Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Inquiry

In the dim morning light, Zhang Shilin withdrew his hand from Zhuang Li’s wrist and carefully observed her complexion.

“Doctor Zhang, how is she?” Madam of Dongyang asked anxiously.

Zhou Jingyun said, “Doctor Zhang, please have a seat and a cup of tea.”

Is he trying to prevent me from discussing her condition in front of Zhuang Li? Madam of Dongyang snorted inwardly.

However, Zhang Shilin didn’t move. Looking at Zhuang Li, he suddenly asked, “Young Madam, how do you feel? I recall you have excellent medical skills.”

He had initially forgotten about this. When the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence requested a physician and mentioned the name, he vaguely remembered. Upon entering and seeing the Young Madam, more memories resurfaced.

However, he still couldn’t recall what he had said during the pulse diagnosis.

Perhaps the maids and servants in the room had no ailments, their pulses were normal and not worth remembering.

Hearing Zhang Shilin’s words, Zhou Jingyun, unaware of the previous incident, looked at Zhuang Li in confusion.

Lying in bed, Zhuang Li’s face showed a hint of a smile. “My meager skills are only suitable for amusement. When faced with a real situation, I wouldn’t dare to show off in front of an expert.”

Looking at the woman’s pale face, Zhang Shilin realized his words were a bit harsh. He quickly said, “Young Madam’s pulse is fine, but she is severely deficient in Qi and blood.” He stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. “I’ll prescribe medicine, take it for three days and see how it goes.”

Zhuang Li nodded in gratitude from her bed. Zhou Jingyun led Zhang Shilin to write the prescription, arranged for someone to fetch the medicine, and personally saw Zhang Shilin off.

Madam of Dongyang also followed them out and asked in a low voice, “Doctor Zhang, just tell me directly, with her current health, can she still bear children?”

Zhou Jingyun’s expression turned slightly awkward. “Mother, she just didn’t sleep well last night and is exhausted.”

He then glanced at Zhang Shilin.

Understanding Zhou Jingyun’s plea, Zhang Shilin said with a smile, “I’m not skilled in gynecology, but Young Madam is still young. If she takes good care of herself, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

This answer was equivalent to no answer, but it effectively stopped further inquiries. As expected, Madam of Dongyang didn’t press further. She gave a gift of gratitude and had someone escort him out.

“…Why not invite Imperial Physician Shen from the Imperial Medical Academy, and also the female physician Wan from the palace…”

“…Mother, please don’t do this, it wouldn’t sound good if word gets out…”

“…You still care about appearances? If you don’t assess her health now, it will be even worse in the future! If something happens to this wife too, just wait to be labeled as cursed!”

Zhang Shilin quickened his pace, leaving the mother and son’s argument behind. He had no interest in these inner-household matters.

However, upon returning to the medical clinic, his disciples couldn’t help but be curious.

“Who was ill at the residence?” they asked with a smile. “Isn’t the Young Madam skilled in medicine?”

Zhang Shilin waved his hand dismissively. “Go, go, go. Is it appropriate to inquire and gossip about patients? You have no manners.”

The disciples stuck out their tongues and dispersed.

But even Zhang Shilin couldn’t help but think about the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence. His last visit wasn’t for treating illness, but to witness a clash between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, with the daughter-in-law gaining the upper hand.

This time, he truly treated an illness, but also witnessed a loving couple.

It seemed the Young Madam’s Qi and blood deficiency wasn’t caused by anger, at least.

But how could she be so deficient at such a young age? No wonder Madam of Dongyang was worried about offspring. Zhang Shilin couldn’t help but rub his forehead. He suddenly couldn’t recall the Young Madam’s features, only a vague impression of a pale, petite, and frail figure. In contrast, Zhou Jingyun’s handsome and radiant face was clear in his mind.

How could such a handsome young nobleman fall for such a woman?

It was truly peculiar.

Zhang Shilin sat in his chair, lost in thought. He had been summoned before dawn, and it was just now opening time. As the morning light gradually brightened, people continuously entered the medical clinic to fetch medicine, inquire, or consult.

Most patients were attended to by his already qualified disciples.

However, Zhang Shilin wasn’t idle either. Some people always felt the master was more reliable than the disciples.

“Doctor Zhang, Doctor Zhang, please examine me. Do I need to adjust my prescription?” An old woman sat down and extended her hand.

Zhang Shilin didn’t even look at her. “Grandma Liu, you don’t need to adjust your prescription. You don’t even need to take medicine.”

Grandma Liu exclaimed, “Doctor Zhang, after all these years, don’t you know me yet? I can’t eat or sleep well, my back aches, my legs hurt…”

After all these years, he was tired of hearing these words. Zhang Shilin glanced at her. “Grandma Liu, you’re in great spirits today. You must have slept well last night.”

Grandma Liu’s eyes lit up and she clapped her hands. “Oh, last night, I didn’t sleep well at all. I dreamt of a fairy riding a flying horse, it scared me to death—”

A fairy riding a flying horse? To have such a fantastical dream, her spirit must indeed be good. Zhang Shilin called out to a nearby disciple, “Add another black sesame honey pill for Grandma Liu.”

