Yuan Hechong had spent a great deal of effort searching for these two medicinal herbs. They couldn't be better than those bestowed by the emperor, yet they couldn't be too shabby either. So he had to choose different types of herbs.
"I'll take them without being polite then." Yi Qing told Jushuang to put the items away. "I'm curious as to why Young Master Yuan would rather be criticized than get close to Bai Yutang that day."
"I've also come to apologize." Yuan Hechong quickly stood up.
"Apologize for what?" Yi Qing motioned for Yuan Hechong to sit down.
"The reason I didn't save Miss Bai that day was actually for her reputation." Yuan Hechong said helplessly.
"If you had saved her, according to your custom that a man has to marry a woman after just holding hands, you would surely have to marry Bai Yutang. Does Young Master Yuan dislike Bai Yutang so much?" Yi Qing stared at Yuan Hechong.
It was said that the Yuan family had a unique skill in physiognomy, being able to tell a person's kindness, evilness, and personality from their face. She was very curious as to why Yuan Hechong disliked Bai Yutang.
"For a stranger, there's no talk of like. As for not saving a dying person, there were so many people there that day, and surely they wouldn't let Miss Bai drown." Yuan Hechong absolved himself completely.
Yi Qing really didn't like talking to people like this, going around in circles, evading the point whenever it came to something important. How on earth did they manage to be so consistent?
"Don't worry. I don't like Bai Yutang either. I'm just curious." Yi Qing leaned back and said boredly.
"Madam Xiao is truly straightforward. To be honest, that day was the third time I met Miss Bai. Miss Bai is not a bad person, but she's just not the one I like. If I were to marry someone I don't like, it would be a lifetime of torment for both of us."
"You see things very clearly." Yi Qing nodded.
"Actually, I've come today with another matter to ask Madam Xiao for help." Yuan Hechong bowed with his hands clasped.
"What's the matter?" Yi Qing had a good impression of Yuan Hechong. If it wasn't too difficult, she was willing to help him.
"Please ask Madam Xiao to help examine a patient."
"What's wrong with the patient?" Yi Qing wondered that with the Yuan family's capabilities, they could invite any doctor they wanted. Why did they come to her?
"The abdomen is swollen, and the patient suffers from unbearable abdominal pain." Yuan Hechong said very vaguely.
Jushuang beside them flashed a look in her eyes and then lowered her head without saying a word.
"Isn't that pregnancy?" Yi Qing joked.
Yuan Hechong's face looked a bit stiff. "The patient has been like this for three years. It's not a pregnancy."
Yi Qing thought for a while. "Has there been any change in these three years? Has the abdomen continued to swell, or are there any other symptoms?"
"It has swollen, and the patient always feels pain. And..." Yuan Hechong couldn't describe it well. "Please ask Madam Xiao to go and take a look in person."
Yi Qing frowned and thought for a while. "This condition is very dangerous."
"It doesn't matter." Yuan Hechong seemed a bit impatient.
"Go now?"
Yuan Hechong blushed slightly and smiled. "I need to make some preparations in advance. When is a suitable time for Madam Xiao to go?"
"I really can't be sure." Yi Qing thought that the matters of Bai Yutang and the eldest princess were still pending, and something might happen at any time.
"Then I'll go back and make preparations. Whenever Madam Xiao is free, just go to the Yuan Mansion. I'll be waiting for you at any time."
After seeing Yuan Hechong off, Jushuang trotted back.
Yi Qing was thinking about what could cause abdominal swelling. Since the patient had survived for such a long time, it should not be a malignant condition.
"Madam, the patient Young Master Yuan mentioned might be Miss Yuan." Jushuang said very carefully.
"Miss Yuan?" Yi Qing didn't know how many people there were in the Yuan family. "What's wrong with Miss Yuan?"
"This happened five years ago. It was a big deal at that time." Jushuang looked mysterious.
"Get to the point."
