Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 188

“The old lady is just momentarily overwhelmed by anger; with some proper rest and care, there should be no major issues. However, during this time, we must ensure she does not get angry again,” says the imperial physician, quietly taking the pulse. He provides the same diagnosis as the previous doctor. He then writes a prescription, telling the staff to have the medicine prepared accordingly.

Pei Che thanks the physician and hands the prescription to Chan Yi, instructing her to oversee the matter. He then sits by the bed, looking at his grandmother, who still has not woken up, feeling a deep sadness in his heart.

Over the past three years, he has communicated with his grandmother almost every month. Although his grandmother is reluctant for him to be so far away, she never pressures him to return by virtue of her seniority. Instead, she often sends him things, fearing he might struggle to adapt to life in Cangzhou.

This time, upon hearing that he is coming back, his grandmother is overjoyed. In her letter, she expresses her anticipation and asks the Buddha to bless him with a safe journey. He never expects that such rumors will spread in the capital, and that they will be exploited by two malicious people, nearly causing harm to his grandmother. If he had returned any later, she might have been lost to him forever.

Jiang Miao sits beside him and quietly asks about what happened before. Granny Gao clenches her teeth and says, “It’s those two ungrateful wretches! They thought the young master was dead and deliberately used this matter to provoke the Old Madam. Luckily, the young master returned in time, or they would have succeeded!”

She has no good opinion of Pei Shiyuan and his wife. To her, they are foolish and malicious people. They have been in power for so many years, and though they have been made aware of the corruption underneath them, they never take action. She has warned the Old Madam several times, but she only says to let them be, as long as they don’t treat the eldest young master unfairly. A little bit of money isn’t worth worrying about.

It is only when that vicious woman goes to the palace and suggests the eldest young master marry the princess that the Old Madam becomes truly angry. Not only does she take back everything she had previously given, but the monthly allowances are no longer easily accessible; they can no longer just go to the account room and withdraw the funds at will.

This entire family, used to living extravagantly, immediately finds it difficult to adjust when restrictions are placed on them. However, they don’t dare confront the old lady and instead resort to subtle actions, pilfering things in secret. Unexpectedly, they manage to exploit this gap.

Thinking of this, Granny Gao is also angry with the servants in this courtyard. How dare they conceal such rumors? If they hadn’t reminded her earlier, how could such a thing happen?

The more Granny Gao thinks about it, the angrier she becomes. She goes outside and calls for the two maids responsible for managing the household during her absence. The two women stand there, looking guilty, their heads lowered, too afraid to speak.

“Is this how you serve? Have you learned to deceive and cover up from those lowly and treacherous people? Tell me, why didn’t you report this matter to the Old Madam?” Granny Gao’s face is dark with anger as she glares at the two of them.

“Granny…” The two women hesitate, not knowing how to speak.

“Speak quickly!” Granny Gao shouts sternly.

“The old lady only listens to you. You weren’t here, and this matter is so serious. If the old lady hears it… we didn’t dare.” The two women are so frightened that they kneel on the ground.

When they first hear the news, they consider reporting it, but how could this matter be the same as others? What if they tell her, and the old lady can’t handle the shock and passes away? Would they not have to follow her in death? Everyone has the same thought in their hearts, and no one is willing to take the lead. They keep delaying, thinking that Granny Gao will make the decision when she returns.

But yesterday, as soon as Granny Gao returned, she went to attend to the old lady and slept in the outer room next to her. They had no chance to speak. Today, they plan to say something, but unexpectedly, the Duke and his wife have been waiting outside early in the morning, and they have already spoken about it.

“Foolish! Such a big matter, even though I wasn’t here, you should have sent someone to find me!” Granny Gao is furious, secretly annoyed that her return has been at an inopportune time. She is about to say more when a sound comes from inside the room. It turns out that the old lady has woken up, and she quickly rushes in.

When Grandmother Pei opens her eyes, she sees Pei Che’s face. Instantly, tears fall from her eyes. She shakily reaches out and gently touches his face, saying, “You’ve tanned and lost weight. Has life been that hard for you?”

Pei Che replies, “Grandmother, I’m not struggling. Look at me, I’m even stronger than before.” After three years of being an official and often traveling to the countryside for inspections, he has naturally gotten darker, but it hasn’t affected his looks. Instead, it has added a bit of a heroic aura to him.

“It’s fine. Now that Grandmother is awake, wait until the seventh day. I’ll ask her to send a dream and have them burn more gold and paper money,” Pei’s grandmother says.

Pei Che doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He realizes that his grandmother has only just woken up and is still confused. She actually thinks both of them have passed away.

“Grandmother, feel this.” Pei Che places her hand on his face and says, “I’m still warm! I’m fine, and you’re not in any serious danger either. As long as you take your medicine and rest well, you’ll get better soon.”

