The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 251
by Little PandaExtra 26
You Don’t Pull Your Punches When You Hit Me
The person in the carriage hadn’t spoken. Zhao Jiayu looked back and forth between Xiao Bingying and Shen Lin, trying to discern something, but Xiao Bingying’s utterly serious expression left her no opening.
“Why do you keep looking at me?” Shen Lin had by now noticed Zhao Jiayu’s frequent glances at her.
Zhao Jiayu sat up straighter, clutching the wooden box, and said, “How would you know I was looking at you if you weren’t looking at me?”
Xiao Bingying hadn’t introduced Zhao Jiayu earlier, leading Shen Lin to assume she was just a medicine hall assistant.
“Every time I look at you, you’re always looking at me. Are you still going to deny it?” Though Shen Lin was annoyed, her tone wasn’t harsh.
But Zhao Jiayu was different—her fiery temper ignited at the slightest spark. Seeing Zhao Jiayu bristle, Xiao Bingying quickly said, “I’m sorry, my meimei means no harm.”
“Why apologize? She’s the one who kept sneaking glances at you—that’s why I was looking at her.” Zhao Jiayu wasn’t incapable of backing down, but her scrutiny of Shen Lin had a reason behind it.
Shen Lin was momentarily startled when Xiao Bingying said Zhao Jiayu was her sister, but upon hearing Zhao Jiayu’s claim that she’d been stealing glances at Xiao Bingying, a flush of embarrassment crept across her face.
Xiao Bingying shot Zhao Jiayu a helpless glance at her bluntness and said, “If you don’t want to come along, go back now.”
“I’m not going back.” Zhao Jiayu hugged the medicine chest tighter and shook her head, but the motion sent a fresh pang through her neck. “Ow…”
Zhao Jiayu reached for her neck. Xiao Bingying quickly checked, placing her hand on the nape and gently kneading. “Better?”
Afraid Xiao Bingying might actually make her get off the carriage, Zhao Jiayu faked it. “Still a little sore.”
Xiao Bingying, somewhat helpless, softened her voice. “Why don’t you head back first, then.”
Hearing Xiao Bingying still trying to send her back, Zhao Jiayu immediately changed her tune. “Actually, it doesn’t hurt that much anymore. You can stop.”
Xiao Bingying could tell she was putting on an act, but with a stranger present, she couldn’t very well call her out on it.
“She’s your sister?” Shen Lin sat watching the two of them, studying them for a while without finding any resemblance.
Xiao Bingying looked over at the question and replied, “Yes.”
“That’s right—genuine article, no substitution. We’ve been living together for nearly thirty years now.” Zhao Jiayu dropped her bristling demeanor from a moment ago, answering with a smile that was practically a concession.
Shen Lin watched Zhao Jiayu’s ever-shifting expressions, smiled politely, and didn’t ask further.
They soon arrived at the Shen Residence. Since Zhao Jiayu had twisted her neck, Xiao Bingying couldn’t bear to tire her further and slung the medicine chest over her own shoulder.
Zhao Jiayu followed behind, looking around curiously as soon as they entered the residence.
Shen Lin led the way. Zhao Jiayu sidled up to Xiao Bingying and whispered, “Are you close with Miss Shen?”
“Not close,” Xiao Bingying whispered back.
They walked down the corridor for a short while before entering Mrs. Shen’s courtyard. Zhao Jiayu stood in the inner hall, where a maid served tea.
Zhao Jiayu made herself at home, sipping tea as she asked, “How old is your miss? Is she married?”
The maid, startled by the abrupt question, stood to the side without answering.
Zhao Jiayu, having gotten no response to her nosy question, blew on her tea and drank.
Xiao Bingying spent a long time in the inner room. When she emerged, Shen Lin’s gaze held even greater admiration and fondness. “Thank you, Doctor Zhao. If you hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
Xiao Bingying shifted the medicine chest on her shoulder and smiled. “Miss Shen, no thanks are necessary. Treating illness and saving lives is my duty as a doctor.”
Shen Lin said, “I’ve just had some food and wine prepared. Why don’t you stay for dinner before heading back, Doctor Zhao?”
