Chapter 144 I Know That’s Not My Moon
"Miss, something terrible has happened!"
Cai Lian's voice suddenly came from outside the yard. Su Cheng hurriedly stepped back from Xie Jinyu's arms, not noticing his gloomy expression for a moment.
Seeing Cai Lian running into the yard breathlessly, her face pale, Su Cheng immediately frowned and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
Cai Lian took a breath, her eyes filled with panic, and dropped a bombshell, "Miss, someone from the palace came with a message saying that Concubine Zhe invited you to the palace for a chat."
Su Cheng raised his eyes, looking at the sky which was obviously getting darker, and said solemnly, "Now?"
Cai Lian nodded and looked at her helplessly, "Miss, are we going or not?"
Su Cheng glanced at her and said helplessly, "How can I refuse an invitation from a noble person?"
"Acheng..." Xie Jinyu's brows twisted into a knot, and worry was evident in his eyes. "Is there any danger?"
"You can't take my life." Su Cheng gave him a look, signaling him to relax. "I can probably guess why Concubine Zhe came to see me. At most, I will make things difficult for her. Because Zhao Hu is here, I won't kill her."
Hearing this, Xie Jinyu frowned even deeper and watched her leave. She stood alone in the yard for a long time before turning around and going to Du Heng's house.
"Old man."
Du Heng was sitting in front of the window, squinting his eyes to read the contents of the medical book, when a man's voice suddenly sounded in his ears. He was so scared that he trembled all over and almost dropped the medical book in his hand.
Looking closely, Xie Jinyu was leaning against the window, the candlelight illuminating his profile, his eyes lowered, looking indescribably handsome.
But Du Heng had no intention of appreciating the beauty before him. He picked up the medical book and slammed it against him, cursing, "Go to hell! Are you trying to scare this old man?"
Xie Jinyu took a solid hit from him, but she did not continue to provoke him as usual. Instead, she lowered her head, looking a little lonely.
Seeing him like this, Du Heng couldn't stay still any longer. He cautiously approached him, poked him with the scale rod used to weigh the herbs, and whispered, "Third brother, what's wrong with you?"
Xie Jinyu lowered his eyes, his gaze indifferent, "Old man, do you think I am a useless person?"
"Huh? Where did you get that from?" Du Heng was a little confused and said angrily, "Who provoked you again?"
"Nothing." Xie Jinyu leaned back slightly, looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, and said in a deep voice, "The moon is high in the sky, and only a little moonlight can fall on me."
"I know that's not my moon, but I'm filled with jealousy. I can't help it. I'm like a star next to the moon. Even if I can't own the bright moon, I don't want other stars to compete for my place."
Du Heng scratched his head and whispered, "Yu, when did you become so refined? You're just like your second brother! What do you want to say?"
Xie Jinyu lowered her eyes and sighed softly, slowly expressing the sorrow in her heart, "Second brother is going to Beijing to take the exam. From what I know about him, he will definitely be on the list."
Du Heng nodded repeatedly, "Isn't this a good thing?"
"A Ming has an extremely high talent for martial arts and has won the favor of King Ruyang. He became a disciple of the former God of War and became General Dou's youngest disciple."
Du Heng continued to nod, "This is also a good thing."
"I'm the only one who's accomplished nothing." Xie Jinyu gave a bitter laugh, clenching her hands that hung at her sides tightly as she muttered, "How can I be worthy of Ah Cheng? One of them is a scholar, the other a warrior. They'll definitely crush me to death."
After much detours, Du Heng finally understood what he was thinking. "Well, in the final analysis, you're just afraid that Ah Cheng won't like you. Am I right?"
Xie Jinyu lowered her head and said nothing, which was considered as her agreement with his words.
"You and Ah Cheng have been studying medicine with me. Now, Ah Cheng has mastered medical knowledge and can treat illnesses and save lives on her own without my presence. The same goes for you. In comparison, you are quite talented in medical knowledge and can grasp it quickly. Ah Cheng is dedicated and hardworking, and has much more patience than you."
"Now, I dare to say frankly that your medical skills are enough for you to open a small clinic to support your family, but I understand that you are not interested in this."
"You, you just keep chasing Ah Cheng, never leaving her side. Have you ever thought about how you'd compare to your brothers if they gained power?" Du Heng twirled his goatee, his cloudy eyes narrowing slightly as he whispered, "If you're willing, I have some connections in the Imperial Hospital."
Xie Jinyu slowly raised his eyes, a trace of suspicion flashing in his eyes, "Old man, are you going to force me into the Imperial Hospital?"
"What are you talking about! If your Grandpa Du really had that much ability, would he still be hiding like he is now?" Du Heng rolled his eyes at him and coughed twice. "If you're willing, I can ask someone to get you a spot. As for whether you can pass the exam, that's your own business."
"You asked someone to help..." Xie Jinyu was stunned, "But aren't you dead?"
"Fuck you, you little bastard!"
Another medical book was thrown at him. Xie Jinyu dodged it, realizing she had said something wrong. She quickly tried to make amends, "What I mean is... you encountered that incident before, and you almost lost your life before you escaped. If someone reported you in your name..."
"I've been in the Imperial Hospital for so many years, how could I not have a true confidant?" Du Heng waved his hand and said nonchalantly, "Go back and think about it carefully. I'll wait for your news."
The window in front of her was closed, and Du Heng's cursing voice came from the room. Xie Jinyu sighed helplessly, thought for a moment, and turned to go back to her own room.
-
Zhongcui Palace
"Your humble servant Su Cheng pays respects to Her Majesty Consort Zhe. May Your Majesty be well and at peace."
Su Cheng knelt obediently on the ground. His etiquette and rules were impeccable and he deserved no punishment.
Concubine Zhe sat on it, supporting her forehead with her hands, closing her eyes and taking a nap, as if she didn't hear Su Cheng's greeting.
Su Cheng was neither anxious nor annoyed. He knelt quietly with a calm and dignified expression.
After an unknown amount of time, the woman's voice finally rang out, "Ms. Zhao, please get up."
"Thank you, Madam."
Su Cheng slowly stood up and glanced around. More than a dozen pairs of eyes in the hall were fixed on her, eager to find a fault with her.
Unfortunately, Su Cheng had been kneeling for so long, but when he stood up, he was not only steady, but even his eyebrows didn't twitch.
Concubine Zhe supported the hand of the palace maid and sat up straight. She lowered her eyes and said in a tone that was neither happy nor angry. "Young Lady Zhao looks... a little different from the day of the palace banquet."
Her gaze was fixed on Su Cheng's fair and tender face, and a hint of sarcasm flashed in her eyes.
Noticing her gaze, Su Cheng was startled. Then he remembered that he was so anxious when leaving the house that he forgot to put soot on his face.
This time, he was caught red-handed.
"Miss Zhao, do you know what crime this is, for disguising yourself and covering your face without permission, deceiving the Empress Dowager and me?"
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