Chapter 33

Chapter 33 As for the Princess Consort standing in her way? Wan Linlang let out a disdainful chuckle. A person who would die sooner or later—for now, she was merely holding the position for her in advance. Soon, an epidemic broke out in Mizhou. Prince Jing immediately thought of the warning in Xie Run's letter. "After a great drought, great disasters are sure to follow. I hope Your Highness will not take this lightly. I also hope Your Highness will take care of your health and not avoid seeking medical advice out of stubbornness. It is often said that there are many skilled physicians among the common folk. If you encounter difficulties, you may search far and wide for them—first, to protect your own well-being, and second, for the convenience of the people..." Xie Run did not dare discuss politics, nor did she dare directly point out that an epidemic would break out after the drought. The letter focused primarily on concern for Prince Jing's health, with only a slight extension mentioning that other disasters might follow the drought. It pointed Prince Jing toward a path of seeking skilled physicians among the common people. Those casual words now carried considerable weight and warmth in Prince Jing's heart. Now that the epidemic had broken out, Prince Jing was not caught off guard as he had been in his previous life. He handled everything methodically. He even immediately dispatched a team to search for folk physicians in the countryside, seeking remedies for the plague. This saved many unnecessary procedures. But in this world, man proposes and heaven disposes. The one who found Wan Linlang first was not Prince Jing, but Jiang Baobao, the daughter of Prefect Jiang Bin. Jiang Baobao was fiery and arrogant by nature. Without a word, she had people bring Wan Linlang to the provincial medical bureau. Along with Wan Linlang, physicians from all over were also dragged in. At least twenty or thirty people in total, scattered about. She held a leather whip, with two guard squads flanking her. "Among you, if anyone can cure the epidemic, this young lady will reward you handsomely. But if anyone dares deceive me, don't blame this young lady's whip for not recognizing who you are." With that, she cracked the whip against the ground, producing a sound that made one's flesh ache. Wan Linlang's heart, however, sank. This had never happened in her previous life. This Miss Jiang—in her past life, she had stayed put in the inner courtyard throwing her weight around. Why had she suddenly appeared now? What on earth had changed?! In fact, Wan Linlang had already sensed something was wrong when Prince Jing arrived in Mizhou ahead of schedule to provide disaster relief. But she had only assumed it was because her rebirth had come too late. She never expected that one misstep would lead to another. This Miss Jiang was notorious throughout Mizhou City for her arrogance and willfulness. Wan Linlang had mingled in the capital in her past life and knew well the ways of such pampered noble daughters. If she didn't produce a cure now but could produce one later, Miss Jiang would surely turn around and accuse her of deliberate delay. But if she made her move now— Who would get the credit? Wan Linlang certainly didn't think the arrogant Miss Jiang would put in a good word for her. If things went wrong, Wan Linlang would truly have thrown a chicken and lost the rice used to bait it. Moreover, why would Miss Jiang, a young lady of the inner chambers, go out of her way to gather physicians from the countryside for no reason? Wan Linlang could only think of one reason. Prince Jing. Sure enough, when Wan Linlang said she had several remedies for the epidemic, Miss Jiang immediately brought her to see Prince Jing. Inside the Prefect's residence, Wan Linlang saw Prince Jing once more. When she laid eyes on that handsome face she had yearned for day and night, memories of both her past and present lives flooded her mind, and Wan Linlang stood frozen in place. Miss Jiang took in the scene, a hint of fury flashing across her face as she silently cursed the wench. Prince Jing was a son of the dragon—how dare a mere female physician covet him! Once the epidemic was over, she'd see how she dealt with this little slut! Wan Linlang deliberately stalled for two days, waiting until the epidemic had spread on a much larger scale before "developing" a cure. Once the remedy was put to use, its effects were excellent. The plague within Mizhou was quickly suppressed. Another month passed, and the disaster relief came to a complete end. Prince Jing was preparing to return to the capital. Everything happened just as Wan Linlang had feared. This time, the true meritorious figure of the relief efforts had become Miss Jiang. Because she had helped Prince Jing find a "renowned physician" who had promptly developed a cure and treated the epidemic. Some agreement had apparently been reached between the Jiang family and Prince Jing, for upon returning to the capital, Prince Jing deliberately brought Miss Jiang along to commend her merits. As for Wan Linlang, she was merely a minor female physician who had contributed a cure for the plague. It didn't even compare to the life-saving grace she had shown Prince Jing in her previous life. Everything Wan Linlang had done had become a wedding dress for Miss Jiang. She was about to vomit blood from sheer frustration. Seeing that Prince Jing was about to return to the capital and only asked what reward she wanted, with no intention whatsoever of bringing her along, Wan Linlang had no choice but to ask for her reward herself. "This common woman admires Your Highness and wishes to serve by Your Highness's side for life. I beg Your Highness to grant my wish." She was young now, her skin delicate and smooth. Without much adornment, paired with a composed and gentle temperament, she naturally exuded a certain charm. Prince Jing frowned at Wan