The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 244

Extra 19

Doctor Zhao, please.

“Mother.” Zhao Ningying walked to Xiao Bingying’s side and handed her the handkerchief she had drawn from her robe. “Wipe your sweat first, and don’t let the wind give you a chill.”

            

Xiao Bingying drew back the long spear she had thrust forward with force and stood it at her side, smiling as she accepted her daughter’s handkerchief.

Xiao Bingying wiped the fine sweat from her brow while Zhao Ningying watched her steadily. Though her mother always smiled in front of her, she knew that ever since the trip to the Northern Frontier, her mood had soured.

She didn’t know what had happened or where the problem lay, but she knew her mother was not one to easily wallow in self-pity or despair. So she trusted that she would come around soon, and in the meantime, she only needed to fulfill her duty as a daughter.

            

Xiao Bingying returned the handkerchief to her daughter and said with a smile, “We just got back. It’s fine to rest a few days before training again.”

She wasn’t overly strict with Zhao Ningying — she only wished her a lifetime of peace and smooth sailing.

Zhao Ningying smiled and agreed, but picked up the long spear and continued training anyway.

            

Every move and stance of Zhao Ningying’s had been taught by Xiao Bingying’s own hand. Cheng Xi rarely offered guidance on Zhao Ningying’s martial arts — though she knew martial arts herself, she was not as skilled as Xiao Bingying, and she trusted Xiao Bingying to teach their daughter well.

With Xiao Bingying, Cheng Xi had always chosen unconditional trust.

Mother and daughter trained together for a while before someone from the front courtyard came to call them for breakfast. After breakfast, Xiao Bingying personally escorted Zhao Ningying to King Long’s Mansion, then headed to the Medicine Hall in the Capital City.

            

Though Xiao Bingying didn’t often practice medicine for others, what she had learned came from Cheng Xi’s guidance. Cheng Xi had told her that medical skill lay in precision, not breadth — accurate diagnosis and targeted prescriptions were the hardest part of being a doctor.

Over the entire morning, Xiao Bingying had seen only seven or eight patients. For each one, she asked questions and examined them with careful attention, and had someone record the details so nothing would be forgotten by the next visit.

Xiao Bingying’s calligraphy was vigorous and precise. The momentum of her brushstrokes was like her personality — restrained and contained, leaving no flaw to find.

            

The shopkeeper of the Medicine Hall saw that lunchtime had arrived and stepped forward to send the patients to wait in the outer hall. “It’s lunchtime. Madam should rest and have something to eat too.”

Xiao Bingying had just finished writing a prescription. She looked up and asked, “Are there still patients outside?”

“Two more, but it’s no matter. We’ve always had a rule — non-urgent cases wait until the afternoon when it’s lunchtime.”

            

Xiao Bingying nodded and said, “Since there are only two, let them come in.”

The shopkeeper hurriedly said, “This rule cannot be broken, Madam. Our owner set this rule — Madam should follow it.”

“Isn’t it just two?” Xiao Bingying set down her ink brush and glanced toward the curtain.

            

“It is just two, but the owner’s rule stands. Madam really shouldn’t make an exception,” the shopkeeper persuaded.

The shopkeeper invoked “the owner’s rule” at every turn, so Xiao Bingying could only concede. “Fine, let’s have lunch first.”

“Ah, lunch has already been sent upstairs for you. You can take a short nap after eating.” The shopkeeper made a gesture of invitation.

            

Xiao Bingying nodded, rose, and made her way upstairs past the tables and chairs.

The Medicine Hall didn’t only dispense medicine — it also offered decoction services. After lunch, Xiao Bingying went to check on the medicine decoction room.

Cheng Xi had personally handled the site selection and construction of this shop. Xiao Bingying had visited a few times in the past, but after seeing that Cheng Xi had grown accustomed to the place, she rarely came anymore.

            

She was on duty at the palace and had plenty to attend to, so she hadn’t kept up with things here.

Xiao Bingying sniffed the aroma of the brewing decoction and instructed the apprentice tending the medicine, “Don’t let the fire burn too hot. Simmer it slowly over a low flame, and watch the time.”

The apprentice nodded and used tongs to remove some of the charcoal from the brazier.

            

Xiao Bingying looked over everything. Apart from the fire being a bit too strong, there were no other problems.

Xiao Bingying asked the time and was about to go back upstairs for a cup of tea when a commotion broke out outside.

“You’re open for business — how can you make people wait this long? I clearly heard your consulting doctor’s voice just now. How can you stand there lying through your teeth?”

            

A woman outside was arguing with a sharp and nimble tongue. Xiao Bingying turned around at the foot of the stairs.

“How about this — I can find another doctor for you—”

The woman seemed irritated by the shopkeeper’s words and said, “No. I want the doctor I heard just now to see my mother. We gave notice a full month ago, and you said the doctor coming today was no less skilled than your owner. Now you want to switch doctors on us — what are you playing at?!”

