013 Retreating to Advance
Li Yang's wishful thinking backfired.
The more proactive she was in this matter, the more Yuan Chongjing resisted.
On the way back to the manor, the swaying of the carriage woke him from his slumber. Hearing Li Yang excitedly repeating the Sixth Young Master's words, Yuan Chongjing's expression did not improve: "I'm not going! I don't want him to treat me!"
"Why? Just half a month! You'll regain your memory in half a month!" Li Yang persisted, trying her best to persuade him.
Yuan Chongjing looked at her bright eyes and said in a deep voice, "I don't want to remember anything related to you."
Li Yang's face stiffened for a moment, then immediately returned to a playful smile: "Are you that annoyed with me? Maybe you'll realize how good I am when you think about the past."
"impossible!"
The carriage had approached the back gate of the Yuan residence and gradually slowed down until it finally came to a stop.
The night was deep, much like Li Yang's mood. She had lost the will to speak and said stiffly, "Whatever. If you really want to forget these past five years and start over, then I don't care anymore. Also, you shouldn't take the position of Vice Minister of the Censorate. After all, with your current mental state, you're not up to the task."
After she finished speaking, she lifted the carriage curtain, ignored Bei Hai, and jumped off the carriage and entered the mansion gate with a blank expression.
Bei Hai had been listening to their conversation. After watching Li Yang walk away, he carefully helped Yuan Chongjing out of the carriage and said, "Second Young Master, the Young Madam is right. You have worked hard in Chenzhou for four years and worked hard in the Censorate for a year. You have finally been promoted to the position of Vice Censor-in-Chief. It would be a great loss if you gave it up so easily."
Yuan Chongjing remained silent until Beihai escorted him to his room and, after chatting for a while, was about to leave when Yuan Chongjing suddenly asked, "Beihai, you're not lying to me, are you?"
It was in this very room that he asked Beihai about his relationship with Li Yang.
Bei Hai was stunned for a moment: "Huh? Second Young Master, how could I dare to lie to you?"
He thought for a moment, then added to his defense, "Back in Chenzhou, I was in charge of the Second Young Master's affairs, so I rarely went into the inner courtyard and didn't see the Madam often. But Second Young Master, you really do love the Young Madam and Miss Peach. Every time you go out, you choose gifts for them and remember their favorite snacks. Otherwise, with so many people in the capital, how could the title of 'the most loving couple' have fallen to you?"
Upon hearing this title, Yuan Chongjing felt even more agitated.
But he had to admit that Li Yang was right. He couldn't let go of his position as Vice Censor-in-Chief, nor could he let go of the new self he had become after five years of official service. He desperately wanted to know his future and was eager to enter the imperial court as soon as possible.
Five years have passed since the Crown Prince was deposed and demoted to Prince Yu. The power of the various princes in the court has gradually matured, and most court officials have secretly taken sides. The situation is tense and ready to erupt at any moment. This is both an opportunity and a challenge. If he does well enough, the Yuan family will definitely have a place in the capital.
However, the background of that miracle doctor was indeed somewhat strange.
He looked to be under twenty, yet his clothes, food, and daily necessities were all luxurious and extravagant, making him seem like a wealthy young master who was naive and ignorant of the ways of the world. It was plausible that he had some interest in medicine. But to call him a world-renowned miracle doctor with miraculous healing skills was, in Yuan Chongjing's opinion, a gross exaggeration.
Dr. Tao wouldn't lie to him, but what if Dr. Tao himself was being lied to?
Li Yang previously stated that she was injured while doing something dangerous, but thankfully she didn't lose her life. What if this 'miracle doctor' was orchestrated, intending to take her life under the guise of treatment?
He had to think more.
And then there's Li Yang. If this Sixth Young Master really is a divine physician, why would he so easily agree to let Li Yang treat him?
He must have something in mind.
He's either after himself or Li Yang.
