Chapter 192: If Madam Were Still Here

Chapter 192: If Madam Were Still Here

Spring Bud naturally wanted to please Doctor Ji more, but she also feared that he might leave. After agreeing, she secretly instructed the two maidservants from Wisteria Garden who had come along. She made sure that at least one of them stayed with Doctor Ji at all times before heading back.

On her way, she ran into Jin-er and asked her to bring Zhe Jing and the others to Warm Green Courtyard to familiarize them with the route.

Watching Jin-er run back happily, a hint of confusion flickered in Spring Bud's eyes.

Why is Jin-er so happy today?

But she quickly shook her head, not dwelling on it, and hurried to her master’s courtyard.

It was fortunate timing; when she arrived, Su Zhenyun was just about to go to the Fu Shou Garden. Seeing her, he immediately stopped.

"Spring Bud, has Nuan-nuan returned?"

Spring Bud bowed. "Reporting to Master, Miss has already arrived home. She was very pleased with the gifts you brought and sent me to convey her thanks."

Su Zhenyun immediately smiled. "As long as Nuan-nuan likes them, tell her I can bring more of whatever she prefers."

After acknowledging this, Spring Bud said, "Master, today, Minister Xie invited a doctor surnamed Ji from Dongrong Country. He claims he can cure Miss's leg. Doctor Ji has already arrived at the residence. When Miss heard that he enjoys fruit wine, she sent me to ask for some from you."

"Can he cure Nuan-nuan's leg?" Su Zhenyun focused on this sentence, his eyes suddenly filled with surprise. "Where is the doctor? When will he start treating Nuan-nuan?"

Spring Bud explained again in detail, but she didn't mention the specific treatment method for Su Youyue. She guessed that her Miss didn’t want Master to know yet.

"Hmm, right. It's still the New Year, so we should wait until after the festivities to begin the treatment. Good, good. What did the doctor want again? Wine?" Su Zhenyun was nearly beside himself with joy. "I didn’t expect that fat boy Xie to be so reliable."

Hearing her master refer to "that fat boy Xie," Spring Bud was momentarily taken aback, realizing that he must be referring to Minister Xie.

Although she had heard stories from Jin-er, she had never seen Minister Xie as a child and couldn’t associate him with a chubby figure.

"Master, Doctor Ji likes fruit wine," Spring Bud repeated helplessly.

Su Zhenyun paused. "Fruit wine, huh..."

A hint of hesitation appeared on his face, but he quickly agreed. "Alright, no problem. I’ll have the steward fetch some and send it over later."

Spring Bud sensed something amiss with her master’s attitude, but as a maid, she dared not ask more. She bowed and excused herself.

After she left, Su Zhenyun stared in the direction she had gone, lost in thought for a while.

Li Rong, who attended to him closely, sighed inwardly at his master’s distracted appearance.

Back when Madam was still around, she loved drinking fruit wine the most. Master had won her heart among many aristocratic suitors by brewing excellent fruit wine for her, eventually winning her hand in marriage.

Now that Madam was gone, Master still brewed fruit wine every year. Whenever tasting time came, he would become melancholy, which was why Old Madam didn’t let him drink too much.

As his attendant, Li Rong knew these things but dared not mention Madam in front of Master, for it would only cause him more sorrow.

After a long while, Su Zhenyun snapped out of his reverie and slowly headed back.

"Master, aren’t you going to Old Madam’s place?" Li Rong asked cautiously.

Su Zhenyun waved his hand, his movement weak like a withering leaf in the wind. "No, Uncle Rong, tell the steward to check what kinds of fruit wine Doctor Ji likes and give him plenty. Whatever amount he wants, give it to him."

After Li Rong acknowledged, watching his master’s solitary back, his heart ached.

Master and Madam were once such a loving couple. If Madam were still here, Master wouldn’t be like this...

As dusk fell, the sounds of firecrackers in Yanjing City grew louder. Although the sky darkened, occasional fireworks exploding in the air illuminated half the sky.

Su Youyue went to Fu Shou Garden to have a reunion dinner with her grandmother, father, and Su Rong. After a lively meal, night had fully descended.

Both elders were delighted about the opportunity to treat her leg and wanted to invite Doctor Ji to meet them, but Spring Bud reported that he had gone to bed after arriving at his quarters and was likely still asleep. They decided to postpone the meeting.

"Nuan-nuan, the New Year in Dongrong Country is celebrated together with ours. This Doctor Ji didn’t spend the New Year with his family and traveled far to get here. He must feel lonely. Tell him he can visit Fu Shou Garden whenever he likes," Old Madam Su instructed her granddaughter.

Thinking about how Doctor Ji arrived, Su Youyue felt guilty but didn’t want to dampen the spirits of the elders during the New Year. She vaguely agreed.

Old Madam Su and Master Su were clearly extremely pleased with Doctor Ji’s arrival and each had a couple of sips of wine.

When Su Youyue looked at Su Rong, she noticed the little girl seemed very curious about their wine. Taking advantage of Old Madam’s inattention, she secretly poured herself a cup, sniffed it, and, finding no distinct smell, took a large gulp.

In the next moment, the little girl’s expression changed, seemingly due to the spiciness, her eyes reddening slightly. But she managed to swallow it down.

Su Youyue couldn’t help laughing out loud.

Only then did Su Rong realize her older sister had been watching her the whole time. Embarrassed, she stuck out her tongue.

The family enjoyed a lively New Year’s Eve dinner. On their way back, Jin-er was also happy. "Miss, without Second Miss this year, the New Year’s Eve dinner was even livelier at home."

Su Youyue remembered that in her previous life, when Su Qian wasn’t exiled to the manor, she and Su Rong would often feel unhappy because of Su Qian’s words during the New Year’s Eve dinners. Eventually, Su Rong would lose her temper, upsetting Old Madam and Father, who would scold Su Rong for being undisciplined.

This New Year’s Eve dinner was rarely so harmonious.

Thinking about this, Su Youyue couldn’t help asking Spring Bud, "Has there been any news from the manor recently?"

Without Su Qian causing trouble, her days in the Su Residence were incredibly peaceful. Su Youyue didn’t want her to return.

Spring Bud replied, "Miss, Old Lady Zhu from the manor said that after Second Miss arrived, she has been very well-behaved. However, Concubine Liu complains daily and occasionally causes trouble, punishing the servants and saying she will discipline them. She also says they should wait, as Old Madam will bring them back to the residence."

Well-behaved?

Su Youyue’s eyes turned cold. She didn’t believe that Su Qian could be well-behaved. According to this old lady, it seemed that Su Qian was merely pretending to be obedient to deceive those in the manor.