The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 246
by Little PandaExtra 21
Is the Owner of This Medicine Hall Your Family?
Xiao Bingying returned to the Zhao Residence. After breakfast, she set off for the Medicine Hall, dropping Zhao Ningying off at King Long’s Mansion along the way.
While seeing patients, Xiao Bingying devoted herself entirely to the work, examining each case with the utmost care. But the moment she had a free moment, she would unthinkingly recall the female student waiting at the gate of the National Medical Academy today—the one who had been waiting for Cheng Xi.
The National Medical Academy had a large and diverse population. Though it charged no tuition, not just anyone could gain entry. Over the past few years, Qu Sheng had poured tremendous effort into this matter, establishing academies in prefectures and counties across the land. Only the top students from those local academies could make it here.
That young woman did not look very old. The way she looked at Cheng Xi and the way she looked at Xiao Bingying were strikingly different. She did not know if it was her imagination, but she sensed that the female student did not seem to like her very much.
Yet she had done nothing. It was her first time even seeing her—so why would the girl dislike her? And then there was the inexplicable sense of nervousness welling up in her chest.
What was she so nervous about?
While Xiao Bingying puzzled over this, a voice came from beside her—the shopkeeper’s.
“Madam. Madam.” The shopkeeper had already called out to Xiao Bingying several times.
Xiao Bingying snapped back to attention and gave an awkward smile. “Shopkeeper Qiu, what is it?”
Seeing that Xiao Bingying was no longer lost in thought, the shopkeeper smiled and said, “It’s already midday. I’ve informed the patients outside on your behalf. Please go upstairs and have something to eat.”
Xiao Bingying nodded. “All right.”
Xiao Bingying rose and was about to head upstairs when a clerk from the front of the shop relayed a message: a young lady from the Shen family had come to pick up medicine.
Shopkeeper Qiu heard this and said, “Just let her collect it. The Madam needs to eat her lunch—no more visitors.”
The clerk glanced at Xiao Bingying and said, “Miss Shen says she has a few things she’d like to discuss with you in detail regarding her mother’s condition.”
Hearing mention of Mrs. Shen, Xiao Bingying looked toward the front and said, “I’ll go speak with her.”
Xiao Bingying went outside and saw Shen Lin holding the wooden box containing the Efficacious Pills. Before Xiao Bingying could speak, Shen Lin smiled and said, “Doctor Zhao, it’s not convenient to talk here. I’ve reserved a private room at a restaurant up ahead. Shall we talk over a meal?”
Xiao Bingying hesitated.
Seeing Xiao Bingying’s hesitation, Shen Lin smiled. “I merely wish to fulfill my duty as a daughter. If Doctor Zhao isn’t free, I won’t insist. Shen Lin will take her leave.”
“Wait.” Xiao Bingying called out to stop her as Shen Lin turned away. Her hesitation just now had only been because she felt that as a doctor, healing and saving lives was her duty—having already collected the consultation fee, she shouldn’t let a patient buy her a meal on top of that. But if she were the one paying, that concern would no longer apply.
“Wait for me a moment.” Xiao Bingying turned back and said to the shopkeeper beside her, “Give my lunch to the clerks. I’ll be back before the afternoon consultations.”
Seeing that Xiao Bingying had agreed, Shen Lin’s lips curved into a faint smile. The shopkeeper glanced around and could only nod in agreement.
Shen Lin’s carriage was right outside. Once the two of them were aboard, Xiao Bingying began asking Shen Lin about her mother’s health.
“Is there anywhere else Mrs. Shen is feeling unwell?”
Shen Lin looked up, her smiling eyes meeting Xiao Bingying’s. “No. It’s just that my mother’s condition has dragged on for so long, and I don’t know how to care for her after she starts taking the medicine.”
Xiao Bingying nodded and replied, “Mrs. Shen’s condition is largely caused by overexertion and worry after her miscarriage. She needs to rest and recuperate. She must not concern herself with other matters.”
Shen Lin gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. When her eyes fell upon Xiao Bingying, they carried a hint of admiration.
The two of them descended from the carriage and went to a nearby restaurant. Xiao Bingying rarely came here, though Cheng Xi would often treat the staff to banquets at this place as a reward.
“The setting here is quite nice. From the looks of it, Doctor Zhao doesn’t come from an ordinary family either, so you must have refined tastes. Are there any foods you avoid?”
Hearing Shen Lin’s words, Xiao Bingying looked up and replied with a smile, “I’m not particular about food and have no dietary restrictions. But you, Miss Shen, seem rather delicate—I wonder what foods you prefer?”
