A servant presented a bowl of red date and longan soup. Pei Qing fed it to Li Wan spoonful by spoonful. After finishing the soup, he picked up a storybook and read to her until she fell asleep, then kept watch by her side.
Unexpectedly, Li Wan developed a fever during the night, her body burning hot. The moment he sensed her abnormal temperature, Pei Qing woke immediately. He first sent someone to summon a physician, then gave his waist token to Yun Bai, instructing him to go to the palace and request an imperial physician.
"What's going on?" The commotion in the main courtyard naturally couldn't be hidden from Old Madam and the other branches of the family. When Old Madam heard that her son was summoning an imperial physician, deep worry etched her face, her brows knitting tightly.
Mama Ju seemed about to speak but held back, remaining silent.
The moment Old Madam saw her expression, her heart felt as though she'd swallowed a fly—utterly disgusted. Her brows furrowed even more tightly. "Is it for that woman?"
If there was one person Old Madam hated most in the Yongkang Marquis Estate, it was undoubtedly Li Wan. Not for any particular reason, but because ever since Li Wan appeared, her son had turned his back on all his relatives. In all of Chang'an City, from princes and nobles to ordinary court officials, which daughter-in-law slept until the sun was high in the sky without paying her respects to her elders? Which mistress of the household idled about all day, ignoring estate affairs, yet insisted on keeping both status and her husband's affection firmly in her grasp? It was sheer greed. Yet her son seemed bewitched by his wife—no matter what Li Wan did, everything was wonderful in his eyes. The thought of it made Old Madam's chest tighten with pent-up frustration.
Mama Ju said, "I heard the Madam has unbearable abdominal pain and a fever. The Marquis wasn't at ease letting the estate physician treat her, so he sent Yun Bai to the palace to request an imperial physician. Imperial Physician Zhang has already arrived at the estate."
"Just how precious is she? Can't even endure a little stomachache. Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to the main courtyard to see that fine daughter-in-law of mine—see if she's truly at death's door." Old Madam rolled her eyes and huffed angrily.
Mama Ju acknowledged with a soft "Yes," not daring to add fuel to the fire. After all, if the Marquis overheard such words, Old Madam would be fine, but the servants attending her would certainly suffer the consequences.
In Mama Ju's opinion, Old Madam was simply asking for trouble, insisting on competing with the Madam for the position of mistress of the estate. She failed to consider that the Madam was the Marquis's lawful wife—once Old Madam passed away, the estate would belong to the Madam anyway. Yet this was a truth Old Madam simply couldn't see.
Back in the main courtyard, upon hearing that Pei Qing had already summoned a physician, Li Wan's vision went dark and the corners of her eyes reddened. She asked Pei Qing if he was deliberately trying to make a spectacle of her, turning a trivial matter into something everyone knew about—she'd be too ashamed to show her face.
"Wanwan, you're running a fever." Pei Qing placed a damp cloth on her forehead, his phoenix eyes deep and his tone calm as he explained.
He, Pei Qing, had already risen to the rank of Grand Chancellor, second to none. If he couldn't even summon a good imperial physician for his own wife when she was ill, then what kind of man was he?
"Imperial Physician Zhang, please come in." At that moment, Yun Bai had brought the physician in. Imperial Physician Zhang was hardly surprised—the Marquis of Yongkang's doting affection for his wife was well known throughout Chang'an City. It was mostly he who tended to Madam Pei's health. Though this lady came from a modest background, her constitution was extremely delicate. Whenever the weather changed, or if she was the slightest bit careless, she would fall ill. Nothing serious, but certainly troublesome.
Of course, with the Marquis's affection, she had nothing to fear.
"Your Excellency, Madam." Imperial Physician Zhang stepped forward to pay his respects.
"Rise, Imperial Physician Zhang." Pei Qing raised a hand, lifting a corner of the bed curtain to allow the physician to take her pulse.
Imperial Physician Zhang kept his gaze straight ahead, using a silk thread to diagnose Li Wan's pulse. After a moment, he stood and clasped his hands. "Madam Pei caught a chill from the cold wind, and combined with her special time of the month, she's contracted a mild cold. I'll prescribe a few doses of medicine, and with a few days of recuperation, she'll be fine."
"Yun Bai."
Yun Bai extended an arm. "Imperial Physician Zhang, this way, please."
Every step—prescribing, dispensing, decocting—took time. By the time the medicine was ready, Li Wan had fallen asleep, but her body was still burning and her lips were parched.
Thinking that Pei Qing had court the next morning, the servants suggested he rest for a while—they would watch over the Madam. Pei Qing refused.
Using a medicine spoon, Pei Qing scooped up a dose of the herbal decoction and brought it to Li Wan's lips. Her delicate brows knitted tightly, and she instinctively tried to spit the bitter liquid out. Pei Qing reached out and gently pinched her chin, then ordered someone to bring a dish of candied fruit. Tao'er hurried off to prepare it.
After all the fuss, dawn was breaking. Before heading to court, Pei Qing felt Li Wan's forehead—it was no longer burning. His tense expression immediately relaxed, and he summoned Imperial Physician Zhang.
Imperial Physician Zhang said she would need one more day of observation, supplemented with herbal medicine and medicinal food, and the Madam would soon be fully recovered.
