Chapter 74: Fame Spreads Throughout the Capital!

  The answer is certainly affirmative.

  At the beginning of summer, when she first arrived in Beijing, her purpose was to find Ah Zai. The person who treated her best after crossing over was also Ah Zai, and she had long regarded Ah Zai as an indispensable family member. If she had to choose between one thousand two hundred gold and Ah Zai, she would naturally choose the latter.

  Maybe...

  One thousand two taels of gold is equivalent to how much?

  At the current price, one or two taels of gold can be exchanged for about twelve taels of silver. If you convert 1,000 taels of gold into RMB at the current price, it would be equivalent to her suddenly owing Zhao Zhu three million RMB in bad debt. Can she swallow that?

  Unless she was born with Stockholm syndrome.

  "Anything else to consider?"

  Zhao's eyes glanced over faintly, and the bottom of his eyes revealed a kind of "so your feelings for the fool are nothing but this" sarcasm, which made Xia Chuqi very angry, gritting his teeth and staring at him.

  "Are you being too cruel?"

  "A fool's identity is enough to match a thousand pieces of gold."

  That means if she haggles, it's degrading the status of a fool?

  If it doesn't work with force, then try gentleness!

  Suddenly pouting, Xia Chuiqi's face turned sour, and he shifted his buttocks over to him, pitifully hanging onto his arm, speaking in a voice choked with sobs.

  "Grandfather, just be kind to me, pity this child who lost his parents at a young age. Think back to when I was in the orphanage, eating coarse food and suffering hardships... now that I'm old, I don't even have a man by my side, no one to pamper me or love me, living a life that's neither human nor ghost..."

  "Ah Qi——" He interrupted her, raising an eyebrow, "Would a thousand two hundred gold be too little?"

  Suddenly shutting her mouth, Xia Qi Qi shook her head. Looking at the guy in front of her who had to make her owe him a favor, she thought about it and finally agreed with a determined heart.

  "Alright, a thousand taels is a thousand taels. But a thousand taels of gold isn't given away for free, you tell me, where's the fool? I want to see him right now."

  "Can't see." His tone was light, with a lazy and slightly sarcastic undertone.

  "Why can't we meet?" Xia Chuqi was so angry that she almost jumped up, her anger level nearly bursting.

  "Why? Think for yourself." Zhao Zun's expression was indifferent, giving her a cold face without any emotion.

  "Unbelievable! Is this how you bully people? I'm offering 1,000 taels and you still won't let me see him?"

  "Where is your one thousand two? Have I ever seen it?" Zhao Zhu asked back.

  She was furious! Grinding her teeth, the surge of emotions in her heart finally turned into anger, and then transformed into a fierce force that made her want to devour him. She let out a loud roar at Zhao Zhuo, her body tilted forward, and she pounced on him like a wild animal, her eyes blazing with fury.

  "You bastard! Don't you want me to pay with my life? Fine, I'll pay now. Hand over the idiot immediately..."

  She said she would pay with her body, and indeed she paid with her body.

  Without saying another word, she pounced on Zhao Zhu and started tearing off his nightclothes. Her angry expression had long forgotten the reserve that a young lady should have. Her face was red with rage, her eyes were bloodshot, what was she going to do? It was completely like she wanted to fight him to the death. She grabbed his mouth and kissed him, her hands roaming freely over his body.

  "Chu Qi——"

  "Stop it..."

  The girl who was furious and had her hair standing on end didn't bother with him anymore.

  "What's wrong with this? Are you afraid now? I'm going to be like this!"

  Fiercely like a tigress, she was not polite at all, shouting and entangling with Zhao Zun on that soft satin nightgown, you pulled over here, I pulled over there, the scene was ridiculously funny to the extreme.

  "Let go!"

  "Don't let go!"

  "Let go or not?"

  "Take it off?"