Both of them were asking about each other’s dietary restrictions. Hearing Xiao Bingying’s question, Shen Lin smiled. “I’m not particular either.”
Shen Lin lifted the teapot and poured some tea for Xiao Bingying. “I didn’t always have such a comfortable life when I was young.”
Xiao Bingying accepted the tea, lowering her head in thanks. When she heard Shen Lin say this, she couldn’t help looking up.
Shen Lin’s tone hadn’t changed as she spoke, but Xiao Bingying seemed to catch a trace of sadness in her words.
Xiao Bingying maintained her composure and listened quietly.
“Guest, would you like to make any changes to the dishes you just ordered?”
Shen Lin glanced over and replied, “Just keep it as originally ordered.”
She had originally intended to let Xiao Bingying make some choices, but since Xiao Bingying had no dietary restrictions, there was no need to say more. The dishes she had ordered were all signature specialties—they wouldn’t disappoint.
The waiter left. As Shen Lin was about to pour tea for herself, Xiao Bingying reached out to take the teapot from her hand and said, “Let me.”
Shen Lin paused with the teapot in hand. Looking at Xiao Bingying’s outstretched hand, she smiled and handed it over.
Xiao Bingying poured tea for Shen Lin. Shen Lin glanced down, then looked back up at Xiao Bingying.
Xiao Bingying was clearly the type who was cold on the outside and warm on the inside. Her attire was quite refined too—though there were signs of martial arts training, she lacked the rough-and-tumble carelessness typical of martial artists. Her purplish-brown outer garment was not tight-fitting but draped with an easy elegance. Though it differed slightly from the outfit she had worn a few days prior, it was similarly dark-toned, setting off Xiao Bingying’s fair complexion and making her appear all the more dignified.
The servants in the residence who picked out her clothes had good taste indeed.
“Doctor Zhao doesn’t appear to be worried about making a living. Why practice at the Medicine Hall?” Shen Lin asked.
Xiao Bingying’s hand paused mid-sip. She looked up and replied, “Practicing medicine isn’t only about making a living.”
Shen Lin gave a light smile. “Then why does Doctor Zhao do it?”
Xiao Bingying took a sip of tea, set the cup down on the table, and replied, “The Medicine Hall had accumulated too many patients, and I happened to have nothing else to do.”
“Is the owner of this Medicine Hall your family?”
Hearing Shen Lin mention Cheng Xi, Xiao Bingying’s expression softened. “Yes.”
Shen Lin nodded. “No wonder the shopkeeper is so protective of you. So this Medicine Hall belongs to your family. But I’ve heard the owner’s surname is Cheng—is she a cousin of yours, Doctor Zhao?”
Xiao Bingying was about to answer when the waiter arrived with their dishes. “Guest, you ordered the crisp-skinned fish, the Buddha’s hand duck, the soy-sauce pork, the assorted hot pot…”
Xiao Bingying turned to look. The waiter announced each dish as he served it, interrupting their conversation.
Once all the dishes were served, Xiao Bingying returned to the matter Shen Lin had wanted to discuss at the Medicine Hall.
“Mrs. Shen’s condition has built up over a long time. After seven days of taking the medicine, I will visit your residence in person to check on her.”
Hearing Xiao Bingying mention a personal visit, Shen Lin raised her cup and said, “Shen Lin knows that Doctor Zhao still has patients to see this afternoon and shouldn’t drink, so I’ll substitute tea for wine and thank you in advance for your care.”
Xiao Bingying raised her cup and replied, “No need for thanks. Treating illness is our duty.”
Hearing Xiao Bingying claim no credit at all, Shen Lin smiled and took a small sip of tea.
During the meal, Shen Lin asked Xiao Bingying quite a few questions about ways to assist in her mother’s treatment. Having gained a great deal from the conversation, Shen Lin expressed her thanks once more before having Xiao Bingying dropped back at the Medicine Hall.
When it came time to settle the bill, however, Shen Lin wasn’t quick enough—Xiao Bingying paid for the meal.
Shen Lin didn’t argue with Xiao Bingying over this. She simply thought of it as the turning of fortune—next time, she would pay.
Xiao Bingying didn’t dwell on her words either. After finishing her consultations with the waiting patients that afternoon, she headed to King Long’s Mansion.
Since Qu Sheng decreed the relocation of the capital, the Qu family members had each been given their own residences. Only the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager still lived with them in the palace.
The mansion had been newly built alongside the imperial palace and granted by Qu Sheng to Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu. The Zhao Residence had been established the same way.
Xiao Bingying stepped down from the carriage, and the servants at King Long’s Mansion hurried to announce her arrival.
The Eldest Miss of the Zhao family had arrived.
