The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 245

Extra 20

I Actually Forgot

The Shen Residence was filled with lavish furnishings, and even the servants wore garments beyond the means of ordinary folk. Shen Lin led Xiao Bingying through the covered walkways. They walked side by side, but Shen Lin noticed that Xiao Bingying navigated the turns as though she knew them by heart.

            

“Doctor Zhao has quite the memory,” Shen Lin said with a smile.

Xiao Bingying looked puzzled at first, but catching the direction of Shen Lin’s gaze and noticing her own body turning instinctively at a fork in the path, she realized she had overstepped. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to memorize the way—it’s just a habit of mine.”

Shen Lin’s lovely eyes curved with amusement. “It’s no matter. I suspect Doctor Zhao developed this habit of memorizing routes for someone’s sake, didn’t you?”

            

Xiao Bingying, still mildly apologetic for her overstep, softened her tone as she replied. “Yes. My younger sister was quite mischievous as a child—always wandering off to unfamiliar places. Once we both got lost, and it happened to pour with rain that day. After that, I started memorizing routes without thinking about it.”

Shen Lin smiled. “Children will be children. Your sister must be adorable.”

Xiao Bingying thought of Zhao Jiayu crying with rainwater pouring into her mouth—half-heartbroken, half-amused—and her lips curved upward without her even realizing.

            

Shen Lin watched the way Xiao Bingying’s eyes crinkled with the smile, no longer as guarded as before, and her own gaze took on a hint of appraisal.

“Mm, very adorable,” Xiao Bingying said, glancing at her.

But the moment Xiao Bingying finished and caught the full shape of Shen Lin’s smile, her gaze flickered with a brief start. “Forgive my manners.”

            

“It’s no matter at all. Doctor Zhao is clearly someone of feeling, and I dislike formality myself. There’s no need to stand on ceremony in our Shen household.” Shen Lin picked up her pace slightly as she spoke.

Xiao Bingying maintained her original pace, watching Shen Lin’s retreating figure—her manner and bearing somehow striking Xiao Bingying as deeply familiar.

They arrived one after the other at the matriarch’s courtyard. Xiao Bingying waited at the entrance while Shen Lin went inside to exchange a few words with her mother, then came out to invite Xiao Bingying in.

            

“Doctor Zhao, these old bones of mine have troubled you to make another trip.” Mrs. Shen was not lying on her daybed.

Her condition had never truly prevented her from moving—it was simply that the ground had been frozen and snow-covered, and the previous afternoon had been overcast, making her headaches seem far worse.

Xiao Bingying nodded. “During yesterday’s consultation, I missed a few things. I’ve come today to set them right. I ask Old Madam to allow this Zhao to examine you once more.”

            

“Of course,” Mrs. Shen replied kindly.

But when she was about to offer her wrist for Xiao Bingying to read her pulse, Xiao Bingying glanced at the several maids at her side. “Would you mind waiting outside, please?”

Mrs. Shen looked puzzled, and Shen Lin was equally confused. But seeing Xiao Bingying’s steady nod, Shen Lin waved the servants out. “All of you, wait outside for now.”

            

Once the servants had left, Mrs. Shen glanced at her daughter. Shen Lin reassured her. “It’s all right.”

Xiao Bingying took out the pulse pillow from her medicine kit and began reading Mrs. Shen’s pulse anew. Midway through, she looked up and asked, “Mrs. Shen, when did your monthly courses last come, and when did they stop, within the past year?”

Mrs. Shen was taken aback. She lowered her gaze and blinked. “Doctor Zhao, didn’t you already ask that yesterday?”

            

Xiao Bingying had asked—but Mrs. Shen hadn’t told the truth.

“Mrs. Shen, this Zhao’s medical skills may not be exceptional, but if you deliberately conceal something, I cannot guarantee the medicine will cure your illness.” Xiao Bingying’s fingers remained on Mrs. Shen’s wrist, and she could already feel her heartbeat quicken.

“I…” Mrs. Shen faltered, at a loss, and looked to her daughter.

            

Seeing this, Shen Lin spoke on her mother’s behalf. “Around that time. My mother had a miscarriage.”

Xiao Bingying was not surprised. She continued her questioning. “Did you not see another doctor?”

Shen Lin shook her head. “At my mother’s age, the gossip would be unbearable.”

            

Xiao Bingying read the pulse—just as Cheng Xi had said the previous night: post-miscarriage damage syndrome. But given the wealth of this household, it seemed strange that so many symptoms had been left untreated.

Whether from a miscarriage or a full-term delivery, a woman should convalesce afterward. If she endured exhaustion without rest, hunger and cold, and emotional turmoil, the myriad symptoms would cling to her.

But if the patient wouldn’t speak of it herself, Xiao Bingying had no right to pry.

            

“I will prescribe some nourishing pills for Mrs. Shen. Follow this Zhao’s instructions, and within a few months you should recover. Tomorrow, Miss Shen, please send someone to the Medicine Hall to collect the pills.” Xiao Bingying withdrew her hand and stood.

