The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Intentional or Unintentional

All the guests had dispersed. In just one hour, the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower had experienced a heart-pounding surge of excitement and a magnificent spectacle. The departing scholars were still shaken but also found it incredibly memorable. It seemed that before long, the drama of Xiao Clan’s granddaughter clearing her mother’s name and outwitting Princess Yunyin would be played out in the taverns and teahouses of Jiankang City, once again becoming a topic of conversation for those who loved gossip.

However, no matter how turbulent the Elegant Poetry Pavilion became, the proprietress of the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower never showed her face from beginning to end. She remained an indifferent bystander, sitting leisurely behind the beaded curtains, listening to music and sipping tea.

“Has Her Highness finally left?” A woman in a red dress, with beautiful makeup and a voluptuous figure, took a sip from her jade porcelain cup, tapping lightly on the table with her other hand, and chuckled softly, “Or did she flee in disgrace?”

“Lady Wei, he was also present today, and it’s said that he arrived in Jiankang two days ago!” The middle-aged man standing respectfully in front of her said, “Just now in the Ceremony and Archery Pavilion, he bet 5,000 taels and won 5,000 taels, which adds up to… 10,000 taels!”

“Oh, 10,000 taels is no small sum. He actually asked for it so casually, does he want to drain my Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower dry?” After a chuckle, she sighed, “Well, it seems that this young prince of the Gao family still hasn’t given up!”

The middle-aged man also lowered his head silently.

“By the way, there was a commotion in the Elegant Poetry Pavilion today, how was the revenue of our Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower?” Lady Wei asked again.

“With the help of that Northern Barbarian boy and that young lady, today, in two hours, the income was 100,000 copper coins.” The middle-aged man who had been serving as the Director of Archery in the Ceremony and Archery Pavilion said with a smile.

“100,000?” Lady Wei’s eyes showed surprise, and she couldn’t help but laugh, “It seems that it was right not to get involved in that matter. We can’t afford to offend that arrogant and domineering Princess Yunyin, but we also have to treat these two money gods well.”

“Yes, but that young master said beforehand that he wanted to take 20% from it?”

“20%? This kid is really asking for a lot!” Lady Wei was a little displeased, but then she said, “Forget it, 20% it is. This brother and sister have just arrived in Jiankang and don’t have a wealthy family to rely on. If they want to gain a foothold in Jiankang City, they really need money.”

The middle-aged man agreed with a smile and then reminded her,

“Lady Wei, that young lady made a vow in the Elegant Poetry Pavilion today that she will start her own business in the future!”

“Oh?” Lady Wei looked at him with interest, “That’s even more interesting. Are they still in the Elegant Poetry Pavilion now?”

“Yes, all the other guests have left, but the Prince of Lanling, the young masters of the Zhao Commandery Li Clan and the Boling Cui Clan seem reluctant to leave, and… that young lady seems to be treating the Xiao Clan’s Seventh Young Master, Xiao Xian, who has been paralyzed and not expected to live long…”

“Treating him?” Lady Wei’s interest grew even stronger, and she couldn’t help but stand up. The high-toothed wooden clogs on her feet made a “dada” sound on the walnut floor. She shook the round fan in her hand and smiled, “I have to go and see this. Does this young lady have the ability to treat people? Don’t tell me… she can make this paralytic who has been in a wheelchair for more than ten years stand up?”

“That’s naturally impossible!” The middle-aged man laughed, “It’s just that Seventh Young Master Xiao was so angry that he vomited blood and fainted, and that young lady just stepped up and borrowed a room in our Elegant Poetry Pavilion to treat him!”

Fainted from anger? Is that so?

Lady Wei paused for a moment, then laughed again,

“That’s not necessarily true… Let’s go! Our Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower also has to be honest in doing business. We’ll send the money those young masters won, and by the way, go meet this Prince… and that indomitable young lady who dared to confront Princess Yunyin head-on!”

✿✿✿

In the Elegant Poetry Pavilion, Xiao Jinyu had been in the room with her medicine chest for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Except for Xiao Xian lying in the room, everyone else was waiting outside.

Feng Dong was pacing back and forth anxiously, and Tenth Young Lady Xiao was also worried, but due to the influence of her upbringing as a noble lady, she had to remain calm and composed no matter how anxious she felt.

“No, something feels wrong!” Li Mi, who was about to be pulled away by Cui Heng, suddenly said.

“What’s wrong again?” Cui Heng asked, “That young lady said it’s not convenient to disturb her, we should leave!”

“Don’t you think that young lady doesn’t seem like someone who is easily angered? Why did she confront Princess Yunyin so directly today? Was it just to clear her mother’s name?”

“Is there anything more important than clearing her mother’s name?”

When Cui Heng asked this, Li Mi seemed to have thought of something and his eyes lit up: “Oh, I know! This young lady has a pitiful life. Clearing her mother’s name is certainly important, but there’s one more thing. I think she deliberately put on this show for Seventh Young Master Xiao to hear, deliberately making him so angry that he vomited blood!”

“Young Master Li, what nonsense are you talking about? The young lady is not that kind of person. She’s a very good person. A few days ago, she invited my master to dinner and even cured his loss of appetite. Later, I asked the kitchen to prepare meals for my master according to the recipes the young lady gave me. My master eats every meal with great relish, and his health is much better than before!”

