Volume 1 Chapter 17 Fondness for Jiang Yutang from the Bottom of Her Heart

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Jiang Yutang sent Chuntao to wait for her at the teahouse across the street.

She herself went to the Imperial Medical Academy, where she registered with the medical officials and formally became a junior female physician. She was assigned to Jiang Huai'an, to train under his guidance.

The moment Jiang Yutang stepped out of the physicians' quarters, she encountered Jiang Huai'an beneath an ancient tree.

With an insufferably smug grin, he said, “Tangtang, from now on, you’ll be working under me. Surprised? Delighted? I wouldn’t mind if you called me Master from now on.”

Jiang Yutang: “…”

Jiang Huai'an knew that Jiang Yutang was far too capable to remain merely a junior female physician, but there was nothing to be done. The Imperial Medical Academy had its rules. If one was dissatisfied with one’s current position, one had to pass each examination step by step before being promoted.

If Jiang Yutang had not devoted herself so completely to Xie Yihe in those years and had entered the Imperial Medical Academy alongside him, she would certainly have had a place here by now…

Over the following hours, Jiang Huai'an took her to the duty quarters, the medicinal stores, and his consultation room, giving her a brief outline of her responsibilities. She would accompany him on medical visits and assist him.

Jiang Yutang committed everything to memory before asking about the matter she was most concerned with.

“Is the spring hunt at Shanglin苑 about to begin?”

Shanglin苑 was a royal retreat built exclusively for hunting. It lay west of the capital and covered an immense area.

It was also where the emperor would be poisoned. Judging by the timing, that would happen in two or three days.

The royal spring hunt was not entirely secret. As the wife of the heir to the Duke of Anyang, Jiang Yutang’s knowledge of it did not surprise Jiang Huai'an.

“I was just about to tell you about that.”

Jiang Huai'an paused, his expression turning solemn.

“As you know, whenever the spring hunt is held at Shanglin苑, the Imperial Medical Academy must send physicians to accompany the imperial family and court officials, in case anyone is injured. The top three female physicians on this year’s selection list must all attend. We depart the day after tomorrow. Are you able to go?”

After all, Jiang Yutang was already married.

Jiang Huai'an hesitated before adding, “If it would be inconvenient for you, you needn’t force yourself.”

“I’m not forcing myself. I can go,” Jiang Yutang replied at once.

She had joined the Imperial Medical Academy precisely for this opportunity. Now that it was within reach, how could she possibly give it up?

The brightness in Jiang Yutang’s eyes startled Jiang Huai'an, and he stood there in a daze for several moments.

“Then it’s settled.”

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He scratched his head and continued, “When it comes to medicine, you’re no worse than I am. With you following me around, I honestly don’t know what I could teach you. There are only two days left, and I need to pack as well, so you don’t have to make a special trip to the academy to report for duty.”

Jiang Yutang had no objections.

She had been hoping to spend more time studying the medical texts herself.

The two of them spoke for a while longer before parting ways.

After returning to the Duke of Anyang’s residence, Jiang Yutang went to Jifu Hall, where the Dowager Duchess Xie lived.

Madam Xie had never liked her. If Jiang Yutang told her directly that she would be going to Shanglin苑, she would surely make things difficult for her. It would be better to ask the Dowager Duchess Xie to make the decision.

The Dowager Duchess Xie was very fond of Jiang Yutang. When she learned that Jiang Yutang knew medicine and had even passed the examinations for the Imperial Medical Academy, her face lit up with delight.

“I never imagined my Achang would be so capable. Since going to Shanglin苑 is the academy’s arrangement, then go. Have Yihe look after you while you’re there. As for your mother-in-law, I’ll speak with her myself.”

The Dowager Duchess Xie, her hair entirely white with age, sat in the grand chair in the main hall. Smiling kindly, she patted Jiang Yutang’s hand as she gave her consent.

Jiang Yutang’s heart leapt. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“You silly girl, why are you being so polite with your grandmother? Ah, that’s right. Today is the fifteenth. Why haven’t I seen Yihe?” The Dowager Duchess Xie peered toward the outside and asked.

