Chapter 13 Protect Mother!

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze paused slightly. “Tan Yun?”

“Who’s Tan Yun?” Tan Xingyou’s eyes were filled with curiosity. Yet, just as he asked, Tan Xingqi patted his head. “Tan Yun is Tan Yunge’s father.”

“Oh… Tan Yunge’s father.” Tan Xingyou nodded, but after a moment, suddenly realized, “Tan Yunge’s father? Isn’t that mother’s—”

Under Tan Qingjiu’s steady gaze, Tan Xingyou swallowed his words, merely coughing softly. “It’s nothing, nothing. So Tan Yun is sick? Good! What illness does he have? Since Sister Qingdai knows who Tan Yun is, why did she accept the case? Is mother really going to treat Tan Yun?”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled up. “Yes, why shouldn’t I? I’ve never changed my name, and now that I’ve returned to the capital, I knew this day would come.”

“Whether it’s Tan Yunge or Tan Yun, I was bound to meet them sooner or later, and I was bound to return to the Tan mansion. I just hadn’t expected it would be Tan Yun who came seeking medical help.”

Tan Xingqi frowned. “Mother, since you never changed your name, isn’t it possible Tan Yun has already realized that the famed Miracle Physician is you, and deliberately sought you out to cause trouble? You only just had a dispute with Tan Yunge, and now Tan Yun has come knocking—doesn’t that seem too coincidental?”

“Tan Yunge has been married for years and lives in the heir’s residence. The Tan mansion may not even know about our conflict. Even if they do, it doesn’t matter. If trouble comes, I face it head-on. I rather want to see what exactly they intend.”

Tan Xingyou listened, head tilted, not fully understanding the talk of coincidences and messages, but he grasped that Tan Yun might have come on purpose, looking for trouble with his mother.

How could that be allowed?

He straightened up determinedly. No one would bully his mother.

“So is Tan Yun coming to seek medical attention here, or is mother going to the Tan mansion?”

Qingdai bowed in reply. “The Tan mansion sent word that Tan Yun fell gravely ill and has been unconscious for three days. Medicine has been ineffective; he still hasn’t woken. He cannot come here, so they ask the master to visit the Tan mansion tomorrow. The Tan family will pay triple the usual fee.”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curved. “Triple the fee? The Tan mansion is indeed generous, since my fees are not cheap. Very well, I shall pay them a visit tomorrow.”

Tan Xingyou raised his hand quickly. “I want to go too—I have to go! The people in that mansion are no good. To me, it’s no different from a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den. I worry mother will be bullied—I must go to protect her!”

Tan Qingjiu turned her gaze on him. Tan Xingyou straightened his back immediately. “No discussion—I must go.”

Even Tan Xingqi nodded in agreement. “We could wear masks and pretend to be mother’s medicine boys.”

Before Tan Qingjiu could reply, Tan Xingqi walked thoughtfully toward the door. “I need to prepare in advance.”

Tan Xingyou hurried after him. “Preparation is essential! Slingshots, daggers, poison—we must bring it all!”

Watching the two children rush out, Tan Qingjiu couldn’t help rubbing her forehead. “Should I have given them less freedom? They’re only a few years old, and already so wild I can’t rein them in.”

Coming from the modern world and, despite two lifetimes, being a mother for the first time, she’d raised her children by trial and error, learning step by step.

She was more familiar with modern parenting methods, which valued freedom, so she’d granted her children much liberty. Now, it seemed she’d gone too far.

Qingdai saw Tan Qingjiu’s doubtful expression and couldn’t help laughing. “The young masters are simply concerned for you, and you needn’t worry so much. All your teachers have said the young masters are prodigies. These years, they’ve learned true skills from their teachers. Both are clever—self-preservation will not be a problem.”

Tan Qingjiu smiled. “Yes, Xingqi and Xingyou are indeed gifted. Let them come. I brought them to the capital to give them experience.”

Early the next morning, the Tan mansion’s carriage arrived outside the inn to fetch Tan Qingjiu.

She donned her veiled hat and boarded the carriage with Xingqi and Xingyou, soon arriving at the gates of the Tan residence.

The three alighted, and the steward approached. “Are you the Miracle Physician?”

The steward frowned slightly. The Miracle Physician was the talk of the capital lately, but no one had mentioned she was so young.

Could someone this young truly possess such legendary medical skills?

Seeing Tan Qingjiu nod, the steward, still somewhat doubtful, said, “Miracle Physician, please come inside.”

As he spoke, another carriage approached and stopped at the gate. The steward recognized it instantly and hurried forward. “Princess Consort.”

Leaving Tan Qingjiu standing there.

Xingyou was displeased. “What’s he doing? Just leaving us here? Does he not want mother to treat Tan Yun?”

Hearing the steward’s address, Tan Qingjiu guessed who had arrived. She turned and saw a maid helping Tan Yunge alight.

The medicine Tan Qingjiu had given Tan Yunge the day before likely hadn’t worn off yet—her face was still unwell, and she wore a veiled hat.

The steward greeted her obsequiously. “Princess Consort, you’ve finally arrived. Madam has been asking after you these past two days. The master fell ill, and Madam sent word as well—why haven’t you returned?”

“Why rush me?” Tan Yunge’s mood was foul. Lately, nothing had gone right. That morning, at the heir’s residence, the Prince’s heir had seen her face and mocked her, making her even more irritable.

“No rush, no rush. Madam just says the master fell ill so suddenly, she feels lost, as if the pillar of the household has collapsed. She wished you’d return to discuss matters with her.”

Tan Yunge replied carelessly and stepped down from the carriage, immediately noticing the carriage blocking her way.

“What’s going on? Whose carriage is this? How dare they block my path? Move it, now!”

The steward quickly agreed. “Yes, yes, I’ll see to it right away.”

Before he could finish, Tan Qingjiu stepped forward. “Well, well, such airs—so it’s the Princess Consort.”

Tan Yunge heard the voice and looked up. Seeing Tan Qingjiu’s familiar attire, she immediately recognized her. “You? You wretch!”