Early in the morning, Nanny He left with the prescription.
Sun Zhiting at the Ji Shi Guan, upon hearing that someone from the Ji family had arrived, immediately put down his work and handled it personally.
During this period, the Ji family's old madam's medication had all been managed by Sun Zhiting.
Now, looking at the prescription before him, it was both familiar and strange.
This prescription was indeed very effective for stroke, but due to its unfriendliness towards those in attendance, most physicians would not prescribe it. Yet, the current head of the household had specifically prescribed this one, and looking at the addition of several other herbs...
Sun Zhiting stroked his chin and smiled. He suspected the head of the household had ulterior motives.
Nanny He, "..."
His smile was rather eerie.
When Nanny Xu received the medicine, she was also taken aback.
She had only heard of internal and external medications, but she had never known medicine could be burned in an incense burner.
However, since it was the eldest young lady's instruction, Nanny Xu dared not delay. She quickly put the ground powder into the incense burner.
At first, everything proceeded normally.
But at some point, the main hall of the principal courtyard began to change.
It became stuffy and dry, several times hotter than the sweltering heat outside.
Gu Peilan and Ji Renran, who came to visit the old madam, almost fainted from the heat as soon as they entered.
Who put the sun in the house?
Otherwise, why would it be so hot!
The short distance from the main hall to the inner room felt like an arduous journey for the mother and daughter, who were drenched in sweat.
Yet, the old madam lying on the bed seemed oblivious, appearing rather comfortable. The intelligent Ji Renran instinctively suppressed her doubts and discomfort.
Since her brother's title was no longer attainable, the only reason for her to maintain a foothold in the Ji family was her grandmother.
As long as her grandmother liked it, she certainly wouldn't object.
Gu Peilan, thinking of her son suffering here, couldn't help but say, "Old Madam, why is it so stuffy and hot here? I'm afraid Zongyou won't be able to bear it."
Upon hearing this, the old madam looked at Gu Peilan with displeasure.
She couldn't speak now, but she understood clearly.
She was perfectly fine living in this room; why couldn't her grandson bear it?
The old madam glared at Gu Peilan again, implying that if she didn't want Zongyou to stay with her, she should just say so.
Seeing her grandmother's displeased expression, Ji Renran, before her mother could speak further, hastily pulled her out of the room. "Brother won't be staying in the principal courtyard all the time. Mother, why do you need to defy Grandmother's wishes?"
Gu Peilan's vision swam from the heat. "But it is hot here! Your brother is accustomed to comfort, how can he endure this?"
Ji Renran's anger flared at her mother's blatant favoritism towards her brother. "To stand firm in the Ji family, making Grandmother happy is the only way. If Mother can understand this, let Brother stay here well. If Mother cannot, feel free to take Brother away. But if you are later oppressed by Ji Zizhao, do not bring Brother to me to complain."
These words struck Gu Peilan to the core.
Thinking of Ji Zizhao's arrogant displays at the Tong family twice, Gu Peilan gnashed her teeth in hatred. Now that she had finally returned, she certainly wouldn't allow that little shrew Ji Zizhao to continue to lord over her.
However, thinking of her son, Gu Peilan still felt heartache. She quickly ordered two maids to bring relief for Ji Zongyou's discomfort and personally went to see Nanny Xu.
But now, the temperature in the principal courtyard was like a furnace. Ji Zongyou, lying on the couch, couldn't even catch his breath, let alone indulge in pleasantries. He didn't even want to move.
After Ji Zizhao finished her lunch, Shui Ling entered, lifting the curtain. "Miss, Nanny Xu is here."
Ji Zizhao asked Shui Ling to bring her in. Before Nanny Xu could speak, she inquired first, "Has Grandmother's condition improved?"
Nanny Xu, thinking of the old madam's state today, quickly replied, "Replying to the eldest young lady, the old madam's health has indeed improved significantly. Her fingers even moved just now."
Ji Zizhao nodded, then asked again, "Then, why has Nanny Xu come now?"
Nanny Xu, of course, was here to inquire if the medicinal powder in the incense burner in the main hall could be stopped. However, the eldest young lady's words reminded her that the old madam's health was the top priority. Since the old madam was getting better, what did it matter if others were uncomfortable?
With this thought, Nanny Xu immediately changed the subject and said, "The eldest young lady has worked hard during this time. This old servant is specifically here on behalf of the old madam to thank you."
Ji Zizhao, seeing through it but not exposing it, had Shui Ling take out a bag of silver fragments and hand it over. "With Nanny Xu's meticulous care by Grandmother's side, I am most at ease."
Holding the silver, Nanny Xu became even more resolute in her conviction: as long as the old madam recovered, everyone else would have to step aside.
Ji Zizhao watched Nanny Xu's retreating back, her lips curving into a deep smile.
Nanny Xu's visit probably meant Gu Peilan had resorted to threats and enticements.
But Gu Peilan failed to understand that although Nanny Xu was a servant, she was also someone close to the grandmother. On the Su Dan Novel Network.
In Nanny Xu's heart, no one's importance could surpass that of the grandmother.
While the medicine's efficacy for the grandmother was a good thing, her objectives went beyond that.
She would have to wait a bit longer...
Ji Zizhao casually picked up a medical book from her desk and began to read it carefully.
Now, she would just sit quietly and wait for Ji Zongyou to tear off his own hypocritical mask.
Back in the principal courtyard, Nanny Xu glanced at the old madam again. Seeing that the old madam could now pour her own tea, she immediately ordered someone to add the medicinal ingredients to the incense burner and continue the fumigation.
It was Ji Zongyou, lying on the couch in the main hall, who was being driven to a frenzy by the heat. Angrily, he overturned the teapot on the table, sending it crashing to the ground.
"Crack!" The teapot shattered upon impact.
The sound of the falling teapot startled the old madam in the inner room, causing her to flinch.
After the Zhongyuan Festival, the newly recruited imperial physicians would take up their posts in the palace.
After breakfast, Ji Zizhao saw Shui Ling happily carrying an official robe into the room. "Miss, the Imperial Household Department just sent this, saying it's for you to wear when you enter the palace for service."
Ji Zizhao took the official robe and looked at it, her brows furrowing deeply. "Go and call Jianqiu."
She remembered seeing her master's official robe, which was identical to this one, when they went to Luoyi.
But her master was the head of the Imperial Hospital; she was merely a clerk. Why would her official robe be the same?
Jianqiu arrived quickly. Upon seeing the official robe Shui Ling was holding, she was also startled.
"Fortunately, Miss is knowledgeable and experienced. Otherwise, if you actually wore such an official robe into the palace, you might be in trouble." Having spent many years in the palace, she had seen the official robes worn by imperial physicians the most. At a glance, she saw the anomaly.
Shui Ling looked at the official robe in her hand with confusion. "But this was sent by the Imperial Household Department. Could they have made a mistake?"
Jianqiu frowned. "I'm afraid it was deliberately sent incorrectly."