Wei Yuan, recalling the outside rumors, felt a sense of smug superiority, as if he alone possessed clarity in a world of fools. This Quanzhou Feng Luan, it turned out, was none other than the famously ugly, crude, and sickly Nan Shiying!
The world was truly marvelous.
“Right, you mentioned before that the princess consort was not favored?” Wei Yuan suddenly remembered his little disciple had once said Nan Shiying was a pitiable, unfavored soul, ailing from excessive worry.
He couldn't help but doubt her medical skills at that moment.
The idea of *her* falling ill from worry? It would be more likely for her to inflict worry upon others!
Shen Yue nodded. “Yes, I just took her pulse yesterday. Her heart was constricted, her liver stagnant, and her lungs heavy. These are all signs of constant worry and anxiety. But it’s understandable. Soon after entering the mansion, she was punished by the prince with confinement. Not long after, she angered him again, and the small kitchen of Xinyuan Pavilion was closed. Then, just a few days ago, for some unknown reason, she offended the prince again and had her monthly allowance halved for six months.”
“The servants in the mansion are all guessing when the prince will divorce her. Ah, it’s truly pitiful. You wouldn’t believe it, Master, the princess consort is actually quite beautiful. Even when she’s ill, she’s more beautiful than any other lady in the mansion. She possesses a sort of… a sort of morbid beauty.”
“Yes, that’s exactly right.”
“The moment I saw her yesterday, I was captivated by her beauty, so much so that I didn’t dare to say much. Ah, she must think I’m one of those snobbish people who kick someone when they’re down. No, I must take some herbs to her later, I can’t let her misunderstand me!”
Wei Yuan found it increasingly difficult to maintain his smile. He felt an urge to dissect his foolish disciple alive, just to see if her tiny brain was as smooth as an almond.
*You pity her?*
*Why was she punished?*
The first time she went out and tried to poison someone, the second time she not only poisoned someone but also stripped them naked in the street. Given Ji Jinmo’s temperament, it was already magnanimous of him not to kill Nan Shiying. And what was her punishment? The small kitchen closed! Half a year’s allowance confiscated! This wasn’t leniency; it was practically indulgence.
*Divorce her?*
Ji Jinmo might be in trouble this time!
Wei Yuan never dreamed that Ji Jinmo would one day fall in love!
With a ‘slap,’ he unfurled his fan, a complex expression on his face that completely ruined his appearance of a jade-like gentleman.
Shen Yue gave him a slightly disdainful look. She suddenly clapped her hands, a moment of realization dawning again. “Master, I know! I know why Feng Jiu looks so much like the princess consort.”
Wei Yuan glanced at her with a touch of surprise.
*Oh, not bad. Has she suddenly been touched by an immortal and had her meridians opened?*
“Feng Jiu must be a child from the princess consort’s maternal uncle’s family!”
Wei Yuan: “……”
*What did you say?*
“It must be so. Either a cousin or a nephew. Otherwise, how could he look so much like the princess consort and be able to enter and exit the mansion so freely?”
Wei Yuan, looking at Shen Yue’s resolute expression, was suddenly speechless.
*Is her speculation flawed? Obviously not!*
*If I hadn’t known from the beginning that Nan Shiying was a woman, I might have made the same guess.*
*But disciple…*
*This doesn’t prevent your master from thinking you’re stupid!*
Wei Yuan glanced at Shen Yue, ignoring the eager glint in her eyes seeking praise, and walked into the pharmacy. He grabbed an introductory medical textbook and shoved it into Shen Yue’s hand, his face stern. “Start learning from the beginning!”
Shen Yue was utterly devastated.
“Why?”
*Why?*
*Because you misdiagnosed her pulse!*
*Worry and anxiety? What is there for that Nan Shiying to worry about!*
…
The Capital Prefecture Office.
The legitimate son of the Minister of Rites had his clothes stripped and was tied to a tree. Although this case did not fall under the Ministry of Justice, the Minister of Justice still sent people to inquire about its progress, thereby subtly pressuring the Prefect of the Capital, Wang Sheng.
But that Quanzhou Feng Luan seemed to have vanished into thin air. No matter how hard they searched, they couldn’t find this person. All they knew was that this person had appeared out of nowhere a few days prior. First, at the Dongbo Tower, they had saved the proprietor of Su Ji Cloth Shop with incredibly skilled medicine. Then, at the Huancai Pavilion, they committed this heinous act.
“Alas~”
Wang Sheng sighed again, feeling utterly vexed.
This case could reach the Emperor’s ears at any moment. While it wasn’t a major or critical case, it did damage the dignity of a high-ranking court official. The matter was neither here nor there, yet he couldn’t interrogate anyone from the Huancai Pavilion. The situation was stalled, and it was no wonder he sighed.
“My Lord!”
The Chief Clerk brought a bowl of tea and handed it to Wang Sheng, offering comfort. “My Lord, please set your mind at ease. The situation isn’t without a solution.”
“What solution do you have?” Wang Sheng’s eyes immediately lit up.
“My Lord, given how much importance is placed on this case from above, your subordinate believes it is not just about the Minister of Rites, but perhaps more about the Huancai Pavilion.”
“You mean… someone wants to deal with the Huancai Pavilion?”
“Think about it, my Lord. Liu Ling was merely stripped and tied to a tree. He wasn’t maimed or killed. Why are they clinging to this? Just for face? If a high-ranking court official were stripped and tied to a tree, one could say it damages the court’s dignity. But for an idle young master with no official position, what need is there for face?”
Wang Sheng pondered for a moment and slowly nodded.
“Therefore, my Lord, this matter cannot be spearheaded by you.”
“Then what do you suggest we do?”
“My Lord is so intelligent; you must know upon reflection. That Quanzhou Feng Luan possesses unparalleled medical skills and unmatched martial arts. Where in this world could such talent be cultivated?”
“Are you referring to Medicine King Valley?”
The Chief Clerk clapped his hands, exclaiming, “Ah, precisely! Medicine King Valley.”
“But that Feng Luan might not necessarily be…”
“My Lord, why are you being so muddled? Does it matter whether he is or not? You merely need to report it to close the case. If Feng Luan is from Medicine King Valley, what can you do to him? What can the court do to him? This matter will simply be dropped.”
“In any case, the fire won’t reach you, will it?”
“Brilliant!”
Wang Sheng slapped his thigh, all his worries of the past few days vanishing. A look of unconcealed delight appeared on his face.
The Chief Clerk also began to smile.
He glanced at the Chief Clerk, then suddenly suppressed his smile, placed his teacup heavily on the table, and asked in a deep voice, “Speak. How much silver did you take from the Huancai Pavilion?”
The Chief Clerk was startled, first in surprise, then he chuckled. “Nothing escapes your notice, my Lord. Your subordinate received a full thousand taels of silver, and they offered this amount to you…”
The Chief Clerk gestured a sum. Wang Sheng was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter, nodding with great satisfaction. “Good, good.”
The Chief Clerk lowered his head, a slight smile curving his lips.