Ye Qing had recently been busy researching treatments. The 'Yan Ri Poison' that Xiao Man had contracted, while not fatal, was extremely insidious and difficult to remove. If the toxin persisted in the body, it would gradually destroy bodily functions, causing unbearable pain.
He had not yet found a cure, so he could only try to suppress the spread of the poison.
Upon hearing that the Old Madam had summoned him, Ye Qing felt displeased but forced himself to go, his expression grim.
The Old Madam glanced at Ye Qing and slowly said, "Doctor Ye's complexion is poor, are you unwell?"
"Old Madam, speak plainly. I am busy."
The Old Madam's expression changed. As the Old Madam of the General's Mansion, who dared to speak to her in such a manner? She immediately put on a stern face, "Doctor Ye is truly a busy man. It seems this humble abode of my General's Mansion cannot accommodate a great deity like Doctor Ye."
Ye Qing heard this and understood that the Old Madam was threatening to dismiss him. If not for the debt of gratitude he owed the Prince and his desire to cure the Prince's蛊毒 (gu poison), why would he, the esteemed King of Medicine, have to endure such indignity and face others' displeasure here? Did she truly think he was easy to deal with?
Moreover, this Old Madam had repeatedly tried to harm Xiao Man, and Ye Qing had long disliked her.
"Is the Old Madam trying to drive me away?" Ye Qing's tone was calm.
"Doctor Ye puts on too many airs. I fear my General's Mansion cannot afford it," the Old Madam said angrily. A mere physician dared to run wild before her?!
"Very well. I've long heard that the Old Madam of the General's Mansion is hard-hearted. Now that my eldest granddaughter finally has a chance of being cured, the Old Madam wants to drive away the healer. Fine, fine, I shall leave. After all, she is the Old Madam's own blood, she has nothing to do with me. Whether she lives or dies is for the Old Madam to decide. I bid you farewell."
With that, Ye Qing turned to leave. Seeing Ye Qing truly leaving, the Old Madam found herself unable to back down. She pointed at Ye Qing's retreating back, unable to speak for a long time. By the time he was out of sight, she angrily swept a teacup to the ground!
"Insolent! A lowly physician dares to get on my nerves and run wild before me. Does she think I dare not kill him?"
Nanny Xu sighed. She had intended to ask Doctor Ye about the Eldest Miss's eyes, but now the Old Madam had driven him away. If the General's Mansion found out, it would likely lead to further misunderstandings and increase the General's resentment towards the Old Madam.
"Old Madam, quickly send someone to invite Doctor Ye back."
"What, is he the only physician in the world? He's just an unremarkable doctor, yet he dares to throw a tantrum at me!" The Old Madam trembled with anger. "It must be that vixen in Shui Yue Manor who instigated him!"
"Old Madam!" Nanny Xu despaired. Due to the Old Madam's prejudice, any misfortune in the mansion was blamed on the Eldest Miss, even if she remained secluded, the blame would still fall upon her.
"Old Madam, although the Eldest Miss's eyes are injured and she cannot come to pay her respects, she still has her head maid come every morning and evening to bring you nourishing soup. Her thoughtfulness shows she deeply respects and cares for you."
"She's doing that for her father's sake. Look at her before, she avoided coming to me whenever possible. Now that her father is back, she's pretending to be obedient. She's good at deceiving her father into protecting her; she's very cunning."
Nanny Xu felt a headache coming on. She didn't know when the Old Madam's prejudice against the Eldest Miss would change. But if it continued like this, the Old Madam would be the one to suffer. The Eldest Miss was willing to mend her ways, but the Old Madam refused to give her the opportunity.
"Old Madam, the Eldest Miss..."
"Enough, don't mention her to me. Hearing her name irritates me. You should also leave my sight," the Old Madam said immediately. Before, she found it unpleasant, and it was fine if the Eldest Miss didn't come to her. But now, with the daily offerings of soup, it disgusted her, as if to make her look like a villain by comparison to her granddaughter's supposed filial piety.
Nanny Xu immediately fell silent and turned to leave.
Recently, her attempts to advise the Old Madam had only earned her the Old Madam's displeasure. Even if the Eldest Miss had many flaws, she was still the General's eldest legitimate daughter, the apple of the General's eye. The Old Madam's harsh treatment of her would only further alienate the General.
As Nanny Xu left, Nanny Shen quickly offered tea, "Old Madam, have some calming tea."
The Old Madam accepted the tea, took a sip, and said slowly, "I heard that Prince Qin's mansion intends to ally with my General's Mansion in marriage. Do you think this news is true or false?"
"Whether it's true or false, it holds no harm for the General's Mansion," Nanny Shen said while fanning herself. "If it's true, the General's Mansion will ascend to greater heights. If it's false, it doesn't matter."
"If it's true, I fear my son will certainly send Eldest Miss to Prince Qin's mansion. Given Eldest Miss's temperament, how could she possibly be suitable to be the Princess Consort? She's arrogant and overbearing, unruly, and always causing trouble. Now it's fitting; she's received her just deserts, and her blindness is her own fault."
"The Old Madam speaks the truth. The Eldest Miss has never been close to the Old Madam. Now that the General has returned, she is feigning obedience. If we speak of true obedience, it would be the Third Miss," Nanny Shen said with a smile. "She is always the first to arrive for morning and evening greetings, and she always thinks of the Old Madam first when she receives anything good. If Prince Qin were to propose, Third Miss would be the most suitable candidate."
Hearing this, the Old Madam's face lit up with a smile. "That is reasonable. If it weren't for that shrew Yan Shi who harmed my Xiao family, Ling'er would have been suitable even as the Crown Princess."
"Indeed, Third Miss was also dragged down by Yan Shi. Fortunately, the Old Madam has plans for her. Otherwise, as an orphaned girl with a gentle and virtuous disposition, she would surely be bullied to death." Su Dan Novel Network.
The Old Madam nodded in agreement. "Fourth Sister is also good, but she is too young."
"Fourth Miss at least has Concubine Lin looking out for her. But Third Miss now only has the Old Madam. Next month, the Eldest Miss will be sixteen, and now with her injured eyes, marriage will be difficult. Why not have the Old Madam choose a good marriage for Eldest Miss? First, it would appease the General, letting him know the Old Madam also cares for Eldest Miss. Second, marrying her off early would prevent her from bothering the Old Madam." A glint flashed in Nanny Shen's eyes.
"While that may be so, I fear I cannot decide on her marriage," the Old Madam said with some worry.
"If the chosen groom is excellent, so much so that even the General cannot find fault, how could the General refuse? If Eldest Miss is not married off soon, and Prince Qin truly proposes, then it might be too late for others."
"Prince Qin is a celestial prodigy, holding military power. Even if he wishes to ally with my General's Mansion, he would not marry a blind woman. This marriage will ultimately fall to Third Miss. I do not wish to involve myself in her affairs, nor can I!"
"The Old Madam speaks wisely."