Linlang's request, then asked, "You wish to be my woman?" Wan Linlang gritted her teeth and answered, "Yes! This common woman's feelings are sincere..." Prince Jing waved his hand dismissively, finding it utterly uninteresting. "Fine!" And so he agreed. Given Wan Linlang's contributions, rewarding her with the position of a concubine was not unreasonable. Wan Linlang actually wanted to fight for more. In her previous life, she had at least managed to become a Concubine Consort. Now, living a second time, she had only obtained the position of a concubine. It was even worse than her past life. If it weren't for the hope that Prince Jing would one day ascend the throne and she could claim that phoenix seat, Wan Linlang would never have wanted to enter the Prince Jing manor. Especially not in such a manner! For now, she could only endure and bide her time. The Prince Jing manor in the capital— News of Prince Jing's impending return had already spread. The manor seemed to have been infused with new vitality, with people everywhere beginning to stir. The Princess Consort had the courtyards swept daily and decorations added throughout, putting on the appearance of a wife eagerly awaiting her husband's return. Xie Run was privately cracking melon seeds with Dantao. "The Princess Consort must be too idle. She always needs to find some amusement." Dantao said helplessly, "Mistress... please watch your words!" Xie Run smiled and was about to continue her teasing when a young maid suddenly arrived to report. "Concubine Xie, your family has arrived!" Xie Run's eyes lit up. "So soon? Where are they now?" Ever since Prince Jing had left, Xie Run had been trying to find a way to get the Xie family to visit so she could settle Yuli properly. She had sent a letter to the Xie family, but she didn't know whether they would come. Now that she heard the news, she was naturally delighted. "They're in Qingsong Courtyard, having tea in the Princess Consort's courtyard." Xie Run supported her slightly swollen belly as she rose. "Then let's go now, and thank the Princess Consort while we're at it." Xie Run had already informed the Princess Consort in advance about the Xie family's visit. Now that the Princess Consort was keeping the Xie family for tea, it was a show of face for Xie Run. Xie Run knew she should be grateful. On the way, Xie Run asked the young maid, "How many people came? Who are they?" "Only one came. I heard it's the eldest Miss Xie—that is, your elder sister, Mistress." Xie Run's footsteps froze in place. "Who did you say?" The young maid paused and said softly, "Your elder sister..." The Xie family was not large, and this generation had only three children. The eldest sister Xie Jiang, the second brother Xie Jing, and Xie Run. Their parents were still capable of managing the household. The elder brother was preparing for next spring's imperial examination, while the eldest sister had long been betrothed and was awaiting marriage at home. After sending the letter, Xie Run had considered her parents or her elder brother coming—but never once had she imagined her eldest sister coming to the capital alone. What was going on?! How could Father and Mother Xie feel at ease about this? When they arrived at Qingsong Courtyard, Xie Run first paid her respects to the Princess Consort before she had a chance to look at Xie Jiang. In a daze, she felt the woman before her was utterly unfamiliar. Her features were exactly the same as her eldest sister's, yet her entire bearing was completely different—as if a different soul had taken her place. In that instant, a flood of unfamiliar information rushed into Xie Run's mind. All of it concerned her eldest sister. Xie Run fell into a long silence. The Princess Consort thought she was being reserved in Qingsong Courtyard, so after keeping Xie Jiang for a cup of tea, she let Xie Run take Xie Jiang to Linxuan Pavilion to entertain her. On the way, Xie Run said nothing, while Xie Jiang quietly took in every detail of the Prince Jing manor without betraying a hint of her observations. When they reached Linxuan Pavilion and tea was set out, Xie Run finally seemed to snap back to reality. "Elder Sister, please sit." Xie Jiang had already taken her seat, her tone grand and forthright. "It's been a long time, Little Sister. You've changed a great deal." Xie Run gazed at Xie Jiang and said meaningfully, "This time we meet, Elder Sister has changed a great deal too. I almost didn't recognize you." Xie Jiang had been transmigrated for over half a month now, and handling such remarks had long become second nature to her. She gave a light laugh. "There have been many upheavals at home during this time. I had no choice but to change." As she spoke, she even let out a put-on sigh. Xie Run took the opportunity to ask, "Elder Sister came to the capital alone?" Xie Jiang nodded and said calmly, "Second Brother suffered from the change in climate and fell quite ill. I couldn't be bothered to wait, so I had him get off midway to rest at a medical clinic while I came ahead on my own." Xie Run: "..." As expected of someone with a different soul—this elder sister was rather formidable. "Then does Elder Sister have a place to stay now? A woman alone, staying at an inn isn't quite proper..." Xie Jiang said composedly, "I came to the capital first to see you, and second because I have my own matters to attend to." "Don't worry, I have a place to stay." Xie Run's mind was now filled with new plotlines, so she didn't press further and only asked, "Elder Sister said there were many upheavals at home—has something else happened?" Hearing this, Xie Jiang's gaze toward Xie Run grew tinged with pity. "Before I left, Father and Mother asked me to pass on a message—that they are useless, unable to protect you, and could only send you into the manor as a concubine... Even if you resent them for the rest of your life, you would not be in the wrong." With