Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Medical Clinic

The carriage swayed gently as it traveled forward.

Zhuang Li did not get out of the carriage, nor did she ask if there were any Li families around.

Just now, through the carriage window, she could see that almost the entire Yongxing Ward was deserted. Perhaps the Crown Prince’s mansion did not occupy the entire ward market, but the fire must have damaged a large area.

Although there were still scattered houses, they were probably uninhabited.

Those who could live here were either rich or noble. After encountering such an incident, they must have moved away, finding it unlucky.

Although Zhuang Li only glanced and let the carriage continue forward, seemingly satisfying her curiosity, Chun Yue couldn’t help but add, “Many people were burned to death at that time, the Crown Prince’s family, the four-year-old Grandson of the Emperor…”

As soon as she said these words, Zhuang Li looked at her and interrupted, “Four years old, the Grandson of the Emperor.”

Chun Yue nodded. Perhaps because they were inside the carriage and not afraid of being seen expressing sympathy for the Crown Prince’s family, her expression was somewhat pitiful. “He was still a child, but there was nothing that could be done. Since he was the Crown Prince’s son, he couldn’t escape death.”

Zhuang Li hurriedly asked, “What was the Grandson of the Emperor’s name?”

This question stumped Chun Yue. “Everyone respectfully referred to him as the Grandson of the Emperor.”

For such a high-born individual, except for close family members, no one dared to address him by his name directly. Ordinary people naturally wouldn’t know his name.

However, despite this, Zhuang Li was even more certain that Li Yu might be the Grandson of the Emperor.

Then this child is truly a ghost!

How is that possible! There are no ghosts in the world.

If it’s a lingering obsession, it’s been lingering for too long, more than ten years…

The recent events have become increasingly strange. Zhuang Li couldn’t help but frown.

Chun Yue saw her worry and asked, “Young Madam, are you alright?”

Zhuang Li smiled at her. “I’m fine. Let’s go see Doctor Zhang.”

Seeing Doctor Zhang was an excuse. She was eager to find where Li Yu was. After all, Zhou Jingyun was coming back tonight, and it would be inconvenient for her to enter a dream again. Moreover, given the strangeness of her current situation, she didn’t dare to enter a dream easily.

Recent days were not as smooth as when she first arrived in the capital.

The thought flashed through her mind, and Zhuang Li frowned again. Her identity, what she had to do, coming to the capital wouldn’t have been smooth sailing. This was only natural, no need to worry.

When things come up, find a way to solve them.

Chun Yue didn’t know the Grandson of the Emperor’s name, but Zhou Jingyun definitely did. She would ask him when he came back.

As for the abnormality on half of her face, it was probably because she had accidentally been tainted by some obsession again. She would write to Madam Zhuang and ask.

Madam Zhuang had warned her long ago that she should be careful when transforming through dreams. If she fell into illusions, she would lose her true self and forget who she was.

Back then, in order to go back and see her father, she had traveled thousands of miles by transforming through dreams and borrowing objects. On the execution ground, in the prison cell, she was surrounded by countless wailing obsessions and almost drowned in the illusory sea of her heart. Her soul was weak, her heart unstable.

As she thought about it, her expression gradually softened. By the time they stopped at the Zhang Family Medical Clinic, she had returned to normal.

Zhang Shilin was surprised to see her.

“Don’t be alarmed, Doctor Zhang,” Zhuang Li said to him, lowering her voice. “I fell down in a hurry when I got up this morning. I came to see you so that my family can be at ease.”

Zhang Shilin laughed heartily.

“Young Madam, please take a seat,” he said. “Since you’re here, you must have a cup of tea.”

Zhuang Li smiled and thanked him. Zhang Shilin’s disciples brought tea.

“Since you’re here, let me check your pulse again,” Zhang Shilin said with a smile.

She had been frightened last night, so it would be good to have a check-up. Zhuang Li smiled and extended her hand.

Zhang Shilin took her pulse and nodded. “Young Madam’s health is much better than before. Your mind and spirit are strong and vigorous.”

She was actually much better despite the constant stream of events lately? Zhuang Li was a little surprised and hurriedly thanked him.

Zhang Shilin got up again and fetched a plate of medicine.

Chun Yue asked nervously, “Doctor Zhang, didn’t you say Young Madam is much better? Why does she still need to take medicine?”

Zhang Shilin smiled and said, “This is not for Young Madam. It’s for Young Madam to help me take a look. These few herbs, can they be used for detoxification?”

Zhuang Li knew at a glance. This was what she had told Zhang Shilin in her dream. It seemed that although Zhang Shilin found the dream absurd, he couldn’t help but ask her.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t studied detoxification, so I don’t really understand.”

After saying that, she pretended to be curious and looked through the herbs.

I haven’t studied it. Indeed, the dream was absurd. Zhang Shilin was a little amused, not knowing what he was trying to verify by doing this.

Perhaps it was because Young Madam was here, so he might as well take a look.

He was about to put the herbs away with a smile when Zhuang Li thought of something and said, “I wonder if it can be made into incense. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to use it that way?”

