Chapter 22: The Fake

 Chapter 22: The Fake

"Miss, you are right," Madam Ming quickly agreed, thinking to herself: Thankfully, this young miss is magnanimous and does not mind my earlier slip of the tongue.

At that moment, the scent of the medicine filled the air again, and an attendant brought in the second bowl of soup.

Though reluctant, Madam Ming gently woke General Ming. He had been sleeping deeply and was still a bit dazed, but it was obvious that he had regained much of his strength. He managed to sit up on his own and drink the second bowl of medicine by himself.

Madam Ming finally felt at ease, and her eyes became slightly misty.

She was certain that her husband’s illness had truly improved.

This young miss had cured a critical illness that even the renowned physicians of the capital, including the Imperial Physician, could not treat. Perhaps it was a blessing for her husband, or perhaps the divine had watched over them! 

At this moment, Madam Ming was completely convinced by Chu Qianchen’s medical skills, and she looked at her with a newfound respect.

After General Ming finished the soup, Chu Qianchen instructed, “Follow the second prescription I’ve given you: take one dose three times a day for five days. After that, drink this medicinal tea as a snack to help your recovery.”

“You have many internal injuries. Once you're fully healed, avoid alcohol, strenuous work, and spicy food. You need to take good care of your health to prevent the blood vomiting from recurring.”

General Ming nodded repeatedly.

Having suffered for months, he had felt miserable, but after waking from this deep sleep, his body felt remarkably better. He knew he had made the right choice.

This young lady may be young, but her skills were exceptional!

He sat up and cupped his hands towards Chu Qianchen. “Thank you, Miss, for saving my life. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

For someone with such outstanding medical skills, General Ming was eager to build a connection with her.

Chu Qianchen calmly replied, “I will be consulting here at Jishi Hall for the time being. If you need anything, come here to find me. Every five days, I will have my maid visit.”

Seeing Chu Qianchen’s composed demeanor, Physician Liu felt a sense of awe. Not only was this young miss’s medical skill extraordinary, but her temperament was also unlike that of ordinary people. 

“Miss, when should my husband return for a follow-up appointment?” Madam Ming asked politely, handing over the consultation fee to the maid.

The maid, Hu Po, received the payment on behalf of Chu Qianchen.

“It’s just a minor illness. No need for a follow-up,” Chu Qianchen said with a smile, and without lingering any longer, she took her leave.

Is a follow-up really unnecessary? Madam Ming hesitated for a moment, considering sending someone to quietly follow Chu Qianchen to ensure that if her husband’s condition changed, they could find her. But General Ming stopped her with a look.

Since the divine physician said there was no need, there was no need.

This young miss was clearly no ordinary person. Her unparalleled talent in medicine was evident, and it was obvious she concealed her identity with the veil, not wanting it exposed. If they tried to pry into her secrets, it would be a great offense.

Everyone experiences birth, aging, illness, and death. A physician with such skill should never be offended.

Madam Ming, understanding her husband's wishes, immediately agreed. As long as her husband was healthy, she was content with whatever came.

Suddenly, General Ming’s stomach growled loudly, and Madam Ming froze for a moment. She quickly instructed the maid to fetch some porridge or noodles for him.

General Ming laughed heartily. “I thought I wouldn’t live to see Prince Chen return to the capital, but it seems heaven doesn’t want to take me yet!”

He didn’t notice that Chu Qianchen, who had already stepped outside the clinic, had heard his words. Her steps briefly slowed before she continued on her way, as though nothing had happened.

From the pulse earlier, if she hadn’t come, General Ming wouldn’t have made it until tomorrow. No wonder, in her past life, she had followed him for years but never saw this person.

When he returns to the capital and sees General Ming in good health, he’ll probably be pleased.

Chu Qianchen’s step became lighter, as though she were a child waiting for praise after achieving top marks.

Hu Po, following behind her, noticed her uplifted mood and mistakenly thought it was because of the 500 taels of consultation fee she had earned. She thought, The young miss is truly impressive, earning 500 taels with just one visit!

