With Gu Beiyue holding the fort, the Han family clinic in the south of the city was bustling with activity. Leaving aside the wealthy families, many of the city's high officials and nobles, as well as members of the imperial family, had rushed over in hopes of getting a spot in the queue.
As for the fact that Gu Beiyue was holding a clinic in the name of the Han family, it was completely ignored.
Gu Beiyue was the head of the Imperial Physician Courtyard and Emperor Tianhui's personal physician. Without Emperor Tianhui's appointment, who would be able to invite him if he didn't give them face?
Murong Wanru hadn't even arrived when the empress dowager found out about Gu Beiyue's attendance at the clinic. Spies kept coming to report the bustling scene outside the south of the city, making her restless. Her anger grew stronger and stronger until she threw caution to the wind.
"Someone come, summon Gu Beiyue. Just say that I'm very uncomfortable. Have him come here immediately!" the empress dowager ordered through gritted teeth.
The eunuch was in a hurry to go, but Li mama quickly stopped him. "Mistress, you can't, you can't!"
"Why can't I? He's an outsider, using the palace's salary to work for the Han family. Don't think I won't touch him just because his medical skills are superior!" the empress dowager was furious.
"Esteemed Empress Dowager, that's a free clinic. All the common people in the city are watching. If you summon Imperial Physician Gu back like this, it'll have a bad influence!"
Li mama's reminder calmed the empress dowager down.
Li mama was right. That was a free clinic. If she summoned Gu Beiyue back in front of everyone, if Han Yunxi took the chance to defame her, the common people wouldn't spare her.
The empress dowager stood up and paced back and forth, not daring to act rashly, but unwilling to give up. "Is this Gu Beiyue really stupid or pretending to be stupid? See how I deal with him when he comes back! "
The empress dowager was in a fit of anger when Murong Wanru arrived. She was about to complain when she saw the empress dowager's gloomy face and knew the situation wasn't good.
But she was anxious and had to explain herself.
"Esteemed Empress Dowager, Wanru arranged everything long ago. This time, not only could Han Yunxi's reputation fall, but the Han family would never be able to rise again. But I didn't expect Imperial Physician Gu to …"
"Enough!"
The Empress Dowager could not summon Gu Beiyue for the time being. She changed the topic and said sternly, "Put away your cheap tricks! Han Yunxi is not that easy to deal with. Aijia has reminded you again and again not to underestimate her. Did you listen? "
Murong Wanru was very unconvinced, but she didn't dare to refute. She hurriedly knelt down. "Wanru has always remembered Her Highness the Empress Dowager's teachings and has never underestimated the enemy. But this time …"
"What about this time? It's not like you haven't seen Han Yunxi's poison and medical skills before, but you're still trying to scheme against us at the free clinic? Did I overestimate you, or did you grow stupid because you've been too comfortable after marriage? "
The Empress Dowager asked angrily, clearly implying something. She'd only been married for a short time, so where did the word "comfortable" come from?
Murong Wanru's heart trembled with fear. She didn't know how to reply, but the Empress Dowager changed the topic to a mocking laugh. "The position of assistant minister of the Ministry of Appointments is a cushy one. A few days ago, the madams of Marquis Pingnan's estate and the Duke's estate both mentioned it to me. I was still undecided and didn't know who to give it to. Who knew … heheh, your older brother from your maternal family has quite the skills!"
As expected, the Empress Dowager had been paying close attention to the developments at Marquis Pingbei's estate!
"Esteemed Empress Dowager, don't worry. Wanru knows what to do. May Esteemed Empress Dowager give Wanru a few more days. As long as I find a chance, Wanru definitely won't …"
This was the third time the Empress Dowager had told Han Yunxi to stop. But this time, she didn't scold her, but kept her mocking smile as she beckoned for Murong Wanru to come over.
It had to be said that this old lady was even harder to please than Grand Concubine Yi. She was so unpredictable that Murong Wanru couldn't figure her out.
She stood up and walked over with quick steps, but the Empress Dowager took her hand and had her come closer.
This was the first time they were so close. What did the Empress Dowager want to tell her?
Murong Wanru's heart sped up as she had a bad premonition.
"Wanru, I'll point out a clear path for you, alright?" the Empress Dowager's voice was very, very low, especially terrifying.
A clear path?
Did the Empress Dowager have a good way to deal with Han Yunxi?
Although Murong Wanru was flustered, she was still happy. She hastened to reply, "Wanru is slow-witted. May Esteemed Empress Dowager give me more pointers."
The Empress Dowager's smile deepened as her voice dropped even lower. "Wanru, say, if Grand Concubine Yi … dies by Han Yunxi's hands, will the Duke of Qin spare her?"
Murong Wanru immediately backed away at these words, her face ashen. She quickly muffled her mouth, afraid that she'd scream and startle the people around them.
She never expected the Empress Dowager to be so direct as to take Grand Concubine Yi's life!
Seeing Murong Wanru's shocked expression, the Empress Dowager calmly picked up a teacup and took a few slow sips. "What, did I scare you?"
Murong Wanru admitted that she really was scared. She'd betrayed Grand Concubine Yi to rely on the Empress Dowager, but she'd never thought of harming Grand Concubine Yi's life. After all, she'd been adopted by Grand Concubine Yi since she was six years old. Without Grand Concubine Yi, she didn't even know if she'd still be alive, or where she'd be.
She had a lot of resentment towards Grand Concubine Yi, but the person she wanted to deal with most was Han Yunxi!
Murong Wanru stared blankly at the Empress Dowager without replying.
