Chapter 061
Chapter 61: Kill the Chicken to Warn the Monkeys?
Xia Qing Yao asked after a long hesitation: “Big Sister, who was that just now?” She had heard from Mother that even though Big Sister had divorced, many noble houses still wanted to marry her. The reason was simple: behind Big Sister stood the Lin Family, a mighty merchant clan. The family head doted on Big Sister and had given her a dowry richer than those of noble houses. For that alone, Big Sister did not need to worry about marriage.
Xia Meng Yan paused with the teacup, then drank as if she had not heard.
Nanny Song’s heart leapt. Second Miss really needed to fix that habit of asking anything that came to mind.
Even Xia Qing Yao could see Xia Meng Yan was not pleased. She gripped her handkerchief, leaned in, and said: “Big Sister, I am only afraid you will be cheated. Mother says many noble houses want to marry into the eldest branch. What they want is not your character, but your dowry.”
Seeing Xia Meng Yan unmoved, she gathered her courage and added: “I know you do not want to marry yet, but there are too many tongues in the manor. If a strange man suddenly shows up, people will…”
Xia Meng Yan set down the cup and, with a faint smile, said: “If you have time to worry about me, better think about how to handle Second Aunt. Your hairpin ceremony is near. Even without the Lu Family, others will come.”
Xia Qing Yao hooked her arm and said with a playful pout: “Big Sister, you are bad, you had to remind me. Anyway, you will stand in front for me. When Father and Mother ask, I will point to Sister.”
She stuck out her tongue like a girl caught being naughty.
“You,” said Xia Meng Yan, tapping her forehead.
To outsiders, it looked like the warm closeness of real sisters. Xia Qing Yao left without getting an answer, but she did take the snacks from the table.
After Nanny Song saw her out and came back, she thought her master was angry with Second Miss and said: “Second Miss is young and thoughtless. Do not be angry, Eldest Miss.”
Xia Meng Yan said: “I was careless and let her see.” Her fingers moved over the golden nanmu tea table; the spilled tea marks vanished bit by bit under her touch. She added: “Send word to put more people near Divine Physician Luo. No one in the manor is allowed to go near him.”
Nanny Song blinked, puzzled, but answered and went to give orders.
At dinner, Xia Ping Yuan came to eat with his daughter. He said: “The Lu Family was impeached by an imperial censor. The Lu Family head knelt outside the Imperial Study for two hours before His Majesty called him in.” When he spoke of the Lu Family, his eyes were complicated. To serve an emperor is to serve a tiger. Even the family of favored Consort Ping could not escape punishment. By pressing the Lu Family’s face to the ground, Emperor Xuan Ming was killing the chicken to warn the monkeys.
Originally, with the Lu Family punished, Xia Ping Yuan should have been happy. They had schemed against his daughter, so they deserved to be slapped. But as a close minister, he knew the Lu Family head’s fate could also be his.
Xia Meng Yan put down her chopsticks and looked at Nanny Song. Nanny Song understood and led everyone out to wait by the door.
Xia Meng Yan said: “Father, the Lu Family matter is not that simple,” and told him about meeting Lin Ye Lan.
Xia Ping Yuan’s eyes flashed as he understood: “You mean His Majesty already knew what the Lu Family was doing?”
Xia Meng Yan nodded and said: “Since His Majesty did not object, then the kneeling at the Imperial Study was for show.”
It was meant to confuse people.
Xia Ping Yuan had considered many possibilities, but not that the emperor had known all along. If that was true, it was thorny.
He said: “I will look into it quietly. Do not go out these next few days. Consort Ping and the Lu Family lost face, and they will try to strike back.”
Xia Meng Yan said: “I am not that fragile. It is you, Father, who will be targeted in the court.”
Xia Ping Yuan said: “Those old fellows are not my match. As long as you and your mother are safe, outside matters do not matter.” While they spoke, the steward came in to report: “Master, the Lu Family head was ordered by His Majesty to stay home and reflect for seven days.”