On the way back to the mansion, Chu Qianchen detoured to a well-known shop and bought some pine nut candy for Chu Yunmu before returning to the Marquis’ mansion.

She went to Wan Yan Courtyard, changed into a lotus-colored dress, and planned to go to the main courtyard. Just as she was about to leave, a maid stopped her.

“Miss, Cui Mama from the concubine’s quarters is here. She says the concubine is ill and would like you to go see her.”

The concubine referred to was, of course, Concubine Jiang.

Finally, she’s come, though later than I expected.

Chu Qianchen had thought that after she sent Liu Li back to Concubine Jiang’s quarters, she would be called soon. She hadn’t expected to wait a few more days.

Perhaps it was because of how she had contradicted Concubine Jiang last time?

Chu Qianchen put the pine nut candy away, brushed her dress, and left.

“Second Miss,” Cui Mama, who had been waiting under the eaves, breathed a sigh of relief and greeted her with a forced smile. “The concubine has been ill since she returned that day, but she didn’t want to worry you, so she told the servants not to tell you. Alas, it’s been several days, and she still hasn’t gotten any better. Every night she keeps murmuring your name, unable to sleep peacefully.”

“The concubine has always held you close to her heart.”

“Indeed,” Chu Qianchen replied casually.

If it were the naive, innocent version of herself, she would likely have been deeply moved, eager to open up her heart. But after everything that had happened in her past life, she understood that these words were nothing more than empty flattery, not to be taken seriously.

In her past life, when she was at her most helpless and destitute, her eldest brother had been made the heir, and Concubine Jiang was in her prime in the house, yet she had never once stood up for her or spoken a word on her behalf.

Chu Qianchen curled the corner of her lips into a self-deprecating smile.

Along the way, Cui Mama continued to speak of how much Concubine Jiang cared for Chu Qianchen, but she paid little attention, responding half-heartedly.

Soon, they arrived at the Clear Radiance Courtyard, where Concubine Jiang resided.

As soon as Chu Qianchen stepped into the East Wing, she immediately smelled a faint fragrance. It had been a long time since she last visited this place.

The copper incense burner in the corner with its blue-and-white floral pattern and the colorful peacock screen in the front right were as familiar as ever.

Concubine Jiang, dressed in a moon-white brocade dress, was lying on a beauty couch, her slender brows slightly furrowed, looking rather unwell.

Seeing Chu Qianchen enter, Concubine Jiang smiled. “Chen’er, you’re here.”

The maidservants around her carefully helped Concubine Jiang sit up.

Chu Qianchen walked up to Concubine Jiang and bowed slightly. "Auntie."

"Chen’er, I thought you were angry with me and wouldn’t want to see me again," Concubine Jiang said, pulling her hand as she sat on the beauty couch. 

Chu Qianchen gently held Concubine Jiang's hand, smiling softly and speaking with sincere eyes, "Auntie, you're overthinking. Since you’re unwell, just rest properly and don’t think too much. Cui Mama is truly troublesome, how could she let you worry?"

As she spoke, Chu Qianchen's fingers lightly touched Concubine Jiang's wrist.

The pulse she felt was strong and steady, indicating that Concubine Jiang was healthy, without any lingering illnesses.

In her memory, Concubine Jiang always appeared fragile, with a poor constitution, often suffering from illness.

Every time, Chu Qianchen had been by her side, attending to her with tea, medicine, and constant care.

Last winter, when she had to go with her grandmother and legitimate mother to offer incense, Concubine Jiang’s headache flared up;

The year before, when she had to attend a banquet at the Shen family with her legitimate mother and sisters, Concubine Jiang caught a cold;

The year before that, on her own birthday, Concubine Jiang complained of chest discomfort;

...

Now, Chu Qianchen was finally certain.

Not only was Concubine Jiang’s affection for her fake, but her frailty was also a lie.

Without any expectations, there could be no disappointment.

Chu Qianchen had come specifically to confirm this point, and now that she had done so, her heart remained utterly calm, without the slightest ripple. 

(End of Chapter)