Chapter 31: Taking the Wrong Medicine

After returning to her room, Su Yunqing asked Zhuhua, "Zhuhua, do you know what happened to that Mr. Lu's nose at the gate earlier?"

Zhuhua giggled, "Who else could it be but the Third Young Master?"

She continued, "This Mr. Lu is a fairly talented scholar who once earned an official post. But because he was so fond of drink, he celebrated at home the night before he was to report to the Ministry of Personnel. He overindulged, missed the hour the next morning, and lost the position."

Su Yunqing remarked, "Drinking really ruins things!"

"Indeed! He had heard of the Third Young Master's bad reputation, but he couldn't resist when our Eldest Young Master offered him many fine wines to win him over. Despite the great loss he suffered because of alcohol, he never changed his habit and continued to drink just as much after arriving at our estate."

"The Third Young Master found his chatter annoying, so he slipped some sedative pills into his wine. He slept for an entire afternoon, and when he woke up, he found something applied to his nose. Once it was removed, his nose had turned red, and it wouldn't wash off."

Thinking of Mr. Lu's red nose, Su Yunqing couldn't help but cover her mouth and stifle a laugh. "It won't wash off? What kind of substance is that powerful?"

Zhuhua held out her hands, backs facing upward, and wiggled her ten fingers. "Balsam flowers! Look, Miss, my nails are dyed with balsam. Isn't the color the same as that gentleman's nose?"

"It certainly is!" Su Yunqing laughed uncontrollably as she looked at Zhuhua's reddened fingernails.

This Cheng Cong had been restrained for a few days and was now showing his true colors. Today, he tried to scare her with a large spider, but she had turned the tables on him, and judging by his expression, he was clearly unwilling to accept defeat.

I don't know what kind of mischief he will stir up next; I must be more on my guard against him.

"Zhuhua, let me ask you, what about the tutors before Mr. Lu? Why were they all driven away?"

"That is a long story..."

Two days later, Cheng Ji's speech became clearer and more coherent.

Madam Cheng burned incense and prayed to Buddha every day, observing a vegetarian diet and fulfilling her vows, feeling endless gratitude toward the Bodhisattva.

Su Yunqing had also become more familiar with the Cheng household. With Madam Cheng's affection, she no longer worried that the Chengs were the profit-seeking, cold-hearted merchants that others had described.

Cheng Yuan would also visit from time to time to keep her company and chat to alleviate her boredom.

As for the Second Young Master, Cheng Xiao, although he was rarely home, he was always respectful and polite whenever they met.

As for Concubine Zhang, since Madam Cheng and Mother Jin were always present whenever they met, she never dared to cause trouble in person, even if she felt displeased.

But Su Yunqing knew that this Concubine Zhang was not an easy person to deal with.

She had only seen Concubine Zhou once; she was a gentle, virtuous, young, and beautiful woman, calm and refined. It was no wonder she could raise such a lovely and sensible child as Cheng Yuan.

That day, the doctor came to examine Cheng Ji again. Madam Cheng took Su Yunqing toward the Emerald Pavilion. Upon reaching the entrance, a servant came to report.

"Madam, the Eldest Mistress of the Hua family is here, saying she has something to discuss with you."

"Oh?" Madam Cheng said, "Is this the Hua family, the in-laws of the new prefect?"

The servant replied, "It is that very Hua family."

Madam Cheng turned around. "She came directly without even sending a calling card? Qing'er, you go inside first and chat with Ji'er. I will go see the Eldest Mistress of the Hua family and see what urgent matter she has."

Su Yunqing nodded. "Go ahead, take your time."

Mother Jin followed Madam Cheng. Su Yunqing entered the courtyard and heard Mugen talking to Cheng Ji inside.

Happening to see the two Huating cranes basking in the sun in the yard, she decided not to go inside and instead began to tease the cranes.

These two cranes had been raised by Cheng Ji since they were small; they were willing to be close to people, were not shy, and seemed to have a natural affinity for Su Yunqing.

