SGEIRS -Chapter 276 Jingxi’s Illness

When Imperial Physician Wen saw that both husband and wife looked gloomy, he could roughly guess what was going on. It was probably another matter involving the hidden struggles of the inner household. In wealthy families, the inner court was like a battlefield without smoke—danger lurked at every step, and one careless move could land you in a trap.

He comforted them, saying, “Madam Gu, please rest assured. Your condition can be treated. As long as you persist in taking the medicine and regulating your body, you will recover. I’ll prescribe you two formulas—one to take during your monthly period, and one for after. As for your diet, be careful to keep warm, avoid cold foods, and eat more warming foods.”

Meng Jinyao nodded gently. “Thank you, Imperial Physician Wen.”

“There’s no need to be polite, Madam Gu,” he replied.

After Physician Wen finished writing the prescriptions, Gu Jingxi said, “A-Yao, I’ll go see Imperial Physician Wen out first. I’ll be back shortly.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Go ahead, husband.”

Physician Wen glanced at the couple and sighed inwardly. This pair really had it hard. Both had problems and needed medicine, and both were his patients. He didn’t know which of them would recover first.

After Gu Jingxi and Physician Wen left, Qingqiu, who had been standing by, turned pale and said tremblingly, “Madam, the saying ‘you can’t judge a person by appearance’ is really true. Doctor Ling hid himself so well. He’s helped us in secret so many times.”

She paused, then recalled an unforgettable incident.

“Back then, when Ningdong was punished and beaten, she developed a high fever and was on the verge of death. You were confined in the Buddhist hall to reflect on your mistakes. I wanted to beg Madam Sun and the Old Madam, but they wouldn’t even see me, and I couldn’t leave the residence to fetch a doctor. In the end, I secretly went to Doctor Ling. He said that saving a life was better than building seven pagodas, so he risked offending his masters and came secretly to treat Ningdong. He even gave us medicine.”

At the end, Qingqiu clenched her teeth angrily. “Madam Sun is too sinister. On the surface, she sent servants to serve you, and you tried every way to refuse them. Turns out those obvious arrangements were just to divert attention. Doctor Ling was the real spy she wanted to plant beside you!”

Meng Jinyao fell silent.

Back then, Doctor Ling had helped her out of kindness, seeing how pitiful she was. She had once suspected him because of Madam Sun’s gentle-looking but cruel nature. But later, when he secretly helped them many times, she gradually lowered her guard toward this compassionate physician.

After a moment, Meng Jinyao curled her lips slightly and said calmly, “Qingqiu, Madam Sun taught me a lesson.”

Qingqiu was puzzled. “What?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “If you want to plant your own person beside your enemy, you must let that person help the enemy wholeheartedly. Once the enemy remembers that favor—and it can’t be a small one—they’ll let down their guard. When I was confined in the Buddhist hall and Ningdong was beaten, that may well have been one of Madam Sun’s moves.”

Hearing this, Qingqiu’s pupils shrank. If that incident had really been part of Madam Sun’s scheme, then she had truly succeeded.

The inner courtyard of a noble household was indeed a place that devoured people—full of calculations. No matter how careful you were, mistakes were inevitable. And once you made one, your enemy would seize the opportunity.

Meng Jinyao softened her expression and said gently, “Let’s not dwell on the past. I think the Gu family’s inner household isn’t as troublesome as the Meng family’s was. At least since I married here, I haven’t seen such deliberate schemes to harm people. In the future, we should be able to live more comfortably.”

Qingqiu nodded repeatedly. “That’s true. Back at the Meng family, you had no one to protect you. Now in the Gu family, the Marquis shields you, the Old Madam dotes on you, and both the first and second branches respect you. The only troublesome one is the heir.”

Meanwhile, Gu Jingxi and Imperial Physician Wen left Weirui Pavilion and headed to the study in the front courtyard.

Inside the quiet study.

After sitting down, before even taking Gu Jingxi’s pulse, Physician Wen asked curiously, “Marquis, I could have examined you just now in Weirui Pavilion. Does your wife not know about your treatment?”

Gu Jingxi did not answer and only gave him a dark look.

When their eyes met, Physician Wen paused, then nodded repeatedly, showing an expression of “I understand, I understand.”

As a man, although Physician Wen didn’t suffer from such an embarrassing condition himself, he could understand Gu Jingxi’s mindset. What man didn’t want to appear powerful in front of his wife?

The Marquis secretly seeking treatment must be because he wanted to regain his strength someday and amaze Madam Gu.

Gu Jingxi felt that Physician Wen was secretly thinking something strange and asked, “Imperial Physician Wen, what are you thinking about?”

Physician Wen quickly shook his head. “Marquis, let me take your pulse first.”

Gu Jingxi placed his hand on the pulse pillow.

After examining him, Physician Wen asked, “Marquis, have you had any reactions after taking the medicine?”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi didn’t reply, only gave him a look that said, “Figure it out yourself.”

Physician Wen was very familiar with that look. It clearly meant: “Your lousy medicine isn’t working at all.” It even made him doubt his own medical skills.

Afraid that Gu Jingxi might give up again, Physician Wen hurriedly comforted him. “Marquis, don’t be anxious. Back then, when you stopped halfway and overexerted yourself, it almost became untreatable. Fortunately, over these years you’ve taken good care of your body, so it can still be cured. You just need to persist.

“I already told you before—it takes one or two years of medication. It’s normal that there’s no effect yet. Keep going for a few more months and you may see results. The current prescription has been improved by me, and it’s more effective.”

Gu Jingxi trusted his skills, but he was simply impatient.

Physician Wen looked at him and said thoughtfully, “Marquis, I think medicine alone isn’t enough. You may need some stimulation. That would be more beneficial to your recovery.”

Gu Jingxi asked, “What kind of stimulation?”

Physician Wen stroked his beard meaningfully. “Marquis, you’re married and have a wife. As for what kind of stimulation, I don’t think I need to spell it out, do I?”

Gu Jingxi understood instantly. It was nothing more than marital matters.

But it wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried. Just two days ago, they had been together once, yet he had no reaction at all. He was deeply frustrated, and it even made that silly girl think she hadn’t satisfied him.

After a moment, Physician Wen suddenly remembered something important. He took out a blue-covered book from his medicine chest and handed it to Gu Jingxi as if offering a treasure.

With a serious face, he said, “Marquis, this is one of the good medicines I specially prepared for you. I originally planned to give it to you when I had time. Since I’m visiting the residence today, I brought it along. Why don’t you and Madam Gu try it?”

Gu Jingxi glanced at the book, which had no title, took it, and flipped through it casually. When he saw the contents, his expression instantly became subtle. With a “pak” sound, he snapped it shut.

Seeing this, Physician Wen added, “Marquis, don’t underestimate it. Everyone who’s used it says it works very well.”