Chapter 140 - 139: Treating the Dead (Part 1)

Chapter 140: Chapter 139: Treating the Dead (Part 1)

During this period, Xu Jing often went to the Song Mansion for follow-up consultations with Young Madam Zhao, so she had become quite familiar with the Song Mansion.

A couple of days ago, when she visited the Song Mansion, she tactfully mentioned to Madam Song that she was a bit shy and didn’t want to attend occasions where she had to face too many strangers.

Madam Song immediately understood what she meant and smiled, saying, "In that case, on the day of my grandson’s birthday banquet, Doctor Xu can come in directly through the back door. I will have someone there in advance to meet you. The people I want to introduce you to are ladies and madams who are quite friendly with me; they are all very kind people, so you needn’t worry."

Madam Song assumed that Xu Jing was uneasy about facing so many women from prominent families, so she said this to reassure her.

Little did she know, Xu Jing was worried about encountering acquaintances of the original person, thus exposing her identity.

Upon hearing Madam Song’s words, Xu Jing felt a bit relieved. She had previously checked that among the ladies familiar with Madam Song, there were no people from the Xu Family.

The only ones who could recognize her even with a veil on would be those very familiar with the original person, such as those from the Xu Family.

Before her coming of age, the original person lived in the countryside and was later brought back to the Xu Family, by then she had already failed to integrate into the noble women’s circle in the Capital City. Therefore, in the Western Capital, she had no close female friends. Moreover, shortly after returning to the capital, she married Xiao Yi, and thus had little opportunity to meet new people.

After marrying Xiao Yi, due to her disreputable methods of advancing herself and the awkward relationship with the Xiao Family, few people were willing to associate with her. Invitations to various banquets were few and far between. As her reputation worsened, no one was willing to approach her.

Hence, although the original person had caused considerable trouble in the Western Capital, there were few who truly knew her. As long as she avoided those specific individuals, Xu Jing was confident that her identity would not be so easily exposed.

On the day the banquet was held, Xu Jing arrived at the Song Mansion early.

She first examined Young Madam Zhao’s current condition. Young Madam Zhao was from the Zhao Family, one of the four great families of Great Chu, a family of military generals. Her character had inherited the straightforwardness of a military family. Although she was twenty-one, just a few months older than Xu Jing, she became increasingly approachable after getting familiar with Xu Jing.

Xu Jing first carefully asked her some questions. Young Madam Zhao mentioned that a few days ago, she had some small clots in her menstrual flow. After these clots discharged, she felt much lighter, the menstrual flow reduced, and ended the next day. Xu Jing then smiled, saying, "Those clots are the accumulated blood stasis in Young Madam Zhao’s body. Once these are cleared, Young Madam Zhao’s symptoms should gradually improve.

When I checked Young Madam Zhao’s pulse just now, it was slowly becoming moderate, and her tongue’s redness had diminished — these are signs of the body recovering."

Young Madam Zhao playfully glanced at Xu Jing and said, "I’ve told you not to call me Young Madam Zhao anymore, it sounds too formal. I’m the seventh in the family, you can call me Qiniang."

Xu Jing just smiled faintly and did not speak.

Young Madam Zhao did not linger on this matter. She quickly expressed her concern, "Although my menstrual flow is gradually stopping now, will it not be continuous and unending the next time?"

After all, it had been like this previously.

"Based on my assessment, it shouldn’t be. However, Young Madam Zhao shouldn’t overthink and should strive to relax."

At this point, Young Madam Zhao’s face involuntarily darkened, but she quickly forced a smile and said, "Alright, I understand. My mother has been talking to me every day recently, fearing I might be overthinking."

Just then, the guests outside started arriving one after another.

Young Madam Zhao was the mother of the young birthday boy and naturally the core figure of this banquet. In fact, during Xu Jing’s consultation, her personal maid, Treasure Bead, had peeked in several times, looking like she wanted to say something but held back.

