Chapter 331: Affection Between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law, Du Wan’s Kindness in Keeping People Around

“It’s all in Nanjing, yet we hardly see each other all day. This child doesn’t know how to be flexible—only focused on work!”
Sitting on the kang, Lady Sun glanced at her younger daughter, who was running around chaotically. Her face was filled with smiles, but she complained irritably. Though life was no longer as difficult as before, she still insisted on sewing clothes for her children every winter. She casually put the unfinished silk shirt in the small wicker box behind her, then stood up and went over to Du Wan. Seeing her carefully sewing the cuffs with fine beads of sweat on her forehead, a smile appeared on her face.
“Wan, your sewing skills have improved a lot!” she said as she sat down next to Du Wan. When Du Wan looked up at her, she affectionately handed her a handkerchief before scolding gently, “People say a daughter-in-law should be good at sewing, cooking, and managing the household—in short, an all-around person. But none of these compare to your intelligence and careful thinking. You just need to learn these things superficially so no one can find faults; don’t devote yourself entirely to them.”
Hearing this, Du Wan felt warm inside. “I understand, thank you, Mother.”
“That’s what I mean,” Lady Sun said satisfactorily, taking Du Wan’s hand and smiling. “In that big mansion in Beijing, following rules and knowing proper behavior is crucial. But as long as our family is around, you don’t need to be so restrained—say whatever you want. I’m not like your second sister-in-law, who is always nitpicking. It’s hard enough to become a mother-in-law; if you can’t even tolerate your own daughter-in-law, and still insist that Chao’s daughter-in-law call you ‘madam’—as if being a ‘madam’ outside isn’t enough, you need to act superior even in front of your daughter-in-law?”
At that moment, Du Wan couldn’t help but smile. Though her mother-in-law was quite old, she still had some of her younger days’ temper. Having a mother-in-law who treated her like a daughter was surely her fortune.
“I understand Yue’s temperament—he’s very strict about separating work from personal life and is quite mature for his age, which lacks some fun. You need to be more patient with him. It’s the twelfth month now. Though he can’t come back, you might as well send him some winter clothes. It would be best if you could see him, but if not, at least you’ll know how he’s doing.”

Faced with her mother-in-law’s earnest efforts to send her to see Zhang Yue despite her indirect ways, Du Wan simply couldn’t say anything negative—although she never left home, Xiao Wu was the type who couldn’t stay still, wandering around Nanjing all day long. When he returned, he often had a lot to talk about. Thus, she had also heard that one of the imperial envoys was recovering from illness while the other was focusing on overseeing the audit—things that outsiders knew. Based on Zhang Yue’s previous instructions, she could guess that her husband was likely not in Nanjing.

But how could she say such things outright to her mother-in-law, who was so worried about her son?

So, she could only watch helplessly as Mrs. Sun took out a bundle wrapped in pine-colored silk with autumn-scented satin lining, and ordered Zhenzhu to pack two winter garments inside. She then took out another bundle to stuff in various other small items. By the time they boarded the carriage, there was even a fully packed small wicker box in addition to the two bundles, leaving her utterly bewildered.

That day, Xiao Wu didn’t go out, so he naturally accompanied them. Sitting in the carriage, he stared at Du Wan with a sly smile, like a cunning little raccoon: “Miss, didn’t we receive news from Beijing earlier that the Duchess of Britain had a child in middle age, bringing joy to her whole family? Although you and your husband have only been married for three months, I think your mother-in-law keeps nagging about how she can’t see him in Nanjing. Her real intention isn’t what it seems—she definitely wants to have a grandson soon!”

Du Wan was wondering whether Zhang Yue had gone straight to Ningbo or somewhere else at this point. Hearing Xiao Wu’s words suddenly, she glared at him irritably: “You only know how to talk nonsense! Watch me give you a good scolding when I get back! You’re always preoccupied with such trivial things and unwilling to find someone for yourself! Although Grandma’s letter sounded calm, the Duchess of Britain is in her early forties—having a child this time is already extremely risky… Don’t you remember that Grandma also asked your mother-in-law to help find a good doctor?”

Xiao Wu had only met Lady Wang once with Du Wan, and at that time, he had only found her dignified and elegant, with no deep impression. But hearing Du Wan mention the life-threatening nature of her childbirth, his face gradually paled, and he couldn’t help pulling at Du Wan’s sleeve.

“If it’s that dangerous, then Miss, you must never have children in the future!”

