Chapter 57: Monster

Chapter 57 Monster

"Your Highness, perhaps Second Miss Qiu, she..."

Zuo Yi spoke urgently.

But Shen Yuchao did not wish to hear more and interrupted him, "I am tired."

Zuo Yi fell silent, swallowing his sigh, and lowered his head, saying, "Understood. I will withdraw now. Please rest well, Your Highness."

The door closed, and Shen Yuchao gently rubbed the petal.

No matter the facade he presented, he knew clearly what truly lay beneath this exterior.

Flower juice oozed out, staining his fingertips.

Shen Yuchao closed his eyes.

Even if she had once been deceived by the exterior, once she knew his true nature, all that affection would vanish.

No one would love a monster.

...

When Qiu Shuiyi arrived at the main hall, the heads of both Mei households were already present.

"Yi'er."

Her two aunts hurried over, taking her hands on either side, looking her over carefully.

"Aunts, I'm fine."

Qiu Shuiyi reassured them, "I'm perfectly fine, not a scratch on me."

Seeing her appear unharmed, Aunt Qiu and Aunt Luo finally felt relieved and sat her down.

Qiu Shuiyi discreetly pulled her collar higher.

Fortunately, the wound wasn't deep. At the time, her second uncle's attention was completely focused on Shen Yuchao, and she had deliberately concealed it, letting them think the blood on her clothes was his, so she hid the injury on her neck.

Now that she'd applied medicine and was wearing a high collar, outsiders couldn't tell at all.

It just brought fresh tears to Xin Tao and Xin Liu's eyes.

After exchanging greetings, Aunt Qiu finally asked about yesterday's events.

Qiu Shuiyi told them what happened, leaving out Zhao Xiping's identity, saying only that someone, seeing her dressed richly, had ill intentions, attempting to hold her for ransom.

Finally, the Mei family could breathe a sigh of relief.

A demand for money was bad enough, but they feared losing both the person and the money; they wouldn't know what to do with themselves.

Thankfully, she had returned safe and sound.

And fortunately, she had been found by Prince Duansu.

Mei Zhiyi asked, "Speaking of which, how did His Highness know where cousin had been taken?"

Qiu Shuiyi shook her head, "His Highness only said he came to Hongliang on official business. As for how he found me, I don't know."

Since it involved official business, Mei Zhiyi dropped the subject.

Qiu Shuiyi then asked, "Uncle, about Grandmother..."

"Don't worry."

Her second uncle, as if reading her thoughts, waved a hand, "Your grandmother is still unaware. We only told her you were tired from yesterday and rested early, and today you weren't feeling well, so you wouldn't disturb her."

Her eldest uncle said, "Remember to visit your grandmother later."

Qiu Shuiyi agreed immediately, "Yi'er knows."

...

When she arrived at Shou'an Hall, Madam Fang was on the couch playing leaf cards with a young maid.

She was squinting in concentration as she played, not even noticing Qiu Shuiyi's arrival.

After finishing a round, she finally pulled Qiu Shuiyi to sit beside her, teasing, "Just going out to play for one day, and you rested for so long. Your mother when she was your age was very lively, just like your fourth cousin, always wanting to go out."

Qiu Shuiyi was surprised, "Mother had a personality like Fourth Cousin when she was young?"

"Indeed." Madam Fang said, a reminiscent look in her eyes, "She was like a wild child since she was little, always running around after your two uncles, coming back to the estate covered in mud, just like a little mud monkey. It made me so angry I really wanted to spank her."

Qiu Shuiyi couldn't help but laugh.

Hearing her grandmother talk about her parents' past was an experience she had never had before, and she listened with rapt attention.

Madam Fang continued, "After meeting your father, your mother started pretending to be a proper young lady. Back then, your second uncle even teased her, saying that once she married, if your father discovered her true nature, he might accuse her of tricking him into marriage."

Thinking of how her father, the Marquis, and her mother interacted, Qiu Shuiyi smiled, "I think my father was clearly enjoying it."

