The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Memories

The story about the divine physician soon spread throughout Xuzhou Pengcheng, but it only served as a topic of conversation for some nobles during their leisure time. After all, the two protagonists in the story had left in a hurry without leaving their names.

Ordinary people dared not ask, and gentlemen from prestigious families with status would not ask out of self-respect.

But not asking didn’t mean they wouldn’t inquire.

At this moment, in a secluded and elegant courtyard in Xuzhou Pengcheng, several young masters gathered to drink and engage in refined conversation, discussing the events of the day.

“Third Young Master, do you think the divine physician, Young Master Yu, we met today could actually be a young lady? If she really is a young lady, then she must be a rare beauty! A beauty with intelligence, a kind heart, and exceptional medical skills is even rarer in this world, a valuable treasure. With your status as the legitimate son of the Boling Cui Clan, you could inquire about which family this young lady belongs to. You could take her back as a concubine. After all, you’ve had enough of the one at home, haven’t you?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. It was just a chance encounter on the road, and you can’t even confirm the identity of this young lady. How can you compare her to goods?” The man addressed as Third Young Master Cui frowned in displeasure.

The young master who spoke earlier burst into laughter. After he finished laughing, he deliberately put on a melancholy expression and recited, “Ah, spring lingers, mulberry trees grow lush. Pink peach blossoms bud, green willows sway. A chance encounter with a radiant one, playing by the water’s edge, strolling along the path. Beauty fades easily, good wishes are hard to fulfill.” Who spoke such heartfelt and regretful words to the young lady today, saying ‘Beauty fades easily, good wishes are hard to fulfill’? It’s truly touching!”

“You——”

Enraged, Third Young Master Cui picked up a wine cup from the table and was about to knock it against the young master’s head. But the guy was as slippery as an eel and slipped away in the blink of an eye. Third Young Master Cui could only shake his head and laugh helplessly. But in an instant, the laughter froze at the corner of his eyes, turning into a wisp of melancholy.

It wasn’t because the young lady was beautiful, but that expression, that tone of voice, how could it be so similar to hers?

He raised his hand, the wine in the cup spilled out, quickly soaking his clean white lapel.

No one noticed a tear slide down the corner of Third Young Master Cui’s eye.

Xie Yuqing, you are the one I, Cui Heng, have wronged the most in this life.

✿✿✿

As night fell, in a slightly hidden inn, candlelight flickered. Xiao Jinyu lay on the couch, watching the boy meticulously grind rhinoceros horn.

Within moments, the boy brought a cup of ground medicinal powder to her.

“Brother Qing, look, is this right?” Fenghuang asked.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and nodded. “Yes, take one-third, mix it with warm water and drink it. Then put the rest in hot water. Soak in the bath for fifteen minutes, and the toxins will be completely removed.”

“What about you, Brother Qing? You were…” The boy’s face flushed with embarrassment as he mentioned how Xiao Jinyu had kissed his lips in a moment of desperation. Even though he knew she had only done it to quickly taste the ingredients of the poison, he couldn’t help but feel a little joy in his heart.

“I’m fine. Don’t you remember? My constitution is different from ordinary people. Ordinary medicine doesn’t affect me anymore.”

Xiao Jinyu wasn’t just trying to comfort him; it was the truth. Perhaps because she had tasted many herbs with her mother since childhood, her body had developed resistance to many drugs. She wasn’t completely immune to poison, but ordinary toxins couldn’t harm her at all.

The boy nodded reassuringly and smiled. “Then I’ll go bathe now!”

Xiao Jinyu smiled and nodded, indicating that he could detoxify himself without worrying about her, and she had no intention of leaving the room.

They had escaped from Yecheng to Luoyang together, then from Luoyang to Yingyang, and then from Yingyang to Xuzhou Pengcheng. They had experienced being pursued and the hardships of illness, taking care of each other. They had developed a bond like siblings, and there were fewer reservations between them.

There was still only a folding screen separating the room. In the flickering candlelight, Xiao Jinyu was already leaning on the couch, resting her head on her hand, while on the other side of the screen, the boy had taken off his robe and immersed himself completely in the bath.

Steam rose, carrying a strong medicinal fragrance and an indescribable sandalwood scent, quickly filling the entire room.

The sound of water echoed in the room, making the night exceptionally quiet, with a dreamlike, ethereal mystery.

“Beauty fades easily, good wishes are hard to fulfill?” Xiao Jinyu murmured, half asleep and half dreaming. In her dream, there seemed to be an old man with white hair and a youthful face, pointing to a silk scroll and saying to her, “Come, A’yu, Grandpa will teach you to write and read poetry.”

“These characters are so beautiful, and the poetry sounds so lovely.”