“No—”
Before Xiao Bingying could finish refusing, Zhao Jiayu spat out the apple peel she’d been chewing and stood up eagerly. “That sounds great! I’m hungry too.”
Both Shen Lin and Xiao Bingying looked over. Shen Lin laughed.
The three walked toward the dining hall. The two who had been somewhat at daggers drawn in the carriage were now chatting happily.
“These apples from your house smell wonderful—where are they from?” Zhao Jiayu asked as they walked.
Shen Lin glanced at Zhao Jiayu and replied, “They’re from the north. My mother and I don’t care for crisp ones—these are softer and mealier, with a richer fragrance.”
“Oh.” Zhao Jiayu nodded as if she understood perfectly.
“If you like them, Miss Zhao, I’ll have some prepared for you to take back,” Shen Lin said with a smile.
“Then thank you in advance—the flavor really suits my taste,” Zhao Jiayu said without a hint of awkwardness.
Xiao Bingying listened with some helplessness. They had come to treat a patient, yet here was Zhao Jiayu eating and taking things home.
She had planned to leave, but worried Zhao Jiayu might stay behind alone—so now she had no choice but to stay with her.
When they reached the dining hall and Zhao Jiayu saw the table laden with dishes, she turned to Shen Lin with a bright smile and asked, “No wine?”
Hearing the word “wine,” Xiao Bingying immediately gave a light cough and whispered, “You can’t drink.”
Zhao Jiayu was about to respond when Shen Lin said, “I didn’t know you enjoyed wine, Miss Zhao—that was an oversight on my part. Someone, bring out the Yipinxiang my father has been saving.”
Zhao Jiayu had drunk every kind of wine over the years, but she had never heard of Yipinxiang.
“Miss Shen, there’s no need to go to such expense. My meimei—”
“Oh, Miss Shen isn’t being formal with us, and since we’re already eating the food, a little wine won’t hurt.” Zhao Jiayu could tell this was a wealthy household—and not just wealthy, but very wealthy.
Xiao Bingying didn’t get to finish. Shen Lin could tell Zhao Jiayu wasn’t the bashful type either, and said, “Don’t worry, Doctor Zhao. If Miss Zhao has too much, our carriage will take you both home.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying could only smile and say no more.
When the wine arrived, Shen Lin rose and poured for them both with a smile. “The food and wine were prepared hastily—please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality.”
“This is already wonderful. You’ve gone to too much trouble, Miss Shen,” Xiao Bingying replied warmly.
Shen Lin chuckled, glanced at Xiao Bingying, and sat back down. She raised her cup and said, “Shen Lin offers a humble toast to you both. Thank you for making the trip to see my mother.”
Zhao Jiayu raised her cup and glanced at Xiao Bingying. Xiao Bingying lifted hers as well and said, “You’re too kind, Miss Shen.”
All three drained their cups, and the maid beside them refilled them.
“I heard you mention in the carriage, Miss Zhao, that you’ve lived together for over thirty years. I suppose you must have married into a household nearby?” Shen Lin asked, as if offhandedly.
“Mm, I’m married. But my ajie1 isn’t,” Zhao Jiayu replied without thinking.
Hearing that Xiao Bingying wasn’t married, Shen Lin glanced over with a newfound glint of delight in her eyes. Catching Shen Lin’s gaze, Zhao Jiayu hurriedly spoke up before Xiao Bingying could. “My ajie has a terrible temper—she hits really hard when she does—so no one dares come to propose.”
Xiao Bingying, hearing Zhao Jiayu’s deadpan nonsense, stared at her in blank confusion for a moment.
Shen Lin smiled. “I find Doctor Zhao’s temperament quite gentle. As for strength, most martial practitioners are strong.”
“Yep, for sure. She doesn’t pull her punches at all when she hits me.”
“When did I ever hit you?” Xiao Bingying, shocked that Zhao Jiayu was already spouting nonsense without being drunk, whispered back in disbelief.
Zhao Jiayu looked at Xiao Bingying with a face full of disdain. “Of course you wouldn’t remember. Every time you drink, you start hitting people. Nobody can come near you. I’ve been beaten so much I’m scared of you.”
Shen Lin laughed and looked at Xiao Bingying. “Miss Zhao is very funny.”
