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

Chapter 232: Can’t Delay Any Longer

Xiao Dong fell silent, quietly following Doctor Li to see Qin.

Qin spoke softly and tenderly, making one feel affectionate.

Aunt Huang, being someone from Suzhou and Hangzhou, had a gentle accent and said, "Thank you, Doctor Li. If not for you, Qin’s life would have been lost."

Doctor Li’s smile made two chrysanthemums bloom at the corners of his eyes, and he gently patted Qin’s head.

"This is destiny between me and the little lady. Once the illness passes, she will get increasingly better, blessings are yet to come."

Aunt Huang smiled and said, "I hope so."

Doctor Li took Aunt Huang’s pulse and examined her complexion, saying, "Continue with the original prescription, I’ll check you in a few days and adjust the medication; have you been sleeping well these days?"

Aunt Huang nodded, "Very well, after taking Doctor Li’s medicine, my complexion has improved significantly, I can eat more than before, and I sleep much better at night, unlike before when I woke up several times."

Doctor Li said seriously, "This is because after childbirth, you didn’t take care of yourself properly and became weak. In the future, put your mind at ease, and focus on raising the child. Marquis Mansion is kind, and Sixth Master is gentle and values the child. Recently, he often inquires about your health from Xiao Dong."

Aunt Huang looked at Qin and nodded sadly, saying, "Qin is my world. Going through this, I’ve already seen the light. Being in the back courtyard of Marquis Mansion, not worrying about food and clothing, and Qin being able to marry into a good family means I’ve met a good end."

Doctor Li nodded in understanding and took his leave with Xiao Dong.

Xiao Dong asked, "Why, when Aunt Huang said this, did I feel she hadn’t really seen the light?"

Doctor Li chuckled softly, "What do you know? The hardest thing to understand in this world is the human heart, and even harder is the woman’s heart. Have you heard the saying that a woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean? Something I’ve never understood in my lifetime, and you think you can understand at your age?"

Xiao Dong muttered under his breath, "I didn’t say I understood, did I? I was just asking you, yet Master, you seem not to understand either; why don’t you just admit you don’t know?"

"What did you say?"

Doctor Li asked irritably.

Xiao Dong quickly said loudly, "What could I have said? I was repeating what Master said—a woman’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the ocean, very hard to understand."

Doctor Li said, "Hmm, just knowing is good enough."

As they reached the courtyard door, Nanny Zhao stopped them persistently.

Before she could speak, Doctor Li said, "Your mistress doesn’t want me to treat her, it’s a problem of her heart, and only medicine for the heart can cure her. What’s the point of pestering me?"

Nanny Zhao said with a thick skin, "I, as an old servant, have no choice; is there a way Doctor Li could think of?"

Xiao Dong stood by, puffing out his cheeks.

Doctor Li actually thought for a moment, "I can help deliver a message to Sixth Master, see what he plans to do. Now that the smallpox in the estate is nearly dealt with, inviting a doctor from outside shouldn’t be an issue."

Nanny Zhao expressed her gratitude repeatedly and said embarrassedly, "Our Sixth Madam was truly a good person before getting sick, but now, due to illness, she can’t avoid being narrow-minded. Thanks to Doctor Li for being willing to help."

Doctor Li waved his hands, eager to leave, "It’s no trouble, I’ll give the message to Sixth Master, but that’s all I can do."

Nanny Zhao quickly added, "One more request; can you ask Madam if there’s any incense left from last time? It really helped Sixth Madam feel more energetic."

Doctor Li glanced at Nanny Zhao skeptically, "Sixth Madam dares to use it?"

Nanny Zhao felt even more embarrassed.

"Sixth Madam doesn’t know the incense pills were sent by Madam."

Doctor Li, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Aren’t you afraid that Sixth Madam will punish you if she finds out?"

Nanny Zhao sighed, "I have no choice; Sixth Madam’s condition can’t endure delay."

"Alright," Doctor Li said as he turned and walked away with Xiao Dong.

Nanny Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

Doctor Li went to Wutong Garden to find Qin Yuan, while Xiao Dong went to the outer courtyard to find Sixth Master Gu.

Sixth Master Gu had changed into casual clothes and was standing in the open space of the outer courtyard, waiting for Xiao Dong to lead him in practicing Five Animals Qigong and Eight Pieces of Brocade. Upon seeing Xiao Dong, he smiled and said, "You’re almost late."

His fair face showed gentle and affectionate peach blossom eyes.

Xiao Dong thought, no wonder this master has so many concubines and aunties.

"It’s not like my master keeps reminding me," Xiao Dong sighed like a little adult, prepared himself, and said, "Sixth Master, focus now, first take a deep breath in, don’t forget to touch the palate with your tongue, lightly close your upper and lower teeth..."

After a session of Five Animals Qigong, Gu Jingjun was sweating profusely, panting heavily.

Xiao Dong remained unchanged, his small face expressionless.

"Sixth Master, let’s rest and adjust our breathing."

Sixth Master Gu walked under the silk umbrella to rest.

Xiao Dong followed him, saying, "Sixth Master, today my master and I went to see the two young ladies again; they’ve almost recovered, and Aunt Huang is also getting better."

Sixth Master Gu wiped his sweat with a square towel before responding, "That’s good then; once they’re all better, we can open the estate."

After the estate is opened, there’ll be a host of things to do.

Shen Changle had already devised a plan, borrowing Qin Jijiu’s influence to have the poetry collection sent to the desks of the Minister of Rites and Lord Academic Administrator, asking them to compose poems and write colophons, just waiting for the painter to complete the illustrations for publication.

He needed to visit Brother Qinxian, as well as learn painting from the painter... Ideally, he would also start a poetry society; lately, his poetry talent had shown some improvement...

The beautiful daydream was interrupted by Xiao Dong.

"Indeed, but..."

"But what?"

Sixth Master Gu, seeing him hesitating to speak, found it amusing and followed up on his words.

Xiao Dong blinked his bright eyes and said, "It’s just Sixth Madam’s illness..."

Sixth Master Gu frowned, a wave of worry surging within him, he asked, "How is Mrs. Xu’s illness?"

Xiao Dong replied, "Sixth Madam is seriously ill and needs peaceful recovery. My master mentioned this during the first diagnosis and prescribed a treatment, but..."

"What do you mean by ’but’ again?"

Sixth Master Gu was somewhat impatient, "Just say it, what is really going on?"

Xiao Dong said directly, "Sixth Madam doesn’t trust my master. The last time I saw Sixth Madam, she already looked sick, terribly thin. Today, I heard from Nanny Zhao beside Sixth Madam saying Sixth Madam has difficulty eating, sleeping poorly, can’t bear the slightest disturbance, shouting someone’s trying to harm her, my master said if this continues, she might not be able to recuperate at all. Nanny Zhao is pleading for Sixth Madam to let my master diagnose her, but Sixth Madam insists on waiting until the estate is opened to seek another good doctor..."

Sixth Master Gu: "..."

What was Xiao Dong saying?

Lately, following his third brother’s advice, he often inquired outside Mrs. Xu’s courtyard, and each time they said she was well.

Why suddenly they’re saying Mrs. Xu is on the verge?

Xiao Dong continued, "My master says that although the estate isn’t yet open, we can still invite a good doctor from outside to properly examine Sixth Madam; this matter can no longer be delayed."

Doctor Li said the same to Qin Yuan in Wutong Garden.

Qin Yuan: "..."