Chapter 199: Older ginger is spicier (1/2)

Chapter 199: Older ginger is spicier

With Gu Beiyue personally here to give free treatments, the Han family’s south clinic grew explosively popular. Aside from the wealthy types in the queue, many high officials and noble lords, as well as relatives of the imperial family, hurried over in hopes of getting a turn. The fact that Gu Beiyue was doing this under the Han family’s name was basically overlooked.

He was the head physician of the Imperial Physician Courtyard and Emperor Tianhui’s personal court physician. Without Emperor Tianhui’s appointment, who else could invite him out unless he himself hadn’t honored the person with his presence? The empress dowager got the news even before Murong Wanru had arrived. Her scouts had sent her constant updates of the hustle at the south clinic, angering her to the point that she couldn’t even sit still. Her fury grew and grew until she cracked.

“Someone, call Gu Beiyue. Just say I’m feeling, very, uncomfortable, and want him here immediately!” the empress dowager ordered between gritted teeth.

An eunuch was about to run off when Li mama hastened to stop him. “Mistress, you can’t, it’s impermissible!”

“How is it impermissible? He’s turned his elbows out1 and is getting an official salary from the palace while helping the Han family. Don’t think I’m afraid to touch him just because of his superb medical skills!” the empress dowager had been angered to her breaking point.

“Esteemed empress dowager, they’re treating patients for free. All of the city’s citizens are watching. If you summon Imperial Physician Gu back just like that, it’ll leave a bad impression!”

Li mama’s reminder finally calmed her down. Her words were right. It was free treatment for all patients, so if she pulled Gu Beiyue back in public eye and Han Yunxi took the chance to smear her name, the citizens’ mouths wouldn’t spare the empress dowager. Rising to her feet, the empress dowager began pacing back and forth. She couldn’t act rashly, but she wasn’t willing to reconcile to this, either.

“Is this Gu Beiyue really an idiot, or just pretending to be one? See how I’ll put him in his place when he gets back!”

In the midst of her anger, Murong Wanru arrived. She was about to report as she entered, but the empress dowager’s dark face told her that this situation wasn’t a good time. Still, she was anxious and wanted to explain.

“Esteemed empress dowager, Wanru already prepared everything in advance. This time, Han Yunxi was supposed to lose her reputation, completely suppressing the Han Clan, but I didn’t expect Imperial Physician Gu to actually…”

“Enough!”

Since empress dowager couldn’t call back Gu Beiyue right now, she changed the topic. “Get rid of your rudimentary acting! Han Yunxi isn’t so easy to deal with. Don’t underestimate her, understand?”

Murong Wanru was very unconvinced, but she didn’t dare retort. She knelt down hastily. “Wanru has always bore esteemed empress dowager’s teachings firmly in her mind. Neither have I ever underestimated the enemy, but this time…”

“So what if it’s this time? You’ve seen Han Yunxi’s poison and medical skills, but you still wanted to plot against her during her free treatments. I was the one who overestimated you. Or is it that you’ve grown lax and stupid after getting married?” The empress dowager’s tone of voice, along with her question, obviously carried implications of different meanings. Murong Wanru had only recently married, so how could she have gotten “lax?”

Murong Wanru’s heart trembled in terror. She was trying to figure out how to reply when the empress dowager turned the topic away with a ridiculing sneer. “The vice-president of the Ministry of Personnel is a cushy job. A few days ago, Marquis Pingnan’s2 estate and third-rank minister’s estate both brought this matter to me. I was still hesitating over who to grant the post to, but who knew…hehe, your older brother is really quite capable!”

As expected, this old empress dowager had been closely following the matters of Marquis Pingbei’s estate!

“Esteemed empress dowager, set your mind at ease. Wanru knows what to do. Please give Wanru a bit more time. As long as I find a chance, Wanru definitely won’t…”

This was already the third time that Han Yunxi had blocked the empress dowager. But this time, she didn’t denounce Wanru angrily. Instead, her lips curled up into a mocking lilt as she beckoned the girl to come closer. Truthfully speaking, this old woman was far harder to serve than Grand Concubine Yi. Murong Wanru couldn’t see through her at all, much less gain her favor. She rose and quickly walked over, but the empress dowager just grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.

This was the first time they’d been so close to each other. What did the empress dowager want to tell her? Murong Wanru’s heart hammered in her chest as she was filled with a terrible premonition.

“Wanru, how about I point out a clear path for you?” the empress dowager’s voice was very, very soft, yet oozing threateningly.

A clear path? Does the empress dowager have a good idea on how to deal with Han Yunxi?

Though Murong Wanru was flustered, she felt a tiny trace of joy and hastened to reply, “Wanru is slow-witted and stupid, may esteemed empress dowager give me guidance.”

The empress dowager’s smile deepened as her voice grew even lower. “Wanru, suppose that Grand Concubine Yi…were to die by Han Yunxi’s hands. Would the Duke of Qin forgive her then?”

Murong Wanru abruptly backed away at these words, her face turning pale in an instant. She covered her mouth, afraid that she’d cry out, startling the people in the surrounding area. She never thought the empress dowager would be so direct and ask for Grand Concubine Yi’s life!

Seeing her shock, the empress dowager simply picked up her tea and leisurely took a sip. “What is it, are you frightened?”

Murong Wanru could admit that she really was scared. She’d already betrayed Grand Concubine Yi by seeking refuge with the empress dowager, but she had never thought of truly threatening Grand Concubine Yi’s life. After all, she’d been adopted by her when she was six years old. Without Grand Concubine Yi, she didn’t even know if she would’ve lived until this day, much less where she’d be. She might resent Grand Concubine Yi now, but her ultimate target was still Han Yunxi! Murong Wanru stared blankly at the empress dowager without saying a word.

A flash of unhappiness flitted past the empress dowager’s eyes, though she maintained her calm demeanor. It almost seemed like she was making light talk. “The Duke of Qin might have given the position at the Ministry of Personnel, but I’m also capable of revoking Marquis Pingbei’s title…”

Murong Wanru’s legs turned weak as she collapsed to a kneeling position. “Esteemed empress dowager, have mercy! Have mercy!”