However, there is one problem: the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. If we refuse the Sixth Young Master this time, and the other side sends out some 'Seventh Miss or Eighth Young Master' next time, it will be impossible to defend against.
Yuan Chongjing tossed and turned in bed until dawn before he could finally fall asleep.
He had just fallen asleep when Beihai woke him up: "Second Young Master, it's time to get up and have breakfast."
Yuan Chongjing dodged and rolled over: "I'm not eating."
Hokkaido: "Madam and the eldest young mistress have arrived. The young mistress and Miss Momoko are waiting for you. Second young master, please get up and go see them."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Chongjing's eyes lit up: "Mother and sister-in-law are here?"
Last night he thought for a long time and decided to pretend to go for treatment to test the mysterious Sixth Young Master. However, before parting with Li Yang, he had so firmly said he wouldn't go for treatment. The contrast in his attitude before and after was quite large, and he was worried about how to tell Li Yang. Now that his mother and sister-in-law have arrived, it's just as well. He can go along with what they say and then pretend to agree, which would be appropriate.
“Yes,” Bei Hai helped him sit up, and said meaningfully, “The young mistress took Miss Taozi to pay her respects to the madam early this morning. Perhaps she was worried about your health, Second Young Master, so she came over with you.”
He just said it casually, but Yuan Chongjing thought about it much more deeply.
Perhaps, Li Yang did it on purpose. He rejected her so obviously last night, and she thought about it all night before bringing up her mother so early this morning, hoping to get him to agree to go for treatment through her mother's words.
Yuan Chongjing smiled smugly. Sure enough, Li Yang was a simple-minded person. Even though she had five more years of memories than him, he could still see through her behavior at a glance.
But since she's gone to so much trouble, I'll just agree. Otherwise, if I refuse this time, and she can't think of any other way, I'll have to find a way to back down.
Yuan Chongjing went to the main hall of the courtyard after he had dressed properly.
As soon as they reached the door, they heard their mother's cheerful laughter coming from inside. Li Yang was saying something that made her and her sister-in-law laugh heartily.
Upon seeing him appear, Madam Yuan quickly stopped laughing: "Jing'er is up. Yang'er, go and help him over."
Li Yang responded, her smile unwavering, and silently helped him to a seat.
Seeing her feigned modesty, Yuan Chongjing chuckled inwardly and said to Madam Yuan, "What are you two talking about that's so funny, Mother and Sister-in-law?"
Madam Yuan said, "I was talking about your sister. Didn't Yue'er go to Yunjian Academy to study with your cousins? She heard you were injured and cried and wanted to come back."
Madam Yuan had two sons and one daughter. Apart from the eldest son, Yuan Chongyue, the third daughter, Yuan Yue, had a good relationship with Yuan Chongjing since childhood. Yuan Chongjing still remembered that after he and Li Yang became sworn enemies, Yuan Yue had caused Li Yang a lot of trouble in order to avenge him.
Madam Yuan took a letter from the table and handed it to Yuan Chongjing: "This is a letter from Yue'er. She also has something to say to you. Jing'er, take a look."
Yuan Chongjing took the letter with some skepticism and quickly read it through. The letter contained nothing else, only expressing concern for his illness and the hardships his second sister-in-law had endured caring for him, urging him to be understanding and listen to her. The wording was sincere and earnest, and the handwriting appeared to be Yuan Yue's own.
Yuan Chongjing was somewhat surprised. What abilities did Li Yang possess in private that allowed him to subdue not only himself but also Yuan Yue?
After chatting with everyone for a few more minutes, Madam Yuan asked as if she had just remembered something, "Jing'er, I heard you went to see that miracle doctor yesterday. How did it go? What did he say? Can he cure your amnesia?"
As soon as she spoke, the eldest young mistress immediately chimed in, "Yes, second brother, your illness can't be delayed. I heard from Brother Yue that the Censorate has only given you a month to recuperate, and that time is almost up."
The two of them took turns speaking, and then both turned their attention to Li Yang.
