Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 482

Chun Xing pondered over it repeatedly but ultimately decided to allow Xiao Tao to leave, using the excuse of buying face powder as an excuse to seek out her older brother, He Dalian.

Chun Xing’s birth name was He Daniu, and she had been sold to Mrs. Qin in her early years. Over time, she gained favor and rose to the position of the senior servant girl.

Xiao Tao and He Dalian made inquiries and eventually located Shuiyun Village.

As they arrived by carriage and Aunt Jiang returned to the village on foot, they coincidentally crossed paths at the village entrance.

Aunt Jiang, upon seeing them, was once again taken aback.

He Dalian, despite being a street gangster, lacked Chun Xing’s evasive demeanor. He immediately questioned her, wondering if she had done something wrong or why she appeared so guilty.

Aunt Jiang, in a flurry, pleaded for mercy, asserting her innocence. However, certain things could not be divulged.

Persistently interrogating, He Dalian threatened to take her to the yamen.

Faced with no alternative, Aunt Jiang reluctantly confessed, “It’s because my family acquired a recipe for aiding childbirth. The old immortal warned that sharing it would render it ineffective. I’m not clever, and when people question me, I struggle to conceal it, making me appear suspicious.”

When they were in shock, Aunt Jiang left abruptly. Meanwhile, Xiao Tao returned and relayed the news to Chun Xing.

“It was just a misunderstanding, all because the servant over thought it,” Xiao Tao explained, feeling a bit embarrassed and acknowledging the need to change her anxious temperament.

Chun Xing’s eyes brightened, and she instructed Xiao Tao to keep watch on Aunt Jiang’s room and to summon her upon her return.

Chun Xing started by offering an apology and then delicately inquired about the secret childbirth recipe.

Aunt Jiang, after some muttered contemplation, began, “Well, the secret recipe is probably useless anyway. Since you asked, I’ll tell you straight.”

She proceeded to narrate an encounter with a wandering old Taoist priest. This wise man, aware of her son and daughter-in-law’s infertility issues, asserted that he held a secret recipe capable of addressing the situation.

Blushing, Aunt Jiang continued, “I met the old immortal when I returned home last time. The medicine has always been with me, but I never had the chance to give it to my daughter-in-law. Today was supposed to be a once-a-month holiday, but the chef insisted the kitchen was short-staffed, so he wouldn’t let me go out. I had to find you. But I want to clarify, I didn’t mean to cause any misunderstanding. If your eldest brother hadn’t assumed I was involved in some wrongdoing and threatened to involve officials, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

She stammered as she spoke, her voice as dull as wood.

Chun Xing grew impatient, but recalling Aunt Jiang’s assurance that the medicine was in her possession, she maintained a smile and politely inquired if Aunt Jiang could share some with her.

Aunt Jiang hesitated once more, prompting Chun Xing to lose her patience. She cast a quick glance at Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao scolded, “Our concubine has a good temperament to negotiate with you, so don’t attempt to act clever! If you provoke our concubine’s anger, you won’t be able to handle the consequences!”

Aunt Jiang was reprimanded and immediately took out a small porcelain bottle. 

Chun Xing took the porcelain bottle, giving it a careful sniff before intending to examine it closely. However, she noticed that Aunt Jiang hadn’t departed.

Observing Chun Xing’s scrutiny, Aunt Jiang remarked, “The bottle, Concubine, has to be returned to me. This particular bottle itself is valued at half a tael!”

Chun Xing poured out the powder and handed the bottle back to Aunt Jiang. The following day, Chun Xing sent Xiao Tao out once again.

Covering her face with a handkerchief, Xiao Tao visited a reputable medical clinic in the capital and presented the medicinal powder to the attending doctor. Soon, they discovered that the powder was not an immortal recipe but a mixture of ordinary medicinal materials, adding to the confusion.

After two consecutive days of effort, Xiao Tao returned to Chun Xing.

“It turns out the old Taoist instructed Aunt Jiang to keep quiet, claiming it couldn’t be disclosed to others, but it was all a deception! If you show the medicine powder to someone knowledgeable in medicine, won’t they realize it’s a fake? The Taoist priest didn’t add any poison; as the doctor explained, the medicine would not harm the body.”

Chun Xing was not annoyed when she heard the news, but smiled thoughtfully. She probably knew what the powder was for. 

 …… 

When Feng Yu returned home, Feng Yuan arranged a special family dinner for him. Feng Yuan basked in the joy, his face glowed with vitality, no longer bearing the decadence of the past.

Previously critical of Feng Yu’s closeness to Gu Ye and apparent neglect of his cousin Lu Xu, Feng Yuan’s opinion changed upon learning that Feng Yu and Lu Xu had a good relationship. With three princes, two of whom were friends with his son, Feng Yuan envisioned an invincible future for his family.

Maintaining his usual demeanor, Feng Yuan inquired about Feng Yu’s current situation in the tone of a loving father. Feng Yu responded calmly as if nothing had happened.

While father and son conversed, Chun Xing, seated at the very end, suddenly groaned, clutching her stomach and complaining of pain.

Lu Yuanqi lowered her face and uttered, “Aunt Chun, I granted you an extra favor since you came from the old madam’s side, allowing you to participate in today’s family banquet. It’s a rare occasion for the Master and his eldest son to reunite. Please don’t spoil today’s atmosphere.”

Mrs. Qin, adorned with the items Lu Yuanqi had given her, also offered her assistance, saying, “Chun Xing, I had no idea you were feeling so sick today. If you’re truly uncomfortable, feel free to excuse yourself and rest.”

Feng Yuan, engrossed in his conversation with Feng Yu, seemed indifferent to Chun Xing’s condition.

Chun Xing’s face turned pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, and she made a move to leave the room.