Xiao Bingying gave an awkward smile and felt inexplicably guilty, barely daring to touch the wine before her.
After leaving the Shen Residence, Xiao Bingying sat in the carriage sent by the Medicine Hall with a dark expression while Zhao Jiayu laughed beside her. Xiao Bingying had already realized, from Zhao Jiayu’s comment in the carriage about Shen Lin watching her, that Shen Lin’s attention carried a special interest.
She could have quashed the idea with a single word, but Zhao Jiayu had insisted on stopping her—and even claimed she got violent when drunk.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Jiayu tilted her neck and asked with a grin.
“Nothing.” Xiao Bingying reined in her emotions.
Seeing Xiao Bingying’s displeasure, Zhao Jiayu said sarcastically, “Oh, you’re blaming me for blocking your peach blossoms2, are you?”
Xiao Bingying frowned slightly. “What peach blossoms? Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Oh, not peach blossoms—a beauty showing favor.”
Xiao Bingying was exasperated again but didn’t want to dwell on the subject. “Are you going straight back to the residence?”
Zhao Jiayu looked over, gave another “Oh,” and said, “Are you going to ditch me and go find Miss Shen?”
Xiao Bingying was simultaneously exasperated and amused. How could she possibly have anything with Shen Lin? If Zhao Jiayu hadn’t gone on her rambling tirade, she would have clarified long ago that she was already married.
“I’ll have the carriage take you back first,” Xiao Bingying said evenly.
Hearing Xiao Bingying trying to get rid of her, Zhao Jiayu asked, “Where are you going?”
Xiao Bingying glanced down at the medicine chest in the carriage. “I need to return the medicine chest.”
Zhao Jiayu breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “Really not going to find Miss Shen?”
Xiao Bingying looked at Zhao Jiayu helplessly, repeating what she’d said all day. “I’m not close with her!”
Xiao Bingying had eaten out today. She returned to the residence briefly before heading to the National Medical Academy, tucking the book Cheng Xi had been jotting notes in into her coat.
Xiao Bingying entered the reception room at the National Medical Academy. Before long, someone came in to add charcoal to the brazier. In the warm room, Xiao Bingying read with undivided attention.
When Cheng Xi heard Xiao Bingying had arrived, she had her own dinner brought to the reception room during the evening meal—and had a portion prepared for Xiao Bingying as well.
Cheng Xi gently pushed open the door, a clerk following behind carrying their meals. Xiao Bingying saw it was her wife and rose with a smile. The clerk set down the food and withdrew.
Cheng Xi looked at Xiao Bingying’s silly grin and walked toward the dining table. “Come eat.”
Xiao Bingying went over, tucking the book into her robe, and said, “I already ate today.”
“You ate dinner this early?” Cheng Xi’s eyes followed the motion of Xiao Bingying tucking the book into her robe.
Xiao Bingying explained with a smile, “I didn’t eat at the residence—I ate out.” She stepped close to Cheng Xi as she spoke.
They stood very close. Cheng Xi tilted her chin up slightly and kissed Xiao Bingying on the lips, then said, “The wine smells lovely.”
Xiao Bingying was a little dazed by the sudden kiss and smiled. “I only had a little.”
“Mm. Who were you drinking with?” Cheng Xi was a little concerned—Bingying wouldn’t drink alone.
If she were drinking alone, it would have to be brooding over something.
“I was with Jiayu at Miss Shen’s house—oh, the same Miss Shen whose mother’s symptoms I asked you about last time.”
Cheng Xi sat down, recalled, and nodded. “You’ve become that close with her?”
“No, it was unexpected today. Jiayu…” Xiao Bingying hesitated.
As soon as Cheng Xi heard “Zhao Jiayu,” she understood the reason. Zhao Jiayu was the type who warmed to strangers instantly—she never held back. It must have been a polite invitation from Miss Shen that she’d readily accepted.
Cheng Xi asked no more and had Xiao Bingying keep her company for dinner.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “Mm, the wine was fragrant, but Miss Shen was even more so.”
Xiao Bingying: “!! I’ll kowtow to you—please, just shut up!”
Still handing out red envelopes!
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