Pei Qing then had Li Wan's two dowry maidservants come in to watch over her, while he changed into a purple official robe embroidered with cranes, his dark hair bound in a formal cap. He looked exceptionally refined and composed. Before leaving, he instructed that no one—not even the young master or young miss—was to disturb his wife's rest in the main chamber, except for the imperial physician and the doctor. The wet nurse nodded like a pounding pestle, agreeing readily.
Who would have thought the visitor would be Old Madam?
After much deliberation, the wet nurse still went in to report it, for this dynasty placed great emphasis on filial piety. If word got out that Old Madam had come to visit their mistress and their mistress had refused to see her, the gossip from the streets alone would drown their mistress.
"Madam, Old Madam has come to see you."
Compared to last night, Li Wan's complexion was no longer so pale today, but her features leaned toward delicate softness, so when ill, she appeared especially pitiful and alluring.
Unfortunately, this very appearance was what Old Madam detested most. A concubine looking like a fox spirit was tolerable—she only needed to serve with her looks—but a proper wife looking so bewitching was a misfortune for the family.
Old Madam's brows were furrowed so tightly they could crush flies. In contrast, Li Wan treated her very well, smiling gently and speaking in a soft voice: "Mother."
"I heard Wanwan is ill, so I came to see you." One couldn't strike a smiling face, so Old Madam gave an "mm" and spoke in a stern tone.
Li Wan: "I've troubled you, Mother. That's my fault."
"Wanwan, what are you saying? We're family. When Wanwan is unwell, I as your mother naturally lose all appetite and can't sleep day or night." Old Madam smiled without sincerity, her face full of wrinkles, and continued: "But Wanwan's constitution is so delicate, falling ill every few days—I'm afraid you can't serve your husband properly."
Li Wan was silent for a moment, roughly guessing what Old Madam was about to say next.
Seeing her catching on, Old Madam's expression softened further. "DaLang treats Wanwan so well—surely Wanwan knows this clearly in her heart. So by the same measure, shouldn't Wanwan also consider DaLang's interests more?"
"What does Mother wish to say?" Li Wan already understood Old Madam's intention. Her fingers curled slightly as she asked with a smile.
"DaLang has too few offspring—only Yan'er and Zhaozhao. If this continues, the two children may become spoiled by favor. Especially Zhaozhao, who only likes wielding swords and practicing martial arts, far removed from the noble ladies of the capital." Old Madam paused, then said: "So in my opinion, we should add two more people to DaLang's chambers. First, to bear DaLang more children, and second, to have more people sharing Wanwan's burdens. That way Wanwan can properly rest and recover her health. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
What kind of man Pei Qing was, Li Wan knew better than anyone. She wasn't foolish, and she understood what Old Madam was scheming.
Taking concubines was common among the powerful families of the capital, and Li Wan had no intention of forbidding men from taking concubines. But Old Madam kept bringing up that her Zhaozhao was inferior to other noble ladies of the capital—how could Li Wan tolerate that? Her brows, like distant mountains, carried a hint of coldness, though her voice remained gentle: "I understand Mother's meaning. But matters of the main household have always been decided by my husband. I've heard Mother's words clearly. When my husband returns from court, I can ask his opinion. Would that be acceptable to Mother?"
Old Madam was left speechless.
If Pei Qing would agree, why would she need to waste her breath coming here? If her eldest son learned she had come to cause trouble for Li Wan, their courtyard's monthly allowance would probably be halved again.
Old Madam naturally didn't dare offend her eldest son. Her smile was strained as she said: "DaLang is burdened with countless affairs—there's no need to trouble him with such a small matter. Wanwan, just consider what I said as rambling nonsense."
Li Wan had a softer temperament, and since Old Madam had stepped back, she naturally wouldn't press her advantage. She nodded lightly.
"Just how is that eldest daughter-in-law's mouth made? She never lets anyone off when she's in the right." The moment she stepped out of the main chamber, Old Madam couldn't help complaining.
Mama Ju sighed inwardly. Fortunately, the mistress didn't let anyone off when she was in the right—if the mistress had suffered any grievance, it would be Old Madam who suffered the consequences.
The moment Pei Qing returned, he heard that Old Madam had come to the main chamber. His first question was whether his wife had been wronged. Upon hearing that Old Madam had been driven away in anger, Pei Qing made no comment, then asked about Old Madam's purpose. The wet nurse hesitated, and Pei Qing told her to speak freely.
"Old Madam's meaning was for the mistress to take two concubines for the Marquis."
"Then what did she say?" Pei Qing's gaze was light and casual as he asked.
He was curious about her answer.
The wet nurse's voice was somewhat small, speaking with lingering fear: "The mistress refused."
In truth, the wet nurse was somewhat worried the Marquis would be angry. After all, what man didn't enjoy having three wives and four concubines? Their Marquis was a good man, but he was still a man. She feared the Marquis would think their mistress was a shrew.
Upon hearing this, Pei Qing smiled, his brows and eyes filled with delight. "I see."
The wet nurse: "…"
The first thing Pei Qing did upon entering the room was go to the window to look at the flowers, even reaching out to gently touch them.
Li Wan watched his movements, her eyelashes fluttering lightly. "What is my husband doing?"
Pei Qing glanced at her with a faint, enigmatic smile, then stepped toward her. "Nothing much, just wanted to see if Wanwan has been behaving herself."