Pei’s grandmother freezes for a moment, feeling the warmth in his hand. She then looks around and sees that she’s lying in a familiar room. She can’t help but cry and laugh at the same time, saying, “It’s good that you’re fine. It’s good that you’re fine. You really scared me. Che’er, from now on, don’t leave the capital anymore!”

Pei Che reassures her, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. I won’t leave.” At least not for the next few years, he won’t be leaving Liangjing.

Pei’s grandmother holds him and asks about him for a long time before finally feeling relieved. Then she notices Jiang Miao, who has been waiting by the side. Jiang Miao hasn’t brought the two children over; they’ve traveled a long way without much to eat, so he has first settled them in Pei Che’s courtyard before coming over.

“Che’er’s wife, come here,” Pei’s grandmother calls out.

The nameless way of addressing him takes Jiang Miao by surprise, as no one has ever called him that before. Pei Che notices this and quickly says, “Grandmother, just call him Ah Miao.”

Jiang Miao doesn’t mind, but Pei Che clearly cares about his feelings, which makes Jiang Miao happy.

“It’s fine, it doesn’t matter what Grandmother calls me. Grandmother, do you have any instructions for me?”

Grandmother Pei says, “You’ve taken good care of Che’er these past few years. Now that you’re back, I imagine you won’t be idle. I’ve heard Che’er say you’re good with your craft, so I’ll give you a restaurant on South Street.”

Jiang Miao doesn’t expect such a generous offer, but he believes in the saying “no reward without effort.” Since he and Pei Che have been looking out for each other, he thinks about declining, as he has nothing like a shop or a restaurant to offer Pei Che. However, Pei Che subtly indicates that he should accept it, so Jiang Miao can only thank her. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

Pei’s grandmother is relieved to see him accept. Over the years, the letters Pei Che sends home are filled with love and respect for this man. Initially, she is dissatisfied, but she later comes to understand that this marriage is for life. If she doesn’t make peace with it, should she just fight it and deny it every day? It’s not like they can separate and remarry anyway.

Grandmother Pei had wanted to improve her relationship with Jiang Miao, but she has largely ignored Jiang Miao in the past. Now, it’s hard for her to suddenly change her attitude, so she tries to subtly inquire about his preferences through Pei Che. Pei Che understands her intentions and hints at it, hoping the family will be more united and not divided.

“How about your younger brother?” Pei’s grandmother then remembers the two younger ones and has prepared a box of small gifts for each of them.

Pei Che has come directly and isn’t aware of their whereabouts. Jiang Miao answers, “They traveled most of the day, so they’re tired. I’ve let them rest in the courtyard for now. Once they’ve rested, I’ll bring them over to pay respects to Grandmother.”

Grandmother Pei nods. She only asks casually. As for Pei Mu, she has always harbored some resentment towards him, and the younger one, Xiao Shitou, is even less important to her.

“Madam, the medicine is ready. Would you like to take it now?” Granny Gao comes in holding a bowl of bitter medicine. She has noticed that the miss has been talking to the young master, so she hasn’t interrupted earlier. However, the medicine can’t be left to cool, and she can’t forget to remind her.

Grandmother Pei takes the bowl of medicine and, noticing it is just the right amount to swallow, drinks it all in one go. Her boldness in drinking it leaves Jiang Miao a little impressed. When he watches TV, the ladies always take their medicine one spoonful at a time. But then again, the medicine is so bitter and smells a bit foul—drinking it slowly would only make it worse.

Pei Che promptly offers her some sweet preserves. Grandmother Pei eats one and waves her hand to signal that she doesn’t need any more.

Once the bitter taste is gone, Grandmother Pei remembers something. She had fainted as soon as she heard the rumors, not knowing how they had spread in the first place.

Granny Gao steps forward and speaks a few words, and Pei’s grandmother replies casually, “You handle this. If they’re disloyal, they’re of no use. There are plenty of servants.”

“Understood,” Granny Gao replies. These people are indeed unfit to serve in this courtyard.

Upon learning the origin of the rumors, Pei’s grandmother still finds it odd. She turns to Pei Che and asks, “Che’er, why does it take so many days to return to the capital? Does it really take that long to come from Cangzhou?” If they hadn’t been delayed, the rumors outside wouldn’t have spread.

Pei Che and Jiang Miao exchange a glance, unsure whether they should tell Pei’s grandmother about the situation. However, to prevent her from worrying and speculating, Pei Che decides to explain everything and, at the same time, inquire about this Zhao Wei.

After hearing the full story, Pei’s grandmother is moved to tears. She hadn’t expected that Che’er would end up in that place by chance—was this the will of heaven all along?