Chapter 63: Out on the Street

The imperial carriage arrived, but Zhang Jing Yun didn’t get back in. Instead, he urged Lian Da to hurry, while he rode behind on horseback. Meinang, feeling drowsy, closed her eyes and soon fell into a daze. When Lian Sao woke her up, the carriage had already stopped at the back door of the Qin residence.

Lian Da got out and knocked on the door. Meinang quickly asked Lian Sao to retrieve the water pouch. She splashed some water on her face, and sure enough, her mask fell off. Lian Sao’s eyes nearly popped out in shock, but Meinang didn’t care. She carefully put the mask away and then stepped out of the carriage.

Mama Wang and Cui Xi were already waiting by the carriage. When they saw the bloodstains on Meinang’s clothes, they were startled. Mama Wang immediately began checking her over in a panic.

“My goodness, you…”

Meinang caught her hand and put her left index finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet. Cui Xi, being quick-witted, saw Zhang Jing Yun standing nearby and tugged on Mama Wang’s sleeve.

“Don’t worry, Mama, let’s go inside and talk about it.”

The group hurried inside, leaving Lian Da and Lian Sao to tidy up the carriage. Meinang led Zhang Jing Yun straight to the east courtyard.

On the way, she reassured Mama Wang, “I’m fine. The bloodstains on my clothes aren’t mine, so don’t worry about it.”

Cui Xi pouted, “Why did you take Lian Sao with you but not me? If I had been there, I would have made sure you didn’t dirty your clothes.”

Meinang laughed. “You don’t know how rough the roads outside the city are. Look at how delicate you are how could you handle the bumps in the carriage? Next time we go out to admire the flowers and enjoy the scenery, I’ll take you with me.”

Cui Xi wasn’t convinced. “If you can handle it, why can’t I?”

Meinang waved her hand dismissively, then turned to Zhang Jing Yun. Noticing that he was silently following behind, she apologized.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Zhang. To avoid being noticed, we had to use the back entrance.”

Zhang Jing Yun smiled. “That was my intention as well.”

Meinang looked at his delicate, fair face and suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t you say…”

Zhang Jing Yun smiled and said, “By the emperor’s decree, I will show my true face from now on. I won’t wear the mask anymore. As for whoever doesn’t recognize me, I don’t care.”

Meinang didn’t understand who he was referring to, but since there were others around, she didn’t ask further. Instead, she smiled in understanding.

When Mrs. Feng saw Meinang, she was both shocked and happy. She grabbed her hand tightly, much like Mama Wang had earlier, and started fussing over her.

“Did you get hurt, my dear? What happened?”

Meinang patted her reassuringly. “It’s fine, really. Just a change of clothes and everything will be good. This is the doctor I mentioned. Please bring some tea.”

Mrs. Feng quickly greeted Zhang Jing Yun, then asked Li’er to bring tea. Cui Xi had already gone to fetch Cui jian, bringing Tao’er with her. They served Zhang Jing Yun and Meinang, helping them wash their hands and faces. Zhang Jing Yun didn’t drink tea immediately, but after washing his hands, he walked over to the bed. Cui Xi quickly moved the curtain aside, and Qin Bo Qing was still in a deep sleep. Zhang Jing Yun leaned in, examining his face carefully. He opened his eyelid, checked, then motioned for Cui jian to bring a stool. Sitting down, he gently pulled Qin Bo Qing’s hand out from under the blanket and, with his head slightly tilted, began to check his pulse.

Meinang changed into a new set of clothes in the room on the left and then helped Mrs. Feng sit at the table. Mrs. Feng, still tense, kept her eyes fixed on Zhang Jing Yun, clenching her hands tightly in her sleeves. Since Meinang had left, Qin Bo Qing hadn’t woken up. She had stubbornly resisted calling for the doctor, trying to convince herself to wait for Meinang to return. But now that the “divine doctor” had arrived, Mrs. Feng couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Would someone so young really have the skills to cure her husband?

