"Baoju brought news last time, saying that Qianqian was doing well in the palace, how could it be otherwise!"
The Baoju mentioned by Mrs. Dong is Nanny Fan, the Chief of the satin warehouse in the Inner Court Department.
Now that she’s in the palace, she naturally wouldn’t know about matters at the traveling palace.
So it’s normal for there to be some discrepancies in the information.
Old Master Dong helped his wife sit down, and the eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang, quickly handed a cup of warm water over.
As she helped soothe, she said.
"Mother, don’t upset yourself. We can talk things over slowly."
Mrs. Dong also nodded in agreement, holding onto Mrs. Dong’s hand and comforting her.
"Mother, rest assured, although I don’t know what happened in the palace, since the Emperor has decreed for me to enter the palace, it seems Qianqian should be safe and sound. It’s just that I’m afraid something else might go wrong, so I came to my second brother and sister-in-law for a remedy."
Old Master Dong stood with hands behind his back.
Standing in the hall, his upright silhouette showed no retreat.
After a moment, he said slowly.
"Qin Zhen is right; being anxious now is of no use. It’s hard to help Qianqian from outside, so sending in remedies is futile, we’d best send in actual medicine."
Then he said to his eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang.
"Have someone make a set of hollow jewelry, the style doesn’t matter, as long as it can hold as many pills as possible!"
"I understand, I’ll go and instruct them now."
With that, she immediately stood up and went out.
For a family of merchants, skilled craftsmen are abundant.
So, for Mrs. Wang, finding someone was not difficult.
Seeing her walk away, Old Master Dong reassured his wife and daughter.
"Don’t worry, second brother knows Qianqian’s situation best, once he returns, he’ll know how to handle it."
Both nodded upon hearing this, as if they had found their backbone.
Their worries in their hearts lessened considerably.
Soon, the Eldest Master Dong, Second Master, and Second Madam, who received the news, all rushed back home.
Seeing mother’s eyes somewhat red and their sister’s face full of worry.
The two brothers exchanged a glance, realizing it was no small matter.
"Father, what’s going on?"
The one who spoke first was Eldest Master Dong, Dong Weiyuan.
He resembled Mrs. Dong, with a slightly plump build, but with a mild demeanor mixed with undeniable shrewdness and capability.
Old Master Dong had already handed over the family business to him.
He was now truly the head of the Dong Family.
Perhaps due to innate talent, he had insights into business matters from a young age.
The business of the Dong Family, going back three generations, had flourished everywhere.
But since Old Master Dong’s grandfather’s generation, many side businesses were dropped, specializing in medicinal herbs and silk.
Therefore, the Dong Family’s medicinal herb business was well-known in Shengjing City and even Da Wei.
This Eldest Master Dong was exceptional, traveling with Western Regions trade caravans in his twenties for several years.
He even started a medicinal herb business in the Western Regions.
So, by his forties, he had become the president of the Shengjing City Chinese Herbal Medicine Association, a figure whose word carried weight.
Moreover, he had established connections with the Imperial Hospital.
Currently, half of the herbs in the Imperial Hospital were supplied by the Dong Family, thus maintaining good relations with the Medicine Supervision Bureau responsible for purchasing.
And Doctor Dou’s eldest son was the liaison in these dealings.
As a result, Eldest Master Dong had a close relationship with the Dou Family.
Seeing him questioning , Old Master Dong explained the situation thoroughly.
Eldest Master Dong frowned and looked at his second brother, Dong Weicun.
He immediately asked.
"Second brother, you’ve been treating Qianqian’s cold syndrome, with her current situation, how should it be handled?"
Dong Weicun looked like he was carved from the same mold as Old Master Dong.
Only his build was slightly thinner.
Perhaps due to years of practicing medicine, there was an added aura of detachment from fame and wealth about him.
He shook his head, and after thinking for a while, he spoke.
"Without taking the pulse, I can’t prescribe directly just based on poisoning. Elder brother, with your good relations with the Imperial Hospital, can you find out anything? Even if it’s just some symptoms, I could have more references."
Dong Weiyuan immediately thought of Doctor Dou.
"I’ll go find Brother Dou. His father serves in the palace and has considerable knowledge of detoxifying internal conditions. Perhaps he might understand Qianqian’s situation."
"Hmm, then go quickly. We’ll wait for news."
As soon as Old Master Dong finished speaking, the Eldest Master Dong hurriedly left.
As he left, he was rushed, quite different from his usually steady nature.
And the Second Madam, Mrs. Yun, who had been mostly silent, remained as aloof as ever.
She never liked to speak much, so the family did not find it strange.
"I’m not sure what Eldest Brother’s situation is, but I’ll still prepare some regulating prescriptions based on Qianqian’s previous condition."
Saying that, she went to where Old Master Dong usually practiced calligraphy and picked up a pen to write.
After finishing, instead of showing it to everyone, she let Mrs. Yun next to her review it.
She looked it over and then nodded.
"Qianqian’s cold syndrome seems about to relapse, so remember to prescribe another warming tonic, Second Master."
Her words were soft and gentle, with a touch of detachment and coolness.
But she was very familiar with Lin Wanyi’s health.
She was originally a physician and handled ailments of women and children with ease.
Moreover, Xia An had been trained by her and thus sent to Lin Wanyi’s side.
Therefore, her medical skill and judgment were well-trusted by the entire Dong Family.
Seeing the whole family busy for Qianqian’s matters.
Mrs. Dong felt both emotional and guilty internally.
She had been married for so many years yet still often ran back to her maternal home for support.
But there was no other way, over the years, without her family’s support and protection, the eldest branch would likely have disappeared.
She deeply detested her own weakness and incompetence.
Old Master Dong, with sharp insight, immediately understood his daughter’s thoughts.
Then he comforted her.
"A family should mutually support one another. Although you and your husband haven’t had an easy time these years, you’ve at least managed to raise the children. In the future, things will get better."
Listening to her father’s comforting words, Mrs. Dong couldn’t help but feel her nose tingle and started to tear up.
Her tears made Mrs. Dong’s heart ache as well.
The mother and daughter had a good cry, their eyes reddened and swollen, and only then did they regain their composure.
"Alright, Mother, I’ve been out for quite a while; if I don’t return, someone at the Prime Minister’s Mansion may start gossiping. I’ll come again once there’s news from Eldest Brother."
Mrs. Dong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded.
"Hmm, go back now. Should anything happen, just send someone to report, we are your support! Understand?"