She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 93 Xiaoliu, Don’t Talk Nonsense

Chapter 93: Chapter 93 Xiaoliu, Don’t Talk Nonsense

"Aren’t you afraid of getting a reputation as a jealous woman?"

Huai Yu leaned back on the soft couch, while Yan Wanqing sat by her side, feeding her the medicine.

The medicine was very bitter, but Huai Yu still managed to drink it down without even blinking.

"This is the best way," said Yan Wanqing, as she wiped off the medicine from Huai Yu’s lips with a handkerchief, her eyes very tranquil, "Reputation is nothing. It comes not with birth, nor does it follow death. Besides, no one can define Yan Wanqing."

Huai Yu, hearing her words, showed a glimpse of amusement in her eyes, "That’s also true."

As they were speaking, a servant’s voice suddenly came from outside, "Greetings to the Empress."

Yan Wanqing and Huai Yu exchanged glances. She stood up to welcome the visitor. Today, Zhang Lanyi had changed into a more subdued palace outfit and, with the help of a Palace Attendant, stepped over the threshold. Bathed in sunlight, she was enveloped in a layer of holy light, a stark contrast to her previous image.

"Greetings, Empress," said Yan Wanqing with a slight nod of her head.

Unable to rise from the couch, Huai Yu could only lower his head, "Greetings, Empress—."

"No need for formalities, Young Marquis." Zhang Lanyi had slept and only after awakening did a Palace Attendant report yesterday’s events to her, prompting her to quickly get dressed and come over.

Seeing Huai Yu lying on the bed, his face pale as paper, and Yan Wanqing still holding a bowl of medicine, a flash of understanding crossed her eyes.

Looking at Huai Yu again, her gaze contained something different.

To think that this proud and aloof young girl would willingly feed him medicine, it seems she has deep feelings for the Young Marquis.

It’s surprising that this frail-looking boy is quite popular with the ladies.

Yan Wanqing was unaware of what Zhang Lanyi was thinking. She handed the remaining half bowl of medicine to Huai Yu, who did not fuss. The medicine had cooled, and she downed it in one gulp.

"Would you like a piece of candied fruit?" Yan Wanqing asked.

Huai Yu waved his hand, "No need."

"The Young Marquis truly lives up to being a man. The medicine smells bitter enough to be heart-wrenching, yet the Young Marquis managed to drink it without even blinking," Zhang Lanyi teased with a smile.

A tinge of red swept across Huai Yu’s face, "It’s nothing, I’m just used to it."

Zhang Lanyi, recalling what a Palace Attendant had said about Young Marquis losing too much blood and barely breathing, now seeing him all lively and joking, couldn’t help but become curious, "Who was the physician that diagnosed the Young Marquis yesterday? His medical skills are so profound; could you introduce us? The Imperial Medical Bureau has been in need of good doctors."

There were often things she found difficult to mention, which she preferred to discuss with an Imperial Physician.

But not having her own physician made her somewhat anxious and scared to use others.

With a sudden thought today, Zhang Lanyi simply asked.

Yan Wanqing kept a calm face, "It was my younger sister, Yan Lingzhen. Though she is young and the Imperial Medical Bureau has a rule against admitting women, I fear it might be difficult."

"There’s nothing difficult about that, it’s just a matter of mentioning it to His Majesty, the Princess need not worry too much," Zhang Lanyi thought it would be easy to arrange.

Yan Wanqing hesitated slightly, "This matter ultimately concerns Xiaoliu herself. I cannot make the decision for her."

"That’s easy to solve. Just call your sister here, and I’ll ask her myself," Zhang Lanyi found a chair to sit down in the room, indicating that she was serious.

Seeing this, Yan Wanqing had no choice but to send someone to see if Yan Lingzhen had woken up.

Coming to see the Empress required bathing and changing clothes, which took quite some time. Yet Zhang Lanyi seemed very leisurely.

After a while, Yan Lingzhen came in, yawning and following behind a maid.

As she came in, she locked eyes with Zhang Lanyi and immediately widened her own.

Seeing her delicate and petite, Zhang Lanyi teased, "So you are Yan Family’s Xiaoliu, Yan Lingzhen?"

As soon as her voice sounded, Yan Lingzhen covered her face with both hands, her hoarse, breathy voice squeezing out four words, "Goddess, kill me!"

"Xiaoliu, do not speak nonsense," Yan Wanqing stepped forward, took her hand, and walked forward two steps, "Come, pay respects to the Empress."

