Chapter 388: I’ll Treat You to a Good Show Later

Chapter 388: I'll Treat You to a Good Show Later

Someone pressed further: "May I ask which family's daughter it is?"

Li Chunhua let out an "Ah," somewhat confused: "...The auspicious day we've chosen is still a few days away. Since we haven't formally visited yet, it wouldn't be appropriate to disclose which family it is, would it?"

What if something goes wrong in the meantime? It wouldn't be right to harm another family's reputation.

Li Chunhua's thoughts were quite simple.

Hearing this, others also felt that the women of the General of the Western Garrison's household were not as the outside world speculated—rustic country folk entirely ignorant of etiquette.

Look at how thoughtful they are in their actions.

Thinking this way, these ladies felt even more regretful. How could someone have beaten us to it?

However, it's heard that the General of the Western Garrison's household has more than just the General who is promising; there's also a young man who achieved the top three honors in the imperial examinations.

By next spring's imperial examination, it's estimated that the title of Jinshi will also be his.

Although not as illustrious as the General of the Western Garrison, with the Yujia family having a third-ranked General of the Western Garrison and soon a Jinshi, both civil and military, this is really impressive!

Many ladies started to consider.

—Those who could attend the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's birthday banquet mostly came from quite respectable families. They might not be willing to marry their eldest daughters to a Jinshi, but... besides their eldest daughters, aren't there also their younger daughters?

Using a younger daughter to forge this marital alliance seems... quite a bargain?

With this in mind, many ladies' faces brightened with smiles again, and they inquired about Liu Ge'er with Li Chunhua: "...It's heard that the General of the Western Garrison also has a younger brother who achieved the top three honors in the imperial examinations? Truly, heroes emerge from the young. We just don't know if that young scholar is already betrothed?"

Li Chunhua was momentarily taken aback, then quickly responded: "...Although he hasn't been betrothed, our Liu Ge'er has previously mentioned that his heart is currently set on his studies, and he can't be bothered with other matters."

This comment earned much praise from the ladies, some of whom even invited the Yujia family's women to visit their homes.

Li Chunhua, surrounded by several ladies, was barely keeping up when Nan Yan arrived.

Nan Yan, unlike her usual cheerful demeanor, called out loudly: "Old Madam Wei, Madam Li, and Miss Xingxing... our Dowager Marchioness invites you."

Many in the warm pavilion knew that Nan Yan was a trusted maid by the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's side, and immediately, those scrutinizing gazes turned towards Wei Pozi, Li Chunhua, and Miss Xingxing.

After Nan Yan led Wei Pozi and the others away, the warm pavilion fell silent for a moment before the noise resumed.

Especially the several ladies from the Marquis of Weibei's household responsible for entertaining the guests, they all exchanged surprised glances.

Early this morning, their mother-in-law had sent word to their respective courtyards, saying that due to the sudden snowfall last night, she wasn't feeling well, and the banquet might have to be canceled.

This had thoroughly alarmed the several branches of the Marquis of Weibei's household, who all hurriedly went to the Dowager Marchioness Weibei's courtyard.

In the courtyard, the household physician was also present, taking the pulse of the Dowager Marchioness Weibei, who appeared extremely pale.

The household physician's expression was also grim, and he seriously prescribed several medications, then advised the Dowager Marchioness Weibei to take good care of herself, must not do this, must not do that, and gave a total of more than a dozen instructions, making it seem as if the Dowager Marchioness Weibei was on the verge of passing away.

At this point, the expressions of the several branches of the household were quite diverse.

The Dowager Marchioness Weibei slightly squinted her eyes, looking somewhat fatigued, but in reality, she was quietly observing the several branches of her household.

The Marquis of Weibei, as the eldest son and heir, immediately suggested that since his mother was unwell, the birthday banquet should be canceled.

After a moment, the Dowager Marchioness Weibei sighed again: "Forget it... with this body of mine, I don't know how many more birthday banquets I can have. You several branches can help me host the guests, and I'll just make an appearance when the banquet starts, that's all."

In the end, Dowager Marchioness Weibei's birthday banquet was not canceled.

However, by this time, many guests had already arrived, and the Dowager Marchioness had never mentioned wanting to see anyone.

Yet, shortly after the Yu family arrived, the gravely ill Dowager Marchioness sent her most favored maid, Nan Yan, to summon them.

No wonder the expressions of the Marquis of Weibei's ladies were quite odd.

At this moment, Wei Pozi and the others, following Nan Yan into the inner chambers, naturally had no idea what was going on. They only noticed that Nan Yan looked unusually serious, not her usual cheerful self, and they wondered what had happened.

Upon entering the inner room, the room was heavy with the smell of medicine. Besides the Dowager Marchioness sitting on the bed, there was a maid dressed simply, sitting on a stool beside the bed, reading a travelogue to her.

At first glance, the Dowager Marchioness looked quite pale.

However, Xingxing, who had previously accompanied the Dowager Marchioness to the Marquis of Jiangtai's residence, had witnessed the effects of the Dowager Marchioness's medicinal pills in the carriage. Xingxing suspected the Dowager Marchioness had taken those pills again.

Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua, however, were unaware of this.

Upon seeing the Dowager Marchioness's pale complexion, they were shocked: "Madam, what's wrong? Are you ill?"

The Dowager Marchioness chatted with Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua for a few moments: "Well, it snowed last night, and I woke up feeling unwell. The household physician saw me and said it’s serious—I need to take medicine and rest."

Wei Pozi nodded repeatedly: "Everyone gets sick at some point. Taking medicine to cure it is the way. Madam, you’re blessed—you’ll be just fine."

The Dowager Marchioness, looking frail, nodded weakly.

Xingxing stepped forward, bowed to the Dowager Marchioness, and tentatively asked: "Madam, should I check your pulse?"

The Dowager Marchioness knew her pulse could not deceive Xingxing, and she had no intention of hiding it from her. She coughed twice: "No need... it’s nothing serious. The household physician has already seen me and prescribed medicine."

With just this statement, Xingxing realized the Dowager Marchioness was faking her illness.

Xingxing nodded subtly without saying anything else.

Wei Pozi didn’t seem to notice either. After accompanying the Dowager Marchioness for a few more words, she stood up, saying she wouldn’t disturb the Dowager Marchioness's rest.

The Dowager Marchioness coughed and asked Xingxing to stay, saying it was for "company."

Wei Pozi was very reassured by the Dowager Marchioness and, after instructing Xingxing a few words, left with Li Chunhua.

Once Wei Pozi and Li Chunhua had left, the Dowager Marchioness’s act of weakness disappeared instantly. Although her complexion still appeared somewhat pale, a smug look flashed in her eyes as she smiled at Xingxing: "...Did I do well this time? Even the household physician couldn't spot my act."

"Very well," Xingxing affirmed highly, also curious, "Madam, did something happen today that made you use the medicine?"

At this, a cold glint flashed in the Dowager Marchioness's eyes. She sneered, her voice still carrying a hint of illness: "Xingxing, I’ll show you something interesting later."