Chapter 32: Applying Medicine?

“My wife is here saving lives and healing the injured, yet you are in a hurry to tie her up and take her away? The officer truly does wield impressive authority,” Wei Qingchen said as she strolled forward unhurriedly. Her bright eyes fixed on the visitor. “Did Liu Chongwen send you?”

Hearing her directly call the Prefect of Jingzhao by name, the red-clad bailiff’s eyelid twitched. Today’s trap was likely not going to end favorably. He was just thinking of how to extricate himself when he heard the young Heir raise her voice. “Chen Yun, go to Jingzhao Prefecture and fetch Magistrate Liu. Tell him that the Heir Consort my Imperial Uncle just bestowed upon me in marriage is about to be tied up and taken away. If he doesn’t come, then I’ll have my Imperial Uncle see justice done for me.”

The red-clad bailiff: …

Seeing her suddenly arrogant and dandyish demeanor, Chu Mingxi couldn’t help but smile. She slightly tilted her head to hide the upturn of her lips.

A long-term attendant of the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion acknowledged the order and pushed into the crowd to leave. The several bailiffs hurried to shout and block him. The red-clad bailiff braced himself and stepped forward, “Ah, Heir, what you say—it is this small one’s fault. This small one momentarily had a lapse in judgment. I still beg Heir to forgive me.” As he spoke, he pointed at the mother and son on the ground. “Come! Take these two troublemaking scoundrels away!”

Wei Qingchen didn’t stop him and still watched coldly. The red-clad bailiff bowed to her and then left as swiftly as the wind, dragging the people away with him, just as he had arrived.

Once they left the door, Wei Qingchen glanced at her long-term attendant Chen Yun. Chen Yun subtly nodded and silently followed them out, avoiding the rest of the crowd.

Following the Head Proprietor’s instructions, Uncle Kang stepped forward and gave the crowd a full salute. He explained that today had startled the neighbors and that the Head Proprietor of the Imperial Medicine Hall was giving a gift to calm everyone’s nerves—the Medicine Hall’s secret formula for calming the mind, the Jade Deer Pill. One pill per person, for everyone present.

The onlookers, who had been gossiping amongst themselves moments before, instantly changed their tune upon hearing there were gifts, breaking into cheers. They surged forward noisily, layer upon layer. The Medicine Hall almost turned into a marketplace. Uncle Kang led the shop assistants in shouting at the top of their lungs, “Line up! Line up!”

The young Heir had long since escorted her wife out through the courtyard’s side door. The carriage had stopped by the roadside. Wei Qingchen personally helped Chu Mingxi into the carriage first.

Outside, people still didn’t know what exactly had happened at the Imperial Medicine Hall, only hearing that good things were being given away. The crowd pressing forward grew even thicker, piling up several layers. Chu Mingxi watched for a while. Wei Qingchen assumed the sight upset her and instructed the driver to take a detour, still heading to South Huai Tower.

“The Milk Rose Cakes we promised—I was already planning to send a box to the Old Titled Lady. You absolutely must not skip out on me!” She stood below the carriage, looking up at her, a smile dancing in her eyes.

All those hidden daggers from earlier seemed to have nothing to do with her. Her heart and eyes were filled with clear, transparent light.

“I never said I wasn’t going,” Chu Mingxi also smiled. She reached out and let herself be led onto the carriage. “It’s so chaotic outside, and you still have injuries. Don’t ride your horse. Stay with me and ride in the carriage.”

The smile on Wei Qingchen’s face grew even brighter. She happily agreed, “Okay,” and stepped up into the carriage.

The carriage driver shouted a command, the whip lightly cracked, and the carriage rolled forward with a rumble.

The road to South Huai Tower was somewhat long. With nothing else to do, the young couple chatted inside the carriage.

“If my mother asks about today’s incident, just tell her truthfully,” Wei Qingchen said, leaning against the carriage wall. Her long legs stretched out almost to the door. With the commotion being so big, even if her princess mother didn’t ask, someone would rush to deliver the news.