  As the saying goes, men and women are different. This difference is not only in their personalities but also in matters of intimacy. The subtle differences can only be understood intuitively, not explicitly expressed. When a girl likes someone, she doesn't necessarily want to take things to the next level immediately; often, she just wants emotional connection - holding hands, kissing, and discussing life and ideals under the moonlight. Men are naturally different, and if they have feelings for a woman, wouldn't they seek to consummate their relationship?

  In this respect, it is the nature of men.

  So, on the seventh day of the new year, although she was being playful and teasing, her movements seemed exaggerated, but in reality, she didn't have any ulterior motives. However, Zhao Zhuo was different, he's a man, and with her teasing and poking, his blood was rushing downwards, and that thing started to get lively...

  "If you don't let go now, I'll..."

  "What's the point? Hmph! Anyway, I owe you a debt that can't be repaid, one thousand two hundred gold coins, even if you sell me it won't be enough. I've figured it out, do whatever you want, but you must return my family's fool to me..." Xia Chuyi was panting and changing direction as she scratched him, like a small cat, viciously extending her sharp claws to scratch his body all over.

  The moon outside hangs on the willow branch, and the candlelight inside sways with the wind.

  In the midst of chaos, a room full of strange and eerie gasping sounds.

  Coarse, fine, scolded, roared...

  In the flickering candlelight, two figures, one big and one small, were entwined together, rolling around in a heap, but what did it look like they were doing something good? It completely looked like a pair of sworn enemies fighting. One wanted to hold on, the other wanted to push away, pulling at each other's clothes until they were disheveled, their hair scattered everywhere, until Xia Zhi accidentally touched that place on him that made her heart skip a beat... and suddenly came back to reality.

  But she just smiled!

  Let him be serious, let him pretend...

  She's just a stubborn mule who can't keep her mouth shut!

  Panting, she looked up at Zhao Jinliu, who was panting even harder than her, and glared at him with a sly smile, ready to mock him. But before she could say anything, he suddenly raised his hand and knocked her out cold.

  Ancestors...

  Does he really think she's going to force him?

  Was he unwilling to let her go, or was it because of the one thousand two hundred pieces of gold?

  Trapped in darkness, this was Xia Qi's only thought.

  ……

  ……

  The next day, the snow cleared and the wind dispersed. Xia Qi woke up on Zhao Zhen's intricately carved large bed on the seventh of July.

  She rubbed her sore head and took a look at the furnishings in the house, then she let out a loud shriek.

  Subconsciously reacted by lifting up the quilt to look at the clothes on his body —

  It's all right, it's all right, everyone is dressed properly.

  She was the only one on the bed, she rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked around to see the man sleeping on the beautiful couch by the window. The thin quilt on him was askew, and the area of the beautiful couch seemed a bit cramped to accommodate his tall body. From his furrowed brow, it could be seen that he didn't sleep very soundly.

  She cleared her throat and raised her voice.

  "Hey, it's daylight!"

  It was as if he hadn't slept well, and when Zhao Zun looked over, his face was full of anger.

  "Are you awake?"

  His voice when he woke up was hoarse and low, with a particularly masculine charm. This made Xia Chuqi's ears perk up again, thinking of last night's events, she quickly turned her face away, lazily yawning to avoid the awkwardness of facing him.

  She thought about it again and felt that this guy was still okay.

  At least he, as a king, gentlemanly gave up the bed to her to sleep, and himself made do with that small beauty couch for a night...... Tsk tsk tsk, just based on this point, he is actually a good husband candidate.

  Her heart felt better, and her resentment towards him decreased a lot.

  "What's wrong? I'll go back now, you come and lie on the bed for a while?"

  He let out a soft "hmm", nodded, but didn't get up. Instead, he pulled the quilt back over his waist and rubbed his temples, saying faintly, "You can go now, but today's massage fee is on me."

  "What's the big deal? You're even stingy with ten taels of silver?"

  She jumped down, her shoes making a splashing sound in the water, and walked up to him with her hands on her hips. All the excitement and infatuation she had felt earlier were gone, replaced by a burning anger.