            

Xiao Bingying walked toward the entrance. As the shopkeeper was about to pacify the patient’s family, he heard Xiao Bingying say, “Let them in.”

The woman followed the voice and paused for an instant at the sight of Xiao Bingying, dressed in a vivid purple skirt and robe. The dark golden sash at her waist was loosely tied, striking against the dark-toned fabric — it was one Cheng Xi had chosen for her before.

Xiao Bingying walked back to the desk where she had been consulting. The woman came inside and stood before the examination table but didn’t sit down.

            

Xiao Bingying looked up at her and asked, her tone gentle, “Are you not here for a consultation?”

“I am, but the patient is my mother. You’ll have to come back to our residence with me.”

Xiao Bingying’s eyes lowered for a moment. The shopkeeper beside her said hastily, “Miss, this doctor only sees patients at the hall. She doesn’t make house calls.”

            

“But my mother is now bedridden from waiting so long for your doctor. In this weather, going outside would certainly worsen her condition,” the woman gave her reason.

Not many people knew that this Medicine Hall was opened by Cheng Xi — only court officials and those in the Capital City who had dealings with the Zhao family were aware.

The shopkeeper heard the woman’s words and said quickly, “Miss, we told you before — if the old madam’s condition can’t wait, you should find another doctor as soon as possible. You can’t pin this on us.”

            

“Who’s trying to pin anything on you? My mother truly can’t be moved. I only said all that to ask this doctor to visit in person. As for the house call fee, don’t worry — if you’re willing to go, I can afford it.” The woman wasn’t being unreasonable, at least.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper tried again. “Miss, how about I find you another doctor who can make house calls?”

The woman turned her head back with a flicker of irritation and enunciated every word clearly: “I said I only want her to go. Name your house call fee. If she can cure my mother, I’ll have a generous gift sent as well.”

            

The shopkeeper was about to persuade her further when Xiao Bingying interjected, “How many patients are left outside?”

The shopkeeper looked at Xiao Bingying and replied respectfully, “Aside from this young lady, there’s one more.”

Xiao Bingying’s lashes fluttered as she looked at the woman and said, “It’s not that I can’t come to your residence, but I’ll need to finish seeing my patients first. Can you wait?”

            

Hearing Xiao Bingying agree to go, the woman immediately smiled politely. “Of course. I can wait.”

Xiao Bingying nodded. The shopkeeper tried to dissuade her, but Xiao Bingying made a gesture of invitation. With no other choice, the shopkeeper led the woman to sit to one side and served her tea.

Xiao Bingying’s consultations were extremely thorough. A single patient took a long while before she was done.

            

The patient left. When Xiao Bingying looked up, she caught the woman sitting far to one side, watching her.

The consultation had involved some private matters. The woman couldn’t hear what was being said on this side, but she could see through the curtain.

Xiao Bingying rose, and so did the woman. The shopkeeper had someone fetch Xiao Bingying’s cloak and dispatched an apprentice to accompany her.

            

A carriage was waiting outside the Medicine Hall — the woman’s, of course.

“How should I address you, Doctor?”

“My surname is Zhao,” Xiao Bingying replied as she settled into her seat.

            

“Oh, Doctor Zhao. Thank you for agreeing to come to our residence to see my mother.” The woman stared at Xiao Bingying unblinkingly as she spoke.

Xiao Bingying nodded, glanced at her only once, and looked down.

Seeing Xiao Bingying look down, the woman asked again in a soft voice, “May I ask how old you are, Doctor Zhao?”

            

Xiao Bingying heard the question and looked up at the woman once more. The road the carriage traveled was partly iced over, and the wheels crunched with a crisp, crackling sound from time to time.

Silence fell between the two for a long while before the woman laughed softly and said, “Forgive me. I was just asking casually — I was being presumptuous.”

Hearing the woman say she was just asking casually, Xiao Bingying replied evenly, “It’s fine.”

            

Though she said it was fine, she didn’t volunteer her age. She was no longer in her youth — her child was that grown — but her personal affairs were no business of a stranger.

The two sat in the carriage and soon arrived at the woman’s residence.

Xiao Bingying stepped down using a small stool and looked up to see a prominent plaque at the gate.

            

‘Shen Residence.’

“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor Zhao — my surname is Shen. I’m Shen Donghai’s daughter, and my name is Shen Lin.” Shen Lin stood beside Xiao Bingying and introduced herself.

Xiao Bingying looked at her without any change in expression and nodded. “Miss Shen, aren’t we here to see the Old Madam?”

            

Shen Lin’s family was a famous wealthy merchant house, but also a scholarly family. Seeing Xiao Bingying’s deliberate distance, Shen Lin could only smile and extend her hand in a gesture of invitation. “Doctor Zhao, please.”

---

Cheng Xi came home even later today. By the time she returned, Zhao Ningying had already gone to sleep.

Cheng Xi first went to check on Zhao Ningying’s room. Seeing her daughter sleeping soundly, she touched her brow and eyes, then went to wash up.

