The brothers Zhao Tang and Zhao Lu left Songhe Hall, both wearing grim expressions.
Zhao Tang said, "Third Brother, are we being too indulgent with the wives? No one knows our mother better than the two of us brothers. Whatever the matter, she always downplays it. Your second sister-in-law and third brother’s wife may have upset Mother quite a bit."
Zhao Lu nodded, "Second Brother, I think so too. We can’t let them get our mother so worked up."
The brothers whispered to each other for quite a while, coming up with what they thought was a clever plan.
Then they went to the kitchen to convey their mother’s instructions to the cook, Mrs. Li.
"Second Master, Third Master, does the old lady find the Cloud Cake I made disagreeable?" Mrs. Li asked nervously.
She believed she had always been diligent and learned well what her mother-in-law taught her, all to satisfy the masters of the Zhao Mansion. So far, her pastries had never been wrong. Suddenly being asked to reduce the sweetness unnerved her.
"The old lady didn’t say much, perhaps she’s just suddenly not fond of sweet things anymore? Just follow her instructions and make it quickly, and then send some to Songhe Hall. Make more; send some to our courtyard as well," Zhao Tang said.
This way, it didn’t seem like there was a problem with her pastries, and Mrs. Li felt relieved, responding, "Second Master, don’t worry, I’ll make it right away and strictly follow the old lady’s instructions."
"Alright, you go ahead," Zhao Tang nodded and beckoned Zhao Lu to leave. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
Meanwhile, Huang Ying brought items to Du Ruyi and Zhao Xiaohua; as for Zhao Dahe, he went to the Du Mansion immediately and was asked by Du Jingtiao for advice on some issues.
Du Ruyi had a servant bring over a stool for Huang Ying to sit on.
With her hands placed on her knees and a poised smile, Huang Ying said, "Miss Du, you left in such a hurry; the old lady didn’t have time to prepare anything. She personally selected some items to send after you."
"Is there something for me too?" Du Ruyi asked with a smile.
"Yes, for Miss Xiaohua and Young Master Dahe too," Huang Ying replied. "I need to trouble Miss Du to pass Young Master Dahe’s share to him."
"I must be benefiting from being associated with Xiaohua and Dahe, then. Please convey my thanks to Huang Ying," Du Ruyi said happily. (Note: Here ’sister’ does not mean older in age.)
"The old lady also asked me to apologize to you, for not being able to host you properly," Huang Ying continued. "The old lady said she hadn’t expected some people to be so unruly. Because of them, the old lady’s headache flared up."
The implication was that Zhao’s old lady was quite displeased with those two and would not let the matter rest, intending to provide an explanation.
"Sister Huang Ying, when you return, please tell Grandmother that one shouldn’t easily get angry at an old age; it harms the body. They’re only trivial matters, unnecessary," Zhao Xiaohua remarked.
Her words were calm, and her expression showed no pretense.
Huang Ying silently nodded; Miss Xiaohua really didn’t care. Or, one could say, she didn’t take the two ladies seriously.
"Miss’s words, I’ll remember and be sure to relay to the old lady. Miss is so caring about the old lady, she will surely be pleased," Huang Ying said.
"It’s what a junior should do," Zhao Xiaohua replied. "I have calming incense here, take it back to Sister Huang Ying, light one when Grandmother is resting; it can calm the nerves and relieve headaches."
Zhao Xiaohua retrieved a porcelain bottle from the bamboo chest beside her and handed it to Huang Ying.
Huang Ying hesitated a little; calming incense isn’t something that can be used casually.
"Sister Huang Ying can first take it to the family doctor Grandmother usually uses for a look. They know her health condition; if unsuitable, don’t give it to Grandmother," Zhao Xiaohua said.
Having been at Zhao Mansion for a long time, Zhao Xiaohua, although not asking much about the old lady, was able to diagnose a lot through observation and pulse checking.
Moreover, calming incense doesn’t cure illnesses; it only alleviates emotions and helps in relaxation.
Often, things like headaches are significantly related to emotions.
"Alright, I’ll when I return, I am to go to the Hundred Herbs Hall to invite the doctor back to check the old lady’s pulse anyway; I’ll have the doctor take a look then," Huang Ying said.
Zhao Xiaohua was not bothered by any doubts.
On the contrary, Huang Ying’s actions showed she was very earnest and attentive to the old lady, proving her loyalty.
Everything necessary had been said and conveyed.
Huang Ying stood up to bid farewell.
Du Ruyi instructed a maid to escort Huang Ying out.
"Xiaohua, is there any calming incense left? I want some too," Du Ruyi eagerly eyed Zhao Xiaohua’s chest.
"Aunt Du, you sleep very well at night and don’t have headaches during the day, you don’t need calming incense," Zhao Xiaohua said.
She had some, and if none remained, she could make more.
Perhaps due to her sensitivity to scents, she was quite adept at blending incense; coupled with her current medical studies, her grasp of the herbs’ measurements for incense was excellent.
She didn’t need to weigh the ingredients; she relied solely on intuition.
However, her mother had said that her incense balls were better than those made with strict weight measurements of various scents and herbs.
The combination of fragrances and herbs complemented each other, allowing for the maximum efficacy.
"Such a useful item; save it up to be used as a favor in the future," Du Ruyi said with a playful smile.
Inside Zhao Xiaohua’s chest were all kinds of incense balls with different effects; hearing Du Ruyi say this, she took some of each and attentively labeled them with names, effects, who could use them, and who should avoid them.
"How wonderful," Du Ruyi pinched Xiaohua’s cheeks.
"Aunt Du, you’ve helped us so much; consider this my gratitude gift to you," Zhao Xiaohua said.
"This gratitude gift is quite lavish," Du Ruyi said with a gleeful expression.
The help she offered was trivial compared to what Sister Meng had done for her.
Besides, she and Zhao Ting had shared childhood ties. For that, she couldn’t stand idle.
Moreover, she’s back home now, and her brother and sister-in-law haven’t shown any signs of unwelcome behavior.
What about the future? It’s hard to say.
Maintaining ties with Zhao Mansion will only benefit her and cause no harm in the future.
Additionally, Sister Meng’s medical skills are exceptional and not something one can easily encounter.
Another point Du Ruyi values is Zhao Dahe.
Her brother has already said this kid not only excels in studies but also in character.
One must know, there’s a saying, ’bookworm, bookworm.’
Indeed, one might know many principles but be inflexible.
Commonly known as a bookworm, like her nephew.
Such people, her brother said, are fit for scholarly pursuits, yet if in office, would only work in a noble government. But when has the government ever been noble?
But Zhao Dahe isn’t; he’s good at studies but there’s no fault in his conduct.
While upbringing environment plays a role, innate characteristics are largely influential.
Some people are simply born to be officials.