Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 39 - 22: Illness

From Ning Cui’s words, Susu realized that it was already the evening of the second day.

It turned out that at dawn, the maid who brought water to Susu noticed the time but Susu hadn’t opened the door for water, something that had never happened before. She hurriedly asked someone to call Yang Liu, who quickly found a matron to force open the door. By that time, Susu was already burning with fever and babbling incoherently, so hot to the touch.

Yang Liu quickly reported to the Old Madam and urgently summoned the resident old physician in the household.

The old physician was almost dragged by several matrons, nearly shouting "indecent!" He thought the Old Madam was ill and only learned on the way that it was Susu who was sick; no wonder the matrons were so anxious.

This Miss Susu is the Old Madam’s most favored person, even more than her granddaughters in terms of amiability, and she has the appearance of a fairy. Just from her complexion, it’s clear she has a congenital deficiency.

When the old physician arrived at Sui’an Hall and saw Susu’s state, he secretly thought it was bad, not knowing how long the fever had lasted, fearing she might burn out her mind.

The old physician dared not delay, and quickly took the pulse, saying: "Miss Susu already has a congenital deficiency, and this fever is triggered by excessive worry aggravating the root ailment. The fever must be reduced quickly, followed by medication for conditioning. Please, Old Madam, send someone to fetch strong wine to wipe Miss Susu’s body, especially at the neck and underarms, until the fever subsides. I will write a prescription to prepare the medicine."

The Old Madam swiftly gave orders, and soon the matrons brought strong wine. Yang Liu and Bisi tirelessly wiped Susu’s body.

The commotion at Sui’an Hall also alarmed people of the third household, who breathed a sigh of relief upon learning it wasn’t the Old Madam who was ill. Knowing Susu’s status in the Old Madam’s heart, the Third Madam generously opened the medicinal storehouse for whatever the old physician needed. Nanny Qin urged the Old Madam to return to the main room, fearing she might catch the illness, but the Old Madam stayed until Susu’s fever subsided before being persuaded back by Ning Cui and the others.

After Ning Cui finished speaking, she saw Susu with reddened eyes and said, "Don’t let any tears fall. If you truly understand the Old Madam’s and our care for you, ease your mind. Don’t hold everything inside; you should focus on recuperating. I’ll go inform the Old Madam so she won’t worry and can eat well."

Bisi also said, "I’ll check the small kitchen, Nanny Xing left some food for you." Just then, Susu’s stomach coincidentally growled a few times, making the other three laugh.

Only Yang Liu and Susu were left in the room. Susu held Yang Liu’s hand and said, "Dear sister, it’s my fault. Please don’t be angry anymore!" Yang Liu sighed, "I’m not angry, you’ve always been determined since childhood. Now, this excessive worrying again, you’re really trying to scare us!"

"Phooey, don’t talk about death and such, sister, you’re just talking nonsense!" Susu replied in a way that left Yang Liu amused and helpless, "You don’t have to change the subject, if you don’t want to talk, no one’s forcing you. The Old Madam and we all know it’s surely related to Mrs. Zhao."

Susu’s expression froze, her mind swirling with countless thoughts, and then she bitterly smiled, "Mrs. Zhao had some ties with my mother; otherwise, she wouldn’t have put in so much effort to send me to the Song Family and acknowledge the Old Madam as such a good master. This time Mrs. Zhao came to say that she’s getting old and won’t be able to come south personally anymore. Secondly, she informed me that I still have a cousin alive, although his birth mother was just a distant aunt, he was raised under my grandmother’s knee because he lost his parents."

Susu paused, then continued, "This aunt was truly beautiful, caught the eye of a noble, and was forcibly taken back as a concubine. My grandmother, unable to protect my aunt, fell ill from depression and passed away soon after. This aunt also had a tragically short life, passing away early, and our family lost all contact. Back then I was small, barely remembered, only hearing my father mention half a sentence on his deathbed. The family my aunt was in had a scandal when the emperor ascended the throne back then, some were executed, others exiled. I’ve always thought I was all alone, with no relatives. Now that a cousin suddenly emerged, I don’t know what to feel." Listening to Susu’s bland, emotionless recount, Yang Liu could feel the immense sorrow emanating from Susu.

At this moment, the door to the room was pushed open. Ning Cui supported the Old Madam as they entered, followed by Bisi carrying a tray. Both Ning Cui and Bisi had slightly red eyes.

Susu hurried to get out of bed, but the Old Madam quickly stopped her, "You’re just feeling better, don’t move." Then she sat by the bed and touched Susu’s forehead, "The fever’s finally down. Silly child, I heard what you said. I always thought you were like a little adult, but now, when things happen, after all, you’re still young, unable to bear it alone. This bit of issue burdened you until you got ill. If you really can’t set your mind at ease about your cousin, we could have your Third Master send someone to the Northwest to look for him, alright? If it’s not urgent, there’s also our family’s caravan passing through the Northwest, it won’t be difficult!"