Chapter 32: A Letter Arrives

At lunchtime, Cheng Cong did not come, saying he was not hungry.

At dinner, he still did not show up.

Madam Cheng sighed, “Since his father and eldest brother fell ill, this child has become increasingly inexplicable.”

Cheng Xiao said, “Mother, please don’t be upset. When the eldest brother and I were young, we caused you plenty of worry too, but everything turned out fine. When he grows up, he will understand your intentions. If he doesn’t come, we can send the food to him later.”

“You two were mischievous as children, but not even a tenth as much as him. By the way, Xiao’er, after dinner, I have something to discuss with you. Today, Grand Aunt Hua came to see me about the donations.”

Cheng Xiao was somewhat surprised. “Donations? Didn’t we already contribute once earlier this year? The government really thinks we are a mountain of gold and silver, doesn’t it?”

“Exactly, which is why I need to consult with you.”

Talking about money inevitably reminded Su Yunqing of the ten thousand taels of gold confiscated by Wang Hong, and a sudden wave of melancholy washed over her.

But then she thought, since she was to become part of the Cheng family and devoted to it wholeheartedly, what was ten thousand taels of gold? It would be earned back many times over eventually.

With this shift in perspective, the food in her bowl suddenly tasted delicious again.

While the adults talked, Cheng Yuan never interrupted, quietly eating at the side.

He would even occasionally serve dishes to Su Yunqing, and after doing so, the two would exchange a smile.

After the meal, Madam Cheng invited Su Yunqing to come along to the Ju Fu Hall, but Su Yunqing declined.

Since she was not yet married, she was still a guest residing with the Cheng family. Such important matters were not hers to casually involve herself in or comment upon.

She had a sense of boundaries.

“I’d rather go deliver food to Third Young Master and supervise him to see if he’s studying properly,” she said.

“That’s fine too,” Madam Cheng smiled. “I saw how eagerly he helped you press pomegranate juice this morning. He must want to get close to you.”

Su Yunqing neither confirmed nor denied this. Taking the bamboo flower servant with her, she went to the kitchen to fetch the food and headed to Cheng Cong’s quarters.

Following the bamboo flower, Su Yunqing arrived at Cheng Cong’s door. The servant knocked lightly.

A voice asked from inside, “Who is it?”

Bamboo flower replied, “Third Young Master, it’s Miss Su. She’s here to deliver your dinner.”

A muffled and unclear voice came from within: “I’m not hungry, I’m not eating. Leave quickly.”

Su Yunqing replied calmly, “Third Young Master says he’s not hungry. Could it be that he wants Madam herself to coax you into eating?”

At these words, heavy footsteps pounded toward the door, as if trying to stomp through the floor.

When the footsteps reached the door, a voice said, “Leave it outside. I’ll get it myself. You can go.”

From his voice, Su Yunqing could tell that his mouth was definitely in bad shape.

“That won’t do. Madam told me to check your homework on her behalf. Third Young Master, please open the door.”

After another round of pounding, a few sheets of paper were slipped through the door crack: “Homework—take it or leave it.”

Su Yunqing picked up the sheets, which were covered in what looked like scribbles, impossible to decipher.

“Very well. I’ll take Third Young Master’s homework to Madam now, and on the way, I’ll stop by the Jade Pavilion to show it to Eldest Brother. Let’s go, Bamboo Flower.”

The door creaked open.

“Stop! Don’t go!”

Su Yunqing and Bamboo Flower turned around simultaneously.

Cheng Cong’s appearance left her utterly stunned. The scribbled sheets fell from her hand, while Bamboo Flower, unable to hold back her laughter, nearly wept.

He stood inside the door, fists clenched tightly. His eyes were swollen like steamed buns, his lips red and puffy, bulging as if they might burst at any moment.

Su Yunqing immediately realized that if she had drunk that pomegranate juice, she would be in the very same state that he was now.

This Cheng Cong was truly outrageous.

She glanced at him, stepped into the room, and Bamboo Flower followed, placing the food box on the table.

“No wonder Third Young Master hasn’t eaten all day. He must have been secretly eating something good. We have a saying: ‘Secretly eating alone by day, the wasp stings your mouth by night.’ Third Young Master, has your mouth been stung by a wasp?”

