Imperial Physician Hu had clearly been tormented by Lai Chenglong these past few days.
After all, Lai Chenglong’s fierce reputation was widely known.
But Qi Yuan showed no mercy. On the contrary, she stated bluntly, “No. You can’t leave.”
…?
What?!
Physician Hu thought he must have misheard her. He almost jumped up and started swearing.
Was this some kind of joke?!
He had assumed Lai Chenglong was the real tyrant, but Qi Yuan had always seemed like someone who knew how to repay kindness.
Hadn’t she once given him good wine just for helping treat a servant girl?
And now, Qi Yuan was acting even more outrageous than Lai Chenglong!
When Lai Chenglong didn’t let him leave, at least it was because Qi Yuan hadn’t woken up yet. He had legitimate concerns.
But now Qi Yuan was clearly awake, and she still wouldn’t let him go!
Physician Hu stormed forward a few steps, pointed to himself, and protested loudly: “Miss Qi, I am, after all, a physician from the Imperial Grandson’s household! Can you at least have a little conscience? I’ve watched over you for seven whole days and nights! Endured these people grinding me down for seven days and nights! Just smell me! I’m rancid!”
Have a heart, would you?!
Qi Yuan did indeed smell something foul.
She’d just woken up, her stomach was empty and unsettled. The sudden stench nearly made her vomit.
But she held it in and shook her head firmly: “No. Physician Hu, not only can you not go wash up and change clothes, you also have to go outside and publicly curse out Lai Chenglong. Tell him they need to bring in more doctors. Say you can’t handle it. Say that if they don’t let you go, you’ll go insane.”
…Huh?!
What now?
Physician Hu had been ready to start cursing, but now just stared at her suspiciously, unsure what sort of plan she was cooking up.
Qi Yuan glanced at the table full of food and smiled at him: “All of this… is for you to eat. Do you understand now?”
?!
Baizhi quickly served a bowl of porridge and poured a bowl of chicken soup for Qi Yuan.
Old Madam Qi asked Physician Hu worriedly, “Can she only eat plain porridge? Can she have some vegetables too? Just clear soup and water, how pitiful is that?”
…Heh.
Ha. Ha.
Physician Hu couldn’t help but curse internally.
The world had gone mad.
He, who had stayed up for seven days and nights, barely eating or drinking, wasn’t the pitiful one.
But she, who had been lying in bed asleep for seven days and nights, and was now enjoying all this delicious food, she was the one people felt sorry for?
Fuming, he huffed and puffed, then suddenly stormed outside. He flung open the door and roared at Chunsheng, one of Lai Chenglong’s trusted men: “I quit! I’m done! I can’t do it! I can’t cure her! If anyone can, let them come! Bring in Master Huineng if you want!”
He pointed a dramatic finger at Chunsheng: “Don’t think that just because you brought me a big table of food I’ll stay here! No use! I can’t fix this! Tell your master to come up with something else!”
With that, he slammed the door shut.
Leaving a completely baffled Chunsheng outside in stunned silence.
But Chunsheng quickly caught on to what Physician Hu meant. He hurried off to find Lai Chenglong and whispered a few words in his ear.
Lai Chenglong lowered his eyes and calmly replied, “Understood.”
Then he ordered, “Keep a close eye on the other physicians. Don’t let a single one of them leave this monastery. Also, allow some young monks in to clean the courtyard. Just like before, understood?”
Chunsheng quickly responded, “Yes, sir!”
Liujin, Old Zhao, and Beize only heard about Qi Yuan waking up afterward. They had gone out to find someone, but not just anyone. They had gone to seek Master Yun Zhongzi of White Crane Temple in the capital, to check whether Qi Yuan had perhaps fallen into some kind of soul-leaving affliction.
But by the time they returned, they were summoned to the monastery.
And when they saw Qi Yuan awake, Liujin immediately burst into tears and cried out, “Miss Qi!”
Qi Yuan squinted at the three of them.
In the dream, Baorong had mentioned she’d bribed one of Xiao Yunting’s most trusted men.
Which one was it?
No need to rush. She would figure it out.
She raised a brow and said to Liujin, “You don’t seem very sincere with those tears.”
…Huh?
Liujin hiccuped in fright, terrified she really thought his crying wasn’t heartfelt, and promptly bawled even louder.
…
Old Zhao struggled internally for a long time, unsure whether to cry or not. But when Qi Yuan glanced at him, he finally opened his mouth and let out a few loud, dry sobs.
Only Beize… though his lips moved, no sound came out.
Liujin had the presence of mind to explain, “Miss Qi, he’s like a gourd with its mouth sewn shut. He… he can’t cry. I’ll cry for him!”
Qi Yuan couldn’t help smiling at the three of them. Her spirits lifted.
Once she finished eating and her strength returned a bit, she crooked a finger and motioned Liujin to come forward.
Liujin was instantly nervous. He crept forward and stopped cautiously by the bedside, not daring to go any closer.
Even though Miss Qi had been in bed for days and looked quite weak,
What if she suddenly lashed out?!
Not impossible. Miss Qi was terrifying!
Qi Yuan looked at them calmly. “I have a task for you. Starting today, don’t appear in front of me again. Say that you’ve gone to the Imperial Grandson to report that I haven’t woken up, and you’re seeking his help. Understood?”
Beize immediately objected: “No! His Highness ordered me personally, never to leave your side. Guarding you is like guarding his heart. If something happens to you, then I’ve killed His Highness!”
The Tiger Fang around her neck was still warm.
Qi Yuan gently held it and lowered her gaze. “I mean, in front of others, you’re not to appear by my side.”
Liujin and Old Zhao reacted faster this time. They quickly yanked Beize’s sleeve and shouted: “Don’t worry, Miss Qi! We understand! We’ll do exactly as you say!”
Qi Yuan studied their faces for a moment.
Then finally waved her hand, signaling them to go carry out her orders.
Old Madam Qi looked at her with some concern. “Yuan Jie’er… did something happen?”
She had the distinct feeling that ever since waking up, something about Qi Yuan had changed.
Qi Yuan gave her a gentle smile and said sincerely: “It’s nothing. I just suddenly feel… that many things can’t wait any longer. There are many people I need to kill, many matters I must resolve, and someone I dearly want to see.”
Old Madam Qi didn’t quite understand her words, but she caught the key part:
There are many people to kill.
She let out a sigh of relief.
If Qi Yuan was still in the mood to kill people, then she was still the same Qi Yuan.
Then, Qi Yuan leaned back on her pillow and closed her eyes to rest.
There were still many important things to do.
There were still many people she had to kill.
She had to treasure this hard-won life.
So today, she would begin with one person. Let this blade be raised.
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