"I must be naturally likable to small animals," Su Yunqing thought to herself.

This thought inevitably reminded her of Huangtu, the fat, yellow cat belonging to Ling Yuan.

"Miss Su..."

Su Yunqing looked up. "Third Young Master?"

Cheng Cong walked toward her with a sweet, smiling face.

"About the spider incident, thank you. I was rude that day, and I would like to apologize to you."

Su Yunqing sat on the stone steps and looked up at him.

This smile—something was wrong.

"You don't need to apologize; I had already forgotten about it."

Cheng Cong signaled for the servant behind him to place the tray he was holding onto the stone table by the pond.

He said to Su Yunqing, "To express my gratitude, I specifically squeezed a pot of pomegranate juice. I would like you to taste it. I picked the pomegranates and peeled them myself; you must do me the honor."

Su Yunqing walked over with interest and sat on the stone stool by the table. "Is that so? Then I must thank you, Third Young Master."

As Cheng Cong saw her sit down, a glimmer flashed in his eyes, much like an angler watching a fish about to take the bait.

"Don't stand on ceremony with me. Won't you soon be my sister-in-law? I will respect you just as I respect my eldest brother."

After speaking, he picked up an agate cup, poured a cup of deep red juice, and presented it to Su Yunqing.

"This pomegranate tree was planted by my father himself, right there by the lake in the back. Miss Su, please, have a taste."

Su Yunqing looked at the crimson juice. "I'm not thirsty right now. Let's leave it for a moment; I'll drink it in a little while, is that alright?"

Cheng Cong suppressed his impatience. "You should drink it now while it's fresh. The flavor of this juice diminishes significantly after the time it takes to burn a stick of incense."

Su Yunqing looked at him and said, "Then I will wait for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before drinking it. I certainly won't let your good intentions go to waste."

Holding the cup, Cheng Cong was in a dilemma. He couldn't force her to drink if she wouldn't, even though he desperately wanted to.

Since she had put it that way, he couldn't force her, so he placed the cup back on the stone table.

Voices drifted in from outside.

"The imperial court has no money, so they set their sights on us again. This is the second time this year. The prefect even sent the Eldest Mistress of the Hua family first to test the waters. Oh, honestly."

It was Madam Cheng's voice, growing closer.

Mother Jin replied, "Indeed. We donated one hundred thousand last time, which must have made the authorities think our family has plenty of resources to spare. They suggest that the Eldest Young Master take the civil service examinations to secure an official position, but given his current condition... besides, the Master doesn't allow any of the young masters to become officials..."

"That is why they sent someone to probe first. When Xiao'er returns, I will discuss it with him."

"As you say, Madam."

As they spoke, the mistress and her servant entered the courtyard.

Seeing Cheng Cong, Madam Cheng was instantly annoyed. "Cong'er, why aren't you in your room studying? Why are you out here again?"

"I..."

Su Yunqing hurriedly stood up to support Madam Cheng. "Madam, don't blame the Third Young Master. He had good intentions and brought me some pomegranate juice."

Madam Cheng was startled. "Oh? Is that so? That's perfect. Is there any more? That Mistress Hua is hard of hearing, and after chatting with her for a while, my throat is parched. I could use some."

Saying this, she reached for the agate cup on the stone table.

In a flash, Cheng Cong immediately picked up the cup and downed the juice in one gulp.

Madam Cheng ignored him and reached for the porcelain pot.

Cheng Cong snatched the pot and drank directly from the spout. After finishing, he let out a burp and said with difficulty, "Mother, it's gone."

"My goodness, what is wrong with you, child?"

"Because... I... I was very thirsty too."

Su Yunqing carefully observed his expression and saw that beads of sweat immediately broke out on his forehead and the tip of his nose, and his eyes began to turn slightly red...

"Mother, I... I am going back to my room to study."

Having said that, he glared fiercely at Su Yunqing and scurried away in a flash.

Madam Cheng huffed, "That child, has he taken the wrong medicine?"