Transmigrated Genius: Fragile Heiress Reigns Supreme-Chapter 515 - 519: Miscarriage (Part 3)

"Go on, go on." The Grand Dowager nodded and said, "The Empress Dowager is getting older, it’s only natural for you to worry about her. She’s surely thinking of you in the palace as well, so visiting her often will put her at ease."

The Second Madam nodded in agreement.

In the afternoon, she took some people with her to the Imperial Palace.

Xiqiu, Chunyan, and Ruan Jingliu returned from the medical hall, both appearing very happy. Xiqiu asked with a smile, "Today is the first day of our medicinal cuisine business opening, is there any good news?"

Ruan Jingliu smiled but remained silent, looking towards Chunyan. Chunyan replied with a smile, "It’s even better than we expected. Ten copper coins for a bowl of porridge. Initially, the townsfolk came by attracted by the aroma just out of curiosity, but then, as you suggested, we had someone stand at the door to explain it to the onlookers, and offered small bowls for free tasting. After that, many came to buy, and by noon, Nanny Jin and I had cooked two large pots, all of which were sold out."

Ruan Jingliu added, "The business at the pharmacy has also improved, with some wealthy families sending their servants to buy pre-mixed herbs to cook themselves!" She looked at Xiqiu with a smile and said, "It’s all thanks to you."

"How is it my credit?" Xiqiu smiled and said, "I merely suggested it; it’s you who have been busy all these days. Without your efforts, we wouldn’t have achieved such results."

"I can see that by the end of the year we’ll not only recover our costs but also profit!" Ruan Jingliu said with a smile.

If they could recover the costs and make a profit, that would be wonderful. She said to Ruan Jingliu, "It’s already the end of April, and I’m thinking of starting to plant needed herbs as soon as the lands in the two estates become available. However, about what to plant specifically, I might need to hear your advice."

Ruan Jingliu pondered for a moment and nodded, "Let me think about it. Growing medicinal herbs requires conditions on climate and soil, and the timing differs. Moreover, it demands more attention than ordinary crops, so we must plan carefully."

Xiqiu thought the same, so she nodded in agreement.

While they were talking, Biwu came in, looked at Ruan Jingliu and Chunyan with hesitation, and Xiqiu furrowed her brows and said, "What is it, speak up!"

Biwu thought for a moment and replied, "It’s Madam Shen, she’s had a miscarriage!"

"A miscarriage?" Xiqiu was taken aback. She had just been diagnosed pregnant the other day, how could she suddenly miscarry today: "The Second Madam isn’t in the house, does the Grand Dowager know?"

Biwu nodded and replied, "I heard about it in the kitchen; the Grand Dowager has already rushed over."

When the Imperial Physician examined her pulse, he said it was stable and unlikely to miscarry naturally. Although Xiqiu had never met Madam Shen, she had heard that Madam Shen was known to be prudent and well-behaved. Such a person, once diagnosed as pregnant, would surely be extremely cautious. How could this happen without any reason?

"Go find out why she miscarried."

Ordinarily, Xiqiu didn’t care much about the affairs of the different houses within the mansion. If she knew something, she would just listen but not inquire further unless it involved the Fourth House, in which case she would have Biwu investigate. That was why her current reaction surprised Chunyan and Biwu.

"Madam." Chunyan hesitated and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Xiqiu furrowed her brows and replied, "Nothing, just asking around. It’s rare to have good news in the house, and the Grand Dowager was very pleased. Now that it’s gone, she’ll inevitably be disheartened."

Chunyan nodded, not thinking too much about it.

After a short while, Biwu returned and said, "She was fine last night before going to sleep, but this morning she noticed some spotting. For now, without the Imperial Physician, we can’t determine the cause."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu nodded, stood up, and said to Ruan Jingliu, "Since you’re here, why not join me for a visit? Your presence might comfort the Grand Dowager."

Ruan Jingliu thought about it and nodded, "Alright, I’ll go with you."

Xiqiu then changed her clothes and went with Ruan Jingliu to the Second Madam’s room. Nanny Wu was in the courtyard giving instructions, and upon seeing Xiqiu approaching, she came forward to greet her, "Fourth Madam." She then noticed Ruan Jingliu and said, "Nurse Zhang."

"Nanny Wu." Xiqiu nodded at Nanny Wu and asked, "Is she alright? How did she suddenly miscarry?"

Nanny Wu nodded and replied, "It’s quite unfortunate, but thankfully she’s unharmed, though she’s been crying incessantly... She hasn’t eaten anything since morning when the spotting began. Right now, we can’t say much until the Imperial Physician arrives and makes a diagnosis." Xiqiu sighed, looked at Ruan Jingliu, and suggested to Nanny Wu, "Since Nurse Zhang is here, let her have a look too. Now that she has lost the pregnancy, recovering her health is the most important thing."

Nanny Wu’s eyes lit up as she nodded and said, "Then I’ll trouble Nurse Zhang."

Ruan Jingliu nodded and followed Xiqiu and Nanny Wu into Madam Shen’s small courtyard.

The Grand Dowager was sitting in the main hall, her expression somewhat cold and stern, with one old servant and two maids kneeling before her. Xiqiu approached and said, "Mother, Sister Jingliu is here. She’s skilled in medicine, let her take a look."

The Grand Dowager looked up at Ruan Jingliu and nodded, "Then please do." She then instructed Nanny Wu, "Take Nurse Zhang inside."

The sound of sobbing could be faintly heard from inside the room.

Regardless of her status as a concubine, the Grand Dowager was naturally pleased at the prospect of Xiao Yanyi having an heir, but now that it was gone, it was only natural for her to be upset. She pointed to a chair beside her for Xiqiu to sit and then turned to a mammy in a Qiuxiang-colored jacket, instructing, "Take them away and interrogate thoroughly."

The old servant nodded in agreement, went outside to summon several servants, and took them away.

The Grand Dowager took a sip of tea and sighed deeply, while Xiqiu also sighed to comfort her, saying, "Mother, Madam Shen is still young; there will be more chances in the future. Don’t let your anger affect your health."

"Alas!" After all, this was a matter of the Second House, and the Grand Dowager didn’t want to discuss too much with Xiqiu, her sister-in-law. Likewise, Xiqiu didn’t feel it was her place to comment too much and tried to console her instead.

Ruan Jingliu came out, glanced at Xiqiu, and reported to the Grand Dowager, "The pulse is stable. With careful nursing, she should be fine."

The Grand Dowager nodded, and just then, the Imperial Physician arrived. Nanny Wu led him inside to examine Madam Shen, and his diagnosis was consistent with what Ruan Jingliu had said. The Grand Dowager didn’t say much more, instructing Nanny Wu to take the Imperial Physician to her courtyard for tea. As they were about to leave, they encountered Teng Qiuniang at the door.

"Grand Dowager." Teng Qiuniang came in, gracefully saluting the Grand Dowager, then turned to Xiqiu and bowed, greeting her, "Fourth Madam!"

Aside from looking somewhat unwell, she seemed no different from usual.

Xiqiu recalled the way Teng Qiuniang looked when she had come to see her a few days ago, having knelt continuously outside the Lingbo Hall. Her demeanor was strangely normal, prompting Xiqiu to frown and look at Teng Qiuniang, feeling that something about her had changed.

The Grand Dowager gave her a cursory glance and said, "Since you live in the same courtyard, go in and see her, and give her some comfort so she doesn’t overthink."

"Yes!" Teng Qiuniang accepted and then rose, heading toward the room.

The Grand Dowager frowned slightly as she watched Teng Qiuniang’s retreating figure, her gaze carrying a barely perceptible sharpness.