Zhao Jiayu had been troubled these past few days over the matter of Qu Zhimu. Qiao Jin’s side still knew nothing of it, but she knew her own daughter. Moreover, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had said that Qiao Jin was a rare and learned scholar. If Qu Sheng issued a marriage decree, Qiao Jin certainly wouldn’t dare to object—but if Qiao Jin truly didn’t like Qu Zhimu, issuing the decree would only harm them both.
And they still didn’t know whether Qiao Jin preferred women or men. They didn’t want Qu Zhimu to spend her days in tears.
Xiao Bingying had only just reached the courtyard when Zhao Jiayu came out to meet her. Seeing her sister arrive, Zhao Jiayu scolded her, “Yesterday you picked up Ying’er and left right away. I chased after you but you were already gone.”
Xiao Bingying smiled but didn’t explain. Given her current status, it wasn’t appropriate for her to visit King Long’s Mansion too often. Back in the Nanting Courtyard, the household had been mostly women’s quarters. Now, when she came, she could only go to Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu’s courtyard. After Qu Sheng’s return, Qu Yu no longer served at the palace, so he was always at the mansion. Meeting him constantly would sound bad if word got out.
“You’re the only one still hung up on all those rules. Look at Cheng Xi—she’s taught so many students, her Peaches and Plums All Over the World1 include both men and women, and nothing scandalous has ever come of it.” Zhao Jiayu knew what kind of person Xiao Bingying was and could guess why she had lingered at the gate rather than entering.
Xiao Bingying gave a small smile and followed her inside.
Qu Yu sat in the room and had tea served. Xiao Bingying sat and listened to Zhao Jiayu’s nagging for a while before Qu Zhimu and Zhao Ningying arrived together.
The two paid their respects to their elders. Qu Zhimu had grown into a graceful young woman. Though still rough-and-tumble in temperament, she had a rare and genuine kind-heartedness—and just like Zhao Jiayu, she loved to fight injustice.
Seeing her today, however, she seemed to be in low spirits.
Qu Yu exchanged a few words with Xiao Bingying and then left, leaving only the women in the room.
“Such a long face—is it about Qiao Jin?” Xiao Bingying asked quietly as Qu Zhimu sat down beside her.
Qu Zhimu looked at Xiao Bingying and said, “Little Aunt and Aunt won’t issue a marriage decree for me.”
Hearing Qu Zhimu’s words, Zhao Jiayu grew worried too. She had already explained the situation to Qu Zhimu, but without a marriage decree, Qu Zhimu couldn’t even meet Qiao Jin. It truly put her in a bind.
Xiao Bingying looked at the young girl, troubled by affairs of the heart, and smiled. “So you’re just going to wait like this?”
Qu Zhimu looked at Xiao Bingying. Meeting Xiao Bingying’s gentle gaze, she blinked—and then heard Zhao Ningying beside her say, “Hey, why don’t we have Aunt Sheng issue a decree summoning her to the palace? Whether it works out or not, at least meeting face-to-face would be better than just waiting like this.”
Zhao Ningying had always grasped a deeper meaning in Xiao Bingying’s words. Hearing Zhao Ningying’s suggestion, Qu Zhimu lifted her head and looked at her mother.
Zhao Jiayu sighed and said, “Tonight I’ll go to the palace and have your Little Aunt issue the decree.”
When Zhao Jiayu finished speaking, Qu Zhimu finally broke into a smile.
Xiao Bingying took Zhao Ningying back to the residence. On the way, Xiao Bingying asked Zhao Ningying whether Qu Zhimu’s feelings for Qiao Jin were truly irreplaceable.
Zhao Ningying thought for a moment and replied, “Not necessarily. She’d be sad for a while at most. Mother knows that Mu-jiejie is the most easygoing of all—she might be miserable today and perfectly fine tomorrow.”
Xiao Bingying nodded, somewhat relieved, and said, “That’s good.”
Xiao Bingying sent Zhao Ningying back to the residence, then had a carriage prepared and set off for the National Medical Academy.
Xiao Bingying stepped down from the carriage. The guard who had seen her last time spotted her approaching and hurried over to lead her to the reception room of the National Medical Academy.
Just like last time, Cheng Xi sent word for her to go home first—she was too busy to see her right now.
But Xiao Bingying sent word back as well: “Tell her I’d like to stay and look up a few things, and return home together with her this evening.”
The author has something to say:
Cheng Xi: “Am I the servant who picks out your clothes?”
Xiao Bingying, clutching a washboard and hurrying to kneel on it: “No, no, it’s my wife.”
Continuing with 200 red envelopes!
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