Qi You gradually became calculating. He learned how to feign weakness and how to draw Prince Rui’s attention. His methods grew increasingly cruel and vicious, and despite his young age, he had already become gloomy and withdrawn.
Prince Rui’s attitude toward him changed from repeated warnings to outright disgust. Had Qi You not been his own flesh and blood, the prince would likely have ordered his execution long ago.
As for what happened to him in the end, Qiao Rongjin didn’t know. The novel had never reached that point. But she could easily guess that his ending was anything but happy.
She let out a long sigh.
Given the environment he had grown up in, it was no wonder Qi You had developed such a dark and twisted personality.
I need to find an opportunity to bring him back.
But how am I supposed to ask the Princess Consort? And whether Prince Rui would even agree is another matter altogether…
There were simply too many problems to solve.
Just as Qiao Rongjin was sighing over her predicament, Qinglian finally returned, dragging along an elderly man in a gray robe. The old physician walked with a slight limp, his face full of obvious impatience.
Searching through the original owner’s memories, Qiao Rongjin quickly identified him.
He was Physician Zhao, the prince’s personal doctor.
Physician Zhao enjoyed Prince Rui’s immense respect, not only because of his exceptional medical skills, but also because he had personally snatched the prince back from death several times. His contributions were immeasurable, earning him the admiration of everyone in the manor.
Naturally, someone with such extraordinary talent also had an eccentric personality.
Qiao Rongjin couldn’t help wondering how Qinglian had managed to persuade him to come. Under normal circumstances, Physician Zhao never made house calls.
“Oh, slow down! Stop pulling this old man, you little girl!” Physician Zhao grumbled. “Dragging me out in the middle of the night to treat someone… What sins did I commit in my previous life? Can’t an old man get some sleep?”
“Physician Zhao, please!” Qinglian pleaded. “If you heal my mistress, I’ll cook for you… and I’ll even be your apprentice. All right?”
“You said it!” the old physician immediately replied. “No taking it back!”
“I won’t,” Qinglian said helplessly. “Whoever goes back on their word won’t get to eat meat for a whole month.”
Only then did Physician Zhao’s expression brighten.
“Now that’s more like it.”
The thought of having Qinglian cook for him—and gaining a free assistant—instantly put him in a wonderful mood.
The girl’s cooking was unbelievably delicious. She was practically a master chef whose talents had gone to waste.
This trip wasn’t a loss at all.
Listening to their exchange, Qiao Rongjin instantly understood how Qinglian had managed to bring him over.
So he’s a foodie.
To be fair, Qinglian’s cooking really was excellent. Everyone in Haitang Courtyard praised it endlessly.
She just wondered how Physician Zhao had discovered her talent.
While Qiao Rongjin’s thoughts wandered, the pair had already arrived before her.
She immediately rose and offered a respectful bow.
“It’s so late, yet I’ve troubled you to come all this way, Physician Zhao. Thank you for your hard work.”
Even Prince Rui treated this man with great respect. As a mere concubine, she naturally had to be courteous.
Seeing her polite demeanor, Physician Zhao’s irritation lessened considerably.
If not for Qinglian’s sake, he would never have made this trip.
He had heard plenty about Lady Qiao before.
Rumor had it that she was arrogant and unpleasant, constantly targeting Lady Chen and her son. Since Physician Zhao had always held Lady Chen and the child in high regard, he had naturally looked down on the domineering Lady Qiao.
Yet after meeting her today…
She didn’t seem quite like the rumors described.
Still, he reserved judgment.
Who knew whether she was merely pretending?
Returning her bow, he got straight to the point.
“Let’s begin. Once I’m done, this old man still needs to get back to bed.”
Qinglian hurriedly reminded her mistress,
“Master, tell Physician Zhao everything that’s bothering you. He’s incredibly skilled—even the imperial physicians in the palace can’t compare to him.”
Hearing that, Physician Zhao struggled to suppress the corners of his mouth from curling upward.
This girl really knows how to talk.
Those old fellows in the Imperial Medical Bureau really aren’t as good as I am.
Watching him, Qiao Rongjin couldn’t help smiling inwardly.
He’s actually quite an adorable old man.
So she stopped holding back and carefully described every ache, pain, and discomfort she was experiencing.
By the time her wounds had been cleaned and bandaged, it was nearly midnight.
Physician Zhao wrote out a prescription and instructed Qinglian to collect the medicine first thing the next morning.
“The wound on your head is fairly deep. It’ll take about a month to heal,” he said. “But it’ll probably leave a scar, so prepare yourself.”
Women always cared deeply about their appearance.
Although the wound was hidden beneath her hair, the damaged area would likely never grow hair again.
Qiao Rongjin didn’t really mind.
Still, she smiled and bowed politely.
“Thank you, Physician Zhao.”
“And one more thing…”
Looking at her smile, the old physician suddenly hesitated.
Qiao Rongjin’s heart skipped a beat.
Could there be something even more serious that he’s reluctant to tell me?
Maintaining her smile, she said calmly,
“Please speak freely, Physician Zhao.”
Seeing that she wasn’t afraid, Physician Zhao stopped hesitating.
“From what I observed while taking your pulse, it’ll be very difficult for you to conceive again.”
“But…”
“If you begin properly nourishing your body now and follow my prescriptions faithfully, then after a year or two, another pregnancy isn’t impossible.”
Hearing that, Qiao Rongjin let out a huge sigh of relief.
So that’s all?
You nearly scared me to death! I thought it was some fatal illness.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Honestly, having difficulty conceiving suited her perfectly.
She had no intention of bearing Prince Rui any more children.
Childbirth in ancient times was simply too dangerous.
Having Qi You alone was more than enough.
Beside her, Qinglian was overjoyed.
Looking at her mistress, tears welled up in her eyes.
Wonderful!
Master can still become a mother again!
She immediately decided that she would cook three meals for Physician Zhao.
No…
Five meals!
Seeing that Qiao Rongjin herself didn’t seem particularly concerned, Physician Zhao didn’t press the matter.
He had said what needed to be said.
Whether she followed his advice was her own business.
Picking up his medicine chest, he prepared to leave.
“Well then, since everything’s settled, this old man will be going.”
“Qinglian, see Physician Zhao out.”
Qiao Rongjin gave Qinglian a meaningful look.
The maid instantly understood.
“Yes, Master.”
She hurried after the physician and handed him the silver she had prepared.
“Thank you for treating my mistress today, Physician Zhao. This is a reward from my mistress.”
As she offered the money, Qinglian’s heart practically bled.
It was five taels of silver!
Upon hearing that, Physician Zhao’s eyes lit up.
He quickly accepted the silver and casually remarked,
“Your mistress isn’t a bad person.”
In his entire life, he had only loved three things.
First, medicine.
Second, good food.
Third…
Silver.
Watching the old physician stuff the money away with obvious delight, Qinglian couldn’t help twitching the corner of her mouth.
Still, she was genuinely grateful to him.
Earlier, she had sought out the manor’s other physicians, but every one of them had refused with one excuse or another.
Only Physician Zhao had been willing to pay attention to her and come to Haitang Courtyard to treat her mistress.
More importantly, he could actually improve her mistress’s chances of conceiving again.
She absolutely had to maintain a good relationship with him.
After tucking the silver safely into his robes, Physician Zhao glanced at the young maid whose thoughts were written plainly across her face.
“Hmph. Don’t forget your promise.”
“Come cook for this old man tomorrow.”
Then he remembered that Qinglian herself was still recovering from a cold.
She would be better off resting for a few more days.
He immediately changed his mind.
“Forget it. I’ll be busy these next few days. Come cook for me after you’ve recovered.”