  "Does it still need to be asked?"

  Zhao Zhu leaned lazily against the beautiful couch, lightly scanning her, seemingly particularly appreciating her angry and embarrassed little appearance. His hoarse voice from waking up in the morning was even lower, sounding extremely pleasant to hear.

  "My master's house is no ordinary place to sleep, and ten taels is a cheap price for you."

  "You're just a tenant!"

  She let out a breath, and in the next instant, her anger was turned into amusement by him - she blinked, tightened her waistband with a "hmmph", and then burst out laughing.

  "Alright, I'll pay you 10 taels. But I stayed overnight in your room last night, and if the news gets out, my reputation will be ruined. So you should compensate me for the loss of reputation with 100 taels. Deducting the 10 taels, you still owe me 90 taels... That's it, goodbye!"

  She left like the wind as soon as she finished speaking.

  Behind his back, someone whispered, "He's learned something!"

  ……

  ……

  Xia Zhiqiu finally got a gold medal, but in the blink of an eye, she became a "negative crown" and even a "big negative crown". That night, she had a nightmare...

  She's furious! She asked Zhao Zhuo, "Can't you just consider it as upholding justice and being chivalrous?"

  Zhao Zhuang replied to her, "Where can a chivalrous man get gold?"

  She's furious! She asked Zhao Zhu again, "We're so close, we've even kissed, can't you show some affection?"

  Zhao Zhuo replied to her, "Ordinary people's money, I wouldn't bother cheating. Cheating you is loving you."

  She's on fire! She also asked Zhao Zhu, "With this going on, when can I make a lot of money to buy a big house and raise several young pretty boys to live a comfortable life?"

  Zhao Zhu replied to her, "I have a lot of money and a big house, more attractive than a pretty face. Follow me and you'll reach the pinnacle of life. Don't worry, even if you're in debt, you only need to owe me one."

  She's furious! She asked Zhao Zhuo, "When can I turn the tables and bully you?"

  Zhao Zhu replied to her, "All things in the world are mutually complementary. The husband is heaven and the wife is earth, born to be oppressed by him."

  The two words "husband and wife" made her suddenly wake up.

  It also counts as having figured it out.

  He's always making a fool of her, but he still has to let her see it, right?

  Unfortunately, she couldn't see him either.

  She asked several more times later, but Zhao Zu did not want to say any more.

  However, from his words, Xia Chuyi can also infer his purpose.

  The fool is currently in an awkward situation, especially at this critical moment when everyone is eager to move. The fool was hidden by the King of Ning in a certain place, which is safer than revealing his identity. It is obvious that the King of Ning wants to use the fool's identity to deal with Zhao Mianze, and sooner or later he will have to bring the fool before the old emperor. Now that Zhao Jun is not taking action, he naturally has his own reasons for not doing so.

  This old fox is best at counter-attacking at critical moments.

  For her one thousand two hundred gold coins, she chose to believe him.

  Only fools are safe, and that's good.

  Of course, from Zhao Zun, she also confirmed the identity of the fool. He was indeed the eldest son Zhao Mianhuan who had died at the age of eight as rumored. It turned out that before Zhao Mianze's mother was promoted to queen, she was only a concubine of the crown prince, and Zhao Zhen's real wife was actually the fool's biological mother, but unfortunately, his biological mother died just a few years after he was born, and later the concubine was promoted, many people outside didn't know about the existence of the original wife.

  In this way...

  She had a wicked idea - was Dongfang Amu'er just the third crown princess?

  In the early summer of the seventh month, I actually wanted to interview Zhao Zhu. What does she think about this? However, she is a person with integrity, and it's only natural that she doesn't speak ill of others. So I didn't ask much more. In fact, she would rather go interview Dongfang Amu, asking her whether being the sole mistress of the Jin Wang Fu, loving Zhao Zhu till old age is better or marrying the crown prince to become the future mistress of the Da Yan dynasty but never obtaining happiness in life.

  Unfortunately, there is no chance now...

