Madam Su was carried in. The old madam was very thin and her complexion was not good, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. Ning Qianjing and Li Man'er received the news and personally went to the main gate to receive her, not letting Ning Daocheng go, fearing that the old madam would get too emotional and affect her health.
As it turned out, Madam Su was so moved upon seeing Li Man'er that tears streamed down her face, and she nearly fainted. Fortunately, Li Man'er was prepared. With two injections, Madam Su stabilized.
"Grandmother, please don't cry. Let's talk inside," Li Man'er quickly signaled, and the servants carried the old madam into the room.
"Alright, alright," Madam Su wiped her eyes. She felt her eyes were about to cry blind, but if she could see her youngest son before that, she would have no regrets.
Everyone carried Madam Su into the room and she saw Ning Liancheng.
"I told you not to come, but you insisted," Ning Liancheng wasn't scolding his wife, but rather worried about her. "Once things here stabilize, I'll take Daocheng back with me. You insisted on making this trip."
Madam Su's eyes searched the room, "Where is my youngest son? Where is Daocheng?"
"Wasn't it because we feared you would get too emotional? It's not too late to see him when you've calmed down," Ning Liancheng said. "Man'er, hurry and examine your grandmother."
Li Man'er said, "Grandmother, don't worry, your youngest nephew is doing well! Let me check your health first, and then I'll have your youngest nephew come."
"Good, good," Madam Su knew her own condition. She extended her hand and closed her eyes to rest and regain her strength.
Li Man'er examined Madam Su and sighed inwardly. Her grandmother was truly a miracle!
It was a good thing she insisted on making this trip. If she had waited another ten days to half a month, even with her having a treasure, she might not have been able to save her.
The old madam's body was severely depleted, almost as bad as Emperor Chenghua's, but there was still time.
Li Man'er calmly brought over the prepared medicinal tea and secretly added some spirit mist spring water to it before feeding it to Madam Su bit by bit.
Madam Su was very curious, "What kind of medicinal tea is this? It's not bitter at all." Perhaps it was due to lying down for a while, but she felt her spirits had improved significantly.
"This is made with tonifying herbs, and I adjusted the taste specifically, so it naturally doesn't taste bad," Li Man'er said. "Grandmother, how are you feeling?"
"I'm quite well. When I was on the boat, I felt dizzy and uncomfortable everywhere. Upon arriving in the capital, perhaps the feng shui is good, or perhaps seeing our Man'er has made me happy, I feel much better now."
"Grandmother, given your current condition, you should rest more. My youngest uncle's eyes are still recovering and need a few more days to fully heal. Why don't you wait? Wait until his eyes are completely healed before you meet?" Li Man'er, for Madam Su's health, told a small white lie, aiming to let Madam Su recuperate. Otherwise, an emotional reunion might not be good for her youngest nephew's eyes.
Madam Su probably hadn't received the letter reporting her safety that was sent home earlier, so she should still be unaware that Ning Daocheng's eyes had recovered.
"Yes, yes," Ning Qianjing also said, "Mother, please listen to Man'er. If you were to embrace and cry, it might affect Third Brother's eyes."
Upon learning that her youngest son was well, Madam Su immediately agreed. "Alright, since I'm here, and Third Brother is also here, he won't run away. I'll wait a little longer then."
"Okay, I'll have someone prepare medicine for you now. After you take it, sleep for a while. We can talk later tonight."
"Alright, alright." Although Madam Su had drunk the medicinal tea, her body was too depleted and she was tired. She didn't say much more.
Li Man'er went to prepare the medicine, Ning Qianjing went to find Ning Daocheng, and Ning Liancheng stayed by his wife's side.
"You, insisting on coming here. Your body can't handle it. The second child and his wife are also being reckless. Why didn't they stop you?" He said this with a hint of blame in his tone.
"Don't blame the second child and his wife, it was my insistence," Madam Su sighed. "I had a premonition that if I didn't come, I might close my eyes forever and not see Third Son again."
"Bah, bah, don't talk nonsense," the old man's eyes welled up with tears. "Don't worry, you will live a long and healthy life, and you will see Daocheng get married and have children! He is much better now and will only get better. And Man'er, her medical skills are superb, she's a divine doctor. With her here, you'll be fine."
Madam Su nodded, "Good, good. As long as the children are well, that's all that matters."
Madam Su fell asleep, but the medicine was not yet ready.
Ning Liancheng, worried about his wife's illness, specifically asked Li Man'er for the truth.
"Grandfather, Grandmother's health is indeed not good, but I am confident I can treat her illness. I dare not say more, but five to six years should be no problem."
Ning Daocheng's eyes lit up, "Good, Man'er, don't worry. Our family has the best medicine. If you need anything, find your eldest uncle and have him get it for you."
At their age, they had already become indifferent to life and death. However, life always had regrets, and if they could be mended, it would be for the best. Five to six years would allow them to reunite mother and son and have a few good years together, which was better than anything.
After the medicine was brewed, Li Man'er personally served Madam Su the medicine. The old madam, half-asleep, drank it and slept until the next morning.
When Madam Su opened her eyes, she was still a little disoriented, feeling as if she were dreaming. She turned to look at Granny Gui, who had been serving her for many years, only to see her shedding tears.
"Guixiang, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
Granny Gui immediately said, "Old Madam, you had a good night's sleep last night!"
Madam Su then realized that she had indeed slept well. She hadn't had nightmares in the middle of the night, nor had she been half-awake, nor had she kept her eyes open until dawn.
With good sleep, she had energy, and it was no wonder she felt so much more relaxed upon waking, as if she had become several years younger overnight.
"It seems all thanks to Man'er."
"Yes, the County Princess's medicine is truly miraculous."
Madam Su blinked, "County Princess?"
"Don't you remember? Sister Man'er made great contributions upon her return from Mobei, and the Emperor personally conferred her the title of Princess Anning!"
She remembered.
Madam Su patted her head, "The older I get, the more useless I become. You're right."
"Old Madam, let's wash up first! After breakfast, the County Princess will take your pulse again."
"Good!" Madam Su got up, changed her clothes, and Granny Gui personally helped her wash up and comb her hair.
Her mental state was indeed much better than when she was at home. When good things happen, spirits soar. Her appetite had also improved. She ate a small bowl of millet porridge in the morning, which astonished Ning Liancheng.
"Can you manage? Take your time, there's no rush."
Madam Su thought she was experiencing a final burst of energy before death. "I'm afraid there's no time. I want to see Third Son."