Resplendent – Chapter 517

Chapter 517 – Gift of Medicine

Being able to stay in the same garden as her parents naturally made Gu Ye happy. She cheerfully entered the embroidery courtyard, luxuriated in a hot bath, and happily sat down to dinner with her parents. Hugging her pillow contentedly afterward, she slept deeply and soundly, all the way until the sun was high in the sky.

After washing and grooming herself, Gu Ye felt a little shy as she approached her mother. 

Lady Jun had instructed someone to serve the breakfast kept warm on the stove and smiled as she said, “There’s no need to feel embarrassed about sleeping in at home. You were exhausted yesterday, so I told everyone not to disturb you.”

“You’re so good, Mother! A child with a mother like you is a treasure!” Gu Ye said, feeling enveloped in happiness as she enjoyed the delicious food under her mother’s gentle gaze. “What about Father and my brothers?”

“They’re busy with their duties, some with official work, some with martial training. Don’t worry about them,” Lady Jun replied, placing a crab roe bun on her daughter’s plate. Since crab is cooling, she had only prepared two, fearing her daughter might overindulge.

Chu Bufan was leading his official duties. He didn’t need to accompany her to any exams today, so he had gone to the Xishan Garrison to check on the troops. 

Prince Ning had shared some soldier training methods with him, which inspired him greatly. In a good mood today, he went to oversee the soldiers.

The Chu family’s second and third sons also had work to do and weren’t at home. As for the fourth, fifth, and sixth sons, the academy had a long break during the convention, and they were out with Gu Ming at the training grounds. 

Recently, Ling Juechen had taught them a set of martial techniques, and these young men, obsessed with their martial arts, were reluctant to leave the training field.

With nothing pressing to do today, Gu Ye decided to dedicate the entire day to her mother. In recent days, she had been preoccupied with selecting the location for the pharmaceutical factory, neglecting her mother. She will make up for it today.

After the meal, Gu Ye lingered under the shade of the trees, accompanying Lady Jun for a stroll and feeding the fish. 

A group of young men from the training grounds came over to join the meal. Afterwards, Gu Ye rested on the soft daybed in her mother’s room, taking a nap alongside her. In the afternoon, Lady Jun embroidered dresses for her daughter while Gu Ye leafed through medical books and pharmacopeias. Though it seemed like an ordinary, filial mother–devoted-to-daughter life, Gu Ye cherished every moment.

The next day, Shangguan Fei arrived with her somewhat irresponsible Princess Tai to pay a visit. Chu Bufan had gone to the garrison and had not returned, so Lady Jun entertained them in the reception hall of Rong’an Garden.

Since there was a man present, Lady Jun, considering that her daughter was growing older, did not call for Gu Ye. But within a few sentences, she realized that the couple had not come to see her. They had a request for her daughter.

“Aunt Jun, don’t laugh when I tell you this. Due to my husband’s recklessness in his youth, he developed a lingering illness. We consulted countless famous physicians and imperial doctors, but nothing helped. Only after taking the Gu Pharmaceuticals’ Liuwei Dihuang Wan did he gradually improve,” Shangguan Fei said, glancing sharply at Prince Tai.

Prince Tai, who was recently urged by his wife to maintain a light diet and exercise regularly, had lost some weight and darkened slightly from his formerly pale, plump appearance, looking much fitter. He slumped there like a frost-bitten eggplant, utterly lacking the arrogance and recklessness he had shown upon first meeting Gu Ye.

Lady Jun nodded, sincerely happy for the couple, and said with a smile, “As long as the medicine works, that’s what matters. Once Prince Tai restores his health, you two can have a healthy child, and I’ll finally rest easy.”

The Marchioness of Yongning had previously mentioned her daughter when visiting Lady Jun. Shangguan Fei and Prince Tai had been married nearly three years, yet had no children, so it was no wonder the Marchioness was worried.

At the time, the two of them had said that Princess Consort Rong was kind and hadn’t forced anyone into the young couple’s quarters. Now, thinking back, Princess Consort Rong probably knew about her younger son’s ailment, which was why she indulged her younger daughter-in-law so much. Sigh—fortunately, Prince Tai’s illness could be cured; otherwise, poor Fei’er would have suffered greatly.

Shangguan Fei spoke somewhat bashfully, “At first, taking the Liuwei Dihuang Wan worked quite well. But recently, it seems the effect hasn’t been as noticeable. So we were wondering if Sister Ye has any more effective medicine…”

It was only then that Lady Jun remembered: Gu Pharmaceutical’s medicines were all personally formulated by her daughter. The Liuwei Dihuang Wan, and even the Wuji Baifeng Wan she had taken before were all made by Gu Ye herself.

Recalling her own experiences, Lady Jun knew very well that medicines tailored by a skilled pharmacist would always be far more effective. However, even as a mother, she couldn’t make decisions for her daughter. Besides, she knew nothing about medicine and couldn’t say whether Gu Ye could cure Prince Tai’s condition.

“Go see if your Miss is free now. Just tell her that her Sister Fei has come to visit,” Lady Jun instructed Wen Sheng.

Before long, Gu Ye emerged from the embroidery courtyard and entered the main hall. She had been tinkering with medicines in her temporary workshop in the embroidery building, but upon hearing the news, she hurriedly changed her clothes and came over. A faint medicinal fragrance clung to her as she stepped into the hall.

Shangguan Fei went up to her, took her hand, and said apologetically, “I hope I didn’t disturb you by coming so suddenly, Sister Ye’er?”

“Not at all! I was just sorting out some herbs out of boredom,” Gu Ye replied. She sat down on the rosewood chair at the lower side of Lady Jun, holding Shangguan Fei’s hand. Seeing Prince Tai, she slightly nodded and greeted, “Brother-in-law Shangguan is here too?”

Prince Tai was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized that the ‘brother-in-law’ was addressed to him. A mix of excitement and slight awkwardness crept into his voice as he said, “Ah-hmm, I’m here…” He was basking in the glow of his wife’s reputation. Otherwise, the young girl might not have paid him any attention at all. 

Lucky man! He really had good eyes to marry such a wonderful wife.

Fool! Shangguan Fei shot him a sharp glare. Straightforward as ever, she didn’t tolerate beating around the bush. She held Gu Ye’s hand and explained their reason for coming once more.

Gu Ye checked Prince Tai’s pulse, then turned to Yue Yuan and said, “Go fetch the two bottles of light-brown potion from my medical chest.”

Yue Yuan quickly returned. Princess Tai and his wife’s eyes were fixed intently on the bottles in Gu Ye’s hands. 

Taking the bottles, Gu Ye turned to Shangguan Fei and said, “The last time I saw Brother-in-law, I spent a few days studying his condition and have now made two bottles of potion specifically for treating nephrotic syndrome. Take these home for him to use first. If it proves effective, you can come back for more once he finishes the doses. Take three times a day, each time, two spoonfuls, using the same spoons you use for soup.”

Shangguan Fei carefully took the bottles, securing them herself, before looking up gratefully: “I won’t say too much about thanks. In the future, if you ever need help from the two of us, just ask. We won’t refuse!”

Gu Ye hesitated, wondering whether to bring up the matter of the manor. After all, it didn’t belong to Prince Tai but was part of the Princess Consort Rong’s dowry. If she mentioned it abruptly, would it be seen as taking advantage of their favor?

“What’s wrong? If there’s something you need, just say it. With the relationship between our families, there’s no reason not to speak up,” Shangguan Fei prompted, seeing her hesitation. 

She was secretly pleased. After all, reciprocation strengthens bonds, making relationships closer and more lasting.