Jiao Niang’s Medical Record Chapter 399

During the first month of the new year, the South Cheng household grew livelier than ever. Children darted through the alleys, while the women leaned out from their doorways.

“Lady Cheng has returned!”

“Really? She’s finally back!”

The crowd whispered excitedly among themselves, all eyes turning toward the large residence.

In contrast to the bustle outside, the courtyard within remained quiet. Steward Cao politely stopped Cheng Ji and the others who had come to pay their respects.

“She’s tired. Let her rest for now. You can meet another day,” he said in a low voice.

Naturally, they understood – after such a weary journey, she deserved a proper rest. Still, the formalities had to be observed.

Smiling, Cheng Ji nodded. “Steward Cao, you haven’t hired any maids to cook or fetch water. Why not let them help?” he added, gesturing to the women behind him.

The women quickly stepped forward.

“No, no need,” Steward Cao refused again. “You all know my lady’s rules.”

“I told you, there’s no need to go. That lady would never treat us like servants. If you went, she’d only treat you as honored guests.”

In the alley, one of the women who had once been fortunate enough to travel with Cheng Jiao-niang laughed, watching the others turn back with a trace of regret.

“Ah, just thinking of that trip with her… my whole life feels worth it now. The food, the drink, the lodgings…”

Though they had already heard this story many times, everyone still unconsciously stopped to listen again. Each time they heard it, they couldn’t help but imagine themselves in that place. If that lady treated those two women with such kindness, then surely she would treat them the same way. The thought that someone like her could exist in this world – someone so warm and generous – always left their hearts brimming with warmth.

Chun Lan fanned the flames higher, the clay pot on the stove bubbling and gurgling.

“No need for such a strong fire – let it simmer slowly,” Ban Qin said as she walked in from outside.

Chun Lan quickly set the fan aside, a little embarrassed.

“Ban Qin,” she called, gazing at the girl before her, someone both familiar and strangely distant.

“My lady and I were fishing here – you suddenly appearing like that gave me quite a scare.”

“I have a prescription. It might save Fourth Young Master’s life.”

The words echoed in her ears, sounding both near and far.

“Why are you staring off like that?” Ban Qin laughed, waving a hand in front of her eyes.

“Thank you, Ban Qin, for taking care of my younger brother,” Chun Lan came back to her senses and bent in a respectful bow.

Ban Qin smiled and returned the bow.

“It’s I who should thank you for looking after my lady that time,” she said.

Chun Lan gave an awkward smile.

“I don’t deserve such words. It was you who helped me first – if not for you, Fourth Young Master would’ve lost his life long ago.”

“My lady says that not everyone remembers to repay even the smallest kindness, so when you meet someone who does, you should treasure and be grateful for it,” Ban Qin replied, shaking her head.

“Hey, what are you two playing at? Don’t let the food burn!” Jin Ge’er called, poking his head in from the doorway.

The two maids, still bowing to each other, exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

“Miss is awake,” came Steward Cao’s voice from outside.

Ban Qin quickly answered and, together with Chun Lan, began serving the dishes and arranging the food box before carrying it toward the inner courtyard.

Dusk settled heavily, lanterns were lit in the courtyard, and the doors of the main hall slowly opened, revealing a girl seated inside.

Though it was already early spring, the weather in the capital was still bitterly cold.

Wrapped in a heavy cloak, Duke Jin’an had been about to turn away when he heard laughter from within the Empress Dowager’s palace. But before he could leave, a palace attendant stopped him.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty invites you in,” the attendant said with a smiling face.

Duke Jin’an had no choice but to step inside.

The grand hall was filled with warmth and the rich fragrance of incense. Besides the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Consort and several other concubines were present. Among them sat a young lady he did not know. The moment she saw Duke Jin’an enter, she lowered her head.

“I came to ask for that fragrant drink Her Majesty served last time. Liu Ge’er enjoyed it very much,” Duke Jin’an said with a bow.

The Empress Dowager smiled and gestured for him to sit.

“Liu Ge’er cannot be left alone,” Duke Jin’an said hesitantly.

“Wei-lang, sit,” the Empress Dowager said, her tone carrying a trace of insistence.

Duke Jin’an had no choice but to bow again and take his seat.

“Look at you – how thin you’ve become,” the Empress Dowager remarked, pointing him out to the other concubines.

All the concubines turned to look, and even the young lady seated behind the Imperial Consort lifted her head for a quick glance before lowering it again.

“Thin? Hardly,” Duke Jin’an replied with a smile, touching his own face. “This is just me filling out. Doesn’t Your Majesty think I’ve grown more handsome?”

