What rotten luck 2

Duke Shenxiu's residence, the bamboo courtyard.

Steward Du stepped forward and with a half bow to Nie Shaoqing said, "Fifth young, this is physician Jiang. Master heard that you were sick and sent a physician to check on you,", he waved the physician closer and continued.

"Physician Jiang is a talented doctor, he trained under Imperial Physician Zhang who serves the Emperor and Empress. Master invited him to check on you".

Now Shaoqing nodded at the physician, "Shaoqing understands, Steward Du please help me send father my thanks", Shaoqing replied with a smile.

He pulled back his sleeve as the Physician came forward a stretched out his wrist for a check-up. The physician opened his box, took out a lightweight handkerchief and placed it on Nie Shaoqing's bony wrists.

Physician Jiang frowned slightly at the frail-looking wrist before him, he had heard a bit about this sickly young master.

The Nie family's sickly fifth young master was popular in his line of work, he was a physician's dream patient. He carefully held the warm wrist in his palm and felt Nie Shaoqing's pulse.

His eyebrow twitched as he felt a steady yet slightly weak pulse, 'how odd, I thought they reported that he had a fever these the last three days', He thought looking up and catching the young master's calm gaze.

"Is it something serious?" Nie Shaoqing asked watching him closely.

"Oh, it is nothing", the physician replied carefully letting go of Nie Shaoqing's hand and removing the handkerchief. He put it into the bag and turned back to face Nie Shaoqing.

"Young Master's pulse although weak is very steady. Your fever seems to have broken which means that you are now in recovery."

Xiuyi and Deming let out a breath of relief as they heard that, their young master had been ill for a month and a half. This was the best news they had ever received this year.

Xiuyi stepped forward and asked the Physician, "Thank you, doctor, is there anything you would prescribe to speed up, fifth young master's recovery".

"Apart from taking a few nourishing soups and drinks, young master should sleep well and cover up to avoid catching a cold. That could delay his recovery, young master should try to get some fresh air and some sun. He has been indoors for too long", Physician Jiang replied.

Xiuyi nodded, "is there anything, I should take into consideration when making the nutritious soups."

"There is nothing much, just avoid foods that are too cold or too hot. It is important to strike a balance".

She smiled, "thank you, doctor".

Nie Shaoqing smiled at her cheerful response and looking over his shoulder at Deming, he said, "Physician Jiang did a very good job, we should offer him a small gift".

Physician Jiang Immediately waved both hands, "no, no, no, no, there is no need for that young master. It is my pleasure to serve you".

"All the more reason why you deserve a reward. please I insist", he nodded at Deming, who bowed and stepped out to get a small pouch of money.

He handed it to the physician before stepping back to stand behind his young master. The Physician despite pretending not to want the reward collected it from Deming and thanked Nie Shaoqing.

The Steward left with the physician not long after, as soon as the men were completely out of sight. Xiuyi sighed and rushed to stand and Nie Shaoqing's other side.

She pulled his sleeve and asked, "Young master, why did you give him that reward. It was master that invited him so I bet he was still going to be rewarded by master. Why waste your money on him".

Nie Shaoqing looked down at the hand on his sleeve with knitted brows. Xiuyi immediately let go of his sleeve when she noticed his expression and whispered, "Sorry".

Nie Shaoqing smiled, Xiuyi did not seem like she had ill intentions. The maid did not seem any older than 13 years, He picked up his cup of water and took a sip.

"Don't be so narrow-minded, my health isn't the best. Since physician Jiang is a competent doctor, it is good to maintain a good relationship with him. That way he will come over when invited, we cannot always depend on Gen_Father".

She blinked, "Oh, I didn't think of that", she looked down at the kettle on the small table beside the high seat, "You must be starving master, I will go make you something to eat". She did not wait for his response and instead rushed out of the room.

Nie Shaoqing smiled as he watched her leave, "she is quite energetic, how did she come to serve your young master?"

"Young master bought her slave contract five years ago, we met her at a restaurant. She was malnourished and tried to steal from you. You caught her and instead of making a fuss bought her contract and brought her home. She is very innocent and means no harm, please don't take her actions to heart".

He looked up at the cold-faced attendant and smiled, "she is a child, it is okay for her to be playful. Tell me about your young master".

"My young master is the fifth son of our master Duke Yunzhang. There are three other young masters, two are the main madam surnamed Fu children while the other young master was born from Madam Ling.

"The Eldest young master Nie Zihan is a commander of the left vanguard army and serves under Master. Second young master works in the ministry of works, the fourth young master is yet to take the Imperial exams because of his health."

"He is sickly? How convenient".

"Fourth young master is not sickly, he is just not interested in reading"

"I wonder why".

"There are six young mistresses, three of which are married, apart from the fourth young miss the remaining two are not yet of age. Young master's mother Madam Bao gave birth to two children, our young master and our fourth young miss".

Nie Shaoqing nodded, "how is your young master's relationship with the Duke and Duchess?"

Deming frowned, "Madam Bao is well favoured so master treats our young master well but the Lady Fu, on the other hand, is not fond of him".

"As expected, I would be worried if she was", Nie Shaoqing replied grinning. "Have the maids bring in some bathwater, it is only a matter of time before the main madam sends for me".

*********

Lady Fu's central room.

Yiru rushed back to the main courtyard as soon as the physician was dismissed, Chu Yan stood by the window overlooking the entrance of the compound.

As soon as she saw the young maid walk in, she quickly stepped out and led her into the central room. Lady Fu sat by the window overlooking the fish tank in the small garden beside the building, painting.

She set her painting brush aside when the maid stepped in, "how is my dear stepson, is he dead yet or still clutching tight to his miserable life".

Yiru glanced fearfully at Chu Yan and clasped both hands tightly just below her waist. She looked away to avoid meeting Lady Fu's eye and bit the inner surface of her cheeks.

She did not know how her madam would react to this news and was scared that she would somehow get implicated in this mess.

Yiru took in a deep breath and replied, "after checking his pulse, the physician announced that fifth young master's fever had broken and he was now in recovery".

"what! Can't that boy die, what sort of rotten luck do that boy and his mother have?" She balled up her painting and tore the sheet of paper in two.

"Those two are a nuisance, I thought that the universe was allowing me to get rid of him when he fell ill. Now that his grace is returning to the residence, I cannot make any move. Ah!"

Chu Yan rushed forward and picked up the pieces of the painting, "be careful your grace. Don't let them push you to fall ill. There will be other opportunities to get them, you should relax. Don't forget that Eldest young master will also be returning with his grace".

Lady Fu's expression softened at the mention of her son, "that is true, I will take care of that unruly mother and son later".