Cheng Cong’s lips trembled in anger, glaring fiercely at her. Since he couldn’t open his eyes, Su Yunqing couldn’t see the extent of his glare.

Biting his teeth, he struggled to open his mouth and said, “Don’t tell Mother or Eldest Brother.”

“I’m good at everything except keeping secrets. Last time with the spider incident, I kept it for you. I really worry I might accidentally let it slip.”

“What do you want then?”

Su Yunqing pulled a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve, poured out a little pill, and held it before him. “Nothing much. If you have the courage, Third Young Master, take this pill and both matters will be wiped clean.”

Cheng Cong warily asked, “What kind of medicine is this?”

Su Yunqing looked at him playfully. “What, don’t dare? Third Young Master, you’re so timid. It’s disappointing.”

“Who says I don’t dare?” Cheng Cong snatched the pill from her hand and swallowed it. “You wouldn’t poison me. At worst, I’ll just suffer a bit more.”

Seeing him swallow the pill, Su Yunqing patted his shoulder. “Alright, Third Young Master is magnanimous. Bamboo Flower, let’s go.”

She turned and walked toward the door.

From behind came a still indistinct voice, “Hey, what exactly did you make me eat?”

Su Yunqing ignored him and walked out. Once outside the gate, she exchanged a glance with Bamboo Flower.

That look was like pressing a laughter trigger for both master and servant—they collapsed to the ground, laughing until they could barely stand.

After a while, Bamboo Flower clutched her belly and pulled her up.

“Miss, what did you give Third Young Master to eat?”

“A detox pill. His swelling will go down by tomorrow morning. If he hadn’t taken it and just let it be, his mouth would have been swollen for at least seven days.”

“You’re truly magnanimous, Miss. Such a kind heart like a Bodhisattva.”

Su Yunqing exhaled. “He may be naughty, but he’s still filial. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gulped down that chili water before Mother could have it. He’s not beyond saving yet.”

Bamboo Flower looked at her in surprise. “You knew it was chili water?”

“To be precise, it was pomegranate juice mixed with chili water. Pure chili water can be smelled from afar; no one would fall for that alone.”

Bamboo Flower nodded. “Exactly. Third Young Master looks just like a certain teacher from last year. I forgot his name. He taught for less than half a month before quitting.”

Su Yunqing walked on, saying, “Take it slow. He needs to suffer some losses before he learns.”

Bamboo Flower nodded repeatedly.

That night, Su Yunqing lay in bed, counting on her fingers. She figured her mother’s letter must have arrived or would soon. Zejiang was closer and the roads smoother; perhaps the reply from Doctor Ma was already on its way.

From Madam Cheng’s words at the table, the government wanted donations from the Cheng family. If Master Cheng and Cheng Ji woke soon, more people could discuss the matter and find better solutions.

Because if they agreed this time, there might well be a next time.

Master Cheng forbade his descendants from holding official positions. To protect the family estate, they would have to find other ways.

...

As the wedding day drew closer, although Cheng Ji was now conscious and spoke without trouble, he still could not walk.

To be precise, his limbs remained numb.

Madam Cheng was happy to see his improvement but worried he might not be able to stand on the day.

The doctor comforted her, saying there was no need to rush and that Cheng Ji’s recovery was already quite remarkable.

How could she not be anxious? The household was already preparing for the wedding. While there was little hope for the old master, she longed to see her child healthy enough to perform the marriage rites and consummate the union.

Seeing Madam Cheng increasingly anxious and often lost in thought, sighing alone, Su Yunqing gently reassured her.

“Madam, please rest assured. I will stay by your side and do my best to cure Master Cheng and Eldest Brother. As for the wedding ceremony, it doesn’t matter. If the date cannot be postponed, we will hold a ceremony when Eldest Brother recovers.”

Madam Cheng grasped her hand tightly, looking at her gratefully. “Good child, I just feel I have wronged you.”

“Madam, a letter has arrived. It bears Master’s name.” The gatekeeper brought in a letter.

Su Yunqing took it and saw it was written in Doctor Ma’s handwriting.