Su Yujin instructed, “Although the herbal medicine contains detoxifying herbs as well as calming herbs, since Madam has stopped taking her previous medicine, she may be a little irritable, and her temper may be out of control. Smelling the aroma of these herbs will help.”

“In addition, if Madam is really irritable and even starts to self-harm, she can take one of these pills. However, this medicine is too strong, so it is not recommended to take too much. Only take one pill when it is difficult to suppress the irritability, and the interval between doses should not be less than one day.”

“I will still be here for the time being. Madam Kang can bring Madam over every day. If it is inconvenient, I can come over.”

Checking her pulse every day will give her a better understanding of her condition.

Moreover, if Madam could be carefully cared for in the early stages once she left Hedong Prefecture, as long as she followed the prescription, there should be no major problems. It was just a matter of time before she recovered.

“I’ve noted it down.” Madam Kang nodded repeatedly. “I am truly grateful for Miss Su’s trouble and kindness; I really don’t know how to repay her.”

Many people prefer to avoid trouble.

Even if they saw that Madam Chen was acting differently than usual, most would assume it was a matter within the household and not want to get involved.

Only Su Yujin, with the heart of a healer, genuinely cared for Madam Chen.

“When I first arrived here, Madam took great care of me, and that’s only right,” Su Yujin said. “Madam Kang, you really can’t accept the word ‘kindness,’ and I truly don’t deserve it.”

“However, if Madam Kang really wants to thank me, then please make sure those skewer shops do well in the future so I can earn more money too.”

Su Yujin’s half-joking words immediately livened up the previously dull atmosphere.

Madam Kang smiled, “Of course, this is something I excel at. I can’t say I’ll let Miss Su count her money with her eyes closed, but at least her annual expenses will definitely be covered without her having to worry.”

“Then I’m really looking forward to it.”

“…”

After talking for a while, Madam Chen felt a little sleepy after taking her medicine, so Madam Kang took her away first.

After taking the medicine for three or four days, Su Yujin also treated Madam Chen for three or four consecutive days.

With each dose of herbal medicine and each acupuncture treatment, the toxins accumulated in Madam Chen’s body decreased slightly, but symptoms such as irritability, headaches, and anger gradually became more prominent.

As Su Yujin had instructed, Madam Kang and Qu Zhiwen had been by her side recently, taking good care of her, allowing Madam Chen to smell more of the herbs Su Yujin had given her, and trying various ways to make Madam Chen happy to alleviate her irritability.

Especially Qu Zhiwen, after handling the important affairs of the government office these past two days, delegated the rest to others as much as possible and declined all social engagements, trying to spend as much time as possible with Chen Shi.

The weather was hot, and Chen Shi tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, feeling restless. Besides the ice blocks sent by Kang Shi’s servants in the room, Qu Zhiwen fanned Chen Shi to keep her cool all night.

When Chen Shi mentioned wanting to eat fresh lotus seeds, Qu Zhiwen ordered someone to pick lotus pods and personally peeled the seeds for her.

Chen Shi, with nowhere to vent her frustration, often scratched, bit, and pecked, so Qu Zhiwen simply became a meat pouch.

For some time, Qu Zhiwen’s exposed face, neck, and the backs of his hands were always covered with deep and shallow wounds. He was worried that Chen Shi might suddenly have another attack and bite again, so he didn’t even dare apply any medicine, fearing she might ingest it and it would neutralize the other medicines she drank. He simply washed the wounds with diluted salt water each day, and that was it…

This went on for about half a month.

Under the dedicated treatment and care of Su Yujin, Qu Zhiwen, Kang Shi, and others, Chen Shi’s condition improved significantly.

Although the toxins weren’t completely cleared and she couldn’t fully recover, her madness had decreased considerably. Aside from occasional bouts of agitation and throwing things, she no longer exhibited any outrageous behavior.

This seemed to be enough.

Su Yujin breathed a sigh of relief, took Chen Shi’s pulse again, and adjusted the prescription once more.

Qu Zhiwen and Madam Kang also breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason for their relief, besides Madam Chen’s improved condition, was primarily that Madam Chen seemed not to remember the passing of her two children.

She still kept asking when Yuan’er and Wu’er would return and even cried several times in the night for several nights in a row.

But after Qu Zhiwen’s gentle comforting words, she stopped saying anything, only saying that they would meet again on the fifteenth of August.

Since she couldn’t remember the children’s passing, she wouldn’t try to commit suicide because of it. As for her continued longing for the children’s return…

Qu Zhiwen had already found two people who resembled her somewhat in appearance and voice and who possessed a scholarly air. With some dressing up and a little makeup, they could resemble them quite well.

After so long apart, and with the children growing up, changes in appearance and size were common; perhaps this could be used to deceive her.

Although this was deceiving her…

In the middle of the night, a wind rose.

The branches outside the window rustled loudly in the wind, followed by dark clouds that obscured the bright moon. A flash of lightning illuminated the earth as if it were daytime, followed by a series of deafening claps of thunder. Chen Shi awoke with a start, tears streaming down her face, trembling uncontrollably.

“It’s just thunder, don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,” Qu Zhiwen quickly embraced Chen Shi, gently comforting her.

Chen Shi clutched the corner of Qu Zhiwen’s inner garment, choking back sobs, unable to utter a single word, only tears falling in torrents, soaking most of Qu Zhiwen’s clothes.

After crying for a long time, only when the thunder, lightning, and wind outside subsided somewhat did Chen Shi sat up straight and take a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her face.

“The rain outside has subsided considerably. With your husband here, you can sleep peacefully,” Qu Zhiwen gently patted Chen Shi’s back.

“Hmm.” Madam Chen nodded and lay down.

However, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a long time. She bit her lip and patted Qu Zhiwen’s shoulder. “Master.”

“What is it?” Qu Zhiwen turned to her.

“I’ve been thinking. The children’s studies are important, and their future is even more crucial. I’ll send them a letter, telling them to focus on their studies and not worry about home. If it’s inconvenient, they can even not come back for the Mid-Autumn Festival…”

“Hmm.” Qu Zhiwen nodded. “Then I’ll have someone send the letter tomorrow.”

That way, they’ll have almost half a year left until New Year’s Eve.

Enough time to properly teach those two how to speak, their manners, and etiquette, striving to imitate them perfectly.

“Go to sleep,” Qu Zhiwen said.

“Hmm.” Madam Chen lay down and turned over.

Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks again.   　

—

Soon, the day arrived when He Yanxiu and Su Yujin were to depart.   

(End of Chapter)

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