She leaned close to Madam Fang's ear and whispered, "He listened to my mother so much. The moment my mother pretends to cry, my father immediately panics and is beside himself."

Madam Fang's eyes crinkled with a smile.

No matter the age, hearing about one's daughter's marital harmony always brings joy and comfort.

After chatting for a while, seeing her grandmother had fallen asleep, Qiu Shuiyi returned to her courtyard.

Xin Liu and Xin Tao were already waiting.

"Young Miss, I've found out. The most renowned physician in Hongliang City is Doctor Zhou from Huichun Hall."

"Huichun Hall, Doctor Zhou."

Qiu Shuiyi murmured.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside, followed by a figure rushing in, out of breath.

"Cousin, are you alright?"

Mei Fangqing ran in, sweating profusely, asking with lingering fear.

Heaven knows, when Xin Tao ran back to the theater crying, saying the young miss had disappeared, she was so frightened she almost couldn't catch her breath.

Behind her, Mei Fangru and Mei Fangzhu also arrived hurriedly.

Qiu Shuiyi gathered her thoughts and greeted them with a smile, "Cousins, please don't worry. I'm already fine."

Mei Fangqing dropped down beside her and released a slow breath. “You really scared me yesterday.”

Unusually, Mei Fangru didn’t chide her about manners and sighed instead. “Thank goodness you’re unharmed, cousin. Otherwise, I’d never be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life.”

Mei Fangzhu’s face also showed lingering fear.

Qiu Shuiyi invited her two cousins to sit and said playfully, “If Second Cousin wants to make it up to me, how about helping me with something?”

“With what?” Mei Fangru asked.

“I’d like to leave the estate tomorrow. Could you please put in a good word for me with Uncle and Aunt?”

“No.”

Mei Fangru refused outright. “You just went through an ordeal yesterday. You should rest properly at home. Not to mention my parents—I wouldn’t agree either.”

“But…” Qiu Shuiyi stroked her flat stomach, her face pinched in pain, and whispered, “Second Cousin, my period is about to start. On these days, it usually hurts so much I feel like banging my head against the wall. I’ve heard Physician Zhou of Huichun Hall is a brilliant physician. Aside from meeting my family, one reason I came to Hongliang was to get a prescription from him.”

Xin Tao, standing nearby in attendance, looked confused.

Since when did her young lady suffer from abdominal pain during her period?

Mei Fangru was deeply conflicted.

Mei Fangzhu, who had been sitting quietly to one side, said, “Why not send someone to pick up the prescription for Cousin?”

“Sending someone isn’t as reliable as going myself.”

Qiu Shuiyi said tactfully.

“That’s true.” Mei Fangru sighed.

“It’s just going out. Second Sister, you’re acting as if you’re sending Cousin off to war.” Mei Fangqing said nonchalantly, “Actual robbers are pretty rare anyway. If we get scared off by one little thing, wouldn’t we never be able to leave the estate again?”

“Third Cousin is right.”

Qiu Shuiyi nodded repeatedly.

Mei Fangqing immediately lifted her chin proudly.

Mei Fangru was finally persuaded.

And Qiu Shi also agreed quite readily.

…

The next day.

Pear blossoms covered the trees like snow, and emerald birds sang crisply from the branches.

A breeze rustled the gauze curtains, like misty clouds over mountain peaks.

Shen Yuchao stood by the window with his hair down, a brush in hand, his expression focused.

Someone stood outside the door.

Zuo Yi reported in a low voice, “Your Highness, Second Miss Qiu has left the estate.”

“She… went to Huichun Hall.”

Shen Yuchao paused.

A drop of ink fell onto the rice paper, spreading into a blot.

A smile touched his lips as he crumpled the paper into a ball, tossed it into the bamboo wastebasket, and took out a fresh sheet.

“Understood.”

Pear blossoms drifted down. The young man stood beneath the window, brush in hand, painting—a picture that should have been delightful. Yet, one look at his eyes, and even this spring beauty carried a touch of loneliness.

Zuo Yi suppressed his concern, leaned against the doorframe, and looked up at the clear blue sky.

