Meng Zhao responded and then turned to Ye Wanmian. "Doctor Jiang, the prince sent me to help. Please tell me what I can do."
Ye Wanmian's heart was pounding, and cold sweat was constantly breaking out on her palms. She glanced at Xiao Yixuan sitting in the shed like the moon in the clouds and forced a smile. "No need, Your Highness and Guard Meng, please don't trouble yourselves. We can handle it."
When she turned around to feel a patient's pulse, Ye Wanmian lowered her eyelashes to hide the anxiety in her eyes.
It seemed that Xiao Yixuan had no intention of leaving.
There was a ruckus at Huichuntang yesterday, and today Xiao Yixuan showed up. Could it be that he still suspected her and came here today to test her?
Just now, she was annoyed that Xiao Jingcheng had been gone for so long. Now, she hoped he would stay out longer and not come back so soon, or else he might run into Xiao Yixuan!
Although Ye Wanmian refused Meng Zhao's offer to help, he still lent a hand from time to time. Xiao Yixuan, on the other hand, sat steadily on the chair, sipping tea leisurely. He showed no sign of leaving in a hurry and occasionally looked up to observe Mo Zhizhang, who was also diagnosing patients.
Mo Zhizhang was good - looking, and his every move was graceful. No matter how impatient or stupid the patients were, he never frowned but patiently explained things to them.
Who on earth was this man?
As the sun passed noon, the temperature rose. The patients couldn't bear the heat and went home one after another. The place finally became less crowded, and Ye Wanmian could finally catch her breath.
Xiao Yixuan seized the opportunity, got up, walked to Ye Wanmian's side, bent down slightly, took out a handkerchief and handed it to her with a smile.
"You've been busy all morning. You must be exhausted. Wipe the sweat off your forehead quickly."
Ye Wanmian stiffened.
Why was he still here? She had deliberately ignored him for almost an hour and a half!
Just as she was hesitating whether to take the handkerchief from his hand and say something to him, several ox - carts loaded with firewood drove towards them.
"Where is Doctor Jiang of Huichuntang? The firewood you ordered has been delivered."
Ye Wanmian's heart sank. This was bad!
Hearing the shout, Ye Wanmian's hair stood on end. A cold sweat broke out on her back, and the warmth in her fingertips faded completely.
Xiao Yixuan also stood up and turned to look behind him. Seeing this, Ye Wanmian snatched the handkerchief from his hand and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Highness. It's really hot today. Look at all this sweat on me, hehe."
Xiao Yixuan's attention was immediately drawn back to her. Seeing her wipe the sweat with his handkerchief, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Although it's a good deed to offer herbal tea to the people, don't overwork yourself."
Taking the opportunity, Ye Wanmian turned her head and winked at Qi Wen. "Uncle Li, Qi Wen, the firewood has arrived. Go and help them."
Li Zhao and Qi Wen immediately understood her intention. They put down what they were holding and were about to leave.
Xiao Yixuan said, "Meng Zhao, go and give them a hand."
Meng Zhao replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
Ye Wanmian quickly said, "No, there's no need to trouble..."
Xiao Yixuan said gently, "I see that the accountant named Uncle Li has some trouble walking. He has been delivering herbal tea all morning. Let him rest. Meng Zhao is strong and fit for this kind of physical work."
Although his voice was gentle and he looked concerned about Ye Wanmian, there was an irresistible authority in his words, making it hard for Ye Wanmian to refuse.
After he finished speaking, he squinted and looked at the ox - carts parked outside. His eyes lingered on the several strong men sitting on the ox - carts.
Meng Zhao said that there was a distant cousin who had appeared beside Ye Wanmian. Who was this person?
Just as he was thinking, a man jumped off the cart and walked towards Ye Wanmian.
The man was about nine feet tall, looking big and strong. This immediately put Xiao Yixuan on high alert.
This stature was really similar to that of his elder brother, the crown prince...
The man quickly walked up to Ye Wanmian, scratched the back of his head and smiled foolishly. "Hey, cousin, I've bought all the firewood."
When Ye Wanmian saw the man, she was first stunned. Hearing him call her cousin, she immediately reacted. She picked up the feather duster on the table and waved it at him.
"You come back at this hour. You might as well not come back at all!"
"Ouch!" The man was startled and didn't have time to dodge. The feather duster hit him, and he jumped up in pain. "It hurts. Stop hitting me!"
"Tell me, did you secretly go somewhere to play again behind my back! Aunt sent you here to gain experience, not to play around. I'll teach you a good lesson today!"
Xiao Yixuan stared at the scene in disbelief, feeling a strong sense of dissonance in his heart.
Was this woman who was waving the feather duster like a sword the Ye Wanmian he knew?
The man seemed to think that Xiao Yixuan was reliable and hid behind him, crying with a long face. "Cousin, stop hitting, stop hitting!"
Ye Wanmian was so angry that steam was coming out of her ears. "Where's my money bag? Give it back quickly. I want to see how many coppers are left in it!"
The man cried, "I don't have it! I don't have it!"
"Good for you, you prodigal son! You've squandered all my money just buying firewood! I'll definitely tell Aunt about this!"
Ye Wanmian waved the feather duster so fast that it was almost a blur. Some of the blows hit Xiao Yixuan. He grimaced in pain and quickly raised his hand to mediate.
"Wan'er, talk it out. Don't use violence."
"Your Highness, get out of the way. Don't protect him. I must teach him a good lesson today!"
There were still many people on the scene who hadn't left. Seeing this, they all gathered around to watch Ye Wanmian scolding her "cousin". Xiao Yixuan stood between them, raising his hand from time to time to stop Ye Wanmian, but also afraid of being hit by the feather duster. He looked rather comical.
Li Zhao already knew what was going on when the big, stupid - looking man showed up and called Ye Wanmian "cousin". He didn't move at first. Only now did he pull Qi Wen and step forward to hold Ye Wanmian from left and right.
"Come on, there are so many people watching. Give Gou Dan some face."
"Yes, Mrs. Jiang, Gou Dan already knows his mistake. Calm down, calm down."
Ye Wanmian then stopped and said to the crying, big, stupid - looking man hiding behind Xiao Yixuan, "Go and carry the firewood. I'll deal with you later."
The big, stupid - looking man wasn't angry even after being beaten. He just let out a wronged "oh", pinched the corner of his clothes and walked over to do the hard work of carrying the firewood with his head down.