Chapter 188: Madam Xu visits 1

Translator: 549690339?????? —

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

The first and fifteenth days of each month were rest days, so Wei Ruo didn’t have to attend school today.

Wei Ruo planned to stay on the estate for the day to arrange all the things needed before the Chinese New Year, because after the New Year, she might not have time.

As Wei Ruo was about to go out, someone from her household came – it was the old Madam Xu, the mother of Mr. Xu Tongzhi, and she specifically asked to see Wei Ruo.

Yunshi looked puzzled. These days, her second daughter, Wanwan, has been attending classes at Tongzhi Prefecture, so she has had more opportunities to meet old Madam Xu. Her eldest daughter, Ruoruo, has had practically no interaction with the Xu family, so why would old Madam Xu visit and specifically ask to see Ruoruo?

The Xu family is also a renowned and highly regarded family within Taizhou prefecture. Although they do not have the far-reaching influence of the Yuan Family, the influence of their entire family within the government is far greater than that of the Wei Family.

Old Madam Xu is also an older generation within the family and is highly respected.

Her abrupt visit as an eider to a younger generation has Yunshi quite puzzled. Curious, Yunshi asked old Madam Xu, “How does Old Madam Xu know my daughter Ruoruo?”

Old Madam Xu laughed and said, “My old man has been suffering from a persistent cough, an old problem of his for years. He has taken many medicines but never seems to get better. This year, with the weather colder than usual, whenever a chilly wind blows down his throat, he coughs fiercely.” Yunshi looked puzzled, not understanding why Old Madam Xu was talking about her husband’s cough and what it had to do with their family.

Old Madam Xu continued to explain, “A few days ago, I went to see the old lady of the third room of the Yuan family. She’s been having a wind-cold that’s causing a persistent cough. There, I saw a treasure, a loquat syrup given to her by her beloved granddaughters. After taking it for three days, her condition improved significantly. Her voice was resounding when speaking, and she rarely coughed.”

Yunshi didn’t interrupt but continued to listen patiently to Old Madam Xu’s story.

Old Madam Xu got to the crux of the matter, “Later, my elder sister helped me to ask her three granddaughters. Only then did I discover that they got this precious item from their classmate, a good friend who personally prepared it and gave it to them. They got three jars in total, two of which were given to my old sister, and one given to the mother of the ninth Miss.”

At this point, Yunshi began to catch on.

There are three girls from the Yuan family of a similar age as her two daughters who regularly attend classes with her eldest daughter, Ruoruo, at the Tianqin Garden. So it is possible that the donator of the loquat syrup was her eldest daughter, Ruoruo. That’s probably why Old Madam Xu is here today. Understanding the gist of the matter, Yunshi replied with a smile, “I’m not certain of the details about this loquat syrup that Old Madam Xu is speaking about. Since it’s a rest day today, Ruoruo is at home. I could send someone to fetch her and if she still has some, she can give you an extra jar.”

Seeing Yunshi instructing her maid to summon someone, Old Madam Xu didn’t stop her.

After the maid was sent off, Yunshi said to Old Madam Xu, “However, there’s no guarantee that the loquat syrup would be of help to Old Master Xu’s illness It would be best to have a doctor’s consultation for treating illness.” Yunshi holds a skeptical attitude towards Wei Ruo’s loquat syrup curing the cough, suspecting that the recovery of the Yuan family’s old lady was purely a coincidence.

If it turns out to be ineffective after Old Master Xu consumes it, Yunshi fears that the Xu family might be displeased, so she decided to speak her concerns up front.

Once the maid exited the room, Old Madam Xu explained again, “Actually, I have already obtained the loquat syrup. The maids from Yuan family helped me, this thick-skinned old lady, to ask for a jar. My old man has been taking it for a few days, his cough is slightly better, particularly just after consumption, he feels his throat is soothed, and breathes more comfortably.”

“I see,” Yunshi sighed in relief.

Old Madam Xu said, “So I came here today, firstly to learn about the loquat syrup from Miss Wei; secondly, I want to ask to purchase some more. My old man has had this chronic illness for many years, and it’s likely not easy to root out completely. I’m afraid the one jar won’t be enough.”

Meanwhile, Wei Ruo was brought in by Cuiping.

This is Old Madam Xu.” Yunshi introduced to Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo bowed to Old Madam Xu, “I greet Old Madam Xu.”

“Oh, good girl, good girl.” Old Madam Xu looked at Wei Ruo’s bright smile.

After the greetings, under Yunshi’s direction, Wei Ruo sat down in an empty spot nearby.

Old Madam Xu then expressed her gratitude to Wei Ruo: “Miss Wei, thank you for your loquat syrup, my old man’s throat is feeling better.”

“Old Madam Xu, there’s no need for formalities, if the loquat syrup benefits Old Master, then that’s for the best,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Hmm, but there are still some questions that I want to ask you. Would you mind?”

“Old Madam Xu, please feel free to ask anything. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“Well, my husband has been dealing with this ailment for quite a few years now, and while the loquat syrup has helped him improve, it’s not a complete cure. He felt a significant relief immediately after taking it, but the effect faded after a while, and he couldn’t help but drink more. I didn’t dare let him consume too much, so I wanted to ask you, how much loquat syrup can he consume per day at most?”

“Although loquat syrup is not as strictly controlled as other traditional Chinese medicines, it should not be consumed like regular tea or water either One should use a spoon to mix it with hot water for each dosage, and shouldn’t exceed five spoons in a day” Wei Ruo responded.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Xu said, “I will take note of this and tell my husband when I return home so we can set some limits.”

Wei Ruo smiled lightly.

Old Madam Xu then asked again, “My husband has been suffering from this illness for a long time now. Is there any hope that he will completely recover after consuming these loquat syrups?”

Wei Ruo answered, “This is hard to say. Since this is a chronic disease, it certainly wouldn’t be cured quickly. Different individuals also have different constitutions, leading to different rates of recovery, and I couldn’t make a definitive claim without meeting the patient. However, the fact that there has been some improvement after consuming the syrup for the past several days suggests it wouldn’t hurt to continue the treatment. Even if it’s not completely cured, it should bring some relief.”

Wei Ruo hadn’t met Old Master Xu, and naturally, had not examined his pulse or assessed his health so she couldn’t possibly know about the definitive result.

Old Madam Xu agreed with Wei Ruo’s assessment and went on to express her feelings, “My husband and I, at our age, don’t ask for much, just to live comfortably for the rest of our days. Unfortunately, his cough has been troubling him. Now that we have a method to alleviate it, even if it won’t completely cure him, it can make his every day a bit easier, and that is enough for both of us.”

Wei Ruo nodded empathetically.

Then, with a troubled expression on her face, Old Madam Xu said, “But if the loquat syrup needs to be taken long-term….”