My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

When Qin Liuxi and his disciple’s father were discussing matters, Xiong Er and Jing Xiaosi had just returned to their home when they were called out.
“Young Master Xiong, Young Master Jing, my master has invited you.” The visitor was dressed like a guard.
Xiong Er and Jing Xiaosi exchanged glances, not recognizing the person.
“May I ask who your master is?”
The guard clasped his hands in fist, smiling: “My master is Prince Rui, and he has invited you two for a drink.”
Prince Rui?
Xiong Er’s eyes almost bulged out, why would such a distinguished person invite them, these playboys?
Surely it was because of Qin Liuxi, this revered young master.
Qi Qian had just returned to his quarters from his shift when he heard colleagues discussing rumors that Madam Lin of Lin Xiang Mansion was returning to the city to worship Buddha when she suddenly fell ill near the city gate, and the son of the Assistant Minister of War’s House intercepted her carriage and recommended a doctor skilled in medical arts, who indeed saved her.
It was said that the doctor was very young, claimed to be a Daoist doctor, and was quite handsome.
Some said that Xiong Er and his group were bold as bears, daring to intercept the prime minister’s carriage to recommend an unknown doctor, while others said they had incredible luck to gain such favor from the prime minister’s family, wondering if Madam Lin’s illness was just a common dizziness, which any doctor could manage.
Regardless of sighs or jealousy, Xiong Er and his friends got to know such a doctor.
When Qi Qian heard the term “young Daoist doctor”, he was intrigued and had people inquire at Lin Xiang Mansion; instead of probing Madam Lin’s illness he investigated the doctor, who turned out to be the Junior Temple Master from Daoist Temple in Li City.
Qi Qian knew that it must be Qin Liuxi, but did not know whether she was staying at Xiong Er’s house or elsewhere, so he invited Xiong Er over to inquire.
Xiong Er and Qi Qian did not have much interaction; after all, Qi Qian was a distinguished royal relative, the nephew of the current Emperor and a titled prince from childhood, mostly staying in his own domain to serve his grandmother, their circles obviously did not overlap.
When they arrived at the private room where Qi Qian had arranged the banquet, after exchanging greetings, there was an awkward silence until Qi Qian directly posed his question.
Xiong Er, surprised: “Does the Prince also know the Junior Temple Master?”
“If it is Master Buqiu from Qingping Temple, then of course I know her.” Qi Qian barely suppressed his excitement in his response – she really came to the capital.
“How do you know her? Are you ill or have you encountered an evil spirit?”
Jing Xiaosi nudged Xiong Er’s elbow, calling him a fool, couldn’t he speak properly?
Qi Qian laughed and shook his head: “Neither, I just heard of Master Buqiu’s profound medical skills and specially went to ask her to treat my grandmother, which is how I got to know her.”
“That makes sense.” Xiong Er nodded meaningfully: “Those who are connected to the Junior Temple Master either have some complicated rare diseases, encounter ghosts, or you’ve given too much… silver.”
Jing Xiaosi glanced at him, unknowingly, you had come to deeply understand that revered “young master.”
Qi Qian, seeing his familiar tone and thinking of their journey together to the capital, then asked: “You returned to the capital together, so is Master Buqiu staying in your house temporarily?”
“Not at all.” Xiong Er shook his head: “She came to the capital for important business, we just gave her a ride along the way.”
Thinking back to the ghostly route they took, Xiong Er shuddered, even during the daytime it felt cold.
“Then where is she staying?”
Xiong Er began to speak then stopped, looking somewhat defensive as he asked: “Why does the Prince ask this?”
Is he seeking revenge against Qin Liuxi? If I reveal it, won’t I bring trouble upon her?
Seeing his guarded and wary look, Qi Qian touched his nose and said: “My grandmother was cured by her, and since she’s rarely in the capital, it’s only right that I play the host. If she’s staying in an inn, it’s too crowded and uncomfortable, Prince Xin’s Mansion still has quite a few guest rooms available.”
“This isn’t according to proper etiquette, is it? I heard that the Commandery Prince has already arranged a marriage with Duke Wei Mansion, and you are inviting her to stay at the Prince Mansion. Even if the Junior Temple Master is a monk, she is ultimately female. Letting gossip spread wouldn’t be good,” Xiong Er said with a furrowed brow.
Qi Qian is already engaged. Bringing Qin Liuxi to stay at the Prince Mansion might be well-intentioned, but outsiders don’t know, and might think there’s something between them, stirring up gossip would not be good.
Qi Qian’s face turned ashen, he grabbed Xiong Er’s arm tightly: “What did you say?”
She is female?
Xiong Er, feeling the pain from the pinch, said, “Let go first.”
Qi Qian loosened his grip, frowning: “Sorry, did you just say that Buqiu is female?”
“Right, didn’t you know? It’s no secret, everyone knows it,” Xiong Er retorted.
Seeing that Qi Qian’s face didn’t look right, Jing Xiaosi secretly poked Xiong Er’s waist, signaling him to speak less.
Qi Qian looked bewildered, recalling the androgynous face, he felt an inexplicable heartache.
She is indeed female.
Seeing Qi Qian looking devastated, Jing Xiaosi guessed he hadn’t realized Qin Liuxi was a woman before, and now his expression was like he had lost millions.
Could it be that Prince Rui has taken a fancy to the Junior Temple Master?
Jing Xiaosi quickly took a sip of tea and, with a smile, said, “I heard the Commandery Prince got engaged, congratulations to you, but may I ask when the wedding will take place?”
Let me remind you, you’re already engaged, and to a high-class lady, at that. Don’t get any ideas, and don’t stir up trouble.
Qi Qian forced a smile, saying, “The wedding is set for August.”
Upon hearing this, Jing Xiaosi felt a heaviness in his heart: So late? Delays could lead to changes.
Seeing Qi Qian like this, Jing Xiaosi became wary. Using urgent matters as an excuse, he stood up with Xiong Er to leave, without revealing where Qin Liuxi was staying.
Even if not said, given Qi Qian’s status, a simple inquiry could reveal it.
As they exited, Xiong Er complained, “What are you doing? I hadn’t even eaten much yet.”
The dishes at the ethereal pavilion were extremely delicious.
“Eat, eat, you’re eating your head off,” Jing Xiaosi knocked on his head, saying, “Eating is accepting favors, if you eat, wouldn’t you have to divulge the Junior Temple Master’s whereabouts?”
“It should be fine even if I told, he’s not seeking revenge.”
Jing Xiaosi, with a grim face, said, “This is way more troublesome than seeking revenge.”
If it’s as he suspects, Prince Rui truly harboring thoughts for the Junior Temple Master would spell big trouble.
He pulled Xiong Er away.
Qi Qian, not having found out from Xiong Er where Qin Liuxi was staying, was not irritated; he instructed Ying Bei, “Send someone to find out where Xiong Er and his group went today.”
Ying Bei, seeing Qi Qian in a dour mood, complied while secretly feeling surprised; so Master Buqiu is actually a female crown.
At another elegant tavern, people also discussed the odd happenings at the city gate involving Jing Xiaosi’s group. Mu Xi, clad in talismans and talisman cards, sprang up as if on springs to the well-informed Baili Yun, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “What does the doctor who saved Madam Lin look like?”
It has to be her, definitely that reckless little god come to the capital.
“People! I need to know her whereabouts within an hour,” Mu Xi shouted to her own guard.