Chapter 1039 - 1041: No Manners At All_1
"What is that scourge here for? Trying to anger me to death? Tell them to scram!" Elder Jiang Ge bellowed in the room, followed by violent coughing. This time, Jiang Xuexiang couldn’t care too much, and he hurriedly rushed into the room.
"Dad, don’t be angry. How is your health? Do you want me to call the Imperial Doctor again?" Jiang Xuexiang asked worriedly.
Elder Jiang Ge, while coughing, waved his hand, "No need, just don’t let me see that little bastard, and that’ll be fine!"
Jiang Yichun had already entered the Thatched Cottage, disdain evident on his face, "If it weren’t for the emperor’s decree, I wouldn’t bother visiting this shabby hut."
Bai Ruozhu followed him in and pulled at Jiang Yichun’s sleeve from behind, hinting that he should not argue with Elder Jiang Ge. Jiang Yichun’s face was severely gloomy, but he still managed to hold back.
"Then you can scram. I’ll personally report to His Majesty. I don’t need your visit!" Elder Jiang Ge called out, clutching his chest.
Bai Ruozhu bowed to Elder Jiang Ge and said, "Elder Jiang Ge, please do not be upset. We are here under the holy order of His Majesty. The emperor has also commanded me to diagnose and treat you. Once the imperial command is completed, we will not disturb your rest any further."
Jiang Xuexiang interjected, trying to mediate, "Yes, Dad, please don’t be angry. This is the emperor’s kindness; you can’t disregard the emperor’s face even if you’re upset."
Jiang Yihong snorted coldly, "Defying an imperial order is a grave crime."
Elder Jiang Ge pointed a finger at him, "You, you..."
Bai Ruozhu stepped forward and grabbed his wrist to feel his pulse, beginning her diagnosis immediately.
"What are you doing? Let go! How can you, a woman, have no sense of propriety?" Elder Jiang Ge cursed angrily, trying to shake off Bai Ruozhu’s hand. But at his age, and being ill, how could his strength compare with Bai Ruozhu’s?
"A doctor’s treatment knows no gender differences. Besides, what does it matter when treating an Elder?" Bai Ruozhu said indifferently, without releasing her grip.
Elder Jiang Ge fell silent all of a sudden, seemingly subdued by the word "Elder".
Taking advantage of this, Bai Ruozhu had already finished taking his pulse and released Elder Jiang Ge’s hand.
"Qi deficiency and instability, excessive heart fire, spleen and stomach imbalance. I’ve written the Formulas, but let’s have the Imperial Doctor review them first. I can’t take responsibility for any issues that might arise," Bai Ruozhu said as she dusted off her hands as if to shake away dust.
"What Formulas? His Majesty only ordered you to take my pulse, not to prescribe any Formulas. Don’t meddle in excess," Jiang Yichun glared at her.
Bai Ruozhu smiled at him and said, "Fine, if you say no Formulas, then no Formulas. If His Majesty inquires, you’ll have to explain yourself."
Jiang Yichun grunted and walked towards the outside of the room. Jiang Xuexiang, coming back to his senses, hurriedly followed.
"Yichun, you haven’t spoken much with your grandpa," Jiang Xuexiang said with a furrowed brow.
"Let it be. It’s better than causing more harm to his health. Those censors outside will just cause me more trouble," Jiang Yichun said.
Jiang Xuexiang sighed, feeling that the Old Master had too quick a temper and that there was indeed no way the two could get along. He couldn’t ask Jiang Yichun to apologize either. What was the child’s fault?
Bai Ruozhu was also about to leave the room when Elder Jiang Ge’s eyes sharpened like an eagle, his gaze suddenly piercing as he said to her, "A woman should observe propriety, if you want to be a daughter-in-law of the Jiang family, you’d better stop showing your face outside and bringing shame upon us!"
"I’m not a daughter-in-law of the Jiang family, so there’s no need for Elder Jiang Ge to worry," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, then strode out confidently.
Dou Yun said with an unhappy face, "How did she speak to Uncle? That’s so unfilial!"
