Banxia had originally been the chief maid of the Third Mistress, helping her to win over the Third Master.
But last year, Banxia suffered from female jaundice and later developed other illnesses.
Although she still tended to the Master in the bedchamber, the underlying stench couldn’t be concealed.
The Third Mistress deemed her useless, letting the Third Master roam the pleasure quarters instead.
Not only did she fail to show any sympathy, she even forced Banxia to move into a small room in the back.
Normally, Miaozhen was very kind to her, often sending her maids like Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao with snacks and treats, and even helping her with moxibustion therapy.
Upon hearing some troubling news, Banxia took the chance late at night to confide in Miaozhen, “That woman is paranoid and stubborn. You absolutely must be careful.”
“I never thought I’d offend her over something like this,” Miaozhen said as she checked her pulse.
The Third Mistress showed no actual signs of illness, but judging from Banxia’s condition, the Third Master might have contracted something.
How was Miaozhen to explain that?
Banxia sighed, “Just be cautious. If she says anything to you, don’t argue—just listen.”
Miaozhen smiled, “When living under someone’s roof, you have to keep your head down. I understand that well enough.”
“Good that you do. Actually, you’re luckier than me. Your father often sends you gifts from afar and even visits you in person. Someday you’ll get out. I don’t even know how I’ll manage,” Banxia said enviously.
Miaozhen replied, “You’re not young anymore. If the Third Mistress finds someone new, she’ll definitely send you away to be matched off. Since that’s the case, you’d better start making plans.”
Banxia agreed and left hastily, fearing the night patrol would catch her.
Miaozhen treasured Banxia’s genuine kindness but could not remain indifferent to the Third Mistress’s schemes.
She first conferred with Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao: “She’s trying to kill me by framing me. When I go out for treatment, you two must guard the house tightly.”
“Miss, she is a Mistress, and you are just a servant. If she wants to harm you, she has the means. Rather than wait, we should strike first,” Xiao Xi said with a raised brow.
Miaozhen shook her head, “No, we can’t expose ourselves. We don’t have enough people. If she gets suspicious, what was nothing will become a problem. I’ll observe her attitude tomorrow. If she hates me, she’ll surely reveal something. Mid-Autumn is near; she won’t act rashly yet.”
In the past, Miaozhen and Yu Zhoujin had lived in peaceful coexistence, but Yu Zhoujin had worms under the Third Mistress’s skin, pretending innocence while truly being an enemy in the ranks.
If I don’t teach you a lesson, you wouldn’t know the reputation of Xu Motou.
That morning, Miaozhen first went to see Ji Shi, who was suffering severe morning sickness, eating only sour foods.
The foster mothers around Ji Shi were gossiping about “sour and fiery girls,” all gleeful.
Miaozhen exchanged a few words and then took Ji Shi’s pulse.
“Madam’s liver qi is too dry and irritable. I’ll prescribe a Sun Liver-Tonic Soup. If symptoms ease, you’ll feel better.”
“Please do,” Ji Shi agreed.
Miaozhen personally oversaw the decoction.
After one dose, Ji Shi’s symptoms lessened; after two, the morning sickness vanished, and she slept well.
Ji Shi’s foster mother escorted Miaozhen out, saying, “Thanks to you, Miss.”
“It’s nothing. By the way, Mama, I can’t come too often. I heard some whispering that I visit Eldest Grandmother too frequently, calling me a lapdog. I know Eldest Grandmother is a priority now with her pregnancy, but I’m afraid of stirring trouble, so I must visit less often,” Miaozhen wiped a tear.
This foster mother was also from the Hou Mansion and had the pride of a high-status servant.
Seeing Miaozhen’s distress, she suspected someone disliked Eldest Grandmother’s pregnancy and wanted to drive away the doctor.
She rolled up her sleeves to go inside but was stopped by Miaozhen.
“Xu Guniang, what’s wrong?”
“It’s rare Eldest Grandmother is relaxed. If you make her angry, this child won’t be safe. From what I see, if it’s just empty talk or sour words, that’s one thing. But if they really act, we’ll figure it out then,” Miaozhen counseled.
The foster mother understood and said, “Miss Xu is wise.”