            

Xiao Bingying had already heard the servants say Cheng Xi was back, but after a long time, there was still no sign of her. She held a medical text, thinking over the difficult case she had encountered today.

Xiao Bingying waited and waited, but Cheng Xi still didn’t come to their room. She set down the scroll in her hands, rose, and went out.

Xiao Bingying looked at the servant standing guard by the door and asked, “Where is Madam?”

            

The servant bowed and reported, “Eldest Miss, Madam has gone to bathe.”

Xiao Bingying’s expression shifted. She lowered her eyes for a moment, gave a soft “Mm,” and returned to the room.

After Cheng Xi came back, Xiao Bingying was still reading the medical text. Seeing her so absorbed, Cheng Xi asked with a smile in her eyes, “How was the clinic today?”

            

Hearing Cheng Xi ask on her own initiative, Xiao Bingying turned with a smile and replied, “Not bad. Not too many patients, but…”

As Xiao Bingying spoke, Cheng Xi had already removed the cloak draped over her shoulders. The silk sleeping robes traced the smooth curves of Cheng Xi’s waist, and the glimpses of snow-white skin beneath made Xiao Bingying’s words slow.

Cheng Xi heard Xiao Bingying’s words trail off and looked up to find her staring this way.

            

Cheng Xi’s lips curved slightly. “But what?”

Xiao Bingying nearly forgot what she had been about to say. She steadied herself and continued, “I visited the Shen Residence today. Their old madam’s condition is truly strange — a sallow complexion, bouts of dizziness, lower back pain, ringing in the ears, weakness in the limbs…”

“What medicine did you prescribe?” Cheng Xi listened carefully to Xiao Bingying’s detailed account, already forming a sense of the cause.

            

“I prescribed some inward-nourishing medicine.”

Hearing the prescription Xiao Bingying had composed, Cheng Xi thought for a few moments and said, “You should also add three qian¹ of dried licorice, two taels² and four qian of prepared rehmannia, six qian of amomi… It would be best taken with yellow rice wine.”

Xiao Bingying blinked. Before she could work it through, Cheng Xi explained, “This is postpartum damage syndrome. She must have hidden something from you.”

            

“It’s not a problem with your medical skill. Her miscarriage was too long ago, and combined with the concealment, that’s what led you to misdiagnose.”

Hearing this, Xiao Bingying understood at once. The Shen madam wasn’t terribly old, but she was past childbearing age — her daughter was only around twenty. Having another child at that age would indeed be difficult.

Seeing Xiao Bingying thinking it over carefully, Cheng Xi gave a light laugh and said, “Go again tomorrow. Dismiss the servants and ask her in detail before prescribing — there’s no rush.”

            

Cheng Xi said this and walked toward the inner room. By the time Xiao Bingying finished processing it and looked toward Cheng Xi, she had already gone inside.

Xiao Bingying glanced down at the medical text in her hands, gave it a light squeeze, then set it down and followed inside.

Cheng Xi climbed onto the bed and, seeing Xiao Bingying approach, turned on her side to watch. Once Xiao Bingying was in bed, she put out the lamp.

            

In the darkened room, neither of them seemed to have anything to say. Xiao Bingying wanted to reach for Cheng Xi, but remembering her rejection the night before, she shrank back.

Though Xiao Bingying couldn’t sleep, she didn’t toss and turn — not because she didn’t want to, but because she was afraid of disturbing her wife beside her.

After the lamp went out, Cheng Xi felt her eyes grow impossibly heavy. She had instructed someone to add medicine to her bath today, and this deep sleep, though not long, was profound.

            

Early the next morning, Xiao Bingying went to the Medicine Hall for consultations. At noon she found a gap in her schedule and personally called at the Shen Residence.

Hearing that Xiao Bingying had arrived, Shen Lin was surprised and hurriedly had someone show her in.

Xiao Bingying entered the Shen Residence. Shen Lin bowed in greeting, and Xiao Bingying returned the gesture with a nod and a clasped-hand salute.

            

“Is your visit today related to my mother’s illness, Doctor Zhao?” Shen Lin asked tentatively.

Xiao Bingying nodded and said, “Yes. There are some things I’d like to ask your mother.”

“Was there a problem with yesterday’s consultation?” Shen Lin asked, guessing.

            

Xiao Bingying’s gaze lowered as she replied, “Yes. This Zhao³‘s knowledge is shallow and my medical skill insufficient — I fear I may have erred in your mother’s treatment, so I’ve come today to make further inquiries.”

Shen Lin considered for a moment, studied Xiao Bingying’s expression, then curved her lips slightly and said warmly, “Very well. Doctor Zhao, this way please.”

---

The author has something to say:

            

Cheng Xi: “Quite the romantic fortune, isn’t it?”

Xiao Bingying: “I didn’t! I’m not! What kind of plot is this? I want to file a complaint!”

Leave a comment for a red envelope!

            

---