The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Unveiling His Veil Hat

When Xiao Jinyu and Fenghuang arrived at the front gate of the Xiao Residence, they found a crowd gathered there, all of them elegantly dressed noblewomen.

“Young Lady, you’ve finally come out! After spending a night at the Xiao Residence, are you alright? Did that Princess Yunyin give you any trouble?”

“Yes, we were really worried that you wouldn’t be able to leave the Xiao Residence today…”

“Young Lady, your filial piety and righteousness in seeking justice for your mother are truly exemplary for us women. We all admire you!”

“Indeed, not only that, but your exceptional medical skills are a delightful surprise…”

Several noblewomen spoke one after another, creating a lively atmosphere. Fenghuang frowned slightly.

“Are you done talking? We still need to hurry home and rest! If there’s nothing else, please make way!”

This boy, why are his words so harsh!

Some noblewomen were displeased, but others laughed awkwardly and quickly apologized, “We were being inconsiderate. We thought if Young Lady had time, she could visit our residences, but then we realized that you must be tired after treating Eighth Young Master Xiao all night, so we won’t insist.”

“We’ll make way for Young Lady right away!”

“Yes, but if Young Lady has time in the future, please do visit my residence. My family is the Yao Family!”

“Mine is the Gu Family!”

“Mine is the Chu Family!”

The enthusiastic invitations of the noblewomen gradually faded behind them. Xiao Jinyu only smiled faintly and left with Fenghuang.

“I wonder if Young Lady will take our words to heart?”

Seeing her gradually walk away, a noblewoman couldn’t help but lament, “My husband has been consuming a lot of Five Minerals Powder recently, and his health is deteriorating. But he can’t stop taking it. If only we could invite this Young Lady to treat him…”

“Mine too. His asthma has been getting worse lately. I’m really afraid that… my husband will be in mourning…”

“That’s what we say, but it’s all wishful thinking. We don’t even know if Young Lady is willing to help…”

As they were talking, they suddenly saw Prince of Shixing, Chen Shuling, and Chen Bogu walk out. Some noblewomen were so frightened that they quickly got into their ox carts and urged the drivers to leave quickly. One person hiding meant everyone else scattered. One of the noblewomen hiding behind a tree asked, “Lady Gu, what are you hiding from?”

“Oh dear, you don’t know this Prince of Shixing. When he was serving in Jiangzhou, he often demanded local officials to offer their wives and daughters for his pleasure. If you’re unfortunate enough to catch his eye, you’re finished! I heard this from my husband, and I was fortunate enough to have seen a portrait of this Prince of Shixing!”

The noblewoman who asked the question was startled and quickly hid further behind the tree.

But at this moment, Prince of Shixing was not interested in these noblewomen. He directly drove his carriage towards the direction Xiao Jinyu had left.

As the two walked down the street, they soon heard the sound of horses galloping towards them. Fenghuang, with his sharp ears, immediately pulled Xiao Jinyu to the side.

The carriage stopped, and the curtain opened. The one who poked his head out was Prince of Xin’an, Chen Bogu.

“Young Lady, where do you live? Why don’t we give you a ride?”

It had to be said that this Prince of Xin’an was a master of social interaction, a smiling tiger. His tone was exceptionally gentle, making people feel endless goodwill and care.

“No need, I prefer to walk!”

Xiao Jinyu replied and was about to leave, but two soldiers crossed their swords and blocked her path.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Fenghuang shouted angrily.

At this time, Chen Shuling jumped down from the carriage and walked up to Xiao Jinyu and Fenghuang, saying, “Young Lady, don’t be ungrateful. It’s just a ride, what are you afraid of?”

“I said, I don’t like riding in carriages!”

Seeing her firm refusal, Chen Shuling said again, “Alright, I heard that you charged the Xiao Family 50,000 strings of cash for treating Xiao Yun. I’ll also give you 50,000, no, 60,000 strings of cash. Come to my residence and treat me.”

60,000 strings of cash for a buy-one-get-one-free deal, not a bad deal. Besides, once she’s mine, won’t the money be mine too?

Chen Shuling’s mind was racing with calculations. Chen Bogu’s expression changed, and he quickly jumped down from the carriage, leaning in and asking in a low voice, “Your Highness, what illness do you have?”

“Lovesickness!”

Chen Shuling said shamelessly, raising his head.

“Sorry, I can’t treat lovesickness!”

Xiao Jinyu finished speaking and was about to leave again, but Chen Shuling took a step forward and blocked her again. Fenghuang, fearing that this person would harm Xiao Jinyu, also stepped forward.

“Aren’t you a divine physician? You can’t treat lovesickness, so what can you treat?” Chen Shuling asked mockingly.

