The corners of the Imperial Grandson’s mouth twitched slightly, and he responded without any expression: “Imperial Doctor Wei will leave after giving Ling Gōngzi acupuncture, and Ninth Miss Ling and the others will also leave. I wonder what the Sixth Imperial Uncle is going to come here for?”

Ling Jingshu was not in a position to say such things, but the Imperial Grandson did not have many scruples.

King Yan’s reaction was also very interesting. He raised his eyebrows leisurely and said, “Of course, I came to see how Master Ling’s eye disease was being treated.”

…The Imperial Grandson looked over with a half-smile in his eyes: “Sixth Uncle has probably never met Master Ling! I’m afraid that he will be criticized for suddenly condescending to come and visit.”

King Yan was indeed thick-skinned and did not take it seriously. Instead, he laughed and said, “Of course I have seen him before. I saw him once at Dingxianglou last time. Once is strange, twice is familiar, and the third time is an old friend!”

Faced with the smiling and shameless King Yan, the Imperial Grandson was completely speechless.

In terms of age, he was a few months older than King Yan. But there was a hierarchy between the young and the old, and as a zhíér^[1]nephew, son of brother, he couldn’t always be disrespectful to King Yan. It was okay to make some sarcastic remarks, but he couldn’t lose his manners.

The three people present fell into silence.

The Imperial Grandson was born with a cold face. He never spoke or smiled, and was stern and majestic.

Prince Yan was born with a playful look on his face. Even when he was not smiling, he still had a hint of a smile on his face. His eyes fell wantonly on Ling Jingshu’s pretty face.

Ling Jingshu was unwilling to look at the Imperial Grandson, nor did she want to compete with Prince Yan. She was about to bow and leave when she heard footsteps behind her.

…

Ling Jingshu was startled and subconsciously turned her head to take a look.

A young man in plain clothes walked out slowly. His handsome face was full of calmness and indifference. He looked up and saw the Imperial Grandson and the King Yan in the small courtyard, but he was not surprised at all.

“Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the King Yan and His Royal Highness the Imperial Grandson.” Imperial Physician Wei stepped forward and saluted.

King Yan smiled and said, “Doctor Wei, please don’t be polite.”

The tone is quite gentle and casual.

Doctor Wei thanked him and stood up straight.
Ling Jingshu subconsciously took a step forward, her eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness: “Has Doctor Wei finished acupuncture for Ah Xiao today?”

Doctor Wei nodded.

Ling Jingshu asked again: “Has Ah Xiao’s eye disease improved?”

When asked about the patient’s condition, Doctor Wei’s attitude was quite gentle: “Ninth Miss Ling, don’t worry too much. Ling Gōngzi’s blood has been stagnant for a long time, causing him to be blind for many years. Now that we have taken three measures, judging from Ling Gōngzi’s reaction, he has indeed improved a little. However, it was originally estimated that he could be cured in three or four months, but now it seems that time is not enough, maybe about half a year.”

“In short, you must take the decoction three times a day. The ointment for the eyes must also be changed every day. If the decoction or ointment is used up, go to Huichuntang to get more medicine according to the prescription.”

Ling Jingshu listened attentively and responded with a smile.

The look of indifference towards others was particularly glaring to the eyes.

The Imperial Grandson glanced at Doctor Wei and said nothing.

The eyes of King Yan flickered slightly, and he pulled the corners of his lips, saying meaningfully: “Doctor Wei has a miraculous hand that can even cure the eye disease of people who have been blind for many years. It is really admirable. Speaking of which, I often go out and often hear people mention the name of Doctor Wei. I don’t know how many young ladies in the capital secretly admire Doctor Wei. It makes me sigh with envy!”

Ling Jingshu couldn’t laugh anymore.

When King Yan said this in front of her, it was as if he was pointing at a monk and calling him a bald donkey. ^[2]The phrase “bald donkey” is a derogatory term historically used in Chinese to refer to monks, as it references their shaved heads. The sentence suggests that the King of Yan was making a … Continue reading

Doctor Wei tried his best to treat Ling Xiao, and as a sister, she was grateful and could not help but be more enthusiastic and respectful to Doctor Wei. This was also the respect that the patient’s family should have when facing the doctor.

But after King Yan said this, the meaning immediately changed…

Doctor Wei smiled faintly, bowed, and replied, “I have been studying medicine since I was young, and I was fortunate to be admitted to the Imperial Hospital. As an imperial physician, it is my duty to treat illnesses, save lives, practice medicine, and give away medicine. I have no intention of seeking fame. It is just that ordinary people who have been treated by me are grateful to the doctor and occasionally praise him. I didn’t expect that it would reach your Highness’ ears. I am really humbled and terrified.”

“As for what Your Highness said about a girl in the boudoir admiring me, it is probably a misunderstanding. I have long vowed to never marry and to devote all my time and energy to the study of medicine. I never care about such things and have never taken them to heart.”

…

Vow to never marry?

Ling Jingshu was secretly surprised and couldn’t help but glance at Doctor Wei, who looked calm and composed.

These kinds of words couldn’t be said casually.

Could the rumors be true? Was this handsome and elegant Doctor Wei actually suffering from an inhumane disease? Or was there some unspeakable secret?

After hearing this, King Yan’s expression subtly softened a lot, and he grinned and said, “I was just joking. Why did you take it seriously? Also, when you were eighteen, you vowed to never marry, and it has been six years now. Who hasn’t said a few ridiculous things when they were young and frivolous? How can you take this seriously?”

“You are the only child of the Wei family. Even if you don’t like women, you must get married and have children to carry on the family line! Otherwise, even Wei Jiéyú will feel uneasy.”

Wei Jiéyú was born into a humble family and was a maidservant of Empress Xu. Later, she was favored by the Emperor and was quite favored by him. After giving birth to her daughter Anya Gōngzhǔ, she was given the title of Jiéyú.

Now that the Emperor was old, he rarely got close to women. Because Wei Jiéyú was gentle, considerate, and beautiful, the Emperor always summoned Wei Jiéyú to sleep with him once or twice a month.

There were at least dozens of concubines with official titles in the palace. Although Wei Jiéyú was not of high rank, she was always favored and no one dared to underestimate her. Only King Yan, the legitimate son of Empress Xu, would mention Wei Jiéyú in such a casual tone.

When Doctor Wei heard King Yan mention his eldest sister’s name, his expression remained unchanged: “No matter what, I have to thank Your Highness for your kindness.”

King Yan continued to stare at Doctor Wei, with a rather persistent tone: “What kind of woman is Doctor Wei in love with? Why don’t you tell me? How about I help you find a matchmaker?”

Although King Yan had a smile on his face, it could not conceal his aggressive nature.

Ling Jingshu lowered her eyelids to hide the flash of disgust in her eyes.

No matter what the reason was, it was a fact that Doctor Wei refused to marry. What was the purpose of King Yan pressing so hard? Could it be that he thought that since she was attached to Doctor Wei, forcing him to marry would make her give up?

It was really ridiculous!

Not to mention that she would never marry in her life, even if something unexpected happened in the future and she changed her mind, that person would never be King Yan.

Doctor Wei said calmly, “I have no plans to get married, Your Highness, please don’t worry about it.”

The Imperial Grandson frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: “Sixth Uncle, everyone has their ambitions. Since Doctor Wei doesn’t have this intention, don’t joke around.”