Yihui nodded. “And your son believes his father. Even his daughter. But what do you feel? When you are very angry?”
His mother tapped her chest. “Tight. It’s very tight.”
“And your eyes? Black spots?”
“Yes! Sometimes.”
“And afterwards, you are very tired, yes?”
“Yes!”
Yihui nodded. “I have seen many cases of this, but only you can decide if you will take the medicine.”
“You think it will help?”
“Yes.”
His mother dabbed at her eyes. “Very well, Max. Take her on that ridiculous pony and get me her medicine.” She sniffed. “Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Don’t think I’ve forgotten how impossible it will be to train her correctly before the wedding. Or that I shall be working very hard on your behalf.”
Of course, he wouldn’t forget. She wouldn’t let him.
“Yihui is doing very well,” he intoned.
“As if you know what it takes to be a duchess.”
He winced. It was an old argument between them. She believed she managed a thousand things which he and his father never appreciated. That might have been true once, but Emma was the one handling things nowadays. And yet, his walk with Yihui had made him question a few things. She had pointed out something he had never considered, and he wondered now what else he didn’t understand.
Could his mother truly be ill?
“I shall ring for Emma. She should sit with you.”
“No, no!” his mother cried. “Don’t do that!” Yet more proof that she wasn’t truly sick. If she were, she’d be begging for help.
“Why don’t you want Emma here?”
“She’s painting.” His mother rolled her eyes. “You know how she gets when she’s painting. If we interrupt her, she’ll only be cross and make me more upset.”
Yihui touched Max’s arm. “Trust your mother to manage her own body. She can decide if she needs help.”
Max nodded. He supposed that was the only sensible solution. But he didn’t like that Emma had suddenly resorted to painting. She only did that when she was very upset.
“Do you know why—” He cut off his words. If his mother knew why Emma had locked herself away with her paints, she surely would have said. Besides, that was a problem for another time. Apparently, he had to take Yihui to an apothecary now.
“Very well, Mama,” he said giving the lady a deep bow. “Yihui, you are not too tired? It is a long way.”
“I want to help your mother as soon as possible.”
Another walk then, and a long one. “I’ll call for Blue.” Then after he had sent the order, he remembered the one thing he’d meant to ask his mother.
“Mother, do you know of a good tutor for reading and writing?”
The lady frowned at him. “I know of several who have excellent recommendations. Why?”
“I should like to hire one for Yihui.” He glanced at her, making sure she understood this next bit was for her benefit. “And for whatever servant should wish to better themselves.”
“Better themselves? Whatever do you mean?”
“With reading and writing.”
