The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 14

Chapter 14: A Letter Arrives

When the letter was delivered to the Xiao Residence, the master of the Xiao family was already out. Because the Left Consort of the Xiao family was bedridden, all matters in the household were managed by the Right Consort.

It was dusk now. Unlike the morning’s overcast sky, the setting sun spread its rays, and thin clouds hung like curtains. The backyard of the Xiao Residence was enveloped in a dreamlike, enchanting late spring scenery.

Sweeping maids bustled back and forth, women gathered to sip tea and gossip, and the servants of the household were also taking a break to chat. Everything seemed harmonious and beautiful, a scene of joy and contentment.

Until a creaking sound of carriage wheels entered the courtyard, this seemingly frozen picture seemed to be disturbed by a falling stone. The servants who were chatting straightened up, the sweeping maids and servants also voluntarily made way, everything proceeding in an orderly fashion as usual.

“Oh, the Young Master is back!”

Seeing that the person sitting in the wheelchair was none other than Xiao Xian, the renowned Seventh Young Master Xiao, known as the most handsome and talented man in Jiankang, Third Madam Xiao Zhu couldn’t help but cover her lips with her fan and chuckle softly, her voice sweet and seductive.

The maids all lowered their heads, not daring to look, because anyone with a discerning eye could sense that Third Madam’s gaze towards Seventh Young Master was a bit too intensely infatuated.

Although there were no strict taboos between men and women in these times, women could openly express their feelings and pursue the young masters they admired. Some were even bold enough to pursue one-night stands. For instance, Xu Zhaopei, the wife of Emperor Yuan of Liang in the previous dynasty, dissatisfied with her married life, went so far as to seduce princes, ministers, and even her husband’s close attendants and servants.

Of course, Xu Fei’s ending was far from pleasant. Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi, hated her deeply but feared her powerful family and dared not openly harm her. During the Hou Jing Rebellion, he seized the opportunity to divorce her and force her to commit suicide. Even after her death, the Emperor wrote an essay titled 《”Ode to the Autumn Thoughts of a Dissolute Woman”》 to describe her shameless and obscene behavior, venting his anger towards her and her family.

Logically speaking, with such a precedent, women in the Southern Dynasties should have been more observant of the three obediences and four virtues, but this Third Madam was truly…

But then again, Seventh Young Master Xiao Xian was not only exceptionally talented, but his elegant demeanor, as unattainable as the snow on Mount Hanshan, was unmatched by any young master from aristocratic families in Jiankang. Just like a saying that has been circulating in later generations—

“Once you enter the Hou’s gate, it’s as deep as the sea, from then on, Xiao Lang is a stranger.”

The term “Xiao Lang” had become synonymous with handsome men, like Pan An in the Jin Dynasty.

But unfortunately, beauties often met with ill fate, and it seemed handsome men were no exception.

Amidst the sighs of the maids, Xiao Xian seemed oblivious, still calmly instructing the servant to push his wheelchair towards a courtyard with a sign that read “Lingqing Pavilion.”

Coughing sounds came from the courtyard. Xiao Xian paused for a moment outside the courtyard, a hint of sorrow appearing between his brows. Then he instructed the servant to take out a rectangular wooden box and hand it to the maid A’ru, who was waiting under the eaves.

“These medicines, decoct them first and let her drink them. Let her recuperate properly. Tell your young lady that Seventh Uncle won’t let anything happen to her.”

The maid nodded, hurriedly bowed, and replied, “Yes, Seventh Young Master. I will definitely take good care of the young lady.”

Xiao Xian nodded, then turned and left.

It was inappropriate for him to enter a young lady’s chambers, especially since this was his niece.

“Has Seventh Uncle left?”

As the maid carried the medicine into the young lady’s room, the girl lying on the couch immediately sat up and asked.

The maid nodded.

The girl covered her mouth and coughed violently, her beautiful face, as pale as a lotus in the wind, was stained with deep sorrow.

“Why must it be like this? Seventh Uncle clearly knows that my cold has already entered my lungs and internal organs. Unless renowned physicians like Zhang Zhongjing and Ge Hong were alive, I might still have a chance of recovery. But unfortunately, not only are these two divine physicians unlikely to reappear in this world, even the medical books they left behind have been lost.”

The girl’s sigh made the maid’s nose sting, and she couldn’t help but cry.