On every fifteenth day of the month, the Xie family gathered for a reunion dinner. Several of the younger members had already arrived, and the courtyard was filled with lively chatter.

Jiang Yutang’s smile faded slightly. “He’s probably still busy.”

As for what he was busy with, she had no idea.

Xie Yihe had never allowed her to ask about his whereabouts, nor permitted her to concern herself with them.

The Dowager Duchess Xie was momentarily stunned.

Though she had grown old and no longer concerned herself much with the household’s affairs, she was not yet so senile or cut off from news that she knew nothing. She was aware that, lately, Xie Yihe’s thoughts had been fixed on a girl named Yun Qianqian…

He had even separated rooms from Jiang Yutang.

The Dowager Duchess Xie genuinely loved Jiang Yutang as a granddaughter-in-law and pitied her for being neglected by Xie Yihe. She had therefore spared no effort in trying to bring the two of them closer, though regrettably, with little success.

Dissatisfied by Xie Yihe’s absence, she sent someone to inquire after him. Only then did she learn that he was at the hunting grounds in the capital, spending time with several of his close friends.

“That wretched boy has probably forgotten that we’re having a reunion dinner tonight…”

Thinking of the cold relationship between the young couple in recent days, the Dowager Duchess Xie had an idea.

“Here’s what you’ll do, Achang. Go there in my name and call him back.”

Jiang Yutang’s heart tightened. She truly did not want to go.

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She declined as tactfully as she could. “Grandmother, sending someone to remind the heir would accomplish the same thing. Why don’t I massage your shoulders instead?”

What a foolish girl. How could she fail to see the thought behind her grandmother’s efforts?

Men were all greedy cats. Whenever they encountered something new, they could hardly tear themselves away. If Jiang Yutang did not take the initiative soon, Xie Yihe really would be lured away by that Yun Qianqian…

The Dowager Duchess Xie deliberately hardened her expression. “Achang, are you saying that you won’t even listen to your grandmother now?”

Jiang Yutang was rendered speechless. The Dowager Duchess Xie was the only person in the duke’s residence who treated her kindly. She had also just agreed to let her go to Shanglin苑, making it difficult for Jiang Yutang to refuse her.

“Grandmother, I’ll go.”

Only then did the Dowager Duchess Xie smile in satisfaction. “That’s more like it. And don’t keep giving in to Yihe all the time. When you need to be firm, be firm. Otherwise, once his heart truly wanders, you may not be able to bring him back.”

Jiang Yutang tugged helplessly at the corner of her lips, rose, and took her leave. Then she boarded a carriage and set off for the hunting grounds in the capital.

It took roughly fifteen minutes to arrive.

The afternoon sun was bright and warm. The hunting grounds were enclosed, and the thunder of hooves rang out as clouds of dust billowed through the air. Several tall, youthful figures were inside—the friends of Xie Yihe.

Xie Yihe was among them, as was the familiar Yun Qianqian.

They were laughing and chatting together, apparently competing in archery.

Jiang Yutang stopped at the entrance to the hunting grounds.

Even the expression of the young servant who had accompanied her grew awkward.

The young mistress’s appearance seemed somewhat ill-timed. Going in would only invite humiliation.

“Go and tell the heir that the Dowager Duchess is urging him to return home.” Jiang Yutang’s expression remained calm as she summoned the servant who had accompanied her and gave him the order.

“…Yes.”

The servant answered reluctantly and walked inside.

At the archery range sectioned off in the distance, Yun Qianqian wore a shy smile. Clad in blue, her slender figure swayed gracefully as she stepped forward amid the men’s encouragement and picked up a longbow.

Perhaps because Xie Yihe had been teaching her, Yun Qianqian had improved greatly. Unlike before, she could now draw the bow without difficulty.

With delicate fingers, she lightly pinched an arrow and set it firmly against the string. Even while competing against a group of tall, powerful men, she showed no sign of nervousness.

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