“What about a divine physician? If a divine physician has to treat every minor illness of cats and dogs, wouldn’t that be an insult to the name of a divine physician?” Fenghuang retorted sharply.

✿✿✿

Chen Bogu quickly covered his mouth with his feather fan, thinking to himself: What a sharp tongue! He’s finally met his match!

“You boy, what are you talking about? What do you mean by cats and dogs…”

Chen Bogu stepped forward to try to smooth things over, but Chen Shuling stopped him. Although he was displeased, seeing Fenghuang’s face, which, though not yet fully developed, already showed signs of breathtaking beauty, his anger subsided.

“Let him speak!” he said.

“Although my Qing Gege is a divine physician, even a divine physician has rules!”

Fenghuang suddenly shouted loudly, and immediately a crowd began to gather. He continued,

“Rule number one: Those who are morally corrupt will not be treated!”

“Rule number two: Those who indiscriminately kill the people will not be treated!”

Hearing these two rules, the people immediately applauded.

“Well said! Although a physician has a benevolent heart, if they save a wolf or a tiger, it’s better not to save them at all. These rules set by the divine physician are excellent!”

Seeing the growing crowd, Chen Shuling immediately called his guards, dispersing the crowd while shouting, “What’s all the commotion? If you keep making noise, I’ll arrest you all and charge you with the crime of unlawful assembly!”

Chen Shuling was not Xiao Yun. After all, he was a prince, and a prince deeply favored by the current Emperor. He also held the position of Governor of Yangzhou, wielding great power and virtually unchallenged in the court. Even many officials in the court feared him, let alone ordinary people.

Soon, the crowd dispersed like birds and beasts.

Chen Shuling finally let out a sigh of relief and looked at Fenghuang, “Are there any more rules?”

Fenghuang glared at him and said, “Rule number three: Those who are not critically injured or disabled to the point of imminent death will not be treated!”

Ha, those who are not critically injured or disabled to the point of imminent death will not be treated! What arrogant words!

“I understand. You made these rules specifically for me, right? However, it’s not just you who can set rules. I have my own rules too!” Chen Shuling smiled and said solemnly, “My rule is, no matter how many rules you have, what I say is the rule.

Now, my rule is, you, will come to my residence with me now!”

After speaking, he shouted to his men, “Come, take them away!”

Two guards with swords stepped forward. Fenghuang immediately clenched his fists, ready to fight. But at this moment, a group of soldiers in black armor surged forward, their footsteps thundering like a storm.

The leader wore a veil hat, his figure tall and straight, clearly a seasoned general. The aura he exuded was quite intimidating.

“Who are you? How dare you block my way?”

Seeing these soldiers’ arrogant demeanor, even the guards he brought were too intimidated to step forward. Chen Shuling shouted angrily.

“Oh, it’s not that Gao wants to block Your Highness’s way. It’s just that the scenery in Jiankang is so beautiful. Gao has just arrived and couldn’t help but take a stroll with my subordinates, just to see if there’s anything interesting happening. What is His Highness doing? May Gao join in the fun?”

Chen Shuling was about to explode in anger when Chen Bogu quickly pulled him aside and whispered in his ear, “This is the Prince of Lanling of Qi, Gao Changgong. Your Highness, let it go for today. This Gao Changgong is not someone to be trifled with!”

Chen Bogu currently held the position of Palace Attendant in the court. As a close confidant of the Emperor, he was privy to all matters, big or small, that happened in the court. Chen Shuling could learn everything through him.

This was also the reason why Chen Shuling had painstakingly grasped Chen Bogu’s weakness and pulled him to his side from Crown Prince Chen Shubao.

“Prince of Lanling?” Chen Shuling’s eyes lit up with interest. “It’s said that the Prince of Lanling is handsome and valiant, with a peerless face. Why would a real man wear such a veil hat? Let’s have a look!”

After speaking, he actually reached out to pull off Gao Changgong’s veil hat. However, a hand as strong as steel clamped down on his wrist, rendering him immobile.

“Your Highness wants to see Gao’s face? That’s not impossible. However, I’m not fond of being surrounded by crowds. So, shouldn’t Your Highness disperse the people here, including your guards?” After saying that, he specifically glanced at Xiao Jinyu. “And these two, let them leave immediately!”

“Alright!”

Chen Shuling laughed loudly and immediately ordered his guards to make way, allowing Xiao Jinyu and Fenghuang to leave.

At this moment, he needed a way to back down gracefully. Moreover, letting them go today didn’t mean there wouldn’t be another opportunity in the future.

Seeing the crowd disperse, Prince of Lanling took off his veil hat. The moment he did, silence fell, and even those watching from afar were stunned.

Chen Shuling felt as if the forest had suddenly cleared, the birds had lowered their heads, and the sun and moon had lost their colors.