Chapter 1003: Chapter 997: Before and After (2)
Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu left the palace gate together, then parted ways outside the Marquis Mansion gate. She went into the Warm Pavilion and sat there alone, thinking about the Emperor’s illness. The prescription Le Xiu had shown them was nothing more than an ordinary cough prescription; not only would the Imperial Hospital prescribe it this way, even doctors outside would do the same. With Le Xiu’s cleverness, she could not possibly be unaware of this, so why go to such lengths to have Ruan Jingliu enter the palace?
Could it be that there was some other cause behind the Emperor’s illness?
She shook her head again, denying this thought. Right now all the Princes were still young, the Empress was shut away in the Cold Palace, the two noble concubines were evenly matched, and though Noble Lady Ying was on the rise, she still had no children. Xiqiu could not think of who would do something so foolish.
If not for this, could it be that Le Xiu merely wanted her and Min to see each other?
Thinking of Min, she could not help but ache for him again. He had not only grown thinner, his spirits were no longer as good as when he was at home. He must be very tired, staying alone in the palace...
When Fourth Master Xiao returned in the evening, she recounted to him what had happened in the palace. "...What does she mean by this?" Fourth Master Xiao was also slightly stunned, harboring the same suspicion as Xiqiu, but then he rejected it at once. Le Xiu had no reason, and was also in no position, to do such a stupid thing as harming the Emperor. For her as she was now, it would not bring the slightest benefit; not only she, but the Le and Ruan Families would gain nothing from it.
"I’ll ask Old Qian tomorrow." Fourth Master Xiao furrowed his brows and comforted her. "Don’t let your mind run wild. It’s not that complicated."
Xiqiu nodded. She then brought up Min. "He’s lost quite a bit of weight." Seeing the worry all over her face, Fourth Master Xiao took her hand and explained, "He already had someone come and tell me. It’s not that he’s worried about not having enough to eat, he just feels that the palace dishes don’t quite suit his taste... There has to be a period of adjustment. He’ll get used to it slowly."
"Is it really so?" Xiqiu was taken aback as she listened. Fourth Master Xiao nodded, and she frowned and thought for a moment, then hurriedly slipped on her shoes, left the Warm Pavilion and called Nanny Cen in, instructing, "Pack some of the pickled vegetables we made at home, some beef and donkey meat and a few other small dishes into jars. I’ll need them." Xiqiu thought for a moment and added, "And pack some salted duck eggs too, seal them well."
Nanny Cen did not know what she intended to do, and simply took it as food to be gifted out. Smiling, she answered, "All right."
When Xiqiu came back in, Fourth Master Xiao said, "Once you have everything ready, I’ll take it in to him the next time I enter the palace." Xiqiu agreed with a nod and sighed. "...If only we could send the cook from home over as well."
Fourth Master Xiao chuckled softly and shook his head.
That night, the First Madam came over in person. "Your mother knows you entered the palace today and are worrying about Min, so she sent me to ask. Did you get to see him?"
"I did." Xiqiu replied, "He’s just a bit thinner; everything else is still fine." As she spoke, she told the First Madam about her plan to send some pickled dishes into the palace. After the First Madam went back, early the next morning the Grand Dowager sent Ziwei over with four jars of cooked dishes and pastries. Ziwei smiled and said, "The Grand Dowager says it’s cold now; if they’re properly stored, they’ll keep ten days or so, they won’t spoil."
Xiqiu accepted them with a smile and said to Ziwei, "...Just tell her I understand." Ziwei answered and then took her leave to return to the Marquis Mansion.
A day later, Fourth Master Xiao took more than ten jars of pickled dishes and pastries into the palace. When Min saw the table full of jars and bottles, his eyes instantly reddened. He impatiently opened the jar of pickled vegetables, took up his chopsticks, picked some up and put it into his mouth. After chewing, he broke into a smile...
How long had it been since he had tasted this flavor? To others it might not be worth mentioning, but to him, perhaps this was the most beautiful memory and longing of his life.
He carefully put everything away, then called Chief He over and instructed, "From now on, there’s no need to prepare other food in the mornings. Just boil two eggs and half a bowl of porridge."
Chief He froze. He had never heard of any Prince who ate only two eggs in the morning. Hesitating, he said, "Your Highness, wouldn’t that be a bit too simple?"
"It’s fine." Min sat back down and picked up a book to read. "Just do as I said." He had to set his mother’s mind at ease, so taking good care of himself was what mattered.
In the blink of an eye it was the New Year. Early in the morning, Xiqiu had Bihuai and Nanny Cen carry a basket full of Copper Coin. The household servants each received a New Year red envelope. Once everyone had taken turns to line up, they scattered and went back to celebrate the New Year. Xiqiu and Fourth Master Xiao took Zhi to the Marquis Mansion.
Xiao Yanyi was not there. Xiao Yanting brought Sheng over to eat. After the family finished the New Year’s Eve dinner, Xiao Yanting stayed with the children in the courtyard to set off fireworks, and it was past midnight before they returned to the Governor Mansion.
Early the next morning, Xiqiu and the Grand Dowager entered the palace. Since the Empress was not present, Consort Le and Consort Wen presided. After a few cups of tea and some conversation, everyone dispersed. Xiqiu and Madam Ruan left together. Madam Ruan smiled and said, "I think Her Ladyship looks better than a while ago."
"Yes." Xiqiu nodded. "She’s also a bit fuller." Madam Ruan nodded, and thinking of Noble Lady Ying, who had made her appearance the latest, she frowned again. With that demeanor, it was fortunate she had not borne a Prince; if she had, wouldn’t her airs be even grander than those of the two noble concubines?
Xiqiu was still thinking about Min. Today he, the Emperor, and several Princes were all in Yangxin Hall, so she had not seen him and did not know whether he was getting used to those dishes...
On the second day of the New Year, Xiqiu, with Zhi and Fourth Master Xiao, went to the Tong Mansion. Madam Jiang, not yet showing and dressed in a loose overcoat, came to welcome her together with Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu. Tong Xiyan was holding Nian. Xiqiu went over with a smile and took Nian into her own arms. Two-month-old Nian was white and chubby, and looked more and more like Tong Xiyan. She laughed and said, "These eyes are carved from the very same mold as Fourth Sister’s."
Tong Xiyan was in mourning clothes. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "He clings to me all day long; I can’t even be away for a little while."
Madam Jiang laughed as she followed on, "They’re all like this when they’re small; even when Kun was little, he clung to me."
On the side, Zhi tugged at Xiqiu on tiptoe, eager for a look. "Mother, let me hold him." Xiqiu squatted down. "You can’t hold him; he’s still very small."
Zhi did not insist. He just craned his neck to look at Nian, whose big eyes were rolling round and round, taking in everything. Zhi frowned and said, "He’s as little as Yong." He paused, then added, "He can’t walk yet, and can’t talk either!" With that he turned and ran off. "I’m going to play with Kun."
Everyone could not help but laugh.
They talked as they went inside and chatted about raising children. Xiyu couldn’t get a word in and sat somewhat awkwardly to the side. Xiqiu turned and looked at her. "Eighth Sister, is Grandmother in good health? I didn’t see her in the palace this year."
"She’s quite well." Xiyu replied. "She just caught a bit of chill before the New Year, so she’s been resting at home these past two days and doesn’t dare go out."
"It’s inevitable at her age." Madam Jiang took over, speaking to Xiyu with some earnestness. "Grandmother is the very heaven of the household. You must be more filial to her; it will not do you any harm."
