When Jinshi returned, Jia Zhen came back and sat down. He asked Youtai, "What did you talk about today?"
Youtai replied, "I didn't mention anything specific. At first, she seemed a little angry, but after I talked for a while and told her about the bride's illness, she gradually calmed down. You invited her to dinner, but perhaps because she heard that the bride was so unwell, she couldn't stay long. She chatted briefly and then left. There were no requests."
"Right now, my wife's illness is the most important thing. Please quickly find a good doctor and have her examined. We must not let it get worse. The doctors who are coming to our house now are unreliable. They add some difficult-sounding words to what we say, and just repeat the same things. Even though they come diligently, with three or four of them taking turns, they check her pulse four or five times a day. Even after consulting about medication, there is no effect from the medicine she takes. Every time, the patient has to change clothes three or five times a day and get up to see the doctors, so it's not helping at all."
賈珍 said, "That child doesn't understand. There is no need to change clothes so many times. If she catches a cold and gets sick, that would be terrible. Even if it's a good outfit, it's not as important as her body. Wearing new things every day won't make much of a difference."
"I was just about to talk to you. A little while ago..."
Feng Ziying.
"Then my wife came, and when she saw my face was dark, she asked me what happened. So, even though my wife's condition is very bad, it's good..."
Imperial physician.
"She said she couldn't find it, and she was worried that she might be pregnant or sick, and she didn't know how much it would affect her body. She is really concerned."
"According to Feng Ziying's story, I was taught something when I was young."
Zhang Youshi.
There is a teacher who, it is said, possesses great knowledge and expertise in medicine. He is so skilled that he can even determine whether a person will live or die. This year, she came to the capital with the intention of paying money for her son to obtain an official position, and she is currently staying at Feng Ziying's house.
"In that case, perhaps that teacher might be able to cure my wife's illness. I already gave her my name tag and asked someone to pick her up. It might be difficult today because it's late, but she will definitely come tomorrow. Feng Ziying has also returned, and he said he would personally ask her to come and see the patient. Let's have Zhang examine her first, and then we can think about it."
Madam You listened and was very pleased, and she asked, "Tomorrow is the birthday of our lord. What will we do?" Jia Zhen replied, "I just went to greet my father and requested that he come home and receive everyone's congratulations."
"My father said, 'I am accustomed to a quiet life. I do not want to go to the place where you children are, which is full of troubles. It seems that because it's my birthday, you will all bow your heads and celebrate me. However, instead, please read the annotations I wrote in this book: "
Yinbian script.
"Please have someone write this beautifully, carve it into a printing block, and make copies. It is much better than having everyone bow their heads to me for no reason."
| Translation of terms in the sentence. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Yinbian script. | The title of a book that Jia Jing previously annotated. In this scene, he is requesting that the text be recopied and carved into printing blocks. |
" 'If your family or relatives come tomorrow or the day after, please make sure you properly entertain them at home. That is all. You don't need to bring me anything, and you don't have to come either the day after. If you are feeling uneasy, you can bow to me here today and go home. If you come again with a large group the day after tomorrow and cause trouble, I will not forgive you.' Because I was told this, I absolutely cannot go the day after tomorrow."
"First,
Coming up.
"Let's summon someone and have them prepare a banquet for two days." Yu said.
Jia Rong
"Call him and tell him, 'For your promotion ceremony, please prepare two days of banquets as usual, making them lavishly luxurious. And you, go directly..."
Xifu.
Go and invite Grandmother, the eldest wife, the second wife, and Aunt Lian. Please come visit us. Father heard about a good doctor today and arranged for someone to pick you up. He will probably be here tomorrow, so he can talk to your wife in detail about her recent condition." Jia Rong replied to each of them individually and then left.
Just then, the servant who had gone to Mr. Feng Ziying's house to invite the doctor returned and reported, "I went to Mr. Feng's residence a while ago, presented my name card, and requested that the doctor come. The doctor said, 'Your husband also mentioned this to me just now. However, I have been making rounds of visits all day today, and I have only just returned home. I am exhausted, and I cannot examine his pulse right now. Please allow me one night's rest, and I will definitely visit him tomorrow.' Furthermore, he said, 'My medical skills are still immature, and it is an honor to be recommended like this. However, since both your husband and the other party have requested it, I cannot refuse. Please convey this message to your husband. It would be presumptuous of me to take his name card.'" He handed me the name card. "Young master, please tell him in my stead."
Jia Rong turned around and entered the house, reporting to Jia Zhen and Madame You. Then he came out and called for Lai Sheng, instructing him to prepare two days' worth of banquets. Upon hearing this, Lai Sheng, as usual, went to make arrangements. Let us leave this story here for now.