Chapter 13

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An epidemic had broken out within the residence, and the Qingfang Pavilion was sealed off. Anyone who had come into contact with Chen Xianle was forbidden from moving about freely. The public kitchen brewed large quantities of medicinal soup to distribute among the servants for prevention and treatment. Madam Xu, having endured a previous epidemic, was terrified and drank two bowls of the medicine daily without fail. She grumbled incessantly, cursing, “That Chen Wuniang is nothing but a disaster. She was about to leave the residence, yet she caused such a commotion.”

Chen Jiao was displeased and said, “If she can’t survive this, the matter of marrying off to Jiaozhou will surely fall on me.” Upon hearing this, Madam Xu grew anxious. “That can’t happen!” Chen Jiao sighed helplessly, “Mother, think carefully—if she perishes, won’t I be next?” Madam Xu exploded, “Good heavens! So this calamity isn’t over yet?!” Chen Jiao fell silent.

Meanwhile, in Qingfang Pavilion, Chen Xianle was plagued by relentless high fever and coughing. All the household servants attending her wore masks to prevent infection. Despite the doctor’s medicines and silver needle treatments, there was no sign of improvement. Madam Zheng was heartbroken but powerless.

The epidemic forced the marriage plans to be put on hold. Within just two days, the public kitchen reported its second infected servant. Ma Chun, who worked in the kitchen, was not spared from contagion. Upon learning that her daughter was ill, Jiang Pozi was frantic and rushed to visit. She originally intended to seek Chen Jiao’s help to find a doctor but infections kept spreading one after another.

That very night, Jiang Pozi felt an uncomfortable soreness in her throat, and by the next day, she was bedridden. Falling ill at such a critical time was truly troublesome. Fortunately, Chen Jiao remembered how Jiang Pozi had helped arrange the meeting with Cui Jue and, as mistress, requested the doctor to attend to her. Doctor You had been running ragged these days. With the epidemic raging through the city, all the doctors were overwhelmed.

Though over seventy years old, Doctor You hurried around the prince’s residence like a spinning top; his old bones were truly not made for such torment. Jiang Pozi’s symptoms—high fever and persistent cough—were identical to those of the epidemic. Doctor You could only suppress the symptoms with medicine, unable to cure the disease.

Chen Jiao stood outside wearing a mask and greeted Doctor You from a distance when he emerged. The doctor’s back was bent, his face covered with gauze, making it hard to see his features, but his tired, cloudy eyes spoke volumes. Concerned, Chen Jiao asked, “Doctor You, how is Madam Jiang’s condition now?”

Doctor You waved his hand helplessly. “Forgive my ineptitude, but this epidemic is difficult to cure.” Chen Jiao inwardly panicked. If it was incurable, the blame from Chen Xianle’s condition would inevitably fall on her. She grew anxious and could not help but ask, “What exactly is this epidemic? Why is it so severe?”

Patiently, Doctor You explained, “This is pulmonary abscess.” Chen Jiao was puzzled. Doctor You continued, “Pulmonary abscess occurs most often in winter. Those infected first experience chills, high fever, and cough. Even with timely treatment, results are often poor. However, strong and young individuals may survive. After about ten days, the invading external pathogen causes cough, shortness of breath, chest fullness and pain, heat toxins and blood stasis, expectoration of pus and foul phlegm, and a fishy smell in the throat—at this point, pulmonary abscess has formed. If it progresses further, blood and necrotic tissue appear, along with pus-filled blood sputum. Patients then have fever and flushed face, cannot sleep day or night. The elderly and children suffer the highest mortality; ordinary people rarely survive once infected.”

After his detailed explanation, Chen Jiao gained a basic understanding of pulmonary abscess. Once Doctor You departed, she returned to her chamber. The doctor had said the elderly and young were most vulnerable. Jiang Pozi’s survival was grim. She was not heartless, but her own strength was limited. Even the doctors could not solve this—her care for Jiang Pozi could go no further. Yet Chen Xianle’s condition left her deeply uneasy. If she did not survive, she would share the misfortune.

Chen Jiao paced anxiously inside the room.

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Since the day she killed and buried the body, every step of her path had been fraught with hardship. She had barely won the substitution marriage by threatening Cui Jue. Now, facing the epidemic, she was no longer battling human forces but fate itself. Damn fate!

What exactly was pulmonary abscess? If only modern medicine existed, would it still be an insurmountable challenge? Chen Jiao was full of complaints but had nowhere to vent them.

At noon, the public kitchen delivered meals, and due to the epidemic, a daily dish of stewed mustard greens was served without fail. Madam Xu, unaware of the reason, had grown tired of it and complained, “Mustard greens again?” Maid Dingxiang explained, “Madam, you may not know, but this dish is essential in the residence; every household has it.”

Curious, Chen Jiao asked, “Is there some special significance?” Dingxiang replied, “The kitchen madam said Doctor You ordered it because mustard greens clear the lungs, relieve phlegm, and stimulate appetite. With the epidemic raging, mustard greens have therapeutic effects.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Xu exclaimed, “If it’s so beneficial, why didn’t you say so earlier?” The mustard green soup quickly gained Madam Xu’s favor; even plain boiled water was consumed completely with the dish.

At the time, Chen Jiao did not think much of the mustard green soup. After all, to the people of Huaguo, food was either for eating or medicine.

