Yi Qing liked these modest gifts so much. It seemed that everyone in the capital now knew that she was fond of precious medicinal herbs, and people would often present them to her.
"Miss Yuan, you're being too polite. Your family has already paid the consultation fee," Yi Qing said, but her eyes sparkled as she looked at the medicinal herbs.
"The consultation fee is one thing, and the kindness is another. If it weren't for Madam Xiao, I would have died in shame," Yuan Lingfei said gratefully.
Yi Qing paused for a moment while reaching for the medicinal herbs. "I only focus on treating the sick and saving lives. Whether you feel ashamed or not depends on your own outlook on life."
Yuan Lingfei felt a bit embarrassed.
"I just returned from Li City and I'm quite tired. If you have nothing else, I won't keep you any longer," Yi Qing directly issued the order to evict the guests.
"Then we won't bother you anymore. If Madam Xiao has any needs, our Yuan family will do our utmost to help," Yuan Hecong quickly bowed.
He thought his sister was being too impatient. She wanted to win Madam Xiao over to their side after just one meeting.
Yi Qing watched the two of them leave. People all said that Miss Yuan was extremely intelligent. Had she eaten too many Ruyi Cakes and damaged her brain?
Yuan Hecong came on horseback but left in a carriage.
"Sister, Madam Xiao hates trouble the most. Won't your words offend her?" Yuan Hecong was very worried.
"I was being too hasty," Yuan Lingfei said. She didn't expect Madam Xiao to be so unaccommodating.
Yuan Hecong didn't know what else to say. The Xie family had acted unjustly back then, but now the Xie family had been humiliated. Yet his sister still couldn't let go of her grudge.
Without experiencing Yuan Lingfei's pain firsthand, one couldn't understand her state of mind.
Xie Hongyi and she had been childhood sweethearts, but he had pushed her into the abyss when she was at her most desperate. Then he had acted as if nothing had happened, getting married and having children, and being respected by others. It was as if she had never existed in Xie Hongyi's life. How could Yuan Lingfei be willing to accept this?
Right after returning, there had been two big troubles in the morning. Yi Qing didn't care about the Yuan family's affairs, but she couldn't ignore the matter of the Ruyi Cakes.
"What are you thinking about, Madam?" Xiao Jinghan saw Yi Qing frowning in deep thought.
"If I can help those controlled by the princess to quit the Ruyi Cakes, will this matter be easier to solve?" Yi Qing looked at Xiao Jinghan.
"Do you think those people really want to quit the Ruyi Cakes?" Xiao Jinghan smiled faintly.
Yi Qing didn't understand.
"Those people are indeed controlled by the Ruyi Cakes, but it's also because of the Ruyi Cakes that they've become an unbreakable group."
Yi Qing had never thought of this. "But people will die."
"For them, some things are more terrifying than death."
Yi Qing thought seriously. "I don't know what you mean by something more terrifying than death, but this is wrong."
Xiao Jinghan knew Yi Qing would react like this. "Then I'll ask Deng Xiao to send the list."
"Actually, it's not necessary. You can tell at a glance those who have been using the Ruyi Cakes for a long time. Take me to meet the court officials, and I'll be able to tell," Yi Qing said proudly. "But I won't do this for free..."
Xiao Jinghan looked at Yi Qing.
"My medicine is very expensive," Yi Qing protested.
After lunch, Yi Qing planned to take a nap, but then she heard a commotion outside.
"What's going on?" Yi Qing asked impatiently.
"Madam Du, the young mistress, has come to pay a visit," Sang Sang whispered.
"Madam Du?" Yi Qing thought she didn't know such a person.
"She's the daughter - in - law of the Earl of Dongyang and the eldest daughter of the princess," Sang Sang explained.
Yi Qing now knew who she was. That Qin Miao had suffered a setback here yesterday. She probably knew that the emperor hadn't rewarded the general's mansion and had come here to mock them. Yi Qing casually put on a coat and went out.
"Yo, isn't this Madam Xiao? I was wondering why you slunk back to the capital alone yesterday. It turns out no one came to pick you up," Qin Miao mocked.
"Qin Miao, are you blind or stupid? What does it matter to you whether the emperor rewards the general's mansion or not? Let me tell you, even if the emperor doesn't reward it, this is still the first - rank general's mansion, and I'm still the first - rank imperial order. You can't afford to offend us. Be sensible and go back quickly. Get them out of here," Yi Qing said directly.
The other young lady from the Du family, Du Shuxue, who had come with Qin Miao and had planned to show off in the general's mansion, was directly intimidated by Yi Qing.
Yi Qing was right. Even if the emperor didn't reward them, they still couldn't afford to offend the general's mansion.
Qin Miao's face was stung by the big gate of the Xiao family. She slunk away in disgrace.
Yi Qing's drowsiness was gone. She sat in the main hall, angry.
"Your subordinate knows something about the Du family," Ruo Hong whispered.
Yi Qing turned her head. She didn't know when Ruo Hong had come to her side. "What is it?"
"Qin Miao's husband, Du Xinghuai, has taken in three concubines outside, using Qin Miao's dowry," Ruo Hong said directly.
"Then with Qin Miao, they can form a mahjong group. Isn't it a pity not to let them get together?" Yi Qing laughed. Then she suddenly felt something was wrong. "How do you know?"
"The general asked your subordinate to keep an eye on all those who have had conflicts with Madam."
Yi Qing knew Xiao Jinghan was a petty person. "What about the Marquis of Huai'en's mansion?"
"Since Bai Yutang left the capital, the Marquis of Huai'en's mansion has become even more dilapidated. Yi Weiwei was driven out of the princess's mansion. Fortunately, the Wen family from the south of the Yangtze River has been providing relief."
Yi Qing was curious. The Wen family from the south of the Yangtze River hadn't provided relief to the Marquis of Huai'en's family before. Why were they doing it now? "Why?"
"The Wen family from the south of the Yangtze River uses the status of the Marquis of Huai'en to do business in the capital."
Yi Qing suddenly understood. However, the status of the Marquis of Huai'en was bestowed by her grandfather. Although it was named "Huai'en" (grateful for kindness), they were doing ungrateful things. It was time to settle this score.
"Alright, I think Qin Miao is really too idle. Go and arrange for her to meet Du Xinghuai's other three women. Let her stop bothering me," Yi Qing ordered.
"Yes," Ruo Hong went to make the arrangements.
After arranging this matter, Yi Qing went to the pharmacy in high spirits. She had to prepare the medicine to counter the Ruyi Cakes. In addition, she would make some beauty - enhancing, slimming, and fragrant - body medicines. These would be unique in the capital. She didn't believe she couldn't make money.
In the evening, the emperor came to find Xiao Jinghan through the secret passage. He had been so angry with Xiao Jinghan yesterday that he had lost his head. After calming down, he felt a bit guilty.
Yi Qing didn't believe the dog - emperor would feel guilty. He must be asking them for something.
"Previously, it was you who cured Deng Xiao's mother's illness. Can you cure some more people?" the emperor looked at Yi Qing.
"No," Yi Qing refused cleanly.
"A doctor should have a heart of a loving parent," the emperor pleaded.
"Then are they willing to let their parents be wronged and go hungry?" Yi Qing said angrily.
The emperor saw Yi Qing's attitude. "Tell me, how much?"
"One silver tael for one pill," Yi Qing said with a smile.
"Why don't you just rob?" the emperor thought Yi Qing was taking advantage of the situation.
"Robbery is too unskilled. It's not suitable for a high - end talent like me," Yi Qing said with a sigh.