SGEIRS -Chapter 329 The Medicine Has a Problem

At night, the moon shone brightly, casting silver light across the ground.

Near the Hour of the Pig, after a full meal and enough wine, the family banquet had concluded, and everyone returned to their respective courtyards.

After bidding farewell to the members of the first and second branches, Gu Jingxi took the initiative to hold Meng Jinyao’s hand as they slowly walked back to their courtyard, their shadows falling side by side on the ground.

Along the way, the couple talked about Gu Xiuhong passing the imperial examination. Suddenly, Gu Jingxi brought up his younger brother-in-law, Meng Chengzhang: “A-Yao, I remember you said earlier that Chengzhang would take part in this year’s academy exam.”

Meng Jinyao nodded slightly and slowly replied, “Yes. Not only Chengzhang, but I also heard that my third brother, Chengxing, will take part. He originally didn’t want to, but my second younger sister persuaded him—basically forcing him into it. She feared that if Chengzhang passed and became a xiucai, Father would focus more on him because of his achievement, and neglect Chengxing. That would make it harder for the siblings in the future, so she’s trying to secure Father’s favor in advance.”

Gu Jingxi nodded approvingly. “Chengzhang has a solid foundation and good learning ability. He could get into Lingshan Academy. This year’s academy exam won’t be difficult for him. If nothing unexpected happens, passing as a xiucai shouldn’t be a problem.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. She was confident in her younger brother. Fortunately, last year she had kept her reason in check and hadn’t moved against her father; otherwise, she would have been in mourning, delaying her brother’s future. She also didn’t want the title to fall to Meng Chengxing, this useless, immature boy, making him the new head of the Meng family. Her father still needed to live for the time being.

After a moment, Meng Jinyao continued, “By the way, I heard from Chengzhang that Xiuwen is also taking the academy exam this year. You’ve said before that Xiuwen is smart and quick-witted. After entering Lingshan Academy, the surrounding academic atmosphere transformed him completely—he shed his laziness, studied diligently, and improved rapidly. Passing as a xiucai this year shouldn’t be difficult for him either.”

Gu Jingxi smiled with satisfaction. “Xiuwen should have a chance to become a xiucai. If the younger generation is capable, Mother doesn’t need to worry about the Gu family declining. Even Father, before he passed, constantly reminded Mother to watch over the Gu family carefully—no wonder she feels stressed.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao thought of her own family—the source of her worries. The Yongchang Marquis Mansion, another long-established noble house, was once as prestigious as the Changxing Marquis Mansion. But now the two were worlds apart. The Yongchang Marquis Mansion had slowly declined over the past decades.

Her great-grandfather had committed a crime that angered the late emperor and was demoted. The Meng family’s ancestor had once served as Commander of Yongchang Guard, pacifying rebellions in Liangzhou and repelling foreign invaders, earning great merit and being granted the title of Marquis of Yongchang. The late emperor, remembering the family’s past service, had spared them from losing the title entirely, only reducing it from Marquis to Earl.

That event had severely weakened the Meng family. Fortunately, her grandfather had been capable, allowing the Yongchang Marquis Mansion to recover. But her grandfather died young, leaving the family to her incompetent father. Lacking talent, he could only compose a few mediocre poems to maintain appearances and scrape by on the family’s old wealth.

The Meng family was continuing to decline. Once a grand and influential house, it was now nearly deserted. Whether the family could rise again depended entirely on her second brother, Chengzhang. There was no hope in relying on Meng Chengxing—he was just as incompetent as her father, nothing more.

Seeing her frown, absorbed in thought, Gu Jingxi asked gently, “A-Yao, what are you thinking about?”

Meng Jinyao sighed softly. “I’m thinking that the future of the Meng family rests on my second brother. He’s still young and not the heir yet; perhaps he hasn’t realized that the burden of restoring the family already falls upon him—the only capable male in the family. My third brother is useless; if he doesn’t cause trouble, that will be a blessing in itself.”

Gu Jingxi spoke warmly, “As a child of a noble family, whether born in times of decline or prosperity, there’s always a burden on your shoulders—it’s just different for each person. Chengzhang understands the importance of studying diligently and entering the court through the imperial examination. That shows he is aware of his responsibilities.” He paused, then added, “In fact, once the family splits in the future and he has his own branch, Chengzhang won’t be affected.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “My great-grandfather nearly lost the title for his crime; the demotion was only because the late emperor spared him. My grandfather worked tirelessly to restore the Meng family, but all his efforts were ruined by my father, returning the family to its original state.”

She turned to Gu Jingxi, lowering her voice so only he could hear: “The foundation laid by our ancestors cannot be squandered. If the current head is incapable, we must find an opportunity to replace him.”

Gu Jingxi’s steps paused slightly. Seeing the serious and determined expression on his wife’s face, he gently squeezed her hand to comfort her and spoke softly, “A-Yao, there’s no rush. Now is not the right time. Patience is required for the bigger plan.”

Meng Jinyao relaxed. “I know. For the next ten or eight years, he likely won’t be touched.”

After a moment, Meng Jinyao changed the topic. “Husband, I’ve been taking the medicine for several months now, and I’ve also followed the instructions for medicinal baths. I can clearly feel my body improving. Should we find a time for Imperial Physician Wen to come and check my pulse, to see how much longer I need to take the medicine?”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “That’s a good idea. Let’s have Imperial Physician Wen check your pulse.”

The next day.

As soon as Gu Jingxi finished his duties, he went to the Imperial Medical Academy and invited Imperial Physician Wen over. The results were naturally good. After taking the medicine for several months and bathing in medicinal decoctions, Meng Jinyao’s cold condition had improved significantly, and her qi and blood deficiency had basically been resolved.

Imperial Physician Wen modified the prescription. With one more month of consistent medication, a complete cure was expected. The medicinal baths to treat the cold condition still needed to continue.

Meng Jinyao was naturally pleased. She had grown tired of the medicine, whether in pill or decoction form. Now even burping brought a medicinal taste. Knowing she only needed one more month was good news. As for the baths, she treated them as showers and didn’t mind—they had grown familiar to the smell.

Gu Jingxi said warmly, “A-Yao, I’ll see Imperial Physician Wen out.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and turned to the physician. “Thank you for coming today, Imperial Physician Wen. Please take care on your way back.”

Once outside the courtyard, Imperial Physician Wen couldn’t contain himself and asked, “Marquis, how has your health been recently?”

Gu Jingxi frowned and asked in return, “Imperial Physician Wen, is there a problem with your medicine?”

“Marquis, why would you say that?” Imperial Physician Wen looked shocked, thinking Gu Jingxi was about to call him incompetent. He quickly defended himself. “Marquis, this prescription has cured others. As long as the patient continues taking it, it works. I have also continually improved the formula. The medicine you are taking now is even better than for previous patients.”

Gu Jingxi’s frown deepened. “I think it’s precisely your modification of the prescription that caused the problem.”

Imperial Physician Wen bristled. “Then Marquis, please tell me—what problem?”

Gu Jingxi glanced at him and said calmly, “I had no problems when I first took this medicine. But over time, the side effects have appeared. Even before the weather warms, I feel heat more easily than normal people, my whole body feels uncomfortable, and I even had a nosebleed a couple of days ago. I eat lightly, so it’s not a dietary problem. The only explanation is that there’s a problem with your medicine.”