Chapter 85 Catching Wind and Shadows; Many Speculations

Chapter 85 Chasing Shadows and Catching Wind: More Speculation

The maids in the mansion had already informed Miao Mao about the argument between the Second Prince and the Prince of Lingnan, so when he saw Xie Nai, Miao Mao was very courteous, afraid of rubbing him the wrong way.

Xie Nai raised his hand to excuse Miao Mao and Qin Ji from their bows, then said expressionlessly, "Wasn't there a consultation? Let's begin."

Miao Mao's gaze discreetly swept between Qin Jiao and Xie Nai. He hadn't heard of any connection between the Prince of Lingnan and this eldest son of the Qin estate before. Even for Qin Jiao's consultation, why would the prince take time out to sit in on this?

Miao Mao was good at hiding his thoughts. Though surprised inside, he showed nothing on his face. He said, "Lord Qin mentioned that the eldest young master is injured, with a wound that won't stop bleeding. May I take a look at it?"

Hearing this, Qin Jiao smiled somewhat sheepishly. "My injury is on my back, and it's inconvenient to undress here. Could I trouble Doctor Miao to first take my pulse?"

Qin Jiao wasn't injured at all, so naturally he couldn't show Miao Mao a wound. He had already prepared his story from the start.

"To be honest, Military Doctor Hou from the Prince of Lingnan's mansion also examined me earlier. The wound was just a minor scrape, and he couldn't find the cause, so I've troubled you here."

Qin Jiao had an elegant and handsome appearance, with bright, clear eyes. His smile was beautiful and full of youthful energy, easily giving people the first impression of being innocent, naive, and sincere.

And right now, Miao Mao was taken in by his harmless exterior. On top of that, Miao Mao was distracted by other thoughts, so he didn't insist on seeing Qin Jiao's wound. Instead, he had a maid bring a pulse pillow, preparing to take Qin Jiao's pulse.

Qin Jiao smiled warmly and softly. "Thank you, Doctor Miao."

"No problem."

Qin Jiao placed his wrist on the pulse pillow. Miao Mao began taking his pulse calmly, but suddenly, Qin Jiao noticed that his purple pupils trembled slightly, though they quickly returned to normal.

Afterward, Miao Mao asked Qin Jiao a few more questions—whether he was taking any medication for regulation, when the wound's failure to heal first appeared, and if anyone other than Military Doctor Hou had examined him. Qin Jiao answered each question half-truthfully.

After a while, Miao Mao finished the pulse diagnosis. Qin Jiao looked at him with eager eyes. "Doctor Miao, is there anything abnormal with my body?"

Miao Mao replied very calmly, "The eldest young master merely suffers from acquired malnutrition, with slightly low on qi and blood. Just pay more attention to your daily care."

Qin Jiao smiled slightly. "Since both you and Military Doctor Hou say so, I can rest easy."

Beside him, Qin Ji seemed to nod in relief as well.

Then Miao Mao prescribed some regulating medicine for Qin Jiao and also examined Qin Ji, who was "suffering from a splitting headache."

After confirming that both young masters of the Qin estate were fine, an imperial decree arrived from the palace, summoning Miao Mao because Consort Dowager Ying was unwell.

Qin Jiao had already achieved his goal for the day, so he quickly expressed his thanks for Miao Mao's treatment. Since the palace had summoned him, they wouldn't disturb him any longer. Miao Mao exchanged a few polite words with Qin Jiao and finally saw them off personally.

Leaving the Miao residence, Qin Jiao walked alongside Qin Ji, while Luo Yue led two horses over.

With Qin Ji present, Xie Nai didn't say much to Qin Jiao. He simply nodded at him and said, "If something comes up, send for me."

Qin Jiao looked relaxed and carefree. "Got it."

Qin Jiao watched Xie Nai leave, then turned and bumped straight into Qin Ji.

Qin Ji opened his mouth as if to say something, but after a long time, he didn't utter a single word. He was visibly conflicted.

This wasn't like Qin Ji. In Qin Jiao's impression, Qin Ji had always been an hot-tempered and proud person. Such hesitation and awkwardness were not his style.

Qin Jiao didn't like beating around the bush either. He was about to speak when suddenly, a rich, strange yet familiar scent came from behind them.

Qin Jiao frowned instinctively.

"Big Brother, Second Brother." It was Qin Chaole.

"Your complexion looks terrible. Weren't you here for a health regimen?" Qin Ji asked, shocked as he looked at Qin Chaole.

Qin Jiao also took a look at Qin Chaole.

At this moment, Qin Chaole's face was pale as paper, covered in cold sweat. His lips, already light in color, now appeared utterly bloodless.