Li Yang said, "The miracle doctor said it can be cured."
"That's wonderful!" Madam Yuan excitedly slapped the table and asked a series of questions: "When will it start? Where will the miracle doctor live? Should we prepare a courtyard for him to stay in? Hurry, hurry, this matter cannot be delayed."
Seeing that she was about to get up to arrange the courtyard, Li Yang quickly said, "No need, Mother. The divine doctor doesn't make house calls. He told me and Brother Jing to go to him for treatment every day. Fortunately, it's not far away; it only takes half an incense stick's time to get there by carriage."
"So close? That's good, that's good. This is really good news." After considering for a while, Madam Yuan stood up and walked out: "You can eat breakfast yourselves. I have to go and tell your father this good news."
Next month is the day when the vassal states of the Great Qi come to pay tribute. Yuan Heng has been so busy at the Ministry of Rites lately that he has rarely returned home. Madam Yuan is worried about his health and couldn't find a reason to see him. Now, with such a perfectly legitimate reason, she ordered the servants to prepare food and immediately left the mansion.
The eldest daughter-in-law also said happily, "Then I'll go back and tell your eldest brother about this. He hasn't been sleeping well at night lately, and he still has to go out on patrol during the day. I was really afraid he would collapse. Now that's good, he can finally have a peaceful meal."
That's only one aspect. The most important thing is that if Yuan Chongjing regains his memory, his relationship with Li Yang will return to normal, and the second wife won't have to take a concubine because she doesn't have a son. Then, all of the Yuan family's future assets will fall into her son's hands.
Thinking of this, the eldest young mistress's smile widened, and she warmly grasped Li Yang's hand: "Sister-in-law, you must take good care of your second brother."
Li Yang gave a forced smile to brush it off, but when only the two of them were left in the hall, she stopped smiling and slumped weakly onto the stool.
Yuan Chongjing waited a long time for her to speak, and seeing that she was sitting and pretending to doze off, he casually made up an excuse: "Where's Xiao Taozi? Why haven't I seen her today?"
Perhaps his prolonged unconsciousness frightened Little Peach. For the past two days, every time he opened his eyes, he could see Little Peach nestled at his bedside, watching him with worry. When she saw him wake up, she would cheer and shout, "Daddy opened his eyes again! Daddy's so amazing! He woke up again today!"
Li Yang replied with her eyes closed, "I went to play with Xiao Li'er."
Xiao Li'er is the youngest daughter of her elder brother Yuan Chongyue and his wife, and is the same age as Xiao Taozi.
Yuan Chongjing asked, "Why didn't she come to wake me up today?"
Li Yang chuckled and glanced at him sideways: "You don't even remember her, so why are you making her so attentive?"
Yuan Chongjing paused, and after a long silence, said, "She is my daughter."
"She's not your biological daughter, she's someone else's. Isn't that what you've always thought? You've never treated her like your own daughter. Now that she's not clingy anymore, isn't that perfect?"
Yuan Chongjing's face paled slightly at her words, and he retorted stiffly, "I've lost my memory, you'll remember her once I regain it."
Li Yang didn't even look at him: "What will you use to restore your memories?"
"Didn't I just promise Mother I would go to the divine doctor for treatment?" Yuan Chongjing said awkwardly in a low voice.
“I know you well enough. You just refused yesterday, so how could you possibly change your mind today? I know you couldn’t refuse because of your mother’s decision. How about this, we’ll go out together every morning from now on. After that, you can go wherever you want, and I’ll just find somewhere to stay. When it’s time, we’ll go back to the manor together, which will be like going for treatment.”
Yuan Chongjing's heart tightened, and he immediately asked, "What if it can't be cured in half a month?"
Li Yang shrugged, seemingly indifferent: "What else can we do? Just say the miracle doctor is a fake and his medical skills are bad."
So she was just repeating everything he said yesterday! Yuan Chongjing gripped the armrest of the chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white, watching helplessly as Li Yang got up and left the main hall.
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