"It was Doctor Li who was called."
Qin Yuan’s words reassured Nanny Zhao.
Feeling a bit calmer, Nanny Zhao resumed crying and clung to Mrs. Xu, wailing, "Madam, the Sixth Lady Gu coughed up blood from the anger you caused her. You said you came to check on her condition, but in truth, you wish her dead."
Qin Yuan: "..."
Mrs. Xu struggled and screamed, flailing her arms furiously, cursing, "You vile servant with your filthy lies! I came here out of goodwill to see my sister-in-law, and she was stirred to coughing up blood by just a few words from you. Now you blame it all on me in front of the Madam. I don’t care about my reputation anymore. I must tear this matter apart with you."
Nanny Zhao couldn’t care less, not letting go of her hold.
"I don’t care about status or hierarchy anymore. I have been painstakingly keeping things from the master these days because I’m afraid the master isn’t well enough to handle any aggravation. But now you dare come and provoke. I might as well speak the truth and clear the air in front of the Madam and the Marquis."
This shift caused Mrs. Xu’s arrogance to diminish significantly, and she cried out, "Don’t accuse the innocent. I came here out of goodwill to see my sister-in-law. How was I to know she would cough up blood? If I’d known, I wouldn’t have said a single word. You servant, how are you taking care of people?"
Hong Ye and Hong Mian were both taken aback by what they saw.
Qin Yuan said, "Let me go and check on my sixth sister-in-law first."
Without trying to mediate the quarrel, she hurried straight to the inner chamber, lifted the curtain, and saw Sixth Lady Gu lying rigidly on the canopy bed, her complexion pale as gold paper.
The table next to the bed was overturned, and fruits and desserts were scattered all over the floor, with the embroidery stool and chairs all toppled over.
Qin Yuan rushed forward, reaching out to check Sixth Lady Gu’s pallid face.
Seeing that Sixth Lady Gu still had some breath, she finally let out a sigh of relief and quickly felt Sixth Lady Gu’s pulse.
By the time Hong Ye and others arrived, Qin Yuan had finished checking the pulse and instructed, "Quick, fetch some moxa sticks."
Hong Mian promptly sought out one of the young maidservants from Sixth Lady Gu’s courtyard to find the moxa sticks.
Qin Yuan took the hairpin from her bun and used it as a needle, poking a few times at Sixth Lady Gu’s chest and beside her ears with force, then said, "Fetch some warm water to wipe down the Sixth Lady’s hands and feet, and light a moxibustion stick an inch long with a ginger slice, placing it at the Sixth Lady’s Tiger Mouth and Taixi points."
Inside, there was a frenzy of activity, while outside, Mrs. Xu and Nanny Zhao were still arguing endlessly.
Qin Yuan frowned, "Tell them to lower their voices. If Sixth Lady Gu wakes up and hears this, won’t it just make her angrier?"
Hong Ye quickly went out to pass on the message, and the noise outside immediately quieted down.
Qin Yuan stayed by the bedside, keeping a close eye on Sixth Lady Gu. Before long, Sixth Lady Gu started to let out faint groans.
"Luckily, my sixth sister-in-law is coming around."
Qin Yuan felt relieved and quickly urged Hong Ye to find Nanny Zhao and get the calming incense pills lit immediately.
Shortly afterward, the incense pills were lit, and Sixth Lady Gu’s breathing slowed, her furrowed brow relaxing.
Hong Ye quietly asked, "Is Sixth Lady Gu alright now? She seems much better than before."
Qin Yuan replied, "How can you say she’s alright? Her condition can’t handle any stress, whether extreme joy, anger, shock, or fear. It’s fortunate I arrived in time this time, but it was just enough to save a life. Where’s Doctor Li?"
Hong Mian quickly said, "Someone has been sent to fetch him. Barring any accidents, he should be here soon."
Qin Yuan gave Hong Mian a look, and Hong Ye said, "I’ll go out front and check."
Qin Yuan nodded.
Hong Ye then rushed out to find Gu Shiliu.
Hong Mian set the embroidery stool upright and softly said, "Madam, why not have a seat and rest a bit?"
Qin Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, let’s go out. Let them tidy up in here first, so when Doctor Li arrives, it looks presentable."
She couldn’t be much use here, so she might as well see how those two were making a scene outside.
At this time, Nanny Zhao was still gripping Mrs. Xu tightly, saying every phrase, "If anything happens to the master, I’ll only take your life as compensation. Anyway, the Xu family has driven me to despair."
Mrs. Xu, terrified, looked ashen and trembled as she defended herself, "How was I to know my sister-in-law’s condition was this severe? You as a servant never mentioned it, now so loyal after causing trouble. Who knows if you’re just putting on a show?"
Nanny Zhao was about to erupt again.
The other maidservants nearby persuaded, "The Madam is out, Nanny Zhao, please let go. The master will take care of everything."
Upon hearing that Qin Yuan had arrived, Nanny Zhao finally let go, looking expectantly, and asked, "Madam, how is Sixth Lady Gu... is she alright?"
Qin Yuan sighed and said, "Sixth Lady Gu has managed to regain some strength. You know her condition can’t withstand any stress. We need Doctor Li to see her first to know for sure."