Chapter 236: Sacrificing One for Another

Nanny Zhao couldn’t contain her joy, but remembered to make excuses for her mistress, saying, "From the beginning, Sixth Madam thought the commotion about smallpox in the mansion was troublesome enough, and didn’t want the Old Madam to worry, so she kept it from her. Who would have thought it would get this severe? Ever since she got sick, Sixth Madam hasn’t been sleeping well, getting startled by the slightest noise, constantly suspecting someone is out to harm her. It’s probably because of all this that she refuses to see a physician."

Nanny Rong replied, "It’s all that Mrs. Zhao’s doing, otherwise how could Sixth Madam end up like this? Rest assured, once Sixth Madam takes her medicine and rests easy, she’ll get better."

Nanny Zhao, with tears in her eyes, smiled and said, "Yes, she’ll get better."

Nanny Rong instructed, "Later, Sixth Master will come look for you to talk. You know what to say to Sixth Madam, right?"

Nanny Zhao nodded.

Nanny Rong sighed and said, "I have to go back and report to the Old Madam now. She was very concerned when she heard the news and sent me to check on Sixth Madam’s illness. Let Sixth Madam rest assured that the Old Madam is thinking of her."

Nanny Zhao returned to the main room with a smile. Sixth Madam Gu was lying on the couch, her eyes half-closed, still waiting for her.

Nanny Zhao put down the box she was holding.

Sixth Madam Gu weakly asked, "What’s this?"

Nanny Zhao replied, "This is the calming incense that the Old Madam asked Nanny Rong to bring over. It’s the same one used yesterday, and it seemed to help Madam sleep much more soundly. Upon learning this, Nanny Rong hastily prepared a box to be sent over."

A smile appeared on Sixth Madam Gu’s lips, and she said, "Nanny Rong is considerate indeed."

Nanny Zhao said, "Exactly, Nanny Rong is the most trusted by the Old Madam. Her affection for someone is equivalent to the Old Madam’s affection for that person."

Sixth Madam Gu sighed, "The Old Madam has always been good to me, but alas, Sixth Master is incapable, and not born of the Old Madam. As a concubine’s child, there’s always a distance."

Nanny Zhao tenderly wiped Sixth Madam Gu’s sweat and said, "I must say, Madam is thinking too much. Although Sixth Master is not very ambitious, he’s certainly not a master who favors concubines over his wife. The Old Madam is also a reasonable person. Aren’t our days here better than at the Xu family? Which of the Xu family’s young ladies married as well and is living as comfortably as you?"

Sixth Madam Gu sighed again.

Seeing her melancholy, Nanny Zhao continued, "Seeing Madam’s illness worsening, I couldn’t help but seek out Sixth Master. After he learned, he was in a panic and even asked the Marquis for help. I hear the Marquis plans to invite an Imperial Physician to treat Madam. It shows Sixth Master truly cares for Madam. As the saying goes, ’A day as husband and wife leads to a hundred days of grace.’ After all, you have borne several children for Sixth Master. For the sake of the children, he will treat you well."

"...Did Sixth Master really ask the Marquis for help?"

A hint of light returned to Sixth Madam Gu’s eyes.

Nanny Zhao said, "Indeed, Sixth Master is thinking of both Madam and the children. I hear he’s been improving recently, spending his days studying and painting; even Aunt Zheng hasn’t seen him once."

Half-skeptical, Sixth Madam Gu said, "He’s fickle and lacks commitment. It’s not surprising if Aunt Zheng fell out of favor. I’m just surprised she fell out of favor so quickly. Our Sixth Master is getting more unpredictable."

Nanny Zhao advised, "If Sixth Master is improving, Madam should say kind words. As men grow older, they become more understanding and know how to protect their wives and children."

Sixth Madam Gu, feeling weary, said, "I’m tired. I’ll rest first. I just wonder, with the Marquis going to invite the Imperial Physician, will my third sister-in-law be upset with me?"

