Chapter 462

A Commonborn Girl's Strategy Chapter 469: Trivialities (Part 2)

After seeing off Sixth Concubine, Lady Eleven sat in quiet contemplation for a while.

At times, when she looked at Sixth Concubine, her thoughts involuntarily turned to Fifth Concubine. Although their methods and temperaments differed, both shared the same heartfelt wish for their daughters' well-being.

Luo Zhenxing had already allocated five thousand taels of silver (approximately 187 kilograms) and dispatched people to the capital. Yet even with Fourth Madam Luo’s capable hands, without proper connections, it still wouldn’t be sufficient. There were likely matters that would require Lady Eleven’s personal involvement.

Recalling that Fourth Madam Luo had gone to visit Fifth Miss and Tenth Miss today, Lady Eleven instructed Amber to send someone to Bowstring Lane to leave a message inviting Fourth Madam Luo over the next day. After her afternoon nap, she had a kang table brought in and carefully penned two letters. One was addressed to Seventh Miss, requesting Zhu Anping’s assistance in purchasing land in Shandong; the other was sent to Fourth Miss, asking Yu Yiqing to look into available houses.

When she set down her brush, her vision blurred slightly.

Since giving birth, her health seemed to have deteriorated noticeably.

Lady Eleven hesitated briefly before calling for someone to bring her a mirror.

Her face appeared pale, with large eyes and a delicate, pointed chin. Her lips were as pale as pear blossoms. Only her elegantly arched eyebrows remained as dark and smooth as ever, standing out vividly against her pallor.

She gently turned the mirror facedown on the embroidered quilt. Reflected in her gaze was a pale hand resting quietly on the bright red fabric, holding the bronze-backed mirror, with faint blue veins slightly raised—a fragile stillness.

After a long silence, Lady Eleven summoned a servant to call Wan Mama.

She softly described her recent physical condition, then asked, “What do you think? Is this normal?”

It had already been seven or eight days, yet her postpartum bleeding had only increased.

Lady Eleven felt very weak, and some details were hazy. Initially, they had assumed it was due to the strain of childbirth and focused on nourishing meals. But now... Wan Mama’s expression subtly darkened. “I believe we should call Physician Liu to examine your pulse,” she replied promptly.

In other words, it wasn’t normal.

Lady Eleven had Fangxi retrieve the household summons tablet used for calling physicians. “Go and invite Physician Liu.”

Fangxi hurried out but nearly collided with Lord Xu as he lifted the curtain.

Noticing the summons tablet in her hand, he casually asked, “What’s going on?”

“I haven’t been feeling well, so I asked Fangxi to call Physician Liu for an examination.”

Lady Eleven spoke lightly, as if unwilling to dwell on it, then smiled and asked, “Why have you returned so early today, my lord? Did you find anything?”

Lord Xu had been in high spirits these past few days, usually spending his afternoons with attendants browsing through antique and painting shops in Panlou Lane, returning by dusk. Today was earlier than usual.

“Nothing,” Lord Xu replied with a smile, sitting beside the bed. “All counterfeits.” Noticing Jin Geer sleeping soundly beneath Lady Eleven’s quilt, he chuckled. “This little one sleeps nearly all day.” His tone carried a trace of affection.

“All babies are like that.”

As they spoke, a maid entered. “My lord, madam, Wen Zhu from Falling Leaves Mountain is here. He says he was sent by the Second Young Master to deliver something for the Sixth Young Master.”

Xu Siyu, who was observing mourning at Falling Leaves Mountain, hadn’t returned to the estate to see Jin Geer.

Remembering the previous gifts delivered by Zhenjie on Xu Siyu’s behalf, Lady Eleven couldn’t help smiling. “Bring Wen Zhu in!” she ordered, curious about what Xu Siyu had sent this time. If it was another pair of gold bangles… She turned to Lord Xu. “I wonder what it could be?”

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Lord Xu gazed at her with soft warmth.

The delivery had been difficult, though mother and child were ultimately safe. Still, Lady Eleven seemed drained—her pallor and weakness were evident, and conversations often tired her quickly. It was rare to see her in such good spirits. Gently, he asked, “What would you like, my dear?”

Here is the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"What?" Lady Eleven didn't grasp his meaning immediately.

Lord Xu gently ruffled her hair and asked again softly with a smile, "What do you like?"

Was he planning to give her something?

Lady Eleven was quite surprised, staring blankly at Lord Xu, momentarily speechless.

Lord Xu then took her hand.

Her hand was slender and soft, once warm, but now her fingertips felt slightly cold. He held it, her hand enclosed in his grasp.

"I saw many interesting things at Panlou Lane," he said softly. "There's a wooden fish carved from birch, strung with a tassel to hang by the bed as decoration; a glass bottle that produces a humming tone when you blow gently into it; a porcelain piece of a chick pecking rice that chirps when the chick pecks; and another glass bottle that resonates from the base, making a 'gurgling' sound when blown into. I also saw a glass rouge box being sold as enamel. Still, it was quite pretty..."

Lady Eleven gradually recovered: "Then, my lord, just bring back whatever you find interesting."

His thoughtfulness was rare.

Lord Xu nodded, and Wen Zhu entered.

"Madam, my lord," she bowed and presented the gift from Xu Siyu. "The second young master carved a Luohan statue himself, to wish the sixth young master everlasting happiness."

It was a bamboo-carved Luohan with an exposed chest and rounded belly. The carving style was robust, yet the Luohan's cheerful and optimistic expression shone through vividly. Clearly, Xu Siyu had considerable skill in carving.

