Outside the estate.
Jingchu hopped cheerfully into the carriage with Bai Jing’an.
Once they left the Bai residence, Bai Jing’an coaxed her with snacks, instructing her on how to behave when they arrived at the Minister’s residence.
“You’re a fool—the Lin family definitely won’t let you perform acupuncture on the patient. So, when the time comes, you mustn’t make a fuss, and above all, don’t let Second Uncle find out.”
Bai Jingchu sneered inwardly, knowing full well that Bai Jing’an was trying to use her once again to resolve the situation at the Minister’s residence and gain undeserved credit.
She, too, intended to use this opportunity to keep him in check, ensuring the Bai family wouldn’t dare act recklessly. Outwardly, however, she remained calm:
“I understand. When I accompanied Grandfather on his visits, he used to give me the same instructions.”
Behind closed curtains, away from prying eyes, she would handle the needles while the old master pretended to offer guidance.
“Why did Grandfather teach you the Thirteen Ghost Points acupuncture technique?” Bai Jing’an pressed, puzzled.
“I learned it on my own.”
“But the day before yesterday at the Marquis’s residence, you didn’t even check the old lady’s pulse. How did you know where to place the needles?”
“The old lady’s condition is a chronic one. Grandfather taught me the sequence, and I remembered it.”
Bai Jing’an stopped questioning her. Had he studied so hard for so many years, only to be outshone by a young girl who learned on her own?
It must be that Grandfather had favored her and secretly held back some techniques.
Jingchu pretended to be curious and lifted the carriage curtain, gazing out at the streets on either side.
She had her own plans.
Surrounded by dangers, the vast Bai estate held no one who treated her sincerely. In just two days, she was already exhausted, both physically and mentally.
So, she needed this chance to go out—to hopefully contact the people left to her by Eunuch Li and to find a way to send a message to her grandfather.
Only when her grandfather returned to the capital, and Bai Chen-shi could no longer dominate everything, would she truly be able to settle down.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the Minister’s residence.
The two hurried inside, heading straight to the inner courtyard.
A plump, gray-haired old man was in a furious rage, throwing a teacup and incessantly scolding Second Master Bai. When he saw Bai Jing’an, his temper flared even more.
“What took you so long? Saving a life is as urgent as putting out a fire—are you disregarding my Jiaojiao’s life?”
Bai Jingchu thought to herself, this must be Minister Lin, the Minister of Personnel.
The man was known for his lustful nature, with a mansion full of beautiful wives and concubines. Despite his age, he had recently taken this delicate young concubine, Lin, treating her like a treasure and even elevating her to the status of a noble concubine.
Bai Jing’an explained himself with trepidation.
Second Master Bai, being scolded like a grandson, noticed that Bai Jing’an had brought Bai Jingchu along and hissed under his breath,
“Why did you bring her here to cause trouble?”
Bai Jing’an wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I thought that, given the propriety between men and women during acupuncture, it might be inconvenient. I brought her to assist.”
Second Master Bai fumed, “What kind of time is this to worry about such things? If we can’t save the patient today, not only will your future be ruined, but even your grandfather and father will likely face repercussions.”
Bai Jing’an felt uncertain himself. “I will do my utmost, Nephew.”
Minister Lin urged them repeatedly, and Bai Jing’an led Bai Jingchu inside.
Behind the curtain, the Lin family’s delicate concubine had already fainted, her eyes tightly shut and jaw clenched.
A dose of medicinal broth had been forced down her throat, but she had vomited it all up.
That was why Second Master Bai had suggested using the Thirteen Ghost Points acupuncture technique.
Fortunately, the situation wasn’t too dire.
Bai Jing’an pretentiously took out his acupuncture kit, opened it, and cleared his throat. “The patient is sensitive to wind. Please lower the curtains and have all unnecessary personnel leave.”
Minister Lin knew that the Bai family’s elder had specific rules for acupuncture, so he waved his hand to dismiss the servants, who quietly untied the bed curtains and withdrew. Second Master Bai also waited outside the curtains.
Bai Jingchu stepped forward and focused intently on administering the acupuncture.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the patient slowly let out a breath and began to murmur.
Bai Jingchu said softly, “She can take the medicine now.”
The medicinal broth, prepared in advance by Second Master Bai, was slowly poured in using an ox horn funnel. This time, she did not vomit.
