Chapter 9, The Clinic
When Meng Yutong returned to the main hall with Granny Chen, she saw the ladies holding cups and sipping tea, with wisps of tea smoke rising from the table, creating a more tranquil atmosphere than before.
The only sound in the flower hall was the gentle clinking of teacups.
"Oh, so this is Huaizhi's fiancée?" A woman in scarlet dress sat down next to Madam Ji at some point. She had a flamboyant look in her eyes and spoke in an unruly voice. As she spoke, a pair of red coral pendants swayed incessantly behind her ears, dazzling the eyes.
Granny Chen whispered a reminder in her ear, and Meng Yutong curtsied gracefully, saying, "Greetings, Princess Jingfu."
The current emperor has three siblings: Princess Jingzhen, Prince Rong, and Princess Jingfu. Although the four are not born of the same mother, they are considered to have a good relationship within the imperial family, which has historically been characterized by blood ties rather than affection.
In the twentieth year of Jinghe, during the autumn hunt, a leopard went berserk and attacked in the hunting grounds. Princess Jingfu shielded him from a fatal blow. Although she saved the emperor's life, she was bedridden from then on and it took her a long time to recover.
Since then, the Emperor has indulged his younger sister in every way. Princess Jingfu is thirty-two years old this year and is still unmarried. There are many rumors going around, so the Emperor simply granted her a manor and estate to establish her own residence, along with a group of handsome young men, to be at her beck and call.
With the Emperor's support, no matter how outspoken and unruly the princess was, or how unconventional her actions were, no one dared to utter a single word against her.
However… Meng Yutong’s chest tightened, and her fingertips curled slightly. She suddenly thought of the poison of the begonia.
Princess Gyeongbok died of poisoning at a palace banquet in March of next year.
"His appearance is not bad, and his demeanor is quite dignified. However, his merchant background is really inferior. Compared with a dragon among men like Huaizhi, they are worlds apart."
Princess Jingfu parted her lips slightly, her eyes full of criticism, "I wonder just how much of a debt this old master Ji owes the Meng family that he would use his grandson's entire life to repay it."
In the eyes of outsiders, getting involved with the Ji family was a blessing that Meng Yutong had accumulated over several lifetimes, but getting entangled with the Meng family was a huge misfortune for Ji Yun.
After the marriage was arranged between the two families, there were many rumors and gossips. However, the Ji family always valued their reputation, so no one dared to say such things in front of them.
Unfortunately, Princess Jingfu was outspoken and lawless. When she was in a good mood, she would make a public outburst like this, and the wives of the officials standing around all fell silent and watched the show.
"Juan'er, stop talking nonsense." Madam Ji gently pressed Princess Jingfu's arm, a hint of displeasure in her eyes.
Princess Jingfu then glanced at Madam Ji and said sourly, "Oh, this person hasn't even married into the family yet, and you're already protecting her. What a loving mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. I don't know who I'm speaking up for, I'm just making myself unpopular."
Meng Yutong stood there with her eyes slightly lowered, enduring the strange looks from everyone in the room.
She understood that the more Madam Ji tried to smooth things over for her, the more the princess would hold onto her, and she couldn't be fooled so easily.
She raised her head, her voice soft yet neither humble nor arrogant, and interrupted Madam Ji before she could speak again, "Your Highness, the Princess Fengzao Jinsheng, your words about 'the difference in social status' are indeed a common saying in the world."
"Although the Meng family were merchants, their family precepts emphasized 'honesty in character and benevolence in family legacy.' We, the younger generation, have been taught by our grandmother and parents since childhood and have always kept these in mind."
"Young Master Ji possesses the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix. Although I have received ancestral instruction and am of noble birth, I dare not presume to be worthy of his name."
Princess Jingfu covered her lips and laughed, "She does have some self-awareness after all."
Meng Yutong could feel many ambiguous gazes falling on her.
If it were my past self, trapped by the words of others, I would probably be blushing and ashamed right now.
But times have changed. Having experienced the ups and downs of life, she would not be easily trapped by a few idle words.
She remained motionless, slightly twitching the corners of her mouth, presenting a polite smile, "However, this marriage is a blessing from our ancestors and a matter of the benevolent command of our elders. I, as a junior, can only follow their teachings and be constantly vigilant, lest I fail to live up to the high expectations of both families and also tarnish the handsome and illustrious reputation of Young Master Ji."
"Today is Madam's birthday, a day of great joy and celebration. In my humble opinion, whether or not our families are a good match is a matter for our elders to decide. I only wish Madam a long and healthy life, and that our household will be peaceful and harmonious."
After she finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent. Before Princess Jingfu could recover, Meng Yutong, with her flowing sleeves, performed a graceful curtsy, then quietly took her seat.
After taking her seat, she tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand, her face bearing a perfectly measured look of melancholy and sorrow. Her eyes, lowered and brimming with tears, made the ladies around her sigh in sympathy.
Everyone now knows that the eldest daughter of the Meng family lost her mother at a young age and suffered mistreatment and abuse from her concubines.
This seemingly presumptuous marriage, for her, was nothing short of a shackle.
Whether stepping into the grand gates of the Ji family will bring fortune or misfortune is truly unpredictable.
