Volume One, Chapter 15: His Affairs Concern Me Not

Outside the examination hall, Xie Yihe stood silently, witnessing the entire medical treatment process performed by Jiang Yutang with his own eyes.

His narrow eyes narrowed further, his gaze shifting to one of scrutiny, as though he were seeing this wife he had shared bed and pillow with for three years in a completely new light.

It was a novel sensation to him.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was somewhat chaotic. Jiang Yutang sat on the ground, holding the elderly woman in her arms. The deep frown on the woman’s face gradually eased, and the pain etched there began to fade. Though still weak, she slowly regained consciousness from her faint.

“You still have the needles in your body; don’t move rashly,” Jiang Yutang said softly, lowering her gaze in gentle caution.

This patient had truly been saved by Jiang Yutang.

The crowd inside the examination hall erupted into murmurs. A court physician cautiously stepped forward to check the pulse and discovered it had returned to normal, stabilizing the heart condition. Jiang Yutang had pulled this person back from the brink of death.

Not only was Jiang Yutang knowledgeable in medicine, but she was also quite accomplished!

The inspector was struck dumbfounded by the scene, standing there stunned and speechless.

What on earth was this...

If Jiang Yutang truly possessed medical skills, then that meant her performance in the written test yesterday had been entirely her own doing, not owing to Jiang Huaian’s influence.

At that moment, the incense stick burning on the examination table had also reached its end.

Jiang Yutang caught it out of the corner of her eye and turned to the inspector, saying,

“Sir, although I do not understand why you believed I was merely putting on a show while saving the patient, since I resolved the patient’s acute symptoms within the allotted time, this result should naturally be counted toward my examination score.”

Hearing this, Xie Yihe’s pale lips twitched into a slight smile.

Yun Qianqian followed his gaze and smiled sweetly, reminding him, “Brother Yihe, you promised to practice archery with me today; it’s getting late...”

“Hmm, let’s go.”

Xie Yihe acquiesced and left with Yun Qianqian, not once glancing back at Jiang Yutang.

This medical assessment at the Imperial Medical Institute required candidates to diagnose the patient’s condition and report their findings and recommended treatments to the court physicians. Although Jiang Yutang’s hands-on approach was somewhat unconventional, it served as indirect proof of her capability, and naturally, it should be included in her evaluation.

Her earlier words reminded those present of what the inspector had said before, prompting some uninformed colleagues to ask,

“You’ve never met this candidate before; how can you claim she doesn’t know medicine...?”

“Yeah, and to accuse her of putting on a show stirred unrest among the candidates.”

The inspector’s face paled and flushed repeatedly like a painter’s palette, awkwardly trying to explain.

Candidates at the Imperial Medical Institute all had backing and connections; such social dealings were commonplace. Yun Qianqian and Commander Xie were her supporters, after all.

Receiving Jiang Huaian’s patronage was nothing extraordinary.

Jiang Yutang cast a cold glance at the inspector, then handed the elderly woman over to the court physicians and prepared to leave.

The examination was not yet over, so Jiang Huaian could not depart just yet.

However, he quietly gave Jiang Yutang a powerful look and gave her a thumbs-up.

He knew she would not disappoint him!

Jiang Yutang smiled faintly and nodded in response.

With the commotion settled, everything inside the hall returned to normal. Jiang Huaian resumed his seat among the court doctors. Hearing the conversation nearby, his expression darkened, seeming somewhat incredulous...

Jiang Yutang met with Chun Tao, and together they exited the Imperial Medical Institute’s gates.

Chu Ge waited nearby among the bustling street stalls. Seeing them, his expression turned slightly uneasy. Jiang Yutang really did have medical skills...

He had underestimated her.

And he had been mistaken in thinking her success in the written test was the result of prior preparation...

Recalling Xie Yihe’s orders, Chu Ge forced himself to appear calm and approached.

“I pay respects to the young madam.”

Jiang Yutang halted mid-step, a trace of displeasure flickering in her eyes and her expression shifting slightly. “What is it this time?”

Chu Ge was somewhat dissatisfied with her cold demeanor.

He had come because of the heir, of course...

The heir had already yielded to Jiang Yutang...

