Chapter 23: Qingzhu Wants to Learn Medicine

Qingzhu’s already-pink cheeks turned bright red, and he lowered his head even more, lips tightly pressed together, looking like a pitiful, aggrieved little kitten.

An Xiyan’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Qingzhu looks so pitiful like this—how adorable!

She gently said, “Alright, Qingzhu, we won’t look at you anymore. But we’re really curious—how do you know so much about the Scarlet-Tailed Fire Fox?”

Qingzhu shyly peeked up at An Xiyan, then quickly lowered his head again and replied in a small voice, “Madam gave me a medical book filled with strange and rare tales. That’s where I learned about it.”

“It records many fascinating creatures and some old folk remedies and medical techniques. I remember them all quite clearly.”

Everyone nodded in understanding. It was obvious now that Qingzhu had a genuine interest in this subject.

An Xiyan’s bright eyes sparkled slightly. “Qingzhu, do you like medicine?”

Qingzhu’s body froze for a moment before quickly nodding, his tone firm. “Miss, I do. I really like medicine.”

He Lianrong was startled, then hurried over and patted Qingzhu on the shoulder.

“You silly boy,” she said, sounding both annoyed and distressed. “Why didn’t you ever tell your father and me that you liked medicine? You’re such a bottle-up-everything kind of kid.”

As she spoke, a look of guilt appeared on her face. “If your father and I had known you were interested in medicine, we’d have begged the master and madam to let you study it.”

Qingzhu’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. He looked at He Lianrong in disbelief and asked, “Mother, would you and Father really allow me to study medicine?”

“Of course we would. As long as it’s what you want, we have no objections,” He Lianrong replied with a gentle smile.

Qingzhu’s pupils contracted, his voice trembling slightly. “Wouldn’t… wouldn’t you think that being a physician is a lowly profession, one that’s looked down upon?”

“You silly child!” He Lianrong lightly tapped Qingzhu on the forehead.

She was both amused and exasperated. “I was raised under Madam’s influence since I was young, so my thinking is completely different from that of other women.”

“I never had dreams of you becoming some great scholar or official. As long as you and your sister live happily and do what you truly love, I’m already content.”

“As for your father…” He Lianrong glanced over at her husband, whose face was currently a mix of guilt and surprise, and she added with a playful scoff, “He listens to everything I say. He wouldn’t dare—”

“…I would never oppose you learning medicine.”

“Really?” Qingzhu’s heart surged with excitement. He looked at Meng Guangping with bright, hopeful eyes and asked nervously, “Father, you really don’t object to me studying medicine?”

Meng Guangping glanced sideways at his wife—only to see He Lianrong glaring fiercely at him. That look clearly said: If you dare say no, you’re dead.

He suddenly felt very wronged. He hadn’t even said no! But the way his wife was staring at him made him feel like he had zero standing in the household. So sad.

“Father?” Qingzhu called again, voice filled with anxiety.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Meng Guangping quickly looked at He Lianrong, heart skipping a beat. He hurriedly nodded. “Yes, yes! I agree. I don’t object to you studying medicine. But…”

“But what?” Qingzhu’s heart tightened again. He looked at Meng Guangping with wide, nervous eyes, afraid his father would change his mind.

Seeing his son like this, Meng Guangping chuckled. It’s been a long time since this kid showed so much emotion.

Usually, he either stayed silent or kept a cold face. If it weren’t for his young age, strangers might think he was collecting debts with that expression.

He Lianrong couldn’t take it anymore. Seeing how her son looked like he was about to cry from nerves, and her useless husband still teasing him like this, her anger exploded.

She stormed over, hands on her hips, and grabbed Meng Guangping’s ear with one swift motion.

“Meng Guangping, I suggest you act with some kindness. Stop tormenting our poor son! Can’t you see he’s about to cry?”

As she scolded him, she pointed at pitiful little Qingzhu. If the setting had been more private, she’d have made this man kneel on a washboard already.

Just look at how smug he was—no fatherly decency at all.

“Ow, ow, ow! Wife, please let go of your delicate hand! I was wrong!” Meng Guangping, a full-grown man, now shrank like a quail, begging for mercy.

“Hmph. I’ll let you off this once. But don’t you dare pull that again next time,” He Lianrong huffed as she released him, throwing a glare his way.

Then, a sudden thought popped into her head. Hands still on her hips, she turned to face him, her expression fierce.

“Meng, be honest—are you the reason our son has been like a little mute all these years?”

Little mute Qingzhu: “???”
Mother… are you sure this so-called little mute is me?

Meng Guangping: “…”
At this point, even Dou E’s wrongful death wouldn’t compare to the injustice I’m feeling!

Honestly, women are such strange creatures—when they get stirred up, there’s no reasoning with them.

They change moods faster than flipping a page, and Meng Guangping was barely holding it together.

He hunched his shoulders, lowered his voice, and said submissively, “Wife, you’re really wronging me—I swear I didn’t! I really didn’t.”

“You did! If I say you did, then you did!” He Lianrong snapped angrily. “Otherwise, why else would Qingzhu not like to talk? Isn’t it because you’re always so stern with him?”

Meng Guangping froze. His expression turned blank.
What? Being strict isn’t good?

The old sayings didn’t lie—too much motherly affection really does spoil the child!

He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly swallowed his words. He was afraid that if he kept talking, his wife would never let it go.

Qingzhu, lips tightly pressed together, looked full of guilt.
If not for me, Father and Mother wouldn’t be arguing like this…

He tugged lightly at He Lianrong’s sleeve. “Mother, please don’t blame Father. I don’t talk much because of my own personality. It’s no one else’s fault.”

Then, clenching his fists and summoning all his courage, he said, “Since you both care so much about me being quiet, then I’ll work on it. I’ll try to speak more with you from now on—just please don’t argue over this anymore. It makes me feel really guilty.”

“As for…” Qingzhu lowered his head, his eyes reddening, a pained look on his face.

He took a deep breath, then forced the words out against his true wishes: “As for studying medicine… let’s not talk about it anymore. I’ve decided not to pursue it.”

I don’t want you two to fight over this…

It’s not that I think your relationship is bad or anything, but I just don’t like seeing scenes like that.

I really admire the bond between Master and Madam. They never argue over trivial things. Their relationship has always been harmonious—Master spoils Madam unconditionally, and she returns it in kind. The way they dote on each other is almost sickeningly sweet.

I want that kind of marriage in the future too—peaceful and happy for life.

Hearing Qingzhu’s words, his parents panicked.

Meng Guangping immediately raised his voice, “Qingzhu! I never said I was against you studying medicine!”

Now getting a little fired up, he added with frustration, “Your mother and I are doing this for your own good! We said we support your dream, and now you turn around and say you don’t want to pursue it anymore? What exactly do you want us to do?”