Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The Old Lady, feeling uneasy about others, asked Yun Wei to personally supervise the servant girl as she gathered the herbs and prepared the medicinal soup. Yun Wei was a meticulous girl and was no stranger to making medicine. She often prepared tonics for the Old Lady, and due to their familial bond, the Old Lady always felt that Yun Wei’s tonics, made by her own hands, tasted better than those prepared by others. Although Yun Wei went to the kitchen to make the medicine, she was still a pampered young lady, not accustomed to manual labor. The servant girls wouldn’t let her actually prepare the medicine; she only watched them, offering a few reminders.

After a short while, Yun Wei brought the prepared medicine to Yun Lan, who was beside Cheng Yin, trying to reduce his fever. She spoke softly, “Fourth Sister, the medicine is ready.”

Yun Lan gritted her teeth inwardly. To get what she wanted, she had to make sacrifices. She gave the order, “Bring me a knife.”

“Fourth Sister, what are you going to do?” Yun Wei asked, her voice filled with concern.

Yun Lan smiled faintly, glancing around. Even the usually composed Old Lady’s expression subtly changed at her words. Yun Lan calmly explained, “This prescription requires the blood of a loved one as the final ingredient.” She took the sharp blade that one of the servant girls had placed on the floor, rolled up her sleeves, and exposed her delicate, pale arms. “It must be the blood of someone very close.”

With a decisive motion, Yun Lan pressed the blade against her skin, but before she could proceed, Yun Wei quickly grabbed her wrist and sternly said, “No, Fourth Sister, you are a candidate for the selection. You can’t have any wounds on your body. If someone sees new scars on your arm, they might think you are trying to avoid the selection by injuring yourself.”

The blade rested on Yun Lan’s arm as she listened to Yun Wei’s words. She hesitated, pausing her actions. She was doing everything for the sake of the selection, but she pretended to struggle. “Fourth Sister just cut me, I’m trying to save Cheng Yin, let go of me.”

Yun Wei held onto her wrist tightly, the blade flashing with cold light. Lady Fucha, watching with concern, felt a chill in her heart, fearing that Yun Wei might be hurt. The Old Lady’s voice rang out firmly: “Both of you stop.”

Yun Lan stopped, using Yun Wei’s force to help her pause. Yun Wei sighed in relief, but when she noticed Lady Fucha’s stern expression, she lowered her head in a gesture of apology. The Old Lady spoke again, her tone calm but commanding, “Wei girl, bring the medicine over.”

“Grandmother, this is not right, even you can’t…” Yun Wei’s worried protest was interrupted by a single glance from the Old Lady. The Old Lady adjusted her sleeve and asked Yun Lan seriously, “Using fresh blood as a medicinal ingredient, is that what you’re doing?”

Yun Lan had not anticipated such a situation. To ancient people, bloodletting was thought to shorten one’s lifespan. Under the Old Lady’s contemplative gaze, Yun Lan felt cornered and, bracing herself, answered, “Yes… it’s the blood of a loved one that is needed.”

“Mother, let me do it,” the eldest daughter suggested proactively. But the Old Lady shook her head, pulling her gaze from Yun Lan and saying, “Cheng Yin is my youngest grandson. I’ve lived a long life, and I’ve seen and experienced much. It’s enough. And when it comes to kinship, no one is closer to me than I am.”

The Old Lady remained calm as she made a cut on her arm, the bright red blood dripping into the soup bowl. She spoke softly, “Yun Lan, do you think that’s enough?”

“Mm.” Yun Lan’s throat felt tight as if blocked by something. She wasn’t a heartless person, and she felt a pang of guilt. She felt sorry for the Old Lady. Yun Wei carefully held the soup bowl, as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Her lips trembled, and she whispered, “Grandmother, I won’t let you die. I’ll nourish your body.”

“You silly girl,” the Old Lady said, stunned by Yun Wei’s actions. A warm feeling surged in her chest, and she lightly scolded, “What’s the big deal about this little bit of blood? You’ve read a few medical books, yet you still speak foolishly. Take the soup to your aunt before it cools down.”

Yun Wei handed the bowl to the eldest aunt, Jueluo, and then returned to the Old Lady’s side. She squatted down and gently applied medicine to the Old Lady’s cut. Her eyes, clear and transparent like a lake, were full of tenderness. The Old Lady smiled, thinking, ‘What a silly girl, how could anyone bear to make her cry?’

After a whole night of effort, as dawn approached, Cheng Yin’s fever finally subsided. He was no longer burning with fever, but the small pox marks on his face and body remained. The Old Lady made a decision and ordered that the courtyard where Cheng Yin was confined be sealed off and that no one who hadn’t had smallpox should approach. Although the Old Lady was distressed about Cheng Yin, she wouldn’t risk the entire Tong family just for one grandson. In the Qing dynasty, smallpox was feared, and among ten who contracted it, only two might survive.

“Grandmother, I’ve heard of a method that can inoculate people against smallpox,” Yun Lan’s words made the Old Lady pause. She stared at her in surprise and asked, “Where did you hear about this? Inoculation? What do you mean by that?”

Yun Lan explained the method of using cowpox to prevent smallpox, a technique she had read about in a novel. She didn’t know all the details. The ever-present Yang Mama, who had been with the Old Lady for years, looked at Yun Lan as if she was a stranger. The Old Lady spoke softly, “Let’s talk about this after Cheng Yin gets better. Yun Lan, I won’t ask how a secluded young lady like you knows about this. You are clever, and you must know many things. But I’ll remind you, preventing smallpox isn’t as easy as it sounds. The emperor’s will is unpredictable.”

“Come, Wei girl, help me to the Buddha hall.”