Making it into incense, that’s not bad either. Zhang Shilin smiled and pushed the herbs back. “I don’t know much about incense making, so I’ll have to trouble Young Madam to try. If it works, our clinic will buy it.”

Zhuang Li smiled and nodded. “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

Chun Xiang couldn’t help but beam. “Young Madam is going to make money again.”

Zhang Shilin laughed heartily. “Yes, Young Madam is going to make money again. This time it’s more expensive than the consultation fee. We have to share the profits.”

Chun Xiang clapped her hands with a “Wow!”

Chun Yue also laughed along.

“No wonder I wanted to see Doctor Zhang today,” Zhuang Li said as if in realization. “It turns out the God of Wealth is urging me.”

Zhang Shilin burst into laughter again.

The clinic disciples who were eavesdropping and peeking from the side also laughed.

The smile on Zhang Shilin’s face lingered until he saw Zhuang Li’s carriage leave. After recognizing it as Madam of Dongyang’s carriage, his smile deepened, and his expression became full of admiration.

She could even use her mother-in-law’s carriage to go out, which showed that she was not only accepted by her mother-in-law but also held a high status in the family.

In just half a year, this new daughter-in-law was able to achieve this, truly remarkable.

From now on, this young orphan would have good days ahead.

The disciples’ discussions reached his ears from behind. “The Young Madam of Dongyang is young, but her words are really interesting.” “Bright and dazzling.” “No wonder the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir insisted on marrying her regardless of her status.”

Zhang Shilin thought to himself, when life is going well, one’s spirit is good. Young Madam indeed looked much more radiant than when she first entered the household.

But it was not appropriate to gossip about women behind their backs. He coughed heavily and reprimanded his disciples, “What are you all doing gathered here? Don’t you have work to do?”

The disciples laughed and hurriedly dispersed, some sticking out their tongues. “We’re not busy today.”

Today, the imperial chariot returned to the capital, and everyone was waiting to welcome the Emperor. There were far fewer people coming for consultations and medicine.

“If you’re not busy, then read your medical books. All of you are older than the Young Madam of Dongyang, yet your medical skills are not as good as hers,” Zhang Shilin scolded.

As he was speaking, someone spoke up from behind. “Doctor Zhang, are you busy?”

Zhang Shilin turned around and saw a young gentleman standing there with a smile. The somewhat cold and austere street in winter seemed to brighten up.

✿✿✿

It was Shangguan Yue.

“Thank you for saving my life last time, Doctor Zhang. I’ve been recuperating and only came to thank you personally today,” Shangguan Yue said, bowing respectfully.

Zhang Shilin hurriedly stopped him. “You’ve already paid the consultation fee, and you… the Imperial Consort’s Husband has also expressed his gratitude.”

Shangguan Yue smiled and said, “The Imperial Consort’s Husband’s gratitude is his. I should also express my gratitude.”

Zhang Shilin looked at the young man’s bright smile and sighed inwardly. With such a background and having encountered such danger, he could still smile so beautifully…

“Alright, alright, Young Master, you’re too kind,” he said with a smile, no longer being polite.

Shangguan Yue didn’t say anything more and pointed to his carriage. “Then I’ll take my leave. I hope I won’t have to trouble Doctor Zhang again in the future.”

Zhang Shilin smiled and waved at him. “Young Master, go ahead and attend to your business.”

Shangguan Yue got into the carriage, and the smile on his face faded. Jixiang respectfully handed him tea. “Young Master, have some tea.”

Shangguan Yue took the tea and said to him, “You go back to the pleasure boat later. The Imperial Consort’s Husband is back today, in case he wants to talk to me.”

Jixiang knew that Ruibo, who had previously followed Shangguan Yue, was inseparable from him, but he also knew that he couldn’t compare to Ruibo, so he respectfully replied, “Yes.”

They soon arrived at Yuqing Hall. Shangguan Yue got out of the carriage and swaggered in, greeted by the shop assistants at the door.

This was the first time Shangguan Yue had come to Yuqing Hall since the incident that night.

Shopkeeper Cai knelt down to apologize as soon as he entered.

“No need to apologize. With my current status, in front of the Princess, no matter how much you protect me, you can’t protect me,” Shangguan Yue said, then smiled. “However, Heaven didn’t let me die, so I’ll continue to live.”

Shopkeeper Cai choked up and said, “Young Master, a noble person is blessed by Heaven.”

What blessing from Heaven? It was a ghost’s help. Shangguan Yue thought to himself, a hint of a smile flashing across his lips, then quickly fading.

Shopkeeper Cai didn’t continue this topic that made people feel sad and angry. Now they had to work harder to restore Young Master to his original identity as soon as possible, so that he would no longer be at the mercy of others.

He pulled out a scroll from a shelf nearby. “This is a list of people who can be provided to the Censorate that has been compiled recently. They all participated in that case back then. Zhang Ze is unwilling to touch Jiang Datong, but we can definitely pick one or two from this list…”

Before he could finish speaking, Shangguan Yue waved his hand and interrupted him.