  She was very depressed for a while after losing a lot of money.

  It feels like she finally found the key to making money, only to have someone change the lock every time. But after suffering and reflecting, she would return to her usual self, worrying about debts in a couple of days.

  If you owe, then you owe!

  Isn't there still money in your pocket?

  She only owed 1,000 taels of gold. Oh no, after handing over that one ingot of gold worth five taels, she now owes him 995 taels. Those silver notes are still in her hands, and Zhao Zun didn't completely lose his conscience either, so he knew to leave her some living expenses, a little flexibility...

  Thinking of this, the wounded heart was healed once again on the seventh day of the first month.

  After vomiting three liters of blood in the natal room and wailing with chest-pounding and foot-stomping for two days, she was back to her normal self, without any discomfort. Someone's calculating eyes looked at her with a hint of disappointment.

  For the next six or seven days, the East Palace will send a carriage to pick her up.

  As she went in and out of the East Palace more frequently, rumors among officials and commoners also increased.

  Some people say that the good doctor of the Jin Wang Fu is indeed a matchless divine doctor. The crown prince's chronic illness, so many imperial physicians in the imperial hospital were at a loss, but she nursed him for only a few days and he already showed signs of improvement. It seems that the crown prince will recover soon, which is a blessing for the great Yan dynasty.

  Some people say that the imperial physician of the Jin Wang Fu is deeply favored by the King because her medical skills are exceptional. The King has been at war for many years, and his body has long since deteriorated; if not for this imperial physician, he might have died on their last campaign. So, the favoritism is fake, but being unable to leave her skills behind is true.

  Some people say...

  There were all sorts of rumors going around, but one thing was true - the Crown Prince's illness had taken a turn for the better.

  For this reason, every time Xia Chuyi went to the East Palace for treatment, Zhao Zhu not only brought Li Mo along but also specially assigned two ghosts to follow her. The accompaniment of the two ghosts disrupted Xia Chuyi's plan, and with them around, she found it very inconvenient to talk or do things with Li Mo. However, it was also because of the presence of the two ghosts that she guessed another fact - she was no longer safe.

  The more the prince's illness recovers, the more her life will be threatened.

  Many people are waiting for the prince to die so that their own people can take power. Now she actually wants to save him, won't others kill her?

  People fear fame like pigs fear fattening! She is always on thin ice.

  But this matter has greatly helped her reputation.

  Now in the capital of Beijing, the name "Chu Qi" which was originally unknown, has spread throughout the streets and alleys, and has even slowly spread to other provinces, becoming a medical figure that everyone wants to see, and also becoming a godly doctor that some dying people want to come and seek treatment from before they die.

  And this Chu divine doctor not only has good medical skills, but also a kind heart. As long as someone comes to find her, she will treat them without fail. Of course, for those with money, she will inevitably charge them a hefty sum, and if the family really can't afford it, there are times when she even pays for the medicine herself.

  Those two days, her business was unprecedentedly hot, and she even set up her medicine stall outside the gate of the Jin Wang Fu. Her medical reputation also rose rapidly, spreading throughout the entire capital city, illuminating half the sky of the imperial city.

  She's thrilled to have received some money.

  In just two days, Zhao Zun couldn't bear it anymore and sent someone to confiscate her stall. Moreover, the guards at the entrance of the Jin Wang Fu were strengthened, and no one was allowed to pass on messages to her. As a result, this Chu divine doctor disappeared from the public eye like a fleeting flower, and the Jin Wang Fu gate was heavily guarded, with no one daring to come and ask for medical treatment.

  The person who suffered direct losses was Xia Chuyi herself.

  It's not easy to find a way to make money, but it was ruined by Zhao Zhu again. It is said that on the night of collecting stalls, in Chengde Temple, when she gave him a massage, there was a bloody incident, resulting in constant screams...

  Fifteen years have passed in the blink of an eye since the Chinese New Year.

  On the fifteenth day of summer, Chuyi did not go to the East Palace. On the sixteenth day of the first month, the carriage from the East Palace came again.