Chu Mingxi sat upright beside her, her back perfectly straight. “Today’s trap was laid out incredibly deep, interlocking perfectly. After the first strike missed, there was a backup, and after the backup, there was a killing move. Openly, it was aimed at the Imperial Medicine Hall. Secretly, it might very well be aimed at you.”

Seeing Chu Mingxi furrow her brow in worry, a warmth rose in Wei Qingchen’s heart, mixed with some smugness. She curved her eyes into crescents and said dismissively, “This isn’t the first time. When political opinions clash in the court and they can’t find fault with my father, they resort to these underhanded schemes. I sent someone to follow, but… they likely won’t find anything. The Jingzhao Prefecture… hah.”

Wei Qingchen’s back still ached, so she had to sit up straight as well.

Chu Mingxi’s gaze swept over her shoulder and back, carrying a hint of teasing. “Need your medicine applied?”

Wei Qingchen blushed slightly, squirmed, and said, “Here in the carriage?” As she spoke, she moved to unfasten the jade buckle of her sash.

Her lapel loosened and started to fall open. Startled, Chu Mingxi quickly pressed down on Wei Qingchen’s hands. “I was joking. It’s better… better to apply it when we get back.”

“Oh…” Wei Qingchen responded, blinking innocently.

Perhaps because the pain was severe, her palm flipped over and took Chu Mingxi’s hand.

Chu Mingxi wasn’t used to comforting people. She was just thinking of how to soothe this young Heir when Wei Qingchen couldn’t hide it anymore and let out a chuckle. Chu Mingxi looked up. The rascal’s collar was still open, but her eyes were full of mischief. This wasn’t from pain!

“You!” Chu Mingxi was furious. She pulled her hand back and smacked it hard against Wei Qingchen’s.

It was like a kitten scratching.

Wei Qingchen withdrew her hand, gathered her clothes, yet still couldn’t suppress her laughter. Afraid her wife would get truly angry, she coughed. “Alright, alright, we’ll apply it when we get back.” Glancing at Mingxi’s expression, she reached her hand out again pitifully.

Unfortunately, she didn’t get to hold it this time.

The horses dutifully clip-clopped onward. All the way to South Huai Tower, Chu Mingxi ignored this rogue of a Heir entirely.

It was almost sunset by the time they returned to the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion. The young couple carried the milk cakes and went to pay their respects in two separate quarters. The Grand Princess indeed already knew about the day’s events, but she hadn’t mentioned it in front of the Old Titled Lady. After dining with the Old Titled Lady, they returned to their own courtyard. Ruolan had come out early to greet them and lifted the curtain for them while reporting that earlier, a maid had brought a message: Chen Yun had been waiting in the outer study, but was later called away by the Grand Princess and was probably not in the mansion now.

Wei Qingchen nodded to show she understood.

Entering the room and seeing the hour was still early, she casually picked up a military treatise, intending to lean against the daybed and read. But the moment her back touched it, the pain made her jump up. “Hiss…”

“What’s wrong, Heir?” Ruolan, who had just brought tea, asked anxiously. Beside her, Jingyun, knowing the reason, covered her mouth and chuckled. Ruolan also remembered now, her eyes flicking to Wei Qingchen’s back. She wanted to laugh but tried not to.

Wei Qingchen glared at them and strode toward the inner chamber. The door to the inner chamber was closed. She pushed. It didn’t open.

“Mingxi?”

No sound came from inside.

Wei Qingchen paced a few steps outside with her hands cupped together, then knocked on the door again. “Mingxi.”

After a short pause, Chu Mingxi’s voice responded, “Is there something the matter, Heir?”

“Huh?” Wei Qingchen’s hand was still raised in front of the door, about to knock. She lowered it at the reply and pleaded, “Apply some medicine for me. My back hurts.”

“The medicine is in the side room. Heir can get it herself.”

“The injury is on my back. I can’t reach it.”

“Heir is skilled in both civil and martial arts. A small matter like this shouldn’t stump you.” The voice from inside didn’t sound angry, more like a teasing echo from the carriage ride.