Upon hearing it was the Empress, Yan Lingzhen obediently knelt down to perform the courtesy.

Zhang Lanyi thought that such a young child was already a Divine Doctor, and liked her more and more as she looked at her, quickly pulling her up, "Quickly rise, the ground is cold. I had your sister call you over because I would like to ask you if you are willing to come with me to the Imperial Medical Bureau to serve?"

"The Imperial Medical Bureau?" Yan Lingzhen was stunned, "Isn’t the Imperial Medical Bureau not accepting women?"

"I heard about yesterday’s events. With such superb medical skills, those thresholds are virtually nonexistent for you. You just need to tell me whether you are willing to come back with me," she said.

Yan Lingzhen subconsciously raised her head to look at Yan Wanqing, whose gaze was calm, showing not a trace of emotion.

It seemed that she wanted her to make the decision herself.

Yan Lingzhen considered for a moment and then shook her head, "To reply to Your Majesty, Xiaoliu’s skills are still unrefined. There might not be much room for growth at the Imperial Medical Bureau. Currently, Xiaoliu wishes to gain more experience from traveling; this will benefit the further improvement of my medical skills."

This was a refusal of Zhang Lanyi’s invitation.

But these words were pleasing to hear, and Zhang Lanyi was not angry at all about being refused by a child, and she continued to speak.

"You have just returned from your travels, how long do you plan to stay at home this time?" Zhang Lanyi had other plans in mind.

Yan Lingzhen answered truthfully, "Three months." She had gathered all the herbs she needed, and it would take one month to develop the antidote for Thousand Mechanism, and the remaining two months she wanted to spend helping her sister recuperate, to bring back the radiant sister to the Yan Family!

"Three months," Zhang Lanyi felt reassured and her eyes curved into smiles, "Then, may I send for you if I miss you and wish to see you in the palace?"

"Empress bestows too much favor on Xiaoliu. As long as Your Majesty calls, Xiaoliu guarantees to be at your beck and call," Yan Lingzhen crisply said.

The more Zhang Lanyi looked at this young girl, the more she liked her, and couldn’t help but start comparing her to Yan Wanqing’s temperament.

These sisters were truly like water and fire.

Having gotten a promise, Zhang Lanyi left for the palace in a very good mood with her palace attendants.

After seeing off the Empress, Yan Wanqing said to Yan Lingzhen, "Your fifth sister was punished with twenty military sticks a few days ago and is still lying at home. Remember to go back to check on her today."

"What! Fifth sister was beaten! Who did it?" Yan Lingzhen brandished her little fists.

Yan Wanqing stretched out her hand to rub her small head, "Your sister has already avenged your fifth sister."

Yan Lingzhen then felt relieved, "Alright, Xiaoliu will go back now." As she spoke, she lifted her foot to head out but was called to stop by Yan Wanqing.

"Wait a moment."

"Is there something else, elder sister?"

Yan Wanqing, recalling that Li Chengyuan had fallen into the water at her residence the day before, said, "On your way back, stop by Li Taishi’s residence to check on that Third Miss Li, and have Cong Ge accompany you."

The carriage slowly drove out of the Princess Residence. Yan Wanqing stretched her hand to rub her somewhat sore back before turning around.

With Cong Ge accompanying her, she felt more at ease.

During the ride, Cong Ge told Yan Lingzhen everything that had happened the day before, why Yan Hongzhao was beaten, and what had happened that night, spilling all the details to her.

Listening, Yan Lingzhen’s little heart fluctuated, never expecting so many events to have occurred in her absence.

Cong Ge spoke until she was parched, drinking half a pot of tea water just when the coachman said that they had arrived at Li Residence.

"The young mistress must be worried about whether Miss Li suffered any serious harm from falling into the water. She asked the fifth mistress to help check on her. After all, it concerns a lady, and if a lingering illness is left behind, the young mistress would also feel distressed," said Cong Ge.

Yan Lingzhen nodded, "My sister is truly kind-hearted and thinks of everything thoroughly. I will certainly take a good look at Third Miss Li today," she said.

With those words, the two got down from the carriage, and Cong Ge went to knock on the door. When the doorkeeper heard it was someone from the Princess Residence, he hurriedly went to report it.

Shortly after, the main gate of Li Residence opened wide, and a woman dressed as a lady came out, followed by four maids.