Chapter 49: Chapter 51 Dissatisfaction of the Grandmother Chapter 49: Chapter 51 Dissatisfaction of the Grandmother Qin Liuxi emerged from the Medicine House as dawn was breaking, her face a shade paler after staying up the entire night, prompting a deep concern from Qi Huang.
“Master, after staying up all night, why don’t you get some more sleep with a short nap? Otherwise, we still have to travel, and where will you get the energy from?”
Qin Liuxi said, “It’s fine. Go and get things ready. I’ll take a medicine bath, and then I need to say goodbye to Old Mrs. Qin and the others before we leave.”
As she mentioned this, she was filled with bitter resentment. In the past, she never needed to inform others of her whereabouts, coming and going as she pleased. Now, however, things were different.
She had lost her freedom!
Qin Liuxi felt increasingly suffocated.
Seeing her troubled expression, Qi Huang didn’t dare to speak further, hastily preparing everything. Within the time it took to brew a pot of tea, she had already arranged all the clothes and medical bath ingredients.
Qin Liuxi entered the purification chamber and settled into the bathtub, instructing Qi Huang, who was massaging her acupoints.
“After I leave, all household affairs will be handed over to Madam, but you must guard my little courtyard, especially the Medicine House and the medicine garden. Don’t let them take advantage of it.”
Qi Huang asked, “Are you guarding against those young ladies?”
“Rather than them, I’m more concerned about Second Madam.” With her eyes closed in the medicinal soak, Qin Liuxi said, “That woman is greedy for wealth and small gains and has a fierce temperament. If she comes to this courtyard with high and mighty airs, you block her. If there’s any issue, we’ll discuss it upon my return. If worse comes to worst, call Madam to decide.”
“Rest assured, I will guard it well for you.” Qi Huang and her brother Chen Pi had unique constitutions; both had been saved by Qin Liuxi during their hardest times and had followed her since. Qin Liuxi never asked them to sign a servitude contract, but they had already sworn a Blood Covenant at the Daoist Temple’s Grandmaster, vowing never to betray her.
So if anyone in the house thought to control them with a servant contract, it would be impossible.
“Personally deliver the Jade Snow Skin to Changsheng Hall, and as for the other medicines you’ve refined, keep them safe. If there are any sudden incidents with Third Madam or Old Lady, let them take it.”
“Have you detected any Heavenly Secrets?”
“No. But as the saying goes, man’s plans can’t match Heaven’s. With one growing old and the other newly postpartum and still weak, especially during this precarious time, I worry about accidents happening when I can’t make it back in time.” Qin Liuxi continued, “If things become uncontrollable, you know where to seek help, right?”
Qin Liuxi then stopped talking and relaxed. In two or three breaths, she had fallen asleep.
Qi Huang stopped her movements upon seeing this, checked the water temperature, and with a smile at the sight of her master leaning against the tub edge facing her, she draped a large towel over the tub. Moving quietly, she left the purification chamber to instruct Chen Pi to take good care of their master on the road.
Qin Liuxi was awake after a short rest, nimbly dressed herself, and as she left, she ran into Qi Huang.
“I can go to say goodbye myself. Make sure everything is packed.”
As Qin Liuxi stepped outside, the sky was fully lit, and standing under the eaves, a breeze blew by, bringing a chill.
Old Mrs. Qin, with her light sleep and preoccupied mind, had already awakened early. Hearing that Qin Liuxi was coming to bid farewell and knowing from her daughter-in-law that she intended to stay at the Daoist Temple for a few days of Cultivation, she understood that Qin Liuxi intended to say goodbye.
Yet with their family in the midst of troubled times and having just returned to the old residence amidst uncertainty, Qin Liuxi’s talk of retreating to the Daoist Temple for a few days of Cultivation slightly perturbed her.
However, Qin Liuxi, who wouldn’t indulge her, paid her respects, informed her of her departure, took her pulse, and wrote a new prescription. She instructed Nanny Ding to take it to Uncle Li for the medicine, then took her leave.
Old Mrs. Qin’s expression soured greatly, her dissatisfaction clear, “This child, without her near to be taken care of, has truly become distant!”