zChapter 1263 - YeXi] Bashful (2/2)
Zhao mama gave a start before she smacked him on the head. “As a servant, we have to watch what we say, understand what we see, and know what they want! This old lady serves my master’s living needs and knows exactly what displeases him as soon as he creases an eyebrow! How could I not know something as massive as His Majesty being wronged? If we waited until His Majesty voiced complaints, then I might as well retire and go home!”
Xu Donglin was really at a loss for words. After some thought, he finally said, “Zhao mama, the Tang Clan Head brought back all those old hens. Do you have any other secret techniques?”
Zhao mama chuckled enigmatically. Xu Donglin thought she had some high-level recipe in reserve, but she only declared, “I’ll make old duck soup!”
Xu Donglin felt his vision go black. Now the kitchen’s going to be a duck coop soon.
While Zhao mama was fretting over her master and mistress, Long Feiye and Han Yunxi were already in the carriage on the way to the Grand Tutor’s manor. Rui’er had just woken up from his noonday nap when they arrived and was playing with Gu Qishao and Lil Thing in the flower gardens.
On the side, Gu Beiyue and Mu Linger sat together discussing pharmaceutical topics. Although the couple had planned to go sightseeing, they stopped to join in the conversation as soon as they learned of the topic. Although change often caused problems, Long Feiye was more inclined to go with the flow with reforms.
Thus, he temporarily suppressed Gu Beiyue and Mu Linger’s preparations for reforming Medical and Medicine City. To place the medical and medicinal circles until the ownership of the royal court required the palace to hold enough clout and have enough capital to afford both industries. Without that, it was better to wait and see. At the very least, Medical and Medicine City could ensure that no unrest fell upon the medical community.
After the Xiao Clan was exterminated, its assets became public property and its wealth had solved the issue of the national treasury. There was also an abundance of relief money and supplies for Northern Li. As long as the tax reforms passed smoothly, the Great Qin’s finances would soon enter a positive cycle. If the distribution of wealth remained balanced after that, everything would improve gradually.
Long Feiye hoped to change Medical and Medicine City after the Great Qin’s financial and military sectors stabilized.
“We only need five to six years more before making a bolder move. By then, what will come will come. We won’t have to go around in circles for fear of the consequences,” Long Feiye said seriously.
Han Yunxi agreed with his views. She had many ideas about reforming the medical and medicinal circles, but it was futile to discuss them without a secure foundation first.
“Hasn’t Linger established a pharmacovigilance group? As I see it, Beiyue can also create a medical regulatory union. Whether it’s medicine or doctors, both will fall under jurisdiction of the royal court. In this way…”
Before Han Yunxi could finish, Gu Beiyue was already nodding. “This is an excellent idea! There are valid reasons to establish them. Linger and I are both qualified, plus we have Little Qi…”
All of them turned to see Gu Qishao rolling around on the grass with Rui’er. The two of them were having heaps of fun. Even Lil Thing had come out of hiding from a distance to join in. It had curled up into a ball to chase Rui’er back and forth.
Gu Beiyue’s courtyard wasn’t very big, but it was filled with spring scenery. All sorts of vibrant flowers bloomed in the grass and the trees were all in bloom. Many of their branches extended beyond the walls to share the splendor of springtime beyond the manor. There was no need to leave the capital when they could enjoy the scenery right here and watch Rui’er play around like a wild child. What a happy occasion!
The innocent fun on the grass amused the four adults until they forgot what they were talking about. Mu Linger suddenly stood up as if wanting to join them, but hesitated. Han Yunxi glanced at her and wondered whether she should give her a push. In the end, Mu Linger ran over first and started playing with the trio.
After the bet between Mu Linger and Gu Qishao that night, nobody knew whether Gu Qishao had fulfilled his end of the gamble. Still, seeing that he wasn’t avoiding Mu Linger now while she played with them, the group naturally assumed there was still something between the duo and didn’t ask.
Most likely, only Mu Linger and Gu Qishao knew the truth.
There were plenty of times when one wished desperately to be together but never saw it happen; conversely, once one gave up, one could be together daily.
What was this called?
During sleepless nights, Mu Linger would often think this was probably called “being destined to be apart.” Although they couldn’t be a couple, they didn’t have to never see each other again.
“Is Qin Min’s body doing better? It’s not cold anymore, so why not have her come here?” Han Yunxi asked.
“She’s lived so long in the south that she doesn’t want to come back anymore. This subordinate would rather find time to go south and enjoy the sights with her without ever returning.” Gu Beiyue’s smile was so full of adoration that even a shrewd woman like Han Yunxi was fooled. As for Long Feiye, he wasn’t concerned with so many matters. His attention was wholly focused on Rui’er. The first batch of spring tea was almost ripe. By then, Han Chen should be back too, right?
Gu Beiyue’s yearning expression made Han Yunxi soften. “Long Feiye, you should give the Grand Tutor a vacation. Have him bring Qin Min here so I can have a companion.”
Long Feiye immediately replied, “I’ve never restricted him.”
Gu Beiyue smiled helplessly and even sounded like he was put in a hard spot. “Esteemed Empress, Min’er’s stomach is already big. This subordinate…this subordinate couldn’t bear to have her suffer the toil of a long journey.”
Mu Linger suddenly piped in, “Grand Tutor Gu, Esteemed Empress was still running about when she was pregnant with the crown prince. A pregnant mother and her child aren’t that delicate and fragile! How could you be afraid while being a doctor yourself?”
Han Yunxi was tickled. “Qin Min is a doctor too! Beiyue, are you forbidding her from doing this and that all day? Did she finally get annoyed and ran away to play by herself in Jiangnan?”
Gu Beiyue had no words to refute beyond nodding his head. In the end, he never did end up going south, but the first batch of spring tea came from Jiangnan, the most precious biluochun leaves. Unfortunately, Han Chen didn’t come with it.
It wasn’t until half a month later that Long Feiye received the man’s invitation to drink South Peak Red at Celestial Fragrance Teahouse…