Eyes and Ears

Rain was a rare sight in the north during springtime but today the skies were overcast with grey clouds that hung low over the capital like an omen. The first droplets of rain splattered against Wu Zhong's cheek and he tucked the hot basin of water under his arm and hurried into the main chambers of the madam's residences. 

Earlier, Liang Hui had complained that her joints were acting up again and irritated by his wife's constant bemoaning, Wu Shengqi had pleaded with His Majesty for an imperial physician to be sent to the Wu Household to attend to her. As an official of the 'Upper Two' rank and a member of one of the six old noble clans, Wu Shengqi was entitled to visits from the mid-tiered imperial physicians. Not to mention that Liang Hui was a 'Gaoming Madam'—in other words, a 'Titled Lady'—which was an honour granted upon her by the late emperor after her marriage to Wu Shengqi. Her rank was equivalent to her husband's and she could share his benefits too.