Chapter 598: Chapter 590: I Really Like Making Friends with Wealthy Women
While Qin Liuxi was performing acupuncture, Jiang Wenyan truly appreciated her younger brother for finding such a skilled Daoist doctor who was also a woman; it was indeed much easier to speak freely about such a private illness, and even the act of getting acupuncture didn’t cause any embarrassment.
“Da Feng would certainly be blessed if there were more female physicians like you,” Jiang Wenyan sighed.
Qin Liuxi smiled and said, “As a physician, one is but a humble artisan. Men practicing medicine are not respected as much as those who pass the imperial examination, let alone women. Some don’t even wish to take on female apprentices, so not only are there few female doctors, but even fewer have mastered the art.”
This was the prejudice of the people towards women.
“You’re absolutely right.”
“That’s why I have taken on a female disciple; not expecting her to master all that I have learned in my lifetime, but if she can grasp sixty percent of it, she could later be of great service to the world and a blessing to many women.” Qin Liuxi’s eyes curved into a smile as she thought of the soft and delicate Little Wangchuan.
Jiang Wenyan was astonished, “Aren’t you just coming of age yourself, and you’ve already taken on a disciple?”
“One must take on disciples early.”
Jiang Wenyan thought she was doing it for the greater benefit of Da Feng and was about to offer praise.
“If they start their practice early, then as a master, I can retreat and cultivate the Dao, and leave all the minor and major affairs to them.” In layman’s terms, retire and lie flat, living comfortably with the respect and support of my disciples.
Jiang Wenyan: “!”
Wasn’t her eldest disciple only eight years old?
Teng Zhao, who was outside studying Feng Shui layouts as Qin Liuxi had instructed, suddenly felt a chill at the back of his head, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
…
After administering acupuncture to Jiang Wenyan and scheduling to return the following day to continue the treatment, Qin Liuxi did not linger at the Duke Dingguo Mansion. She didn’t even need Jiang Wenliu to accompany her when leaving, since her older sister still had a court case to attend to.
Jiang Wenyan then had her trusted Chief Maid escort Qin Liuxi back and gave her a generous consultation fee. Once she left, she instructed the wet nurse to personally fetch the prescription, had her trusted maid brew the medicine, and then personally smashed her joined lotus dresser mirror. The perpetually cold expression on her face made Qiao Ziling’s heart skip a beat.
“Did you bring back that jar of goldfish because of Lianyi?” Jiang Wenyan asked Qiao Ziling, saying: “Lianyi grew up with you, she is your wet nurse’s daughter, thus she is your foster sister. She told me a lot about your habits as soon as she first arrived, including the arrangements of this bedroom. At first, I just thought she was very attentive and knew when to step forward or back, so I didn’t think much of it, considering her as looking after you like a brother, afraid that I, a new bride, would not settle in smoothly and might not get along with you. But now, it seems I was wrong.”
“Yanyan…”
“Foster sister, foster sister, she clearly wants to sleep with you, but you treat her like a foster sister—how could that sit well with her?” Jiang Wenyan sneered: “She should have been the most favored person by your side, but instead was assigned to be a minor Steward—how could she not harbor resentment? She dares not resent you, so she resents me.”
Qiao Ziling frowned, “The matter has not been thoroughly investigated yet…”
Jiang Wenyan burst out laughing, “Have you forgotten what your wet nurse’s husband does?”
Qiao Ziling’s expression changed.
Seeing this, Jiang Wenliu asked, “Sister, what do you know?”
“His wet nurse’s husband, his ancestors were originally tile pickers, and his father was involved in a house collapse incident and was convicted. That’s when he started following the Old Duke Dingguo, becoming a bonded servant. Because of his craftsmanship, he was highly valued and took care of all the Duke’s construction work, including picking tiles. This new house’s renovation, I remember, was also managed by him.”
Jiang Wenyan had made it very clear. A craftsman, besides knowing the craft, would also necessarily understand something about Feng Shui layouts; and when it came to reworking a house, what would stop one from tampering with the house?
And even if he couldn’t do it, as his daughter, wouldn’t Lianyi understand a thing or two?
Jiang Wenliu also realized the gravity of the situation, his face looking extremely unpleasant, yet he still said, “Sister, although it is so, we must speak with evidence, and as you are ill, it would be better to leave this matter for Mrs. Qiao to handle.”
“I was thinking the same,” Jiang Wenyan replied indifferently: “I dare not stay in this house. In a couple of days, pick me up and I’ll stay at our maiden home for a while, just right for a good rest and recovery.”
Qiao Ziling was shocked: “Go back to your maiden home to recuperate?”
Jiang Wenyan gave him a sinister smile: “Yes, I’m afraid there are more vile things in this house that could affect my recovery, making the entire Duke Dingguo Mansion think that a woman of the Jiang family is quick to anger and jealousy, even distant with her own son.”
Qiao Ziling guiltily lowered his head.
Jiang Wenyan snorted coldly in her heart, sent for a servant, took the cat corpse, and went to find her mother-in-law, also instructing someone to inform the Old Lady, since she believed in Daoism.
Looking for evidence? The cat corpse in her hands was the evidence.
She was the wife of the legitimate eldest grandson and had given birth to the legitimate great-grandson; it wasn’t just her living in this house, Qiao Ziling and her son came and went. If it had been overlooked, could they also be tainted with misfortune?
If the Duke Mansion didn’t value her, let’s see if they valued the legitimate eldest grandson and the great-grandson!
Judging solely by this cat corpse, at worst, it could be a malignant victory curse.
…
Qin Liuxi had the carriage of Duke Mansion turn back halfway through the journey; she, along with Teng Zhao, detoured to a Silver Building, her lips curling up slightly at the sight of the familiar totem on the plaque.
This was a property of the Si family.
She needed jade for setting up a small Spirit Gathering Array for Jiang Wenyan, which is why she came to a property owned by Si Lengyue’s family.
This particular Silver Building owned by the Si family was named Fengxiang; the name may seem plain, but the totem design of their Witch Clan mixed in gave it a touch of mystery.
Once inside Fengxiang, while other customers were shopping, the entrance of Qin Liuxi and her company caught the secretive glances of two young girls.
“May I know what the customer would like to purchase?” A shop assistant approached them with a smiling face and a respectful bow.
Qin Liuxi took out the Totem Token given to her by Si Lengyue and handed it over, saying, “I’m here to select some jade.”
The assistant was momentarily taken aback, but after seeing the Token, his attitude changed drastically, saying, “Please wait a moment.”
He walked to the counter and whispered to a middle-aged Shopkeeper, who suddenly looked up, examined the Token closely, and briskly approached Qin Liuxi, bending slightly with a smile, and asked, “Are you Master Buqiu?”
“Little Yue has already notified you, how do you recognize me?”
Seeing that she did not deny, Manager Wu’s smile widened, saying, “The Family Head had long instructed the Grand Steward that in any property of the Si family, whoever brings this Token can take whatever they want and put it on her account. And this Token is only held by you and the Family Head. Since the Family Head is not here, it must be you.”
With that, he handed the Token back to her, adding, “I was unaware that you have arrived in Shengjing. Please forgive any neglect. Why not go upstairs to have some tea and pick at your leisure? The pastries there are exceptionally good.”
Qin Liuxi looked at the Totem Token in her hand, her face lighting up with warmth and joy, but she feigned modesty, “Little Yue is being too polite.”
Internally though, she was ecstatic like a squealing groundhog: So this is what it feels like to be friends with a rich lady – absolutely domineering, I adore it!
“Master Buqiu?” An astonished and delighted voice called out from behind.