Chapter 142 Moving

Words : 1447 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Small side courtyard. Gentle breeze blowing, serene and beautiful. Xie Jingchen leaned on the small couch, letting Su Jin give him a foot massage. First massaging the left foot, then the right foot. The maids formed a half-circle on the side, watching intently and meticulously. Agarwood Pavilion, at the courtyard gate. Manager Li led Doctor Zhao into the courtyard. The maids were slightly surprised, no one was ill, why had an Imperial Physician come? The maid approached, Manager Li asked, "Where is the Eldest Young Madam?" "The Eldest Young Madam is in the small side courtyard, shall I fetch her for you?" the maid eagerly offered. "No need, I’ll take Doctor Zhao over," Manager Li replied with a smile. Upon entering the small side courtyard, they saw Su Jin massaging Xie Jingchen’s feet. As she massaged, she asked, "Does it feel good?" "It feels good." Manager Li, "...." Doctor Zhao, "...." Manager Li felt a bit awkward. If he had known the Eldest Young Madam was giving the Eldest Young Master a foot massage, he definitely wouldn’t have brought Doctor Zhao directly over. If this got out, it would harm the reputation of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, showing the Eldest Young Master treating the Eldest Young Madam like a maid. Doctor Zhao also felt awkward. But amidst the awkwardness, there was a touch of admiration. A few days ago, the Eldest Young Master of Duke Zhen’s Mansion had declared in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress that he hadn’t yet established household authority. Yet, in just a few days, not only had he established authority, but he had also disciplined the Eldest Young Madam so well-behaved. Indeed worthy of being the Eldest Young Master of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, quite impressive and admirable. Su Jin, after massaging for a while, felt her hands becoming sore. Xingxing said, "Miss, someone is here." Su Jin turned her head and saw Doctor Zhao; she lightly raised her eyebrows and got up from the small stool. Xie Jingchen, after putting on his shoes and socks, asked, "Why is Doctor Zhao here?" Doctor Zhao hurriedly replied, "Bad timing, sorry to disturb Young Master Xie and Lady Xie." "No problem," Su Jin said. "...." Doctor Zhao was a bit puzzled. Shouldn’t those words have been said by the Young Master Xie? It seemed as though he was the one disturbing the Eldest Young Madam. However, the important business was priority. Doctor Zhao turned to Su Jin and greeted, "Eldest Young Madam, may I have a word with you?" "Let’s talk in the backyard, I’ll come right after I wash my hands," Su Jin replied with a smile. After all, it was the Emperor’s buttocks that the wasps had stung, ordinary people were afraid to speak of it openly. Xie Jingchen led Doctor Zhao to the backyard. Along the way. Doctor Zhao sought advice from Xie Jingchen on how to establish household authority. "Eldest Young Madam has a fearless personality, I never thought she would be disciplined so obediently by the Eldest Young Master. My wife is gentle by nature, usually listens to me, but she still argues back sometimes when she’s upset. She does give massages, but not as willingly as the Eldest Young Madam. I wonder if I could ask for advice on how to establish household authority?" Doctor Zhao humbly inquired. "...." Whoosh. A sharp sword seemed to stab right into Xie Jingchen’s chest. Making it hard for him to breathe. The Hidden Guard at the side almost burst into fits of laughter. He couldn’t hold it in and started laughing out loud. Doctor Zhao mistakenly believed he had given the Eldest Young Master household authority recognition, which required the Eldest Young Madam to comply with the Eldest Young Master in everything. Such household authority— Not just the Eldest Young Master, even he felt pressured. Doctor Zhao heard the laughter and looked towards the Hidden Guard. Seeing the Hidden Guard’s face turning purple from holding it in, he belatedly realized, "Did I say something wrong?" "Cough, cough!" The Hidden Guard couldn’t stop coughing. "Nothing, I just inhaled some wind." Doctor Zhao, "...." Where’s the wind coming from? Why did he feel something was amiss? Inside the bamboo house, the Hidden Guard poured tea for Doctor Zhao. Just as the tea was served, Su Jin stepped