My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Marquis Chang’an had arrived at Prime Minister Mansion with unexpected worries. Already distressed over his youngest son’s illness, it was compounded by his eldest son’s prolonged absence from home. When his eldest finally returned, he had somehow gotten entangled with Prime Minister Lin, adding to his woes.
He wasn’t on good terms with the elite of the poor families, Prime Minister Lin. Despite being less powerful, Prime Minister Lin was the emperor’s favored and if something happened to Madam Lin due to his unruly son, he would be in a difficult position.
With a stern face, Marquis Chang’an discreetly inquired about the situation from Prime Minister Lin’s trusted steward. He learned that Madam Lin was doing well and, far from causing trouble, his son had inadvertently done a good deed. Along with Mr. Xiong’s son, he had introduced a doctor with exceptional medical skills to Madam Lin, preventing her condition from worsening.
Upon hearing this, Marquis Chang’an’s mind lit up. A doctor with exceptional medical skills?
He further inquired about the urgency, but the steward spoke vaguely, mentioning it was just elderly ailments.
Indeed, among elite families, those in power would not readily disclose details of their illnesses to outsiders, to prevent prying eyes.
Marquis Chang’an had to suppress his curiosity and, upon meeting Prime Minister Lin, exchanged formalities. He then began to scold Jing Xiaosi with a straight face – Away from home for a year, causing trouble upon return, as though he had been reluctant to think of home.
Jing Xiaosi pressed his lips together, silent.
Mr. Xiong set his wine cup down with a ‘clang’, his tone mocking: “You can hardly blame Lian’er for not returning home, can you? Is there even a place for him there? To the uninitiated, he might seem picked up from the streets. The legitimate eldest son, yet his status is less than that of a concubine’s child.”
Hearing these words, a shiver ran down Marquis Chang’an’s scalp. He reluctantly greeted with a cupped fist salute, “Brother.”
“Ah, don’t be so affectionate; I can’t bear such a title from the Marquis,” Mr. Xiong stood up, looking at Prime Minister Lin, “Prime Minister, I’ve intruded today. I’ll discipline this rascal at home, and apologize later. Lian’er, come with me. Your maternal grandmother misses you dearly and has instructed me to take you back. Your courtyard has been kept in order by your aunt’s servants each day, with a warm room awaiting you—there will be no cold meals for you.”
Jing Xiaosi felt a slight warmth in his heart.
Marquis Chang’an’s face darkened.
Prime Minister Lin still smiled and said, “It’s getting late, and today has been chaotic at home. I shall prepare a modest dinner another day and hope Mr. Xiong and Marquis can honor it with your presence.”
Marquis Chang’an cupped his hands and replied, “Prime Minister Lin is too courteous. My son’s misbehavior reflects my failings as a father. Fortunately, your Madam is safe; otherwise, I would be deeply distressed.”
Prime Minister Lin exchanged pleasantries.
“I wonder where the doctor who helped with the treatment might be now?” Marquis Chang’an looked around, not finding anyone who resembled a doctor. Could they have already left?
Qin Liuxi sat leisurely in his chair eating, well, pretending to be invisible, which was just fine.
“This Eight Treasure Duck is quite good; eat more to nourish your body,” Qin Liuxi said as he placed a piece of duck into Teng Zhao’s bowl.
Prime Minister Lin’s gaze flickered, observing Qin Liuxi focusing on the meal as if starved for an age, not batting an eyelid, leaving him uncertain of her intentions.
Jing Xiaosi sneered.
Marquis Chang’an followed Prime Minister Lin’s gaze, noticing two children engrossed in eating. He frowned slightly but then thought they might be Lin Family’s children, brought out to accompany Xiong Er and the others.
“Prime Minister? This is a coincidence. My younger son is suffering from an urgent illness, and the Imperial Physicians are at a loss. Hearing about the remarkable medical skills of the doctor who treated your Madam, I wish to invite him to my mansion to treat my son, and I hope you could accommodate this request,” Marquis Chang’an sincerely appealed.
