Chapter 170 - 168: This Shouldn’t Be Happening!

Chapter 170: Chapter 168: This Shouldn’t Be Happening!

It felt like someone wanted to harm her, but she couldn’t explain why?

This vague statement made Xu Jing appear thoughtful. After pondering for a moment, she asked, "Did your Young Madam ever mention who she thought wanted to harm her?"

This question was somewhat crossing the line. Matters involving the privacy of one’s own household, others might reveal a little, but as a doctor, Xu Jing had no authority to actively inquire.

Jing Dan brought it up voluntarily earlier because the person was brought by Jiang Erlang, and she trusted her own Erlang Jun. Besides, this incomplete statement—if Xu Jing mentioned it outside, others wouldn’t believe it.

Seeing Jing Dan’s slight frown, Xu Jing smiled faintly and said, "I meant no harm. I just heard that Young Madam Jiang’s cold has been lingering. This illness and one’s mood often influence each other. When someone is in a bad mood, they are more susceptible to illness, and recovery is harder. Conversely, feeling unwell when ill can also lead to anxiety and unrealistic fears. I merely wanted to see which case applies to Young Madam Jiang."

Jing Dan suddenly had a look of realization and said somewhat embarrassed, "I see. Our Young Madam never specifically said who she suspects, but I believe her suspicion isn’t without basis. In fact, long before, she has harbored this mental worry.

Getting married and being a wife is never as comfortable as being a daughter at home, even if Young Madam is a daughter of the Jiang family, she cannot escape this fate."

As she spoke, she sighed lightly with a troubled expression.

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly.

Zhao Shaohua couldn’t help but say, "Could it be that the Heir of Huaiyin Marquis is not treating Young Madam Jiang well? But I’ve heard that the Heir has always been very considerate of her."

Zhao Shaohua wasn’t gossiping out of a desire to pry into private matters. She had promised Jiang Erlang to talk to his sister and relieve her worries. If she knew nothing and accidentally touched a taboo topic, they might as well not chat.

Jing Dan shook her head and replied, "No, the Heir treats our Madam very well. During her illness, he stayed home as much as possible. Her low spirits are due to other matters, Young Madam Zhao can ask her when they meet; it’s not my place to say more."

Zhao Shaohua didn’t want to press them further, exchanged a glance with Xu Jing, and didn’t continue the conversation.

Soon, they arrived at the room of the Heir of Huaiyin Marquis and Young Madam Jiang. As they entered, a maid carrying a tray was leaving, and Jing Dan quickly stepped forward to ask, "Jing Shui, did the Young Madam take her medicine?"

Looking troubled, Jing Shui nodded and said, "Yes, every time the Young Madam takes her medicine promptly. I don’t know if it’s my illusion, but she seems to be feeling a little better today..."

Noticing Zhao Shaohua and Xu Jing behind Jing Dan, Jing Shui quickly greeted them, "You must be Young Madam Zhao and Doctor Xu. I didn’t see you earlier; my apologies."

Zhao Shaohua shook her head, letting her stand up, and asked, "Is Young Madam Jiang feeling a bit better today?"

Didn’t Jiang Erlang say that even after taking the medicine, Young Madam Jiang’s condition hadn’t improved but got worse?

Jing Shui nodded hesitantly, "We think so, but we aren’t doctors, so we don’t know if our judgment is accurate. The day before yesterday, Young Madam had a fever all night and body aches, unable even to get out of bed, frightening the Heir so much that he stayed up all night by her side. From yesterday, the fever subsided, and today she can even walk a few steps."

Jing Dan added, "Jing Shui is right, we are also surprised. Young Madam has been ill for five whole days, getting worse with every medication in the first three days. We were very worried, and the Heir almost dragged all the doctors who attended her to the Shangjing Prefecture."

When Young Madam’s high fever began to subside yesterday, we couldn’t believe it, fearing it was the start of another danger ahead."

