by Ning er
Seeing Qu Fei Qing agreed to her request, Yun Qian Meng laughed and stood up “The time is getting late, I shall return back.”
“I’ll see you off!” Soon after Yun Qian Meng stood up, Qu Fei Qing took the overcoat from the clothes rack and carefully draped it over Yun Qian Meng’s shoulder. She was about to go out with her, when Yun Qian Meng stopped her “It’s cold outside and you are just wearing a long coat, it would be better not to go out! It will be fine if you just allow Le Yao to see me out.”
While speaking, Yun Qian Meng pushed Qu Fei Qing back inside the inner room and turned around to leave the house.
Yet,she had never expected that, the moment she hopped onto the horseback, by chance she would meet Qu Zhang Qing. Qu Zhang Qing was riding the horse as he was returned back to the residence.
Yun Qian Meng took back her foot which was already lifted up earlier, standing on the spot she watched Qu Zhang Qing jumped down from the horseback and stride with big steps as he approached her. Yun Qian Meng immediately saluted “Greetings, biaoge!”
“Meng’er, why don’t you stay for a while longer? Grandma and Mother had missed you very much during these days.” Similar to Qu Fei Qing, after seeing Yun Qian Meng, he also inspected her current complexion. Seeing it was somewhat better than the time when she was staying at Yun Xiang Fu, he laughed as he spoke.
Yun Qian Meng just replied with a simple smile “Today, I’ve especially came to see your meimei. But she was in a gloomy mood, Meng’er is a bit worried at heart.”
Seeing Yun Qian Meng suddenly mentioned about his own meimei, Qu Zhang Qing looked slightly startled. After hearing that Fei Qing was in a gloomy mood Qu Zhang Qing realized that Yun Qian Meng most likely already knows something about his decision and for a moment went silent.
Seeing him like that Yun Qian Meng knew that in Qu Zhang Qing’s heart, he had already considered the Empress Dowager as part of his family and he valued her just as much as he valued his meimei. , This decision must have been very difficult for him.
While lightly sighing, Yun Qian Meng spoke calmly “Your meimei truly is lucky for having an older brother who loves her like that. However, you are also very lucky, as she worries sick about your decision all day long. Perhaps, in your heart, you’re doing this because of her, but, did you ever think that once you’ve done that, she will never feel at ease? Perhaps in the end, all you meticulous care and sacrifice will just be wasted. Rather than doing this, why should you throw away your lifelong happiness?”
Hearing these words from Yun Qian Meng, Qu Zhang Qing suddenly turned around to look at her. He knew all along that ever since his biaomei had been forced out of her marriage with Chen Wang, she had became exceptionally quick-witted and intelligent. However, he had not expected for her to say these words to him with absolute confidence. He began to have doubts about his plan for Qu Fei Qing.
Seeing Qu Zhang Qing being somewhat convinced by her words, Yun Qian Meng continued “Furthermore, what will you use as guarantee that, after that person bestowed marriage to you and she would not move on to your meimei as the next target? Grandma, uncle and aunt refused to mention anything about you and your meimei’s marriages, aren’t you able to understand why? So long as your marriages had been scheduled, perhaps they would never consider your thoughts anymore.”
Having heard what was said, Qu Zhang Qing’s gaze suddenly turned serious and the words that were produced from his mouth somehow lacking confidence “But after all, she is still our relative……”
“Then how do you consider my previous experience?” But before he could finish speaking, Yun Qian Meng asked in a stern voice.
For a moment Qu Zhang Qing’s tightly knitted up his brows and from the bottom of his heart he seemed to have already realized something from Yun Qian Meng was saying.
And during this time the serene expression on Yun Qian Meng’s face seemed to have somewhat faded away and she sighed while saying “Besides, the matter concerning your meimei still hasn’t reached the final conclusion, why should you get confused because of something you like that?”
Remembering the question that she had asked Chu Fei Yang last night, she remembered that Chu Fei Yang only mentioned that Nie Huai Yuan had a brilliant medical expertise. However, he was uninterested in the official career. During normal day he only immersed himself in researching about medical prescriptions and pills with no regards to the social interaction between people. Since he was not all that active, he seemed to be particularly antisocial.