Feng Dong suddenly ran forward and said reproachfully.

“Oh, is that so?” Li Mi smiled awkwardly, “I didn’t say the young lady is bad, I just think there’s a deeper meaning to her actions, and…” He turned to Cui Heng, “Third Young Master, it seems that every time we meet her, something big happens, don’t you think?”

Cui Heng didn’t speak, but his eyes were deep in thought, but he wasn’t thinking about her actions, but about the painting that had been taken away by Xu Ling.

At this moment, Li Mi caught a glimpse of the Prince of Lanling and his entourage who were about to leave, and he suddenly called out the name of the entourage: “Yu Juquan!”

The entourage turned around and asked, pointing to his nose with a surprised expression:

“Are you calling me?”

“Yes! I’m calling you, isn’t that your name?”

“Oh.”

“You said that you and your master saw a painting and dance performance in this Elegant Poetry Pavilion that was heavenly and unparalleled, extremely beautiful, is that true?” Li Mi asked.

✿✿✿

“Of course it’s true, I never lie!” The young guard replied.

Li Mi’s expression suddenly changed drastically, as if he deeply regretted missing a good show. He suddenly ran to the Prince of Lanling, patted him on the shoulder and said, “I should have followed Brother Gao, then I could have seen a wonderful painting and dance performance too, don’t you think? Why did I go play Pitch-Pot? I really regret it now!”

The Prince of Lanling didn’t say anything but pushed his hand off his shoulder unceremoniously.

At this moment, a soft and charming female voice said, “Oh, does this Young Master Li regret playing Pitch-Pot? Then, do you not want the money you won today?”

Seeing a voluptuous woman in a red dress, accompanied by two servants and carrying money, approaching, Li Mi’s eyes lit up and he greeted her with a smile, “Of course I want the money. Could this lady be the proprietress of the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower?”

Lady Wei smiled charmingly and said, “Yes!”

“I’ve heard that the proprietress of the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower is elusive. It’s truly an honor to have you personally deliver the money today.”

Lady Wei smiled, first instructing one of her servants to deliver the money to Li Mi and Cui Heng. Then she walked towards Gao Changgong and handed him a heavy black lacquer box, saying, “Master Gao, this is your 5,000 copper coins. As for the other 5,000, our Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower will owe it to you for now. You can come and collect it anytime you need it. I’ve also written an IOU!”

She pointed to a piece of silk fabric covering the box.

Gao Changgong still didn’t speak, his expression hidden under the veil, but Lady Wei could feel his cold gaze fixed on her.

After a long while, he finally said one word, “Okay!” Then he gestured for the young guard to take the black lacquer box and the silk fabric. Finally, he glanced at the closed room before quickly walking out of the Elegant Poetry Pavilion.

✿✿✿

“Your Highness, did this trip to the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower trigger any memories?”

After leaving the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower, the young guard immediately summoned a group of guards and carriages, and they boarded a carriage heading towards the embassy.

“No, I just feel a sense of familiarity, but I don’t have any specific memories.”

“Your Highness, I think you should stop searching. We’ve been to the South several times, and you still haven’t remembered anything or found the person you’re looking for.”

The Prince of Lanling paused for a moment, then changed the subject, “However, although I didn’t remember anything or find anything, the proprietress of the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower is very suspicious. How did she know my surname is Gao?”

The young guard curled his lips and said awkwardly, “Your Highness, I did announce your surname when we were playing Pitch-Pot. But it’s not my fault. If I didn’t announce your surname, we might not have received the money we won. Wouldn’t that be a waste? Don’t you think so?”

The Prince of Lanling stared at him intently, his expression unreadable.

“Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that? I’m scared…”

Your own name is fake, but you revealed my real surname?

Yu Juquan?

The Prince of Lanling chuckled but didn’t ask the question aloud. Instead, he fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

“Your Highness, what are you thinking about? Is it that young lady?” The young guard’s curiosity was piqued, and he leaned closer to ask.

In fact, the young guard wasn’t just a young guard. He was from the Fanyang Lu Clan, known for their “family tradition of the Three Rites and a household filled with the fragrance of ink.” Although he was an illegitimate son, he was willing to pursue a military career and achieve great things with the Prince.

The young guard’s name was Lu Yu.

“I’m thinking about the assassination attempt on her when we first met in Xuzhou Pengcheng. I asked you to investigate the origins of those assassins.”

“Yes, Your Highness also knows that they were sent by Lady Lu.”

Lu Yu put away his playful and frivolous smile when they talked about serious matters.

“Yes.” The Prince of Lanling nodded, then continued, “Do you still remember what she said to Princess Yunyin in the end today?”

Lu Yu thought for a moment before recalling, “Your Highness is referring to what she said about her mother’s death, that she would find out the truth?”

And my mother’s death, I will definitely find out the truth!

When she said this, Princess Yunyin’s expression clearly underwent an unbelievable change, both angry and incredulous.

The Prince of Lanling remained silent for a while, then said suspiciously, “Could her mother’s death be related to Lady Lu? Or even to our Northern Qi court?”