Chapter 30

The carriage left the residence and headed south along Chongwenmen Street.

From the moment Xu Yunqi got into the carriage, Madam Zhang held her hand and patiently counseled her daughter, “Don’t worry, a good woman never lacks suitors. Look, you haven’t even officially separated yet, and Madam Jiang has already come to propose…”

Xu Yunqi knew that her mother was troubled, so she smiled and reassured her, “Thank you for worrying about me. I’m glad you came to fetch me.”

Madam Zhang didn’t fully understand the meaning behind her words and glared at her, “Silly child, how could I let you live under someone else’s shadow? I’ve long heard that Princess Consort Xi is not an easy person to deal with. I’ve been worried about you day and night, and my wish has come true today.”

She then began to talk about how good the Jiang family was while Xu Yunqi quietly listened without responding.

She had once regarded the Jiang family as a good match, but now things were different. Having been married once, any future marriage would inevitably bring issues between husband and wife. She had seen many such examples while traveling. Getting married was not a necessary path for her, and there was no need to bring trouble upon herself.

After the carriage had traveled for a while, Xu Yunqi lifted the curtain and instructed the coachman, “Go to Chengyang Medical Clinic.”

Madam Zhang was slightly puzzled, “Why go to the clinic?”

Xu Yunqi replied clearly, “I left something there.”

Madam Zhang didn’t think much of it and started asking about the incident yesterday when Xu Yunqi saved Yan Shaoling, “You were too reckless. There were so many imperial physicians; why did it have to be you? Next time, don’t step forward unless absolutely necessary…”

Yin Xing, sitting on the brocade stool below, wanted to explain several times, but Xu Yunqi just smiled and nodded, “Mother is right. I’ll be more careful next time.”

At that moment, the carriage reached the clock tower at the intersection of Chang’an Street. Rain suddenly poured down from the sky, and a carriage with a broken axle blocked the road, obstructing their way.

Seeing this, Yin Xing immediately lifted the curtain to look outside. Though she couldn’t see the road clearly, she quickly recognized the carriage parked diagonally opposite. The coachman was a forty-year-old man with a tuft of black beard, wearing a blue shirt, and his burly figure and lowered eyes made him look formidable.

Yin Xing, having kept an eye on the Xun family for a while, recognized this as Xun Yunhe’s coachman and immediately lowered the curtain, signaling to Xu Yunqi.

Xu Yunqi was surprised and lifted a corner of the curtain. She saw the opposite carriage’s curtain rolled up, revealing an arm against the window with a glimpse of a crimson sleeve.

Understanding the reason, Xu Yunqi silently lowered the curtain.

Behind her, Madam Zhang continued talking about the dowry, “The dowry isn’t necessary. I calculated that most of it belongs to the Prince’s residence…”

At that moment, Xu Yunqi suddenly turned around and hugged Madam Zhang, softly saying, “Mother, please stop talking. Don’t say anything more. I don’t care about those things…”

Madam Zhang was taken aback. The tears she had been holding back all day finally burst forth. She couldn’t remember the last time her daughter had clung to her like this. There had been a time when Xu Yunqi would greet her with a smile when she came home and see her off joyfully when she left. Gradually, they only saw each other once or twice a year, and Madam Zhang didn’t even know what her daughter liked anymore.

An overwhelming sense of guilt washed over her like the pouring rain, a painful ache that clung to her heart. She thought back to when Xu Yunqi was born, how joyful she and her husband had been, doting on her like a precious gem, raising her into a little tyrant famous in the village.

The sound of the rain grew louder, pounding on their heads and faces. Madam Zhang choked back her sobs, unable to say another word.

The blocked carriage was finally moved, and the road was clear.

Xun Yunhe put down his book and glanced at the sky. The dark clouds were thick as ink, and the rain fell like needles, stinging his eyes. He didn’t care about the pain, only cursing the rain for not coming sooner.

The two carriages passed each other in the misty rain, heading in opposite directions.

Two-quarters of an hour later, Xu Yunqi and her mother arrived at Chengyang Medical Clinic. The side alley of the clinic had a long shed where the doctors offered free consultations on the first day of every month to build their reputation.

Xu Yunqi helped her mother down from the carriage and entered through the side door, following the eaves to the clinic’s back door.

Shopkeeper Hu was not there, and several pharmacy boys were busy with their tasks. No one came to greet them. This wasn’t Madam Zhang’s first time at the clinic, so she didn’t mind the lack of courtesy. After glancing around, she said, “Where did you leave your things? Go get them quickly. The rain is getting heavier; we should head back soon.”

