Chapter 26: A Matter of Life and Death

“It’s… been three days now. The first two days weren’t so bad, and young master kept saying he was fine, that he’d be better with some rest. But then his condition suddenly worsened in the night, and now he’s lost consciousness.” Xiao Bei’s face was anxious and uneasy.

If he’d known it would come to this, he ought to have asked the steward to get a doctor for young master sooner!

“Come, let’s find Steward Madam together.” Wei Ruo rose and headed outside.

After all, she and Wei Jin Yi were not particularly close, and it wouldn’t do for her to reveal too much about her medical skills while living in the Wei household. It was best to let the family handle their own affairs when possible.

Currently, Madam Li was in charge of the back courtyard of the Wei residence, and she usually stayed in the side room of Wang Mei Court. Xiao Bei knocked on the door, but the people of Wang Mei Court didn’t answer. When Wei Ruo knocked, they hesitated for a moment before finally opening it.

“Eldest Miss, what brings you here so late?” Cui He asked Wei Ruo cautiously.

“Where is your mother?” Wei Ruo asked directly, wanting to know where Madam Li was.

“She’s… she’s in the west wing…” Cui He replied in a whisper.

For a servant to live in the wing room showed just how unusual Madam Li’s status was in the Wei household.

Wei Ruo didn’t waste words with Cui He and went straight to the wing room. After knocking for a good while, the door finally opened.

Madam Li, woken from sleep, looked thoroughly annoyed. “Eldest Miss, whatever you want can wait until tomorrow! What’s the point of such commotion at this hour?”

“Someone’s life is on the line, and you’re worried about whether I’m making a fuss? Second Young Master is already unconscious. If anything happens to him, can you bear the responsibility?” Wei Ruo demanded.

“He was fine during the day. How is it that he’s suddenly unconscious at night? Second Young Master always seemed healthy to me—how could he just faint for no reason? Don’t be unreasonable! It’s not a serious illness. Waiting until morning to call for a doctor is no harm. At this hour, where am I supposed to find a doctor for you?”

“Go to the medical hall, of course!” Wei Ruo pulled Madam Li out of her room.

Madam Li’s anger flared. “How dare you! You have no manners! I came from the Earl’s residence—even the Madam shows me respect! How dare you lay hands on me!”

“However much status you claim, you’re still just a steward. The Second Young Master, no matter how unfavored, is still a master of the house! I’m asking you, a servant, to fetch a doctor for your master, and you keep making excuses? You call yourself an experienced steward from the Earl’s residence? I should be the one asking—where have your manners gone?” Wei Ruo rebuked her.

Normally, Wei Ruo could tolerate others putting on airs before her, but when a person’s life was at stake, her temper burst forth uncontrollably.

“You’ve gone too far! I refuse to call for a doctor—let’s see what you can do about it!” Madam Li puffed out her chest, full of self-importance.

Their loud argument woke Wei Qing Wan, who lived nearby. She hurried out to see Wei Ruo holding onto Madam Li and cried out anxiously, “Sister, what are you doing? Madam Li is old, you shouldn’t pull her like this—it’s dangerous!”

Seeing no one paid her any heed, she rushed over to help, trying to separate Madam Li and Wei Ruo.

At that moment, Madam Li was so furious that she didn’t notice it was Wei Qing Wan grabbing her. Feeling someone tugging at her, she pushed forcefully.

Wei Qing Wan fell straight to the ground.

Seeing her on the floor, Madam Li snapped back to her senses and hurried over to help her up.

“Miss, are you all right?”

“Madam… my foot… it hurts so much…” Wei Qing Wan’s face turned pale as she looked at her ankle, her expression twisted in pain.

Madam Li panicked and quickly ordered her daughter, “Cui He, go find Madam! Tell her Miss has injured her leg! And tell the gatekeeper Xiao Qi to fetch a doctor from Bao He Hall immediately!”

Then she turned, glaring fiercely at Wei Ruo. “Eldest Miss, look at what you’ve done!”

Wei Ruo’s face was cold. She flung her sleeve and turned to leave.

She knew this matter wouldn’t be easily resolved tonight, but there was still someone gravely ill in Ying Zhu Court—they couldn’t afford to wait.

If they waited until daylight for treatment, the patient might already be beyond saving.

Wei Ruo returned to Ying Zhu Court and told Xiu Mei to fetch her medical emergency kit.

Xiu Mei hesitated, grabbing Wei Ruo’s hand. “Miss, are you going to save Second Young Master?”

“Yes.”

“But Miss, if Second Young Master recovers, it will only make what happened at Wang Mei Court harder to explain! Madam Li insists he isn’t sick and that you’re making trouble—how will you explain it to Madam?”

Xiu Mei knew what had just happened would bring trouble for her mistress.

“Even so, I can’t treat a life like a joke. If he dies or is seriously harmed, perhaps I’d be proven innocent, but if my innocence must be proven by a life lost, it’s not worth it.”

Seeing Wei Ruo’s unwavering resolve, Xiu Mei knew what she had to do.

“I understand, I’ll do as you say!” Xiu Mei turned and hurried toward Ting Song Court to fetch the medical kit.

She knew her mistress’s temperament well: always claiming money was most important and never willing to suffer a loss, but when faced with matters of life and death, all thoughts of money and gain were tossed aside.

Wei Ruo then ordered Xiao Bei to prepare cold water and towels.

Xiao Bei nodded repeatedly and quickly fetched the water.

“Now, go uncover your young master’s bedding and take off his clothes,” Wei Ruo instructed.

“Take… take off his clothes?” Xiao Bei was stunned.

“He’s burning up already—if you keep him bundled like that, do you want to cook him alive? Do as I say, don’t hesitate, or you won’t be able to save your young master’s life!”

“But… but the rules about men and women…”

“Are you really worrying about that when a life is at stake? Besides, he’s my brother!”

Half-sibling or not, they were brother and sister all the same.