And during this time, Yun Qian Meng wanted to remind Qu Zhang Qing, not conclude anything too early. If Qu Fei Qing would not be able to marry Nie Huai Yuan, would he not be just sacrificing his own happiness for nothing?
After saying what she ought to say, Yun Qian Meng bent her knees facing Qu Zhang Qing once again and in a low voice said “Meng’er shall take her leave first.”
After speaking, she turned around and hopped onto the horse carriage which proceeded back to Chu Xiang Fu.
During that day’s afternoon, Yun Qian Meng was busy calculating all the monthly wages of the servant girls and manservants as well as corresponding red pocket which would be given to them after the celebrations. She then saw Ying Xia walk in and say “Xiaojie, earlier the loud sound of firecrackers came through from the main gate of the residence and nubi went there to look., Would you like to guess what happened there?”
At this time the other three servant girls were busy assisting with the checking of the silvers, but Ying Xia was unexpectedly lively as she strolled around the place, which immediately made the other three feel dissatisfied.
“Xiaojie, please take a look at Ying Xia, only she alone is so relaxed! She had actually ran out to see the excitement! Xiaojie, we might want to penalize her against her monthly wage, then distribute them equally among the wages of us three.” While speaking, Mu Chun picked up an embroidered pouch with Ying Xia’s name marked on it took out an ingot of silver and beamingly held it up high and exerted her strength to sway it in front of Ying Xia.
“Xiaojie, Mu Chun is bullying me! That is my money, return it to me!” Ying Xie spread out her both arms preparing to throw herself at Mu Chun after seeing her own embroidered pouch being emptied. But as she was halfway through she was obstructed by Yuan Dong, who firmly held her back from getting closer to Mu Chun.
“Mu Chun, quickly divide the amount properly!” Yuan Dong who was usually serious, started to crack her jokes towards Ying Xia, as her hands gently obstructed in front of Ying Xia. No matter how hard that yatou jumped, she was unable to get through, which caused her to become anxious as if she was ant inside a hot pan running around in circles.
“Don’t worry!” Obtaining the support from her companion, Mu Chun immediately put the entire ingot of silvers inside a box and picked up some silver bits of equal value and made gesture of putting them into her own, Ying Qiu, and Yuan Dong’s embroidered pouches.
“Xiaojie…… please look… They are bullying me……” For a moment Ying Xia was anxious and was stamping her feet as she was throwing her tantrums in front of Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng allowed them to get noisy as her mood had brightened up a bit. She then put down the account books that she had been reading for a long time and looked at Ying Xia’s small face which was full of grievances. Then she laughingly asked “Then you must tell me what you had seen a while ago. If I’m satisfied with your answer, then I might reward you with a silver ingot.”
Having heard what was said Ying Xia immediately rushed beside Yun Qian Meng, fawning her as she massaged her shoulders. Then in a lowered voice she said “Nubi saw all the imperial physicians and the imperial guards who had went to Luo Cheng, they have all returned to the capital! In order to welcome them, every household had lighted up the firecrackers in order to welcome them home.”
Hearing what she said Yun Qian Meng slowly closed the account book in her hand. She had not expect Nie Huai Yuan to return home this early.
“The four of you com
e here!” Carefully considered the plan in her mind once again, Yun Qian Meng gestured the four servant girls to approach her. She then whisped the instructions into their ears.
Early morning next day, Qu Fei Qing was striding her anxious footsteps as she quickly arrived at Chu Xiang Fu. She immediately rushed inside Meng Xin Xiao Zhu to visit Yun Qian Meng who fell ill. However, when she saw Yun Qian Meng was leisurely leaning on the bedside reading a book, her face looked surprised.
“Meng’er, are you alright?” Seeing her rosy complexion, she was unable to tell what was going on with her.
“Of course I’m fine, have you written the letter already?” Laying down the scroll in her hand, Yun Qian Meng exposed an extremely innocent smile.
Seeing that she was alright Qu Fei Qing covered her chest and heaved a sigh of relief. Afterwhich she gently reprimanded “If you want to see me, just allow Mu Chun to tell me, there’s no need to go further and pretend to be sick. Really! You are also making grandma feel anxious too, as she immediately send me over here to check on you.”
