Chapter 17: Adoption

Dingyuan Marquis’s Residence.

Wu Tan began burning with a high fever in the middle of the night. Physician Xu rushed over and administered three doses of medicine. Half awake and half asleep, she didn't fully come to until the afternoon of the next day.

When she opened her eyes, still hazy, she saw Madam Zhou seated at the foot of her bed, busy stitching a pair of soles, occasionally glancing up to check on her.

“Madam Zhou!” Wu Tan smiled gently, propping herself up to sit. “Why are you here?”

Madam Zhou quickly set aside her needlework and came over to help her, stuffing two pillows behind Wu Tan’s back and adjusting her into a comfortable position. “Miss, you had a high fever last night. Those two maids are still so young; I feared they wouldn’t know what to do. I stayed with you so the Old Madam could rest assured.”

She picked up the cup from the bedside table and gave Wu Tan half a cup of water.

Wu Tan had sweated profusely through the night. Though the two maids had taken turns moistening her lips with damp cloths, her lips were still taut and cracked, and speaking brought a sharp pain to her throat.

“I knew you’d always care for me, Madam.” Having drunk the water, Wu Tan flashed a broad smile.

Her infectious grin made Madam Zhou smile as well. She turned and soon returned with a large bowl of medicine, sitting by the bedside to feed her.

Wu Tan braced herself and drank two spoonfuls, grimacing as the bitter taste twisted her brows together, yet she still tried to please Madam Zhou: “About last night—Grandmother must be angry with me, isn’t she?”

Having raised Wu Tan herself, and cherishing the clever, lively girl deeply, Madam Zhou couldn’t help but scold her affectionately: “Knowing the Old Madam would be upset, you still chose to act out?”

“I know…” Wu Tan grinned, obediently lowering her head to quietly drink the medicine. After a while, she spoke again, her tone calm: “Big Brother is home these days. I don’t want him to think that here, I must bow and scrape to get by. He’s already in danger at the southern front, and I don’t want him distracted by worries about me.”

Wu Tan was sensible. Though she was usually spirited and bold, she hid certain feelings from the Old Madam but never from Madam Zhou.

Her bond with Wu Qinglin was so strong that it had become a mutual burden.

Madam Zhou’s heart softened at her words, pausing with the spoon before smiling again. “The Marquis will look after the Young Master in the camp.”

“Mm!” Wu Tan nodded brightly, breaking into another cheerful smile. “But he’s still my real brother!”

The medicine was unbearably bitter. After a few spoonfuls, Wu Tan was nearly in tears. She snatched the bowl from Madam Zhou, closed her eyes, and with a look of tragic resolve, gulped it down.

Madam Zhou couldn’t help but laugh, quickly handing her fresh water to rinse her mouth. “Rest for a bit. The kitchen has cooked congee. Physician Xu said you must eat light meals these days. I’ll send a maid to fetch it and inform the Old Madam that you’re awake.”

Wu Tan lay back, too weak to move. “Where’s Grandmother? Isn’t she napping at this hour?”

“Last night, your illness frightened the Old Madam badly. She stayed by your side most of the night, only sleeping at dawn, and woke at the hour of the dragon,” Madam Zhou replied, tucking the blanket around Wu Tan as she rose. “The Marquis returned from court at noon and said he is leaving for the southern front tomorrow. He’s so rushed, the Old Madam went to help Madam pack his luggage.”

Wu Qinglin had already told her about the Marquis’s plans, so Wu Tan wasn’t surprised. “Is Big Brother leaving with him then?”

Madam Zhou was about to answer when Wu Qinglin himself arrived.

“The Heir is here!” Madam Zhou smiled in greeting. “You sit with Second Miss for a while. I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.” Wu Qinglin nodded, pulled a chair to the bedside, and reached out to check Wu Tan’s forehead.

“There’s still a bit of heat left. I just drank more medicine, it’s nothing!” Wu Tan pushed his hand away, annoyed. “By the way, Big Brother, is Father really leaving the capital tomorrow? Are you—?”

“Second Brother is going with him. I’ll go later,” Wu Qinglin said, his face still clouded, his tone edged with anger. “You’re not to be so reckless again, understood?”

Wu Tan fiddled with her fingers, unconcerned. “I couldn’t help it. Wu Qingqiong is just so infuriating…”

Wu Qingqiong was indeed troublesome, but was it worth harming herself just to spite her?

Wu Qinglin was genuinely angry this time, about to scold, but Wu Tan swiftly grabbed his sleeve, beating him to the punch. “Then you should just marry a sister-in-law soon to keep me in line!”

Wu Qinglin, at nineteen, was well past the age to discuss marriage. He’d spent years in the southern army; the Old Madam and Madam Meng had mentioned it several times, but he hadn’t been keen, and the Marquis hadn’t pressed him. After all, the future was long, and the son still young.

Wu Tan’s eyes gleamed like a cat that’s just gotten away with mischief. Wu Qinglin, exasperated, sneered, “So that’s what it takes for you to behave? Fine! I’ll have Grandmother arrange it right away.”

Provoked, he actually rose to leave.

Wu Tan was taken aback, then quickly grabbed his sleeve again.

Wu Qinglin looked down at her, still angry.

Wu Tan relented. “Alright, alright! I’ll listen to you. I promise—next time, I’ll be careful and act within my limits.”

She sank back into the soft pillows.

Wu Qinglin stared at her sternly for a while before finally sitting down again.

Wu Tan was curious. “But Big Brother, with so many noble young ladies in the capital, is there truly no one you fancy?”

Wu Qinglin didn’t dodge the question. “I just haven’t thought about it yet. Maybe in a couple of years.” He softened slightly, then looked at Wu Tan. “As for you and the Crown Prince, after court today, His Majesty formally discussed it with Father. Tomorrow, Madam Meng will send your birth date card to Zhengyang Palace. Once the Empress checks the compatibility and if all is well, the engagement could be settled as soon as this month, or after the Longevity Festival at the latest.”

“Oh!” Wu Tan replied, showing neither delight nor shyness, nor any reluctance or displeasure—just as if nothing had happened.

Wu Qinglin didn’t know what to make of it, so he changed the subject.

The siblings chatted idly for a while. Xingzi brought in congee, and Wu Qinglin left. As he exited Jingchun Studio, Steward Qin approached. “Heir, the Marquis requests your presence immediately.”

With Steward Qin coming in person, it must be important. Wu Qinglin went straight to the front study.

Unexpectedly, as he entered, he saw the Old Madam was there too.

“Grandmother? Why are you here?” Wu Qinglin was surprised.

The Marquis was always respectful, typically visiting the main residence himself whenever there was something to discuss.

“Oh! I have something to say to your grandmother,” said the Marquis. He had been sorting through books and now emerged from the inner room, carrying a worn ledger, his expression grave as he sat beside the Old Madam. “Mother, there’s something I’ve kept in my heart for a long time. I meant to discuss it with you in a few days, but now His Majesty has suddenly ordered me to leave the capital…”

There was something unsettling in his tone.

The Old Madam and Wu Qinglin exchanged puzzled glances.

The Marquis pushed the Wu family genealogy in front of the Old Madam, glanced at Wu Qinglin, and solemnly said, “I want to have Yu’er and Rui’er each adopted by my second and third brothers.”

The sudden topic struck like a blow, leaving the Old Madam’s chest tight and bringing tears to her eyes.

—Extra Note—

Hmm! This chapter doesn’t really have anything to say… No quarrels, no drama, no schemes, only Big Brother. Actually, I’m a healing, tranquil writer… ah ah ah…

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