Upon seeing the elder emerge, Lou Xiwu immediately hurried forward, her voice urgent: "Imperial Physician Yang, how is my brother?"
Yang Mu shook his head, sighing deeply. "The Prime Minister's old ailment has relapsed earlier than in previous years, and this time it is both sudden and severe. I regret to say that my abilities are limited. For now, the Prime Minister must take the herbal decoction used during his previous episode. Once I confer with the other imperial physicians and conduct a thorough examination, we shall prescribe a new remedy."
Hearing Yang Mu's words, the woman who had just been full of vexation busied herself at once: "Fortunately, the princess sent more medicine today. Someone, quickly, prepare the herbs!"
"Yes, ma'am." The servant by the side responded swiftly and rushed out of the courtyard.
Yang Mu turned away and whispered urgently to the two young men behind him, "You two, quickly fetch Physicians Liu, Li, and Fu to the Prime Minister's residence. Hurry!"
If anything were to befall the Prime Minister, the emperor's wrath would not spare only a few—none would be spared!
"Understood." The youths nodded vigorously and sprinted off. Just then, a cold voice interjected, "Two apothecaries can stay and assist here; I will send someone who can arrive faster."
Yang Mu looked up to see none other than Jing Sa, the steward of the Prime Minister's residence. There is a saying: the Prime Minister's maidservants rank above seventh-grade officials—let alone the steward himself.
Yang Mu clasped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Steward Jing. I shall trouble you."
Jing Sa nodded slightly in return, then whispered something to a grey-clad man behind him, who promptly dashed out of the courtyard.
Inside the room, harsh gasps and labored breaths intermittently echoed. Lou Xiwu's almond-shaped eyes anxiously fixed on the small chamber, her heart pounding. Unconsciously, she bit her fingers, the delicate skin reddened and swollen from her own restless fidgeting. Yet she seemed unaware, tears welling in her eyes as she whispered plaintively, "Imperial Physician Yang, I wish to see my brother."
"This…" Yang Mu hesitated, but the woman beside him snapped impatiently, "Xiuyan is in great pain now. What good would it do for you to enter? You would only be a hindrance."
Glaring defiantly at her, Lou Xiwu retorted furiously, "You can go in all you want!"
The woman lifted her chin arrogantly, eyes blazing with supreme pride. "Am I the same as you? I am Xiuyan's mother. My presence comforts him."
Mother? Zhuo Qing, who had been gleefully observing the spectacle, was nearly dumbfounded. How does she maintain herself? Perhaps a sharp tongue and bitter heart lead to greater cheerfulness, hence her youthful appearance? Lost in her own whimsical musings, Zhuo Qing failed to notice Lou Xiwu's patience snapping.
"Second Madam, I am his true sister! If anyone should be by his side to comfort him, it ought to be me, not you, an outsider!" Lou Xiwu bellowed.
Xue Xianxin's face instantly flushed crimson. With a crowd of maids and servants watching, today she would not be able to maintain her composure. Snorting coldly, Xue Xianxin thundered, "This household belongs to me! If I forbid you from entering, then you shall not enter!"
Usually, Xue Xianxin's tyranny might be tolerated, but to deny Lou Xiwu access to her brother today, the young lady's temper flared as well. Ignoring the assembled servants, she spat venomously, "You're just a concubine from the second wife's chamber, a worthless woman—how dare you bar my way!"
Ah, so she was the concubine. Lou Xiwu had forgotten that polygamy was common in this era. The fault lay in the concubine's arrogance, which had misled her.
Zhuo Qing yawned quietly, growing sleepy despite the juicy drama unfolding. Though it was a splendid spectacle, hunger gnawed at her stomach relentlessly. Deciding to find something to eat, she took a step forward.
"Smack!"
Before she could go far, a sharp slap rang out. Zhuo Qing paused, turning to see Lou Xiwu clutching her face, eyes wide with shock and humiliation, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Opposite her, the assailant's hand trembled violently, unease flickering in her eyes as her voice wavered, "Don't think that because the master is often away and Xiuyan indulges you, you can act without restraint. The eldest sister left early; I am the mistress of this house now. Without anyone to discipline you, I will!"
No one in the courtyard dared utter a word; the room fell into a stifling silence.
Oh dear, the conflict had escalated. But Zhuo Qing stayed not for the strife itself, but because since Lou Xiwu's slap, the usually stoic and imposing Steward Jing's eyes blazed with fury that seemed capable of burning a hole through the floor.
"You dare strike me!" a low roar erupted as Lou Xiwu lunged forward, grabbing Xue Xianxin's hair and wrenching it viciously. Following the momentum, Lou Xiwu pinned Xue Xianxin down and began to rain blows and kicks upon her.
"Ahhh!" sharp screams mingled with cries for help: "Someone! Someone, stop this madwoman! Have you all turned against us?!"
Whether it was Xue Xianxin's own ill nature or the servants' shock that had frozen them, it took a moment before they "awoke," stepping forward to restrain Lou Xiwu.
"Miss, please calm yourself!"
Pulled to her feet, Lou Xiwu still struggled, delivering several kicks before breaking free and standing with hands on hips, scolding, "Let go! Xue Xianxin, if you strike me again, I'll tear you apart!"
So fierce! Zhuo Qing almost applauded; this girl had spirit, and she liked it!
But Lou Xiuyan's patience was remarkable. With matters nearly turning deadly, if he were feigning illness, he might at least say something. Or… was he truly gravely ill?
Mulling this over, Zhuo Qing resolved to enter and see what was happening with Lou Xiuyan.
Xue Xianxin finally regained her footing; her hair disheveled, clothes askew, and vivid red claw marks on her neck testified to the ferocity of the altercation.
Lou Xiwu, you truly think I'm afraid of you? If I don't teach you a lesson today, then I'm not Xue!
Drawing a deep breath, Xue Xianxin turned away from Lou Xiwu and called out loudly, "Jing Sa."
Jing Sa's cold glare dimmed as he stepped forward, responding frostily, "Second Madam."
With commanding dignity, Xue Xianxin declared, "The Lou household has descended into chaos. A daughter can strike her mother, the master is absent for years, and Xiuyan lies gravely ill. Steward Jing, I now ask you—according to the Lou family's ancestral rules, what fate befalls a child who rebels and shows no respect for propriety?"
Jing Sa's expression remained unchanged, though his heart sank. As detestable as Xue Xianxin was, she was still the master's lawful wife. Lou Xiwu's actions today warranted punishment by fifty lashes and ten days of solitary reflection, according to etiquette.
Jing Sa remained silent. Xue Xianxin was not rushed; she wished to see how long he could hold his tongue.
Each must bear the consequences of their deeds. She had struck her, so what? Punishment awaited her!
Sensing Jing Sa's dilemma, Lou Xiwu clenched her teeth, about to speak when a leisurely, cheerful female voice floated in:
"Lou Xiuyan's not dead yet, but I reckon he's about to be driven to death by all this. Since you're all so keen on debating family rules, why not take it inside and brawl? At least it'll be lively."
The crowd gasped. Cursing the Prime Minister's death inside the Lou mansion—she was the first.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?"
Before them stood a woman clad in plain white, her hair loose and unkempt, her disheveled appearance stark against the scene. Most unsettling was her fierce countenance, frightening to behold in the dead of night. Arms crossed, Zhuo Qing feigned contemplation, then smiled leisurely:
"By your logic, does that make me the new mistress of this household?"