Blossom in Adversity

C48. Encounter Again.

Chapter 48: Encounter Again

Watching Xu Jie organize things systematically, with carts of oranges being transported from the dock to the villa, the master and servant then left.

"Let's go to the Physician Chu's medical clinic."

"Yes." Nian Qiu instructed the coachman and, smelling the scent on the young lady, her face lightened up with a smile. She gently massaged the young lady's right hand with the right amount of pressure.

In the past, the young lady's hands didn't show much wear, but since taking charge, her right hand had become slightly thicker from all the writing. The joint of her fingers was more apparent, their attempts at maintenance having negligible effects once she resumed her duties as a teacher.

Thinking back to when the young lady could spend her time reading, writing, playing chess, drawing, or coming up with ideas for Fu Dong to cook, and comparing it to now, where everything required her attention, Nian Qiu felt a pang of sadness. She quickly lowered her gaze, fearing the young lady might notice.

Chu Shitang was a bit surprised to see Hua Zhi, finishing up with the patient next to him, he called another doctor to take over and asked her to come to the private room for a chat.

"I apologize for disturbing Physician Chu."

Chu Shitang looked at her outfit and the unfamiliar face, his eyelids twitched slightly, but he maintained his composure and didn't pry further. "Is the young lady here today for the herbs as agreed upon before?"

"That's one reason, and also to inquire about my grandmother's condition, it's not convenient to discuss it at home."

Chu Shitang nodded in understanding. "I have been treating the Hua family for many years, and if I remember correctly, the old lady rarely had any illnesses in these years."

"Yes, she rarely falls sick in a year."

Chu Shitang stroked his beard cautiously before speaking, "Are you aware that the old lady was carrying a child, eight months along after the Fourth Master?"

Hua Zhi shook her head in surprise, "I have never heard of that."

"In that case, I misspoke."

"Don't worry, it's not a secret. It's just that the elders are reluctant to let the younger generation know about such matters. Please, Physician Chu, elaborate, so I can understand the situation better."

After some consideration, Chu Shitang decided to be more transparent, "Indeed, it's not a secret. Once, a tragic accident occurred while she was napping. A fall led to a miscarriage, and though the baby was born alive, it was unable to survive afterwards. At her age, it was a devastating blow. She was bedridden for half a year, her health slowly recovering. After that, her health improved, but the underlying issues remained. It's like a debt collector, coming back to settle the scores. That's why her illness has worsened to this extent."

Hua Zhi's heart clenched. She sensed an underlying meaning in Physician Chu's words. "Just tell me," she insisted, "I can handle it."

"The eldest miss wasn't there when I visited the patient the other day, so I couldn't inform anyone else about the old lady's deteriorating condition," Physician Chu explained.

"Really?" Hua Zhi asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

"At this rate, the old lady won't be able to hold on much longer," Physician Chu stated grimly.

Hua Zhi's heart squeezed a little tighter. Before the incident at the Hu household, her grandmother was perfectly healthy!

Just within a short period, how could...