Jin Xiao's appearance seemed flawless. However, after the incident with Bai Yutang, she would become vigilant whenever she saw someone like him.
Jin Xiao no longer resembled Ping Xinian at all. Even his skin and physical features were different. To achieve such perfection, he couldn't just be showing off in front of her.
"He's very dangerous," Xiao Jinghan protested.
"He won't take any action for the time being," Yi Qing said with a smile. "He didn't even dare to take the medicine I gave him, which proves that he's also scared."
It was already afternoon when the two of them buried the bodies and returned to the city. They went to a roadside restaurant to eat something. Xiao Jinghan went to attend to his own business, while Yi Qing took Ruo Hong home.
The entrance of the pharmacy was crowded with people. Yi Qing had made the formula for repelling bats public, and now people were rushing to buy the medicine to repel bats. Those with children and those without were all stocking up in case the bats got hungry and bit anyone.
Yi Qing thought their idea was quite good. Currently, the bats only bit children under two years old. However, one night, a bat had bitten a guard. Although the guard was fine later.
She had carefully studied the bat. Its mouthparts were quite special. Its teeth were similar to the needles of a syringe. The upper teeth were for sucking blood, while the lower teeth contained an anesthetic and poison. If the bat was allowed to suck blood for a long enough time, an adult would also die.
When Yi Qing got home, she called Jushuang over. "Do we have any small mansions in our properties, suitable for one or two people to live in, with a good environment?"
Jushuang thought for a moment and nodded. "There's a small mansion in the east of the city. It's very small, but it's very charming. The view is also good. There are two servants who clean it regularly, so it can be occupied at any time."
Yi Qing stared blankly at Jushuang. "Why didn't I know there was such a mansion? Why are there people cleaning it when no one usually lives there?"
"I heard that the three sons of that old couple died in battle following the general. The general specifically arranged for this. The old couple is very honest and has no other relatives, so they've been living in that mansion."
Yi Qing suddenly understood.
After the incident with the military households, Yi Qing didn't like to have contact with such people.
"Alright, you go and pick up the old couple and bring them to the mansion first. Clean up the yard. Someone will be living there tonight," Yi Qing ordered.
"Yes," Jushuang bowed and left.
"Tell the general that I'm going to the Di family's place. I'll have dinner there and come back late," Yi Qing instructed the servants.
Di Shi was busy with her wedding. She meant to just have a simple wedding ceremony, but Yi Qing had previously invited the noble ladies in the capital. Now that her father had returned, he said it must be a grand wedding, so there were many things to prepare.
Hearing that Yi Qing had come, Di Shi hurriedly came out.
Yi Qing saw that the houses in the mansion were being thoroughly cleaned, and the flowers in the yard had all been replaced with red ones. It seemed that they were really putting a lot of effort into it. "Mother," she called out when she saw Di Shi coming.
"I've been so busy these days that I haven't had time to visit you," Di Shi said, very happy to see Yi Qing being so close to her.
Yi Qing said that she had just visited. "I haven't been at home much these days either. Where's grandfather?"
"Your grandfather has gone to buy things. He said the previous ones were too few," Di Shi said, looking a bit shy.
Yi Qing laughed. "Then I'll wait. I went to see Young Master Jin today and found that his mansion was surrounded by many women, which was a great distraction to him. I specially found a quiet mansion and want to move him there so that he can recuperate."
"Jin Xiao is a very stubborn child. He didn't want to live here before. Will he accept your arrangement?" Di Shi was worried.
"We're doing this for his own good. He's a patient now, and I'm a doctor. If something happens to him when he came to the capital with grandfather, how can grandfather explain it to the Jin family?"
Di Shi nodded. "That's true. Then he can just live here."
"Mother, look at his personality. Maybe he's been sick since childhood and isn't good at interacting with people. He'll feel uncomfortable if there are people around him. It's better for him to be alone and quiet."
"That's right," Di Shi nodded. "Then I'll send someone to call your grandfather back."
"No need. There are probably still people surrounding his mansion now. We'll wait until it gets dark and then go. We'll quietly transfer him then to avoid so many people bothering him."
Di Shi thought that made sense.
Duke Di didn't come back until dinner time. When he saw Yi Qing there, he complained that she hadn't called him back. The three of them had dinner together and then took a carriage to Jin Xiao's place.
When they arrived, Jin Xiao was still having dinner. He was having sea cucumber porridge and steamed fish. When they came in, Jin Xiao hurriedly asked the servants to remove the food.
"You can continue eating," Yi Qing said when she saw Jin Xiao looking so embarrassed.
"I took a nap this afternoon and got up late. Duke Di, what brings you here?" Jin Xiao bowed.
Duke Di explained his purpose. "If it weren't for Qing'er telling me, I wouldn't have known your current situation. This is not good for your health. Hurry up and move there."
"No need. I'm used to living here. If I change places again, I'll be uncomfortable," Jin Xiao declined.
"You have to listen to me on this matter. You're a patient, and I'm a doctor. Ruo Hong, go and help Jin Xiao pack his things," Yi Qing said without any room for negotiation.
"Then please wait a moment. I'll pack my things myself," Jin Xiao had no choice but to compromise.
Jin Xiao didn't have many things. He only packed two small trunks. The carriage was already waiting outside. They got on the carriage and headed straight for the east of the city.
Due to the bat incident, there was a curfew in the capital. But when they saw it was Duke Di, they quickly made way.
The bats that hadn't appeared for the past few days appeared again. They circled around their carriage and wanted to pounce on it, but they just kept circling and didn't dare to actually come down.
When they arrived at the small courtyard in the east of the city, there were already guards waiting there.
"I've arranged two guards for you. If there are people bothering you in the future, you'll have someone to protect you," Yi Qing said as she looked at Jin Xiao.
"Qing'er is really thoughtful," Duke Di was very satisfied.
This small courtyard was really charming. It was Yi Qing's first time here. After walking around a rockery, they arrived at the place where Jin Xiao would live.
"You can live here with peace of mind. I've fumigated all these rooms with the medicine to repel bats," Yi Qing said as she led Jin Xiao into the room.
"Thank you," Jin Xiao asked the servants to put down his trunks.
"Then we won't disturb your rest," Yi Qing said when she saw that Jin Xiao had settled in and was about to leave.
"Please ask sister-in-law to take the two guards away. I'm not used to it," Jin Xiao said embarrassedly. "The soldiers in the north of Jin are all so fierce. I'm scared."
"Look at you. You're like a girl," Yi Qing said angrily. "Alright, then I'll take the guards away. If you need anything, just let me know."
Duke Di was very happy to see Yi Qing being so good to Jin Xiao. "Don't worry. With Qing'er around, you'll definitely get better."
After comforting Jin Xiao for a while, the group left and took the two guards at the door away.
As soon as they left, Jin Xiao opened one of the trunks. There was a jade-like bat inside. Jin Xiao took out a small glass cup, gently squeezed the bat, and squeezed out a little transparent liquid. He held the cup and drank it in one gulp, then licked the glass cup.
Yi Qing and her grandfather took a carriage back.
"Grandfather, is the Jin family very rich?" Yi Qing asked curiously.