Seeing Qu Fei Qing’s looking worried, Yun Qian Meng was somewhat apologetic as she said “Please don’t be mad, it’s all Meng’er’s fault. But, if I were to tell the truth to you, perhaps you wouldn’t have behaved sincerely, and you would have also made other people suspicious. Besides, if I weren’t sick, how will I be able to invite Physician Xiao Nie inside Xiang Fu?”
If it was for her own affair she would be able ask Chu Fei Yang to handle it for her. However, after all Qu Fei Qing was still an unmarried woman, even if Chu Fei Yang knew about the matter, in her mind, it would still be better to keep it away from him.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng faking her illness because of her, Qu Fei Qing’s mind which was filled with reprimanding words immediately vanished. Her face slightly blushed as she said “You, you really scared me! But, what time will he arrive here?”
While speaking, those vivid big eyes involuntarily glanced at the doorway.
Yun Qian Meng secretly shook her head feeling that her biaojie was forgetting her loyalty due to being in love. She then pulled her hand allowing her to sit on the bedside and said “Biaojie, give the letter to me now. After a while, you need to hide inside the dressing room, so as to avoid the embarrassment during the meeting.”
Seeing Yun Qian Meng had already made necessary arrangements, Qu Fei Qing naturally felt reassured. She immediately took out the letter that was kept close to her chest and earnest placed it in Yun Qian Meng’s hand.
“Xiaojie, Xiang Ye has brought Physician Xiao Nie over here!” This time the Ying Xia who was keeping watch outside the doorway immediately spoke to remind the people inside.
Mu Chun immediately pulled Qu Fei Qing’s hand as they hid inside a room. Yuan Dong and Ying Qiu were sharp-sighted and deft as they quickly let down the curtains in order to avoid other people from seeing Yun Qian Meng’s healthy complexion.
Everything had been prepared appropriately and Physician Xiao Nie set foot inside the inner room under Chu Fei Yang’s guidance.
“How did Furen suddenly catch a cold? Having a wind chill during this kind of weather, would indeed be hard to recover.” After getting to know Chu Fei Yang in Luo Cheng for a period of time, Nie Huai Yuan had utterly admiration towards Chu Fei Yang’s way of handling things. Chu Fei Yang also greatly admired Nie Huai Yuan’s sentiments. The two men became good friends and could say anything to each other without any restraint as Physician Xiao Nie had already corrected his habit of silent behavior. And while he was interacting with Chu Fei Yang he was able to speak frankly and with assurance.
“It’s because of my carelessness!” Chu Fei Yang just plainly replied but when Yun Qian Meng heard this, she thought that these words seemed to contain a deeper meaning.
Chapter 133: Part 1 Tactful Refusal of Affection, Fei Qing Gets Disappointed | Chu Wang Fei
“Please extend your arms, furen!” Physician Xiao Nie said respectfully as he approached the bed.
But the thing that had been extended out was not Yun Qian Meng’s slender lily-white hand, but a sealed up letter.
Physician Xiao Nie was a bit puzzled as he looked at the letter that was half exposed out from the curtain. He did not stretch his hand to take it, after all he did not know whether it was intended for him, or for Chu Fei Yang.
Yun Qian Meng opened her mouth then gently explained, “May I trouble Physician Xiao Nie to take a look at this prescription and see if this will be applicable?”
Having heard this, Physician Xiao Nie glanced at Chu Fei Yang who was standing in a corner. Seeing him nod back at him, he then lifted up his arm to take that sealed letter. He tore off the seal then took out the letter inside then started to carefully read it.
But the more he went down, Physician Xiao Nie’s expression became more and more serious and cold, even his brows could not help but wrinkle.
Chu Fei Yang was standing beside him gazing at the changes in his expression, gradually having the answer in his heart.
When Physician Xiao Nie found the signature at the bottom, those cold eyes could not help but slightly stared wide open, as if they contained an enormous surprise. The solemn and respectful expression in his face suddenly transformed a bit. His eyes concealed with something that seemed like a doubt or puzzled look, being extremely shocked the letter that had arrived so sudden. Feeling astonished towards every word written on the letter, his both eyes just stared fixedly at the last word ‘Fei’, For a very long time he was not able to regain his thoughts.
