During winter, the garden in Duke Han of the State Residence would be bleak. Unlike the garden in Marquis Pingqing Residence where flowers would bloom all year long. As a matter of fact, Yuxi just caught sight of a blooming crabapple flower.
Chiang Xin said with a show-off tone, âThis crabapple flowers does not bloom well this year, while wintersweet flowers bloom beautifully!â
Yuxi genuinely said, âThen letâs go straight to see wintersweet.â Since it was said that the crabapple didnât bloom that well, wouldnât it just be a disappointment if she couldnât see them the same way she had expected?
Previously, because of the unpleasant experience in her previous life, Yuxi totally avoided the Chiang family. Now that she the way she thought of things had changed, it also changed the way she acted. Naturally, many things around her changed too. So, she did not need to avoid Chiangâs family anymore. It was natural for her to be friendly towards them. If she couldnât be friendly with certain people, she wouldnât be hostile to them either.
After walking for a few minutes, Yuxi suddenly smelled a faint fragrance. Without even needing Chiang Xin to introduce it, Yuxi knew that the wintersweet was up ahead.
The Chiangâs wintersweet was different from Duke Han of the Stateâs. In Duke of the State Residence, the wintersweet was reddish in colour, while in this courtyard, it was white. The white wintersweet that bloomed at the tip of the branches were like flat thin snow.
Yuxi stepped forward. She could see that all of these white wintersweet had five petals, which were white and flawless, giving the viewers a pure and noble feeling. Just by standing in the middle of wintersweet, while smelling their fragrance, was also a pleasure.
Chiang Xin laughed âSi Biaojiešsi=fourth, biaojie=eldee female cousin has never seen wintersweet before?â
Yuxi smiled and said, âWe planted red wintersweet in our residence. However, when wintersweet bloom every year, San Jie²san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie and her maid will collect snow water from them to make tea.â This only made the Han family look like country bumpkins. Although the Han family did not have the power like the Chiang family right now, in any case, they were still the people of Duke of the State official residence. It was really funny that they dare to look down on the Han family so much.
Chiang Xin wasnât happy when she heard this. She looked at Yuxi and asked, âSay, what is the difference between tea steeped with spring water and tea steeped with snow?â
Yuxi smiled and shook her head as she said, âI donât usually drink tea. Though, when I do, I usually drink scented tea.â She seldom drank tea even the scented tea.
Hearing this, Chiang Xin then asked, âI heard that you are better at chess than San BiaojieÂłsan=third, biaojie=elder female cousin? Is this true? â In fact, she didnât actually believe it. Her intuition said that it was only hearsay, mainly because Yuchen usually performed too perfectly.
Yuxi chuckled, âThat is an exaggeration praised by others. My chess skills are similar to San Jie²san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, but San Jie²san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie is proficient in all of the four arts. I am only good in chess.â
Chiang Xin became more interested in Yuxi, âThen, what do you usually do?â
Yuxi answered with a smile, âI usually read books, do embroidery, and then learn some cooking skills. If I have the opportunity, I will go visit Shiya Biaojieâ´elder female cousin and have a chat with her.â
Hearing this, Chiang Xinâs affection for Yuxi rose. While for her, her daily life was no different than Yuxiâs.
When the wind blew, the wintersweet fell down from the branches. Yuxi felt a bit pity when she saw this scene. If she had more time to spend right now, she would have collected these white wintersweet flowers and made them into scented tea.
When Chiang Xin knew about Yuxiâs idea, she was very surprised, âYou can make scented tea?â
Yuxi nodded and said, âOf course! Plum blossom tea, rose scented tea, snow lotus scented tea, honeysuckle scented tea, xueliâľwild green flower scented tea, and in addition, I know how to make bitter gourd tea and kuding tea.â
Image Credit | All About Honeysuckle Tea via Chinese Tea Info
Xue Li (wild green flower) Scented Tea
Image Credit | Anhui Natural Source Impex Ltd. via Alibaba
Bitter Gourd Tea
Image Credit | To the right owner. Please let me know if you own this picture
Kuding Tea
Image Credit | ĺ°çžč´§ (Aug 22nd, 2018, čŚä¸čśçĺćä¸ä˝ç¨) via Meishijr
Chiang Xin happily asked, âCan you teach me?â
Yuxi naturally knew that Chiang Xin also liked to make scented tea by herself, and especially fond of mixing fragrances, âNaturally, but Iâm of average standard, so donât be disappointed in the future.â
When both of them returned to the main room, the people in the room found that Chiang Xinâs attitude had changed greatly. She kept on calling out âYuxi Biaojieâ´elder female cousinâ and continued asking her a lot of questions. Their relationship was like close blood sisters.