“Young lady, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. Seventh Young Master has repeatedly emphasized that your illness may not be incurable. As long as you don’t worry and don’t give up, Seventh Young Master will definitely find a renowned physician to cure your illness.”

The girl laughed.

“That also depends on who I am. Who has the final say in this Xiao family now? My father and mother are both deceased, I’m just a jinx who brought misfortune to the Xiao family.”

“Young lady, please don’t say that.”

The maid cried even harder.

Unlike the gloomy atmosphere in Lingqing Pavilion, Consort Chen’s courtyard was bustling with activity. Several servants were rearranging the room under her direction.

“Put this jade bonsai here, that coral branch there, and this folding screen…”

These were all rewards from the imperial family. As a princess of the Chen imperial family, these rewards represented her royal status and honor.

Princess Yunyin was very proud, her well-maintained face wore a triumphant smile.

At that moment, a servant came to report, “Madam, Seventh Young Master is back. He only brought back some medicinal herbs, nothing else.”

After pondering for a moment, the servant added, “Oh right, today at a teahouse on East Street, Seventh Young Master had an argument with the young master of the Zhu family. It’s quite amusing, it was actually about Tenth Young Lady’s illness.”

“What are people saying?” Princess Yunyin asked.

The servant stifled a laugh for a while before answering, “They’re saying that Tenth Young Lady Xiao is suffering from lovesickness.”

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“Absurd! How could he say that!”

Princess Yunyin’s brows furrowed in anger. The servant was frightened, her face bewildered. Then she saw the woman, who was putting on airs, shrug and chuckle to herself.

Only then did the servant relax her face and force a smile along with her.

“Well, it’s truly unfortunate. It’s all because the ancestors of the Xiao family didn’t accumulate enough virtue, so this retribution has fallen upon their descendants.”

Princess Yunyin added another sentence. The servant was startled and hurriedly winked, giving her a warning look.

“Oh, what have I said? A slip of the tongue, definitely a slip of the tongue.” After saying that, she put on a displeased expression and scolded the servant in a low voice, “There’s no one else here, what are you so nervous about?”

Just as she finished speaking, a hurried sound of footsteps approached.

“Madam, the steward is here.”

A maid came to report.

“The steward? What is he here for?” Princess Yunyin’s eyes showed suspicion. She raised her hand, “Invite him in.”

Then she ordered the maids and servants to help her change clothes and go to the living room.

Led by the servant, a slightly plump middle-aged man walked in and hurriedly bowed to Princess Yunyin, “Madam, someone delivered a letter outside, specifically addressed to you. I didn’t dare to make a decision on my own, so I brought the letter here for you to decide.”

“Who would write a letter to me?” Princess Yunyin was initially puzzled, then as if remembering something, her eyes showed vigilance and caution as she ordered Nurse Jiang beside her, “Bring it here, let me see.”

After saying that, she looked at the steward, “Oh, you may go about your business, steward.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Knowing that his mistress wanted him to leave, the steward tactfully retreated.

Princess Yunyin took the letter from the servant and opened it to read.

In an instant, the woman’s face, which was just now smiling like a spring breeze, turned deathly pale.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” The servant asked urgently.

Princess Yunyin couldn’t help but mutter, “This, how is this possible?”

Her body swayed slightly.

“Leave, all of you leave!” Nurse Jiang hurriedly ordered.

After the servants had all dispersed, the servant also picked up the letter from Princess Yunyin’s hand and read it. Upon reading it, she felt as if struck by lightning.

“This is impossible!”

Nurse Jiang immediately knelt down with a thud and said, “Princess, the people from that side clearly wrote that the woman was dead, and the daughter she left behind was forced off a cliff by Qi soldiers. She couldn’t possibly still be alive!”

“What’s impossible? Even the dead can come back to life. But who is she? Who could she be?”

Princess Yunyin suddenly spoke in a crazed manner.

The servant was frightened and trembled.

“Princess, what’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with me? Incompetent, always messing things up. It seems that woman is nothing special after all.” After saying that, a smile appeared on the woman’s twisted face, “However, I’d like to see what kind of demon has returned this time.”

At this moment, a voice called out from outside the door, “Princess, the steward is here again. He says someone has arrived outside, a physician to see Tenth Young Lady. He asks for your decision.”