry and painting, raising flowers, entertaining birds, or at worst, chanting and cultivating,"

The Sixth Madam could hardly maintain her composure.

These were indeed the usual pastimes of the Sixth Master Gu.