The Eastern Capital grew dark earlier than in summer. Lamps were lit during dinner, and now the entire Feng Manor was ablaze with light.
As soon as Feng Jinyao returned, she was summoned by Mama Bai, Madam Feng's attendant, to have dinner.
After taking cough medicine for over half a month, Madam Feng's cough had already improved by seven or eight parts. However, to catch the culprit, she still had to feign coughing occasionally.
Dinner was light. Since Feng Jinyao had some tea and pastries at the Bai family's residence in the afternoon, she didn't eat much.
On the contrary, Madam Feng ate more than her due to her recovery.
Mama Bai watched her, finally showing a relieved smile.
She glanced at Amber, who was standing outside serving, her eyes holding a deeper meaning.
"Did you see your mother on this trip?" Madam Feng asked with concern.
Feng Jinyao shook her head and said softly, "My maternal grandmother went to the Duke of Zheng's residence. I only met my eldest and fourth maternal aunts, and cousin Siruo."
There was a hint of regret. She was ill and it wasn't convenient to see people, so she would have to do it next time.
As soon as she put down her bowl and chopsticks, a maid from outside reported that the small courtyard had been tidied.
Feng Jinyao was a little confused. Madam Feng smiled and said, "The gardeners have cultivated flowers that can bloom even in winter. I heard they are light purple, and they can be transplanted in a couple of days."
"So soon? It seems these gardeners are quite capable."
In the courtyard, maids and servants had already prepared the land for transplanting the flowers, only needing some minor adjustments in certain details.
As they were speaking, Feng Hai lifted the curtain and entered, followed by a man with an unfamiliar face.
Judging by his attire, he was most likely an imperial physician from the palace.
"Father, you're back?"
"Mm." A man wearing a brown long gown and a matching sable fur vest strode in.
His face, in his forties, was well-maintained and looked as if he had been carved from the same mold as Feng Jinxu.
His eyes were calm, and his tone was steady. As the second-in-command of the Ministry of Revenue, years of official service had cultivated a steady disposition, neither rushed nor impatient.
When Feng Hai brought the imperial physician, he saw the mother and daughter chatting at the dinner table.
"Have you eaten, Master?"
"I ate outside. How is Madam today?"
His tone softened considerably when he spoke to his wife compared to his usual demeanor.
"Much better, but it's cold these days, and I don't want to go out."
It was normal for those who had been ill for a long time to fear the cold and heat.
"I was afraid your cough would linger and damage your foundation, so I specifically invited Imperial Physician Liu to take a look. He is most skilled with symptoms of deficiency fire rising to the surface and coughs."
"Lord Feng flatters me."
The replying Imperial Physician Liu had only entered the Imperial Academy a few years ago. He was most adept at treating throat ailments. He was around forty years old, with regular features, and carried a faint scent of herbs.
Since he was here, it was only proper to examine her pulse and treat her. Madam Feng nodded slightly.
"Then I will trouble Imperial Physician Liu."
"Madam is too kind. This is my duty, Your Excellency."
The maids and servants quickly cleared the dishes and then respectfully stood outside to serve.
Upon hearing about Imperial Physician Liu's pulse examination, Amber's brow furrowed slightly.
Mama Bai noticed this, and her gaze towards Amber became even sharper!
After a moment of taking her pulse and inquiring about her condition, Imperial Physician Liu slowly spoke.
"Madam's body is not in serious trouble. It is merely deficiency fire rising to the surface in winter, with weakness on the outside and emptiness within. Worry and excessive thought can lead to liver qi stagnation and symptoms of restless heat on the surface. Rest well, and take the medicine according to the prescription. About three doses should clear it up."
Having taken her medicine, she was naturally almost recovered.
However, the previous imperial physician's prescription had nearly killed her mother. Who knew what the outcome of this prescription would be?
Although Feng Jinyao wore a smile, she was inwardly contemplating how to switch the medicine.
The mother and daughter exchanged a subtle glance, both understanding each other's thoughts.
Meanwhile, Feng Hai and Imperial Physician Liu seemed to be playing a guessing game.
The purpose of summoning Imperial Physician Liu this time was to treat the cough. The fact that there had been no signs of improvement for two or three months was enough to worry Feng Hai.
Therefore, Feng Hai had already instructed Imperial Physician Liu not to tell his wife the truth, but to simply comfort her and tell her to recuperate properly, and he would discuss the rest with him privately.
Seeing Imperial Physician Liu nod slightly at subtle cues, he finally felt truly relieved.
The couple had been loving for many years. Now that they were in middle age, an age where they could rest a bit, they had planned to take a leave of absence and accompany her to the estate for a few days. Who knew she would be ill for so long, it was truly worrying.
After the examination, Imperial Physician Liu carefully wrote out a prescription.
The handwriting was neat, and the medication was clearly listed.
Taking the prescription, Feng Jinyao quickly scanned it.
Although she didn't know the properties of the herbs, remembering them was not a problem. She could find an outside doctor to inquire about it later.
After memorizing it, she called out to Amber outside and deliberately handed the prescription to her.
"Amber, you've always been responsible for Mother's medicine. Take this and get the prescription filled. When Mother recovers, she will naturally reward your diligence."
"Thank you, Miss!"
Amber appeared very happy, her face beaming with pride from her mistress's praise. Anyone who didn't know would think she was a simple-minded young maid.
She exchanged a look with Mama Bai, and saw the reassuring signal emanating from her aged but still sharp eyes. Feng Jinyao finally felt at ease.
After seeing off Imperial Physician Liu, Yun Xu entered the courtyard with a somewhat serious expression.
She told Feng Jinyao that there were some unclear points in the account book and asked her to check it carefully.
Suppressing her doubts, Feng Jinyao understood that this maid had something to say in private. She bowed slightly to her parents.
"Since Father is back, you can accompany Mother. I will go back first and bring Yunhe tomorrow. That child has mentioned missing his grandmother several times."
Madam Feng did not particularly like her delicate and frail eldest daughter-in-law, but she doted on her legitimate grandson.
The thought of the grandmother and grandson not having seen each other for many months brought tears to her eyes.
"Good, good. I miss Yunhe dearly too. I didn't allow him to visit before for fear of passing on the illness. Now that things are better, as long as he is well, he can come whenever he wishes."
"Mm, he will surely be happy when he hears this good news."
A hint of a relieved smile suddenly appeared on Feng Hai's stern face. His legitimate eldest grandson was indeed a good child.
However, he quickly thought of his second son, and the fleeting smile vanished immediately.
"Go, be careful on the road. Have them hold the lanterns closer so you can see the path."
"Yes."
The road was slippery on the snowy night, but lanterns illuminated the way. Soon, the mistress and servant returned to Ning'an Courtyard. Feng Jinyao found an excuse to dismiss the others and then asked,
"Yun Xu, what happened?"