Princess Gyeongbok's smug smile vanished like the tide, and a dark cloud rose in her eyes.
Meng Yutong's words, seemingly humble and submissive, were actually full of hidden barbs. The phrase "the elders will weigh the matter" was clearly a veiled criticism of Meng Yutong for overstepping her bounds.
But the other party is putting on such a pitiful appearance, if I continue to pester them, I'm afraid my sister will definitely stop me.
Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze towards Meng Yutong growing increasingly cold. This merchant's daughter appeared weak, but in reality, she harbored a sharp edge. If she were allowed to enter the Ji residence, she would likely cause chaos and disorder.
With her mind racing, she made up her mind to put forward a suggestion to the Emperor: no matter what favor Old Master Ji owed, she could just reward him with more gold and silver, but she absolutely could not let Huaizhi ruin his life.
Just as she was pondering this, a clear male voice came from outside the moon gate: "Aunt, are you well?"
Jingfu's anger turned to joy, and he smiled as he looked up at the newcomer. "Huaizhi, today is your mother's birthday. Have you prepared any surprises for her?"
Ji Yun stood tall and graceful, bowing respectfully to the two people in the main seats. "I happened to meet a traveling merchant from Qinzhou who had set up a stall at the Eight Treasures Shop on the Imperial Street. I saw this jade bracelet, which was as clear as water, and it suited my mother's refined taste. So I bought it. I hope my mother likes it."
After saying that, Yunzhou opened the brocade box and saw a white jade bracelet lying inside. The plum blossoms outlined on the bracelet with silver wire were lifelike, and a few pearls were also attached between the petals, which shimmered in the dim light of the room.
Ji Ming walked briskly to Madam Ji's knees, picked up the gilded lacquer box with both hands, and took out the jade bracelet as if presenting a treasure.
The mutton-fat white jade had a warm and smooth luster. He carefully helped his mother put it on, and looked up with a smile, saying, "Mother, do you think it fits? My brother and I spent a long time picking it out on the Imperial Street."
Madam Ji stroked the jade bracelet on her wrist, her eyes and brows filled with warmth, and reached out to rub Ji Ming's head: "You brothers have such filial piety, your mother is very pleased."
Ji Ming was taken aback by his mother's affection at first, but then a bright smile appeared on his face. "I'm glad Mother likes it!"
"Madam Ji is so fortunate. Her two sons are so considerate. It's truly enviable," the ladies nearby said with smiles, and the matter of Princess Jingfu's earlier outburst was quietly swept under the rug.
Meng Yutong sat at the last seat. Her gaze paused slightly when it swept over the jade bracelet. Could the traveling merchant from Qinzhou that Ji Yun mentioned be...? She lowered her eyes to look at the teacup in front of her. It seemed that she should go to Bazhenfang to take a look.
Just as he was pondering, Madam Liu smiled and asked Ji Yun while waving her round fan, "I heard that the Imperial Medical Academy is about to issue a new decree that allows private medical clinics to be included in the official roster if they perform well?"
The wife of the Vice Minister of Works, Lady Liu, has a son named Song Yinshen, who is twenty-five years old this year. He is aloof and eccentric, and has not yet married.
It is said that this young master Song was strictly raised by his father from a young age according to the path of entering officialdom through the imperial examinations. However, he had no interest in the classics, history, philosophy, and literature. Instead, he loved to secretly rummage through the medical books hidden in the house and often squatted outside the pharmacy watching doctors diagnose patients. When his father discovered this, he scolded him for "wasting his time on trivial things."
Later, Song Yinshen failed the imperial examinations repeatedly. His family knew that he was not academically inclined, but seeing that he liked to study medicine, they thought of settling for second best and letting him take the exam for the Imperial Medical Academy.
Who knew he couldn't even pass the medical officer exam?
He disdained to rely on his father's influence to enter the Imperial Hospital as a "nominal physician," so his family had no choice but to open a clinic for him.
The clinic, named "Jishetang," was located next to the Imperial Ancestral Temple on the Imperial Street, adjacent to the Imperial Medical Bureau and government offices.
Madam Liu pondered that Jishetang already had a geographical advantage, and if it could be incorporated into the government, wouldn't it be a meteoric rise in status? She would no longer need to worry about her son's future.
Ji Yun slowly lifted his robe and sat down in the empty seat directly opposite Meng Yutong. When he looked up, he saw the woman opposite him taking a sip of tea, her posture relaxed and natural, as if what had just happened had no effect on her.
When she saw him looking over, she didn't avoid his gaze and quietly looked back. Her eyes were as bright as black pearls immersed in a clear spring, pure and direct, which made his fingertips pause for a moment.
He recalled how Meng Yutong had remained calm and composed, even when faced with her aunt's difficult questioning, and how she had been quick-witted and eloquent—a stark contrast to the rumored image of her as quiet and serene.
He casually shifted his gaze and said to Madam Liu, "It is indeed true. A notice was just posted on the Chaotianmen city wall today."
Madam Ji quietly observed the back-and-forth glances and movements between the two, her brow furrowing.
She always felt that the way Meng Yutong looked at her son was not like the way she looked at her fiancé; it was overly direct and calm.
For some reason, I felt a vague unease.
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