Suddenly, amid the flickering firelight, Chu Ge studied Jiang Yutang’s composed expression and began to speculate. Could she be using a different strategy to attract the heir’s attention?

Deliberately showcasing her medical skills to overshadow Miss Yun’s prominence, so the heir would see only her.

“The heir instructed me to tell you that you may remain at the Imperial Medical Institute, but don’t neglect your duties at home.”

Chu Ge himself was unclear about the meaning behind Xie Yihe’s words, and Chun Tao was equally puzzled. Only Jiang Yutang understood: Xie Yihe was reminding her not to forget her responsibilities as the lady of the household...

Jiang Yutang laughed bitterly.

She had long since relinquished control of the household, so why was he still so persistent?

Her expression grew impatient. “Where is he?”

At those words, Chu Ge’s suspicions were confirmed: Jiang Yutang’s display of medical skill had ulterior motives. Even though Xie Yihe had yielded, she was not content to only remain at the Imperial Medical Institute—she intended to go further.

“Madam, that is not your concern!”

He would not allow Jiang Yutang to interfere with the heir and Miss Yun’s relationship.

Jiang Yutang’s brows furrowed tightly.

“Please stop right there.” Chu Ge’s eyes were full of disdain, and any lingering guilt vanished. With that, he strode away swiftly.

Jiang Yutang felt as if she had swallowed a fly, souring her mood. She no longer wished to return to the Duke’s mansion, and since it was still early, she simply took Chun Tao to a tavern for a meal.

The afternoon passed.

After returning, Xie Yihe first escorted Yun Qianqian to the Pear Blossom Courtyard. Along the way, he noticed several fish floating belly-up in the pond at the Duke’s estate, unattended.

His narrow eyes darkened as he headed straight to his study.

Xie Yihe still had a mountain of official business to attend to.

Seated at his desk, he worked steadily for about the length of one incense stick before habitually calling Chu Ge in to give instructions.

“Have her brew a cup of tea.”

“Yes.”

Chu Ge obeyed and sent the order to the Dream Garden.

Lan Zhi received the message and was instantly pleased. Following the recipe Jiang Yutang had taught her, she carefully brewed the tea and brought it over.

Outside the study, Chu Ge was surprised to see Lan Zhi. “Why you?”

But it didn’t matter much. It was good Jiang Yutang hadn’t come to disturb him. Chu Ge took the wooden tray without waiting for her reply and entered the study.

The blue-and-white porcelain teacup was placed on the desk. Xie Yihe paused his writing, lifted the cup to his lips, but found something amiss in the aroma.

He looked down and took a tentative sip, his long brows knitting tightly.

“Have her brew it again.”

Chu Ge was momentarily stunned but answered, “Yes.”

He left and explained to Lan Zhi, “Have the young madam brew a fresh cup and bring it over.”

“Guard Chu, you misunderstand. I brewed this tea myself, not the young madam.”

Lan Zhi saw Chu Ge’s confusion and truthfully recounted how Jiang Yutang had personally taught her the art of tea brewing.

Chu Ge found it hard to believe.

Jiang Yutang had actually entrusted her entire skill to another, so that this person could serve Xie Yihe in the future?

Then her earlier inquiry about the heir’s whereabouts...

Could there be another explanation? Had he jumped to conclusions?

Lan Zhi anxiously asked, “Guard Chu, I followed the young madam’s instructions exactly. Where is the problem with this tea? Why does it not suit the heir’s taste? Please tell me so I can brew it again...”

Chu Ge’s expression grew strange.

“I don’t know either.”

Unable to identify the fault, Lan Zhi brewed another cup, which Chu Ge delivered once more.

This time, Xie Yihe only smelled it briefly before setting it down on the table.

His long brows furrowed again. “How did she brew it today?”

The fragrance was all wrong.

Standing at the corner of the desk, Chu Ge replied awkwardly, “This is Lan Zhi’s first time brewing for you; perhaps her technique is still inexperienced.”

“Lan Zhi?”

Xie Yihe was momentarily taken aback, his expression shifting.

Silence filled the study. After a pause, Chu Ge explained, “The young madam passed the tea brewing skill to Lan Zhi, saying she will no longer be responsible for it...”