Chapter Seventy-Two: Pig’s Trotters

On the morning of the banquet, Little Merit-Maker Fubao and Bai Yulan dressed themselves up beautifully and went together. This side was the women’s table; Fubao recognized some of the people, but not all. Bai Yugou had come as well, and today she was especially well-dressed. When she saw Bai Yulan bringing Fubao over, she let out a scornful laugh—she had much more important things to do today! With an air of nonchalance, she swept her gaze across a certain spot.

“Baobao, what do you want to eat?” Bai Yulan asked when she saw Fubao’s eyes glued to the pig’s trotters in front of her. Wouldn’t kids get sick of eating this? Don’t they usually like something sour and spicy?

“This,” the chubby little hand pointed straight at the pig’s trotter, so Bai Yulan placed it in her bowl. Wasn’t it delicious!

On the men’s side, Han Ying lowered his head and asked the frail little boy next to him, “Zixuan, what would you like to eat?”

The boy shook his head to show he had no appetite; he wanted nothing to eat. Even if the finest delicacies were set before him every day, he still had no desire to eat—he suffered from anorexia.

“At least eat a little. Later, I’ll have Xiao Xi take you for a walk.” Han Ying picked up some shredded vegetables that looked more appetizing and placed them in his bowl.

Han Zixuan looked at the food in front of him, pressed his lips together, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite.

“Huh?” Fubao, happily gnawing on her pig’s trotter, turned her head and suddenly realized everyone at the table had disappeared—Bai Yulan and Bai Yugou were gone too!

“Where did Auntie go?” Fubao asked Xiao Cui beside her.

“Miss, there’s trouble at the men’s table! Everyone’s gone to take a look,” Xiao Cui replied. She had been left by Bai Yulan to watch over Fubao and naturally answered her question.

“Well then! Let’s go take a look too.” With the pig’s trotter still in her mouth, Fubao slid down from her stool.

Xiao Cui, who had been about to help her down, was left speechless—Miss was so nimble!

At this moment, Han Zixuan, who was retching uncontrollably from a single strand of vegetable, was being carried into a private room. An elderly physician sat by the side, taking his pulse.

Was there no other doctor in the capital? Why was it always this old man!

Han Ying and his younger brother Han Hua stood nearby; Bai Yulan supported Old Madam Han, while Old Madam Bai was steadied by her own attendant. The room was packed with distinguished guests, nearly frightening the old physician out of his wits.

“Well, Doctor, is my great-grandson all right?” Old Madam Han asked. She had come today to celebrate Old Madam Bai’s birthday, and since her own granddaughter-in-law was Old Madam Bai’s great-granddaughter, it was only proper to attend. Zixuan had suffered from anorexia since he was young, but it had never been this bad. He hadn’t left the residence for a long time, so his father brought him along for some excitement. Who would have thought something like this would happen! The Prime Minister’s mother’s birthday, and the Emperor hadn’t even arrived yet—they were already causing trouble!

The elderly physician carefully examined the little boy lying on the bed, stroked his beard, and said, “Old Madam, please don’t worry. The young master is not in any real danger.

“It seems the young master’s anorexia has been present since childhood, but judging by today’s symptoms, he must have eaten something irritating that caused him to vomit.” The old physician frowned.

“My son didn’t eat anything irritating today. He had breakfast at home, and at the banquet he only tasted a bit of cold dish,” Han Ying stepped forward immediately—he knew his son’s whereabouts best.

“For the young master, it’s best to avoid cold foods as much as possible. His constitution is already weak; if he eats something stimulating, his body won’t be able to handle it.” The old physician proceeded to deliver a long lecture on safety precautions.

Just as he was about to prescribe medicine, a woman’s voice suddenly interrupted, eager to steal the show. Bai Ru began to stir up trouble, producing a prescription from who knows where that she claimed could cure Han Zixuan’s anorexia. The others didn’t believe her and insisted the old physician examine it thoroughly before making any conclusions.

So when Fubao arrived, she saw the old physician poring over the prescription Bai Yugou had given him, inspecting it for any problems.

Han Zixuan was roused from his stupor by the aroma of pig’s trotter wafting over. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a chubby little girl gnawing on a pig’s trotter at his bedside, glancing at him as she ate.

Han Zixuan thought, Take that away, I have no appetite.

Fubao had slipped in unnoticed; everyone’s attention was on the old physician.

“Do you want some?” Fubao noticed Han Zixuan staring at her, so she looked down at the pig’s trotter in her hand, took a fierce bite, and offered it to him.

“Mm, the rest is for you!”

Han Zixuan stared at the half-eaten pig’s trotter. Was she always this stingy?