By now, Wei Qingchen understood. She was still upset about what happened in the carriage? She paced a few steps before the door and quietly softened her voice. “Mingxi, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have teased you. Please let me in.”

The door was tightly shut. Lights were on inside, but it was perfectly quiet, with no sound at all. Wei Qingchen didn’t dare shout, so she just knocked: thump, thump, thump.

“Mingxi! Mingxi!! Open the door, please! I was wrong. My back really hurts. Just take a look, won’t you?” She called for the longest time, but the room remained silent, as if no one was there.

“Heir.” Jingyun knew Wei Qingchen was thin-skinned and had already dismissed all the maids. She brought a cup of tea over and advised, “Have some tea first. Your voice has gone hoarse.”

“I have not!” Wei Qingchen retorted. Jingyun quickly gestured with her eyes toward the chamber door. Wei Qingchen froze, then immediately said, “Oh dear, my voice is completely hoarse. Mingxi, open the door, please.”

“Yo, what’s all this?” A voice came from behind, startling both master and servant. Turning, they saw Aunt Qi standing a few steps away, looking at them in puzzlement.

Wei Qingchen awkwardly touched her head. “What brings Aunt Qi here?”

Aunt Qi smiled. “Her Highness is looking for you. What’s going on? Where is the Young Mistress?”

“She’s…” Wei Qingchen hadn’t thought of what to say when the door behind her suddenly creaked open. Chu Mingxi leaned there with a faint smile. “Aunt Qi has come. Please, come in quickly.”

Wei Qingchen hurriedly signaled to her with her eyes. Chu Mingxi welcomed Aunt Qi into the room without sparing Wei Qingchen as much as a glance.

Jingyun followed in to serve tea. Aunt Qi smiled. “Her Highness summons the Heir for a moment. Since I had nothing else to do, I offered to act as a messenger.”

Wei Qingchen agreed and went out. At the doorway, she looked back uneasily. Chu Mingxi smiled at her. “Come back soon. Your back will need another round of medicine.”

The storm had cleared. Wei Qingchen narrowed her eyes happily and went out cheerfully.

“Did Heir offend the Young Mistress somehow?” Aunt Qi placed her tea cup by her hand, her smile gentle and kind. “Heir has been mischievous since childhood, but his nature is good. If he does anything poorly, I must ask the Young Mistress to be patient with him.”

“Auntie is too polite.” Chu Mingxi also sat down and kept her company with tea. “Heir is very good.”

“Oh?” Aunt Qi looked at the Young Mistress, a hint of gossip in her eyes. She had clearly witnessed the scene just now. Her family’s young Heir was completely wrapped around the Young Mistress’s finger.

Seeing a blush steal onto the Young Mistress’s face, she almost burst out laughing. Young people, how wonderful.

Aunt Qi lowered her head and took another sip of tea, smiling. “Ever since the wedding, Heir has truly been much happier. Her Highness’s heart is also at ease now. She only hopes you two will live in harmony.”

“Mmm…” Chu Mingxi lowered her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the tips of her ears, already tinged red.

After a few more pleasantries and finishing a cup of tea, Aunt Qi took her leave.

By the time Wei Qingchen returned, the moon was already in the west. Chu Mingxi was leaning against the headboard reading a book. Seeing her enter, she sent the junior maids to help her wash up.

Once the maids had all withdrawn, Wei Qingchen padded over to the bed in her slippers. Chu Mingxi glanced at her, got up to leave. Wei Qingchen froze for a second. When she reacted, her hand had already grabbed Chu Mingxi’s.

“Mingxi..” Wei Qingchen looked up. “Don’t be angry anymore. I was just messing around earlier today. I…”

“Let go.”

Wei Qingchen pursed her lips and reluctantly released her hand.

Chu Mingxi walked to the corner cabinet, took out the medicine, and walked back. “Are you applying the medicine or not?”

Wei Qingchen blinked. “Ah! So…” So she wasn’t angry anymore. Overjoyed, she rolled onto the bed.