Chu Fei Yang observed all his expressions and reactions. He knew very well that telling this matter to him out of nowhere without any psychological preparation, it was indeed hard to accept. He didn’t urge Nie Huai Yuan to immediately provide his response, but just stood quietly in a corner, allowing him to digest the shock that was given to him by that letter.
Yun Qian Meng also knew that this matter was truly shocking for a man like Nie Huai Yuan who was wholeheartedly devoted to the art of healing.
Perhaps this was something that he would never have imagined even in his dreams. He was merely just following his principle to help the dying and heal the injured in order to perform his healing skills on the sick persons, but unexpectedly he had also helped in saving the heart of the sick person’s daughter. This woman also possessed a noble status, thus causing numerous hindrance between both of them. Perhaps during this time, Nie Huai Yuan’s heart was full of surprise and contradictions, as compared to Qu Fei Qing who was inside the room, he seemed to be much more intense.
“Physician Xiao Nie, is this prescription feasible or not?” After a long while, Yun Qian Meng spoke slowly, her graceful voice seemed like a feather fan that lightly brushed away Nie Huai Yuan’s confused heart, with a thread of warm breeze, causing his fretful mood to calm down for a moment.
However, he didn’t know whether Qu Fei Qing had written this letter because of being prompted by a sudden impulse or after her careful deliberations.
Regardless of any one of these two reasons, with regards to himself, it was truly very astonishing and surprising. He almost did not have any reason to decline, but he also did not really have any reason to accept it as well.
“Do you need to bring it back to Rong Shan Tang to carefully study it?” Seeing Nie Huai Yuan was not able to form any reply to her from beginning until the end, Yun Qian Meng spoke again.
Indeed, this matter came too suddenly. If it had been anybody else, that person would certainly be at a loss not knowing what to do. And moreover, based on their social standing, Qu Fei Qing was indeed an entirely different existence from Nie Huai Yuan. No matter how much she wanted Qu Fei Qing to seek her own happiness, but under such circumstances, how could happiness be regarded as something which only involved two persons?
In addition, according to Nie Huai Yuan’s current reaction, perhaps the things in his mind, were far more complicated that what Qu Fei Qing had thought about.
“Furen, this prescription is too ferocious. I’m af
raid that it might not fit!” And during this time, Nie Huai Yuan suddenly spoke, somehow resolutely speaking out his own opinion and decision.
Having heard what was said, Chu Fei Yang slightly contracted his eyes calmly. Yet he did not say anything, but just silently waited for Nie Huai Yuan to explain.
Inside the curtain, Yun Qian Meng felt his response was reasonable, yet it was still beyond her expectation. Perhaps her cousin who was hiding inside the inner room had also never expected that Nie Huai Yuan would reject her after considering the matter.
“Physician Xiao Nie, have you carefully looked at this prescription? Every drug ingredients inside seemed common yet exceptionally precious, please do not mistaken the pearl as fish eye, when that time comes it will be too late!” Yun Qian Meng knew deep within her heart that Qu Fei Qing’s heart might be unable to accept Nie Huai Yuan’s decision, then as much as possible she tried to fight for her, hoping that Nie Huai Yuan would be able to feel the sincerity of Qu Fei Qing’s heart.
But Nie Huai Yuan was shaking his head facing the curtain. Both his eyes stared at those graceful little words, sounding sincere but with melancholy as he spoke “What the furen said, Nie Huai Yuan understands everything by heart. But, it is exactly due to the fact that every ingredient inside is incomparably precious rare treasure, that made Nie Huai Yuan not easily dare to touch it! Nie Huai Yuan is just merely a physician from a small town, in this life he only hopes to be able to be able to cure the illnesses for the patients, the drugs that he used were merely the most commonly seen ingredients. Consequently such kind of famous and valuable prescription, is not even qualified for the normal common people to use, please take it back, furen!”
Finished speaking, Nie Huai Yuan carefully folded the piece of paper, returned it back to the envelope with care, then stretching out his arm wanted to return it back to Chu Fei Yang. However, the receiving party was in a face as deep as the water as he stood beside the bed, and was not in a hurry to stretch out his arm to receive it, instead seemed as if waiting for Yun Qian Meng who was inside the curtain to speak.