Chapter 20 – A Little Too Chubby

Madam Wei truly disliked Princess Junhe, but she didn’t dare show it too openly and could only remain silent.

Unexpectedly, Consort Wei took notice of her. “The Marchioness of Chengming hasn’t been to the palace in a while. Since you’re here today, why not come by my quarters later and try the new tea I’ve received?”

Wei-shi had no interest in palace intrigue and stood up to politely decline Consort Wei’s invitation. “I appreciate Your Grace’s kindness, but I came to the palace today for an urgent matter at home.”

The Empress was very pleased with her answer. Her brows relaxed slightly as she said, “I heard you’re here to request an imperial physician. Is it regarding the young heir…?”

Although the Empress had never seen the young heir of the Chengming Marquis household, she’d heard plenty.

They said he had an incredibly handsome but almost bewitching appearance, paired with a difficult and unruly temperament—so much so that even his own parents struggled to manage him.

Still, she had never heard of him harming anyone. It was probably just childish temper being exaggerated by gossip.

In contrast, Consort Wei’s daughter, Princess Junhe, had at the tender age of four already beaten a eunuch to death and crippled a palace maid. The Empress had tried to discipline her, but Consort Wei always opposed her, and the Emperor constantly spoiled the girl.

“Replying to Your Majesty, it’s not for my son. It’s for a maid who serves him.”

Before Wei-shi could finish explaining, Consort Wei suddenly sneered, “The lives of those in the Chengming Marquis household must be truly precious—calling for an imperial physician over a maid?”

Clearly dissatisfied with Wei-shi’s earlier refusal, she took the opportunity to stir trouble before the Empress. “How pitiful that so many palace maids and eunuchs don’t even have the right to see a doctor. Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”

She tried to redirect the trouble, but the Empress didn’t take the bait. Not only did she avoid questioning the maid’s identity, she used Consort Wei’s own words to raise the idea of a charity clinic. “With the New Year approaching, it’s a good time to spread joy throughout the palace. Since Consort Wei is so kindhearted, I’ll fulfill your wish. Someone, go to the Office of Internal Affairs and withdraw six months of Consort Wei’s allowance to fund this charity clinic. Let all the eunuchs and maids share in her generosity.”

Once the Empress finished speaking, Consort Wei’s face instantly darkened.

Six months’ allowance wasn’t a huge amount, but the Empress had publicly issued the order. It was like putting a high hat on her and forcing her onto the stage—now she had no choice but to comply, and she couldn’t even give less than expected.

Rolling her eyes, Consort Wei turned and left with Princess Junhe in tow.

As soon as she was gone, the Empress gave a knowing smile and began chatting with Wei-shi.

Wei-shi was clever. Knowing that Yao Yao’s identity didn’t warrant requesting an imperial physician, she kept things vague—merely mentioning that the girl had a pitiful background and had won her son’s affection, so she was kept in the courtyard.

If one day the two grew to love each other, she would very much approve of Yao Yao as her daughter-in-law.

The Empress had just used Wei-shi to put Consort Wei in her place and was now quite accommodating, immediately assigning the skilled Physician Jiang to accompany Wei-shi back to her residence.

At that moment, the Marquis of Chengming had just returned from court. Upon hearing that his wife had gone to the palace, he feared something had happened there. Once he found out it was to request a physician, he frowned.

“I thought we had a household physician? Why go to such lengths for this?”

Nanny Zhao, who had always served beside Wei-shi, explained, “My lord, our household physician can only treat minor ailments. He’s not nearly as skilled as an imperial physician. Besides, this time it was the young heir himself who requested it. How could Madam bear to refuse?”

The Marquis’s brows immediately furrowed. “Is Xing’er unwell?”

Nanny Zhao quickly clarified, “The young heir is perfectly healthy. It’s Miss Yao Yao.”

Unexpectedly, upon hearing it was for Yao Yao, the Marquis’s expression didn’t ease—in fact, it grew even more twisted.

Trying to sound casual, he revealed some clear discomfort. “Yao Yao’s just an outsider girl. She eats and drinks fine—what kind of illness could she have that needs an imperial physician? But since your Madam already brought one, let him take a good look. Just make sure she doesn’t end up with some lingering condition.”

“Oh, right. On my way back from court, I passed by a newly opened pastry shop and picked up a few things. Take them and deliver them to Wei Rui Court.”

Nanny Zhao was utterly confused by the Marquis’s behavior.

Did the lord like Miss Yao Yao or not?

When Wei-shi returned with the physician in tow, Yao Yao was, as usual, sitting on a stone stool sighing heavily.

Upon hearing the commotion at the gate, she slowly raised her little head and saw Nanny Zhao leading a white-haired old man toward her. Wei-shi followed closely, her expression tense and clearly anxious.

Seeing this scene, Yao Yao was completely baffled.

Luckily, Xie Yixing appeared in time and stepped between her and the group.

Nanny Zhao halted abruptly just three steps from him, causing Physician Jiang to stop as well.

Physician Jiang adjusted his hat and looked blankly at Yao Yao’s round little face. His own face flushed. “The patient looks rosy and alert. You dragged this old man all the way here like it was a matter of life and death!”

He was already getting on in years. Riding in a bumpy carriage was bad enough, but then being pulled along in such a rush nearly finished him off.

Normally, when summoned to attend the imperial consorts, they treated him with great care.

If not for the Empress’s personal command, he’d be basking in the sun at the Imperial Medical Court right now.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Physician Jiang grew more annoyed by the second.

Just then, he turned slightly and met a pair of deep, cold black eyes that made his bones tremble.

This must be the Heir of Chengming?

His looks truly were extraordinary, and his demeanor was no less noble than any prince’s.

Aloof and refined.

Clearly not someone easy to approach.

Physician Jiang had seen his share of power players and was quite adept at reading people.

Knowing he couldn’t afford to offend this young man, he lowered his posture and bowed respectfully. “This old subject greets the young heir.”

The young heir ignored the gesture and said coldly, “Examine her.”

“Yes, yes.”

Physician Jiang immediately became docile and looked at Yao Yao with much more warmth.

Despite his earlier displeasure, the moment he saw Yao Yao’s charming round face, he couldn’t help but feel a fondness for her.

“Sweet girl, show Grandpa Jiang your chubby little arm so I can have a look.”

Physician Jiang wasn’t sure if saying this was overstepping, but he was old enough to be her grandfather anyway.

Yao Yao still hadn’t figured out what was happening when Xie Yixing stepped to her side, gently took her arm, and rolled up her sleeve to reveal a plump, fair elbow.

As soon as Physician Jiang touched it, he let out a sigh. “Ah…”

Wei-shi, who had remained silent, suddenly teared up. “Is it serious, Physician Jiang?”

He shook his head and moved his fingers slightly downward, then sighed heavily again. “She’s a bit too chubby—I can’t find the pulse.”

The tears in Wei-shi’s eyes immediately dried up.

Nanny Zhao also let out a long sigh of relief. This old man sure knows how to scare people.

Yao Yao, meanwhile, remained completely confused. She blinked her big eyes and looked up at Xie Yixing, her rosy little mouth slightly open in bewilderment.