Fine beads of cold sweat soaked his temples, and one by one, they slid down his cheeks into his collar. Qin Jiao guessed that if not for his servant supporting him, Qin Chaole would probably be unable to stand.

"I've made you worry, Second Brother," Qin Chaole said with a weak smile.

"No, I'm not worried about you," Qin Ji said with an expression that was hard to read. "I'm just wondering if that Miao Mao is a quack. He prescribed medicine for us too, and I'm considering whether to drink it or not."

Qin Chaole: "..."

Qin Jiao: "..."

Yes, this was the real Qin Ji.

A straightforward one.

Since Qin Ji had helped him today, Qin Jiao felt grateful. So he said to Qin Ji, "You just have excessive internal heat. If you don't want to take medicine, drinking more herbal tea should work."

According to Miao Mao's diagnosis, Qin Ji was just a young man with strong internal heat, commonly known as having 'internal heat'.

For this kind of symptom, Qin Jiao felt there was no need to take medicine, since every medicine is three parts poison, especially since Miao Mao had prescribed it.

To make Qin Ji more convinced, Qin Jiao added at the end, "I spent three years recuperating in Nanzhou, so I have experience."

Qin Jiao meant he had experience, hoping Qin Ji would trust him.

But Qin Ji thought: Alright! You're bringing up your abandonment in Nanzhou again. I knew you wouldn't let that go!

Qin Ji tried to force a smile but couldn't. In the end, he stiffly replied, "I understand."

"Alright, since you understand, let's head back to the mansion."

Qin Jiao simply ignored Qin Ji's unease. He actively approached the weakened Qin Chaole and said gently, "Let me help you."

Qin Chaole was stunned. He was about to refuse, but Qin Jiao had already firmly grasped his arm. Qin Chaole couldn't break free from the hold and finally had to give up, letting Qin Jiao guide him forward.

Qin Ji watched their retreating figures, looking bewildered.

When did they suddenly become such loving brothers?

Was this for real?

By the time Qin Jiao and his group returned to the mansion, dusk was thickening. A slender, pale moon hung in the sky, about to emerge.

As soon as Qin Ji returned, he hurried off to find Yu Shuhan. The weakened Qin Chaole was also taken away by Yin Tongjun, who had come to fetch him. Qin Jiao stood still, watching the distant figures of Qin Chaole and his mother, a dark light flickering in his eyes.

Soon, Cong Shuang came looking for Qin Jiao.

When she saw the pack of medicine in his hand, her expression changed instantly. Afraid she would worry, Qin Jiao quickly told her it was just a common tonic.

Cong Shuang clearly disliked that medicine. Qin Jiao was still suffering from the Blood Withering poison, and they hadn't even found the poisoner yet. Cong Shuang didn't dare let him recklessly drink any medicine.

But there was no other choice for now. In the coming days, Qin Jiao would have to brew this medicine and pretend to have drunk it; otherwise, his trapping plan would lose its purpose.

"Is Father in the mansion? I have something to discuss with him." Today Qin Yuanshan had asked Miao Mao to examine Qin Jiao. Although Miao Mao didn't find anything, according to convention, Qin Jiao should go and check in with Qin Yuanshan.

"The master is not in the mansion. Young master can go back and rest for a while."

"Hmm?" Qin Jiao was puzzled.

As far as he knew, his father rarely returned late except when currying favor with superiors, and never stayed out overnight. But at this hour, he still hasn't returned to the mansion?

Cong Shuang signed: "It is said that a noble summoned him. The master left in a hurry without even having dinner."

"Alright, then let's go straight back to Mushan Residence."

Qin Jiao and Cong Shuang walked back together.

In truth, Qin Jiao had some partially true guesses, but they were more like baseless and unsubstantiated suspicions. He didn't dare tell Cong Shuang what was on his mind, so he held his tongue and waited for another time.

--

In the following days, Qin Jiao had Cong Shuang brew the medicine and send it to Mushan Residence every day. To outsiders, it seemed that Qin Jiao's herbal medicine never stopped. But in fact, the roots of the white plum bonsai in Qin Jiao's room were nearly stripped and rotted by the bitter medicine.

After "taking" the medicine like this for a few days, Qin Jiao's "injury" recovered.

Today was a beautiful day, so Qin Jiao specially went to put on a show of being a dutiful son for Qin Yuanshan. Coincidentally, Yu Shuhan was also there. Qin Jiao praised Miao Mao to the skies, and Qin Yuanshan and Yu Shuhan's expressions were not pleasant.

Qin Jiao pretended not to notice their discomfort and returned to Mushan Residence with Cong Shuang, his face full of "delight". As soon as he sat down, Steward Wen came to report that Luo Yiqi was requesting to see Qin Jiao. Qin Jiao quickly asked Cong Shuang to bring him into the courtyard.

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