Yuchen was delighted to hear the changes in Chiang Xin, while for Old Madam Chiang, her heart was unconvinced with the changes. After everyone had left, Chiang Xinâs maid was called in for questioning.
As Old Madam Chiang listened to the maidâs report, she could only say with a sigh, âNo wonder Yuchen totally sets her heart on this girl.â This means, this thinking, not ordinary people would have. Old Madam Chiang was very familiar with Yuxiâs situation. She had no one to teach her other than Momoâśwet nurse Quan. Therefore, Momoâśwet nurse Quan had taught all her skills to Yuxi. This noob translation was translated by a noob translator ăă¤ă. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.blogspot.com.
On the way, Yuchen also asked Yuxi the same question, âSi Meimeiâˇsi=fourth, meimei=younger sister, how did you get Xin Biaomeiâ¸younger female cousin to accept you?â She had always wanted to live in peace with Chiang Xin, but Chiang Xin was very exclusive to her and often made her felt very helpless with her sarcasm.
Yuxi replied with a smile, âI donât know. Xin Biaomeiâ¸younger female cousin asked me what I do at home every day? I told her that Iâm learning to embroider and so on. After the Lantern Festival, I will have to learn to manage the household. By then, Xin Biaomeiâ¸younger female cousinâs attitude towards me had become much better?â
Yuchen smiled gently, âXin Biaomeiâ¸younger female cousin has a little temper, but she is very nice.â For a Marquis Residence young miss, to have a little temper was very normal. As long as she had good nature and moral character, everything else was fine.
Yuxi knew what Yuchen meant. âSan Jie²san=third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, I will get along well with Xin Biaomeiâ¸younger female cousin.â She had always known that Yuchen had been hoping for her to get close with the Chiang family. It was impossible for her to make friends, but it was still necessary to establish a good relationship on the whole.
After returning to Han Residence, Yuxi took a nap before going to the main courtyard. It happened that Ye Shi and Qiu Shi were currently discussing family affairs. Yuxi was going to learn how to manage the household soon, so it was natural for her to listen to Ye Shi when she came.
Ye Shi talked with Qiu Shi for less than half an hour, while Yuxi was looking at Ye Shi who continued touching her stomach four to five times. Ye Shiâs face looked good with makeup, and most people wonât notice anything unusual. However, Yuxi had learned pharmacology, though she had never seen or treated anyone, but she could still Ye Shiâs discomfort.
When Ye Shi and Qiu Shi had done talking, Ye Shi went out. Yuxi looked at Ye Shiâs back and frowned, but she didnât say a word to Qiu Shi.
Once Ye Shi dealt with her matter, she immediately returned to Rosin Courtyard. At this time, she no longer kept her bravado, as she weakly said, âHelp me into the room so that I can have a rest.â She had a bad stomach ache, that she didnât even want to talk. In fact, her stomach had started to not feel comfortable after she came back from the palace yesterday, but she didnât pay much attention to it. She thought it would be better after she had a rest, but she didnât expect to have such severe pain today.
Old woman Hua, Ye Shiâs wet nurse, advised, âDa Nainaiâšda=eldest/big, nainai=young mistress of the house, please send for a physician! Just to see if there is any problem!â
Ye Shi shook his head and said, âItâs not good to have a doctor on the second day of Lunar New Year. Please wait after the Lantern Festival before calling for a physician.â She hasnât been able to give birth for more than two years, so she was very cautious in doing things, and she was afraid that her grandmother-in-law and her mother-in-law would not be happy because she hadnât done everything well.
Old woman Hua was helpless as she said, âThen Miss should go to bed and have a rest. Iâll call for you when the meal is here.â
Ye Shi was also feeling quite uncomfortable at this moment, so she agreed to take a rest.
When Yuxi came out of the main courtyard, instead of returning directly to her own courtyard, she turned to Rosin Courtyard. At this time, Ye Shi hadnât yet fallen asleep.
Once Ye Shi heard that Yuxi was coming, she didnât get up but she instead asked a maid to bring in Yuxi into the room directly. Seeing Yuxi, she smiled and asked, âWhat brought Si Meimeiâˇsi=fourth, meimei=younger sister here?â
Yuxi noticed that Ye Shiâs complexion was much better than before and said, âJust now, I saw that Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law complexion wasnât good. Are you not feeling well Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law?â
Ye Shi didnât deny it, as she answered, âEn, Iâm feeling a bit unwell. I think Iâve been too tired recently.â To be a clan leader wife, not only one should be able to handle the household and manage its affairs, but also, one had to be filial to her parents-in-law, and also had good health. Ye Shiâs health is pretty good, but she was bad in enduring.
