Mrs. Qu was so excited she almost cried out.
Imperial Physician Fang continued, "I don’t know where the person who prescribed this medicine is, but could I perhaps have the honor of meeting them?"
"Ah, this..." Mrs. Qu hesitated for a moment before saying, "This prescription was found for me by someone else. I don’t know who prescribed it!"
Imperial Physician Fang was very disappointed.
"What a pity. It’s often said that drugs are poisons in disguise, yet this prescription not only cures the illness but also minimizes the toxicity of the herbs. It’s clear that the person who came up with this prescription has a kind heart, thinking not only of curing the disease!"
When Mrs. Qu relayed these words to the Second Young Master, he went to find the Third Young Master, Dai Hanbo.
Dai Hanbo spoke indifferently, "Second Brother, what do you want me to do?"
"I won’t say much. You know what to do!"
Dai Hanbo nodded; he understood.
His marriage seemed likely to become an agenda item soon.
When the Marchioness heard about the Second Lady’s situation, she quickly thought about which families had enough influence to speak to Mrs. Han, to ensure a good word was put in front of her for a possible match-making.
The Marquis Residence was known for its integrity; the family rule was that one could only take a concubine after the wife has turned thirty-five and had no children, and children born to concubines had to be raised under the lawful wife’s name.
Over generations, taking concubines had been rare.
The Marquess had no concubines, the eldest and second sons neither. The youngest son did not need to inherit the Marquis Residence and would someday start his own household separately; how the young couple wished to live was their business, and she would not interfere.
Moreover, looking at the youngest son, it seemed he was moved by those two poems. Seeing Yun Jinnian’s lovely and charming demeanor today only solidified his affection. And since Yun Jinnian had saved the Old Madam, his heart, already touched, now filled with gratitude. Men of the Dai Family, with their deep feelings, if they did not marry at all, that was one thing; but once they married, they would cherish the woman, holding her dearly in the palm of their hand.
"Oh my, the more I think about it, the more I feel this union must happen!" said the Marchioness, on her way to see the Old Madam.
The Old Madam was still deep in sleep but her complexion had noticeably improved.
Sitting beside the Old Madam, she said, "Mother, you may soon have another granddaughter-in-law. Not from Mimi’s family, but from Hanbo’s!"
Thinking back to what the Old Madam had said about the young couple needing to live a good life together, the Marchioness couldn’t stop smiling.
This was the first time the Marchioness had smiled since the Old Madam had collapsed.
This year’s flower-viewing banquet was definitely not a mistake!
After lunch, Yun Jinnian once more administered acupuncture and bloodletting to the Old Madam before saying goodbye to return to the Han Family with Dai Hanmi.
The Marchioness had given many gifts, both big and small parcels. Mrs. Qu of the second son’s household had packed several boxes of pastries, for Yun Jinnian either to enjoy or to distribute to her servants as she saw fit.
In the carriage, Yun Jinnian was somewhat hesitant about how to discuss the situation once she returned.
Hemei took Yun Jinnian’s hand, "Miss, if you don’t want to speak of it, we, Hemei and Henuan, will pretend to know nothing!"
Yun Jinnian was taken aback.
"Your servant was brought here by the old master at the age of three. I spent the first year learning to read and write, repeating a thousand times every day, ’I must remain loyal to Miss for life, with no second masters.’"
"Following me must be a hardship for you!" sighed Yun Jinnian softly.
"How can that be? The Miss is so learned, with unsurpassed medical skills and such a kind disposition. Being able to serve you is fortunate for us!" said Hemei, with Henuan nodding vigorously in agreement.
Training was hard, but it wasn’t dark.
Because they knew, when the time came, they would be able to serve closely by the Miss. If they did well, the Miss would reward them with grace, granting them a home!
Yun Jinnian smiled, taking both of their hands, "I will strive hard!"
To protect herself, to protect them!
"Indeed!" Hemei and Henuan nodded.
After thinking for a moment, Yun Jinnian finally said, "When we get back, I will speak to Mother and Grandfather myself. This matter cannot be kept secret!"