Chapter 40 Prince of Qi
The person in front of Shen Yuexi was the man in purple who had killed four bandits in the valley.
He had changed out of his purple robes and into soft casual clothes. But his handsomeness, tinged with a dangerous aura, still made Shen Yuexi recognize him immediately.
The man looked at her, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said slowly:
"Is this Madam Pei who can make miraculous medicine?"
Lin Kui, who was standing beside Shen Yuexi, bowed and said, "Your Highness, it was this person who gave the medicine to Doctor Hua to sell at the pharmacy. I found that the medicine was very effective, so I took it upon myself to buy it for you."
Shen Yuexi's heart moved. Lin Kui called him "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince", which meant that he was the son of a certain prince.
She searched her mind and finally remembered the man's identity.
King Qi's son, Xiao Beiheng.
Though only eighteen years old, the Prince of Qi was already renowned for his martial arts prowess, rivaling Xiao Zhuo's. He was said to be an extremely formidable opponent. However, the original owner had been kept in the Duke's Mansion, and only knew of him through rumors.
Since the Prince of Qi didn't mention the bandits, she naturally wouldn't be out of place. She stepped forward and saluted Xiao Beiheng, "My humble servant greets His Highness."
His voice was clear, like a spring in a mountain stream, flowing gently through the room.
Xiao Beiheng was slightly stunned and squinted at the veil worn by Shen Yuexi.
The white veil swayed gently as Shen Yuexi bowed. When the maid serving tea passed by her, a slight breeze blew, lifting a corner of the veil.
Under the veil, she had a delicate face and beautiful eyes, just like the bright moon. Her clear eyes were like water and carried a faint smile.
After Shen Yuexi bowed, she raised her white hands and took off the veil.
The maid put a cup of tea on the table next to her and left quietly.
Xiao Beiheng stared at Shen Yuexi for a moment, then nodded slightly, signaling her to sit down. Turning to Lin Kui, he said:
"Please step back. I have something to say to Madam Pei."
Shen Yuexi sat on the chair and watched Lin Kui leave. She picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and put it back on the table.
She had no idea at first that she would be dealing with the Prince of Qi. From what she had heard so far, he was a difficult man to deal with. But the original owner had no prior experience with him and knew nothing about his character.
She raised her eyes and met Xiao Beiheng's gaze. In the depths of those eyes, which held a gentle smile, there seemed to be a deep scrutiny of her.
That look was like looking at an item waiting to be sold.
Shen Yuexi felt a little unhappy. She didn't like such a look, she just wanted to get the money and leave quickly.
Especially when she thought of Xiao Zhuo and her current situation, she became more wary of the Prince of Qi.
Putting down the teacup, Shen Yuexi stood up and said to Xiao Beiheng who was sitting behind the desk, "I wonder what the prince wants to discuss with me. Please speak frankly."
The meaning is very clear. If you have nothing to do, take out the silver quickly.
Xiao Beiheng withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, reached out and touched his chin, saying:
"The matter of the prescription is just a small matter. I wonder if Madam Pei is willing to serve this prince?"
Shen Yuexi was stunned.
Xiao Beiheng was being polite, but Lin Kui wanted a prescription, while he wanted a person. Was he recruiting her as a talent?
But how was that possible? She and Xiao Zhuo were still being remembered by the old emperor. How could she dare to have anything to do with anyone in the royal family? That would be courting death.
She pretended not to understand what he said and looked down at her feet.
"When I read, I see strange things and try to make them. I never expected that I would end up creating a medicine. It was purely an accident."
Xiao Beiheng leaned back in the chair, playing with the black jade ring on his finger, putting away his gentle smile and speaking in a low, cold voice.
"This prince, seeing that Madam Pei is a talented person, is why I ask this question. If you don't mind, how about accompanying me to the northwest and serving me in my mansion?"
Shen Yuexi thought: That's like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.
"I'm grateful for your esteem, Your Highness. However, I don't have big ambitions, and I don't like being constrained. If Your Highness needs anything, please send someone to me."
Just deal with him casually. If he really comes looking for her, she and Xiao Zhuo will have already run away by then.
Xiao Beiheng was not angry at her refusal and continued, "In the palace, no one will control you. You can come and go freely. This prince can give you and your husband a salary of one hundred taels every month."
Hearing this, Shen Yuexi's heart was moved.
One hundred taels a month. If the man in front of her wasn't the Prince of Qi, she would have agreed to such a good offer without hesitation.
But now she wished she could stay away from these royal relatives and nobles.
After all, as long as she was related to the emperor, it would definitely not be good. When the emperor issued an imperial decree, the King of Qi would have to hand her and Xiao Zhuo over.
But she couldn't offend him. Shen Yuexi's eyes turned, and she pretended to be embarrassed. After hesitating for a while, she stammered:
"I can't make the decision on this kind of thing. Everything in the house is decided by my husband."
If you can't handle something yourself, just push it to Xiao Zhuo and you're done.
She refused to drink a single drop of water, which surprised Xiao Beiheng. He stood up and said, "I see. That was my inconsiderateness. Come here."
A maidservant came in and said, "What do you want, Your Highness?"
"Go get five hundred taels of silver for this Miss Pei."
Now it was Shen Yuexi's turn to be surprised. She hadn't expected the prince to be so easy to talk to. When she refused, he readily gave her the money.
The servant was very efficient and quickly brought five silver notes, each worth one hundred taels, to Shen Yuexi on a tray.
"Please accept it, Madam Pei."
This was the first time Shen Yuexi came into contact with silver bills since arriving in this ancient time.
This thing is really good, light and thin. I can put a stack of five sheets of paper in my arms without feeling any weight.
Satisfied, she put the banknote away and took out the prescription she had written in advance. "Your Highness, this is my prescription."
Xiao Beiheng didn't even look at it, but just waved his hand, and the maid next to him took the prescription and retreated.
"Madam Pei must be tired after this journey. Go down and rest first."
After Xiao Beiheng finished speaking, he walked towards the inner room.
Shen Yuexi was so happy that she didn't hear his last words clearly. She thought Xiao Beiheng was saying goodbye to her. So she returned the gift:
"Your Highness, I'm leaving."
She left the room and walked quickly towards the courtyard exit. After taking a few steps, a cold maid blocked her way and pointed to a room at the end of the corridor.
"Madam Pei, please come to this room and rest."
Shen Yuexi said: "I'm not tired, there's still time to go home before dark."
The maid refused to budge and blocked her way: "Madam Pei, this is the order of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please go to the room and rest."
Shen Yuexi's smile froze on her face.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Beiheng gave her the money but didn't let her go.
She wanted to resist, but this was someone else's territory, and as a weak woman, she couldn't even jump up and down. She could only obediently enter the room.
The room was fully furnished. It was obvious that Xiao Beiheng was not trying to make things difficult for her, but was clearly trying to keep her under house arrest.
She stood in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do.
The door behind him closed with a bang.
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