Jiao Niang’s Medical Record Chapter 116

Because the food was so bad it was unbearable, she decided to teach the cook how to improve?

Dou Qi was once again stunned.

Since stepping into this place, everything seemed to defy his expectations. This lady had spoken only two or three sentences, yet she had completely thrown off the countermeasures he thought he’d prepared.

Was this… really just an act of kindness?

Had he truly encountered some passing immortal?

In his 27 years of life, Dou Qi had never met someone so unaffected by wealth, someone like this genuinely good person.

Dou Qi’s small eyes narrowed.

A good person? In this world, there are no good people or bad people—only fools and the clever!

Watching the young man ride off on horseback with two or three servants escorting the carriage, the smile on Dou Qi’s face suddenly vanished.

The last rays of the setting sun shone on his face, highlighting the oleander tucked by his temple, now slightly withered.

Dou Qi casually plucked the flower and tossed it to the ground.

“Master, you see? Those two really just left like that?” the manager couldn’t help but ask. “And they didn’t take the money after all.”

“Even if they didn’t leave, what could they possibly do??” Dou Qi sneered coldly. “I’ve already invoked my godfather’s name. If they dared to take the money, they wouldn’t have lived to enjoy it. Even the influential Zhou family behind them would have to think twice.”

The manager nodded in agreement.

“I just didn’t expect that the passing immortal would turn out to be someone from the Zhou family,” he said with a sigh. “It’s fortunate, really fortunate, that we’re no longer the way we used to be. Otherwise, with the greed of these officials in the capital, not to mention that box of money—even this shop might have been seized.”

“That’s why we can’t follow in Grandfather’s old-fashioned ways,” Dou Qi said with a hint of pride. “People say the powerful are endlessly greedy, ruthless, and best avoided. But you have to realize, trouble won’t avoid you just because you avoid it. Living in fear of wolves ahead and tigers behind, huddling in some corner—what future is there in that? Look at us now: a passing immortal in front, and Secretariat Editor Liu behind. Soon enough, our Dou family’s shop will be famous throughout the land.”

Then, Dou Qi’s expression hardened.

“But that Secretariat Editor Liu… he’s really extortionate,” he muttered.

He glanced back. By now, the first evening lights were glowing, and Immortal’s Abode was even busier than during the day. Lanterns shone brightly, the din of voices filled the air, and the staff bustled around, barely keeping up. In the distance, more lights approached—guests hurrying to try the delicacies or returning customers who couldn’t get enough.

Like stars gathering in the night sky, they would surely illuminate the Dou family’s coffers.

“This is an opportunity sent by the heavens, and it cannot be missed!” Dou Qi said through gritted teeth. Turning to the manager, his expression like frosty steel, he ordered, “Go, deliver the partnership contract to my godfather. Right now, it’s just the Zhou family. Once we’re in the capital, who knows how many tigers and wolves will be watching? If the Zhou family dares to harbor any thoughts, I’ll make them the chicken slaughtered to warn the monkeys!”

When Zhou Liu-lang’s carriage entered the family estate, the household was already anxious and about to send someone to look for him. Seeing his return, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

“Where did you take your sister?” Madam Zhou scolded him gently. Though her words were reproachful, her face was full of concern for her son. Glancing at Cheng Jiao-niang, who had just stepped down from the carriage, her eyes betrayed a hint of blame.

It must have been this lady who used her gratitude to manipulate her son.

“Just went out for a meal,” Zhou Liu-lang replied.

“Oh my, Sixth Brother, you’re so good to our cousin. You’ve never taken me out for a meal,” a charming young lady standing behind Madam Zhou said in a sweet, coquettish tone.

Hearing this, Zhou Liu-lang’s face tightened, but someone else chuckled first.

“What a frivolous remark. May this young lady also receive such a favor someday,” said a maid.

Caught off guard by the comment, the young lady froze for a moment. When she realized it was a mere maid who had spoken, she immediately flew into a rage.

“You—” She raised her eyebrows and was about to shout, but Madam Zhou shot her a glare.

