Chapter 21: The Union of Qin and Jin Part 4

“Mother, I know all this. Don’t you worry.”

“I’ve also met the Grand Princess several times. Given her status, she likely won’t make things too difficult for you. As for the Heir…” Qi Xiaolong glanced at her elder daughter beside her. Chu Mingxi was inwardly wondering just how many people in the Grand General’s Mansion knew the truth about Heir Wei’s identity. After being so well hidden for so many years, the Grand Princess must be quite capable. Sensing her mother’s gaze, Chu Mingxi smiled slightly. “Yes, I will treat him with the respect due a guest.”

Qi Xiaolong felt deeply comforted. “His treatment of you, Mother knows all about it. I only hope you two as a couple are harmonious and grow old together in peace. Oh, and also—spread branches and leaves! Mother is waiting to hold her grandson.”

…This… she hadn’t even married yet! How was anyone supposed to respond to that? Chu Mingxi bit her lip and leaned her forehead against her mother’s shoulder, revealing only slightly reddened ear tips.

Chu Mingyu, catching a glance, asked knowingly, “Huh? Sister, why is your face so red? Is it still that hot with the autumn wind blowing? Hahahaha!”

Chu Mingxi, annoyed, found an excuse to go check on things out front and made to stand. Her mother laughingly pulled her back. Chu Mingyu clapped her hands. “I’ll go to the front courtyard for you, see if that Heir comes by today.” Saying this, she lifted the door curtain herself and ran out.

Chu Mingxi’s face grew even redder. Twisting away, she said, “Little sister’s mouth gets more and more tactless. Mother, aren’t you going to discipline her!”

“It is time to start disciplining her. Otherwise, tomorrow, no one will be able to marry her off.”

Qi Xiaolong sighed in full seriousness, causing Chu Mingxi to burst out laughing. Qi Xiaolong took her hand and patted it a couple of times, then fished out a small bundle from beside her pillow. The bundle was bright red and embroidered with patterns of flourishing peonies—symbols of wealth and honor.

“You’ve studied medicine at home, so there are some things you know more about than other girls. But there are still things that need to be said. When the time comes… um… on the night of the wedding candles, these matters, just let the Heir take the lead.”

Chu Mingxi: . . . . . .

The small bundle suddenly felt scorching hot in her hands. Even without opening it, she knew what it was. She wanted to stuff the bundle back into her mother’s hands, to say she wouldn’t need it. But her mother wrapped one arm around her, pressing the bundle still with the other, and continued, smiling: “Don’t be afraid. Every girl has to go through this once. It’s just that the Heir is still young. Don’t let this matter be too… frequent. A small stream flows long, isn’t that so?”

What on earth was all this!!

The more Chu Mingxi heard, the redder her face grew. Her heart was practically about to leap out of her throat. Yet right now, it was difficult to retort. The bundle was pressed into her arms; throwing it away wasn’t an option, and not throwing it away wasn’t an option either. Thinking of Wei Qingchen’s clear, limpid eyes, Chu Mingxi gritted her teeth. For the first time, she thought that, no matter how pretty, she still felt like giving her a good beating!

The Eldest Miss Chu was feeling utterly awkward when the Second Miss suddenly threw open the door curtain and ran back in.

“Sister! I heard the maids outside say that bastard from the Li family is here. Are you going to see him?”

“What bastard from the Li family?” Chu Mingxi responded casually, taking advantage of the moment to stand and tuck away that “scorching” bundle.

“It’s just—”

“Miss.” Qingdai followed in from behind. Seeing Qi Xiaolong, she first gave a curtsy: “Madam.” Then she looked at Chu Mingxi. “Eldest Miss, the Third Young Master of the Li family, Lord Li, has arrived. Uncle Zhong isn’t sure whether to invite him in. He’s waiting outside the gate now.”

Everyone in the room looked at Chu Mingxi. The slightly bashful look from moments before had already been suppressed. Her voice was cool and unemotional when she spoke. “Ask him to go back. Just say that since we each now have a marriage date, it’s not appropriate to meet again. Have Uncle Zhong tell him: if he has words to leave, he may, but Uncle Zhong doesn’t need to bring them to me.”

“Yes…”

“What does he mean by coming to find you at a time like this? Hmph, where was he before!” After Qingdai left the room, Chu Mingyu was still brooding and indignant.

Chu Mingxi frowned slightly. “The Li family and the Sixth Princess’s wedding date is very near. Him coming to seek me out now… could it be a family member is ill?”

“Even so, ignore him! Is our family the only one in the entire capital with a doctor? And even if we were, don’t you go treat his family!”

Chu Mingxi looked at her sister’s lively, bouncing figure and couldn’t resist pinching her cheek. Chu Mingyu pretended to cry out in pain while snuggling closer, acting spoiled.

The two sisters were just tussling and playing when not long after, Qingdai returned again.

“Miss, Uncle Zhong says that Lord Li refuses to leave. He claims his mother has fallen gravely ill and earnestly requests the Eldest Miss spare a moment to see him.”

Chu Mingxi let out a sigh. Before she could speak, Chu Mingyu was already bristling with anger. “Don’t see him! Who does he think he is! He expects to see you whenever he wants? Let his precious princess treat him then!”

