Chapter 539: Chapter 531: Good Intentions Gone Wrong?
The carriage door was opened, and Qin Liuxi saw a middle-aged man dressed in a dark blue robe, with a refined temperament, keen eyes, and hands clasped behind his back.
Perhaps because he had come on a horse at a gallop, his breath was slightly quick, and creases had formed on the edges of his robe. The Double Fish Jade Pendant hanging at his waist shone brightly, and a blue wallet embroidered with orchids on his waist was even more exquisitely crafted, including the embroidery along the waistline.
This person in front of her was not dressed extravagantly, but every detail was meticulous, and although he exhibited a refined elegance, his entire presence exuded the authority of a superior.
"Father," Miss Lin knelt in the carriage and called out excitedly.
This was the current Prime Minister Lin, who came from a poor family and was admired by scholars from humble backgrounds as a leader.
While Qin Liuxi observed Prime Minister Lin, he had also scrutinized her, having received messages from several fast riders that someone had come to treat his mother’s emergency. Although he knew the doctor would be young, he hadn’t expected her to be this young.
She must be just coming of age, a few years older than his youngest daughter Qingtang, right?
Indeed, having spent a long time in officialdom, Prime Minister Lin, experienced in judging people, noticed at first glance that Qin Liuxi, who dressed as a man but whose face did not show softness, was actually a girl, a female.
This was explained to him by Xiao Yu, who had ridden ahead to greet him.
Prime Minister Lin looked towards his mother inside the carriage, saw her complexion a bit pale and her spirit not very vigorous, but conscious, which finally eased his tense heart.
His gaze towards Qin Liuxi became even gentler as he said, "I heard that my mother had a sudden emergency, and fortunately, you, Junior Temple Master, came to help. Lin is immensely grateful. Although she has passed the critical phase, I still have many concerns. I wonder if the Junior Temple Master could come to our residence to meet with the Chief Imperial Physician who regularly checks my mother’s Peace Pulse and explain a bit more? Don’t worry, regardless of the situation, since the Junior Temple Master has helped my mother through this crisis, the Lin family will be sure to offer a generous reward."
Qin Liuxi raised her eyebrows slightly; this was said gently, but it couldn’t avoid having a hint of using her as a sort of hostage—was he afraid that she hadn’t cured the person properly and would flee?
But she wasn’t afraid, and chuckled lightly, "Prime Minister, my fee for medical consultation isn’t low."
"No matter."
"Very well," Qin Liuxi disembarked from the carriage, handed her medicine box to Teng Zhao, and said, "Let’s go together then."
She turned to Xiong Er and Jing Xiaosi, saying, "You guys don’t have anything to do with this, you should go back first; your families must be worried."
Prime Minister Lin smiled faintly, "I heard that it was thanks to Second Young Master Xiong and Fourth Young Master Jing blocking the way that my mother could receive treatment. I have already instructed someone to prepare some light refreshments. Let’s head to the Prime Minister Mansion for a dinner together, I have already sent someone to inform your residence."
Xiong Er’s legs wobbled; honestly, his own father was someone who sought favors under this man, and for him and Xiao Si, playboys of the Beijing Circle, they were really just like insignificant cats and dogs in front of him.
Now, although Prime Minister Lin spoke with a smile, a thick layer of sweat formed on his forehead, and his back chilled with coldness, he wanted to refuse.
Jing Xiaosi’s throat felt dry; if the old lady didn’t recover, this was a prelude to being held accountable.
Qin Liuxi chuckled lightly. Well, no one can escape now!
The group then got back onto the carriage. With Prime Minister Lin present, there was no more need to queue, and since it was already getting dark, they all headed towards the city.
Prime Minister Lin went into his own mother’s carriage, and once the door was closed, his expression grew a bit worried as he grasped Madam Lin’s hand.
"Mother, do you still feel unwell anywhere?"
Madam Lin weakly clasped back and slowly said, "I don’t have much strength, and my head feels heavy." After a deep breath, she added, "Don’t be hard on that young girl, she means well."
Lin Qingtang was still confused about her father revealing Qin Liuxi’s true gender, and now hearing her grandmother’s words, she said, "Dad, how did you tell she was a girl?"
She couldn’t tell at all.
Lin Xiang said, "Father isn’t so old that he can’t tell if a child is a boy or girl. I heard you decided to have the Junior Temple Master treat your grandmother."
Lin Qingtang immediately knelt in the carriage and said, "Dad, at that time, grandmother’s condition was critical, her face as pale as gold leaf. Besides grandmother, your daughter is the master of the house, so... Your daughter took bold, reckless actions, hoping for father’s punishment."
Xiu Gu also knelt inside the carriage, saying, "Prime Minister, it was this servant who felt we couldn’t delay, and so I boldly suggested it to the young lady. If punishment is due, punish this servant."
"No punishment for anyone." Madam Lin opened her eyes again and said, "They did the right thing. If it weren’t for that child saving me, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have seen you again."
Lin Xiang was startled, holding her hand tighter, "Mother, don’t talk like that."
"Mother knows her own body well. Just like what the child said, living each day as a bonus, I’ve seen through it all," Madam Lin said tiredly. "Actually, it might be better to go find your father now..."
"Mother!" Lin Xiang frowned, unhappy to hear this.
At this moment, Xiu Gu said, "Old lady, don’t talk anymore. Rest carefully, and we can talk more when you’re fully recovered."
She then gave Lin Xiang a look and shook her head.
Lin Xiang immediately said, "Right, mother, you’ve just woken up. Rest now."
Madam Lin was indeed tired, and even speaking these few words had been strenuous. She was forcing herself to stay alert, not wanting her son to worry. As the medicine took effect, she soon fell into a deep sleep.
Seeing her breathing elongate, Lin Xiang’s heart tightened again, and he then inquired about the whole incident from the people inside the carriage.
The three explained together, giving a complete recount of the entire event, including Second Young Master Xiong and Qin Liuxi’s straightforwardness.
Lin Xiang fiddled with the Jade Pendant on his waist and said, "It seems that the Junior Temple Master must have foreseen this and calculated it, allowing that Xiong family child to stop the carriage."
"Calculated?" Lin Qingtang asked, "Dad, can this be calculated? Predicting the future?"
Lin Xiang looked at her and said, "Your grandmother believes in Buddha, and you went out this time to accompany your grandmother to worship Buddha, so you have little understanding of the Xuanmen Taoist ways. The Xuanmen Five Skills have their own Divine Skills, and those with real capabilities can indeed calculate these things."
Lin Qingtang said in surprise, "But she seems not much older than me."
"Her age is young, but haven’t you seen how her medical skills are? Xiu Gu, what do you think?" Lin Xiang asked them both.
Xiu Gu smiled wryly, "This servant can’t compare."
Although she was knowledgeable in Qi Huang, she specialized in women’s diseases because she was a woman, which was why she was brought to serve Madam Lin.
Regarding Qin Liuxi’s medical skills, Xiu Gu also admired them, but she remained skeptical about the predictive calculations, saying, "Predicting the future is a bit too fantastical."
"Indeed, keep this among ourselves," Lin Xiang said, seemingly recalling something, "Just treat it as a drama. It was just that your grandmother got startled by the runaway horse, and it triggered an emergency, fortunately encountering a doctor."
Predicting the future, if this word spread, it could attract Saint’s attention, and might bring some trouble to the Junior Temple Master.