His words made everyone laugh, and the young lady who had been bowing her head raised her sleeve to cover her mouth with a smile as well.

“All right, all right, we all know you’re handsome. I’m speaking seriously now,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile. “He is he, and you are his elder brother. He is the younger, and you the elder. To care for him doesn’t mean you must do everything yourself. The servants have their duties, and you have yours. Wei-lang, do you truly think you can guard him for a lifetime?”

“Of course I will guard him for a lifetime,” Duke Jin’an replied. “Your Majesty, I ask for nothing else. I don’t care for titles or rank – only that I may remain in the capital. Please, Your Majesty, don’t send me away…”

His voice grew hoarse as he spoke.

“You won’t leave, you won’t leave – no one is sending you away,” the Empress Dowager said at once, patting his arm. “What I mean is, you mustn’t forget yourself. While caring for him, you should also take care of your own well-being.”

Only then did Duke Jin’an breathe easier. He bowed to the Empress Dowager and lifted his face in a smile.

The Empress Dowager reached out and tapped him lightly in mock reproach.

“This child has such a simple, stubborn heart. Once he decides on someone, he never lets go. When he was small and lived with me, and I fell ill and had to send him to another palace, you should have seen how he wept – as though his life were ending,” she said with a laugh to the concubines.

“His Highness is a man of deep feeling – that is truly rare,” the Imperial Consort said with a smile. As she spoke, she cast a glance, almost casually, at the young lady behind her. Then, as if recalling something, she reached out with a laugh. “How remiss of me – Ah-Yun still hasn’t been introduced to His Highness.”

The young lady straightened a little, nervousness showing in her posture. She stepped back two paces and offered Duke Jin’an a deep, formal bow.

“Wu of the Wu family pays respects to Your Highness,” she said softly.

“She is Consort Zhu’s little niece,” the Imperial Consort explained with a smile to Duke Jin’an. “She came to the capital with her mother, and Consort Zhu especially wished her to be presented here.”

Duke Jin’an nodded in acknowledgment and returned the courtesy before resuming his seat. He raised his sleeve, as though casually, to muffle a faint cough.

At the door, one of the kneeling eunuchs rose and quietly withdrew.

“…Princess Shuhui is over at Consort Zhu’s, quite happy. The little princess is fond of her too – they even sleep together at night,” the Imperial Consort said with a smile, continuing on the topic of Consort Zhu.

“The more children around, the livelier it is,” another concubine chimed in.

At that, Duke Jin’an rose to take his leave.

“Your Highness, the fragrant drink you wanted is with Consort Zhu. Might I trouble you to fetch it yourself?” the Imperial Consort said with a smile, glancing at Lady Wu beside her. “And while you’re at it, escort Ah-Yun back to Consort Zhu’s quarters.”

At these words, Lady Wu stiffened nervously, bowing her head even lower.

“I wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness,” she said softly.

Duke Jin’an laughed as he stood.

“What trouble could it be?” he replied lightly.

“Go on then,” the Imperial Consort urged Lady Wu.

Lady Wu answered obediently, bowed, and rose. Once Duke Jin’an began walking, she followed behind him in small, lowered steps.

As they watched the young man and lady depart, the concubines in the hall exchanged glances and chuckled softly.

“Well? They make quite the handsome pair, don’t they?” the Imperial Consort said with a quiet laugh.

“The Zhu family raises their daughters well – her upbringing is naturally beyond reproach,” the Empress Dowager agreed with a nod. Then she sighed. “You’re right. We cannot let Wei-lang’s life be wasted away. If this goes on, he will ruin himself.”

“Your Majesty need not worry too much,” the Imperial Consort said with a smile. “Once he has a household of his own, someone close to his heart to care for him, things will be different. He’ll still be able to tend to Prince Qing, but at the same time, he’ll have someone to tend to him as well.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, a trace of a smile appearing on her face.

“Yes… that is how it should be,” she said.

Duke Jin’an did not hear the conversation taking place inside the hall.

“How old are you this year?” he turned and asked Lady Wu.

Lady Wu clearly hadn’t expected him to speak to her, much less to begin by asking her age. She grew flustered.

“I’ll be sixteen when March comes,” she said softly, her head lowered.

“Oh.” Duke Jin’an nodded, then glanced back at her with a smile. “You’re quite tall for your age.”

For a girl, a graceful, slender figure was a point of pride. Lady Wu’s cheeks flushed scarlet, and she lowered her head even further.