Faced with this little one who was sometimes mischievous and sometimes dazed, Du Wan felt both annoyed and amused. She gently tapped her forehead with her finger. Since the distance from Hubu Street to Mafu Street was quite long, the carriage jolted along the way. Preoccupied as she was, she didn’t feel like talking much. Before she realized it, Xiao Wu’s head was already resting on her shoulder—she was fast asleep. Knowing it was cold outside, Du Wan shook her head inwardly and picked up a cloak nearby to gently cover Xiao Wu.

It took about half an hour before the carriage stopped in front of the imperial envoy’s residence. Xiao Wu was suddenly awakened by the stop of the carriage. She was still half-asleep, rubbing her eyes, while Du Wan instructed the coachman to go and negotiate. Soon, the coachman returned and stood beside the carriage pole, saying, “Young mistress, the guards at the door have gone in to report.”

Throughout the journey, Du Wan had been peeking outside through the cracks in the curtains. Although this place was far from the bustling areas of Nanjing, there were various vendors in the alleys, which made her think. Hearing the coachman’s report, she sat calmly in the carriage, waiting and pondering the situation.

Soon, she heard a cheerful voice from outside, “Is your sister here? I’m Fang Ling, a close friend of Yuan Jie. These past few days, he’s been extremely busy with accounting work and in a bad mood, so he couldn’t come to see you. If you trust me, let me deliver anything for you.”

Although Du Wan remembered that Zhang Yue had indeed brought Fang Ling when he went to the south, and knew that the two were close friends—Fang Ling was even among those who went to Du’s family’s house to welcome the bride—she still felt that, according to Zhang Yue’s description, this man shouldn’t be so ostentatious, nor would he speak so loudly in public, especially since there were outsiders in front of the gate.

“Brother Fang, you’re joking. How could I not trust you? Wait a moment; I’ll have someone bring the things down.”

With a smile, she replied and instructed Xiao Wu beside her to bring down the bags and belongings, followed by more polite exchanges. After Fang Ling took his leave and walked away, Xiao Wu got back into the carriage. Du Wan thought carefully again and was now completely convinced. Indeed, Zhang Yue wasn’t actually here in the imperial envoy’s residence doing accounting work, as rumored. Otherwise, there would be no need for Fang Ling to come and pretend. Seeing Du Wan frowning to herself, Xiao Wu simply pulled back the curtains to look outside, feeling somewhat annoyed.

That guy always acts like he’s doing something important and mysterious!

Thinking of Du Wan having been cooped up at home these days, she simply poked her head out and gave orders to the coachman, and the carriage then changed course toward some busy and lively streets. While Du Wan was distracted, she pulled her young lady along to chat and joke with the shopkeepers on the street, and the lively chatter naturally diluted the solemn atmosphere in the carriage.

“That’s Chengxin Hall, which specializes in brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Why not buy some to practice calligraphy?”

“That’s Qianweizhai, famous for its pastries and fruits. How about bringing a box back for your wife?”

“I know you don’t like cosmetics, but the dried flowers here are quite nice. Miss, when spring comes, how about we go to the garden and pick some fresh flowers to make useful things? We can give them as gifts later!”

“Hey, miss, look! Isn’t that old man… isn’t that Dr. Feng?”

Du Wan was kept busy with Xiao Wu’s endless chatter, but she only stopped the carriage in front of Qianweizhai to have the coachman buy a box of pastries. However, when she heard those suddenly abrupt words, she jolted awake. Ignoring the fact that they were on a busy street, she immediately poked her head out of the carriage curtain and followed Xiao Wu’s gesture.

It turned out to be a pharmacy, with a crowd gathered at the entrance. Two or three young men dressed like employees were surrounding an old man, arguing loudly, seemingly in conflict. In the cold winter, the old man was wearing loose gray clothes, his wrinkles even deeper than before, though his stubborn temper remained unchanged.

“Hmph! Using ten-year-old ginseng to pass off as thirty-year-old, pig skin and donkey-hide gelatin substituted with fake ones—even the bird’s nest is fake! What kind of pharmacy is this? It’s nothing but a scam!”

“Old fool, if you dare talk nonsense anymore, we’ll send you to the authorities! Our medicine has to be delivered to important officials, and everyone expects it to be of high quality. But you keep spouting nonsense! Some so-called doctor, I think you’re just trying to swindle people!”

Seeing those employees about to hit the old man, Du Wan worried about Feng Yuanming’s frail frame. She ordered the coachman to speed up the carriage while quickly giving instructions to Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu understood immediately, nodded, leaped out of the carriage, and rushed forward, shouting loudly, “Dr. Feng, what are you doing here? Miss and I searched everywhere for you! You’re such a famous doctor, yet you keep wandering around in those clothes, just to amuse people? The people from the Duke’s mansion are already waiting at home. Come with us right away!”