that, Xie Jiang took out two one-thousand-tael banknotes from her bosom and handed them to Xie Run. Xie Run feigned surprise. "Elder Sister, where did this money come from?" Xie Jiang said, "Father and Mother were worried you'd have a hard time in the manor, so they specially scraped this together for you." "It was originally meant to be given to you on the day you entered the manor, but you were so furious that day you refused to take anything..." On the day the original Xie Run had been forcibly sent into the Prince Jing manor, she had hardened her heart. She hated her parents for their heartlessness and her lover for his faithlessness, and wanted to cut off all ties with them—so naturally, she refused to take the Xie family's money. Which had made things difficult for Xie Run in the early days, having to live on her monthly allowance. Xie Run still had to get by in the manor and couldn't do without her natal family's support—especially now that her own elder sister had a promising future ahead. So she signaled her maid to accept the money. Only then did Xie Jiang begin to tell Xie Run what the Xie family had suffered after she entered the manor. "You've entered the prince's household, so the county magistrate wouldn't dare force anything. But before two days had passed, the Song family suddenly came to break off the engagement. In a fit of rage, I slammed my head against a wall..." When she spoke of being jilted and slamming her head into a wall in anger, Xie Jiang's expression was very strange. Because with her temperament, she would never have done such a thing. But right now, she had to admit that she was a lovesick fool who had tried to kill herself by slamming into a wall after being rejected. Xie Jiang suppressed her disgust. "After dying once, I did become much clearer-headed." The Song family was the one that had long been betrothed to Xie Jiang. Xie Run: ... This sounded familiar—hadn't she said something similar to Prince Jing? Xie Jiang continued, "No longer indulging in romance, I suddenly developed an interest in medicine. As luck would have it, I encountered a living Shennong and studied medicine under him for a while." "A few days ago, my master took down the imperial notice and came to treat the Duke of Zhenguo's chronic illness, so I accompanied my master to the capital." Xie Run listened to this ill-fitting plotline of a female lead's rise to power and felt her teeth ache. Right—her elder sister had also transmigrated. And she was holding an old-school script about a domineering princess consort who ran off with her babies. In her past life, she was a female military doctor on the battlefield. After transmigrating back, she was jilted, then drugged and harmed in secret, had a night of entanglement with some important figure, and gave birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins. In the script, Xie Jiang used her excellent medical skills to thrive in the capital, all while bringing the twins to find their father and falling in love. The plot was quite convoluted, but the core was simple. Raising kids, bringing the kids to find their father, falling in love, and casually slapping down vicious supporting characters—smooth sailing all the way. Xie Jiang's claim of accompanying her master to the capital to treat the Duke of Zhenguo was only half true. There was no so-called master—the one who took down the imperial notice was Xie Jiang herself. She entered the capital, cured the Duke of Zhenguo's chronic illness, and made a name for herself in the capital. Afterward, people from all directions sought her medical help, and a man would appear by her side. The two would clash frequently, slowly sparking the flames of love. Xie Run couldn't help but glance at Xie Jiang's lower abdomen. Oh, right—Xie Jiang didn't know the script. She had no idea she would become pregnant and give birth to dragon-phoenix twins. To be honest, Xie Run was rather envious of Xie Jiang's plotline. Xie Jiang found Xie Run's gaze a bit baffling, so she took the opportunity to ask about Xie Run's belly. "It wasn't until I arrived at the prince's household that I learned my little sister had been promoted to Concubine Consort due to her pregnancy. How many months along is the child?" Xie Run smiled lightly. "Three and a half months." Xie Jiang said, "I've only studied medicine for a few months, but I'm still family. Why don't I take your pulse as well?" Dantao and Xiaoshu both felt this was inappropriate. In this day and age, without studying medicine for ten or twenty years, one had no qualification to take someone's pulse. The ones who took Xie Run's pulse for her health were imperial physicians—there was no need for Xie Jiang, an apprentice of only a few months, to do it. Xie Run knew her elder sister was now highly skilled in medicine, backed by the plot, so she agreed without hesitation. "Perfect, I wanted to have you check me anyway, sister." Xie Jiang familiarly placed her hand on Xie Run's pulse. After a moment, she understood everything. "Your body is in good shape—no damage from your earlier fall into the water. Both mother and child are stable now. Just take good care of yourself and exercise regularly to make childbirth easier later." Xie Run obediently listened. After a while, Xie Run circled back to the main topic. "Why did the Song family break off the engagement?" This hadn't happened in her past life either. No, that wasn't right either. In her past life, Xie Run had hanged herself on the very first day she entered the prince's household. The Xie family was despised by Prince Jing, and the county magistrate's family was eyeing them hungrily. The Song family probably wouldn't even have had the chance to break off the engagement—the Xie family would have collapsed on its own. All things considered, her eldest sister had carved out a separate plotline of her own. The male lead didn't have to keep clinging to Prince Jing either.