Xiong Er’s eyes widened with a flash of excitement, eager to speak, but Jing Xiaosi tugged at his sleeve, and he closed his mouth.
Mr. Xiong observed the interaction between the two lads, his eyes narrowing—those two were up to something.
But now wasn’t the time to inquire.
The gossip fire within Mr. Xiong blazed. He wasn’t in a rush to leave, considering Prime Minister Lin hadn’t yet attended to him.
Prime Minister Lin looked at Qin Liuxi, “Junior Temple Master, what do you think?”
Marquis Chang’an: “?”
Qin Liuxi raised her head, meeting his gaze with an inscrutable look in her eyes.
A chill ran down the back of Marquis Chang’an as their eyes met, and an ominous feeling inexplicably crept into his heart.
“Marquis, this is the doctor who has been treating my mother,” said Lin Xiang with a smile. “Unlike ordinary doctors, she is a Daoist doctor.”
Daoist doctor?
Marquis Chang’an was momentarily confused. What did Daoist doctor mean?
“It means she is a member of the Mystic Sect, which also possesses medical skills.”
Marquis Chang’an understood then. In other words, she was a Taoist. Reflecting on how his wife had just invited a Daoist from Jinhua Temple during the day, claiming to be plagued by a nightmare, which caused a lot of fuss without waking the child, it had instead worn her out.
Thus, his perception of Taoists was rather average, trusting them was not his instinct.
Marquis Chang’an’s warmth cooled somewhat in an instant, but it didn’t show much on his face as he said, “So it is. The little Taoist here looks quite young.”
Lin Xiang praised, “As the saying goes, ‘In learning there is no first, the accomplished are foremost.’ Though the Junior Temple Master is young, her medical skills are indeed profound.”
Marquis Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat. Lin Xiang would not purposely elevate someone, let alone just a Taoist. So this person, truly had some abilities?
He curved his lips and gave Qin Liuxi a bow: “I am remiss for not recognizing the eminent, little Taoist, please forgive me.”
Qin Liuxi chuckled lightly, “Does the Marquis wish for me to save his son?”
Marquis Chang’an hurriedly nodded, just as he was about to speak, Qin Liuxi said, “I’ve already saved him. You’ve arrived just in time; quickly settle the medical fee.”
Marquis Chang’an was dumbfounded: “?”
Xiong Er snickered with schadenfreude and excitement in his laughter.
Mr. Xiong slapped him on the back: You brat, keep it together.
Jing Xiaosi looked at Qin Liuxi with a mix of helplessness.
“Forgive me, I do not understand the little Taoist’s meaning,” Marquis Chang’an said with unexpected defensiveness.
Qin Liuxi replied, “Didn’t you want me to save your son? I have saved him.”
She pointed her finger at Jing Xiaosi and said, “Moreover, I’ve saved him not just once, but twice. The first time, he was infected by a poisonous insect, and I was the one who extracted it. Otherwise, it would have been over for him. Surely the Marquis is aware of the poisoning incident?”
Marquis Chang’an frowned, obviously he knew about it. Wasn’t it related to a spring hunt incident in the mountains? Over the years, he had been seeking medical advice, and even managed to bring in healers from Miao Medicine, but could this so-called Daoist do it?
Jing Xiaosi’s expression was indifferent, inwardly unmoved.
Meanwhile, Mr. Xiong was completely unaware, he pushed past Marquis Chang’an and grabbed Jing Xiaosi, examining him, “Infected by a poisonous insect? How? When did this happen?”
Xiong Er took several steps back, wary of a beating.
Jing Xiaosi said, “Uncle, I’m fine now, it’s all in the past.”
All in the past, my ass.
Mr. Xiong spun around, swung his fist, and struck at Marquis Chang’an, “Damn you, Jing Zhiming, are you even a father? Just letting that dead woman in your backyard harm Lian’er, he’s your legitimate eldest son, you old bastard, go to hell!”