That evening, mustard greens still featured, but in a different form—pickled mustard greens. They were crisp and flavorful. Madam Xu served Chen Jiao generously. “Eat more, my son. Dingxiang says it clears lungs and relieves phlegm; you and I can’t afford to suffer.”

Chen Jiao tried them and nodded, “Better than the soup.” Madam Xu agreed.

Halfway through the meal, Chen Jiao suddenly stared at the pickled mustard greens. Could pulmonary abscess be the ancient name for pneumonia? Seeing her lost in thought, Madam Xu asked, “What’s wrong, Aying?”

Chen Jiao returned her gaze and looked again at the pickled mustard greens. If pulmonary abscess was pneumonia, might antibiotics be needed? Thinking of antibiotics, she looked once more at the pickled mustard greens. For the first time in her life, she realized the extraordinary meaning of being a modern person in this backward era.

“Mother, I must find Doctor You; I have questions for him.” Madam Xu was surprised. “Why not ask tomorrow?” Chen Jiao suppressed her excitement and said, “I can’t wait even a moment!”

Night had fallen. Ignoring Madam Xu’s protests, she insisted on going to find Doctor You. Unable to stop her, Madam Xu sent two servants to accompany her. It was cold outside. Chen Jiao donned a hooded cloak for warmth and carried a brazier. Only then did Madam Xu feel reassured.

Dingxiang carried a lantern ahead to guide the way, while another maid supported Chen Jiao. She had heard Doctor You was at the Eighth Household’s Qiushui Studio, so she went there in person. The two youngest sisters in the residence were raised at the Eighth Household, one four years old, the other only two. Sadly, the two-year-old had contracted the epidemic and was in a poor state.

When Chen Jiao arrived, Miao Cuiping’s eyes were red and swollen. She was only twenty-six, gentle and graceful, the typical fragile Jiangnan lady. Seeing her daughter gravely ill and powerless to help, she could only weep.

Chen Jiao had little mind for the Eighth Household’s affairs. After a brief greeting with Madam Miao, she asked Doctor You about pulmonary abscess in detail. Doctor You patiently explained the symptoms, treatments, and common conditions. Chen Jiao listened carefully, increasingly convinced that pulmonary abscess was akin to pneumonia.

Thinking of the daily mustard greens, she asked, “Mustard greens clear lungs and relieve phlegm; can they be used as medicine?” Doctor You replied, “This only serves as an adjunct.” Chen Jiao softly said, “Oh.”

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Suddenly, they heard the neighboring Chen Tian, the thirteenth daughter, crying incessantly. Doctor You rose to check on her. Chen Jiao made no delay, intending to visit the public kitchen.

Dingxiang was puzzled and asked on the way, “Mistress, why go to the kitchen at this hour?” Chen Jiao replied, “Tonight’s pickled mustard greens were good. I want to see if there’s more.” Dingxiang was even more puzzled.

The night was deep, but the public kitchen still had staff on duty. Despite the hour, the stove fire was still burning, medicines simmering, water being prepared, all warm and steaming.

Chen Jiao arrived just as the kitchen housekeeper was present. Seeing the young mistress come at night, she hurried to greet her warmly, “It’s a cold, windy night, young mistress. If you have any orders, just say the word. Why come here? Don’t catch a chill!”

Chen Jiao said, “Your pickled mustard greens are delicious. I came to look.” The housekeeper was confused.

Chen Jiao ignored her puzzled look and asked, “Are there any jars of pickled mustard greens left?” The housekeeper quickly replied, “Yes, yes.”

“Where are they? I want to see.” The housekeeper immediately called for someone to lead them to the cellar.

The cellar was cool in summer and warm in winter, storing many items. They descended the stone steps. In the corner, several large jars contained pickled goods. The kitchen maid introduced them one by one: one jar held pickled radish, another sour bamboo shoots, and the two innermost jars were pickled mustard greens.

Chen Jiao asked to open one. The jar was large; a small ladder was needed to lift the lid. The kitchen maid climbed up and uncovered it. Chen Jiao peered inside curiously.

The jar was half full of mustard greens, with a brine from the salt. It had a fermented sour aroma but no green mold.

“When was this pickled?” Chen Jiao asked. The kitchen maid replied, “This year.”

“Any from previous years?” Chen Jiao inquired.

“There is one jar from last year, untouched.”

“Any green mold inside?” Chen Jiao asked, referring to the moldy kind.

The kitchen maid looked puzzled. The housekeeper chimed in, “Young mistress, you joke well. This is food—there’s no way we would use spoiled stuff.”

Chen Jiao was somewhat disappointed as she carefully climbed down.

The legendary aged mustard green brine only worked if it had green mold. The so-called green mold was penicillium, the earliest form of penicillin discovered in Huaguo. She vaguely remembered that the aged mustard green brine was invented by monks of Tianning Temple in the Ming dynasty and was said to work wonders against pneumonia. This tidbit she had seen in some TV drama—then thought it curious.

Now it seemed this epidemic might be her chance to turn the tide. If she could use the aged mustard green brine to cure pulmonary abscess and save the household from disaster, the Prince of Huai’an would surely see her in a new light, smoothing her future in the residence.

After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Jiao decisively went to the Prince of Huai’an’s Bihua Hall. Even risking infection, she was determined to fight for her future!