Jiang Zhangshi hastily said, "Yun sister, don’t talk nonsense. There must be some misunderstanding. If we say too much, Old Master will get even more angry."
When Madam Dou heard this, she hummed discontentedly, "Is what my Yun’er said wrong? What kind of attitude does she have towards Old Master? It’s not surprising since she comes from a lower-class family; she lacks any proper upbringing."
The talks inside the room were fervent; did they really think Bai Ruozhu couldn’t hear them?
Nobody expected Bai Ruozhu to stop in her tracks, turn back into the room, and say, "Madam Dou speaks so loudly, how very cultured of you indeed. I really can’t see how you’re from the upper class. If you’re that great, why stay at someone else’s home and freeload? Without knowing better, one might think the Dou Family has fallen on hard times."
After she finished, she didn’t wait for Madam Dou’s reaction and headed back towards the outside, still speaking as she walked, "The Jiang Residence isn’t all that wealthy to begin with, yet it has to support such idlers; no wonder it has become so rundown."
After her words, the complexions of the two ladies in the room turned extremely ugly. Madam Dou, who was spoken of, trembled with rage, and the complexion of Jiang Zhangshi was also very unattractive, as her own family was also dependent on Elder Jiang Ge’s household.
The corners of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched slightly upwards. They had been speaking so enthusiastically just now, so she felt no need to be polite. As for whether Jiang Zhangshi was truly magnanimous or just putting on an act, the test would tell.
"She, what is she, to dare talk to us like that!" Madam Dou exclaimed, ready to rush out and argue with Bai Ruozhu, but Jiang Zhangshi grabbed her, lowering her eyes and saying, "Cousin sister-in-law, don’t be angry. The young can be impulsive with their words. Don’t take it to heart."
Jiang Zhiyi felt a sense of satisfaction; she thought Bai Ruozhu had hit the nail on the head. She said with displeasure, "I am a person who speaks reasonably. Auntie shouldn’t have said anything about lower-class families just now. Grandpa always taught us not to judge people by their status, and gossiping about others behind their backs is certainly not ladylike."
After finishing, she also quickly exited the room. Madam Dou’s face alternated between red and white. She glanced furtively at Elder Jiang Ge and soon adopted an aggrieved expression, saying, "I was just a bit angry because she was disrespectful to Uncle."
Elder Jiang Ge listened with a headache, waved his hand and said, "Everyone, go out. Don’t disturb my rest."
Jiang Zhiyi quickly caught up with Bai Ruozhu, saying with some excitement, "Elder sister, what you just said was so satisfying."
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but smile, and asked in a low voice, "Do your third uncle and cousin have official duties at the court?"
Jiang Zhiyi looked back to see that Jiang Zhangshi and the others had not followed, and she lowered her voice, "None of them do. My third uncle helps with managing mundane affairs of the Residence, and my cousin is still taking the Imperial Examination, but unfortunately, he failed again this year. He keeps pestering Grandpa to find him a position, but Grandpa’s stubborn nature won’t allow it."
Bai Ruozhu curled her lip and spoke without restraint, "The Jiang Residence has become so impoverished, yet it still pretends to be wealthy, supporting two additional families. It really must be hard for you and your brother."
Jiang Zhiyi’s cheeks turned red, but she felt incredibly warm inside. For so long, someone finally seemed to care about their plight.
At that moment, Jiang Zhangshi and the others caught up. Bai Ruozhu gave Jiang Zhiyi a look and then quickened her pace to go find Jiang Yichun.
"Ruozhu, Yichun refused to stay for a meal, maybe you could persuade him?" Jiang Xuexiang had a good impression of Bai Ruozhu and hoped she could convince Jiang Yichun.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head, "Uncle, we shouldn’t stay. Just now, Madam Dou insulted me as being from a lower-class family. I got agitated and confronted her a few words. It’s already become quite unpleasant, so it’s better not to stay and make things difficult for you."
Her face was full of difficulty, clearly implying: It was Madam Dou who drove us away.
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Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to everyone~