Displeasure flitted through the Empress Dowager's eyes, but her face was still calm. She spoke as if chatting idly, "If the Duke of Qin can take the position of assistant minister of the Ministry of Appointments, then I can at least take back the title of Marquis Pingbei …"
Murong Wanru was so frightened that her legs turned to jelly. She almost fell to her knees. "Esteemed Empress Dowager, have mercy! Have mercy! "
The Empress Dowager couldn't stop the Duke of Qin from finding a position for Zhangsun Che, but she had plenty of ways to have the Emperor destroy Marquis Pingbei's estate, strip away the hereditary title, confiscate the family's properties, and suppress Marquis Pingbei's estate to death!
When the time came, would the Duke of Qin still interfere with court politics for her sake and clash with the Emperor again? Murong Wanru didn't believe he would.
The fate of Marquis Pingbei's estate was her fate. Marquis Pingbei's honor and disgrace were her honor and disgrace as well. She couldn't bear the consequences!
"You're a smart child. I've already pointed out the path for you. Go back and think over what you should do."
The empress dowager didn't give Murong Wanru a chance to speak. She waved her hand, indicating for Murong Wanru to withdraw. She only sighed faintly. "Alas … remember, my patience is limited. I'll only give you three months. You can only succeed, not fail …"
Murong Wanru didn't know how she'd walked out, but her ears kept repeating the Empress Dowager's words. Take back Marquis Pingbei's title … take back Marquis Pingbei's title …
It wasn't until she left the palace gates and a cool breeze brushed against her face that Murong Wanru came to her senses. She immediately shook her head. No, she definitely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen!
"If Grand Concubine Yi dies at Han Yunxi's hands … if Grand Concubine Yi dies at Han Yunxi's hands?"
She muttered to herself. Suddenly, she realized that her previous methods were just as the Empress Dowager had said. They were all low-level tricks. They were nothing more than little tricks.
The Empress Dowager's move was killing two birds with one stone.
In the end, the older the ginger, the spicier it was!
Murong Wanru's lips drew up in a sinister curve. By now, she'd already tossed Grand Concubine Yi's kindness to the back of her mind. She only had three months. This was a chance to fight for life after death. She wouldn't allow herself to fail!
It looked like she'd have to go back to the Duke of Qin's estate more often in the coming days.
Murong Wanru's men didn't make a move, and with Gu Beiyue keeping watch, the free clinic went smoothly for the entire day. Fortunately, Seventh Madame had the foresight to limit the number of patients early on and refuse to wait in line. Otherwise, Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue wouldn't be able to finish until tomorrow night.
This time's free clinic was a resounding success. Han Yunxi never thought that her success would spread her name throughout Cloud Realm Continent's medical community. Even the medical academy's classes mentioned her name.
The free clinic had just finished packing up when someone made an appointment for next month's 15th. There were even people asking if the other three clinics would have free clinics as well and which doctors they'd invite.
Han Yunxi helped tidy up as she tilted her head towards Gu Beiyue and asked in a low voice, "Imperial Physician Gu, will there be a next time?"
Gu Beiyue only smiled wordlessly, but Han Yunxi knew there would be a next time. She smiled sweetly at Gu Beiyue.
Seeing this woman so happy made Gu Beiyue happy as well. Actually, there wasn't just a next time, but the one after that. If possible, he hoped that he and Han Yunxi could keep up this act of kindness forever.
"Esteemed wangfei, let's put up the notice tonight. In the future, I'll be here with you on the 15th of every month."
"Gu Beiyue, you've got guts. Aren't you afraid that the masters of the palace will make trouble for you?" Han Yunxi naturally hoped he'd come again, but she couldn't harm him.
"Esteemed wangfei, don't worry. I have my own ways to deal with them."
Gu Beiyue's smile was very gentle, but it had its own reassuring power.
This could be considered acting first and reporting later. Putting up the notice first and letting the entire city know, it would be difficult for the empress dowager or the emperor to stop him from continuing to participate. As for what he would face after returning to the palace, he didn't want to think too much about it for now.
"Then next time, be there or be square!" Han Yunxi was reassured.
On the side, little Yi 'er heard this and thought Gu Beiyue was about to leave. He ran over in a hurry and hugged Gu Beiyue. "Big brother Beiyue, my mother said you've worked hard today. You've contributed the most, so she wants you to come to the estate for a meal. You can't leave!
Han Yunxi raised an eyebrow as she studied the little brat. She asked seriously, "When did you start calling me big brother Beiyue? How come I didn't know? He's contributed the most, but I've contributed the most too? "
Little Yi 'er was still shy. His little face reddened as he hid behind Gu Beiyue. He had been assisting big brother Beiyue today and discovered that big brother Beiyue was the most approachable and gentle person in the world. How he wished big brother Beiyue could become his brother-in-law. Unfortunately, he already had one.
He had never seen his brother-in-law before, but he had heard many people say that his brother-in-law was the most arrogant and coldest person in the world.
Gu Beiyue smiled and said nothing. Little Yi 'er carefully poked his head out again and actually said, "Big sis, mother was afraid big brother Beiyue wouldn't give her face, so she wants you to invite him."
Han Yunxi couldn't tease him anymore. Gu Beiyue laughed out loud and pulled little Yi 'er in front of him. He rubbed his little head and teased, "Then go ask your big sis. Is she inviting him or not?"
Little Yi 'er was serious. He immediately looked back at Han Yunxi. "Big sis, hurry up and invite big brother Beiyue. Mother has prepared a lot of delicious food!"
Is this child a little smarter, or a little dumber?
Han Yunxi smiled helplessly. "Gu Beiyue, will you do me the honor?"
"It will be my honor." Of course Gu Beiyue would agree.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