Nanny Zhao said, "At this point, life is what matters most. Even if Third Madam is upset, there’s nothing she can do."

Sixth Madam Gu fell asleep again.

After hearing Nanny Rong’s report, Old Madam Gu sighed, "Everything seemed perfectly fine, and now it’s such a mess. Have I not cared for her dearly? With only two sisters-in-law in the entire family, how did it come to this? Have I ever treated her unfairly?"

Nanny Rong said, "With Sixth Master living at home and Sixth Madam handling household affairs for so long, some other thoughts are bound to arise. Moreover, Madam was young but particularly capable."

Old Madam Gu sighed again.

It’s said to treat all matters equally, but it is easier said than done.

Nanny Rong said, "Fortunately, Sixth Master and the Marquis have always gotten along well. As long as the brothers are on good terms, the household will be stable."

Old Madam Gu, with a headache, said, "You need not ease my mind. A harmonious family brings prosperity, but regardless of how well those two get along, once the inner household is in chaos, have we not seen brothers drift apart due to such matters in our lifetime? Each child listens to their mother. How can the next generation work together in unity? Although the Dingbei Marquis Mansion’s title is hereditary, fulfilling this responsibility requires family cooperation."

Nanny Rong bitterly smiled and said, "Given that, it’s actually better for Sixth Master and Sixth Madam not to get along."

Old Madam Gu: "..."

Nanny Rong added, "Each generation has its own blessings. Isn’t the Old Madam hoping they will change the family’s fortunes by transitioning from a military to a civil service background? In the future, when they serve as officials in the court, if they can support each other, that would be great. If not, it’s no big deal; it’s not like going to battle."

Old Madam Gu replied, "You always have so much reasoning, how is your good son-in-law’s collaboration with Yuan’er going?"

Nanny Rong said, "Ah, according to the schedule, it’ll soon be available for sale. In a few days, the Madam should come and report the good news to you."

Old Madam Gu smiled and sighed, "If these incense pills sell well, Yuan’er might start thinking about pepper. That little girl is constantly thinking of making money to add to her dowry; she’s a rather endearing child."

Nanny Rong also laughed.

...

After Gu Jingjun discussed matters with his third brother and Doctor Li, he went to speak with Nanny Zhao.

Sixth Madam Gu was still resting. When Nanny Zhao heard Sixth Master was looking for her, she even lost one of her shoes running.

"Sixth Master, Sixth Madam has truly been suffering these days. She can’t eat or sleep, worries about Zhenzhen’s whereabouts, is anxious about the two young masters, and still has to watch over the sick little miss..."

The more Nanny Zhao spoke, the more sorrowful she became, shedding a flurry of tears and snot, looking haggard and distressed.

Sixth Master Gu contained his irritation and, standing outside the door, frowned and said, "I’ve already asked Third Brother to come up with a solution, but it’s difficult for him to find someone suitable right away. You know, we still can’t open the mansion gates, and not everyone has the courage of Doctor Li to take on such a life-risking task."

"What can be done?"

Nanny Zhao, as if struck by lightning, woodenly said, "I’ve already told Sixth Madam that an Imperial Physician is coming soon to see her. What can we do now?"

Sixth Master Gu said, "At this point, we can only resort to makeshift measures and have Doctor Li attend to her."

Nanny Zhao, disheartened, said, "I’ve pleaded with my mistress countless times, but she refuses to let Doctor Li treat her, insisting on waiting for the gates to open to invite an Imperial Physician."

Sixth Master Gu said, "Do you think your mistress can hold out till then?"

Nanny Zhao cried out sorrowfully.

Sixth Master Gu said, "Now we need to make do with what we have, so if you truly wish to save Mrs. Xu, you should do as I say. Every competent person has their quirks. If Mrs. Xu refuses Doctor Li’s treatment, no one would be willing to endure the slight to help her. My third brother and I have spent endless time trying to persuade him. Mrs. Xu’s fate now rests in your hands..."