Even if she was going to see a person recovering from an injury, she didn’t bring medicinal ingredients and such with her. Those things, the Luo family had long sent many over. Jing Wan only brought a few pots of plants and flowers, as well as the rouge and powder made in the last few days, and also some skincare products. All these were made from natural ingredients, so there was completely no worries of having poisonous harm.
Jing Wan first went to the Yuan family. Yuan Qiao Qiao’s father was the Ministry of Appointment’s assistant minister, a fourth rank official. In a regional area, perhaps he would be a working hand, but in a place such as the capital, he really wasn’t considered anything. But the Ministry of Appointments resided over the bureaucrats’ appointments and dismissals, imperial exam material, promotions, transfers, and so on. Thus, even the lowest ranked official of the Ministry of Appointments all would have quite a few people fighting over. Didn’t one see when Jing Wan and them had entered the capital and her eldest aunt came to visit, how even Liu-shi hurriedly rushed forward to fawn over.
Yuan Qiao Qiao’s situation was still quite good. With Luo Pei Shan personally inviting an imperial physician of the Imperial Physician’s Court. In addition to the medicine prescribed by Grandmaster Liao Chen, her situation was much better than anticipated. Compared to before, her body might be a bit weaker, but it wasn’t to the point where she’d become a medicine pot that can’t be exposed to the wind. As for her broken leg, as long as she properly recuperated, it won’t leave behind any hidden side effects.
“Wan Wan, you finally came. I’m about to suffocate to death in the room.”
As soon as she heard Yuan Qiao Qiao say ‘death’, her wet nurse hurriedly spat twice, letting her not say nonsense.
Yuan Qiao Qiao quickly complied and didn’t say anymore. And when she turned back around, she stuck her tongue out towards Jing Wan. Looks like because of the incident this time, all sides have been quite tormented.
Seeing her this energetic, Jing Wan also relaxed for real. Just, Yuan Qiao Qiao was a lively one, and since her leg couldn’t move, afraid she really must have been bored to death.
“Where’s eldest aunt? How come I didn’t see her.” Since entering the Yuan family gates, Jing Wan hadn’t seen her figure.
Yuan Qiao Qiao pursed her lips, “Our family’s situation, I suppose you already know, what else can it be other than that side causing some trouble again. My mother right now is almost like an old servant serving her, grandmother and them also yield to her on everything. Hopefully she really can give birth to a son, else she’ll definitely suffer after the fact.”
The reason Yuan Qiao Qiao was able to be this open-minded, completely not worried for her mother, was because she was clear, her father, her grandmother all treated her mother very well. Although her grandmother was also anxious that her mother wasn’t able to give birth to a grandson for her, she still repeatedly consoled her mother. A child was determined by fate. Even if she doesn’t have a di younger brother, her grandmother still won’t promote a yiniang to suppress on top of her mother’s head, and her father further wouldn’t do something like favoring the concubine and eliminating the wife.
That’s why when Jing Wan said her grandfather didn’t choose wrong husbands for her paternal aunts, these words really weren’t just empty sayings.
Jing Wan didn’t say anymore. These kinds of things, as one of those ‘fortunate’ little concubines, nine out of ten would turn their tails up into the heavens (act arrogant). If their wish gets fulfilled, then perhaps they might even become even more arrogant. But, if they encounter a high-handed main wife, once the child is born, then there was nothing left for her to do. If the concubine knows her place, then perhaps she can still preserve her little life. Those that aren’t content with their place and cause trouble, a ‘keep the child and eliminate the mother’ fate can’t be avoided. This kind of reality was far too common.
“Let’s not talk about these things, it’s quite boring. What did you bring me today? Quickly let me see.”
The few pots of verdant green flowers and plants, big and small, all looked very vigorous, making one feel relaxed looking at them.
“They’re raised really well. Is there any place that I need to pay attention to? What if I accidentally raise them wrong?”
“I know older cousin is a careless one, so these are all very easy to raise.” Jing Wan looked to her with a smirk.
“Have your guts fattened, to dare make fun of your older cousin now, huh?” Yuan Qiao Qiao reached out wanting to tickle her.
Jing Wan effortlessly dodged, “Older cousin best wait until your leg gets better then talk.”
Yuan Qiao Qiao angrily punched her bed and put down the ‘harsh words’: Once she recovers, she’s definitely going to properly sort her out.
Jing Wan, seeing her vigorous and lively, also stopped messing with her, and instead began coaxing her, letting the servant girl have the other things brought out. These things, not many girls wouldn’t like.
And sure enough, after Yuan Qiao Qiao saw them, she was very pleased. One has to know, when they were at White Dragon Temple, those simply-made rouge and powder that Jing Wan made gave them all a very big surprise.
Although Jing Wan didn’t make too many in these last few days, she’d planned to give more than half to her three good friends, so the amount divided down wasn’t considered little either. It was more than enough for them to use for a period of time. Of course, if they gift to others, then that was another story.
“First apply them on the back of your hands and such places for two days. If there isn’t any problems, then you can use on other places.”
“Eh, why?”
“I’m worried that some problems might appear, like swelling or a rash and such.”
“How is that possible, it’s not like you would harm me, no?” Yuan Qiao Qiao unconcernedly waved her hand.
“It’s not like that. People’s skin qualities each have their own differences. Some things can be used and some things can’t be used. Just like how some people will feel uncomfortable touching certain types of flowers. This a similar logic. I’m just worried about you suffering.”
“There’s also such a thing?” Yuan Qiao Qiao asked in surprise, and then seemingly thinking of something, her complexion somewhat changed, “Wan Wan, I suddenly thought of something, so I won’t keep you here, you can go back first. Next time I’ll make it up to you.” She then lowered her voice, “Also your engagement sure moved quite fast. Next time I’ll also need to properly ask you about that.”