“Mind your tongue,” Madam Zhou scolded. “Is this your place to speak?”

The young lady was even more stunned.

“Mother, this is my home. How is it not my place to speak?” she protested. “And what did I even say?”

Over on the other side, Cheng Jiao-niang and her maid seemed to turn a deaf ear, lifting their feet and walking straight ahead.

Zhou Liu-lang followed after them.

In the blink of an eye, only Madam Zhou, her daughter, and a few maids remained at the inner gate.

“Mother!” The young lady stomped her foot, feeling humiliated in front of others, then stormed off in frustration.

Madam Zhou was also irritated but found herself helpless in the situation.

“Someone,” she called out, “pick a few clever maids for Lady Cheng. Going in and out with just that one scrappy girl—what kind of impression does that give!”

Zhou Liu-lang caught up with Cheng Jiao-niang.

“That man threatened you. Were you afraid?” he asked.

Cheng Jiao-niang seemed lost in thought and was brought back to the present by his question, her expression still wooden.

“What?” She glanced back at him and asked.

“That passing immortal was originally yours, but the Dou family claimed it for themselves. Are you really content with that?” Zhou Liu-lang said, watching her.

Cheng Jiao Niang let out an indifferent “Oh.”

“It wasn’t mine to begin with. Why wouldn’t I be content?” she replied with a question of her own.

Her response left Zhou Liu-lang momentarily stunned.

“Playing dumb again!” he said through clenched teeth. “Are you seriously saying you pointed things out just because they weren’t doing it right?”

Cheng Jiao-niang nodded.

“Of course. What they made was truly bad, a disgrace to the food. Offering some guidance allows the world to share in its true flavor,” she said calmly.

Zhou Liu-lang looked at her, gritting his teeth.

“You’re pretending to be clueless again!” he finally said in frustration. “Cheng Jiao-niang, can you speak to me properly for once?”

Cheng Jiao-niang glanced at him and said nothing before turning to leave.

She said nothing, but that one glance felt like a slap. Zhou Liu-lang’s face burned as though on fire.

This fool!

Cheng Jiao-niang, who had been walking, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“Wait, did you just say that man threatened me?” She turned her head and asked.

Zhou Liu-lang bit his lip, saying nothing.

“Miss, the man mentioned Secretariat Editor Liu—that’s Liu Zhang from the Imperial Archives,” the maid said softly.

Zhou Liu-lang was slightly taken aback, giving the maid a proper look for the first time.

This maid actually knew about the Imperial Archives and Liu Zhang?

To be honest, even he sometimes got confused by the myriad titles and positions among the officials. Yet, this maid had casually and accurately identified the rank, status, and name.

When did the Cheng family have such a knowledgeable maid?

Or… was she specially arranged for this foolish girl?

“Whatever it is,” Cheng Jiao-niang, evidently not understanding, didn’t ask further. She simply nodded, her expression wooden yet seemingly contemplative. After a moment, she let out an “Oh.”

“So that’s how it is. Indeed,” she nodded and said.

Zhou Liu-lang ground his teeth in frustration on the side.

This lady truly lived up to her history of being considered a fool—her act of playing dumb was flawless!

It was as if she hadn’t even listened to Dou Qi’s words earlier, and now she was just carefully recalling and mulling them over, acting as though she’d just figured it out.

Fine! If you want to pretend to be a fool, then keep pretending.

If you don’t care about yourself, then our Zhou family certainly has no obligation to stick our necks out and seek justice for you.

Zhou Liu-lang flung his sleeves and turned to leave, only to hear Cheng Jiao-niang speak again behind him.

“Well, that’s fine,” she said.

Fine?

Zhou Liu Lang turned back, glaring.

“It turns out he threatened me first. Before, I felt a little reluctant. But now… I feel at ease,” Cheng Jiao-niang said, her lips curling slightly into a smile as she glanced at her maid.

This fool!

Zhou Liu-lang spun around and strode off in long, angry steps.

Translator’s Comment:

Another chapter to make up for the missing chapter from yesterday and I wish everyone a happy new year!