Shen Lin and Mrs. Shen exchanged a glance. Before they could say more, Xiao Bingying had already bowed. “I will take my leave now. Mrs. Shen, please rest well.”

Mrs. Shen nodded. Xiao Bingying bowed and departed. Shen Lin spoke with her mother for a few moments, then hurried after Xiao Bingying.

            

Xiao Bingying’s martial-arts-trained stride was not only steady but swift. By the time Shen Lin caught up, Xiao Bingying had already reached the front gate.

“Doctor Zhao.” Shen Lin called out just as Xiao Bingying was boarding the carriage.

Xiao Bingying looked back, stepped down from the carriage, and asked, “Is there something else, Miss Shen?”

            

Shen Lin drew closer, anxiety written on her face.

Xiao Bingying understood. “I am only a doctor. I don’t inquire about anything else. Our Medicine Hall has rules—we do not disclose any information about our patients.”

Hearing this, the anxiety on Shen Lin’s face eased. She had known about the Medicine Hall’s confidentiality rules—that was precisely why she had dared to seek treatment there in the first place. Shen Lin smiled. “Then I will come to the Medicine Hall tomorrow to collect my mother’s medicine.”

            

Xiao Bingying nodded and boarded the carriage.

Shen Lin stood outside, watching the carriage door close, the driver urge the horses forward, and the carriage disappear down the street before she turned back to the residence.

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Xiao Bingying had slipped away during the midday break. She returned without stopping to eat and continued seeing patients.

            

On her way home that evening, she stopped at King Long’s Mansion to pick up Zhao Ningying.

“Mother, do you know Qiao Jin?” Zhao Ningying asked between bites of tanghulu¹ that Xiao Bingying had bought on the road.

“Lord Qiao?” Xiao Bingying asked. “Why do you ask?”

            

“Oh, Mu-jiejie has taken a fancy to her. Aunt Zhao looked into it—she’s not yet married.” Zhao Ningying answered without hesitation.

“Mu’er has taken a fancy to Qiao Jin?” Xiao Bingying was genuinely surprised by this news.

Zhao Ningying nodded. “Mm, and of course—her Maternal Aunt found her so many young gentlemen, and she didn’t fancy a single one. If Ning-jiejie and I hadn’t asked, I imagine her Maternal Aunt would have kept matchmaking her with men.”

            

“Your Maternal Aunt and Maternal Uncle know about this?”

Zhao Ningying nodded. “Mm, they know. Maternal Aunt was worried at first that Maternal Uncle wouldn’t agree, so she asked Aunt Sheng to talk to him. Who would have thought Maternal Uncle would just say, ‘As long as she likes it, but the other girl’s willingness matters too.'”

After all, given Qu Zhimu’s temperament, she wouldn’t take to just anyone.

            

Xiao Bingying recalled Qiao Jin—striking in appearance, with the reserved bearing of a scholar. But try as she might, she couldn’t picture her niece alongside that woman.

“Is Lord Qiao not good-looking?” Zhao Ningying asked, catching the worry in Xiao Bingying’s eyes.

Xiao Bingying looked at her daughter and smiled. “No, no. Lord Qiao is in the prime of youth and flourishing in her career. I’m just worried that your Mu-jiejie and she might not be the same kind of people.”

            

Zhao Ningying gave a thoughtful “Oh,” a faint desire to meet Qiao Jin stirring in her mind.

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The Zhao Residence kept to its usual dinner hour. Cheng Xi had come home earlier than usual today—a rare occurrence—but still missed the meal.

Seeing her walk in, Xiao Bingying noticed the dishes on the table had gone sparse and quickly said, “I’ll have them make something fresh for my wife.”

            

“Oh, Xi’er, you came home early today and didn’t tell me! If you’d said something, we would have waited for you,” Mother Zhao chided herself from the side.

Cheng Xi smiled. “Mother, it’s all right. I already ate at the Academy. But I brought this for you all to try.” She lifted the food box she had been carrying.

“What is it? It smells wonderful,” Zhao Ningying said, craning her neck.

            

Cheng Xi opened the food box and smiled. “One of my students is from Raoli. She roasted this lamb leg using techniques from her hometown. I tried some before and thought it was excellent—she brought more today, so I thought I’d pass along the bounty and let you two try it as well.”

“What about me?” Zhao Ningying asked at once.

Cheng Xi lifted out the lamb leg, called for a knife, and smiled. “There’s plenty for you and your mother.”

            

Zhao Ningying happily took the lamb leg from Cheng Xi’s hands—it was still warm.

A servant brought the knife, and Zhao Ningying took it upon herself to carve portions for everyone.

Cheng Xi watched Xiao Bingying take a bite. Seeing her eat with a delicacy that belied her martial training—chewing slowly, savoring each mouthful—Cheng Xi was quietly charmed. Her eyes warmed with a smile. “Is it good?”

            

Xiao Bingying nodded. “Crisp on the outside, tender within. Truly exquisite.”

She offered a small piece and brought it to Cheng Xi’s lips.

Cheng Xi’s eyes curved as she leaned in and gently ate it from Xiao Bingying’s fingers.