Jing Wan figured it was probably what she said that made Yuan Qiao Qiao think of something else. Thus she didn’t stay long as she got up to bid farewell.
Once her wet nurse returned from sending off Jing Wan, Yuan Qiao Qiao quickly spoke, “Wet nurse, do you think that matter from paternal aunt’s family is because of this reason Wan Wan mentioned?”
“It’s not impossible. Miss means to say……..”
“Yesterday, paternal aunt came to see me. When I saw her two eyes, don’t know how many times she’s cried, even I felt heartbroken for her. What kind of person paternal aunt is, we’re all clear, she absolutely wouldn’t do something that malicious, yet paternal aunt’s husband’s family actually are making a fuss wanting to divorce the wife. If it really is as Wan Wan said, that kind of situation, then everything can easily be solved.”
“Then this servant will go look for old madam right away and tell them this matter?”
“Alright, go ahead then.”
Jing Wan left the Yuan Manor and directly headed to the Zhou Manor, because she’d sent an visitation card yesterday, even though the time was a bit early, it wasn’t considered improper.
When she learned that Zhou Ying Shuang’s eyes can actually hazily see some things now, there really wasn’t anything more joyous than this.
The injuries on Zhou Ying Shuang’s body weren’t serious, so this while she wasn’t lying on the bed like Yuan Qiao Qiao, instead smilingly sitting by the window side, appearing to be in an unusually good mood.
“This is having encountered something good?” Jing Wan approached her side as she teased.
“Jing Wan, you’ve come, quickly sit.”
Jing Wan sat down and reached her hand out, waving in front of her eyes.
Zhou Ying Shuang grabbed her hand at once, “I really can see shadows now.” Zhou Ying Shuang smiled exceptionally sweet.
This little appearance didn’t seem like it was just because of her eyes having hope of completely recovering. “What good news do you have, can you tell me?”
A blush appeared on Zhou Ying Shuang’s face. Well, without saying anything, Jing Wan more or less guessed it. After acting coy for a moment, the thought of wanting to share her happiness with her good friend got the upper hand. She leaned in closer to Jing Wan and whispered, “He came to see me, just left not long ago. Although he only said a few words outside, I’m still so happy. Our family originally was already in the middle of discussing my marriage with the young master of the the Head of the Imperial Academy’s family. The matter actually was already more or less settled. Originally, I thought, because of my eyes, the engagement will probably fall through, but unexpectedly, on the second day we came back, Head of the Imperial Academy’s madam personally came to visit, letting me just worry about properly recuperating. And today, he personally came. He still doesn’t know yet that my eyes are currently improving. I originally felt he was just okay, but now, now……….”
Very good, this was precisely the typical ‘originally didn’t care, but then got played the tenderness card during one’s fragile moments’, saying a few words of concern, then some promises of ‘neither leaving nor abandoning’, and that little heart will begin to rapidly beat non-stop, instantly falling in love and unable to get back up.
These girls actually fall in love quite easily, and are also very easy to deceive. Just don’t know whether that Head of the Imperial Academy family’s young master is acting out of sincerity or it’s due to his family’s ‘coercion’, or perhaps, for the sake of a good reputation of having ‘deep feelings’. Jing Wan hoped that it can be the first one, else after marrying, and learning that the other party wasn’t as good as she’d imagined, she would definitely be further disappointed, or even hurt. The tiniest bit of damage from the other party would all increase by ten-fold, or a hundred-fold.
However, at present, Jing Wan naturally won’t splash cold water on her. A young maiden that has fallen into the river of love similarly was impervious to reason. If right now, you were to say the other party isn’t good, possibly having ulterior motives, then it’s hard to say that she might think you’re trying to drive a wedge between them, unable to bear seeing her happy. Were there any less of good sisters and good friends falling out because of a man?
Perhaps find a time to talk with her wet nurse mama, letting them remind her at an appropriate time? However, these words, really aren’t suited for an unmarried young lady like her to say. Jing Wan suddenly patted her own head. Women of the back manor, which one wasn’t keen-eyed. The twists and turns of the back manor, even if they’ve never seen before, they would’ve at least heard of before. What else could they not think of?
Once she thought things through, she no longer dwelled on it, and had the presents for Zhou Ying Shuang brought out.
In Gong mama’s eyes, her miss was good everywhere, just sometimes, she somewhat liked to worry too much, and the things she worried about, for the most part, all won’t happen. Just based on how much wangye cares for her, if she’s unhappy, then he’ll naturally help her have the source of her ‘unhappiness’ eradicated.
Gong mama has never once worried that these good friends of miss would not live well in the future, even if it was the one with the worst situation right now, Sun Yi Jia.
Regardless whether their future husbands had real feelings or fake feelings towards them, wangye will certainly make them have ‘real feelings’ for a lifetime. Even if it’s an act, it must be for a whole lifetime. Not just them, everyone that miss cares about are all the same. Because only when they are all well, will miss truly be carefree and without worries. Letting miss live carefreely and without worries for her whole life is wangye’s greatest wish in this life. For this, he will not hesitate to do anything!
T/N: So I actually managed to cross check my translation of [祭酒] with academic documents and I’m happy that my initial translation was correct. The title can used either as an honorary title for distinguished older ministers, or otherwise for head of the highest education agency, like a Chancellor. Since I translated it as ‘Head of the Imperial Academy’ previously, I’m just going to leave as that. Jen tries really hard to make sure things are accurate ;;;v;;;