Once Xu Jing’s consultation finished, Treasure Bead immediately wanted to come in. However, just then, a loud, youthful voice came from outside, "Xi! Is Xi here? I’m here to see my little nephew, where’s my little nephew? Come out and let your uncle give you some love!"

The voice was so familiar that Xu Jing couldn’t help twitching her lips.

However, knowing that Young Madam Zhao was from the Zhao Family, she had already guessed that these two probably had a deep relationship.

Young Madam Zhao immediately showed a speechless expression and said to Xu Jing, "Doctor Xu, please don’t mind him; this is my cousin, he has always been like this — very carefree."

Xu Jing also agreed with this point and couldn’t help but nod internally.

However, Zhao Jingming seemed to really like children; he loved playing with Chang Xiao when he was at the Xiao Family.

Just then, as Young Madam Zhao hadn’t responded, Zhao Jingming directly walked into the main hall and started looking around, while still yelling, "Where’s my little nephew?"

Xu Jing and Young Madam Zhao were originally in the bedroom to the left of the main hall for the consultation. Seeing this, Young Madam Zhao helplessly walked over, parted the bead curtain, and glared at Zhao Jingming, "Your little nephew is with his grandmother. No one just barges into your sister and brother-in-law’s room like this; where did all those years of learning manners go?"

In front of his sister, Zhao Jingming was just like a pure, sunny teenager, immediately grinning, "I haven’t seen my little nephew for a long time, I’ve been missing him terribly! Xi, why is there someone in your room?"

"That’s the doctor seeing Xi. Don’t be impolite in front of them."

Young Madam Zhao glared at him again, then turned to Xu Jing, "Doctor Xu, let me introduce you, this is my cousin, he is sixth in the family, you can call him Zhao Liulang."

Xu Jing originally didn’t want to come out, but seeing this, she had no choice but to stand up, walk outside, and greet the astonished Zhao Jingming, "This humble one sees Zhao Liulang."

"You, how..."

Startled, Zhao Jingming was about to blurt something out, but Xu Jing quickly shot him a stern look, stopping the words in his throat.

Young Madam Zhao cast a suspicious glance at Zhao Jingming, "Xiao Liu, do you know Doctor Xu?"

"Uh..."

Now, denying it was impossible as Young Madam Zhao wouldn’t believe it. Zhao Jingming scratched his head for a while before thinking of a response, "Didn’t I leave the Western Capital for a bit some time ago? On my way back to the capital, I met Doctor Xu, who was then... seeing a patient, so she was memorable."

He wasn’t technically lying; examining a corpse could be considered diagnosing the deceased, right?

Yanci and this Xu Siniang really were troublesome; what should have been an openly acknowledged relationship was now made all sneaky, and Xu Siniang was always so elusive, making it really hard for those in the know.

The most maddening part was not knowing when Yanci would finally persuade her back home!

"So that’s how it is."

Although her cousin’s expression was a bit odd, Young Madam Zhao didn’t believe Xu Jing knew Zhao Jingming. Seeing Treasure Bead’s anxious expression to the side, she didn’t pursue further. Looking at Xu Jing, she smiled, "Doctor Xu, are you sure you don’t want to join the banquet in the front? If you’re with me, everything will be fine."

"Thank you, Young Madam Zhao, you needn’t worry about me. I am accustomed to tranquility and not really suited for these gatherings. Besides, there aren’t many people I know at this banquet, and I wouldn’t want to trouble Young Madam Zhao to look after me continuously; I will just wait here."

Xu Jing’s stance had been clearly stated several times before, and though Young Madam Zhao felt a bit regretful, she didn’t insist, nodding, "Alright then, sorry to trouble Doctor Xu to wait here. I think mother’s plan is to invite the ladies and madams she’s close with to a quieter place for tea and a chat after the banquet. Mother will then introduce Doctor Xu to them. When the time is right, someone will come to take you over."

Xu Jing smiled slightly, "Alright, I appreciate the trouble both Young Madam Zhao and Madam Song are taking."

After speaking, Young Madam Zhao hurried out, with Zhao Jingming following closely, but he couldn’t help but look back every few steps.