"It's carved so well!" Lady Eleven praised, smiling as she accepted the Luohan and placed it by the bedside. She then inquired about Xu Siyu: "...Now that winter has come, is there enough premium silverfrost charcoal for heating? Were the second young master's winter earmuffs and fur-lined robes brought over? Leaf-fall Mountain is remote—I've arranged for fresh produce to be delivered every three days. Are the stewards diligent?"

"Replying to Madam," Wen Zhu answered respectfully, "The tailoring department had prepared all of the second young master's winter clothes by early September. Since winter began, Steward Cao has visited every three days, ensuring the produce and eggs are fresh. Each time, he checks the charcoal supply for the heating walls. The young master often says, 'When Heaven is about to confer a great office on a man, it first exercises his mind with suffering and his sinews and bones with toil.' Aside from the inkstone warmer, he rarely uses premium silverfrost charcoal. There's more than enough." Her words were clear and orderly.

Lord Xu gave her an extra glance.

After Wen Zhu withdrew, he asked Lady Eleven, "What's that maid's name?"

"Wen Zhu," Lady Eleven replied with a smile. "She was personally chosen by the elder madam and has served Yu Ge for three or four years. Now she receives a second-level maid's stipend."

The highest rank for maids serving young masters and misses was second-level.

Lord Xu remarked, "She carries herself quite gracefully."

Lady Eleven smiled. "Having accompanied Yu Ge to Le'an, she's gained worldly experience—naturally not comparable to ordinary maids."

"No wonder she even knows *Mencius*."

As they discussed Wen Zhu, she left Lady Eleven's courtyard and headed to Zhenjie's.

"The second young master said I must thank the eldest daughter on his behalf when I visit the manor. I wasn't sure how to express gratitude properly," Wen Zhu said, prostrating herself. "So I can only kowtow to the eldest daughter."

As she knelt, Xiaopeng quickly stepped forward to help her up.

"What are you doing?" Zhenjie chided. "It makes me appear petty and narrow-minded."

Wen Zhu hurriedly replied, "The eldest daughter mustn't misunderstand the second young master. This was entirely my idea." Her eyes grew slightly moist. "True friendship is proven in adversity. Besides the eldest daughter, who else remembers our second young master's difficulties and thought to send a congratulatory gift to the sixth young master for him?"

"If you've accepted my kindness, say no more," Zhenjie said with a sigh. "How is second brother doing at Leaf-fall Mountain?"

"He's well!" Wen Zhu replied tearfully. "He keeps early hours, studies and writes daily, and on the first, fifteenth, and seventh days of the month, he offers incense at Qin Yi's grave on the estate grounds."

After Qin Yi's death, she wasn't buried in the Xu family ancestral tomb. Instead, she was laid to rest in a grave near the Leaf-fall Mountain estate.

Zhenjie let out a sigh.

As dusk fell, Physician Liu arrived in haste.

After taking the pulse and examining the medicine Eleven Miss was taking, he pondered and said, "Madam suffers from spleen qi deficiency with sinking qi. I shall prescribe some medicine to tonify qi and lift yang. Have her try a few doses first to see how she responds."

"Try a few doses first"—meaning he wasn't entirely confident!

Eleven Miss remained composed and asked, "Then what exactly is my illness?"

"Postpartum depletion," replied Physician Liu. "We just need to fortify her constitution!" Then he swiftly wrote the prescription and stood to take his leave.

Eleven Miss had no choice but to whisper to Amber, "Go to the outer courtyard later and have the medicine apprentice clarify what kind of prescription Physician Liu has written!"

Having served Eleven Miss closely for five or six years, Amber understood her well. The calmer Eleven Miss appeared, the worse the situation truly was. Her stomach dropped, her expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly replied, "Yes," before heading to the outer courtyard.

Physician Liu, who had left the inner gate just before Amber, was led by Lin Bo to the study in the outer courtyard.

"What illness does my wife have?"

Seeing the urgency in Lord Xu's expression, Physician Liu sighed inwardly and said softly, "Most likely, it's uterine hemorrhage."

Lord Xu's face fell, and he abruptly stood up. "Doesn't that happen immediately after delivery? It's been seven or eight days now!"

Physician Liu faltered. "Given the differences between men and women, there are some symptoms I cannot inquire too deeply about... But judging by the pulse, it does seem very similar."

Lord Xu stood frozen, his face inscrutable.

After a long silence, he asked quietly, "If it really is uterine hemorrhage... how confident are you?"

Who would dare make such a promise!

Physician Liu carefully replied, "Have her take a few doses of medicine first, then slowly recuperate. In three to five years, once Madam gradually regains her vitality, she will recover."

Lord Xu lowered his eyelids.

Physician Liu shook his head lightly and bowed to take his leave. "If My Lord has no further matters, this lowly physician shall take his leave. I'll return tomorrow to check on Madam again."

But Lord Xu suddenly raised his head, his expression hardening. "Come with me!" With that, he strode out the door.

Uncertain of his intent, Physician Liu hurried after him.

Leaving the small study, Lord Xu took the eastern covered walkway, went through a side passage, and soon saw the black-lacquered Ruyi-style gate of the principal residence.

Physician Liu was taken aback.

Lord Xu said coolly, "Later, if there's anything you need to ask, just tell me. I will ask Madam myself!" His voice gradually hardened. "Determine exactly what this illness is. No more maybes or approximations!"

*

With two straight days of family meetings about my daughter's school options, the update is late. I had to get up at dawn to write this extra chapter... I'd planned to complete both owed chapters at once, but must visit the teacher later, so only one update today.

Sigh! What a mess!

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