  In the warm pavilion.

  The crown prince Zhao Ke leaned against the headboard, with Huang Gonggong supporting him as he finished a thick bowl of medicinal soup. After rinsing his hands and wiping his face, he smiled and turned his head to look at Xia Chuqi with soft eyes.

  "The imperial physician has been relieved of his duties, and I have felt much more at ease for the past two days."

  Xia sat on the round stool in front of the bed, took a look at his face which had recovered some spirit, and then looked at his hand that was thin to the point of being shapeless, forcing a smile.

  "Your Highness, I dare not take credit for this nor speak falsely. The truth is that the Yangmei disease is still far from being thoroughly cured. For now, all we can say is that the medicine has taken effect and there's hope for a cure. I dare not deceive you, Your Highness. Judging from your current condition, if we only rely on medicinal soup, the treatment period will be very long. Whether it can be thoroughly cured or whether it will relapse after being cured, I do not dare to confirm. You must prepare yourself mentally for this."

  "I know."

  These days, Zhao Ke no longer speaks nonsense like he did when he first saw her. Although his eyes still wander when looking at her, he never mentions the embarrassing topic of "Is she Xia Chu" again. Most of the time, he just looks at her warmly like a kind elder.

  "Would Chu physician be interested in coming to the East Palace?"

  Zhao Ke's sudden question made Xia Chuyi stunned for a moment.

  If she didn't have those entanglements with Zhao Zun, she would definitely agree to the Crown Prince's invitation without hesitation. After all, entering the East Palace was her original wish, and entering the East Palace would be more beneficial for her to clear the name of the person who was wronged in the case of Wei Guo Gong.

  What a pity, nowadays she can't even walk properly?

  She shook her head and just smiled.

  "I thank Your Highness for your appreciation, and I express my gratitude in advance. However, since the King of Jin has shown me kindness, Chu Qi cannot be arrogant..."

  "Chu Medical Officer..."

  It seemed that Zhao didn't expect her to refuse, so he was taken aback for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly started coughing violently. Huang Gonggong quickly brought over a spittoon and waited until he had caught his breath before looking up again. On that thin face with only skin covering the bones, there was still a warm smile.

  "Dr. Chu, is there something inconvenient for you to say?"

  "What? What's inconvenient?" Xia Chuqi was perplexed.

  After some thought, Zhao seemed to be considerate of her feelings and spoke somewhat vaguely.

  "I've also heard some things about you and Lao Jiu. If it's inconvenient for you to speak, I can think of a way to get you out from under Lao Jiu's control..."

  He explained it this way, and Xia Qi finally understood.

  It turns out that the prince actually wanted to help her? Perhaps in his eyes, she was a normal person who had been wronged by becoming Zhao Jun's concubine, and Zhao Jun's temperament was also extremely difficult to get along with. Probably this prince felt that she was being bullied and remembered the favor she did for him, wanting to stand up for her?

  This is good news, representing progress in relations.

  She secretly rejoiced for a moment, but she didn't dare show it on her face.

  "Thank you, Your Highness, but it's really not necessary."

  Zhao Ke obviously didn't quite believe her excuse, his furrowed brow deepening a bit more.

  "You don't have to be afraid of Lao Jiu. This palace is his elder brother, and in front of him, there's still some face."

  "Your Highness misunderstood, I'm not afraid of him..." She didn't know how to explain the "money-for-money" relationship between her and Zhao Zun to this stubborn prince. After thinking for a moment, she could only pretend to be bashful and said, "Actually, actually, I and the Nineteenth Prince are...are mutually in love."

  Staring at her eyes in astonishment, Zhao Ke remained silent for a long time before sighing.

  "Foolish child, even if you two are fond of each other, it won't last between you and him. Emperor Nineteen will eventually marry a proper empress. At that time, where can you go?"

