Chapter Eighty-Five: Hope

Pian Mammy returned at once. The rumor had already spread like wildfire. She brought back the gossip from outside and told it to Yao Ruoshui, who turned furious, her eyes reddening. “So Father is blaming me? My daughter is suffering too! Zhier is to be the future secondary consort of the Crown Prince. If such things are said of her, what if the Crown Prince misunderstands her?”

“Madam, we can only wait in silence. After some time, the rumor will naturally die down.” This was all Pian Mammy could think of as the most advantageous course. After a moment of thought, Yao Ruoshui had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Madam Shu was just preparing to go see Su Saner when the old nurse by her side hurried in, delighted. “Madam, this servant has found out.”

“How is it? Can it truly cure Saner’s condition that keeps her from bearing children?” Madam Shu clutched the nurse’s hand with all her strength. The nurse did not dare pull away and could only nod in pain. “They say it can be cured. This is the prescription.”

Madam Shu took it and said, trembling, “Good. At last, there is hope for Saner’s illness.” She could not hold back her tears. These past few days she had worried over Su Saner and had not been able to sleep at night. At last, there was an answer.

The nurse hesitated, then said, “Madam, there is still one more thing...”

“Speak quickly.” Madam Shu was deeply anxious. Seeing the nurse hesitate and hem and haw without giving a clear answer, her temper flared at once.

The nurse gritted her teeth. “Madam, the medicinal ingredients on this prescription are far too expensive, and some of them may not be easy to find outside. We cannot afford that silver.”

“How much?”

Madam Shu clasped her hands tightly and asked softly.

The nurse gave a figure. Madam Shu was silent for a long while, then suddenly said joyfully, “That is easy. I will ask Madam for it. For Saner’s sake, I must get this medicine.”

After saying this, Madam Shu had someone attend her dressing. She changed into a moon-white robe and specifically had her face dusted with powder so that she looked pale and bloodless. Wiping at her tears with a handkerchief, she said, “Come, let us go to Madam’s place.”

When she reached the front of Yao Ruoshui’s courtyard, Madam Shu’s eyes were still red. Hearing from the nurse beside her that her condition looked very good, she only then entered and had a maid announce her.

The moment Madam Shu saw Yao Ruoshui, she immediately knelt and choked out her greeting. “Mei’er pays respects to Madam.”

Yao Ruoshui’s eyes showed displeasure. “Second Concubine, what is this? Crying and sniveling like this—what sort of behavior is that?”

Tears kept falling from Madam Shu’s face as she sobbed, “Madam, you must help me. Saner’s illness can be saved now. Madam has always been kind and treated her as though she were your own daughter. This time, you must save her!”

The old nurse stepped in front of Madam Shu when she tried to move closer and sharply rebuked her. “Has Second Concubine forgotten the rules? Crying before the mistress of the house—are you asking for punishment?”

Madam Shu’s face went white. Yao Ruoshui, already displeased by her flirtatious air and seeing her dressed in white, grew even less fond of her and showed no warmth at all. “Second Concubine, if you have something to say, say it plainly. Do not beat around the bush before me.”

Hearing that, Madam Shu knew there was hope. She quickly named several herbs that were difficult to obtain, and also wanted to ask Yao Ruoshui for several hundred taels of silver. After listening, Yao Ruoshui immediately shook her head and sighed. “Second Concubine, it is not that I am unwilling. Such a large expense must have Father’s approval. Why not go and speak with Father first?”

Yao Ruoshui tossed the ball to Su Hong. Seeing Madam Shu instantly brighten, she sneered inwardly. “Go on then. Let us see which side Father stands on.”

When Yao Ruoshui saw Madam Shu hastily leave, she said resentfully, “Pian Mammy, does she still think she is the favored concubine Father doted on back then? She opens her mouth and asks for such costly medicine, not afraid at all that she cannot bear such fortune.”

“Madam, do not let such a lowly woman anger you and harm your health. Father has been in a bad mood lately. If Second Concubine goes now, she may not get any goodwill at all.” Pian Mammy smiled with narrowed eyes.

Yao Ruoshui smiled brightly, finally exhaling the stuffiness in her chest. “At last, I have gained the upper hand before her.”

With Yao Ruoshui’s hint in mind, and thinking of the favor Su Hong had always shown her, Madam Shu hurried to the study. “I want to see Father.”

After entering, Madam Shu knelt before Su Hong and pleaded bitterly, “Father, you must save Saner. This concubine knows a prescription that can cure Saner’s condition and prevent her from bearing children, but the medicinal ingredients are very costly, Father...”

In the past, Su Hong would already have been coaxing Madam Shu by now. Today, however, he merely sat coldly in place, showing no intention of helping her up at all.

Madam Shu did not notice anything unusual and only lowered her head, weeping. “Father, please save our daughter. Save Saner...”

Su Hong’s face was stern. Earlier that day, after court, his colleagues had mocked him. “Minister Su, you should really discuss things properly with the mistress in the inner courtyard. Do not let your daughter ruin the reputation of the Su household.”

Having endured such ridicule, Su Hong returned home with a belly full of resentment. Just then Madam Shu came to him on her own, so how could he possibly have a pleasant expression for her?

Madam Shu cried for a long time and still received not a single word of comfort from Su Hong. At last she realized something was wrong. With tear-blurred eyes, she looked up at him. “Father, do you truly not want the two of us anymore?”

“Enough. Stop crying. Have you finished copying the punishment the Dowager Lady ordered? If not, hurry back to the courtyard and do it.” Su Hong swept his sleeve and flung Madam Shu aside. She fell to the ground, her palm scraped raw, yet she felt no pain. She only stared blankly at the heartless Su Hong.

Su Hong, irritated by her frail and pitiful appearance, had only just softened when he thought of the grievances he had suffered outside. He said coldly, “Someone come here. Are you all dead? Why are you not quickly helping the concubine back to her courtyard?”

Madam Shu was helped back to her quarters, her heart still aching unbearably. The old nurse by her side anxiously persuaded her, “Madam, you must be more mindful. Father is angry right now. Go and beg him again after some time, and he will surely take it to heart.”

Madam Shu said bitterly, “It is Yao—she did it on purpose. She simply does not want my Saner to recover.”

The nurse could only sigh as she wrapped up the wound on Madam Shu’s hand. Fortunately, it was only a scrape. There was nothing serious about it. With proper care, it would be fine.

Su Saner’s maid quickly hurried over to report today’s events to her. “Miss, this servant heard that today the concubine was scolded by Father. It seems it was over the matter of asking for medicine for Miss.”

Su Saner could already move about as usual, but the damage lay within her body. She could only be carefully nourished and recover slowly. A few days ago, Madam Shu had told her about the matter of seeking a prescription, and she had already had some hope. Now, that hope had been doused with a basin of cold water.

“Did Father refuse? Then what about Mother?” Su Saner thought of Yao Ruoshui. This time, she had suffered in place of Su Baizhi. She was only asking for some medicinal ingredients—surely they would not refuse that too.

The maid lowered her voice. “Miss, the concubine went to Madam’s courtyard first, and only then to Father.”

Su Saner immediately understood. Hatred flashed in her eyes. With a forceful sweep of her hand, she knocked the cup from the table. It shattered with a sharp crack into several pieces. The maid could only shrink her neck and stand in the corner.

Su Saner lay on the table and wept silently, biting her lip so hard it nearly bled. Her heart was full of hatred. Su Baizhi, you have made me like this. I will not let you off lightly.

Madam Shu hated Yao Ruoshui for standing by and refusing to help. In her courtyard, she smashed another set of tea cups, and the nurse beside her could only comfort her softly.