Madam Zhang finished speaking but noticed her daughter standing gracefully at the foot of the stairs, her smile undiminished, though her hands had let go of hers.

“Mother, I’m sorry, but I don’t plan to return to the Xu family with you. Thank you for coming to pick me up today; it makes me very happy.” Xu Yunqi said.

Madam Zhang’s expression changed upon hearing this, “How can that be? If you don’t come back to the Xu family with me, where will you go?” She seemed to realize something and looked around the simple clinic, “You want to stay here? Are you mad? Besides, the Jiang family is still waiting for you at the door. You know how much Yuhe cares about you…”

Before she could continue, Xu Yunqi interrupted calmly, “Mother, please don’t make decisions for me. I understand my situation better than anyone. The reason I was willing to stay with the Xu family was to look for my grandfather. You can visit me here anytime, but I won’t go back with you.”

She glanced at the sky and urged, “The rain is getting heavier. You should go.”

Tears slid down Madam Zhang’s face again as she reached out to pull her, “Nannan, the Xu family is your home, after all…”

The nickname “Nannan” brought a moment of confusion to Xu Yunqi. It had been so long since anyone had called her that, a name she thought she would never hear again. Years ago, she had hoped someone would call her that in the early morning smoke or the quiet of the night, but it never happened.

Seeing her mother’s hand reaching for her, she stepped back, “The Xu family is not my home. I have no home.” Her tone suddenly turned cold.

Madam Zhang froze, her face a mix of shock, confusion, embarrassment, and guilt, her eyes filling with tears as if she were a delicate bud exposed and on the verge of breaking.

Xu Yunqi no longer paid attention to her and turned to go upstairs. Her white dress fluttered in the wind, and her swift steps echoed in her mother’s heart. Madam Zhang watched as that resilient figure gradually disappeared from sight, feeling utterly empty and desolate.

The second floor of the clinic had a spacious hall, with two rows of private rooms on the east side for treating patients and a three-room suite on the west side, which Shopkeeper Hu had reserved as Xu Yunqi’s bedroom. As Xu Yunqi ascended the stairs, she heard the pained groans of a patient from one of the private rooms. She handed her bundle to Yin Xing and quickly went to investigate.

Some patients lived far away and needed round-the-clock treatment, so they stayed at the clinic.

After visiting the patients, Xu Yunqi returned to the west courtyard, where Yin Xing had already packed the medical pouch and bundle. The young maid stood by the desk, her eyes noticeably red. Xu Yunqi poured herself a cup of tea, drinking it as she asked, “Is it really that upsetting?”

Yin Xing turned to her in confusion and asked, “Miss, why did you say that to Madam? Didn’t you see how sad she was when she left?”

In her memory, Xu Yunqi had never really gotten angry or spoken harshly to anyone. But today, she said such things to Madam Zhang for the first time in years.

Xu Yunqi understood what Yin Xing meant. She set down her teacup, embraced her shoulders, and said, “Silly girl, if I don’t say this, she’ll keep worrying about me, always trying to arrange a marriage for me and have me settle in the capital with her.”

“Think about it, the Xi residence cares about their daughters-in-law being seen in public as physicians. Don’t you think the Xu family will care too? Can the Jiang family really be indifferent? The Xu family also wants to join the ranks of the elite in the capital. I don’t want to burden them.”

Xu Yunqi’s gaze drifted past her to the window, “Once we’ve avenged Aunt Pang and her daughter, we’ll go back to Jingzhou. From then on, the world is vast, and I will see her even less. By doing this, she’ll gradually let go of me over time.”

Yin Xing, having served her mistress for over a decade, understood her well and nodded tearfully, “So that’s it.” Yet, her heart ached even more.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from the stairs, followed by Shopkeeper Hu’s loud call, “Miss Xu, come quickly, there’s an emergency! This pregnant woman is having a difficult labor. She’s been struggling all day, and now the baby’s position is wrong, and her pulse is very unstable!”

Hearing this, Xu Yunqi’s expression hardened. Without a word, she picked up the medical pouch from the desk and quickly headed to the hall.

Yin Xing watched her decisive figure and wiped away her tears.

Having parents doesn’t necessarily mean having a home.

