Her Power and Favor Span the World

Chapter 80

After the imperial physician finished the diagnosis and left, Jing waited until the imperial physician and Xu Yi came to the main hall to have tea.

Jing tentatively asked Xu Yi, "Is the Prince's injury better?"

"The Prince is much better thanks to the Marquis' concern," Xu Yi remained very proper outside.

"Then..." Jing smiled and said, "Has the Consort personally taken care of the Prince? My daughter was quite spoiled in the manor. I'm afraid she will annoy the Prince."

"The Prince never gets angry with the Consort," Xu Yi blatantly lied. Of course, this was what Tang Yang had instructed him to say. He said that if Jing knew the relationship between the Consort and the Prince was stable, he naturally wouldn't be too hard on the Consort.

"Is that so?" Jing didn't quite believe it, but the servant did see the Consort supporting the Prince into the room, that was witnessed first-hand. Could it be that Yuan Qingling had gained King Chu's favor?

The imperial physician gave a helping hand and stroked his beard with a sigh, "The Prince and Consort's relationship is really good. These days caring for the Prince's injuries, the Consort must have been by his side to take care of him."

Of course he didn't know Yuan Qingling had only come to steal the tricks of the trade. She didn't understand traditional Chinese medicine very well, but she did believe in the traditional Chinese medicine therapies. After all, after doing pharmaceutical research for so long, she had tried using herbal medicine to develop proprietary Chinese medicine before.

Drugs like artemisinin used to treat malaria and lupus erythematosus were directly extracted from Artemisia annua, or by extracting artemisinic acid which is present in higher concentrations in Artemisia annua, then semi-synthesizing it.

So these days she had been trying to learn traditional Chinese medicine from the imperial physician.

After hearing what the imperial physician said, Jing finally believed it.

No matter why King Chu's attitude towards Yuan Qingling had changed, it was undoubtedly a good thing after all. Right now, the Chu family had definitely offended someone they couldn't make amends with, so it was better to pin their hopes on King Chu.

Although King Chu was not favored by His Majesty at the moment, his connections were still present. If he was willing to help, it shouldn't be difficult for him to keep the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War for Jing.

Jing was satisfied sending off the imperial physician and Xu Yi.

Xu Yi returned to report to Yuwen Hao, saying Jing was very happy and might not cause trouble for the Consort for the time being.

Yuwen Hao looked at Yuan Qingling with some arrogance, "No need to thank me for this great favor!"

Yuan Qingling bared her teeth and got up to leave.

Yuwen Hao felt a small sense of victory and laughed smugly.

As it turned out, Jing was a very thick-skinned person.

Just a few days ago he had scolded Yuan Qingling harshly, yet today he politely brought gifts and paid a visit, saying it was to see the Prince.

He didn't dare come to visit before, but after hearing the account from the imperial physician and Xu Yi yesterday, he knew the relationship between the Consort and Prince was intimate now, so he immediately came over.

First, it was to verify whether what Xu Yi and the imperial physician said was true.

Second, it was also to get on good terms and act normally as in-laws.

Jing didn't come himself, and Jing's wife Madam Huang didn't come either. He still had some hope for the Chu family side, so coming to visit King Chu at this time would be equivalent to giving up on the Chu family completely.

The Second Madam brought her oldest daughter-in-law Mrs. Luan and Yuan Qingping to visit.

The gifts they brought were nothing precious, just some common medicinal supplements that could be bought at any pharmacy.

Yuan Qingling received them in Feng Yi Pavilion. As soon as Mrs. Luan entered, she looked around, thinking to herself that this Feng Yi Pavilion was quite big, but unfortunately there was no valuable decoration inside, she wrinkled her nose, it didn't seem like Yuan Qingling was favored much.

The Second Madam spoke warmly to Yuan Qingling, "Is the Prince's injury better? I should have come to visit earlier, but I alone have to struggle to manage everything in the household, so I've only come now. I hope the Prince won't take offense."

Yuan Qingling felt uncomfortable with her overly affectionate manner and said lightly, "Whether he takes offense or not I wouldn't know, why don't you go ask him?"

It would be best if they all went to Yuwen Hao's side, so she didn't have to entertain them.

The Second Madam felt Yuan Qingling was putting on airs, but it didn't matter. Being able to put on airs meant she had confidence. One should be dignified when in power, and enduring when out of power.

Her attitude became even warmer as she said, "Would it disturb the Prince? If not too much trouble, may I ask the Consort to arrange for us to pay him a visit?"

Yuan Qingling said, "No need to arrange, just go directly to Xiao Yue Pavilion, he's inside."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Luan pretended to be surprised, "The Prince doesn't stay in the same room as the Consort? Being husband and wife, and with no concubines yet, why separate rooms?"

For such blatantly provocative words, Yuan Qingling simply ignored them. It was Xi Mama who said, "The Prince's injuries have not healed yet, afraid of disturbing the Consort's sleep, so he moved to Xiao Yue Pavilion."

Mrs. Luan looked Xi Mama up and down, "Who are you? Why have I never seen you before?"

"I'm Xi Mama, served His Retired Majesty in the palace. Afraid there would be no one attentive here, His Retired Majesty sent me out of the palace to serve the Consort."

Upon hearing this, the Second Madam immediately stood up and saluted Xi Mama, "So it turns out to be the famous Xi Mama from His Retired Majesty's side. I have long heard your great name, please forgive my rudeness."

"Second Madam is too courteous. I'm just a servant here to serve my masters."

Her master was the Consort. They were not very respectful to the Consort, so what propriety was there for them to be so courteous to her, a mere servant?

The Second Madam naturally understood the implied meaning. She didn't take offense and smiled, "Mama is from His Retired Majesty's side, a palace maid. I have no official title, so it's only proper for me to pay respects."

Xi Mama didn't say anything, but her expression showed some impatience.

Why did she have to emphasize not having an official title now? Just pay your respects then, no need to stress that point.

Yuan Qingping looked at Yuan Qingling and asked, "They said the Prince is good to you now, is it true?"

Yuan Qingping was straightforward. She directly asked whatever she wanted to know, not beating around the bush.

Yuan Qingling turned the teacup in her hand, "Can't say it's good."

"Why?" Yuan Qingping's brows furrowed, "Why isn't he good to you?"

Yuan Qingling wasn't sure if this younger sister was well-meaning or mocking her. She didn't have any special feelings towards this sister in her memory.

Mrs. Luan held Yuan Qingping's hand and sneered, "Good niece, stop asking, don't make things difficult for your sister, she wouldn't know how to answer you."

Yuan Qingping shook off her hand and sullenly said, "Men in this world are all dogs, this King Chu can't be any good either."

Yuan Qingling immediately took a liking to this sister. Her views were unique, especially that last sentence.

"I want to stay here for a few days, can you make that decision?" Yuan Qingping asked her.

Yuan Qingling nodded, "You can stay in my room, I can decide that, no need to ask anyone else."

The Second Madam brought it up again, "May I ask if we can still pay the Prince a visit?"

"Go ahead." Yuan Qingling said.

The Second Madam was a little embarrassed, "Then will the Consort accompany us there?"

"I'm not going!" Yuan Qingling glanced inside the room, "I'm busy with things here."

"What is the Consort busy with? I heard manager Tang takes care of everything in the manor, nothing that requires the Consort's effort. Could it be the Prince also doesn't wish to see the Consort, so the Consort dares not go?" Mrs. Luan said sarcastically.

Before Yuan Qingling could reply, there was movement outside.

"The Prince is here!"

Xu Yi's voice rang out.

The people inside were startled. The Second Madam quickly stood up with a smile, looking towards the door.