The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1283 - 1283 624 Jiaojiao Makes a Move (Part 2)

Chapter 1283: 624 Jiaojiao Makes a Move (Part 2) Chapter 1283: 624 Jiaojiao Makes a Move (Part 2) The leading officer was choked up once more.

Certainly … it wasn’t difficult.

Mu Qingchen was the foremost among the three great Young Masters of Shengdu, with a prominent family background and both talent and good looks. Investigating the background of a newcomer was nothing to him.

“Within one day, I want all the information on this person!”

With just such a breezy command from Mu Qingchen, countless servants and loyal retainers would go through fire and water for him.

The leading officer, who was capable of handling cases from the Crown Prince’s residence, was naturally no ordinary individual. He asked doubtfully, “But why did he go to the brothel then?”

Mu Qingchen maintained his composure and replied, “They didn’t agree on a price, so he left.”

Gu Jiao: “…” How can you lie with your eyes open so calmly? It’s a waste not to become a screenwriter or a movie star.

The leading officer narrowed his eyes and asked, “Then what’s with your token?”

Mu Qingchen answered, “I gave him the token to let him out of the city, but who knew his lust would get the better of him and he ended up visiting a brothel.”

Gu Jiao’s mouth twitched, thanks a lot!

…

Thanks to Mu Qingchen’s intervention, Gu Jiao had a perfect alibi and the officers eventually left.

Master Hu approached, with a complex expression, he glanced at Gu Jiao then said to Mu Qingchen, “No wonder Young Master Mu had to—”

A cold look from Mu Qingchen silenced him, “I have matters to attend to, I shall leave first.”

After Master Hu had gone, Gu Jiao curiously asked Mu Qingchen, “What was he about to say?”

“Nothing important,” Mu Qingchen said with an impassive face.

Gu Jiao gazed at him deeply, “Why did you help me?”

Mu Qingchen’s eyes were cold, “If I didn’t help you, wouldn’t you have exposed me? Would it sound better to have a reputation of being robbed by you, or one where I willingly gave you the token?”

Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow and muttered, “True, men do love their pride.” If Young Master Qingchen were known to have been robbed by a newcomer from a lower country, it would be quite the embarrassment.

Mu Qingchen asked indifferently, “What are you muttering?”

Gu Jiao was in a good mood, “Nothing, goodbye!”

She went to look for Gu Xiaoshun, and Mu Qingchen was also planning to leave, but after only a few steps, that group of officers turned back, and among them was a man who clearly had some status and identity.

This man actually came riding on a horse.

He seemed to be in his early thirties, not wearing armor, yet his entire being emitted an aura of decisiveness.

Riding his warhorse, he blocked the path of Gu Jiao and Mu Qingchen.

“Young Master Qingchen,” he greeted with a sneer.

His attitude was far more arrogant than that of the officers.

Mu Qingchen’s expression scarcely changed, still the peerless grace of a gentleman: “Lord Shao.”

Gu Jiao sensed an inexplicable undercurrent, seeming as if Lord Shao didn’t quite get along with Mu Qingchen.

The young man addressed as Lord Shao scoffed and said, “Young Master Qingchen claims this person from Zhan Country is a physician summoned by the Duke for the Duke Residence, and it’s not that I distrust Young Master Qingchen. However, since this matter is of great importance and Young Master Qingchen is still young, I worry that someone may take advantage of you.”

Mu Qingchen’s eyes grew slightly cold, “What does Lord Shao intend to do?”

The young man smiled, “He’s supposed to treat the Duke, isn’t he? Then let him cure the Duke.”

Mu Qingchen replied coolly, “If he can’t cure him, would Lord Shao punish me and him for deception?”

The young man’s smile was gentle as he replied, “Young Master Qingchen is speaking too seriously. How could I possibly show such disrespect to Young Master Qingchen? It’s this person from the lower country who intends to deceive you, it was all his own doing, having nothing to do with Young Master Qingchen.”

Gu Jiao: Great, immortals fighting, and she, the little devil from Zhan Country, is caught in the crossfire.

A quarter of an hour later, Gu Jiao got onto Mu Qingchen’s carriage.