“Yu’er!” Chu Mingxi and Qi Xiaolong both scolded her simultaneously.

Chu Mingyu pouted.

Chu Mingxi ignored her for the moment and said to Qingdai, “Tell Uncle Zhong to go to one of our shops and invite a senior, highly experienced doctor to accompany Lord Li to his residence.”

“Yes…”

Qingdai left to carry out the order, and the door closed.

Chu Mingxi glanced at her sister. The Second Miss still wore a deeply unhappy expression.

“The Royal Family is not something we can casually discuss. The matter of the Li family—there is no need to speak of it again.”

“We’re just talking amongst ourselves at home.”

“Who knows if the walls have ears? And furthermore, if you get used to talking like this at home, and a sentence or half a sentence slips out in public, someone will accuse you of slighting the royal family. How many heads do you have to lose?”

“…Oh…”

Chu Mingxi gently tugged at her sister’s sleeve. “I know you’re feeling wronged on my behalf.”

At this, Chu Mingyu finally broke into a smile again. Lowering her voice, she said, “In my opinion, that Third Brother Li did it on purpose. He asked you to come with bad intentions for sure.”

Qi Xiaolong scolded her with her eyes, but she pretended not to see and threw herself forward, acting spoiled again.

Who knew the matter wasn’t over? Not even half a day later, Qingdai actually came back to report again: Li Shaohua was lingering at the manor gate and wouldn’t leave. Upon hearing Chu Zhong’s reply, he had almost knelt down, saying that Madam Li was truly gravely ill. It was not convenient to invite a male doctor; he still begged the Eldest Miss not to stint her aid. The Li family would be eternally grateful.

Chu Mingyu was so furious she jumped up from her mother’s side and yelled, “Is there anyone so utterly shameless in this world!”

Chu Mingxi’s eyes turned icy cold. Seeing Chu Mingyu about to dash out, she quickly ordered someone to stop her, fearing she might cause a disaster.

Chu Mingyu was still kicking up a fuss. Chu Mingxi suppressed her rising anger. After pondering for a moment, she instructed, “Tell Uncle Zhong to say this to him: ‘Today’s hour is already late. If the Madam was suffering an acute emergency, Lord Li would not be lingering here. Since it is not urgent, I ask that you go back. Tomorrow, I will personally come to your residence to examine the Madam.’”

“Sister!” Chu Mingyu’s eyes turned red with anger.

Qingdai was the Eldest Miss’s personal maid and naturally only obeyed her. Seeing Chu Mingxi’s instructions were final, she nodded and withdrew.

“Sister, are you really going to that blasted Li family?”

“Didn’t you hear what Qingdai said? Li Shaohua is lingering outside our gate without leaving, nearly about to kneel. He—a soon-to-be Prince Consort, no less—comes to our Chu household to beg for a doctor, with half the street crowded around watching the spectacle. Hehe, he is trying to force our Chu Manor into a dilemma.”

“Ah!” Chu Mingyu ground her teeth. “Just what is that scoundrel trying to do!”

Chu Mingxi gave her a reassuring look, then turned to Yining. “You go find a quick-witted young servant. Have him go immediately to the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion. No, go yourself in person. You don’t need to avoid being seen. Explain to Heir Wei clearly what has happened here. Ask him… ask him if he can accompany me on a trip to the Li family tomorrow.”

“Yes…”

“Ahhh! Sister, you’re so smart! Will the future brother-in-law come? He’ll definitely come, right? Hehehe!”

Chu Mingxi: …

The next day, just after the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), a junior maid came rushing in to report: the carriage from the Grand General’s Mansion had arrived.

“So early!” Chu Mingyu was first surprised, then delighted, winking at her sister.

Chu Mingxi was already changed into her outdoor clothes, and the corner of her mouth had slightly lifted too.

But the maid then said she’d been so startled earlier she hadn’t finished her report: it wasn’t Heir Wei who had come—it was the Grand Princess!

Everyone in the room was momentarily stunned. The Grand Princess? Her future mother-in-law?? This… wasn’t she coming to demand an explanation?

Qi Xiaolong’s face paled. Chu Mingxi steadied herself and comforted her. “Mother, don’t worry. Since it is the Grand Princess who has arrived, it’s even less appropriate to keep her waiting. I will go out now.”

“Xi’er…”

“Don’t be anxious. I’ll be back shortly.”

Outside the main gate, an Eight-Treasure Vermilion Wheel Canopy Carriage was parked. On one corner of the carriage roof, the “Jingyuan Marquis Mansion” family crest was prominently displayed. Behind it were two slightly smaller carriages, of lower specifications, but similarly bearing the General’s Mansion insignia, likely for the accompanying servants.

Front and back of the procession stood estate guards, all in matching blue robes with long swords, mounted on tall, fine horses. Parading down the main street like this, it was impossible not to be conspicuous.

The coachman was already standing respectfully by the carriage. Upon seeing Chu Mingxi, all the coachmen bowed and saluted, and four maids called out in unison, “We greet the Eldest Miss Chu.”