Chapter 24: 024 Not Right

 Chapter 24: 024 Not Right

"Father, but this purse..."

Before Chu Qianchen could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Chu Lingxiao, whose expression showed clear displeasure.

"Your stepmother loves you so much, and you can't even give her a purse?" Chu Lingxiao raised an eyebrow, his voice low and serious.

Chu Qianchen calmly met his gaze and, after a moment of silence, nodded. "Since Father says so, then let her have it."

"Chen'er is so obedient," Concubine Jiang said with a joyful smile, holding the purse tightly in her hands as if she truly loved it. 

Chu Qianchen bowed again, ready to leave. "Father, Concubine mother, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Chu Lingxiao nodded and waved her off casually.

Chu Qianchen walked out slowly, and just as she passed through the curtain, she heard Chu Lingxiao's voice from behind. "Shan'er, I heard that a miraculous physician has recently started practicing at Jishi Hall in the capital. His skills are so extraordinary that he can 'revive the dead and cure the incurable.' General Ming has been coughing and vomiting blood for several days, and today his condition worsened. He nearly died, but after taking just one dose of the physician's medicine, he was immediately cured. I was thinking of going to Jishi Hall in person to bring this physician to see you. It’s no good that you’re constantly sick..."

Concubine Jiang responded gently, "My lord, I’m fine. It’s just an old illness. Resting for a while will be enough..."

The voices of the two people gradually faded, soon disappearing behind the curtain.

Hu Po, following behind Chu Qianchen, looked at her with an odd expression. She couldn’t help but think: If the marquis knew that the miraculous physician he mentioned, who could 'revive the dead and cure the incurable,' was actually Miss, would he be shocked?

With this thought, Hu Po couldn’t help but look forward to seeing that moment; it would surely be quite satisfying. 

The master and servant soon left Qinghui Courtyard. Hu Po suddenly remembered something and said, "Miss, the purse..."

Hu Po clearly remembered that the purse, embroidered with lotus flowers, had been bought by Miss five days ago on the way home from Jishi Hall at the Tianxiu Workshop. Why hadn't Miss told Concubine Jiang about it?

If Concubine Jiang truly liked the purse, she could easily buy another one or have a maid embroider one just like it. Why take away something that Miss had a fondness for?

Hu Po frowned in confusion, disapproving of Concubine Jiang’s actions.

However, Miss seemed to have stopped doing embroidery recently, spending all her time handling medicinal herbs...

Chu Qianchen smiled without speaking, winking at Hu Po.

In her previous life, she had already suffered losses and experienced the bitter feeling of being unable to explain herself.

So, in this life, back in the Marquis' residence, she would never personally make any embroidered items like purses or handkerchiefs again. There were plenty of embroidery workshops in the capital, and she had the money—why would she need to make them herself?

Why cause herself trouble?

If Concubine Jiang truly liked the purse, she could use it, but if...

A strange look flickered in Chu Qianchen’s dark eyes, a meaning that was hard to describe.

The sky was dimming, and the evening breeze was gentle, blowing a few petals from spring flowers onto her shoulder. She casually raised her hand to brush them off, her expression carefree and open.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be her fault!

Chu Qianchen walked briskly back to Wanyan Courtyard. When she saw the package of pine nut candy on the table, she felt a slight regret. She had planned to give it to Mu Ge'er, but now it was so late. She would have to go tomorrow instead.

Chu Qianchen carefully unwrapped the oil paper, quickly popped a piece of pine nut candy into her mouth, and carefully wrapped the rest up.

So sweet!

She smiled, her eyes curving, reassuring herself that Mu Ge'er would never find out!

Chu Qianchen had already put Concubine Jiang and Chu Lingxiao out of her mind, and focused on her work, collecting the medicinal liquid she had filtered throughout the day.

This was the third small porcelain bottle.

She placed the small porcelain bottle along with the other two bottles and two small jars neatly on her dressing table.