By now, there were quite a few onlookers around. Xiao Wu slipped through the crowd like a loach, grabbed Feng Yuanming’s dirty sleeve, and then shouted angrily at the two men, “Aren’t you going to the government office? If you want to sue, fine, we’ll handle it at the Duke’s residence! If you so much as touch Doctor Feng, no noble in Ying Tianfu will ever come to you for medicine again!”
Both the onlookers and the men were stunned upon hearing Xiao Wu mention the Duke’s residence. Though it might have seemed like bluster, this suddenly appearing girl was dressed in a jade-colored silk jacket with a front closure, a skirt of matching patterned thread, and an old-looking dark blue velvet cloak over it—clearly from a wealthy family. Moreover, she claimed to have a lady above her. Fearing trouble, the onlookers quickly dispersed. Although the men were resentful, they were still intimidated by the mention of the Duke’s residence and left Feng Yuanming behind, returning to the pharmacy to continue their business in frustration.
Feng Yuanming let Xiao Wu support his arm as they walked forward, stunned. Remembering how confidently she had spoken just now, he couldn’t help but recall how the same impulsive nature had shown in the girl when he lived at the Meng family’s place. When they reached a carriage with green curtains, and saw Du Wan personally jump down to lift the curtain for him, he was filled with mixed emotions but shook his head and refused to get in.
“Miss Du, thank you for saving me, but I deserve to die. I won’t practice medicine anymore. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Seeing Feng Yuanming’s gloomy expression, so different from his former vigor, Du Wan felt sad. When Feng Yuanming tried to pull away, Xiao Wu didn’t loosen her grip. She then said sincerely, “Doctor Feng, what’s past is past. It wasn’t that you didn’t give your all, nor was it that your medical skills weren’t excellent. Wasn’t it your effort that allowed Lady Wu to see Lord Meng one last time? Even Sister Min must be deeply grateful to you. I just made up an excuse earlier. I just wanted to take you there to change clothes and have a meal. After that, you can go wherever you want. What do you say?”
Although he was stubborn by nature, with her words like that, Feng Yuanming could only sigh deeply and let Xiao Wu help him onto the carriage. He then remained silent. Xiao Wu promptly helped him sit on the seat covered with brocade cushions. Seeing his thin clothes, she took off her cloak and draped it over his knees before getting off the carriage. Soon, another hired carriage arrived, and Du Wan took Xiao Wu inside it.

She returned to the Zhang family courtyard on Hubu Street. Du Wan instructed two reliable servants to take Feng Yuanming to the western courtyard of the Duke’s residence and had them prepare new clothes for him. She then took Xiao Wu to see Lady Sun and recounted in detail her trip to the imperial envoy’s office on Mafu Street that day, only mentioning Feng Yuanming at the end, saying she planned to keep him for a few days.

“Wait, are you saying he’s a doctor, and a highly skilled one at that?” Lady Sun’s eyes lit up as she quickly grabbed Du Wan’s hand and smiled. “How convenient! The Duchess is currently worried about her son’s weak health. If such a renowned doctor could examine him and prescribe treatment, wouldn’t that be perfect? After all, the illness of Lady Meng wasn’t his fault. It would be a shame to waste his excellent medical skills. Besides, the Duke’s residence certainly won’t skimp on the fees.”

Du Wan had thought of this earlier but had felt it was not appropriate at the time, and now she shook her head. Seeing Lady Sun’s puzzled expression, she softly explained, “Mother, Doctor Feng has a very peculiar temperament. He only agreed to treat Lady Meng out of momentary anger. Since Sister Min treated him like an elder in the family, he put in extra effort, which is why things turned out this way. When he left, the Meng family must have given him a large sum of money, but now he’s not only down and out but also says he won’t practice medicine anymore. I think he’s truly disheartened. I want to keep him for a few more days so that Xiao Wu can try to cheer him up. She’s lively and talkative; maybe she can help ease his burden. It would be a shame if his medical skills were wasted like this. Perhaps we should delay dealing with the Duke’s residence’s matters and wait for a better opportunity.”

Lady Sun was straightforward. After thinking it over, she gave up and left everything to Du Wan’s discretion. But even after her daughter-in-law left, she still sighed. The Duke and Duchess of Yingguo had taken great care of Zhang Yue and her family. If they could help with this matter, it would ease some of her guilt. But her daughter-in-law’s reasoning made sense too—after all, one couldn’t ignore others’ feelings and force them to repay a favor.