After checking Qin Bo Qing’s pulse, Zhang Jing Yun let out a soft sigh of relief. Meinang quickly invited him to sit at the table, handing him a cup of hot tea. Zhang Jing Yun smiled and reassured Mrs. Feng and Meinang.

“Don’t worry. Qin Bo Qing’s illness is easy to treat. The problem is that his body is too weak. He’ll need some time to recover, about a month, but he should be fine by the spring exams.”

Mrs. Feng was half-convinced, her eyes filled with tears, but she couldn’t say anything. Meinang had expected this. As long as she could get Ling Xu Zi or Zhang Jing Yun to help, Qin Bo Qing would definitely recover.

She turned to Zhang Jing Yun. “I can’t thank you enough for this. Meinang and my brother will always remember this kindness.”

Zhang Jing Yun picked up his tea and took a slow sip. “If we’re friends, there’s no need to be so formal. I’ll leave some medicine with you, and I’ll come by sometime to check on Qin Bo Qing.”

Meinang quickly responded, “I understand. I’ll make sure to stay inside from now on, and I’ll be careful.”

After Zhang Jing Yun had finished drinking his tea, he checked Mrs. Feng’s pulse, and Meinang asked him to check on her mother as well.

“You’re a married woman now. You should be more cautious in your speech and actions. How dare you run around like this and expose yourself? What has become of your upbringing? Our family may not be what it once was, but I’ve never neglected your education. You should think carefully and treasure yourself. I’d rather you not recognize your birth family if it means you’ll live a good life peace and prosperity are enough.”

It was the first time Meiang had seen Mrs. Qin angry, but she wasn’t afraid at all. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t her biological mother. She leaned toward Mrs. Qin and playfully reassured her, massaging her shoulders. Mrs. Qin, surprised by her daughter’s change in behavior, felt both helpless and heartbroken. She pulled her to sit beside her, sighed, and said, “You’re exhausted. Rest now. You must not act this way again.”

Meinang quickly agreed, and as Zhang Jing Yun came back in, Mrs. Qin, learning that he was a friend of Xu Jun Ying, treated him with respect. She expressed her gratitude and instructed the kitchen to prepare a meal for him. Zhang Jing Yun, with his good-natured demeanor, spent some time chatting with Mrs. Qin and offering advice on her diet and health. When it was getting late, he was ready to leave, but Mrs. Qin couldn’t stop him, and since she couldn’t walk on her own, Meinang escorted him out.

Meinang, however, had other plans. She gave Zhang Jing Yun some silver, then asked, “Are you hungry? Do you want to eat before leaving?”

Zhang Jing Yun replied, “I’m not hungry. I need to go to Qian Cao Tang to pick up some medicine before dark.”

He reminded Meinang, “The pills for your brother and sister in law are with me. I’ve already shown Qin Bo Qing’s family how to use them. You should remind them again to take the medicine on time. Someone will deliver more medicine tomorrow at the Shen hour. It will be at the back door. Have someone there to receive it. The medicine for Mrs. Qin will also arrive tomorrow, and I’ve written the prescription specifically for her external use. The herbs can be picked up from Qian Cao Tang, where they have a large variety of herbs, and they prepare them well.”

Meinang nodded, keeping track of everything. She escorted him to the front hall, and when she noticed that Mama Wang and Cui Xi hadn’t followed, she had an idea.

“Why don’t I come with you to Qian Cao Tang, pick up the medicine, and then head home separately?”

Zhang Jing Yun looked at her in surprise.

Meinang, feeling a bit embarrassed, explained, “I’ve been out all day. My clothes and the carriage need to be cleaned. I’ll just follow you. It’s on the way, after all.”

Zhang Jing Yun thought about it and agreed. He bade Mrs. Qin and the others farewell before stepping out to find Lian Da waiting with the carriage. He climbed in, and Meinang followed.

After a short while, they arrived at Qian Cao Tang.