Xu Yunqi had no idea of the young maid’s turmoil. She entered the consultation room first with the medical pouch. Shopkeeper Hu directed people to place the barely conscious pregnant woman on the bed, surrounded by her tearful family. An elderly woman kept bowing to Xu Yunqi and Shopkeeper Hu, “Please, doctor, save my daughter. That heartless son-in-law wants to save the baby and abandon the mother. I don’t agree! She is my precious daughter, whom I carried for ten months. How can I let her go like this? I fought to bring her here. We’ve heard that Miss Xu is like the Bodhisattva of Compassion who saves the suffering. Please, both of you, save my daughter.”

Xu Yunqi had already washed her hands and changed her clothes. She stepped out from behind the screen, signaling the crowd to step back, and began to diagnose the patient.

Shopkeeper Hu, while urging the family members to leave, patiently reassured them, “Don’t worry, madam. We will do our utmost to save both mother and child. Please wait outside and give Miss Xu some space.”

The elderly woman wiped her tears, nodding repeatedly, and led the others out.

Shopkeeper Hu closed the door, his face serious, and rolled up his sleeves to wash his hands, “I’ll assist you.”

In the room, besides the two of them, there were also two female apprentices. They were used to working together, so they prepared everything in an orderly manner.

Xu Yunqi assessed the patient’s condition and determined that a cesarean section was necessary. She handed the medical pouch to Shopkeeper Hu, her eyes shining with calm determination, “Brother Hu, you’ve always wanted to see what the ‘Thirteen Needles’ are. Today, you’ll see them all!”

Shopkeeper Hu, excited, recalled that he had seen her master, Old Master Zhang, perform this technique once in Huizhou. However, the patient had a different condition back then, and only seven needles were used. He had always regretted not seeing the full technique. Today, this pregnant woman is in critical condition, and childbirth involves the entire body. The Thirteen Needles would likely be needed.

“Good, let me see the famous Thirteen Needles that are said to bring the dead back to life!”

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by rolling thunder and torrential rain.

Pei Muheng barely had time to drink a spoonful of porridge before leaving with an umbrella. The secret guard was already waiting with a carriage nearby. He closed the oil-paper umbrella and placed it on the carriage.

At that moment, a eunuch hurried after him from the Meridian Gate, “County Prince, where are you going?”

Pei Muheng stood on the carriage shaft and looked back, recognizing the person as Liu Xiwen’s adopted son from the Fengtian Hall, “What is it?”

The eunuch raised his hand to shield himself from the rain and called out, “His Majesty urges you to go to Fengtian Hall.”

Pei Muheng’s eyes narrowed. Without responding, he turned and got into the carriage. The secret guard cracked the whip, and the horse’s hooves splashed through the water as they hurried southward.

Huang Wei rushed over with a food box, jumped onto the carriage shaft, and handed the food box through the curtain, “Third Young Master, have something to eat.”

There was no movement inside the carriage for a while.

A little hunger may help him think clearly. He knew he should choose to go to the palace and request the decree, and from then on, they would go their separate ways. No one would have to compromise for the other, yet he couldn’t control his legs.

The sound of the rain, the whip, and the hurried footsteps of passersby echoed in his ears.

A voice broke through the barriers, cutting through the confusion and telling him clearly.

She was his wife, his legitimately wedded wife.

The carriage arrived outside Chengyang Medical Clinic in the dim light. The streets and alleys were rivers of water, the stone slabs in front of the clinic awash, with a few fallen petals floating and reflecting the water’s light.

The secret guard jumped into the puddle and placed a stool below. Pei Muheng, ignoring the umbrella, stepped onto the stool and climbed the steps. As he raised his eyes, a white figure stood straight at the clinic’s entrance, blocking his way. The man’s face was handsome, his long sleeves flowing, one hand behind his back, exuding the elegance of a refined gentleman.

Pei Muheng did not recognize him. His gaze casually fell on the man’s face, but he did not stop walking.

The man cupped his hands in a respectful salute and bowed deeply,

“I am Jiang Yuhe. Greetings, Third Young Master.”

Pei Muheng paused slightly, narrowed his eyes, and replied indifferently, “Nice to meet you.” Then he continued on his way without paying further attention to him.

Before Pei Muheng could get closer, Jiang Yuhe took a bold step forward, nearly closing the distance between them. Pei Muheng did not like strangers getting close to him; his handsome brows furrowed, and a cold look appeared in his eyes.

Jiang Yuhe did not retreat. Instead, he cupped his hands again and earnestly said, “Third Young Master, let go. You are a high-ranking prince, and she is just an ordinary village doctor. In terms of status, you two are worlds apart. Why not take this opportunity to make a clean break and free both of you?”

