The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Taking You Home

Compared to Chen Shuling’s audacity and infatuation, Chen Bogu, though also impressed by Lanling Wang’s beauty, was the most clear-headed one. He hurriedly nudged Chen Shuling and whispered, “Your Highness, stop staring. He is not only the Prince of Lanling but also the envoy of Qi!”

This was to remind him not to be disrespectful to the envoy of Qi.

Currently, among the three kingdoms of Chen, Qi, and Zhou, Qi possessed the largest population and the most formidable military force. They had renowned generals like Hu Lüguang and Duan Shao, and Gao Changgong had risen to fame for his military exploits in defeating the Turks. Next was Northern Zhou, which also boasted many capable generals such as Wei Xiaokuan, Helan Xiang, Wang Gui, and Liang Shiyan. Moreover, Northern Zhou’s economy was in a process of vigorous recovery. The current Southern Chen could only maintain a precarious existence due to the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. Furthermore, prosperous lands like Jingzhou and Jiangling were still in the hands of Western Liang.

Even Emperor Chen Xu treated this envoy from Qi with utmost courtesy, hoping to recruit him to serve Chen.

No matter how infatuated Chen Shuling was with beauty, he eventually regained his senses after considering these interests.

“I have long heard of Prince Lanling’s esteemed reputation. Indeed, seeing is believing. Just now, this Chen was being impolite. If Prince Lanling enjoys riding and archery, why don’t I take Your Highness to hunt in the outskirts and catch some wild rabbits along the way? What do you say?”

Hunting had always been a favorite pastime of noble youths, and Gao Changgong was no exception. However, it also depended on whom he was hunting with. He had heard of this Prince of Shixing from the Southern Dynasty. Others found pleasure in hunting by experiencing the thrill of galloping horses and shooting arrows at wild rabbits. But this Prince of Shixing was different. He was seeking novelty, searching for ancient tombs, and appreciating the skeletons of the dead.

Gao Changgong’s brows slightly furrowed. He initially wanted to decline, but as if he suddenly thought of something, he glanced back at Xiao Jinyu, who had already walked away, and smiled faintly, “Sure—”

“Great! Let’s go now!”

Thus, under the guidance of Prince of Shixing Chen Shuling, a group of black-armored cavalry galloped majestically towards the outskirts!

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As the procession of cavalry and Prince of Shixing’s carriage majestically exited the South City Gate, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but glance back.

“I didn’t expect that Lanling Wang Gao Changgong, who has such a good reputation, would actually hang out with a villain like Chen Shuling,” Fenghuang sighed disdainfully.

“Fenghuang, we should be grateful to him. He is protecting us!” Xiao Jinyu said.

“Protecting us?” Fenghuang murmured in confusion, then quickly understood.

So, he was diverting Prince of Shixing’s attention away from them? Knowing his fondness for beauty, he did not hesitate to lift his veil and reveal his face, despite his usual aversion to being surrounded by people.

“Elder Sister—”

While she was pondering, a young girl’s voice came.

They turned around and saw Tenth Miss Xiao Ruoling, with her maid You Tan, running towards them with anxious expressions.

“A’yu, Elder Sister, are you alright? Did Princess Yunyin make things difficult for you?” she asked tearfully.

“I’m fine. She can’t do anything to me. Xiao Yun’s matter is almost settled. Next, we need to focus on our own affairs.”

“That’s right. Elder Sister is so clever. Even someone like Princess Yunyin can’t do anything to you. You will definitely be safe and sound. Seventh Uncle hasn’t slept all night, worrying about you.”

As Xiao Ruoling spoke, she suddenly added, “Oh right, last night, someone came to Seventh Uncle’s aid and helped us drive away many villains!”

Because they had suddenly been demoted from the main branch of the Xiao family to a collateral branch, those sons of aristocratic families who were formerly of lower status than Xiao Xian had found an opportunity to take revenge. They actually visited in the middle of the night, wanting to “drink and make merry” with him, celebrating his good health and the joy of moving into a new residence.

Xiao Ruoling beamed with joy, and Xiao Jinyu also smiled, knowing that the change in status would inevitably attract ridicule from some people, but it was still better than living in a precarious situation surrounded by dangers.

“Tenth Miss, although our branch of the Xiao family has been demoted to a collateral branch, it doesn’t mean we will always be one!”

Xiao Jian’s lineage was not originally a prominent branch of the Xiao family. She didn’t know who had tampered with the genealogy, but they had actually recorded such a person into the main lineage of the Xiao family.

But just because Xiao Jian wasn’t, it didn’t mean that the others in the Xiao family weren’t!

Xiao Jinyu had always been suspicious. She had the opportunity to meet all the other descendants of the Xiao family yesterday, but only Xiao Xian possessed the elegance and compassionate nature of Crown Prince Zhao Ming from back then.

Even his fondness for natural scenery and refined music, his disinterest in extravagant pleasures, and the elegant and expressive style of his writings were all similar.

Xiao Jinyu’s words stunned Tenth Miss, and she couldn’t help but feel delighted, “Really?”

