Chapter 140: Chapter 141 Stay Away from Pei Huaian
Princess Huimin didn’t ask further but reminded her in conversation, “Have you heard about the death of the Lady of the Marquis of Pingnan?”
“I’ve heard some,” Shao He paused in her application, a trace of surprise flickering in her eyes.
Princess Huimin delicately continued, “Chu Yu is not an easy person to get along with.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I understand your implication,” Shao He nodded, knowing to limit her interactions with Chu Yu, even if Princess Huimin hadn’t mentioned it.
Knowing Shao He was astute, Princess Huimin merely hinted and stopped there.
After applying the last bit of ointment, Shao He slowly said, “The Princess and the Commandery Princess’s treatment has progressed to the next phase; they should recover soon.”
Princess Huimin responded indifferently, feeling a cold sensation on her face.
Swift in her actions, after applying the medicine, Shao He instructed the maid to bring two basins of warm water and fetch more towels.
As a period of time passed, Shao He washed off the ointment from their faces and gently wiped them dry with a towel.
Seeing the blemishes on her face significantly reduced, Princess Huimin felt a sense of relief, unlike the dense appearance before.
Reflecting on her prosthetic, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “I did not expect someone as young as you to possess such excellent medical skills. It’s just unfortunate that Siyang is such a sufferer.”
“Being the Crown Prince, he was poisoned by someone on the battlefield leading to muscle atrophy below the knees. He has never recovered from that, staying in his room, refusing to go out,” Princess Huimin said with deep regret about Pei Siyang, shaking her head repeatedly.
Shao He lowered her gaze, not daring to continue the conversation.
Princess Huimin looked at her and added, “Since you can make someone with a lost leg walk again, the prosthetic is undoubtedly correct. If you really can cure Pei Siyang, perhaps you can seek grace from the Emperor.”
“Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness,” Shao He understood that Princess Huimin’s words were meant to win her over.
Just as she was about to leave, Princess Huimin suddenly spoke again, “I’ve heard that Huaian has been frequently visiting Anji Hall lately, staying there for several hours each day.”
“Even if he is a patient, he visits too often. Moreover, with his engagement to Commandery Princess Ninghe, and being a distinguished Prince, it doesn’t sound good for him to be seen so often at a medical hall,” Princess Huimin took the chance to mention Pei Huaian’s marriage, hoping Shao He would understand her implication.
So it seemed she valued Shao He’s medical skills and wanted to befriend her, but there were some aspects she couldn’t accept.
Feeling a stir in her heart, Shao He understood the Princess’s intention, but simply responded, “I treat all patients equally, with a doctor’s parental heart.”
“I know, but as a woman, reputation is more important than prospects,” Princess Huimin said, her gaze intensely fixed on Shao He’s eyes.
Princess Huimin’s gaze didn’t fluster Shao He, who calmly concurred, “I understand, Your Highness. I will be more cautious in the future to avoid falling into disrepute.”
Only then did Princess Huimin nod in satisfaction, touched her forehead, closed her eyes, and said, “I am somewhat tired now, Han, please escort Doctor Shao out.”
“Yes, Mother,” Xu Han bowed.
Shao He followed Xu Han out of the hall, keeping a distance of two steps between them, not too close.
When they reached the door, Xu Han turned to Shao He, her smile gentle as water, deliberately saying, “This Commandery Princess is very fond of Doctor Shao. I wonder if we could be friends?”
Shao He paused, lightly pressing her lips together, lowering her gaze in thought for a moment before looking up to meet Xu Han’s eyes with a faint smile, “It would be an honor beyond measure for a commoner girl like me to become friends with the Commandery Princess.”
Xu Han lightly pursed her red lips, her smile widening, “If so, then please allow Doctor Shao to enlighten me in the future.”
After some pleasantries, Xu Han finally let her leave.
Sitting in the carriage, Shao He thought about Princess Huimin’s advice to keep her distance from Pei Huaian, feeling strangely uncomfortable and somewhat irritable.
She couldn’t help but rub her forehead, murmuring to herself, “Why should I listen to someone else’s words? There’s nothing inappropriate between us.”
Ultimately, Shao He didn’t want to heed Princess Huimin’s words, yet she had not delved into why she didn’t want to keep her distance from Pei Huaian.
The success with the prosthetic had made Anji Hall very famous; many elite ladies and young misses also came for treatment, forming a long queue outside. Zhao Yuebei brought over tea and placed it on the table.
With her head bowed, Shao He focused on diagnosing and queuing people, but the crowd was too big to manage this way forever.
Looking at Zhao Yuebei, who had been at the hall for a while, Shao He decided to split the patients: minor ailments to be seen by Zhao Yuebei and complicated cases by her.
This would also give him practice, while she kept a check on his diagnoses and approved the prescriptions.
Only when the sun was setting did the crowd at the medical hall thin out.
Just as Shao He took a sip of tea to soothe her throat, someone sat down across from her. She put down her cup and asked, “What’s troubling you?”
When she looked up and saw Chu Yu, her expression instantly turned to disgust, “Why is it you?”
Chu Yu, looking apologetic, said, “I have thoroughly investigated everything Luo Jiner did to you. I’m sorry, it was my confusion; I mistook my benefactor for an enemy, causing you much distress. It’s all my fault, my mistake.”