Qi Qian had several cups of tea in the outer room, occasionally getting up to pace back and forth, then halting at the entrance to the bedroom, his expression tinged with impatience and urgency.
Chen Pi leaned against the wall, lifting his eyelids to glance at him, and to be honest, Qi Qian’s anxious demeanor closely resembled that of an expectant father waiting for the birth of his newborn.
Suddenly, he straightened up and looked towards the entrance, indeed seeing Qin Liuxi coming out, and he quickly stepped forward.
Qin Liuxi bumped into Qi Qian, touchingly her nose and glaring at him discontentedly, she said, "Is the Commandery Prince playing the role of the Gate God?"
Qi Qian stepped back, somewhat distracted, as when she bumped into him just now, he only felt her body was warm and soft, and it seemed that there was a hint of a pleasant fragrance amidst the scent of the medicine.
After hearing Qin Liuxi’s accusation, he dared not dwell on it and took a step back with an awkward expression, saying, "Is Dr. Qin done with the acupuncture?"
"The medicinal herbs have been fetched, but do we need to start boiling the medicine bath now?"
Qin Liuxi shook her head, "No need to soak in the bath immediately after the acupuncture, let’s do it tomorrow after another round of needles. Tonight, just taking the medicinal soup will suffice. I have already explained everything to Nanny Zhao, so I’ll head back to the courtyard first."
She paused, then added, "Tonight, at midnight, I’ll be making a trip out of the villa."
Qi Qian stared blankly, "Out of the villa at midnight, what for?"
Qin Liuxi replied with a nonchalant smile, "Commandery Prince, it’s better not to be too nosy."
She had promised Ling Rong to send her off, which was originally planned for last night, but she had consulted the calendar again and decided tonight was better. Plus, this villa is protected by the Royal Energy, and the Old Princess Consort is not in good health, so it’s better not to open the Yin Road inside the villa.
Qin Liuxi left with Chen Pi.
Qi Qian stood for a while before calling into the bedroom, where he saw the Old Princess Consort sitting up in bed, her complexion rosy, and he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Grandmother, how do you feel?"
The Old Princess Consort replied with a smile, "Dr. Qin’s medical skills are exceptional. Her acupuncture technique is even better than those old fogies at the Imperial Hospital. For the first time, I feel warmth in my body, it’s very comfortable."
Nanny Zhao also said, "That’s right, Her Highness even broke out in a bit of sweat."
Qi Qian truly relaxed, saying, "As long as Grandmother feels better, that’s all that matters. The medicinal herbs have been fetched, and tomorrow we can proceed with the medicine bath. I hear tonight only the medicinal soup is needed?"
"That’s what has been said."
Nanny Zhao spoke, "Commandery Prince, please stay and talk to Her Highness, this servant will go and instruct Huan’er to personally prepare the medicine."
Qi Qian gestured with his hand, and after Nanny Zhao left, he held the Old Princess Consort’s hand and said, "Master Buqiu, although headstrong, possesses excellent medical skills. Now that Grandmother feels comfortable, it proves her reputation is well-deserved."
"Indeed, that’s true. But with her reputation, why is she not well-known in Shengjing?" The Old Princess Consort, who had also lived in the capital, was unaware.
Qi Qian replied, "Her whereabouts have always been a mystery. Even at the Daoist Temple, the temple master does not disclose her whereabouts, saying that those with fate will meet her. However, I suspect that she uses a different identity while traveling, or perhaps she does not offer consultations very often."
He could tell that Qin Liuxi was both spoiled and pretentious, and most likely wouldn’t come without a generous offer, so it’s possible that she might not have even left the bounds of Ningzhou Prefecture.
"Regardless, you have been filial to seek her out to treat Grandmother. If Grandmother’s cold symptoms are truly cured, shall we go back to the capital together?" The Old Princess Consort said with a smile.
Qi Qian was somewhat surprised, "You’ve always disliked the cold in Shengjing and preferred not to go."
The Old Princess Consort patted his hand, "You are also twenty-two now, and Prince Ning Mansion has yet to appoint an heir. I’ve thought about petitioning the Holy Emperor to appoint you as the Princely Heir of the mansion, and you should also take on a proper appointment."