SGEIRS -Chapter 274 Her Condition Worsens

Seeing her eyes reddened and misted with tears, looking as if she were about to cry, Gu Jingxi’s heart tightened. He thought she was in unbearable pain and hurriedly coaxed her, “A-Yao, don’t cry. If it hurts too much, just bite me. I’ve heard that biting something when you’re in pain can make it feel a little better.”

Moved by his words, Meng Jinyao’s eyes grew even redder. Hearing this, she felt even more like crying, and her tears fell uncontrollably.

Back when she had nearly died from illness, Meng Jinyao had been afraid of death—afraid she wouldn’t be able to take revenge if she died—but she hadn’t cried. Now, however, because someone cherished her and cared for her, she couldn’t help but weep.

Seeing the crystal-clear tears slide down from the corners of her eyes, Gu Jingxi felt flustered. He hurriedly wiped her tears and said gently, “I’ve already sent someone to the Imperial Medical Academy to invite Physician Wen. He’ll come over once he finishes his duty. If you really can’t endure it, I’ll have someone fetch the household doctor first. His skills aren’t as good as Physician Wen’s, but he can manage for now.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. “You sent someone to invite Physician Wen?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “You’re in so much pain—how could you just endure it? Physician Wen is highly skilled and experienced with women’s illnesses. Even the palace ladies seek him out. Maybe he can cure your menstrual pain.”

As he spoke, he released her and sat up. “I’ll go have someone bring the household doctor first. Physician Wen won’t be able to rush over immediately.”

Meng Jinyao grabbed his hand and sniffed. “Husband, there’s no need. I’m actually feeling a little better than before.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t believe her. “You’re better, and yet you cried from the pain?”

She shot him a reproachful look, her voice nasal. “Wasn’t it because you made me cry?”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi looked confused and innocent, not understanding how he had made her cry.

Meng Jinyao glanced at him shyly and replied awkwardly, “Other than Grandfather, only you cherish me like this.”

After speaking, she turned away.

Gu Jingxi was first stunned, then understanding dawned on him, followed by deep tenderness. He had only done what a husband should do.

He lay back down and pulled her into his arms. Her small body curled into a little ball. She was usually lively and radiant, but seeing her so weak now made his heart ache.

After a moment, he placed his palm over her lower abdomen, hoping to ease her discomfort.
“A-Yao, the kitchen should have prepared breakfast by now. How about eating something to warm your stomach? It might help.”

She nodded. “Alright.”

Gu Jingxi then summoned Qingqiu and Ningdong.

Because she was unwell, Meng Jinyao rinsed her mouth and washed her face while sitting on the bed, attended by the two maids.

After she finished washing, the other maids brought back breakfast from the kitchen.

That day, the kitchen had made red date and shredded chicken porridge, perfect for someone in her condition. Hugging her hot-water bottle, she sat on the bed and waited to be fed.

Gu Jingxi fed her spoonful by spoonful. When she finished the bowl of hot porridge and her complexion seemed to improve, he silently blamed himself for being foolish—he should have had her drink something warm earlier.

“A-Yao, do you want some more?” he asked.

She gently shook her head. “I’m full. I feel much better now. You should go eat too.”

He nodded, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and carried the bowl outside.

When Qingqiu and Ningdong saw him come out, they went in to check on their mistress.

“I’m fine,” Meng Jinyao said softly. “I’m better now. It’s just that I haven’t had my period for over half a year, so now that it suddenly came, I’m not used to it.”

Qingqiu pondered for a moment and advised, “Madam, some women do have stomach pain during their periods, but I’ve never seen anyone suffer as badly as you. Why not go to Huichun Hall and see a doctor who specializes in women’s illnesses?”

Meng Jinyao replied gently, “His Lordship has already sent for Physician Wen. He should arrive later.”

Qingqiu’s eyes lit up. “An imperial physician? That’s even better. He must be better than those at Huichun Hall.”

Physician Wen arrived quite early. As soon as he checked in for duty, someone from the Gu household summoned him. By three quarters past the hour of Chen, he had rushed over in great haste.

Led by a servant to Weirui Pavilion, Physician Wen saw Gu Jingxi, who looked energetic and healthy. He froze and said oddly, “Your Lordship looks quite well, not like someone who’s ill. There’s no need for me to examine you.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I’m not sick. It’s my wife who is unwell.”

Physician Wen was startled and looked around. Seeing only maids and no mistress, he asked, “Then where is Madam Gu?”

“Please follow me,” Gu Jingxi said, leading him inside.

Physician Wen frowned slightly. This seemed troublesome. Madam Gu was so young—he had heard she was only about sixteen—yet she was bedridden?

Inside, Meng Jinyao was chatting with Qingqiu when she heard footsteps. Looking over, she saw her husband enter with a man in official robes. He looked about sixty, with graying hair but lively eyes, kind and approachable.

This must be Physician Wen.

Physician Wen also saw her lying on the bed. Her face was pale and spiritless, making her look seriously ill. Moved by a physician’s compassion, he quickly set down his medicine box and asked before she could speak, “Madam Gu, where do you feel unwell?”

Worried that his young wife might feel embarrassed speaking to a stranger, Gu Jingxi answered for her, explaining in detail, “After her period began, she had severe abdominal pain. She was even woken up by it at night. Her face turned pale, and she broke out in cold sweat. It was the same in the past.”

Physician Wen glanced sideways at him. “…I wasn’t asking you. Why are you answering?”

Still, the fact that he knew his wife’s condition so well showed how attentive he was. No wonder he had suddenly sought treatment before, wanting to regain his vigor. Back then, he had even called him a quack and stopped treatment halfway, which had infuriated him.

Now both husband and wife had come to him—one with a man’s problem, one with a woman’s.

In Gu Jingxi’s heart, had he suddenly gone from quack to miracle doctor?

While grumbling inwardly, Physician Wen took out a pulse pillow and sat by the bed. “Madam Gu, please extend your hand. Let me take your pulse first.”

Meng Jinyao reached out from under the quilt and placed her hand on the pillow.

Physician Wen placed three fingers on her wrist. After a moment, his brows furrowed, his expression turning grave. He examined her more carefully, as though her condition was far from optimistic.