Chapter 24: Why Bring Up That Tigress?

Miaoshou Pavilion's Tan Qingjiu? Isn't that the Miracle Doctor herself?

Shen Xiao recalled the instructions that person had given him, his expression shifting several times before he quickly composed himself and put on a polite face. "Ah, so you are the Miracle Doctor. I remember now—we’ve met before at the Prince Duan’s residence, haven’t we?"

"It was dark in the carriage then, everyone just shadows and outlines. No wonder I didn’t recognize you at first."

His demeanor was so natural, it almost seemed as if he truly hadn’t recognized her until now.

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled ever so slightly. "Is that so?"

Shen Xiao swiftly changed the subject. "What a coincidence—first you treat my uncle the Prince, and today you happen to save me as well. That’s a rare stroke of fate. Since destiny has brought us together, why not join me for a meal at the tavern ahead, that we might converse at leisure?"

"No thank you. I still have patients to see today." Tan Qingjiu’s gaze settled on his face. "Might I ask, would you allow me to take your pulse?"

"Ah?"

"Please don’t misunderstand. It’s just that I noticed from your complexion that you might be suffering from some minor ailments. I’d like to take a look, if you’ll allow it."

Shen Xiao laughed. "If a beauty wishes to take my pulse, how could I refuse?"

With a few quick steps, he moved closer, extending his hand into the carriage.

"Now that I see you up close, Miracle Doctor seems an inadequate title. You should be called the Peerless Beauty Doctor—your looks outshine all others."

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled again. "Is that so? I’ve heard your wife is quite jealous. With such praise, I’m rather... afraid."

"Tsk, why bring up that shrew at a moment like this? You’re no fun at all."

With a careless flick, Tan Qingjiu withdrew her hand. "You’re overly burdened with worry, sleeping poorly, plagued by dreams, and your internal energy is depleted. You must take better care of yourself."

A glint of something sharp flickered in Shen Xiao’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a playful smile. "Ah, here you’re mistaken. I’ve been sleeping less lately, but not from worry. Rather, the nights have been too beautiful, and with a beauty by my side, I simply can’t bear to sleep."

Tan Qingjiu shot him a cool glance. "Beauty may be precious, but life is even more so."

"No matter how skilled the healer, even the best cannot save a patient who refuses treatment and hides their illness out of pride."

"If you truly feel you’re not ill and have no wish to change, then so be it. I have urgent business and must part ways here."

Shen Xiao arched a brow, his eyes alight with mischief. "Very well, very well. Today was so rushed, we hardly had a chance to speak. I’ll be sure to find another opportunity to visit and properly thank you."

Shen Xiao stepped back and Qing Dai closed the door. The carriage began to move again.

Behind the carriage, Shen Xiao’s gaze lingered as it rolled away, his eyes growing darker.

"My lord?"

Shen Xiao licked his lips. "Hmm, this Miracle Doctor is entirely to my taste. Send someone to look into her background—find out exactly who she is."

He wondered if today’s encounter was mere coincidence or something orchestrated. It had nearly exposed him. And he couldn’t be sure if she had believed his explanation.

Regardless of what she believed, tonight he would have to visit Prince Duan’s residence and discuss this matter with that person—then decide on a course of action.

"Let’s go back."

Inside the carriage, Tan Qingjiu’s expression grew even more detached.

Shen Xiao, at first, had acted as though he truly didn’t recognize her. Not until she’d revealed her name...

And according to Qing Dai’s investigations, Shen Xiao had spent the last two days in a brothel, dallying with a new lover. Yet when she checked his pulse earlier, there was no trace of overindulgence or kidney deficiency.

It seemed the heir of Prince Ding hid many secrets.

Qing Dai glanced back at Tan Qingjiu, her eyes filled with confusion. "Mistress, you came all this way and put on such a show, only to leave now?"

"What else would I do?" Tan Qingjiu smiled faintly. "I came today for two reasons: first, to probe Prince Ding’s heir; second, to provoke Tan Yunge."

"Provoke Tan Yunge?"

Tan Qingjiu’s smile deepened. "Indeed. From what I know of her, she’s certainly bribed someone at the prince’s side. After today’s scene, Tan Yunge is sure to hear of it soon."

"She’s already suspicious that I’m the same Tan Qingjiu she cut open and left for dead in the wilderness six years ago. Now that I’ve met with the prince’s heir and had contact with him, don’t you think she’ll be nervous?"

Qing Dai immediately understood. "Of course she’ll be nervous—she’ll fear you’ve told the prince’s heir the truth about Shen Zijiao’s parentage."

Tan Qingjiu’s lips quirked, but a cold light flashed in her eyes.

"Six years ago she nearly killed me. Now that I’ve returned, I won’t let her rest easy."

"Just wait—by tomorrow morning at the latest, she’ll come looking for me."

Tan Yunge seemed to be even more composed and calculating than Tan Qingjiu had anticipated.

The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, someone knocked at the inn’s door.

Qing Dai peeked out, then hurried back to wake Tan Qingjiu.

Still drowsy, Tan Qingjiu mumbled, "Who’s disturbing my dreams so early? Is it Tan Yunge? Let her wait outside. I’ll see her after I’ve woken up."

Of all the habits she hadn’t been able to shake in the six years since coming here, early rising was the hardest. Her masters in Miracle Hands Valley had tormented her with early mornings every day for six years. Now that she was finally in the capital, she was determined to sleep in whenever possible.

Qing Dai, long accustomed to her mistress’s ways, saw Tan Qingjiu about to drift off again and quickly called her back. "Mistress, it’s not Tan Yunge. It’s Tan Yun and Chen Yueru."

Tan Qingjiu frowned, opening her eyes. "Tan Yun and Chen Yueru?"

"What are they doing here?" she asked, puzzled. "Didn’t I make myself clear? As long as Tan Yunge kneels and apologizes, I’ll continue treating him."

"Tan Yunge didn’t come?"

"No," Qing Dai whispered. "Tan Yun looked rather pale—maybe he’s had another episode?"

"That shouldn’t be." Tan Qingjiu shook her head. "I gave him an acupuncture treatment. Though it didn’t cure him, he should only have occasional headaches and numbness, nothing so serious so soon."

"Then—"

Tan Qingjiu stood. "Bring me that human-skin mask I prepared—the one that looks exactly like me. I’ll wear it to meet them."

Qing Dai quickly fetched the mask. "If it looks just like you, why wear another layer?"

"It serves its purpose," Tan Qingjiu replied, donning the mask after dressing neatly before stepping outside.

The moment she crossed the threshold, she met the fixed gazes of Tan Yun and Chen Yueru.

"Qingjiu? Are you my daughter Qingjiu?"