  "Marry the princess... then marry her." Xia Chun's eyebrows rose slightly, and she smiled again, "When that time comes, Your Highness the Crown Prince can come and take in Chu Qi again, how about it?"

  Zhao Ke smiled and said, "Today his spirit seems to be not bad, but the voice in his throat is still hoarse. He took another sip of water to moisten his throat, and then weakly laughed and said, 'In February, there will be a big selection in the palace. It's said that the emperor and the empress have already chosen their favorite candidate for Jin Wangfei...'"

  He said up to here, he thought he couldn't remember anymore, and beckoned that yellow old man over, lifting his head to ask him.

  "Huang Mingzhi, which family's daughter has Your Majesty promised to Old Nineteen?"

  "Zhāng Liè Hòu Sòng Jiā De."

  Translation: "The glorious Zhang Lie's Song family."

  A voice came in and answered before Huang Mingzhi.

  Right after that, in the slow and steady footsteps, a warm and refined man with a gentle and charming smile, carrying a handsome face, appeared in the inner chamber.

  As soon as he entered the house, he bowed first.

  The son requests an audience with his father the king.

  He was none other than Zhao Mianze, who had just come down from his morning court session.

  Seeing his own son, Zhao Ke's face had a few more smiles on it.

  "Mei Ze, you're back? Quick, come sit by Father's side."

  Zhao Mianze slowly walked over, sat down on the edge of Zhao Ke's bed, nodded slightly towards Xia Chuqi, then took Zhao Ke's hand and examined him carefully for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief.

  "Your Majesty, your complexion is indeed looking better."

  Zhao Ke smiled slightly and patted his hand, feeling very pleased.

  "Thanks to Chu Yiguan. Mian Ze, you should thank him properly."

  Zhao Mianze nodded, and then chatted with Zhao Ke for a few more sentences. After listening to his advice, he bid farewell and stood up. As he was about to leave, he turned back to Xia Chuqi and gave her a subtle glance before walking away with elegant steps.

  Xia knew on the seventh day of summer that he had something to say.

  Bid farewell to Zhao Zhe, and then entrusted some medical orders to Huang Mingzhi, carrying the medicine box and followed up.

  As expected, Zhao Mianze was sitting on the intricately carved large chair at the main seat waiting for her. A white loose robe fluttered as if it were celestial, with only some rolled hems embroidered at the waist and sleeve openings that couldn't be discerned to have any color or pattern, obviously done by Xia Wenqiu's hand, elegant and refined.

  There are loving marks everywhere!

  Those who show affection will die early.

  The more affection now, the more resentment in the future.

  With a venomous thought, she glanced at Zhao Mianze's white and gentle face, put down the medical box, made a long bow, and then revealed a smile more enchanting than Mona Lisa's, setting off her watery eyes like two black grapes, that clever spirit, appearing even more round and agile.

  "What business does Your Imperial Highness have with a humble person like me?"

  Zhao Mianze raised an eyebrow and gazed at her face calmly.

  "My father king asked me to thank you. I don't know what the Chu doctor wants."

  What do you want? Ah, this is really a big question.

  She wants too many things, can she want his life?

  She slowly raised the corners of her lips and looked at him with a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile.

  "Money. A lot of money."

  Probably no one expected that a small divine doctor who was widely known as "De Yi Shuang Xin" would make such a vulgar request, Zhao Mianze's hand holding the tea cup trembled slightly, and he looked over in disbelief.

  In sight is suspicious, strange, scrutinizing...

  But when he saw the word "greed" written clearly in her eyes, he couldn't help but furrow his brow, looking slightly disappointed.

  "Is money that important?"

  How dare you think she's common? Xia Chuyi smiled.

  "As for what Grandson Longsun said, when people live, they must have some thoughts and feelings, right?"

  "How much do you want?" Zhao Mianze's words already had some impatience.

  "Hehehe, who would still complain about having too much money? I want to be the richest person in Daxia, but I don't know if Long Sun can make it happen?"