Pei Muheng did not look at him. His deep gaze fell on the courtyard, and somehow, it seemed as if the rain had not touched him at all. He stood on the steps in his crimson robe, backlit by the wind and rain, his face appearing even darker, “What status do you have to say this to me?”

Jiang Yuhe laughed, though it was unclear if it was out of anger or self-mockery. His gaze shifted past Pei Muheng’s shoulder to the misty rain, and he said slowly, “Because she was supposed to be my wife.”

Those words felt like daggers piercing Pei Muheng’s heart, a surge of uncontrollable anger rising within him. He finally looked at Jiang Yuhe and calmly replied, “Let me remind you, she is my wife now.”

Jiang Yuhe scoffed, his long-suppressed anger bursting forth, “If not for the imperial decree, what business would you have here?”

“Oh, really?” Pei Muheng’s smile was cold, his tone steady and unyielding. He looked at Jiang Yuhe sideways and replied, “If that’s the case, why didn’t you go to the emperor and explain back then?”

Jiang Yuhe was infuriated, “Do you not understand why that marriage was arranged, Third Young Master? The emperor dislikes Prince Xi and did not want to see you ally with the Xun family, so he broke up me and Yunqi.”

Upon hearing the words “me and Yunqi,” a surge of killing intent welled up in Pei Muheng’s chest. His eyes turned cold and dangerous, “Master Jiang, you only exchanged betrothal tokens; there was no formal engagement. Don’t try to put gold on your face. If you couldn’t fight for her back then, there’s no need to pretend today.”

Jiang Yuhe found these royals utterly unreasonable. They were oppressive, and now they acted self-righteous. But Jiang Yuhe knew there was no point in angering Pei Muheng today, so he suppressed his anger and patiently said, “Back then, there were unavoidable circumstances. Now, the timing is right. His Majesty has already given his approval. Why not go with the flow, Third Young Master?”

“Has she had a good life since marrying into the Prince’s residence? Ask yourself, have you never looked down on her background? Has your mother never looked down on her? But in our Jiang family, we wouldn’t do that. We would treasure her…” His eyes softened as he spoke of treasuring her.

“Let go, Third Young Master,” Jiang Yuhe pleaded again.

Pei Muheng’s calm facade finally faltered, slowly turning serious. He indeed owed Xu Yunqi a lot, but he couldn’t let her go.

“Step aside,” he said calmly, still maintaining his composure.

Jiang Yuhe looked at his flawless face, finally unable to hold back, “Third Young Master, I might have some understanding of your ambitions, but you and she are not the same kind of people…”

Pei Muheng’s cold gaze swept over, stepping closer, “If you know I have ambitions, then you should know that I’m not someone you can offend. I said I wouldn’t let go, and even immortals can’t stop me. Or do you dare to pit the entire Jiang family against me?”

Jiang Yuhe’s words were caught in his throat, staring at Pei Muheng for a long time.

Pei Muheng’s expression remained unchanged.

Jiang Yuhe’s handsome figure swayed slightly with anger, “You have your world, and she has her stage. You shouldn’t restrain her… Pei Muheng, if you truly care for her, you shouldn’t restrain her…” Each word was filled with pain.

Pei Muheng saw no need to argue further, “How do you know she isn’t free with me?”

He strode past Jiang Yuhe and entered, seeing people bustling inside the clinic. Some were taking shelter from the rain, some were hurriedly buying medicine, and others were calm and composed medical practitioners. The secret guard gestured upstairs, and Pei Muheng quickly went up.

Compared to the bustling first floor, the second floor was much quieter. There was a clear voice echoing, breaking through all worldly distractions.

“The human body has twelve meridians: the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian, the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian… The twelve meridians are interconnected, ultimately forming a single continuous meridian. Each connection point is a critical area, commonly known as the Thirteen Passes. Our Thirteen Needles technique involves arranging the needles on the body like a battlefield formation, with Earth representing the Kun trigram and Thunder representing the Zhen trigram… The Eight Trigrams and Five Elements interact, complementing and enhancing each other. If a person is healthy, the meridians are clear, and when the meridians are clear, there is no pain. If there is pain, it means the meridians are blocked. My master said that regardless of the situation, as long as these Thirteen Passes are cleared, all diseases can be eliminated. The fetus in this woman’s womb seems to be in distress. By using the Heaven Needle to stabilize the qi and the Earth Needle to stabilize the blood, we can balance water and fire. The two forms transform into the four directions, and the four directions give rise to countless phenomena, creating endless vitality.”

