While waiting for the Old Princess Consort to take her last medicine bath, Qin Liuxi and Chen Pi were waiting in the courtyard, with a portion of exquisite pastries each by their sides.
"Your sister is probably missing us by now." Qin Liuxi languidly sat on the lounge chair, basking in the autumn sun, half-squinting her eyes in sheer comfort.
Chen Pi counted on her fingers and said, "It’s been seven or eight days since we left the Prefecture. Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days. My sister is bound to be longing. Master, the Old Princess Consort’s treatment is concluded. Are we departing for Li City today?"
Qi Qian stepped out of the door just in time to hear this and paused in his footsteps.
Qin Liuxi reached up to make a canopy over her eyebrow bone with her hand and looked at the sky, saying, "There will be rain in the afternoon. I’m afraid we won’t be able to leave."
Qi Qian, not sure why, felt a hint of joy and approached, saying, "Why doesn’t Doctor Qin stay in Ningzhou Prefecture City for the Mid-Autumn Festival? The City is always bustling every year during the Festival, with lanterns that are extremely exquisite and beautiful. If you stay, I will make sure you are well entertained. After the Festival, I will personally accompany you back to Li City."
"I’m just a lowly Taoist, how could I have the fortune to be personally escorted by the Commandery Prince? There’s no need." Qin Liuxi smiled faintly, "Just as before, prepare a coach and assign a driver. That’ll be enough."
Not even considering a guard.
Qi Qian said, "Doctor Qin seems in such a hurry to return to Li City, perhaps someone at home is urging you to come back?"
There it is again, probing.
Qin Liuxi wore a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, saying, "Right, I’m so handsome and good-looking, isn’t it most common for someone to miss me?"
Qi Qian almost burst out laughing, but looking at her face with sunlight shining upon it, her fair skin glowed so brilliantly that he could see the fine fuzz, and the way she tilted her chin and glanced over arrogantly was damnably imperious.
Indeed, she was very good-looking.
Qi Qian looked over to the serving girls in the courtyard, who were flushed with bashful expressions as they gazed at Qin Liuxi, recalling how this rascal flirted with many of the maidservants in his grandmother’s courtyard over the past few days, and he couldn’t help but scowl.
This was a Taoist who wasn’t exactly proper.
Yet, the grandmother indulged her, almost enshrining her on the altar.
"What are you two chatting about?"
Qin Liuxi quickly rose from the lounge chair and walked towards the Old Princess Consort, who was supported by Nanny Zhao as she stepped out, and smiled, saying, "Congratulations to Her Highness for your full recovery."
The Old Princess Consort reached out and took her by the hand, "It’s all thanks to you. Now, I feel clear-headed and much lighter in my body, and my hands and feet are warm. It’s wonderful."
"Grandmother, are you truly no longer afraid of the cold?" Qi Qian also came over, took her hand, and sure enough, it was warm, unlike the usual ice-cold touch. He burst into happiness, looking at Qin Liuxi, took a step back, and bowed to her, "Master Buqiu’s medical skills are outstanding and deserve my deepest respect."
Qin Liuxi waved her hand and said, "It was just a minor case of cold poison. It is Her Highness’ resolve that has made the difference."
She casually took the pulse of the Old Princess Consort’s wrist, and finding a strong pulse, felt relieved and said, "The prescription given to Her Highness should be taken for two more doses. Later I’ll write a Peace Formula for Her Highness. Follow the prescription to maintain health, and it will be beneficial."
The Old Princess Consort asked, "Do I need to continue taking medicine baths? It hurts during the bath, but it feels quite comfortable afterward."
"I can prescribe a medicine bath for you as well, but not the one for treating cold poison. It’s to strengthen the body and moisturize the bones. Bathing once every three days is sufficient."
Qi Qian’s eyes flickered, and he said, "Although Grandmother’s cold poison is cured, after all she has been ill for many years, Doctor Qin might as well stay a few more days to give some health care advice to Grandmother?" He paused, then added, "The consultation fee, of course, will be discussed separately."
Heh, Prince Qi sure has learned how to deal with greed, Master Buqiu!