Chapter 198: Unexpectedly, he’s here to help (2/2)

A pensive Han Yunxi unconsciously turned back and saw a white-robed gentleman standing behind her. He was like carved jade or emerald pine, possessing a singular beauty in all the world. Such poetic words appeared in Han Yunxi’s head as soon as she saw him. This person was none other than the Imperial Physician Courtyard’s youngest head physician, Tianning Country’s authoritative medical expert, Gu Beiyue. His soft smile was very simple, but it was precisely this simplicity that brightened the whole world and made it clean. At least, it brightened Han Yunxi’s world.

“Gu Beiyue, why did you come?” Han Yunxi was pleasantly surprised, before she realized that Yi’er’s worries must have been pointed out by the doctor. Otherwise, a little brat like him who stayed at home all day, obsessed over his medical arts, would never understand such hefty concerns.

“Treating patients for free is a philanthropic act. How could esteemed wangfei forget to call me as well?” Gu Beiyue was rather serious as he replied.

Without a doubt, he was worried that she’d be schemed against, worried that something would disrupt her treatments, enough to make a personal trip to help her. This fellow, helping her was plain enough, but he’d actually used such a highfalutin excuse to question her back. Though she tacitly understood his intentions, she was now too shy to expose them outright. Actually, she’d harbored thoughts of inviting him long before, but was worried that he wouldn’t come. After all, he was an official of the imperial palace. If he helped her and the Han family, wouldn’t he be offending the emperor and empress dowager?

She wouldn’t expose his intentions, but she still had to remind him of his formidable connections. Half serious, half joking, Han Yunxi said, “Imperial Physician Gu, think it over clearly. If you lose your rice bowl1, you can’t get paid for treating patients for free. You’ll have live on air, then.”

Gu Beiyue smiled mildly. With his personality, there were only two reasons why he’d arrived. One was that he already had a counter plan in place, the other was that he didn’t want to overthink it, and followed his truest feelings to come here. No matter which one it was, the end result was that he was here.

“Esteemed wangfei, a doctor works beneath the Heavens. One earns one’s meals by looking after his craft, not the faces of other people.” He was grinning when he replied, that ever warm and constant smile. Though he was a doctor who lacked the strength to even truss a chicken, he still had the power to soothe others. His words set Han Yunxi much more at ease.

If she spoke too much and kept reminding him, it’d be both doubting and insulting him. She got straight to the point. “Imperial Physician Gu, please proceed!”

—

When Han Yunxi appeared at the entrance of the clinic, the expectant crowd all prepared to bow and pay their respects. Immediately, she stopped them.

“Today I’m just a doctor, not Qin Wangfei. There’s no need for everyone to stand on ceremony. If someone wants to kowtow to Qin Wangfei, please leave because esteemed wangfei won’t examine them.”

Her words were clean and direct, without putting on any affected airs. Those who heard it admired her in their hearts and recalled the recent incident where the Duke of Qin and esteemed wangfei had rode the same horse through the capital. It seemed that only an honest, free and easy speaking woman was the type to catch His Highness Duke of Qin’s eye.

Within the crowd of prospective patients was a good number of spectators who just came to watch. In a nearby teahouse, Murong Wanru was currently sitting alone by a window, coldly observing the scene. Her lip curled up into a mocking lilt. “Han Yunxi, the good show’s coming up later!”

Now that Murong Wanru was part of Marquis Pingbei’s estate, she was quite satisfied with everything except her husband. In the Duke of Qin’s estate, she was only a foster daughter who had to read Grand Concubine Yi’s moods, but at Marquis Pingbei’s estate she’d turned into some sort of Buddha that everyone else had to yield to. The difference between the two estates was playing the role of guest versus master. Hadn’t she always wanted to be a master in her own right?

Still, she was very clear that unless she took care of Han Yunxi, that person in the palace wouldn’t let her live a comfortable life. Today’s free treatment session was a perfect chance. Unexpectedly, Murong Wanru’s plans were suddenly derailed by Han Yunxi inviting out Gu Beiyue.

“Everyone, today the south clinic is extremely honored to solicit Imperial Physician Gu Beiyue to join in on the free treatment sessions. I believe everyone’s clear on Imperial Physician Gu’s medical skills. Let’s not waste too many words and start right now.”

Han Yunxi and Gu Beiyue had both sat down, but silence still reigned over the crowd. Whether it was the patients queuing up or the spectators on the side, everyone was amazed! Heavens, one Qin Wangfei was already unfathomable, but even the head physician of the Imperial Physician Courtyard had come! This was way too much face for the Han family!

Seventh Madame and little Yi’er watched from inside the clinic, both very happy. It seemed that they could see the future of the Han family from there. Meanwhile in the teahouse, Murong Wanru had long stood up in shock.

Gu Beiyue…Gu Beiyue… Why did he come? Does the empress dowager know about this?

With Gu Beiyue here, how could there be any hard causes to cause difficulties for them? At the very least, Murong Wanru couldn’t find one right away. She gave up on watching to hurry back into the palace…

1. lose your rice bowl (丢了饭碗) – diule fanwan, colloquial meaning to lose one’s job, one’s livelihood, the thing one depends on to earn one’s meals.