Pei Muheng entered the hall and sat at a table opposite the private room. Through the door, he listened to the calm voice. It was not soft, but firm and resolute, without hesitation. The restlessness in his heart gradually subsided.

Through the thin window screen, he saw her elegant neck slightly extended, her hand rising and falling with the scalpel. In no time, she held a newborn baby in her hands.

This was a unique delivery. Shopkeeper Hu was amazed, having only read about such mysterious skills in ancient medical texts. Today, he witnessed it firsthand.

Shopkeeper Hu took the difficultly delivered baby from her hands, his face full of emotion. After cleaning the baby, he gave the little bottom a gentle pat, and the loud cry pierced through the gloomy sky. A new life had arrived.

The family members waiting anxiously outside the private room burst into tears. “She’s given birth, she’s given birth!”

“Doctor, how is my daughter?” the elderly woman tearfully asked at the window.

Shopkeeper Hu handed the baby to an apprentice and turned to the door, calling out, “Rest assured, Miss Xu is still treating her.”

Hearing this, the elderly woman relaxed slightly, her hunched body sliding down the door in relief, “Miss Xu is truly a Bodhisattva. Just now, the old imperial physician said there was no hope, but she saved her.”

Before long, the baby was brought out, and everyone eagerly gathered around, expressing their gratitude to Shopkeeper Hu.

Shopkeeper Hu smiled and waved it off, “Don’t thank me, thank Miss Xu. If it weren’t for her performing the cesarean section, it would have been a case of one corpse, two lives.”

Everyone was stunned upon hearing the words “cesarean section.”

Shopkeeper Hu explained further, and fortunately, the elderly woman was understanding. She wiped her tears and said, “As long as they are alive, that’s all that matters… that’s all that matters.”

Pei Muheng sat quietly on one side, taking in the scene. The purple clay teapot on the table was steaming hot. He poured a cup and let it cool.

Though the baby was delivered, the real work was just beginning. Xu Yunqi worked from early afternoon until late afternoon, finally cleaning the placenta and stitching up the wound. By the end, her legs were numb, and her neck ached. She rolled her neck, instructed Yin Xing on how to care for the woman, and then pushed open the door.

Cries of gratitude and tears of relief surrounded her. Some even knelt and bowed to her. Xu Yunqi smiled wearily and was about to speak when she saw someone sitting by the east window. The person had an elegant posture, leaning against a round-backed chair, holding a teacup, and his gaze carried an inscrutable coldness.

Xu Yunqi dispersed the crowd and approached him, “Third Young Master, why are you here?”

The divorce documents could have been sent by someone else; there was no need for him to come in the heavy rain personally.

Her face was clearly fatigued, and her voice was somewhat hoarse. Pei Muheng noticed her exhaustion, and the anger in his heart unknowingly subsided.

Xu Yunqi’s gaze scanned the area around him. His hands were empty, and the two attendants carried nothing either. Xu Yunqi looked puzzled and asked again, “Why are you here?”

Outside, the wind and rain gradually stopped, the sky began to clear, and a ray of light pierced through the clouds, illuminating his pale, sharp profile. Pei Muheng stood up, his dark eyes fixed on her, and he extended his hand, “Come home with me.”

Xu Yunqi was completely stunned, staring at him in confusion and unable to move for a moment.

After a brief silence, she said, “Third Young Master, you must understand that I will not change myself for you.” Her tone remained calm and resolute.

Pei Muheng’s eyes deepened, and he brought his hand closer, “I’ll say it again, come home with me.”

The cold and compelling aura unique to men pressed upon her, and Xu Yunqi furrowed her brows slightly, adding a hint of helplessness, “You should go to the palace. That way, we can both be free without hindering each other…”

These words were almost identical to what Jiang Yuhe had said, and a surge of anger nearly burst from Pei Muheng’s chest. He took a step forward, firmly surrounding her slender figure.

Xu Yunqi was forced to retreat, her entire body hitting a long table filled with medical cases. Pei Muheng placed his hands on the table, trapping her between it and his chest, looking into her clear eyes and questioning, “To you, is marriage something that is sustained if suitable and dissolved if not?”

Each word fell heavily, “To me, marriage is a commitment, a vow to never leave or forsake.”

The words “never leave or forsake” echoed in her mind, and for a moment, Xu Yunqi’s expression was dazed.

Seeing her lack of response, Pei Muheng, several times, wanted to forcibly grab her hand, but in the end, couldn’t bring himself to do it. His tone softened a bit, “Let’s go home.”