They anxiously endured for over two hours until the second watch of the night, when the moon was bright and the stars sparse.
Although the Lin family’s concubine had not yet awakened, her complexion had visibly improved.
Second Master Bai checked her pulse, and a heavy weight in his heart temporarily lifted: “Fortune favors the virtuous. The young lady should be out of immediate danger for now.”
Minister Lin’s anger instantly dissipated, and he praised Bai Jing’an effusively: “Truly, the pupil surpasses the master! I never imagined that Young Master Bai could bring someone back from the brink of death with just a few silver needles. You have truly earned my admiration!”
Bai Jing’an, pleased with the praise, replied with a hint of pride, “Thank you for your undeserved praise, Minister Lin. I was previously unskilled and failed to control the young lady’s condition in time, causing you undue worry.”
“As long as she is safe, that is what matters. Today, I was swayed by Chief Physician Yan’s words and spoke too harshly out of concern. I hope you will not take it to heart, dear nephew.”
“With your exceptional medical skills, and considering that Elder Bai refrains from recommending his own kin, it is inconvenient for him to speak up. When the Imperial Medical Bureau holds its examination this autumn, I will surely recommend you to His Majesty.”
Bai Jing’an was overjoyed. After exchanging pleasantries, he advised, “Illness strikes like a landslide, but recovery is as slow as untangling silk. The young lady’s condition still requires gradual recuperation. I will need to administer acupuncture a few more times over the next two days to observe the effects.”
As it was getting late, the three of them returned to the Bai residence, exhausted.
Bai Jing’an was immediately summoned to Madame Bai Chen’s courtyard.
After briefly inquiring about the events, Madame Bai Chen asked with a grave expression, “Tell me, is Jingchu truly foolish or is she pretending?”
“Why do you ask, Mother?”
“How could a fool possibly treat illnesses and save lives?”
“Jingchu has been by Grandfather’s side these past few years and is naturally intelligent. Some knowledge is ingrained in her bones—it’s not surprising. If she were even slightly clever, how could she willingly earn glory for me without uttering a word?”
“But she appears naive and foolish, yet these past two days, she has caused Jingshu to suffer repeatedly. It has been weighing on my mind.”
Bai Jing’an added, “You are overthinking it, Mother. If I hadn’t taken the medicine from Jingshu and given it to her today, she might have even sacrificed her own life. No sane person would joke with their own life like that.”
Madame Bai Chen nodded, “You’re right. Let’s wait until the Lin family’s concubine’s condition stabilizes and after the physical examination, we will deal with her.”
Bai Jing’an had changed his mind.
He wanted to keep Bai Jingchu for now, to have her practice medicine and diagnose illnesses on his behalf. Once he fully mastered the thirteen acupuncture techniques, he could discard her like a broken bridge—it wouldn’t be too late.
As for Bai Jingshu’s marriage to the Marquis’ household, he had no intention of withdrawing from it.
A sister for whom he held little affection was nothing compared to his own future and the Bai family’s wealth and status.
If Jingchu could be treated this way, Bai Jingshu would be no exception.
As long as they could secure this marital alliance with the Marquis’ household, even if the Young Marquis suffered from an unspeakable ailment—or even if he died—Bai Jingshu would become a widow betrothed to a noble family, bound to a lifetime of chastity.
But he also knew that Madame Bai Chen, feeling indebted to Bai Jingshu, would never willingly push her into such a pit of despair.
He paused briefly in thought. “Some people with that illness may not show obvious symptoms for months, so waiting just a few days won’t be conclusive.
How about this—I have a close friend who is well-acquainted with the Marquis’ second son, Chi Yanxing. Why not host a banquet at your residence and invite him over? We can ply him with a few extra cups of wine and then discreetly inquire if he knows anything about the matter. That would be a more reliable approach.”
He was certain that members of prominent families were tight-lipped and would never discuss their own affairs openly at a gathering, lest they give others leverage.
Madam Bai Chen was also at a loss. “I’ve heard that this second young master has a temperament quite different from that of the heir, Yan Shizi. He is well-educated and courteous. If not for his status as a concubine-born son, the title of heir would never have gone to Chi Yanqing. Very well, I’ll leave it to you to make the arrangements.”
Bai Jing’an readily agreed, already forming his own plans in his mind.