Yun Wei glanced at Lady Fucha, then supported the Old Lady as they left. As they passed by Yun Lan, she lowered her voice and said, “Fourth Sister, remember Grandmother’s words. She won’t harm you.”

Yun Lan clenched her fist. Did she make a mistake? Why did things turn out differently than she had imagined? She didn’t like the loud, attention-seeking women of the Qing dynasty, but she didn’t want to miss her chance either. Being low-key didn’t mean being ordinary. Fully integrating into the Qing dynasty, forgetting everything from her past life—that was something Yun Lan couldn’t do, nor did she want to.

“Grandmother, Fourth Sister, she…” Yun Wei wanted to speak up for Yun Lan, but the Old Lady interrupted her, “Yun Lan knows what she’s doing. I used to underestimate her. With her character, I can rest easy knowing she’ll marry into a good family. But you, you make me worry.”

Yun Wei lowered her head in shame, her voice weak, “Grandmother has taught me in vain, it’s just that I’m useless.”

The Old Lady shook her head, “Who said you’re useless? Yun Wei, let me tell you, as long as you show this little look of yours, no one will bear to disregard your feelings. Yun Lan schemes, but you, my little girl, your mother taught you well. You don’t need to act; others will naturally protect you from suffering. You were born to be cherished.”

The struggle within the inner chambers was for a man’s heart. Yun Wei’s mind became clearer with every passing moment, recalling the words that her mother had once said. Looking at the old lady kneeling in front of the Buddha, twisting the prayer beads and reciting scriptures, Yun Wei knew this was all for Cheng Yin, and for her two sons, Rongxuan and Rongzhi, who were still on the battlefield. Being the head of the household was no easy task. Wasn’t it better to not do it oneself? Yun Wei silently shook her head. But no, trusting others wasn’t as reliable as trusting oneself, and that was another lesson her mother had taught her.

After about half an hour, the day had fully dawned, and Mama Chen entered, reporting, “Mistress, the Imperial Physician is here.”

Mama Chen had gone to the Duke’s residence last night. Clearly, with only a red ribbon (official or formal invitation), the Duke’s family couldn’t get the Imperial Physician to come. So, Mama Chen returned and reported everything. The Old Lady, still turning the prayer beads, did not stop. She spoke without turning around, “Who invited the Imperial Physician?”

“It was the Crown Princess. We cannot let the meritorious officials feel neglected. Also, the ancestor of the Tong family must have received the news and sent for the Imperial Physician.”

“Wei girl, do you understand? Is this help in times of need, or just adding flowers to the brocade?”

Yun Wei thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “Whether it’s help in times of need or adding flowers to the brocade, it doesn’t matter. As long as they are helping Cheng Yin, that’s all that matters. Mother, as long as we do things justly and uprightly, no one will be able to find fault. The Emperor is a wise ruler, and he knows what’s in people’s hearts.”

The Old Lady smiled and said, “Help me up, we need to prepare a proper gift for the Crown Princess. After all, we owe her a favor. As for our relationship with Lord Tong’s family, although we are connected by the same ancestor, they are too deeply involved with the royal princes and hold too much power. I have never wanted to get too close to them. Now, I must return the favor before your father returns to the capital. I cannot let him be caught in a difficult position or make the Emperor suspicious.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Mother. You are the wisest.” Yun Wei coquettishly nudged the Old Lady’s shoulder. The Old Lady patted her face and said, “Coquetting won’t help. Your mother kept you under wraps so well, yet the Prince still noticed you. I can’t take you to the Tong family’s residence. We must avoid attracting unwanted attention.”

“Mother, I wasn’t talking about that.” Yun Wei’s face flushed. She helped the Old Lady back to her room to freshen up. Yun Wei personally styled the Old Lady’s hair and selected her jewelry. Yun Wei had a good eye, and once the Old Lady was dressed, Mama Chen complimented, “Miss knows how to serve the old lady so well. I don’t even recognize you anymore.”

The Old Lady, looking at herself in the mirror, was pleased. She looked elegant and dignified, not overly luxurious, but highlighting her calm and steady aura. Yun Wei said, “You’re wrong. It’s that Grandmother looks beautiful no matter what she wears.”

“Only this girl knows how to flatter.”

“Madam, Madam!” A little maid ran in, excitedly saying, “The Imperial Physician has just confirmed that Young Master Cheng Yin does not have smallpox. Now that his fever has subsided, he’s awake and even called for his mother.”

“Amita Buddha, Amita Buddha.” Yun Wei chanted repeatedly, and the Old Lady sighed in relief, smiling as she scolded, “Wei girl, how come you’ve started chanting Buddha’s name?”

“It’s a last-minute prayer. The Buddha won’t mind.” Yun Wei playfully bowed and said, “Amita Buddha,” which made the Old Lady laugh, and the heavy burden on her heart lifted. She was then ready to head to Lord Tong’s residence. Yun Wei yawned, her eyelids heavy from a sleepless night, feeling utterly exhausted.

Mama Chen said, “Miss, the Old Lady has given instructions for you to prepare a list of gifts for the Crown Princess. I can see that you are tired. Why don’t you take a short nap before making the list?”

“Well… well…” Yun Wei knew the Old Lady was training her, but preparing such a list was exhausting. She blinked her eyes, which were slightly reddened from fatigue, signaling to Mama Chen that she was extremely tired. Weakly, she said, “The household matters are handled by my Aunt. She is taking care of Cheng Yin now, but Mother and Third Aunt are still here. You should go to them.”

“This is an order from the Old Lady, Miss. Please bear with it. Who would dare disobey the Old Lady’s wishes?”

Mama Chen smiled, and Yun Wei pouted, saying, “I won’t sleep. Let’s finish this first. If I have something on my mind, no matter how tired I am, I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”