  She spoke with ease and elegance, but in Zhao Mianze's gaze, apart from impatience and discontent, he had clearly labeled her as "vulgar". However, he was a highly cultivated person, always lofty and refined, his tone still warm and polite.

  "Since Chu physician has requested it, how about I reward you with a hundred taels of gold?"

  Xia Chuqi raised an eyebrow and particularly disliked the word "reward".

  This is her reward, medical expenses, it's what she got after working hard, and it's rightfully hers.

  Apart from her, who else can cure secondary syphilis in this world?

  She smiled slightly without a care, looking at Zhao Mianze with an extremely sweet and charming smile.

  "If it were one thousand two, it might be a little better."

  "Huh?" Zhao Mianze probably didn't expect her to be so greedy, a pair of unbelievable black eyes stared over, the originally furrowed eyebrows deepened some more. "Doctor Chu's appetite is really not small, do you know how much stuff can be bought with 100 taels of gold? Enough for you to live a life of luxury and enjoyment for the rest of your life."

  "That is...that is..."

  Hehe, what a joke, Xia Zhi didn't see his disdain on the seventh day of summer.

  "But is living just about having enough to eat and wear, and enjoying oneself? Shouldn't there be some other pursuits? Like Your Highness the Crown Prince... haha, just kidding, like me, who wants to become the richest man in the world and have a few young wives to take care of? That one hundred taels of gold is definitely not enough!"

  The disgust in Zhao Mianze's eyes grew thicker.

  She's just short of saying she disgusts him.

  Still smiling, after all.

  "A thousand taels, I'm afraid it's beyond my power."

  The emperor's grandson is really well-behaved! On the seventh day of summer, looking at his increasingly ugly face, of course, she didn't really expect him to give her a thousand taels of gold, but just wanted to tease him. However, suddenly, she found a bit of fun in Zhao Zun's behavior - it turned out that watching others struggle with money was such a delightful thing!

  Then she smiled and deliberately showed a greedy face.

  "Your Highness Longsun doesn't need to worry, one hundred and two is also very good, very good... As for the remaining nine hundred and two, if Your Highness can't take it out temporarily, owing it is also acceptable..."

  Zhao Mianze's expression was finally about to crack.

  "How dare you, Chu medical officer, open your mouth so big?"

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, she found that Zhao Mianze, this kind of person who would rather die than lose face and suffer in silence, was much simpler and easier to deal with than Zhao Zun, that hypocritical master. As soon as she thought of this, her heart almost burst out laughing, but on her face, she forced a difficult sigh.

  "Medical skills are priceless treasures, hasn't the Crown Prince heard of that? If it weren't for someone as insignificant as me, I'm afraid Your Highness would find it difficult to fulfill his filial duties and enjoy family harmony at this time. Losing a thousand pieces of gold versus saving one's father's life, which does Your Highness think is more worthwhile?"

  A man's life is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

  This multiple-choice question was something she had learned from Zhao Zhuo.

  Zhao Zun deceived her, so she came to deceive Zhao Mianze.

  As expected...

  Can Zhao Mianze say his father's life is not worth a thousand taels of gold?

  A pair of gentle eyes had a cold light, he hesitated for a moment, and then asked in a confirming tone, "So, Doctor Chu's meaning is that my father the king's illness must have a cure?"

  Pursed lips, summer seventh ridicule a little.

  "It depends on your intention, Your Highness... whether it can be cured or not."

  Zhao Mianze's face changed, and he slammed his hand on the table.

  "How dare you say such outrageous and treasonous words!"

  Looking at his handsome face turning iron-green with anger, it's really impossible to pretend even a bit.

  At this point, Xia Qi was really unsure whether the culprit who had caused the Crown Prince to contract "the flower and willow disease" was indeed his filial son. From her observations over the past few days, she could conclude that Zhao Zhe was not the kind of person who would frequent the brothels in the red-light district. If it wasn't Zhao Mianze who had wronged him, then who else could have dealt such a deadly blow? The person who had ruined his life also wanted to destroy his reputation for generations to come?

