Ming Zhaohuan nodded. “Let’s go. Ride the horse Tian Yu brought. We’ll set off immediately.”
Upon returning to the residence, Ming Zhouhe instructed Xuan Yuan to summon the physician.
Qiao Ruoying rushed over upon hearing the news. Bending down to look at her disheveled niece sitting on the chair, she hesitated to touch her forehead with her fingers, exclaiming with heartache, “Oh dear, how did this happen? Who would dare lay hands on the young ladies with such audacity?”
Her dear Pear had never been injured since arriving at the residence!
“She was slapped by a fish.” The situation was so absurd that Ming Zhouhe would have found it amusing if it weren’t his own cousin who got hurt. But since it was his cousin who got slapped by the fish, he couldn’t bring himself to laugh.
“The two of them went to the river to spear fish. Second Sister lost control, the fish spear slipped, and the fish broke free, giving Cousin a slap with its tail,” Ming Zhouhe explained. “The fish at the Farmstead are raised to be quite plump. That fish was even bigger than Cousin’s face—no wonder it stunned her.”
During the carriage ride back, Second Sister kept mentioning how the fish was larger than Cousin’s petite face.
“Be more careful next time.” Qiao Ruoying couldn’t blame Ming Yuelin either. When two girls are playing around, scolding them too harshly could damage their relationship and wouldn’t be good for Pear either.
“I understand, Second Aunt.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be in school? How did you end up spearing fish?” Qiao Ruoying remembered and asked again.
Shi Jianli spoke first, “The teacher tested our proficiency, and since we thought there was nothing else to do, we skipped school. Aunt, from now on, we’ll obediently wait until school is out.”
Qiao Ruoying patted her shoulder.
Skipping school was something she and her sister had done plenty of times before. An occasional skip or two wasn’t entirely unacceptable, but as an elder, she couldn’t encourage or support the children in skipping school.
Physician Chu was brought by Xuan Yuan from the front residence. After examining her through observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, he said, “There’s some cerebral concussion, which may cause occasional dizziness and some nausea. I’ll prescribe a few doses of medicine to be decocted and taken. Rest well, and you’ll recover.”
This was the first time Physician Chu had seen someone get a concussion from being hit by a fish. He couldn’t help but chuckle, but seeing the pitiful state of the young girl, he held it back.
“The redness on the forehead looks severe, but it’s actually because Miss Pear has delicate skin. It’s not too serious. Apply some bruise-dispersing ointment, and it will fade in a couple of days.”
Qiao Ruoying breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, thank you, Physician Chu. Chuntao, see Physician Chu out.”
She then turned to Shi Jianli, stroking her back. “Are you feeling dizzy now? Go change your clothes and get some sleep.”
“A little.” Shi Jianli stood up.
Ming Yuelin took it upon herself to help. Seeing her move, she supported her arm. “Pear Sister, let me help you.”
“Alright.”
Qiao Ruoying had already sent a maid to the kitchen to bring some soup. When she entered, she saw her niece changed and sitting by the bed.
“You haven’t had lunch, have you? It’s already Shen hour (3-5 p.m.). You must be past hunger by now. It seems you don’t have much appetite, so have a bowl of soup to tide you over. After you wake up, I’ll have the kitchen prepare dinner for you. It’s fine to eat a bit later.”
“After you get up, have them brew the medicine. Take the medicine right after dinner.” She picked up a bowl of Fish Maw and Lotus Seed Soup, holding a spoon to feed Shi Jianli.
Then she looked at Ming Yuelin. “Lin’er, you haven’t eaten either, have you? There’s another bowl. Don’t go hungry; it’s good to have something in your stomach.”
“Aunt, I can eat by myself.” Shi Jianli shyly took the bowl into her hands.
“Thank you, Second Aunt.” Ming Yuelin sat on the chair by the bed.
The two girls finished their soup, and Shi Jianli rinsed her mouth before lying down on the bed.
Seeing that she had fallen asleep, Ming Yuelin quietly left.