“Consort Zhu’s family is from Ning-zhou. Do you live there as well?” Duke Jin’an asked, curiosity in his tone.

Lady Wu nodded, then gathered her courage to look up at him.

“Yes,” she answered. In the sunlight, the young duke’s profile was dazzling, and her steps faltered without her realizing it.

“Are you all right?” Duke Jin’an quickly reached out to steady her.

The touch of his hand on her arm sent Lady Wu’s heart racing, leaving her momentarily frozen.

“Don’t be so nervous. The palace isn’t such a frightening place – the consorts are all easygoing,” Duke Jin’an said with a laugh, withdrawing his hand after helping her up.

As they were speaking, footsteps suddenly came from behind, along with the sound of a child shouting.

But how could anyone shout so loudly inside the palace? Lady Wu turned her head – only to see a short, stout figure barreling toward her. His eyes bulged, his mouth gaped in a grin, drool spilling down his chin. He looked almost exactly like one of those grotesque demon masks from the Lantern Festival.

With a terrified scream, Lady Wu swung her hand to strike while stumbling backward.

A hand caught her arm and shielded her.

“It’s all right. Don’t be afraid,” Duke Jin’an’s voice came from above her. “He doesn’t understand – he only startled you. I’ll take him away at once.”

The warmth of his grasp still lingered on her wrist. Then, in an instant, the figures vanished from before her eyes, the sunlight pouring down so brightly she could hardly open them.

When she came back to her senses, both the ghoul-like child and the young duke were gone.

Lady Wu stood frozen where she was, as if caught in a dream.

The Empress Dowager set down the golden cup in her hand with a sharp clink, the sound making both the Imperial Consort and Consort Zhu flinch.

“Have the imperial doctor take a look. She may have been badly frightened,” the Empress Dowager said slowly.

“No, no, Your Majesty,” Consort Zhu hurried to reply. “Ah-Yun is fine. It just happened so suddenly – she thought someone was only playing a prank on her.”

“A prank? Prince Qing truly struck her, did he not?” the Empress Dowager said coolly, fixing her gaze on her.

The Imperial Consort shot Consort Zhu a glare.

“Your Majesty, it was only an accident. Who could have known Prince Qing would suddenly rush out…” she said hesitantly.

“Suddenly?” The Empress Dowager gave her a look. “Are you saying it was arranged by Duke Jin’an? That he deliberately meant to frighten her?”

Before the Imperial Consort could answer, the Empress Dowager turned to the eunuch at the side.

“Speak,” she commanded.

“…The Duke and Lady Wu were chatting and laughing. He kept asking her all sorts of questions – how old she was, praising her height, asking where her family was… and even comforting her, telling her not to be nervous…” the eunuch reported.

That was hardly the behavior of someone who disliked her. On the contrary, it was plainly the awkward, rambling chatter of a young man smitten.

“Your Majesty, I didn’t mean it that way…” the Imperial Consort said plaintively. “I only meant that when Prince Qing suddenly came running out like that, of course a young girl would be startled…”

“Then find one who won’t be startled,” the Empress Dowager said coldly. “If a person is truly well-bred, composed and well-mannered, how could she be so easily frightened by the slightest stir? That’s nothing but petty, small-household behavior.”

From the Empress Dowager’s palace all the way back to the Imperial Consort’s quarters, Consort Zhu wept the entire way.

“Why are you crying? She didn’t say you were petty,” the Imperial Consort snapped impatiently.

“She was talking about her, which means she was talking about me – about my family,” Consort Zhu sobbed.

“And if she was, you deserved it,” the Imperial Consort grew angrier. “You mean to tell me you never warned her about Prince Qing? You never told her that he and Duke Jin’an are inseparable?”

Consort Zhu wiped at her tears.

“I… I never imagined he’d bring Prince Qing with him on such an occasion,” she said, then hastily added, “I’ll go tell my family right away…”

“No need,” the Imperial Consort snorted. “It’s too late now. The chance has already been given to someone else.”

In Prince Qing’s palace, Duke Jin’an gently patted the sleeping prince, his expression heavy with thought.

“Your Highness, Consort Zhu has sent over the fragrant drink,” a eunuch entered and said softly.

Duke Jin’an nodded, and the eunuch quietly withdrew.

His gaze returned to Prince Qing, and a faint, self-mocking smile tugged at his lips.

“Liu Ge’er, in the end I still have to use you as a tool,” he murmured. “Thinking of it this way, I’m no different from those who laugh at you, who despise you.”

He paused here, reaching out to clasp Prince Qing’s hand.

“But… we still have to go on like this. Because there is no way back.”