mtl008 Chapter 38 I Don't Want to Become Like That
Chapter 38 I Don't Want to Become Like That
Because Lady Lan was in poor health, the Duke's mansion always had a regular doctor on hand.
The doctor arrived quickly and, after taking Madam Lan's pulse with trepidation, carefully chose his words and said, "Your Excellency, Madam has been weak for many years and has not had proper rest. She is also very sensitive to anger and should avoid getting upset. If this continues, it may shorten her lifespan."
The doctor's words made the Duke of Sheng's face even more unpleasant. He looked at Lady Lan, who was clearly his familiar bedmate, but at this moment she felt inexplicably unfamiliar.
In his memory, she was not like this at all. She was not so delicate, weak, pale, and fragile. She used to be stunningly beautiful and incomparably gorgeous. Now, for some reason, she was just haggard, like a flower that could wither at any moment.
He was feeling quite exhausted.
He waved his hand, "Send Madam back."
Lan ignored him and held Lu Yangyang's hand tightly.
Then she stared stubbornly at Duke Sheng, whose eyes stung him. He could only say to Lu Yangyang, "Go back first."
Lu Yangyang released Lan Shi and turned to leave.
After taking only two steps, she turned around and said to Lan Shi in a stiff tone, "You should take good care of yourself."
After saying that, she left the study without looking back.
As she stepped out of the study, she paused for a moment, wondering what had happened.
Others might not know the tricks these doctors used to deceive people, but how could she not? She had only learned how to treat external injuries and acupuncture from her aunt, but she knew a little about pulse diagnosis, which was taught to her by the old doctor in town.
There were only two doctors in the entire town and the surrounding villages, so all sorts of people came to the old doctor's clinic every day. She had worked as an apprentice for a few months. When the old doctor was taking her pulse, he told her that to treat patients, you must first learn to read people. Some people's illnesses should be described as mild, while others' should be described as severe.
In their small town, most illnesses are exaggerated. If they are not described as serious, people will be reluctant to seek treatment because they are worried about the cost, and eventually, minor illnesses will turn into major ones.
As for wealthy families, especially those with power and influence, they tend to downplay certain illnesses because there are too many taboos. They try to avoid taking responsibility if possible, otherwise, these inexperienced doctors might even lose their lives.
The old doctor had worked as a physician in the homes of powerful and wealthy families in the capital when he was young. However, he was punished for not knowing the seriousness of his actions and almost lost his life. That's why he had to hide and return to his hometown of Qingzhou.
While Lan was holding her hand tightly, Lu Yangyang had secretly felt Lan's pulse. She couldn't detect her illness, but she could clearly feel that her pulse was weak and extremely feeble. The doctor's words that it might shorten her lifespan were obviously an understatement. Given Lan's weakness, she probably wouldn't last much longer.
In the dream, Lan Shi clearly lived for several years, until the "she" in the dream was hastily married off at the age of sixteen and was beaten to death, and there was no news of Lan Shi's death.
Even if Lady Lan's health was not good, that would be several years from now. How could her health have deteriorated to this extent in less than a month since she returned to the manor?
Lu Yangyang left the courtyard of the study full of doubts. In the distance, she saw Sheng Yunjiao peeking around. When she saw Lu Yangyang come out, she rushed over and grabbed her to look her up and down: "You scared me to death! Are you alright?"
Hearing her words, Lu Yangyang realized what she meant: "You called Madam over?"
Sheng Yunjiao: "Of course, otherwise what if you really get beaten up? I heard from them that my uncle is really ruthless when he beats people. I didn't even dare to go to my mother's place. I went to get help for you first. I was afraid that if I went back, I wouldn't be able to get out either."
Although the second wife usually indulged her daughter, she was also very strict in disciplining her. Coming home so late, she was bound to get a scolding.
"The Duke didn't hit me today, so don't worry." Lu Yangyang was a little touched. Although she didn't care how the Duke treated her, she was still surprised that someone cared about her so much.
However, the most unexpected person was Lan Shi. She was quite different from what Lan Shi had imagined and dreamed of.
At first, just like in the dream, Madam Lan was reluctant to part with Sheng Yunzhu and was unwilling to send away the daughter of her enemy for the sake of her own daughter, so Lu Yangyang didn't care much.
But later, she also saw Lan cautiously approaching her, and now that she has become like this, she can't help but feel a little unsettled.
Seeing Lu Yangyang lost in thought, Sheng Yunjiao couldn't help but ask her, "Don't you feel awkward? Your uncle is clearly your father, but..."
Sheng Yunjiao couldn't continue speaking. She didn't even dare to think about how twisted her heart would be if she were in Lu Yangyang's position. The Duke of Sheng was Yangyang's biological father, but not only could she not call him father, she also had to worry about when he might harm her.
If Yangyang were an illegitimate child born to some other woman, or a concubine's daughter, that would be one thing. But clearly, she is the rightful legitimate daughter of the Duke in this Duke's mansion, yet she has to give way to a fake daughter from a maid's family.
“If you care too much, you’ll only drive yourself crazy, and I don’t want to become like that.” Lu Yangyang was telling the truth.
The "she" in the dream became a madwoman that everyone hated because she cared.
Sheng Yunjiao frowned, seemingly pondering the meaning of her words.
"By the way, there's something I wanted to tell you. Has Madam's health always been this poor?" Lu Yangyang thought for a moment, but still couldn't help asking.
"You mean your aunt? Her health isn't very good, but it's just some common ailments. However, she's been sick more often lately." Sheng Yunjiao, always well-informed, quickly told Lu Yangyang everything she knew: "I overheard that your aunt had a premature birth when she gave birth to you, and she was frightened. She didn't rest properly afterwards, so she developed health problems. Her health has been gradually deteriorating ever since. When I was young, my parents were away on official posts, and I didn't return to the capital until I was five. Over the years, your aunt has been sick two or three times a year, but I've never heard of her being very serious. It's just that she's been sick for longer recently."
That means that he was just physically weak before, but not to the point of being this weak.
Could it be that he is truly feeling resentful?
“If you’re worried, go back and tell Granny Shen to ask Granny Hui to bring a royal physician to the mansion. It’s not difficult for us to invite a royal physician; we just need to send a token to the Imperial Hospital. Alternatively, you can wait for Yan Yue to come and ask him for help. It’s even simpler. He’s the Crown Prince’s cousin, and all the best doctors in the capital are in the Eastern Palace.”