Chapter 88: It Nearly Cost Her Half Her Life
*This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation*
“Mother, Mother… Mother, it’s time to wake up and take your medicine.” Even in the early pre-dawn darkness, Madam Xu’s voice carried a haunting tone as she gently called from outside the door.
The elderly grandmother, frail and sensitive due to her advanced age, was easily startled by even the softest sounds. At this moment, the wind’s whoosh outside the window, combined with the ghost-like calling, sent shivers of fear through her.
“Old Madam, Old Madam, are you alright?” inquired the nursemaid from beyond the curtains.
Visibly irritated and a bit embarrassed, the grandmother snapped, “Why aren’t you bringing me a pair of trousers? What are you standing there for?”
Caught off guard, the nursemaid’s eyebrows knitted slightly in concern. Aware of the grandmother’s recent struggles with keeping up, she quickly fetched clean undergarments, careful to avoid direct eye contact with the old lady.
“Help me up quickly; I feel numb all over,” the grandmother murmured, her voice groggy and her mind clouded.
The nursemaid’s heart raced with worry: “Old Madam?”
Numbness was a frequent complaint of the grandmother.
In a fit of humiliation, the grandmother slapped her own face, exclaiming, “What, you think I’m dirty and stinky? You lowly maid, you dare to look down on your master! A lifetime of servitude awaits you!” Her embarrassment stemmed from the wet trousers she was in.
Upon witnessing the slap, the nursemaid’s eyes widened in shock. She pursed her lips, bowed her head, and remained silent, the imprint of the slap visible on her cheek.
“Why are you calling out so early in the morning?” the grandmother questioned, noting the still dark sky outside where not even the chickens had stirred.
Madam Xu responded with a gentle tone: “Mother, the doctor emphasized the importance of taking your medicine on time. As I am directly responsible for overseeing your treatment, it’s essential that we adhere to his instructions.”
Feeling a pang of anxiety, the grandmother relented, “Come in.”
Madam Xu entered, holding a bowl of herbal concoction. “Mother, I must confess, I’ve never cooked before; I hope the medicine is palatable.”
Upon inspecting the medicine, which appeared pitch black and emitted a foul odor, the grandmother hesitated before tasting it, nearly gagging from the flavor.
“What is this bizarre taste?” she cried out, alarmed.
Blushing with embarrassment, Madam Xu explained, “Mother, I rose early to prepare this and accidentally dozed off by the stove, slightly burning it. However, I assure you, it won’t compromise the medicine’s effectiveness.”
Internally seething but outwardly composed due to her own request for Madam Xu’s care, the grandmother swallowed the nauseating mixture. She then subtly requested, “This morning, I would like a breakfast prepared by your hands.”
Madam Xu nodded in agreement: “Yes, Mother.”
*This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation*
After consuming the medicine, the grandmother lay down again, feeling the medicine churn uncomfortably in her stomach. She tossed and turned, struggling to find rest until just before dawn when she finally managed to fall asleep.
“Mother… Mother, it’s time to get up for breakfast. I have prepared it myself; please, get up to eat…”
Her eyelids twitched, and she clenched her fists in discomfort!
The nursemaid, noting the old madam’s trembling hands and feet, felt a surge of concern. She should have comforted her but remembered the previous night’s harsh words and chose instead to look away, saying, “Old Madam, it’s time to get up for breakfast.”
A heavy sensation weighed on the grandmother’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. “Serve the meal,” she commanded weakly.
Despite appearing exhausted, Madam Xu managed a smile. “Mother, it’s been ages since I last cooked; I hope you won’t find fault with my efforts.” She then presented the meal, mentioning, “Yesterday, you desired mushroom chicken soup; I’ve used fresh mushrooms delivered just this morning from the estate. I stayed up all night preparing it.”
Madam Xu personally served the soup to her mother-in-law. The grandmother tasted it; it was delicious. She sat and ate, while Madam Xu stood by, exemplifying the subtle power dynamics often imposed on daughters-in-law.
The grandmother’s mood improved as she enjoyed the soup and some snacks. Despite societal whispers about Madam Xu marrying above her station, the grandmother took delight in seeing her son’s high-ranking wife now humbly serving her. This petty vindication was sweet.
Suddenly, she clutched her stomach, her face twisting in pain.
“What’s wrong, Mother?” Madam Xu asked urgently.
The grandmother’s complexion turned pale as she gasped, “My stomach, it hurts…”
Before she could elaborate, she inadvertently passed gas, filling the room with an odd odor.
“Ugh…” Lu Chao Chao, who was nearby, couldn’t help but vomit in response. “Gwamma, gwamma has soiled herself…” His words further highlighted her mortification.
The grandmother felt a mix of shame and rage, her skin tingling as if ants were crawling over her. This sensation briefly subsided before another bout of gas escaped her.
Her abdominal pain intensified, feeling as if invisible hands were viciously stirring inside.
“Ah!” she collapsed to the floor.
“Quick, call the doctor,” Madam Xu called out in a panic.
“The mansion’s doctor is off today; hurry to the clinic,” the nursemaid instructed.
As the grandmother was hurriedly carried to the local clinic, Lu Chao Chao stood at the gate shouting, “Gwamma has soiled her pants… Gwamma is embarrassed…” Her naive remarks echoed among the onlookers.
In the carriage, the grandmother fainted from sheer frustration, only regaining consciousness after receiving treatment from the doctor.
“The Old Madam has food poisoning, likely due to the breakfast. A medicinal broth will help induce vomiting and diarrhea to clear the toxins,” the doctor began, but before he could finish…
The grandmother, upon hearing this, sat up abruptly, her accusation fierce: “Yo-You, you heartless wretch, may thunder strike you down. You dared to poison your mother-in-law!!”
In such wealthy households, accusations of poisoning by a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law were not taken lightly.
Tears welled up in Madam Xu’s eyes as she responded, “Mother, how can you accuse me so unjustly?” She raised her hand to her face, revealing a swollen hand. “Mother, you asked me to oversee your care personally. You insisted that simmering the medicine longer enhances its effects. I woke before dawn and have not slept since. After the medicine, you requested a breakfast I prepared myself. Despite my lack of cooking experience, I did my best with ingredients provided by your own relatives from the village. I have not rested since last night. How can you slander me in this way? For eighteen years, I have treated you as my own mother with nothing but respect. How can you accuse me so?” Madam Xu gently dabbed at her tears.
Head Maid Deng Zhi, also teary-eyed, added, “The lady even burned her hands.”
Upon hearing this, bystanders reflected that in such affluent homes, caring for an ill family member was often just for show. No one expected a high-ranking daughter-in-law to personally serve unless it was meant as a cruel joke.
They also recalled how Madam Xu had once severed ties with her family for the love of her husband. Being a romantic, it seemed implausible that she would harm her mother-in-law.
The crowd murmured among themselves, subtly judging the grandmother and casting disdainful looks her way.
Anger flushed the grandmother’s face, and her ears turned red as she felt their scornful gazes.