“We don’t need this for now,” he said.

We don’t need it? Shopkeeper Cai was stunned.

Shangguan Yue looked at the dazzling array of scrolls and bookshelves. “When the court was in turmoil before, several renowned scholars resigned and left. After the new Emperor ascended the throne, he widely sought out talented individuals, but they didn’t return.”

Shopkeeper Cai nodded. Back then, the previous Emperor was absurd, and Empress Jiang was tyrannical. Some important ministers and Confucian scholars resigned from their posts to avoid the world and live in seclusion. Perhaps they were disheartened by the court. Even after repeated invitations from the new Emperor, some of them didn’t return.

Shangguan Yue said, “Pick a few of the most famous ones and use every means to invite them back on behalf of Princess Jinyu.”

Shopkeeper Cai blinked, thinking he had misheard. “Princess Jinyu?”

Shangguan Yue looked at him. “Yes, Princess Jinyu. I have revealed my identity to Princess Jinyu. From now on, the Princess and I share the same fate. I want to help the Princess gain fame, make her trustworthy, reliable, and useful in the eyes of the Emperor, and make her a truly powerful princess in the Great Zhou court.”

Shopkeeper Cai was stunned, then hurriedly said, “Princess Jinyu is heartless, greedy, and afraid of death…”

Shangguan Yue smiled and interrupted him. “Aren’t all members of the imperial family like that?”

Shopkeeper Cai was speechless, not knowing what to say.

“Don’t worry. I’ve thought it through these past few days. It’s better to get close to the Princess than to get close to the Emperor. To the Emperor, I’m just an awkward nephew, dispensable. But to the Princess, it’s different. I can be a bargaining chip in her hands,” Shangguan Yue said, then smiled. “We, the children of the imperial family, don’t we live by whether we’re useful or not? Being useless is a dead end.”

Shopkeeper Cai understood what he meant. His expression changed for a moment, and finally, he bowed solemnly to Shangguan Yue. “We swear to follow the Crown Prince to the death and obey all your decisions, Your Highness.”

Shangguan Yue waved his hand. “Don’t call me Your Highness.” He smiled. “Wait until later to call me that.”

He was smiling, but his eyes were even calmer than before. Shopkeeper Cai lowered his head and replied, “Yes.” He said, “Then I’ll call someone to select suitable candidates and make plans.”

Shangguan Yue nodded and added, “From now on, keep the matters of Yuqing Hall a secret from the Imperial Consort’s Husband.”

Shopkeeper Cai paused in his steps and lowered his head, replying, “Yes.” Hearing that Shangguan Yue had nothing more to say, he walked out. When he reached the door, he looked back and saw Shangguan Yue sitting on a chair, looking up at the name tags on the wall. In the dim storeroom, the young man’s fair face emitted a cold light.

He used to think Shangguan Yue was still a child, but he no longer felt that way today.

This child had grown up, and he was no longer just focused on clearing his parents’ names.

He wanted something else now.

✿✿✿

✿✿✿

The winter days seemed to darken in the blink of an eye.

Lights were lit one by one in Madam of Dongyang’s courtyard. Shadows moved about inside, and laughter could be heard from time to time.

“So, you’re saying, Sister-in-law is going to practice medicine?”

“Not practicing medicine, but making medicine, right? No need to go out.”

“But if the medicine sells well, she can earn money at home.”

“Wow, then Sister-in-law is going to be rich!”

Zhou Jiuniang ran up to Zhuang Li and shook her hand. “Then you can give me the meeting gift you owe me, right? Concubine Mother said you didn’t have any money before—”

Her concubine mother’s face flushed red, and she reached out to pull her back. “What nonsense are you talking about!”

Zhuang Li didn’t mind and nodded. “Alright, I’ll give you a gift when I earn money.” She smiled. “You have to prepare a meeting gift for me too.”

Zhou Jiuniang hesitated. “But I… I don’t have any money either…”

Laughter filled the room again, mixed with the voices of other siblings. “Liar, Jiuniang, you’ve hidden a lot of money. I saw it.”

Madam of Dongyang sat on the kang, listening to the lively chatter filling the room, and couldn’t help but look outside. She asked Mama Xu beside her, “Did you send someone to check? Why is there no news yet—”

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard hurried footsteps outside, mixed with the laughter of maids. “The Heir is back.”

Madam of Dongyang sat up straight with an “Aiya!” The door curtain was lifted at the same time, and Zhou Jingyun walked in. He saw Zhuang Li surrounded by her sisters at a glance.

She was wearing a plain brocade dress, and the lamplight spilled over her like a layer of white snow, crystal clear.

Zhuang Li also stood up at the same time, looking at Zhou Jingyun, who brought in the winter chill but had a warm smile on his face.

Their eyes met, and they both smiled at the same time.

“Brother Heir is back—”

“Jingyun, why are you so late—”

Other voices in the room rose one after another, overlapping and bustling.