Although Zhong Xinyi had invited Ji Zizhao to her home primarily for casual conversation over watermelon, Ji Zizhao still took her pulse upon noticing Zhong Xinyi’s subconscious frown while eating the fruit.
“People are divided into yin and yang. Men are yang, and women are yin. Yin is cold. Even in the height of summer, frequently consuming cold foods can lead to an imbalance of yin and yang in the body. You might not feel it much now, but you’ll likely suffer unbearable abdominal pain during your periods. If this continues, it could lead to chronic illness.”
Zhong Xinyi: “……”
The watermelon in her hand was so shocking it nearly fell!
“Is that true?” Zhong Xinyi had indeed experienced some bloating and pain in her lower abdomen during her recent periods, but she wasn't one to be delicate and hadn’t paid much attention.
And now…
It was that serious?
“There’s no need to worry. I’ll prescribe a few doses of medicine for you. Three doses will be one course, and reinforcing with another two will suffice. However, you must also be mindful of your diet.” As Ji Zizhao spoke, she got up to prepare the prescription. Fortunately, she had brought enough medicinal herbs with her, so she wasn't worried about supplies.
Zhong Xinyi watched Ji Zizhao diligently write out the prescription and then carefully select the herbs from her medicine chest according to the list. She felt as though she had found a treasure. Thinking back to the time she had been brainwashed by Ji Renran, she felt even more profoundly blind.
Fortunately, her blindness was only temporary, and it wasn't too late to see clearly now.
After Ji Zizhao finished the prescription, she called over the stewardess beside Zhong Xinyi and repeatedly instructed her on how to administer the medicine and what foods to avoid before rising to take her leave.
Knowing that Ji Zizhao had to return to the palace to record her diagnostic findings, Zhong Xinyi personally escorted her to the door of the room.
As they reached the courtyard entrance, they saw Zhong Shaowen rush over like a gust of wind.
“Ji Zizhao, what are you doing here?” As soon as Zhong Shaowen heard that Ji Zizhao had arrived, he hurried over, as if he were afraid his sister would be abducted by Ji Zizhao.
Zhong Xinyi quickly stepped forward and tugged at Zhong Shaowen’s sleeve. “Brother, I asked Zizhao to come.”
Zhong Shaowen glanced at his sister in surprise and said with a sigh, “How many times have I told you to stay away from those venomous people? Ji Zizhao already has a bad reputation for divorce; do you want to be unable to get married in the future?”
Zhong Xinyi: “……”
How could he speak so ill of someone to their face without even blushing?
Zhong Shaowen’s face, of course, was not blushing.
But Zhong Xinyi’s face was extremely red. She couldn't possibly handle her foolish brother, so she looked at Ji Zizhao helplessly. “Zizhao, please don’t take offense with my brother. I’m really happy you could come today.”
Ji Zizhao had no intention of engaging with Zhong Shaowen in the first place, and hearing Zhong Xinyi’s words…
She became even less inclined to respond.
“Remember to take your medicine on time. If you feel unwell at any point, feel free to find me.”
“Don’t worry, I will. I’ll have the stewardess escort you out personally.”
“Alright, you may stay here.”
Ji Zizhao smiled and nodded, then left the courtyard with the stewardess.
Zhong Shaowen, hearing this, was not pleased. He shouted loudly, “Ji Zizhao, come back! My sister’s complexion is rosy; how dare you spout nonsense here! Stop right there! Come back! I’m talking to you!”
Seeing Ji Zizhao walking further and further away, Zhong Shaowen took a step forward, intending to chase after her.
How could Zhong Xinyi let her brother chase after her? She used all her strength to hold onto her brother’s arm. “Brother, what are you doing? Zizhao is my friend!”
Zhong Shaowen frowned upon hearing this. “Are you crazy? Why would you be friends with someone like that?”
“I had some misunderstandings about Zizhao before, but thankfully, they have all been resolved. If Zizhao hadn’t helped me last time at the Zou family’s residence, I might have already been thrown into the lake. Zizhao is truly a good person. She’s good-looking, has a good temper, and is reliable and capable. Brother, you shouldn’t have such deep prejudice against her.”
Zhong Shaowen: “……”
She called the person who made him question his very existence as having a good temper?
He seriously suspected his sister was ill, and not just a little!
“Did everything Sister Renran said before go to waste? Have you forgotten what Sister Renran said about Ji Zizhao? Someone like that can be ruthless even to her own sister; what makes you so special?”
Hearing this, Zhong Xinyi felt something was amiss. “You’re still in contact with Miss Renran?”
Zhong Shaowen had nothing to hide from his sister. “Sister Renran wrote to me, saying that you haven’t been talking to her for a long time. She kept begging me to put in a good word for her with you. I was puzzled at first, but now I understand. Just as Sister Renran said, it was all Ji Zizhao instigating things!”
Ever since returning from the Zou family's residence last time, Zhong Xinyi had indeed stopped paying attention to Ji Renran.
Knowing that Ji Renran had impure intentions, why would she still engage with her? Was she waiting to be sold out again?
Zhong Xinyi really hadn’t expected Ji Renran to still be in contact with her brother. Thinking of Ji Renran’s petite and gentle demeanor in front of her brother, Zhong Xinyi felt utterly disgusted.
She had been so blind before to think Ji Renran had good character!
“Brother…”
“Don’t say anything else. Just stay away from that Ji Zizhao from now on.”
The more Zhong Shaowen insisted, the more Zhong Xinyi became certain of her own thoughts.
However, her brother was a pig teammate, completely unmanageable.
Seeing her brother's determined look, Zhong Xinyi no longer bothered to waste her breath.
You want to be a fool, then don't come crying to me later.
Ji Zizhao knew that Zhong Shaowen looked down on her, but she was unaware that Zhong Xinyi had completely blacklisted her own brother and driven him out of the courtyard because of her.
Returning to the palace, Ji Zizhao meticulously recorded Zhong Xinyi’s condition.
After everything was done, it was time to leave the palace.
Ji Zizhao rode back to her courtyard in a carriage, only to be met by a stewardess from the Second Madam’s courtyard requesting her presence.
“The Second Madam felt the weather was fine today and invited the Madams from each courtyard to Lan Yuan. Upon hearing that the Eldest Young Lady had returned, the Second Madam quickly sent this old servant to invite you. I wonder if the Eldest Young Lady is free?”
Nowadays, everyone in the manor dared not slight the Eldest Young Lady. Even the Second Madam’s personal stewardess wore a smiling face and spoke with utmost respect and courtesy while standing in Zhaoyuan.
Ji Zizhao thought that she hadn’t chatted with her aunts for a long time. After changing out of her official robes, she followed the stewardess out of Zhaoyuan.
Lan Yuan was bustling with activity at the moment. Several sisters-in-law were sitting together, munching on sunflower seeds and drinking flower tea, enjoying a leisurely time.
As Ji Zizhao entered, everyone quickly stood up.
The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, scrutinized Ji Zizhao. “You look thinner again. Are you not eating properly?”
The Fourth Madam, Xiao Jingshu, also frowned. “Zijie, you are too thin. Have you had any worries recently?”
Ji Zizhao smiled and said, “It’s just a bit of summer heat; I’ve made my aunts worry.”
The Second Madam, Yu Fenglan, pulled Ji Zizhao down to sit before smiling. “Our manor has great joyous news today. Zijie, you should be happy to hear it; how could you possibly have worries?”
The Third Madam, Yin Wenying, and the Fourth Madam, Xiao Jingshu, also chuckled heartily upon hearing this.
Seeing their expressions, Ji Zizhao curiously inquired, “What joyous news could make my aunts so happy?”