  Ignoring Zhao Mianze's resentment, Xia Chuyi smiled again after a moment of contemplation.

  "Just joking, just joking. I've always liked to joke around, Your Highness shouldn't mind. Of course, when it comes to money, I don't like to joke..."

  Zhao Mianze let out a heavy hum, sat back in his chair, took a sip of tea, and still seemed to be in a bad mood. His tone wasn't very friendly either. "You'd better treat me well, I won't lose out if you do. And another thing, my father Wang Renhou is a kind person, don't take advantage of his kindness for your own gain. If I find out, I won't forgive you."

  "Profits?" Xia Chuqi laughed with a sly glint in his eye, "I'm just a humble man who loves money, as for other benefits, I don't have much interest."

  Zhao Mianze narrowed his eyes, and when his gaze fell on her face, it was mixed with even more complex emotions. "In short, remember this for me: don't do things that go against your conscience just for the small benefits others give you. Whatever amount of money others promise you, the East Palace can also offer you the same. Just focus on treating my father, and you won't be shortchanged."

  This is quite...

  That sound outside the string made Xia Chuqi's heart skip a beat.

  Look at what he means, is he afraid that she will be bought by others and not treated with all her heart?

  She took a deep breath and smiled, "Long Sun, you're overthinking this. Although fairness and justice in this world have long been eaten by dogs, I've always disliked those despicable things that operate in the dark and behind people's backs. I want silver, I like silver, but I want it clean and aboveboard. As for underhanded tactics, I don't use them and I'm not worthy of using them! The two words 'conscience' are written clearly on my heart... unchanged for a lifetime, with a benevolent heart."

  Every time she said a word, she stared into Zhao Mianze's eyes.

  It's unclear whether he was just pretending or really felt innocent, but on that handsome face as smooth as jade, there wasn't even a hint of embarrassment, as if he had never done those things to harm others. After hearing this, she let out a long sigh of relief, and her gaze at him seemed to have warmed up a lot too.

  "That's good, a gentleman loves wealth, but takes it in a proper way. Dr. Chu, remember these words."

  "Thanks for the reminder, Your Excellency! I'll be more careful next time!"

  These few words were almost squeezed out of Xia Chuyi's teeth on July 7th.

  In front of her was such a kind and gentle imperial grandson!

  If she didn't know what he was up to, she would have been deceived by his appearance.

  "Chu physician, one thousand two hundred taels of gold is really too much." Zhao Mianze thought for a moment and said, "Apart from the one hundred taels of gold, I can also grant you some things that you like. But what else does Chu physician like?"

  With half-closed eyes, Xia Qiuzi carefully examined the man in front of her from head to toe, this legendary "legally recognized fiancé" of hers, before curling up the corners of her lips and smiling with a crescent moon-like curve in her eyes, even the small dimples at the corners of her mouth seemed to emerge shyly.

  "Besides money, I also like another thing."

  Zhao Mianze's eyes softened as he looked over with a gentle "oh".

  As he gazed at the dimple on her lips, he paused for a moment before asking, "What is it?"

  "Chu Qi smiled and replied, 'Birds——'"

  Digression

  Some people say it's too little, some people say it's not on time... Erjin feels very sorry and a bit sad.

  If you often update less frequently and are never on time, suddenly coming out with a big update would make everyone very happy and feel like it's an unexpected surprise.

  If you're always more than enough, always on time, once slightly less or not on time, won't everyone feel disappointed and resentful?

  Cough, Erjin didn't come to complain, but I actually type very slowly, and with a clear conscience, I never perfunctorily... Now during the National Day holiday, accompanying family outside, often making many people wait for me, my heart is also struggling...

  I thought of asking for leave, but I know there are more people waiting for me...

  Writing is an author's inner performance, but it actually needs you dear ones, your encouragement...

  Acknowledgments:

  Dear, chaotic heart moved. Lcxboy upgraded to Yuanyuan, wooden horse dear, thank you.