The following day, Jiang Ning was still thinking about whether she should go out of the manor and find the doctor herself or ask Chun Lai to invite one to the house, when a physician appeared by her door.
He was an old man with white hair and a white beard. His eyes looked wise, and his skin was wrinkly from age, but from his appearance alone, it was evident that he had practiced medicine for many years.
"I haven't sent anyone to invite the physician yet," Chun Lai said, a little puzzled by the man's sudden appearance.
"I asked the head steward to invite him." Concubine Hua's voice suddenly replied. Jiang Ning turned to find her standing outside her door.
She was dressed in fine robes and the fabric swayed with the sway of her elegant movement. Behind her, Jiang Yuan and Jiang Yan quietly followed the woman closely.
Concubine Hua smiled kindly. "When I saw that the Seventh Lady was not feeling well yesterday, I took the initiative to invite a physician into the manor. The Seventh Lady wouldn't blame me for worrying, would you?"
"Why would I?" Jiang Ning laughed. "I won't ever refuse a free check-up from a doctor,"
Jiang Ning's bright smile immediately enhanced her already beautiful face even more, which only made Jiang Yuan's face darken. The girl wasn't even trying so hard, but she could look so effortlessly lovely.
Jealousy quickly had taken its residence in the Fifth Lady's heart.
Even though the younger girl was crippled and needed the aid of a wheelchair to move, her overly beautiful face still managed to make Jiang Yuan annoyed.
Now, Jiang Yuan couldn't wait to find out the truth of her pregnancy so she could turn the tables around and put the poor girl back to where she belonged: a cheap servant that thousands of people would condemn for the disrespectful deed she had done.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take Seventh Sister's pulse," She impatiently urged the doctor.
Jiang Ning looked at the slightly older girl and said with a faint smile, "Fifth Lady is so concerned about me. It really touched my heart. Such a kind girl, if His Highness Prince Yu doesn't choose you, he is simply blind."
Everyone was speechless by the younger girl's words.
"Seventh Lady," Concubine Hua said awkwardly, "It's not good to say such things. It is fine to say these things with us because we are your family. But if word gets out, outsiders would say that our Jiang family's youngest lady doesn't know any manners."
"I didn't grow up in the Jiang family anyway." Jiang Ning said kindly. There wasn't a hint of bitterness hidden in her tone. "Even if I don't know my manners, they should be able to understand."
"Seventh Sister," Jiang Yuan said, slightly suspicious by the sudden compliment. "You're talking too much. It's not because you are trying to make excuses to delay the physician from checking your pulse, right?"
"I am really nervous,"
"Oh, what are you afraid of?" Jiang Yuan's eyes lit up. 'Is she going to confess her biggest sin?'
"Do you think I would feel assured by any random doctor who came in the manor?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Then what do you want us to do for you to feel comfortable?" Jiang Yuan frustratedly asked.
"If you have a few hundred pieces of silver, I will have to reluctantly agree." Jiang Ning said with no hesitance.
"Silver?" Jiang Yuan said, stunned. She glanced at her mother, wondering if she hadn't just misheard what the Seventh Lady had said.
'Is she seriously talking about money, even in this situation?'
Concubine Hua was so angry that she almost crushed her teeth, but she still forced a warm and genial smile on her face. "The matter of money is easy to discuss. The Seventh Young Lady must not delay your health for a few pieces of money."
"I knew that Concubine Hua is generous."
"Physician, please make a careful diagnosis." Jiang Ning stretched out her hands.
The truth was, Jiang Ning was perfectly aware of what Concubine Hua and Jiang Yuan wanted to investigate. She knew they wanted to humiliate her and lose her foster daddy's respect for her.
But Jiang Ning didn't care.
She really hoped that this doctor would be able to diagnose her correctly. This way, Jiang Ruobai would remove her name from the list and stop her from being sent to the selection. And thus, she would avoid punishment from the Imperial Family.
As for other things like reputation, she could care even less.
As a modern human, she would not argue with a bunch of uncivilized ancient people.
The old physician covered Jiang Ning's wrist with a silk scarf and checked her pulse. After a long time, he stood up and bowed, "Young lady's body is fine, just a little weak. She just needs to recuperate." He said with a trembling voice.
Everyone was stunned.
Jiang Yuan was extremely disappointed and couldn't help but say, "Physician, are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"
"I've been a doctor for more than 30 years, and I've rarely, almost never, made any mistakes," The old doctor said calmly, "Moreover, the Young Lady is in good health, so there's really nothing to be diagnosed."
"I clearly saw her vomit after smelling eggs last night!"
"Perhaps it is because the Young Lady's spleen and stomach are weak. I would advise the Young Lady to eat less meat and fish, and have a lighter meal instead." Once the old man was done explaining, he packed up his things. He waited for a little while longer, but when all the ladies remained quiet, he finally said, "If there are no further questions, I'll be taking my leave."