The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Appointment

Fenghuang pondered for a moment and shook his head. “I don’t know about that, but I guess it’s probably because Big Brother Qing looks so good that my aunt is afraid that people will have bad intentions when they see him, just like that Zheng Fourteenth Young Master.”

Xiao Jinyu shook her head. She was certain that Lady Xiao, the original host’s mother, did not do it for this reason. Perhaps this had something to do with the original host’s background.

“Do I look that good?”

Fenghuang nodded repeatedly and replied, “Yes, even in the Northern Lands, it would be difficult to find anyone in the Gao Family, known for their outstanding beauty, who can compare to Big Brother Qing.”

The Gao Family represented by Prince of Lanling?

In her past life, she had heard her grandfather say that the ancestor of the Gao Family, Gao Huan, who was born as a mere postal courier, was favored by Lou Zhaojun, a noblewoman of the Northern Wei Dynasty, for his outstanding appearance. Northern women were known for their boldness and lack of etiquette, and their pursuit of men they admired was even more daring than that of Southern women. Lou Zhaojun, in particular, was high-spirited and bright, and despite her family’s opposition, she resolutely married Gao Huan, who had no power or influence. But from then on, Gao Huan, as the son-in-law of the Marquis of Zhending, gradually entered the political center of the Northern Wei Dynasty, until he controlled the entire Northern Wei court.

Later, the Northern Wei Dynasty split into the Eastern Wei and Western Wei. He took the young emperor hostage and monopolized the power of the court, becoming the most powerful official of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, who “directed all military campaigns.” He and Yuwen Tai of the Western Wei Dynasty were known as the two great heroes of the Northern Lands.

Unexpectedly, twenty years later, the Gao Family had replaced the Tuoba Yuan Clan and become the Northern Qi regime, a powerful force in the Northern Lands.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinyu’s lips curled into a faint, disapproving smile. Seeing that she did not speak, the boy thought that she did not believe him, and said seriously, “I’m serious. Wait, I’ll get a mirror for you to see.”

Xiao Jinyu was stunned. It took her a while to realize that the boy saw her smiling silently and thought she didn’t believe what he said, so he specially ran into the house to get a mirror to prove it.

This house was rented temporarily. Xiao Jinyu found that whether in the Northern Lands or the Southern Lands, no matter where they went, this boy could always take care of their food, accommodation, and travel arrangements without any delay.

After a while, Fenghuang came out with a bronze mirror and handed it to Xiao Jinyu.

At first, Xiao Jinyu didn’t care. When she took the bronze mirror and looked at the person in the mirror, she couldn’t help but be startled. This was the first time she had seriously looked at her appearance since her rebirth. When she first woke up, she was unfamiliar with everything around her, even herself, and had never looked at this face carefully. Now that she looked at it, she felt a sense of shock and disbelief.

In her past life, she was a noblewoman of the Xie Family and was considered one of the most beautiful women in Jiankang City, but that kind of beauty was the elegance and dignity cultivated by aristocratic families, an unattainable grace and nobility. But the face in the mirror, in its youthful and delicate beauty, revealed a kind of bewitching charm. Even though it had not fully matured, it was like a mandala flower about to bloom, with a suffocating feeling that made people willing to fall into hell.

This kind of beauty was usually not tolerated by aristocratic families and was called a “femme fatale” by the world. No wonder the original host suffered such a fate in her past life, being given away repeatedly and becoming a plaything for those powerful people.

Seeing this face, Xiao Jinyu had doubts in her heart. She had seen the people of the Xiao Family, and even Xiao Xian did not have such a scorchingly enchanting beauty. Then this face of hers…

“Fenghuang, do I look like my mother?”

The boy looked at her for a while and shook his head. “Not really. My aunt is beautiful, but Big Brother Qing is even more beautiful than my aunt… it seems that only these lips…” He pointed a finger at Xiao Jinyu’s lips, “are a little bit alike.”

The boy blushed when he said this. Xiao Jinyu didn’t care at all and lowered her eyes in thought.

Not like her mother, then it must be like her father.

Then who was the original host’s father?

Was he still alive?

And why did Lady Xiao never mention the original host’s father?

Also, Xiao Tenth Miss’s reaction when she saw her appearance today was not joy, but familiarity mixed with a bit of fear.

Why was she afraid?

As she was thinking, she heard Fenghuang’s voice asking, “Big Brother Qing, why did you send a letter to the Right Consort of the Xiao Family beforehand to inform her that you were coming back, but then entered the residence as a physician and didn’t stay there?”

Xiao Jinyu smiled and replied, “Sending the letter is a warning, throwing a stone first to see how big a wave it can create. Entering the residence as a physician, I will not be driven out of the Xiao Family, and I can also observe the situation in the residence and know who is the enemy and who can be a friend.”

“Then what did you find out, Big Brother Qing? Who is the enemy? Who can be a friend?” Fenghuang asked excitedly.

Xiao Jinyu smiled meaningfully and paused for a while before asking back, “Fenghuang, I remember you said that white porcelain is a new type of porcelain produced in Northern Qi, and it is now widely used only among the nobles of Northern Qi, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s it.”

“What is it?”