            

Zhao Ningying, eating with gusto, said, “I’ve never had lamb this good.”

Zhao Dian and Mother Zhao were equally pleased, of course. Mother Zhao said, “In all my years, this is the first time I’ve tasted something this fine.”

Cheng Xi was glad she had brought it back—seeing everyone enjoy it made the trouble worthwhile.

            

The family finished their meal with laughter, and Cheng Xi went to bathe first.

With Cheng Xi home early and the evening a rare moment of leisure, Xiao Bingying set aside her medical texts and followed her to the washing room.

Xiao Bingying carefully bathed Cheng Xi, noting the weariness etched between her brows. Just as Cheng Xi was about to drift off, Xiao Bingying lifted her from the water.

            

As she dried Cheng Xi’s body, Xiao Bingying said, “Don’t overwork yourself, my wife. If there’s anything I can help with, just tell me.”

Cheng Xi’s eyes curved as she turned to let Xiao Bingying dress her in sleeping clothes. She adjusted the sash at her collar and smiled. “You and I each do our duty. I can’t help you with your work… but if I’m truly overwhelmed, I will come find you.”

Xiao Bingying had thought Cheng Xi didn’t want to seek her help, but the second half of her words brought a wave of relief. She took up the cloak and draped it over Cheng Xi’s shoulders.

            

“Rest first, my wife. I’ll go wash and join you.” Xiao Bingying could see clearly these past two days—Cheng Xi was genuinely busy.

Cheng Xi glanced at the servants changing the hot water in the tub, then leaned in close to Xiao Bingying and hooked her arms around her neck, drawing her down.

Their lips met, and Cheng Xi’s warm mouth made Xiao Bingying respond instinctively. They kissed as if no one else existed, lingering long after the servants had finished replacing the water, until Cheng Xi finally withdrew to the bedroom.

            

After Cheng Xi left, Xiao Bingying washed quickly too, but by the time she returned, Cheng Xi was already asleep.

Xiao Bingying lifted the bedding as gently as she could and lay down beside her. She looked at Cheng Xi’s serene, cool-featured face in sleep and wanted to kiss her wife—but feared waking her.

She had come home early today, a rare occasion. Better to let her rest.

            

Xiao Bingying lay on her side. With the kiss from the washing room still warm on her lips, she no longer felt the dejection of the previous night.

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Early the next morning, Cheng Xi woke at her usual hour. Before rising, she saw Xiao Bingying stir awake beside her and said with a note of apology, “Did I wake you?”

Xiao Bingying shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll see my wife off.”

            

Cheng Xi, seeing that Xiao Bingying didn’t look too tired, agreed.

They washed, dressed, and boarded the carriage waiting outside the residence. The whole way there, Cheng Xi leaned against Xiao Bingying’s shoulder, stealing a brief rest.

When the carriage stopped, Cheng Xi was instantly alert. She was halfway off the seat before it occurred to her that Xiao Bingying had come with her. She turned with a helpless little laugh. “Look at me—so busy I’ve gone muddled. My wife came to see me off, and I actually forgot.”

            

Xiao Bingying had been a little surprised, but hearing Cheng Xi’s words, she found nothing strange in it. This was simply how Cheng Xi was when absorbed in cases and prescriptions.

Xiao Bingying reached for Cheng Xi’s hand to help her down. “Let me help you, my wife.”

“Mm.” Cheng Xi offered her hand.

            

Xiao Bingying steadied Cheng Xi as she descended from the carriage. But someone was already waiting at the Academy gate.

“Lord Dean, let me help you.” A student extended a hand toward Cheng Xi, who was still stepping down from the carriage.

Xiao Bingying was holding Cheng Xi’s hand. Cheng Xi heard the student and said, “No need—my wife is helping me.”

            

The student looked up at Xiao Bingying.

Xiao Bingying, still on the carriage, was looking down at her—a female student, striking and handsome in appearance.

The student withdrew her hand and bowed to Xiao Bingying with cupped fists.

            

Xiao Bingying helped Cheng Xi down and nodded to the student in acknowledgment. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi, though not old, were a full generation older than these young students.

Once Cheng Xi was down, she thought of the work waiting inside and said to Xiao Bingying, “Bingying, you should head back. I won’t see you off.”

“All right. Go busy yourself, my wife. I’ll head home first and come pick you up tonight.”

            

Cheng Xi paused at the offer, then quickly smiled. “No need. I come back late, and Ying’er needs you. Besides, I have guards here. Don’t worry—I’ll be fine.”

Xiao Bingying could only nod. “All right.”

Xiao Bingying boarded the carriage. As it began to move, Cheng Xi and the student turned to go. Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Bingying faintly heard the student say, “Lord Dean, did you enjoy the lamb leg from yesterday?”

            

Xiao Bingying lifted the carriage curtain and looked back. The morning mist thickened and thinned in patches. Before long, the carriage had carried her too far to see their figures anymore.

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The author has something to say:

Xiao Bingying: “Sheep! A whole sheep leg!”

            

Zhao Ningying: “Baa…”

Cheng Xi: “…”

200 red packets up for grabs!

            

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