Qiao Ruoying sat by Shi Jianli’s bedside, gazing at the red mark on her forehead with heartache in her eyes.
A maid brought the medicine prescribed by Physician Chu. Qiao Ruoying dipped her fingertip into it and gently applied it to the slightly swollen red skin.
“Aunt…” Shi Jianli opened her eyes to look at her, her gaze filled with affection.
“Sleep now, Aunt will apply the medicine for you.”
“Alright.” She closed her eyes again.
Ming Yuelin returned to the East Manor with her head hung low. Yuan Yuhe, who had been happily circling the garden twice because her sister-in-law was about to arrive, spotted her and waved her over. “Lin’er, back so soon?”
Usually, when they went to the Farmstead, they wouldn’t return until dusk.
Seeing her mother, Ming Yuelin walked over. “Mother, I’ve caused trouble.”
“What trouble? You look so downcast.” Yuan Yuhe pulled her closer for a look and noticed a few mud stains on the hem of her clothes.
“I talked Pear Sister into skipping lessons to catch fish, and she got hit on the head by a fish. Her forehead is all red and swollen. The physician said it’s a cerebral concussion.”
Yuan Yuhe tapped her head lightly and scolded, “Serves you right for being so mischievous. Go change your clothes. I’ll go check on her.”
“Have you had lunch yet?” She feared Ming Yuelin hadn’t had time to eat.
Ming Yuelin tugged at her sleeve. “Second Aunt gave me a bowl of soup. Pear Sister has fallen asleep, so please don’t disturb her for now.”
“Then I’ll visit tomorrow.” Yuan Yuhe led her toward her courtyard. “Is the cerebral concussion serious?”
“The physician said she’ll recover after a few days of rest.”
“What kind of fish could hit someone’s head so hard?”
“The fish in the Farmstead river—who knows what they eat—are dark, shiny, and very stout. When that big black fish flew toward Pear Sister’s face, it covered her entire face. I didn’t even have time to react.” Ming Yuelin sighed. “We were planning to bring a few back to the manor, but after what happened, I lost all interest.”
“Pear Sister loves eating fish. I wonder if she’ll stop liking it after this.”
“But she’s worried I might feel guilty. Even though she’s the one suffering, she told me not to take it to heart.”
“You—now all you talk about is your Pear Sister.” Yuan Yuhe glanced at her.
Ming Yuelin lifted her chin. “When I spend time with Pear Sister, who else would I talk about if not her? Third Sister is too petty—I don’t enjoy playing with her. Fourth Sister is too quiet—she loves needlework and stays in her room embroidering all day. I can watch her once or twice, but I can’t sit still for long.”
“The other sisters are too young. Pear Sister can accompany me in archery, horseback riding, Cuju, and even designs clothes for me. She even skips lessons with me. Of course, I love spending time with her!”
She linked arms with Yuan Yuhe. “Last time we went to the flower-viewing banquet, even the princess liked her.”
Then she sighed again. “In another year, Pear Sister will probably get married, and then I’ll have to play with Third and Fourth Sisters.”
“If you like her so much, why not persuade your Second Aunt to let her marry within the manor? Your Fourth and Sixth Brothers are around her age, and your Second Aunt could keep an eye on her.”
Ming Yuelin leaned against her shoulder and whispered, “Do you truly like Eldest Sister and Fifth Brother?”
Yuan Yuhe fell silent.
Who could genuinely love children born to their husband and another woman? Being fair and not mistreating them was already magnanimous.
“Second Aunt feels the same as you. Not to mention the bond she shares with Second Uncle—the Second Household has even more children than ours. Second Aunt truly cares for Pear Sister. Why would she let her marry someone she feels uneasy about?”
Yuan Yuhe held her hand and changed the subject: “Then your second aunt must be quite busy now—busy seeking a marriage arrangement for your third brother, and also busy searching for suitable husband candidates for your Pear Sister.”
Entering the courtyard, Ming Yuelin’s voice returned to normal. “Mother, since maternal aunt came along this time, are you intentionally trying to match Second Brother with Cousin?”