Seeing Xiao Jinyu’s enlightened look, Fenghuang became even more curious.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and said, “As far as I know, Southern Chen and Northern Qi have not yet opened trade with each other, so this kind of porcelain should rarely flow into Southern Chen. When I entered the residence today, I saw that the porcelain cup held by the Right Consort, Princess Yunyin, looked very much like the white porcelain cup produced in Northern Qi.”

At this point, Fenghuang had already understood.

“Oh, I understand what Big Brother Qing means. The porcelain merchants of Northern Qi are controlled by Lady Lu, Lu Lingxuan. The circulation of white porcelain must go through Lu Lingxuan’s hands. Big Brother Qing suspects that Princess Yunyin and Lu Lingxuan have private dealings?” Suddenly thinking of something, Fenghuang added, “Then those assassins we encountered in the Northern Qi territory…”

“It’s not entirely certain yet, but it’s certain that the Right Consort, Princess Yunyin, is not a friend.”

✿✿✿

Fenghuang smiled.

“That’s for sure. That Right Consort doesn’t look like a good person at first glance.” Then he added, “You’re teasing me, Big Brother Qing. Then who can be a friend?”

He asked with a wry smile. As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of wind moving by his ear. The boy, who was always on high alert against enemies, suddenly changed his expression and shouted, “Who’s there?”

Then, he was about to run towards the direction of the sound.

Xiao Jinyu stopped him. “Don’t go, Fenghuang. Our friend is here.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard the sound of carriage wheels rolling in her ears. At this time, the moon was bright, and the night wind rustled the leaves. Outside the courtyard gate, a figure in white was sitting in a wheelchair, slowly approaching in the moonlight. From afar, it really looked like an immortal descending from the heavens.

“It’s Xiao Xian. Why is he here?” Fenghuang was very surprised, and then looked at Xiao Jinyu as if he had realized something. “So he is the friend that Big Brother Qing mentioned?”

Xiao Jinyu smiled and looked at Xiao Xian, who was slowly approaching her in the courtyard. She said with a smile, “Young Master Xiao is truly a man of deep affection and sincerity. Are you here for your niece’s illness?”

Xiao Xian ordered the servant to stop the wheelchair and looked at Xiao Jinyu, who was standing tall and slender, with her back to him, under the moonlight.

At this time, Xiao Jinyu was not wearing a veil, so when she turned her head, her appearance was fully revealed to Xiao Xian.

Like Xiao Tenth Miss’s reaction, Xiao Xian was as if struck by lightning and was completely stunned.

It was not until Fenghuang’s displeased reminder, “What are you looking at my Big Brother Qing like that?” that Xiao Xian came back to his senses and apologized, “Sorry, Young Master’s appearance is too dazzling, Xian was momentarily surprised and lost his composure. I have been rude.”

“You flatter me, Young Master.”

After a moment of silence, Xiao Xian said again, “Indeed, Xian is here for my niece’s illness, but I also thank Young Master for your kind invitation. Perhaps only Young Master can read another meaning from Xian’s 《”Climbing Heights Rhapsody”》.”

“Sending off by the water, the wind moves in the spring morning, the moon is bright on an autumn night, and the early geese are in the abyss. Only Xiao Xian can find such a beautiful and secluded paradise.”

Fenghuang was stunned. He thought of how Xiao Jinyu suddenly suggested coming here when they were looking for a house today. It turned out that she had other intentions.

Xiao Xian just smiled and got back to the point. “May I ask, Young Master, why is there an extra ingredient of Imperata cylindrica root in the prescription you wrote? As far as Xian knows, this Imperata cylindrica root is cold in nature and is not suitable for those who are weak and afraid of cold.”

“It seems that Young Master Xiao also understands medicine. Although Imperata cylindrica root is cold in nature, it is a good medicine for treating lung heat, rapid breathing, and typhoid fever with hiccups. Xiao Tenth Miss seems to have a cold illness, but her lungs have been severely burned. If the heat and phlegm are not cleared in time, she will suffer from tuberculosis.” After a pause, Xiao Jinyu added, “Young Master Xiao must have read many medical books and consulted many famous physicians. Do you know why your niece’s illness has not improved under your treatment?”

Xiao Xian was well-read and had a good memory. He had already memorized Zhang Zhongjing’s 《”Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases”》 by heart. He originally thought that he was quite proficient in pharmacology, but now hearing Xiao Jinyu’s words, he couldn’t help but feel a bit surprised and puzzled.

He heard her say, “You prescribed Agastache rugosa in your medicine. Agastache rugosa is warm in nature and can relieve summer heat, invigorate the stomach, and replenish qi. It is originally a good medicine, but you don’t know that if this medicine is mixed with the fragrance of Epiphyllum, it will aggravate dampness, which will make the cold even worse. In addition, Xiao Tenth Miss has not been out of the house for a long time and is confined to the room. This cold has nowhere to vent and will invade her bone marrow twice as much, making her condition worse.”

“But your niece is very cautious. She didn’t take those medicines or took very little, so it’s not incurable yet.”

“Agastache rugosa?” Xiao Xian seemed a little surprised, but he didn’t say much. Instead, he said, “Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re welcome, it’s just a word.”

As she spoke, Xiao Jinyu casually picked up a chess piece from the table and played with it in her hand. A look of deep thought and detachment appeared between her delicate eyebrows.

This casual display of nobility in her gestures was completely different from that person.

Xiao Xian was lost in thought again. After a while, he asked, “What’s your name?”