Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 88 Chu Heng_1

Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Chu Heng_1

Eighty li west of Jing City, Jingshan Villa.

Jingshan Villa is a royal retreat named after the famous Jingshan Mountain close by. Boasting numerous natural warm springs and beautiful, peaceful scenery, it is an excellent place for self-cultivation and rejuvenation of the heart.

Since Crown Prince Chu Heng had been frail and susceptible to cold since childhood, the reigning emperor, out of compassion, bestowed Jingshan Villa upon him. Every winter, the Crown Prince would convalesce there, and for the past twenty years without fail, this year was no exception.

In the side hall, Yan Ruyu, dressed in an opulent purple garment, reclined lazily on a soft cushioned seat, leisurely fiddling with his Jade Bone Fan. However, from time to time, his eyes darted to the main door, betraying his agitation and concern.

Across from him, Xiao Ruiyuan, clad in a black gown and robe, sipped a cup of Junshan Silver Needle tea expressionlessly, as if displeased with the coolness of the tea. After taking a couple of sips and furrowing his brow, he set the cup down. Suddenly, his ears twitched, and he sprang to his feet, his sharp eyes fixed on the doorway.

Yan Junyu was taken aback, then closed his Jade Bone Fan and stood up as well, turning his gaze to the outside of the door.

Soon after, the rumbling sound of carriage wheels arose and, in a short while, a middle-aged, beardless man entered, pushing a wheelchair. By his side followed an elder in a green robe, his white beard fluttering, emanating an air of a hermit of remarkable virtue.

Seated in the wheelchair was a man exuding a gentle aura, none other than Crown Prince Chu Heng.

He appeared exceptionally pale, and despite his gaunt face, his handsomeness remained undiminished. Due to the years of suffering from illness, his entire being radiated weakness. Nevertheless, as a noble of the highest lineage, this frailty did not compromise his extraordinary demeanor.

Meeting the anxious gazes of his two younger cousins, Yan Junyu and Xiao Ruiyuan, Chu Heng greeted them with a smile, instantly blossoming like a plum in winter, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Huaixi, Hanzhang, there’s no need to worry. I am quite well," he said.

His voice was like the clear tinkling of a spring, enchanting and otherworldly. To Yan and Xiao, the brief sentence was nothing short of heavenly music.

Yan Junyu, styled Huaixi, was the great-nephew of the Pure Empress of Great Chu and a cousin to Chu Heng through a generation removed. Although separated by two generations, the two had grown up in the Queen Mother’s palace and shared a bond deeper than that of brothers.

Xiao Ruiyuan, styled Hanzhang, whose mother was a blood sister to Chu Heng’s mother, the Pure Empress, had always been close, and their shared experience of losing their mothers at a young age had added a layer of empathetic kinship to their relationship.

With their hearts finally at ease, Yan Junyu approached jovially, his hands, elegant as jade, patting the shoulder of the white-bearded elder, "Oldman Ghost, you must be convinced now, right?"

The man known as Oldman Ghost, Doctor Gui, snorted through his nose, "Whether I’m convinced or not, what does it matter? You didn’t concoct the medicine."

Yan Junyu was not annoyed, though it wasn’t he who had concocted the medicine, he had found it. Indeed, he owed this success to that young girl, but how could he miss an opportunity to tease this old man who always seemed to look down on everyone?

"Oh dear, it is quite normal for me not to know medical skills, but someone who claims to be the best physician in the world is also at a loss. Wouldn’t that be laughable?" he teased.

"You! Get lost!" snapped Doctor Gui, infuriated. He glared at the audacious youth who dared question his medical skill and fiercely shook off the hand Yan Junyu had placed on his shoulder.

If I must get lost, you’re still unable to concoct it, aren’t you?

Yan Junyu pursed his lips but didn’t dare go too far; who knew whether Oldman Ghost would get back at him by stealthily slipping something into his drink?

Chu Heng watched the old and the young bicker helplessly shook his head, and shifted their attention, "The previous medicinal baths would always leave some medicinal toxins behind, but this time, using the medicinal solution brought by Hanzhang, not a trace remained. It’s really quite miraculous."

This was the first time he had used this medicinal solution. He had thought it would be agonizing like before, making him want to die, but as soon as he immersed himself into the bathtub, he immediately felt as if numerous tiny pores opened all over his body. Countless fine streams of air flowed through his body, making him sigh with comfort.

After bathing, a thin layer of grey-black dirt clung to his body. It was very little, but for the first time, he felt a hint of vitality in his lifeless body.

Doctor Gui stroked his beard, lamented, "This medicinal solution is truly extraordinary. If it weren’t full of abundant life force beneficial to Your Highness, I would have thought it was just water. I can’t match the expert who concocted such a medicinal solution, even if I were to gallop on a horse!"

With that, he glared at Yan Junyu, "If you lad could tell me who that expert is, then if you have any illnesses or hidden pains in the future, I’ll definitely treat you."

Yan Junyu rolled his eyes. Who curses someone to fall sick like that?

Perhaps feeling his words were inappropriate, Doctor Gui studied him carefully and quickly tried to make amends, "I see your Yang energy is still present. Are you perhaps lacking in the affairs of the bedroom? I have a method here for you..."

"Shut your mouth!" Yan Junyu jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his exquisite face flushed red with anger, "I’m perfectly fine, don’t stick your nose into my business."

"Pfft!" Chu Heng couldn’t hold back anymore and let out a chuckle, his eyes full of teasing as he looked at Yan Junyu. Seeing Yan Junyu glaring at him in a fit of rage, he quickly picked up a cup of hot tea to cover it up, though the corners of his lips betrayed his good mood.

Xiao Ruiyuan twitched the corners of his mouth, trying to mask the laughter in his eyes. Although he didn’t have a good opinion of this flashy guy, it was ungentlemanly to mock others, so he decided not to add fuel to the fire.

However, it would be hard to believe that this guy, so famous for his flirtatious reputation, still had his Yang energy intact!

Doctor Gui, who earnestly wanted to exchange medical knowledge and was not well-versed in worldly affairs, had no idea of Yan Junyu’s embarrassed thoughts. He assumed Yan Junyu was just too embarrassed to admit he had hit the nail on the head. Not taking offense at his impoliteness, he implored with earnest concern:

"Young man, don’t avoid medical advice due to embarrassment. It’s best to treat such hidden ailments early to avoid difficulty in fathering children later. I truly have your best interests at heart..."

This time, Yan Junyu didn’t even have the desire to argue with him. He stared murderously at the incessant Doctor Gui, wanting nothing more than to rush over and strangle the nonsense-spouting old man.

Yan Junyu’s entire reputation, all ruined by that old man’s loose lips!

Seeing a tragedy about to unfold, Chu Heng finally seemed to have had his fill of amusement and quickly spoke up, "Huaixi, you were the one who found this medicinal solution. If possible, I would like to personally thank this expert. May I?"

Yan Junyu dared not show anger towards Crown Prince Chu Heng and had to suppress the turbulent frustration in his heart, shaking his head, "Huaixi once promised that expert not to reveal anything about her. I regret that I cannot tell."

Chu Heng sighed in disappointment and gave Doctor Gui a look of helplessness.

Doctor Gui was also quite disappointed. Knowing he wouldn’t get an answer, he immediately dismissed Yan Junyu.

Yan Junyu stared blankly at him, feeling so frustrated that he wanted to spit blood.

Xiao Ruiyuan curled his lips slightly. His interest in the "expert" Yan Junyu was defending had piqued. Finding out who this expert was wouldn’t be difficult at all...