If he had heard this before coming to Autumn Lotus Court, Xia Ping Yuan might have been pleased. After hearing his daughter’s analysis, the news only weighed heavier. Seven days? His Majesty was truly willing.
Xia Ping Yuan said: “Keep the gates shut these days. Do not let unrelated people in.”
The steward had not caught on at first. He glanced at the Eldest Miss and then understood at once: “Before leaving, the Marquis of Ping An said he would return in two days. Then…”
Xia Ping Yuan said: “Who does he think he is? Make him use the back gate.” Thinking of his daughter’s suffering, he wished he could chop the man. And that man still wanted Divine Physician Luo to treat his leg? Bah.
Xia Meng Yan covered her mouth and laughed, then told the steward: “Do as Father says.”
After eating with his daughter, Xia Ping Yuan hurried to his study. The Lu Family’s lesson had struck him hard. He needed to think about who else served as the emperor’s knife.
Following Father’s advice, Xia Meng Yan stayed in the manor to rest and protect the baby.
The next day, Lin Ye Lan’s head attendant came to ask about the leg treatment. Xia Meng Yan told Chun Yue to take him to Divine Physician Luo. She had promised to help heal the leg, but if Divine Physician Luo did not agree, she could do nothing.
Chun Yue burst in as soon as she returned and said: “Divine Physician Luo actually agreed.” She went to Xia Meng Yan’s side and huffed: “Eldest Miss, you did not see it. That attendant was as happy as a monkey, jumping up and down. He almost knelt and called him Father.”
Xia Meng Yan only frowned a little. Luo Jin disliked Lin Ye Lan. Why had he agreed? [There must be something more.]
She asked: “What did Divine Physician Luo say?”
Chun Yue got angrier as she spoke: “He said doctors have the heart of a parent and that the Marquis of Ping An injured his leg for the court, so he should help. Divine Physician Luo eats our Xia Family’s food and lives under our roof, and he is your master. How can his elbow bend outward?”
“The court?” Xia Meng Yan’s lips curved. She had guessed it. Luo Jin had no kind heart toward Lin Ye Lan. Lin Ye Lan had fought bandits for the people, yet Luo Jin called it service to the court. He was scolding while sounding polite.
She said: “Tell the steward at the back gate that only the Marquis of Ping An may enter.”
Chun Yue ground her teeth and said: “I will have people watch him. If our manor loses even a needle, he will not leave.”
Xia Meng Yan patted her hand and said: “Do not worry. He will not get any benefit.”
Less than half a day later, Chun Yue was glowing. From Autumn Lotus Court they could hear the Marquis of Ping An screaming.
Lin Ye Lan groaned and said: “Divine Physician, did you mix up the medicine? My whole body hurts.” He had feared Xia Meng Yan would go back on her word, so the moment he heard his attendant’s report, he changed clothes and came. But Divine Physician Luo’s medicine was too fierce. After taking it, he felt like ten thousand arrows pierced him.
Luo Jin stroked his beard and said coldly: “This is only the beginning. If the marquis cannot take it, leave now.”
Lin Ye Lan’s forehead poured sweat. He looked as if he had been pulled from water. He bit down and, keeping his voice steady, said: “Divine Physician, please continue.”
His leg had beaten the skill of the Imperial Medical Bureau. Whether Divine Physician Luo was doing this on purpose or not, he could not give up this chance.
Luo Jin’s face eased a little. He picked up a silver needle and said, slow and unhurried: “The tendon in your thigh has died. If you want recovery, you must suffer. You were a general at Northern Fortress Pass. This pain is nothing.” He dropped the first needle.
Lin Ye Lan screamed.
Listening to the sharp but pleasing screams while she ate fruit, Xia Meng Yan thought that Luo Jin really understood her.
Just then a maid led Xia Qing Yao in. Before Xia Meng Yan could speak, Xia Qing Yao’s tears fell as she said: “Big Sister, help me.”