…

Physician Zhou truly lived up to his reputation as Hongliang City’s most famous doctor.

Qiu Shuiyi had been waiting in line for a long time, but the queue ahead wasn’t getting any shorter.

Just as she was losing heart, a man walked past her, muttering to himself, “What kind of medicine is that, telling me to swallow a live gecko raw? What a quack. And he has the nerve to call himself Physician Zhou’s own junior brother? Pah.”

Qiu Shuiyi was intrigued. She quickly stopped him. “Brother, what did you just say? Physician Zhou’s junior brother?”

The man glanced at her, his expression instantly brightening. “Are you here for a consultation, Miss?”

Qiu Shuiyi smiled and nodded.

“The best physician in Huichun Hall is Physician Zhou. Make sure you see the right one, Miss, don’t get fooled.” The man poured out his grievances. “There’s a doctor inside who claims to be Physician Zhou’s junior brother. I thought, since Physician Zhou is so skilled, his junior brother must be no less capable. Who knew he was a quack? He doesn’t follow proper medical principles, only dabbles in dodgy methods. He actually wanted me to swallow a live gecko whole. Luckily, I’m good-natured and didn’t argue with him, or I’d have dragged him to the authorities.”

She didn’t pay much attention to his subsequent complaints.

This junior brother of Physician Zhou’s approach sounded rather similar to Baili He’s.

Since Baili He could treat Shen Yuchao’s injuries, perhaps this doctor might know a thing or two about his condition as well.

“Thank you, brother.”

Interrupting the man’s incessant chatter, Qiu Shuiyi said to her three cousins behind her, “Sisters, let’s go find that junior brother of Physician Zhou.”

“Will that work?” Mei Fangru hesitated.

Qiu Shuiyi pointed at the long line. “We won’t get a consultation today anyway. It won’t hurt to take a look.”

Mei Fangzhu had no objections.

Mei Fangqing simply pulled Qiu Shuiyi inside. “Then let’s go.”

“Hey!” The man was dumbfounded, watching the four young ladies enter Huichun Hall. He grumbled in annoyance, “Asking for trouble.”

…

This junior brother of Physician Zhou was somewhat known within Huichun Hall; a simple inquiry led them right to him.

Finding the place without any trouble, Qiu Shuiyi knocked on the door. “Is Physician Cheng Yu here?”

“Who is it?”

A lazy voice came from inside, hoarse as if gravel were caught in the throat.

Qiu Shuiyi replied loudly, “I’m here for a consultation.”

The person inside yawned, "Come in."

"Ladies, please wait for me a moment."

Upon entering the room, Qiu Shuiyi closed the door behind her, leaving Xin Liu and Xin Tao outside.

The women left outside exchanged puzzled looks.

The room reeked of alcohol.

Qiu Shuiyi lightly covered her nose, her gaze sweeping around before landing squarely on the figure slumped crookedly on the floor behind the low table.

He was dressed in a worn brown robe, his clothes wrinkled and his hair disheveled, with several stains on his sleeves.

His face, however, was exceptionally handsome and appeared quite young, looking to be in his late twenties. Yet his expression was gloomy, and he glanced at her with drooping eyelids, muttering weakly, "You're not sick. What are you here for?"

With just that one sentence, Qiu Shuiyi knew at once this man was no fraud.

Sitting down opposite Cheng Yu, she said with a smile, "I came to ask Doctor Cheng a question."

"If you have questions, go ask a scholar at the academy. Why come to me?"

Cheng Yu waved dismissively.

"How about you hear me out first, Doctor Cheng? Perhaps you'll find it interesting."

Cheng Yu rested his chin on one hand, dipping his index finger into the wine cup before idly drawing circles on the low table.

"Fine, I'm bored anyway. Go ahead."

"I want to ask," Qiu Shuiyi sat up straight and said earnestly, "What kind of person could heal from wounds instantly?"

"And why would the healed wounds split open again in an instant, in a cycle that never ends?"

Cheng Yu's movements froze.

When he looked up, his eyes widened in shock, and his tone grew heavier.

"The Medicine People of Miaojiang."