Banxia just asked, and if she wanted to go, she would have someone prepare the carriage. If Su Tang didn't go, she would continue to help Su Tang wash and make up.
After having breakfast with Xie Boting, Su Tang took Banxia to Songhe Hall to greet the old lady. When passing by the garden, he saw a maid leading the doctor towards the west courtyard. She couldn't help but take a second look at Banxia.
He said, "The second master's biological mother, Aunt Tao, is ill."
Su Tang didn't care much about people he had never met before.
But when she arrived at Songhe Hall, except for the second wife, everyone else was there.
Su Tang asked Wan An to sit down. The old lady drank tea and asked Princess Nankang, "It's the old lady's birthday in a few days. Have you prepared any gifts?"
Princess Nankang's eyes flashed with displeasure. Her housekeeper didn't like to be commented on, let alone reported to others.
But when the old lady asked, she could only reply, "It's based on what the old lady of Xingguo Palace prepared for her birthday last year."
The old lady took two sips of tea and put it down and said, "The old lady of Duke Ying's residence celebrated her fifty-ninth birthday. His wife, the crown prince of Ying Guogong, is the cousin of the eldest mistress of our Jingnan Palace, so she is related to our Jingnan Palace."
I’m sorry, it’s just as light as what I gave to the old lady of Duke Xingguo’s house last year, so I’ll add another 30%.”
It was not a discussion, but a direct order. Princess Nankang sneered in her heart and said calmly, "It's because I didn't think carefully. The old lady reminded me."
The third wife said, "In two months' time, madam, your birthday will be held. In previous years, we have not held such a grand event. This year, our Jingnan Palace has many happy events. The eldest young master married the eldest young mistress, and he met a good doctor. His condition is getting better. We
It’s time for the government to hold a grand party.”
The fourth wife agreed, "Third sister-in-law is right, our Jingnan Palace has indeed not been lively for a long time."
Although Xie Boting and Su Tang were overjoyed to get married, Xie Boting was unconscious at the time, and the guests who came to congratulate them did not dare to laugh. The atmosphere was very depressing, and it was not really lively.
The old lady laughed, "I know you have filial piety, but it's too much trouble, so let's forget it."
The third wife advised, "How can we forget about this? It's not like any old lady would do something to celebrate her birthday. Not to mention doing it every year, it must be done once every three to five years, so that outsiders can know the filial piety of our master.
"
The third wife brought out the filial piety, and the old lady relaxed, "Let's do it, remember not to be extravagant and wasteful."
Then everyone was talking to each other about how to organize the birthday banquet. While they were chatting, the second wife walked in, looking a little haggard.
The fourth wife saw her and said, "Why is my second sister-in-law looking so ugly?"
The second wife touched her haggard face and said, "Aunt Tao's condition worsened last night. I stayed in front of her bed until midnight. I fell asleep and got up late in the morning. I didn't come to pay my respects to the old lady until now."
Aunt Tao is the biological mother of the second master, and she was originally the personal maid of the first lady. Because of her relationship with the first lady, both the old lady and the prince treated her favorably.
Hearing from the second wife that Aunt Tao was seriously ill, the old lady was also a little moved. After all, they were the same age. Half a year ago, Aunt Tao came to pay her respects every now and then, but that was it for half a year. The old lady once again felt the fear of death.
.
Her voice trembled slightly, "Have you asked a doctor?"
"I've already called, but the doctor said the situation is not good, and it will only last for a day or two." The second wife's voice was hoarse and her nose was sour.
The second wife sat down and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. The fourth wife said, "It's a pity that Dr. Jia's consultation fee is too expensive and he is not in Kyoto. Otherwise, if he could have been invited to show Aunt Tao a look, there might be some hope."