Chapter 326 — Nursing the Sick (Extra Update, Begging for Pink Votes)
Purple Streets of Chang'an Page 1 of 2
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After seeing off the imperial physician, Song Yan headed to the Xixiang Courtyard.
Song Han rushed at him. "Brother, I'm scared!" His lips were pressed into a pout, as though he were fighting hard to hold back tears.
Dou Yan, standing to one side with hands clasped in a respectful attitude, found it strange to watch.
A boy of thirteen, already tall enough to reach Song Qi's chin, yet acting spoiled like a child of five or six.
Song Sui did not find it odd in the least. He patted his younger brother's shoulder lightly and comforted him in a low voice: "It's all right. Father has taken his medicine; a few days of quiet rest and he'll be fine." Having said this, his gaze fell on Dou Yan.
Dou Yan said at once, "Rest assured, Heir, I will take Luoyan from Uncle's rooms and help Uncle brew his medicine."
At a moment like this, even a mere show of propriety had to be done beautifully, so that no one could find the slightest fault with it.
A flicker of relief passed through Song Yan's eyes, and he went with Song Han into Song Cen's inner chamber.
Dou Yan took Luoyan to the tea room.
There was a ready-made stove there; all one needed was the medicine pot, and the decoction could be boiled.
Luoyan looked about seventeen or eighteen, with apricot eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, very pretty indeed.
She was a senior maid in Song Cen's rooms, who had entered the household after Lady Jiang's death from illness. As for whether she still performed the duties of a bedchamber maid, Dou Yan did not care. Attended by Suxin, he took a teacup, sat down, and drank his tea, watching Luoyan brew the medicine without any intention of lifting a hand himself.
Luoyan was taken aback, but she quickly lowered her head and hid the surprise in her heart, nimbly filling the medicine pot and fetching water.
A young maid came in with hushed, hurried steps: "Madam, the Elder Lord and the Elder Master and the Second Master have arrived. They say they have come to inquire after Lord Zhenguo's illness."
Luoyan could not help stealing a glance at Dou Yan from the corner of her eye.
She saw Dou Yan give a silent nod, and the young maid slipped out of the tea room as lightly as she had come.
She knew this was Dou Zhiwei sending her word in secret. As though she had seen something she ought not to have seen, she hastily lowered her eyelids.
Before long, a clatter of footsteps came from outside.
Suxin went to lift the curtain and peered out through the gap. Turning back to Dou Yan, she said, "Not only the Elder Lord's family has come—the Second Lord's family is here as well."
Dou Yan said mildly, "They came quickly enough," and then said nothing more.
Suxin did not speak either.
An oppressive silence filled the tea room.
Song Cen's inner chamber was filled with an oppressive silence as well.
The father was ill, yet he would not let his own son nurse him, and instead kept his eldest nephew behind to look after him...
Hearing Song Cen's decision, the family of Song Maochun, who had come to visit the sick, were exceedingly awkward. Song Maochun forced a smile and tried to reason with Song Cen: "How about... letting the Heir stay nearby to help with brewing the medicine and such?"
Ever since the fire at the Yingzhenguo Estate, Song Maochun had come to know just how formidable Song Yan was.
He had not expected Song Cen to look ready to tear all pretense to shreds.
Song Maochun could not help secretly regretting it.
Had he known, why would he have hurried over so eagerly? Now look at this mess—he had failed to flatter anyone, and his son had become a tool in the contest between Song Cen and his son.
Song Cen's attitude, however, was utterly resolute.
"No need!" He lay in bed, face pale, his voice hoarse and weak, yet the words he spoke were sharp as a blade, leaving no room for compromise. "Let Qinge stay to look after me. The Heir and Tian'en may each return to their own rooms." Then he instructed Tian'en, "You still have lessons with your tutor. Your studies come first."
He could not let Song Yan nurse him at his bedside.
With that monstrous Song Yan around, he would surely seize the chance to stir up trouble and settle scores with those who served him. By the time he recovered, the Yingzhenguo Estate would have changed masters—and would he not then be meat on Song Yan's chopping block!
Song Maochun was at a loss for a moment.
What would the guests who had come to visit the sick make of this?
That Song Ke was filial and Song Cen did not care for Song Yan? Or that Song Qin, the cousin, had a glib tongue and had set father and son at odds?
He said hurriedly, "How can this be! How can this be!"
Song Fengchun, who had come along, was deeply uncomfortable.
He had never stinted on gifts to his second brother at festivals and holidays. Yet his second brother was still closer to their eldest brother after all.
Both of his second brother's sons were alive and well, yet their eldest brother's son was to nurse his second brother... It was like walking along the edge of a cliff. Please his second brother, and he offended Yantang; please Yantang, and he offended his second brother. Whether it brought fortune or disaster, no one could say for certain.
He said not a word, standing by with folded arms and taking a hidden delight in the trouble.
Song Sui gave a cold laugh.
Every time he came into contact with his father, a little more of his heart died.
Of course he would not let Song Cen do as he pleased and pin the charge of filial impiety on his head—but neither would he stay here to make himself a nuisance.
"In that case, Tiangen and I will wait in the banquet room outside!" Song Ke said mildly. "If there is anything you need, Elder Brother, just send word to us brothers."
It amounted to consenting to Song Qin's nursing attendance.
Song Duo cast a meaningful look at his brother.
Song Qin could only smile bitterly and pretend he had not seen it.
His Second Uncle had named him by name to attend the sickbed—could he refuse?
And on what pretext could he possibly refuse?
This was truly disaster falling from a clear sky. Mingche had said the whole affair was absurd, and yet Song Qin had no choice but to steel himself and sit down on the brocade stool before Song Cen's bed.
Song Yan called everyone together: "Father's illness requires quiet rest. Let us go to the banquet room and drink tea first! We must not disturb the old gentleman's recovery."
Song Maochun and the others naturally agreed, rising one after another to follow Song Yan out.
Song Cen's eyes went wide, and he felt a faint pain begin to throb in his chest again.
Here he was, still alive and well, and already the boy dared to isolate him under the name of "quiet rest." If some day he grew old and feeble and could no longer manage the Yingzhenguo Estate, would he not be done to death outright?
He could not help saying sharply: "Yantang, if you must go, then go—but I still have words to say to your Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle."
Song Maochun and Song Fengchun exchanged a glance and stayed.
Song Ke, taking the hint, said with a smile to Song Duo: "The elders have matters to discuss. Let us go to the banquet room first, then!" So saying, he was the first to leave the inner chamber.
Song Duo nodded again and again and followed Song Yan out of the inner chamber.
They came face to face with Song Tongchun and Song Yue.
Song Tongchun asked hurriedly: "How is Second Brother faring?"
Song Yan could not be bothered to deal with him and said: "Father is speaking with Eldest Uncle and Third Uncle right now. Go in quickly and see for yourself!"
Song Tongchun gave a grunt of acknowledgment and led his son Song Yue into the inner chamber.
Song Yan entertained the guests with tea.
Song Han quietly tugged at his brother's sleeve: "Brother, why will Father not let us attend him?"
His big eyes looked up at Song Yan with such innocence that it cut Song Yan to the heart like a knife.