Chu Qianchen thought to herself that she would need to make a medicine cabinet. The process of making the large pills was too complicated, and these bottles and jars couldn’t all be piled up on her dressing table.

He had said that, whether it was books or other items, they should be categorized and organized properly.

The corner of Chu Qianchen’s red lips curled into a smile, like a flower bud trembling and slowly unfolding its petals, bright and dazzling.

That night, Chu Qianchen slept soundly, staying up all night until dawn.

The next morning, after visiting the Old Madam at Rongfu Hall to pay her respects, she brought the pine nut candy to the main courtyard to find Chu Yunmu.

Shen Shi knew her intention and was at ease, sending someone to guide Chu Qianchen to Chu Yunmu.

"Chu Qianchen!"

Chu Yunmu, who was lazily leaning against the headrest, immediately brightened when he saw Chu Qianchen.

At five years old, Chu Yunmu was at the playful age. Now, because of a leg injury, he could only lie in bed and had been feeling bored out of his mind.

Pouting, Chu Yunmu complained, “You haven’t come to play with me for two days.”

Chu Qianchen smiled indulgently at the little guy, taking out an oil paper package. “Look.”

“Pine nut candy!” Chu Yunmu’s eyes lit up, and he excitedly exclaimed, “Is it from Xijia Old Shop?”

Without even asking, he knew it had to be! In the capital, only Xijia Old Shop’s candies used this red oil paper.

“Good eyes.” Chu Qianchen was about to open the oil paper package when Chu Yunmu, quick as a flash, stopped her.

“Wait! Chu Qianchen, did you sneak some?” Chu Yunmu stared at her with sharp eyes. “Xijia Old Shop’s knot isn’t tied like this! You sneaked some, didn’t you?”

Chu Qianchen: “……”

This kid!

His eyes were indeed sharp…

Chu Qianchen quickly unwrapped the oil paper and said, “Open your mouth.”

With a command and a quick movement, Chu Yunmu opened his mouth, and a sweet pine nut candy was popped in.

So fragrant, so sweet!

He was instantly satisfied, and the joy in his phoenix eyes nearly overflowed.

Chu Qianchen gave him the whole package of pine nut candies, finally earning his “forgiveness.”

“Alright, second sister, I forgive you!”

He picked up a piece of pine nut candy, mimicking Chu Qianchen, and said, “Open your mouth.”

Chu Qianchen complied and opened her mouth, eating a piece of pine nut candy.

The candy was sweet, just like Chu Yunmu, who had been lost and found again, and it sweetened her heart.

Chu Yunmu, holding the candy, mumbled around it to send Jiannian to bring the kidney bean rolls, seriously telling Chu Qianchen that the kitchen must have hired a new chef, as the kidney bean rolls were extremely delicious.

Chu Qianchen rubbed his soft hair and smiled, saying, “Then I’ll wait to try it.”

Chu Yunmu smiled, his eyes curving, and waved Chu Qianchen over, whispering, “Second sister, I’ll tell you a secret.”

Chu Qianchen leaned in, copying his action and lowering her voice. “What?”

“My foot actually hurts a little,” Chu Yunmu whispered, “But I didn’t cry.”

Chu Qianchen raised an eyebrow.

When Chu Yunmu was injured, before Physician Li arrived, she had secretly checked his bone. The fracture in his right leg wasn’t severe, and it didn’t need medication. He just needed to rest for a while. She had applied a splint mainly to prevent him from moving around too much due to his age. 

Under normal circumstances, such a minor injury shouldn’t have caused any problems.

“I’ll take a look.” Chu Qianchen said, pulling back the corner of the blanket to reveal Chu Yunmu’s right leg with the splint.

She gently touched his injured leg, and her brow immediately furrowed.

Something wasn’t right!

This wasn’t right!

The bone was misaligned!

Physician Li was a highly respected physician often called to the Marquis’ residence, and his medical skills were considered among the best in the capital. There was no way he could have misaligned such a small injury. 

(End of Chapter)