Chapter 54 - 54 Seriously Ill
54 Seriously Ill
After Gu Yanfei left, the atmosphere became even more awkward.
“Drip, drip.”
The blood on Fang Mingfeng’s face was still trickling down, especially loud in this silent house.
Suddenly, in silence, he lifted his legs and walked out too.
The sky had darkened a little. Under the evening light, his straight back was stubborn and lonely, and two or three fallen leaves flew into his robe.
Madam Gu and Madam Fang looked at each other.
Madam Fang wanted to stop her son, but in the end, she did not say anything. Her expression became even uglier.
After another moment of silence, Madam Fang’s cold gaze met Madam Gu’s awkward eyes. She said indifferently, “Madam, this marriage was decided when our two families’ elders were still alive. It’s not something the Gu family can destroy just because they want to.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Fang stood up and turned to leave.
As Madam Fang walked further and further away, Madam Gu’s eyes were surging with emotions. Her chest heaved violently, and her heart seemed to be in an abnormally difficult battle.
She was acutely aware that the British public would never let this go.
The sun was setting in the west, and the sky became even darker. The evening wind carried some remnant leaves and dust into the hall, covering the place with a faint haze.
That night, Madam Gu fell ill. The housekeeper anxiously left the residence and invited a doctor to visit her, alerting the entire residence. News that Madam Gu had fallen ill spread throughout the entire residence.
The news had also reached Yuheng Garden. Juan Bi hurriedly reported it to Gu Yanfei and then asked slowly, “Miss, the Marquis Madam has already gone to the Benevolent Harmony Hall. The Eldest and Third Lady have also gone. Do you want to go over and take a look?”
Gu Yanfei was sitting cross-legged on the beauty couch and meditating. Hearing this, she opened her eyes and said calmly, “No.”
“If I go, Madam Gu’s condition might worsen!” Gu Yanfei’s words almost sounded mocking.
The curled-up kitten raised its furry little head and shook its white whiskers on both sides. It meowed, as if echoing Gu Yanfei.
Gu Yanfei really did not go.
Every day, she stayed in the house to meditate, draw talismans, or play with the cat. Her days were very peaceful, and she did not care about anything outside Yuheng Garden.
However, Juan Bi paid attention and reported to her about the Marquis Mansion every day.
For example, Madam Gu seemed to be getting sicker and sicker, and Doctor Zhuang came twice to examine her.
Granny Li personally went to the storeroom in the outer courtyard to take out a hundred-year-old ginseng.
Madam Wang and Gu Yunrong served Madam Gu every day.
For example—
“Miss, Shangqing Spiritual Master of Wuliang Temple was just invited to treat Madam Gu.” Juan Bi ran into the house with a food container and sparkling eyes.
Back then, during Emperor Taizu’s uprising, not only did the black dragons descend as a warning, but he was also lucky to have the help of a group of extraordinary people. Among them, the outstanding one was the Celestial Rectifier Spiritual Master.
Legend had it that the Celestial Rectifier Spiritual Master was a natural genius. All the philosophers who saw him for the first time said that he could be “the ruler of the world”.
The Celestial Rectifier Spiritual Master’s medical skills were brilliant. Once, Emperor Taizu was seriously injured on the battlefield and his life was on the line. It was the Celestial Rectifier Spiritual Master who pulled him back from the gates of heaven.
After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he bestowed upon him the title of State Master and created a legend that spread throughout the future.
When people were sick, they would either hire a doctor, pray to God, or invite a Taoist priest who was proficient in Taoist medicine.
Juan Bi put down the food container and continued with admiration. “I heard that his medical skills are even more amazing than those imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital…”
“My Lady, it seems that Madam Gu is quite sick this time. However, with Shangqing Spiritual Master’s help, she’ll definitely be brought to life.” As she spoke, Juan Bi was also a little excited. “I heard that Shangqing Spiritual Master is a sage and a living immortal. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see him when I went to Wuliang Temple.”
Gu Yanfei put down the book in her hand and smiled. “Don’t worry, there will be a chance.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a calm and respectful female voice sounded from outside the curtain. “My Lady, Granny Li from the Benevolent Harmony Hall is here.”
Gu Yanfei smiled gently and gestured to Juan Bi, who quickly understood and personally went out to welcome Granny Li in.
Granny Li was Madam Gu’s trusted aide, but she was amiable and never put on airs. When facing Gu Yanfei, she was also polite. “Second Lady, Madam Gu wants you to go over.”
Juan Bi slowly blinked as a thought circled in her mind.
The lady was right. She could really see Shangqing Spiritual Master!
Juan Bi secretly pinched herself in disbelief… When she arrived at the Benevolent Harmony Hall, she still felt like she was in a dream. She pinched her thigh again, and tears seeped from the corners of her eyes in pain.
The Taoist in front looked to be about 40 years old and was holding a snow-white horsetail whisk. He was of medium height and had a crane-like bone structure. There was not a single silver strand in his black hair. He had a goatee under his chin and exuded an extraordinary bearing while dressed in a yellow robe with big sleeves.
Sandalwood fragrance curled around him, making him seem even more immortal.
Madam Gu was lying sickly on the bed with her eyes closed. She wore a two-finger-wide black embroidery pattern on her forehead.
Gu Yanfei’s gaze darted to Madam Gu’s pale face and she thought to herself, ‘Her skin is slightly sallow, her eyebrows are dull, and her lips are purple. She’s indeed quite sick.’
There was already a crowd in the inner room. Both old and young men and women filled the room.
The Marquis of Dingyuan, Gu Jian, the Marquis Madam, Madam Wang, the Third Madam, Madam Yan, and the masters and madams of the fourth and fifth branches were all present. In addition, Gu Yunzhen, Gu Yunrong, and the other grandchildren were also present.
When Gu Yanfei and Juan Bi arrived, everyone looked at her in unison with subtle gazes.
Madam Gu had been sick for three days, so everyone from the various families in the Marquis Mansion had come to visit Madam Gu. Although not everyone attended to her illness, they at least served her tea and water to show their filial piety. Only Gu Yanfei had never appeared.
In particular, Madam Gu’s illness came at the right time. That day, Gu Yanfei had just quarreled with the Fang family in the hall when Madam Gu fell sick that night, most probably out of anger towards Gu Yanfei…
At the thought of this, many members of the Gu family looked at Gu Yanfei with dissatisfaction.
In her previous life, Gu Yanfei had been afraid of such gazes.
Back then, she had felt inferior and weak. She had always wanted to do the best in everything and obtain the recognition of the others in the residence. However, even if she tried her best, she was still like an outsider, out of place in this Marquis Mansion. It was as if everything she did was wrong. Therefore, in the past, she was afraid of this gaze and felt that she had been rejected time and time again.
And now, these comments from others no longer affected her at all.
When Madam Wang saw Gu Yanfei, her first sentence was sarcastic. “Yanfei, you’re finally here. Your grandmother was so sick that we were worried sick!”