Yuxi frowned and questioned, âWhy didnât you call for a physician?â
Ye Shi smiled bitterly, âThis is the second day of the Lunar New Year, how can I invite a physician over?â
As Yuxi heard what Ye Shi said, she finally understood Ye Shiâs taboo. If a physician was invited on the second day of Lunar New Year, superstitious people like Old Madam would feel that the luck of the year would also be affected. Although Yuxi could only snort at this kind of statement, no one could choose a day when one fell ill, and one couldnât make it mandatory not to get sick during the New Year. Unfortunately, the Old Madam believed that her subordinates had to avoid talking about it and should not ever say anything about any illness.
Ye Shi looked at Yuxiâs tangled appearance and said with a smile, âSi Meimeiâˇsi=fourth, meimei=younger sister doesnât have to worry. Iâm just a bit tired and I only need to take a rest.â
Yuxi couldnât say anything to counter. Although she had learned pharmacology and medical skill in secret, what she had learnt was only military tactics on paperššChinese idiom : idle theorizing. Furthermore, she didnât have the courage to feel other peopleâs pulse and give any prescriptions. After thinking for a moment, Yuxi stood up and said, âThen Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law, have a good rest.â
After Yuxi left, old woman Hua turned to Ye Shi and said, âI heard that the Fourth Miss has learned pharmacology. Da Nainaiâšda=eldest/big, nainai=young mistress of the house should have let Fourth Miss feel your pulse just now. It is better for you to know.â
Ye Shi shook her head and said, âFourth Miss studied pharmacology, not medical skill. If I asked her to help me feel the pulse, wouldnât it make things difficult for her? Say no more, Iâm going to sleep.â
Yuxi walked along the road thinking for a long time. Ye Shi had always been very friendly to her since she married into the residence. Although this was for Eldest Auntâs sake, Yuxi did not dislike it either. No one in this world could treat you well for no reason, unless there was a plot.
After racking her brain left and right, Yuxi felt that she should talk to her Eldest Aunt. She should give the decision making to her. If she already knew that Ye Shi was unwell and still didnât ask for a physician, then she was at the end of her rope.
Qiu Shi listened to Yuxiâs words and felt very surprised, âWhere did you see Ming-er wife* is ill?â Her daughter-in-law*š²both are ĺŞłĺŚ xĂfĂš but it has different meaning based on its usage in sentence. Though it refers to a same person. looked normal when she saw her just now.
Yuxi smiled, âEldest Aunt forgot that Iâve studied pharmacology, thus I can still tell whether one looks good or bad. Just now, when I went to see Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law, her look was very pale. It was just that Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law has some scruples and does not dare to let Eldest Aunt know.â
Qiu Shi did not doubt Yuxiâs words. Over the years, she had taken the medicated diet prepared by Yuxi for her, and her body had now become much lighter. Of course, all the medicated meals were made under the guidance of Momoâśwet nurse Quan. Yuxi had not yet completed her apprenticeship, so she did not dare make any complicated medicated meals. âIt may be that she has been overworked for a while.â There were so many things to be done during Lunar New Year, that she herself used to lose several jinš³a traditional Chinese unit of a catty, or 500g every time Lunar New Year had passed.
Yuxi thought it would be better to invite the physician to come to take a look, because Ye Shi had been touching her stomach at that time and it was obvious she was feeling uncomfortable. âEldest Aunt, can you please ask a physician to take a look at Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law? If one doesnât feel unwell, one must seek a physician in time, otherwise minor problems will become major problems.â
Qiu Shi didnât agree, as she said, âYour Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law is not a child anymore. If she is not well, how come she doesnât know how to ask for a physician herself? So donât worry yourself over it.â
Yuxi thought for a moment and said, âEldest Aunt, itâs because Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law is not a child, that she didnât say it. If it was me, I would have told you. Eldest Aunt, it is better to ask for a physician to help in examining Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law! I canât set my mind at ease until I can request a physician for her.â
Qiu Shi was both amused and angry at that time, âWhat does this have to do with you?â
Yuxi bluntly said, âEldest Aunt didnât see how Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law looked then. Her face was even looking pale. Eldest Aunt also knows that I have studied pharmacology, and from what I have seen, it is not the result of tiredness. Eldest Aunt, we canât hide our illness, let alone delay our illness because it is the second day of the Lunar New Year!â
Under Yuxiâs great efforts in persuading her, Qiu Shi finally compromised, âOkay! Iâll send for Physician Bai to look at your Dasaošâ°eldest sister-in-law. â She finally promised to do so because, firstly, she loved Yuxi so much, and she was ready to pamper her; secondly, Ye Shi, this daughter-in-law of her, had not yet given birth to a grandson. She was worried that Ye Shi would not be able to give her a son because Ye Shiâs body had really gone wrong.