Actually, Gu Jiao could have refused. This was clearly the surname Shao using his grudge with Mu Qingchen to cause trouble.

If she didn’t go, the blame would be on Mu Qingchen alone.

But she has always been clear about gratitude and grudges.

Mu Qingchen casually tossed Gu Jiao a prescription, speaking in a low voice, “Memorize this, and when you go to the Duke Residence, just go through the motions and come out. Can you take a pulse? It doesn’t matter if you can’t, remember just to touch the outer side of the wrist near the radial bone, using three fingers.”

As he spoke and saw that Gu Jiao was silent, he frowned, “You do know what the radial bone is, right?”

“Hmm, I know,” Gu Jiao nodded, continuing to examine the prescription in her hand: bezoar, musk, pearl, cinnabar, realgar, coptis…

Mu Qingchen whispered again, “It’s alright if you can’t cure him, your life won’t be taken. His actions are only to ensure whether you are a true physician, and also… to humiliate me. As long as you act the part convincingly, without giving yourself away, that will suffice.”

Gu Jiao responded with a noncommittal grunt.

Mu Qingchen thought Gu Jiao was seriously memorizing the recipe and didn’t disturb her further.

The carriage arrived at the Duke Residence, escorted by the young man and the officials.

“Young Master Qingchen, we’ve arrived,” the young man said, approaching on his horse.

Mu Qingchen looked at Gu Jiao, “Have you memorized it all?”

“Mhm,” Gu Jiao returned the prescription to him.

Mu Qingchen and Gu Jiao got off the carriage.

The young man, who had never dismounted at the Academy, immediately jumped off upon arriving at the Duke Residence and handed his horse over to an official beside him.

He informed the gatekeeper’s lad of their purpose, and the lad went inside to report. He then said to the group, “Young Master Qingchen, Lord Shao, please come in.”

Gu Jiao entered the Duke Residence.

As she walked, her confusion grew.

Why did she feel so eerily familiar with everything here?

Soon, under the guidance of the lad, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

Gu Jiao blinked.

Wait, wasn’t this the exact courtyard she had visited yesterday?

“Young Master Qingchen! Lord Shao!”

Accompanied by a familiar female voice, a lady dressed in purple silk, supported by her maidservants, approached.

Gu Jiao recognized her voice.

Wasn’t this the same lady from yesterday?

Was she… revisiting the same place?

“Second Madam,” Lord Shao greeted with a fist salute.

Young Master Qingchen also nodded slightly in greeting.

Second Madam appeared somewhat surprised, “How come you two have arrived together?”

The young man smiled and said in a dignified manner, “Young Master Qingchen sought a physician from Zhan Country for the Duke. I personally escorted them here to treat the Duke Residence.”

Second Madam opened her mouth in astonishment, “Ah… I see.”

Clearly, the Second Madam didn’t believe the young man could be so kind as to escort Mu Qingchen here; she didn’t buy this nonsense at all.

However, nobody there would puncture the polite, unspoken understanding.

“Alas,” the Second Madam sighed, “to be frank, just a moment ago a disciple of Physician Luo came to treat the Duke. He just applied the acupuncture, and he’s still here, preparing medicine for the Duke.”

The young man asked, “Is it a disciple of Chen Country’s top physician Tuo Feiyang?”

“Yes,” Second Madam said.

The young man gave Mu Qingchen a meaningful look, “Chen Country is renowned for its medical skills, and Physician Luo is the foremost among all physicians.”

Mu Qingchen ignored his provocation and asked the Second Madam, “Has the Duke awakened?”

Second Madam shook her head.

Mu Qingchen said to Gu Jiao, “You go and try. There’s no need to be under too much pressure.”

The young man said mockingly, “Indeed, even the disciple of Physician Luo found himself helpless. How could a physician from Zhan Country, whose name is not known, cure the Duke? Young Master Qingchen, from the beginning, it seems you were indulging in baseless fantasies.”

Gu Jiao looked at him irritably, “Are you always this noisy, or are you a bird by any chance?”

The young man choked, “You!”

Gu Jiao entered the house.

Mu Qingchen watched Gu Jiao’s retreating figure, seeming slightly startled by her reaction, but said nothing and followed her into the house.