"At that time, Miss Yuan was engaged to Young Master Xie. Who would have thought that her abdomen gradually swelled up. People outside all said that Miss Yuan had an affair and was pregnant. Because of this, the Xie family broke off the engagement. I heard that Miss Yuan tried to commit suicide because of this and has never appeared again." Jushuang said seriously.
At that time, she was still young and didn't know much. She had forgotten about it. It was only when Young Master Yuan mentioned it today that she remembered.
"I see." Yi Qing rubbed her forehead. That Miss Yuan was really unlucky.
Xiao Jinghan came back very late. There was a cold aura as he entered the room. Yi Qing subconsciously wrapped her clothes tighter.
"What's wrong?" Yi Qing asked worriedly.
"The border defense map has been replaced." Xiao Jinghan said in a low voice.
"Then..." Yi Qing thought that Bai Yutang had acted very quickly.
"Bai Yutang is still in a coma."
Yi Qing nodded. Since Bai Yutang was still in a coma, no one would suspect her. Her chain of schemes was really seamless. It seemed that her action to flush out the enemy had had some effect. Bai Yutang was worried that her identity would be discovered, so she had to take a risk.
"Then it's estimated that Bai Yutang will wake up soon." Yi Qing said proudly.
"Deng Xiao's investigation into the spy is also showing some signs. You should stay at home these few days and don't go out." Xiao Jinghan was worried that something might happen to Yi Qing when he wasn't by her side.
"I promised Yuan Hechong today that I would go to his mansion to see a patient." Yi Qing immediately protested.
"Who in the Yuan family is sick?"
"He didn't say."
"He didn't say and you're going to see?"
"He came to me in person. It must be someone very important in the Yuan family. And I've promised." Yi Qing wrapped her arms around Xiao Jinghan's neck.
Xiao Jinghan had no choice but to give in. "I'll take you to the Yuan Mansion tomorrow morning. You wait for me there until I come to pick you up."
Although Yi Qing had Xue Miao'er by her side, Xue Miao'er's martial arts were no match for an internal martial arts expert. She would only be able to run for her life.
"Okay." Yi Qing nodded.
Xiao Jinghan had been busy all day and was very tired. Yi Qing finally had a chance to get her revenge. She was so proud that she could even laugh in her dreams.
In the morning, she checked on Sang Sang's condition. Now Sang Sang just needed to rest and recuperate. Then she went to the Yuan Mansion with Xiao Jinghan.
The Yuan Mansion's gate was taller than the General's Mansion. There was an imperial plaque hanging on it. Yi Qing thought that when they were short of money, this plaque could be sold for a lot.
Yuan Hechong was excited to come out and greet them. He didn't expect Madam Xiao to come so soon.
Yi Qing followed Yuan Hechong into the mansion. Only then did Xiao Jinghan leave with peace of mind.
Madam Yuan, née Mu, was standing under the eaves of the main hall. Madam Mu had a natural charm that made people want to get close to her. She had slender, curved eyebrows and an oval face. Although she was older and her dimples were not so obvious, she still looked as flawless as a pear blossom when she smiled.
"Madam Xiao is so loyal. You were willing to marry General Xiao even though you didn't know if he was still alive. It's really admirable. I've wanted to visit you for a long time. But at first, I thought you didn't want to be disturbed. Later, if I went, it would seem like I was currying favor. And there was never a suitable opportunity." Madam Yuan said apologetically with a smile.
"Madam Yuan is being too polite. Meeting people is a matter of fate. Now we've met." Yi Qing smiled. "How about we go and see the patient first?"
She had already guessed a few possibilities, but she needed to examine the patient to be sure.
"Don't be in a hurry. Madam Xiao came in a hurry and must be tired. Take a rest first." Madam Yuan asked someone to serve tea. Although she knew that Yi Qing had cured Lu Tianxun's leg, the conditions were different, and she was still a bit worried. "May I ask who Madam Xiao's teacher is?"