Chapter 378: Marquis of Jiangtai’s Residence

Chapter 378: Marquis of Jiangtai's Residence

Miss Xingxing meticulously pointed out the irregularities in Dowager Marchioness Weibei’s pulse.

The more the Dowager Marchioness listened, the more annoyed she became. She gritted her teeth and said, "That quack tricked me! He even told me that this was a secret palace formula, used by concubines in the past to feign illness and seek favor... For someone in my condition, one dose should last the time it takes an incense stick to burn without giving me away!"

Miss Xingxing thought for a moment and said, "I think... the irregularities in your pulse are actually quite subtle. An average doctor might miss it."

The Dowager Marchioness immediately perked up: "Is that so?"

A woman of action, the Dowager Marchioness immediately stopped at a clinic along the street, stepped out of the carriage, and went in to consult a doctor.

The doctor, after checking her pulse, turned serious and described her condition as critical, hinting she might not have long to live.

Looking worn out, the Dowager Marchioness nodded, left the clinic, and headed to another one nearby.

She visited three clinics back-to-back, including one run by a famous doctor in the capital.

All three agreed: her health was as delicate as willow catkins, and she needed to take extreme care to maybe stretch her life a few more days...

Once outside, the Dowager Marchioness couldn’t hold back. Despite her pale face, she laughed out loud, clearly thrilled with how well the medicine worked.

When the Dowager Marchioness, supported by her maid Nan Yan, got back into the carriage, she said to Miss Xingxing, "I thought that quack had fooled me!... Turns out, it wasn’t the medicine—it’s just that you, Miss Xingxing, are incredibly skilled for your age!"

Blushing slightly, Miss Xingxing replied, "Oh, it’s nothing, really."

After saying this, Miss Xingxing became serious again, "Madam, while this dose won’t harm you, using it too often could have side effects. It’s best to use it only when necessary."

After spending time with Miss Xingxing, the Dowager Marchioness had grown quite fond of her. Hearing Miss Xingxing's concerned words, the Dowager Marchioness felt warm inside and looked at her affectionately, "I only took it today to see how good you are. Don’t worry, I’ll only use it when I really need to."

Miss Xingxing nodded and didn’t ask where the Dowager Marchioness planned to use it. Instead, she advised, "When you get home, you could make a chicken soup with fresh ginseng to boost your energy."

The Dowager Marchioness showed a reluctant expression, "I really can’t stand that stuff."

Nan Yan chimed in, "Like it or not, you should drink it. Miss Xingxing knows her stuff, and her advice is good for you. I’ll make it as soon as we get back."

The Dowager Marchioness pouted, clearly not pleased, but she didn’t voice any further objections.

The Marquis of Jiangtai’s residence was a bit out of the way, and it took the carriage over half an hour to get there. By then, the medicine had worn off, and she was back to her usual lively and calm self.

Earlier, the Dowager Marchioness had sent a visiting card ahead, so the steward was already waiting at the gate.

Seeing the Marquis of Weibei’s carriage, the steward hurried to open the main gate, and the carriage moved through the main path to the second gate.

At the second gate, a sedan chair and a guiding maid were ready.

The maid, seeing the Dowager Marchioness step down with Nan Yan’s help, rushed over with a polite smile, "Madam, you’re here! Our Lady Marquis had the whole place cleaned early this morning, waiting for you."

Though warm and kind with Miss Xingxing, the Dowager Marchioness still exuded authority in front of others.

She gave a slight nod and, with Nan Yan’s help, stepped into the sedan chair.

A maid also helped Miss Xingxing into another sedan chair.

The maid, careful not to slack, led the way.

The Marquis of Jiangtai’s residence had seen grander days, but it had been declining. At first glance, it still looked fine, but a closer look revealed signs of neglect.

The Dowager Marchioness sat with poise in the sedan chair, occasionally murmuring a few words to Miss Xingxing beside her.

The guiding matron smiled obsequiously, "…Is this young lady from your household? She is truly beautiful."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei finally spared her a glance, "If only she were part of my household."

Hearing this, the matron didn’t dare ask about Xingxing’s background and simply smiled as she led the way.

Upon reaching the main courtyard, before the Dowager Marchioness Weibei could step out of the sedan chair, the Marchioness of Jiangtai came out with a beaming smile, her manners were impeccable.

Cen Yuehua followed behind the Marchioness of Jiangtai, dressed meticulously.

However, behind the Marchioness of Jiangtai, aside from Cen Yuehua, there were only two maids, with Cen Yueyi nowhere to be seen.

Xingxing couldn’t help but wonder, her brow furrowed.

When the Marchioness of Jiangtai and Cen Yuehua saw Xingxing accompanying the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, they were briefly taken aback. Though confused, they knew welcoming the Dowager Marchioness Weibei took priority. The Marchioness of Jiangtai smiled and bowed to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, "…Your unexpected visit has truly honored our home."

With Nan Yan’s assistance, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei stepped down from the sedan chair.

If this were the Marquisate of Weibei, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei would surely have made a sarcastic remark, "Can't we speak inside? Must we talk in the wind outside?"

But today, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei had come to propose a marriage for Yu Yonghuai, so she had to be courteous to the lady’s family. She held back her temper and simply nodded, "Let's go inside."

The Marchioness of Jiangtai quickly ushered the Dowager Marchioness Weibei into the house.

Given the status of the Marquisate of Weibei and the position of the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, it was expected for her to take the seat of honor.

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei didn’t bother with formalities and sat down in the chair.

Cen Yuehua, quick on the uptake, came forward to pay her respects to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei.

Cen Yuehua knew that many elderly people appreciated the liveliness and charm of young girls. With a radiant smile, she showed off her youthful energy, curtsied to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, and said, "Madam, the last time I saw you was at the birthday banquet of Princess Fu'an. It has been several years since I last paid my respects to you, and you look even younger now."

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei smiled faintly and nodded, "Good girl, rise."

She then glanced at Nan Yan.

Nan Yan presented a jade bracelet with both hands, clearly a gift from the Dowager Marchioness Weibei to Cen Yuehua.

Cen Yuehua's cheeks flushed with joy.

When she attended her friends' gatherings, she’d definitely wear the bracelet to show off that the Dowager Marchioness Weibei favored her!