At this moment, Xiao Xian also approached with Feng Dong. Today, Xiao Xian was still dressed in a white robe with flowing sleeves, but his demeanor was composed, and his expression was serene. As he walked over, it was as if he was riding the wind, further highlighting the elegant bearing of a Southern scholar.

His appearance really reminded her of Crown Prince Zhao Ming from the past.

After a moment of absent-mindedness, Xiao Jinyu smiled and said, “Uncle Xian, why are you here too?”

“To take you home!”

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The words “take you home” warmed Xiao Jinyu’s heart, and tears welled up in her eyes.

After so many years of wandering and displacement, whether as Xie Yuqing or Xiao Jinyu, it seemed like she had always been on the run, constantly outsmarting enemies lurking in the shadows and living a precarious life.

“Alright, let’s go home!”

Without excessive words, they exchanged smiles and walked towards West Stream Alley. On a rooftop not far away, a man in a black robe silently followed.

Upon arriving at Early Spring Courtyard, Xiao Jinyu saw four or five maids sweeping and cleaning the courtyard. An old woman was accompanying Xiao Yuan as she basked in the sun, murmuring to herself as if recounting past events.

The courtyard seemed to have acquired some additional stools and tables, and the inner rooms, viewed from afar, had also undergone a complete transformation, with more furnishings.

“A’yu, I know you have suffered a lot in the Northern Lands and find it difficult to trust others. You only have Fenghuang and A’xiu by your side to protect and care for you. But rest assured, these maids and servants were bought from my mother’s maternal family, your aunt Yuan Rujing. They actually served my mother before, but my mother knew she couldn’t protect them in the Xiao family, so she sent them back.

Now, I have bought these maids and servants back. They are grateful for my mother’s kindness in taking care of their families back then and are willing to return to serve my mother, and… us!”

As he spoke, the five maids and the old woman came forward together and bowed to Xiao Jinyu, “We greet the Head of the Family! From now on, we are willing to be at your disposal, to serve you loyally, and to die without regret!”

“Head of the Family?”

Xiao Jinyu looked at Xiao Xian in astonishment.

Xiao Xian said jokingly, “Now our entire family relies on the medical fees you earned. Naturally, you are the Head of the Family. However, the monthly wages in the future will have to come from your medical fees!”

Speaking of this, Xiao Xian couldn’t help but feel ashamed. Although they had branched out, he hadn’t received any property from the Xiao family and disdained to fight for it. Instead, he had to rely on his niece for support.

“Uncle Xian, don’t overthink it. The reason I asked for 50,000 strings of cash as a medical fee was also for you. This is a part of the Xiao family’s property that you deserve. Moreover, you will enter officialdom in the future and receive a stipend from the court. In the future, our Xiao family will still rely on you to uphold our reputation!”

Mentioning entering officialdom, Xiao Xian’s expression became serious. The Pure Conversation Gathering on the third day of the third lunar month was approaching, and the first thing he had promised her should be fulfilled.

“A’yu, although my status is not what it used to be, I will definitely help you achieve your wish.”

“Alright.”

Although neither of them explicitly stated it, they understood each other’s intentions and smiled knowingly.

“When should we replace the signboard of Early Spring Courtyard? From now on, this will be our temporary Xiao Residence. Let’s make do with this for now. When the time is right, or when we have earned enough money, we will move to a new residence.”

Xiao Jinyu suddenly said with a smile, and Xiao Xian also laughed heartily.

“It’s not a hardship, Young Lady! Being able to return and serve Madam, Young Master, and the two Young Ladies is our greatest honor!”

They didn’t expect that the Young Lady Seventh Young Master spoke of would be such an approachable person. The newly arrived maids and servants were both delighted and touched.

“Great, great! But how do we earn money? Elder Sister, you seem to be good at everything, from medicine to cooking. Last night, I listened to Feng Dong talk about you all night, and I couldn’t help but admire you. But A’ling seems to be incapable of anything. I wonder if Elder Sister can teach me?” Xiao Ruoling suddenly asked with both longing and anticipation.

“What do you want to learn?” Xiao Jinyu asked.

Xiao Ruoling was slightly taken aback. It seemed like she wanted to learn everything, but she was also worried that she wouldn’t be able to learn anything. It must be very difficult to be as excellent as A’yu, right? How much could she learn?

At this moment, Xiao Xian said, “When a superior man hears of the Dao, he diligently practices it. When a mediocre man hears of the Dao, he is sometimes mindful of it, and sometimes forgets it. When an inferior man hears of the Dao, he laughs loudly. If he did not laugh, it would not be worthy of being called the Dao. The great Dao is cultivated from the top down, while the lesser Dao is cultivated from the bottom up. Both are forms of cultivation. The key to enlightenment lies in sincerity.

A’ling, why don’t you think carefully about what kind of path you want to take in the future?”

Although Xiao Ruoling didn’t fully understand, it was as if a door had slowly opened in her mind. She nodded and said, “Yes, A’ling will definitely think carefully these few days.” Then she turned to Xiao Jinyu, “When I have made up my mind, I will tell Elder Sister what I want to learn. At that time, please accept me as your disciple!”

After saying that, she was about to perform the formal bow of apprenticeship, but Xiao Jinyu stopped her.

“There’s no hurry. How is Grandmother?” she suddenly asked.