TRBDM -Chapter 7 Imperial Physician Xiao’s Consultation

“Matters between husband and wife are not for you to comment on lightly. There’s no need to bring up old, long-past grievances again.”

Wei Zhaorong’s words left Xie Chuan completely stunned.

“Mother, do you know who he is? He’s Xie Lan—Xie Lan!”

“I’m not blind. Of course I know he’s Xie Lan. That’s enough. You may leave. What happens in the Lan Courtyard is none of your concern.”

Hearing this, Xie Chuan angrily flicked his sleeve and stormed out of the marquis residence.

Needless to say, he had gone off again to see that vixen Liu Yi’er.

A dog can’t stop eating filth.

Wei Zhaorong let him go.

Looking at the servants kneeling all over the ground, Nanny Qi spoke up, “All of you, get up. See to the tasks the Old Madam has instructed.”

“Yes.”

The servants rose and resumed their work.

“Mother, good morning.” Xie Lan lowered his gaze respectfully and greeted Wei Zhaorong.

In his clear eyes flickered a barely noticeable joy. In all his years of growing up, this was the first time someone had stood up for him.

So this was what it felt like to be protected—such happiness.

“Mm.”

Wei Zhaorong had been estranged from Xie Lan for many years. This sudden closeness felt unfamiliar to her as well.

Her expression remained stern, far from that of a gentle mother, yet to Xie Lan, everything felt different.

Wei Zhaorong noticed that Xie Lan’s robe was obviously too small and said, “Nanny Qi, have someone make a few new outfits for Third Young Master. Make sure the fabric is of good quality—comparable to what his elder brother wears.”

“Yes, Madam.”

At that moment, someone approached gracefully from a distance.

Xie Sheng’s wife, Shen Zhizhi, wore a bright smile. “Mother, good morning. I was just on my way to Anhe Courtyard to pay my respects, and I happened to meet you here.”

Shen Zhizhi discreetly surveyed Lan Courtyard. Though puzzled inwardly, she did not show it. “Lan Courtyard is quite lively today. Is Third Brother moving in?”

Wei Zhaorong looked at her second daughter-in-law—so sweet-tongued and well-liked—with darkened eyes.

In her previous life, if not for Shen Zhizhi’s instigation and encouragement, Xie Sheng would never have racked his brains scheming to seize the title.

It had also been Shen Zhizhi who first proposed dividing the family. She and Xie Sheng truly were cut from the same cloth—extremely selfish and adept at disguising themselves.

Since she had come to the door herself, Wei Zhaorong decided to make things clear, lest she end up bullying Xie Lan as Xie Chuan had.

“From now on, Xie Lan will live in Lan Courtyard. His food, clothing, and allowances will be the same as yours.”

Shen Zhizhi was secretly startled.

Those few simple words—“the same as yours”—carried significant implications.

Previously, Xie Lan had lived alone in the rear courtyard, eating and lodging with the servants. He cost only a few taels a year.

But now that he was moving into Lan Courtyard, following the standards of Xie Chuan and Xie Sheng, he would need at least five or six attendants, along with fixed monthly stipends—all drawn from the family’s common funds.

This was far more than just feeding one extra mouth.

On what grounds?

Shen Zhizhi felt deeply displeased, yet in front of Wei Zhaorong, she dared not say much.

“That’s good. Third Brother will have more spacious quarters then.”

After speaking those insincere words, she did not leave but remained standing in the courtyard.

Wei Zhaorong did not linger long. After giving some instructions, she returned to Anhe Courtyard.

Once her mother-in-law had gone, Shen Zhizhi walked up to Xie Lan, pretending to only now notice his injury.

“Oh my, Third Brother, what happened to your face? How did you fall so badly?”

In truth, she had already learned from Xie Sheng the previous night about Xie Lan’s conflict with Editor Zhang. She also knew their mother had summoned the estate physician for Xie Lan and kept him for dinner.

But she had never imagined that after just one night, their mother would grant him Lan Courtyard itself.

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Shen Zhizhi maintained her caring tone.

“Second Sister-in-law, haven’t you already learned the whole story from Second Brother?” Xie Lan said calmly and with certainty.

Shen Zhizhi had not expected Xie Lan to be so direct.