Jing Shui suddenly gritted her teeth and said, "It’s all that wretched woman’s fault; she must have been aggravating the Young Madam by parading around her every day! I don’t understand why, since that woman is already fifteen, why doesn’t the old Madam arrange a marriage for her! Doesn’t she know how ugly the gossip outside is?"

"Jing Shui!"

Jing Dan hurriedly interrupted her and shot her an admonishing look. Jing Shui realized her mistake, pursed her lips, and saluted, "I apologize for embarrassing Young Madam Zhao and Doctor Xu, I’ll take my leave."

Watching Jing Shui leave hurriedly, Jing Dan looked helplessly at Xu Jing and said, "Jing Shui doesn’t usually have such a strong opinion against Lady Hua, perhaps she was frightened by the Young Madam’s illness; she’s usually the gentlest among us."

Her words held a subtle implication.

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly.

Her expression suggested that she didn’t have a significant grudge against Lady Hua after all.

Could it be that her earlier words about Young Madam Jiang being friendly to Lady Hua were sincere?

Zhao Shaohua, always straightforward, said, "I thought you were quite opinionated against Lady Hua."

After all, anyone seeing Jing Dan’s attitude toward Lady Hua earlier would think the same.

Jing Dan froze, hurriedly waving her hand, "Lady Hua is indeed half a mistress in the Marquis Huaiyin’s residence, how could I dare hold any opinion against her, I just don’t want her appearing in front of the Young Madam.

After all, even if we really had an issue with Lady Hua, what difference does it make? Our Young Madam is kind-hearted and always treated her well; even if Lady Hua had other thoughts, she never took them to heart, since being a daughter of the Jiang family, not everyone could bully her.’

That last sentence was stated with an unruffled calmness, a calmness bolstered by the strength of being a Jiang.

Xu Jing immediately understood the underlying meaning. She indeed harbored opinions about Lady Hua, and it seemed Lady Hua held some improper intentions.

But the Young Madam Jiang never bothered with Lady Hua’s petty machinations, perhaps caring less than her own maids did.

Then, who was the person Young Madam Jiang said wanted to harm her?

With these questions, Xu Jing followed Jing Dan into the inner room.

On the canopy bed in the inner room, a young woman in plain clothes leaned against a soft pillow. Seeing Zhao Shaohua and Xu Jing, her lips slightly curled as she said, "You’ve arrived. Erlang had someone inform me about it, apologies for troubling Young Madam Zhao and Doctor Xu to make the trip."

Young Madam Jiang’s maiden name was Yanxia, the third daughter at home. At eighteen, her marriage was arranged with the Heir of Huaiyin Marquis. Subsequently, due to the passing of the Heir’s grandfather, the wedding was postponed by three years, so she married into the Marquis’s household at twenty-one, considered quite late for marriage in ancient times.

No wonder she had been anxious, seeking medical help for not conceiving after three years of marriage.

Xu Jing discreetly observed Young Madam Jiang, noticing her frail frame, pale complexion, originally plump lips now parched and pale, and eyes showing little vitality—a sickly beauty clearly worn down by the cold.

But now she could sit up and converse, suggestive of significantly improved health as her two maids mentioned.

Xu Jing approached her, saluted, and smiled, "Young Madam Jiang speaks too highly. As a doctor, attending to the sick is my duty. Please allow me to examine your condition."

Young Madam Jiang nodded and beckoned a maid to bring chairs for Xu Jing and Zhao Shaohua, placing Xu Jing’s chair beside her bed.

There’s naturally no taboo for a woman to examine another woman. Xu Jing carefully examined Young Madam Jiang and slightly raised her eyebrows.

Judging by the symptoms, it indeed seemed like a cold.

After some thought, she said, "May I see the prescription the previous doctors gave Young Madam Jiang?"

There was, of course, no objection, and Young Madam Jiang immediately instructed Jing Dan to fetch the prescription for Xu Jing. Upon inspecting the prescription closely, Xu Jing furrowed her brows deeply.

This... shouldn’t be!"