in, Doctor Zhao quickly stood up and said, "Eldest Young Madam, did you hear about the Emperor being stung by a wasp, and the swelling that refuses to go down?" "I heard," Su Jin replied. "The ointment you sent to Eunuch Fu was poisoned. The Emperor used it, and no matter how the Imperial Hospital tries, they can’t detoxify the poison. I came to ask you where your ointment was purchased from?" Doctor Zhao asked gently. "The ointment is a secret remedy from Qingyun Mountain," Su Jin replied. "...." Doctor Zhao was a bit taken aback. Unexpectedly, Qingyun Mountain, known as a bandit’s nest, harbors such good medicine. But a secret remedy from Qingyun Mountain is fortunate; if it were bought elsewhere, obtaining the recipe wouldn’t be certain. Doctor Zhao quickly said, "The Emperor’s swelling delays state affairs, I ask that the Eldest Young Madam hand over the recipe to the Imperial Hospital so they can develop an antidote." "I can give you the recipe, but can Doctor Zhao ensure that the recipe remains confidential?" Su Jin asked. "This...." "It absolutely mustn’t leak, or my Marquis will send people to loot your home, leaving you nowhere to cry," Xingxing said fiercely. Doctor Zhao quickly assured, "I will keep the recipe strictly confidential." Su Jin sent Xingxing to the bamboo house to fetch the recipe. Because the recipe was to detoxify, every ingredient had to be clearly written. Doctor Zhao took the recipe, thanked her repeatedly, and left. Su Jin then said, "If the Imperial Hospital cannot formulate an antidote, send the ointment used by the Emperor, and I’ll let the physicians from Qingyun Mountain try." Doctor Zhao quickly agreed. The Hidden Guard saw Doctor Zhao out of the mansion. As Doctor Zhao walked to the front yard, he realized why the Hidden Guard had inhaled some air when he asked Xie Jingchen for advice on establishing household authority. Under the big tree, two maids were chatting quietly. "Our Eldest Young Madam truly doesn’t mind respect, not only does she massage Mrs. Wang’s shoulders and back, but she even massages her feet. I don’t even like giving foot massages," one maid said. "Pity Mrs. Wang’s feet stink, otherwise such a good task wouldn’t have fallen to the Eldest Young Master," the other maid said. "...." Doctor Zhao felt a wave of embarrassment. Recalling how he sought advice from Xie Jingchen on establishing household authority, he wished he could slap himself. Backyard, bamboo house. After Doctor Zhao left, Su Jin returned to the bamboo house. Opening a drawer, she took out four packets of medicine, wrapped them up, and handed them to Xingxing, "Take these to Mrs. Wang." "Huh? Mrs. Wang isn’t sick, why give her medicine?" Xingxing asked, looking puzzled. "This medicine is to treat foot odor, let her soak her feet in the medicine after boiling, and soon they won’t smell anymore," Su Jin said. Thinking about Mrs. Wang’s foot odor. Xingxing shivered, the memory of the smell was still vivid. Carrying the medicine package, Xingxing went to Qihao Hall. Inside, Mrs. Wang was serving the Old Madam swallow’s nest congee. A maid in a jade-green dress approached and said, "Mrs. Wang, the Eldest Young Madam’s maid is here to see you." "To see me?" Mrs. Wang was a bit uneasy. Although the Eldest Young Madam had never made things difficult for her, whenever Xingxing came looking for her, she always felt inexplicably guilty. Mrs. Wang glanced at the Old Madam. The Old Madam said nothing. Mrs. Wang then excused herself. In the courtyard, Xingxing stood under the big tree shading herself from the sun. Seeing Mrs. Wang come out, she walked over and handed her the package, "Here, this is for you." "What’s this?" Mrs. Wang asked, puzzled. "This is?" "This medicine is for foot odor. Use it to soak your feet and the smell will be gone quickly," Su Jin replied. Mrs. Wang’s old face turned embarrassed. She accepted the medicine, saying, "Thank the Eldest Young Madam for me." With tears in the corners of her eyes. Touched. Mrs. Wang stood in the shade of the tree for a while. She just turned around when Xingxing came running back like the wind, "Wait! I made a mistake!" Mrs. Wang stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Xingxing. "....!" "What happened?" "I said the wrong thing!" Xingxing exclaimed. Mrs. Wang, "....!!!"

Chapter 142 Moving

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