“Of course. This is the poetry left by your grand-uncle. Your grand-uncle could write poetry at the age of ten, and he and your great-grandfather were considered rivals in the Southern Song Dynasty, both prominent figures in scholarly circles.”

“Not just grand-uncle and great-grandfather, I heard from Father and Mother that our great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-great-grandfather, great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, and great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather all had famous people in their generations.”

✿✿✿

“Good, good. A’yu, you were born into the Xie family. Although you can have things that others may strive for a lifetime without effort, our Xie descendants still cannot be complacent. Whether you are a young master or a young lady, you must work harder than others. Do you know why?”

“I know, to be like orchids and jade trees, growing in the courtyard. This is what Great-grandfather said.”

“Yes, yes. A’yu is so smart. When you grow up, you will definitely be extraordinary. It’s a pity that Grandpa may not be able to see it.”

Grandpa…

Perhaps the dream was too real. A smile gradually appeared on the corner of Xiao Jinyu’s lips. But in a moment, the smile froze, turning into a clear tear that slid down.

“Brother Qing——”

The soft call beside her ear pulled her back from her dream. Xiao Jinyu opened her eyes and saw Fenghuang, who had changed into a light robe, standing in front of her. Although the boy was only eleven or twelve years old, he had a tall and slender figure. His features were beginning to show extraordinary handsomeness and intelligence amid their childishness. Especially his eyes, with their shimmering green light, could inadvertently reveal a captivating charm. This appearance was a distinctive Xianbei characteristic.

Xiao Jinyu didn’t know why this boy was so devoted to her. They had gone through many life-or-death situations together, especially today when he had shielded her without regard for his own life. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t moved and guilty.

“Fenghuang, I want your opinion on something,” Xiao Jinyu said suddenly.

“Tell me, Brother Qing,” the boy replied immediately with a smile. “I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Xiao Jinyu smiled and said slowly, “Although I don’t know why you willingly sold your deed of sale to become a personal troop under my mother, I see that your martial arts are not weak, and you must have lived a comfortable life since childhood. If you continue to follow me like this, I’m afraid it will delay your future. I see that Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong, seems to be a virtuous and respected prince. The people in Pengcheng praise him highly. I think following him would definitely be good. Why don’t…”

Before she could finish, the boy’s smile disappeared, and he said firmly, “I will not serve the Gao family. Brother Qing, are you suspecting that I have ulterior motives for staying by your side?”

“Of course not.”

“If it’s not for that reason, then don’t send me away!” The boy squatted down, resting his head on her knees, and playfully grabbed her hands. “Brother Qing, don’t they say a drop of water received in kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring?”

He paused, and Xiao Jinyu nodded at him.

“Then I am here to repay my debt of gratitude. Aunt once saved my life. Her kindness to me is more than a drop of water, so I must protect her daughter.”

As for what kind of life-saving grace it was, the boy didn’t say, and Xiao Jinyu didn’t ask.

After a long time, she asked, “Fenghuang, when my mother served as an official in the Northern Qi court, did she offend anyone?”

When she asked this, the boy’s expression changed slightly, as if he was hesitating about something. After a long while, he replied, “Aunt didn’t say. She is kind and has no desire for power. If Emperor Wenxuan, Gao Yang, hadn’t insisted on her entering the palace as an official, she wouldn’t have wanted to. Since ancient times, there has been no saying that women can be officials. It’s just that the ruler of Qi is so absurd and does whatever he wants…” He paused, his voice filled with barely concealed anger, but fortunately, he quickly controlled himself.

“However, Gao Yang is dead, and now Gao Zhan has also neglected state affairs, favoring the treacherous official He Shikai. In the harem, there are people like Lu Lingxuan and Empress Hu interfering in politics, so I don’t know who sent those people.” After saying that, he asked, “Brother Qing, do you suspect that Aunt’s death is related to those who are chasing us?”

Xiao Jinyu nodded, not denying it.

“Then I’ll go find out who sent those people.”

As soon as the boy said this, Xiao Jinyu shook her head. “No need. We are weak right now. Even if we find out something, we don’t have the power to fight against the Northern Qi nobles. Besides, you were just poisoned, and those people will definitely not give up. We still need to be careful and avoid their edge. Staying alive is the most important thing now.”

Fenghuang nodded with a smile. Xiao Jinyu suddenly mentioned again, “That Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong…” She saw the boy’s expression turn serious, as if he was extremely tense. She smiled and said, “Fenghuang, this person has shown us kindness today. Since you said a drop of water received in kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring, then we both must remember this.”

After hearing this, the boy’s expression relaxed, and he grinned, seeming very happy as he said, “Of course.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Xiao Jinyu add, “Then help me send him something. Consider it a thank you gift!”