…….

…….

In the dim morning light, Shangguan Yue exited the back door of Princess Jinyu’s Residence, but instead of walking along the street, he pressed himself against the wall.

Because a procession of carriages and horses was passing by.

✿✿✿

The horses were plump and strong, the jewels on the ornate carriages sparkled in the morning light, pearl curtains hung on all sides, and Princess Jinyu sat within, as if piled with gold and silver treasures.

The guards beside the carriage were tall and handsome, the maids were charming and lovely, surrounding the luxurious carriage and horses like descending immortals.

Amidst this splendor, Shangguan Yue, pressed against the corner of the wall, was as inconspicuous as dust.

Ruibo, with his eyes lowered, stood quietly beside Shangguan Yue, waiting for the princess’s carriage to pass.

But the princess’s carriage suddenly stopped. Someone lifted the pearl curtain and laughed heartily at Shangguan Yue.

“Isn’t this our young master?”

Shangguan Yue looked up and saw a young man of seventeen or eighteen, with a distinguished appearance and a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

Although he wasn’t included in the family register and had limited contact with family members, he had met most of his close relatives and recognized them to some extent.

This was the youngest son of Shangguan Xue’s third cousin, ranked twelfth in the clan, named Kejiu.

This young master Shangguan Kejiu was both handsome and talented, a standout among the younger generation of the Shangguan clan.

Precisely because he was so outstanding, he resented Shangguan Yue, the illegitimate son, for tarnishing their reputation. He often cursed him behind his back, but he refrained due to Shangguan Xue and because Shangguan Yue frequented brothels, making it difficult to encounter him.

Now, sitting in Princess Jinyu’s carriage and seeing Shangguan Yue huddled against the wall like a stray dog, how could he let this opportunity pass?

“Since you bear the surname Shangguan, you’re not homeless. Yet you don’t serve or visit your grandfather and grandmother at home, instead, you come to the princess’s residence every day. Truly unfilial and disrespectful,” Shangguan Kejiu said with a smirk.

Shangguan Yue yielded to the princess, but he didn’t show any courtesy to others. “I follow my father, wherever he is, I am there. As for you…” He looked Shangguan Kejiu up and down. “Your father’s kind isn’t worthy of entering the princess’s residence.”

What nonsense this boy was spouting! Truly shameless! Shangguan Kejiu’s fair face flushed red.

Princess Jinyu, who had been resting with her eyes closed inside the carriage, chuckled upon hearing this. Although she disliked Shangguan Yue, she enjoyed seeing these men vying for her favor and slandering each other.

She was in a good mood today, so she didn’t order her attendants to drive away this little bastard with their clubs.

“Kejiu, you come from a noble family, how can you compare to someone from the brothels?” she said with a smile. “Come in, let’s not delay our entry to the palace.”

Hearing the words “enter the palace,” Shangguan Kejiu’s face lit up again. He looked at Shangguan Yue with a mixture of arrogance and disdain. “You also know you follow your father, but some people are destined not to have a father.”

With that, he tossed the pearl curtain aside and sat inside, raising his hand to gently massage Princess Jinyu’s shoulders as she leaned back.

“Aunt Princess, you’ve endured this thing for so many years, it must have been hard on you.”

Princess Jinyu said with her eyes closed, “Indeed, so you must be extra filial to me in the future.” She then opened her eyes and tapped Shangguan Kejiu’s forehead with her finger. “After we meet His Majesty and return from the palace, you shouldn’t call me Aunt Princess anymore.”

Shangguan Kejiu leaned forward joyfully. “Thank you, Princess, Mother.”

Princess Jinyu smiled without speaking and waved her hand in dismissal.

The luxurious carriage and horses passed by with a glimmer, and Shangguan Yue watched them go from the side of the wall, his expression neither happy nor angry.

Ruibo whispered, “The princess has chosen this son for adoption. This son is driven by self-interest, I fear the princess will use him to eliminate threats. Let’s retreat to the pleasure boat for now.”

Before he could finish speaking, Shangguan Yue had already dashed towards the street, only leaving a sentence behind, “Go to Yuqing Hall.”

Ruibo was stunned. Did he not hear anything he just said?

What was he still going to Yuqing Hall for? He couldn’t go there so frequently. Yuqing Hall was now connected to the Censorate, it was also dangerous.

Inside Yuqing Hall, Shopkeeper Cai was also puzzled. He watched Shangguan Yue rummaging through the secret room in the warehouse. “Where is it?”

“What is Young Master looking for?” he asked.

Shangguan Yue said, “The wanted poster Zhang Ze sent last time.” As he spoke, he pulled out a scroll from a bundle and opened it.

In the dim room, a kneeling, sorrowful woman appeared on the scroll.

Looking at the portrait, Shangguan Yue murmured, “Indeed, very similar.”

Shopkeeper Cai was surprised. “Young Master found this person?”

Didn’t he say he wouldn’t bother with it?

Shangguan Yue nodded, gazing at the portrait. “I found her, in a dream.”

Shopkeeper Cai was dumbfounded.