Miaozhen continued, “If they come after me, I can endure some hardship, but I fear they’ll first trick me away, then cause trouble for Eldest Grandmother. If I leave, it’s no big deal. My father wanted to bring me back, but I wanted to repay Eldest Grandmother’s great kindness and wait until she safely delivers. Now that Eldest Grandmother is vulnerable, you are her eyes and ears—please be more vigilant.”
The foster mother nodded repeatedly.
Ji Shi had many attendants and was well-guarded; as the stewardess, the foster mother’s orders were strictly followed.
After the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, the Third Mistress, Ye Shi, feigned illness and summoned Miaozhen.
Miaozhen left Xiao Xi to watch the house and took Xiao Tao along to the Third Mistress’s quarters, which were deathly silent except for Ye Shi’s weak moaning from bed.
Miaozhen suspected the truth and asked Ye Shi’s maid, “When did the Third Mistress’s illness start?”
“Since midnight, but Madam is considerate and didn’t want to disturb anyone,” the maid replied.
Feigning sympathy, Miaozhen said, “Who in this house doesn’t know Third Mistress is like a bodhisattva? Even if we don’t come often, she’s blessed with good health. What’s her condition now?”
“First a headache, then abdominal pain, and chest tightness,” the maid made up.
“I’ll take her pulse first,” Miaozhen said.
Ye Shi refused, claiming unbearable pain, forcing Miaozhen to stand.
Ye Shi insisted Miaozhen wait until she woke.
She explained that Miaozhen usually visited Ji Shi, who called her when ill, but today was unusual—
Ji Shi’s foster mother came to fetch her.
Miaozhen said, “Third Mistress said to wait until she’s awake before I examine her. Please tell Eldest Grandmother.”
She winked.
The foster mother understood the Third Mistress was scheming and reported back to Ji Shi, embellishing the story and adding, “Miss Xu said someone wanted to get rid of her and then tamper with Eldest Grandmother’s belly. The Third Mistress usually never gets sick from cold and wind—this is strange.”
“She’s jealous of Eldest Grandmother’s pregnancy and can’t say anything to me, so she uses my people as pawns,” Ji Shi muttered.
“If it were ordinary, no matter, but Xu Medical Woman’s skills are excellent. She talks to me, eases my pain, and cares for the baby. I can’t lose her now. We must at least wait for the baby to be born.”
After consideration, Ji Shi said, “Hold Miss Xu steady. Don’t let her be driven away in a rash moment. As for those wanting to harm me, I have my ways.”
The foster mother promised to watch closely and hurried off.
Ji Shi stroked her belly, whispering, “Child, I will see you born safely.”
At that moment, a gust blew through; only the curtain stirred.
Miaozhen’s time with Ye Shi was like a cruel mother-in-law tormenting a daughter-in-law.
Though she relied partly on Ji Shi, she couldn’t count on her completely.
After all, the Third Mistress was Ji Shi’s elder.
She waited patiently.
At noon, as the sun blazed, maids brought a basin of ice and sent her outside to wait until she was famished and shaking.
Only then did Ye Shi appear to have just woken.
Miaozhen, dizzy and faint, was called over. Ye Shi glanced at her and immediately set a poisonous trap.
Now that even Ji Shi was pregnant and the Third Mistress had taken a concubine and promoted a maid, but those rivals were insignificant.
The Old Madam praised the First Mistress for being virtuous and having brought a scholar’s daughter into the family.
If she could emulate that, she’d earn praise too.
She had investigated.
Xu Medical Woman came from a humble household, not stunning but pretty and perfectly formed, which pleased Ye Shi.
If she came to see the Third Master at night, had him sleep with her first, and made the situation irreversible, the girl would have no choice but to submit.
Others could not conceive, but Xu Medical Woman was a gynecologist; how could she not help herself?
As long as Xu gave birth, everything would be settled.
A family without heirs is the greatest shame.
The entire fortune would be lost.
The Third Mistress recalled how her father was born when her grandfather was around fifty, a child of a concubine raised by the main wife.
But her grandfather died early; the clan coveted the fortune, even calling her father a bastard.
No one could clarify.
For the sake of the Third House, she had no choice but to act.
Exhausted from the Third Mistress’s house, Miaozhen was refused permission to take her pulse.
The Mistress probably had no real illness and just wanted to torment her.
Still, Miaozhen did not give up; she went to Ji Shi’s quarters, pretending to faint.
“Eldest Grandmother, forgive me for being late,” Miaozhen hurriedly said.
Ji Shi asked, “Did she torment you?”