Sure enough, once someone had his back, even the way he spoke had changed.

A petty man intoxicated by sudden success.

Hmph.

Shen Zhizhi said hypocritically, “Third Brother, what are you saying? I’m kindly showing concern for you, yet you misunderstand me and even drag your Second Brother into it. If you keep this up and get into trouble outside in the future, which of your brothers would be willing to step forward and pull you out?”

Xie Lan’s eyes were as still as an ancient well. Yesterday, when Zhang the Compiler’s carriage jolted and the curtain lifted, he had seen his Second Brother sitting inside.

When the coachman had stepped on him and pinned him to the ground, his Second Brother had watched the spectacle from behind the curtain, making no move to help.

And when he proposed reporting the matter to the authorities, his Second Brother had immediately gone to their mother, attempting to stop him.

Brotherly harmony in the Mingde Marquis Manor was nothing but a joke.

Xie Lan had known since he was three years old that his Eldest Brother and Second Brother were not his full-blood brothers.

In the marquis residence, he could only rely on himself.

“I will remember Second Sister-in-law’s advice. If there is nothing else, I’ll go attend to my work.”

The order to leave had been given. There was no point in Shen Zhizhi staying any longer. She forced a smile. “Go on then. I’ll take my leave.”

That afternoon, after lunch, Imperial Physician Xiao arrived at the manor.

Wei Zhaorong personally went out to receive him.

After Xie Chuan had returned at noon, Wei Zhaorong had instructed Nanny Qi to keep an eye on him—he was not allowed to go anywhere that afternoon.

Wei Zhaorong led Imperial Physician Xiao to Ruixiang Courtyard.

“Imperial Physician Xiao, you’ve come! Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner,” Xie Chuan said brightly upon seeing him.

The marquis household had a close personal relationship with Imperial Physician Xiao, so Xie Chuan assumed he had come to visit his mother.

“Someone, bring tea.”

Wei Zhaorong sat in the seat of honor, with Imperial Physician Xiao seated to her left.

Dou Shuyao, pale-faced, sat opposite him with Xie Chuan.

After returning from Anhe Courtyard yesterday, Dou Shuyao had not slept a wink all night.

Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the gravest.

As the eldest daughter-in-law, she had yet to bear the marquis household a single son or daughter. She could hardly hold her head up because of it.

Now that Mother had invited Imperial Physician Xiao to Ruixiang Courtyard, how was that any different from slapping her in the face directly?

While Dou Shuyao sat there in restless anxiety, Xie Chuan was still chatting animatedly with Imperial Physician Xiao.

“Ahem.” Wei Zhaorong cleared her throat.

Imperial Physician Xiao immediately turned to look at her.

“Imperial Physician Xiao, please. I must trouble you today,” Wei Zhaorong said.

“No trouble at all. Let us begin.” Imperial Physician Xiao stood up.

“Begin? Begin what?” Xie Chuan looked utterly confused.

Imperial Physician Xiao asked, “Shall we start with the Eldest Young Master, or the Eldest Young Madam?”

“Examine Chuan’er first,” Wei Zhaorong replied.

“Very well. Eldest Young Master Xie, please.”

Xie Chuan hurriedly stood up, glancing between Imperial Physician Xiao and Wei Zhaorong. Before he could even ask what was going on, Imperial Physician Xiao had already stepped outside, so he had no choice but to follow.

As soon as the two of them left, the hall became much quieter.

Dou Shuyao felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, beads of sweat forming at her temples.

Wei Zhaorong settled firmly into the grand master’s chair, eyes closed, calmly rolling her prayer beads.

“Eldest Young Madam, please have some tea.”

Nanny Qi poured tea for Dou Shuyao. The moment Dou Shuyao took the cup, her hand trembled. The cup slipped from her grasp, and scalding tea splashed onto the back of her hand, making her gasp in pain.

“Eldest Young Madam!” Nanny Qi cried out. “Quick, bring cold water!”

A maid soon brought over a basin of cool water. Nanny Qi pressed Dou Shuyao’s hand into it.

It took the better part of half an incense stick before the burning sensation finally subsided.

Just then, Imperial Physician Xiao and Xie Chuan returned.