Chapter 5: A Mistake in the Melody (Part Four)

◎ The Physician ◎

The Zhou residence was located in the Xianming Ward of Bianjing, a former dwelling of a cruel official from the previous dynasty. It had been vacant for many years until Zhou Tan, upon becoming Vice Minister of Justice, was bestowed this estate by the emperor.

The layout of the house was ancient and elegant, with a sparse simplicity that exuded a sense of rustic charm. However, the garden was overgrown with withered trees and dry grass, yet to be replanted, lending the place an air of desolation.

Qu You walked along the pebbled path leading from the bridal chamber and soon arrived at the main hall.

The main hall was named “Xinji” (New Clearing), and according to the elderly steward Zhou Shengde who guided her, the name was personally inscribed by Zhou Tan.

She entered Xinji Hall with light steps, only to find Zhou Yang sitting alone. After reluctantly hosting the wedding banquet the previous day, the Ren family had fled as if avoiding a plague.

Zhou Tan truly had no relatives left. His only younger brother, still rebellious in his youth, was a source of lamentation.

Zhou Yang had changed into a dark blue casual robe and was sitting improperly on one side of the main hall, legs crossed. He didn’t move when she entered.

Qu You ignored him, accepting a teacup from an unfamiliar nanny and slightly bending her knees to perform the proper ritual before the two ancestral tablets on the altar. She placed the teacup beside them.

After completing the offering, she took a step back. Zhou Yang quickly moved behind her, grabbing the last teacup from the nanny’s tray and grinning impishly. “Sister-in-law, allow me to offer you a cup of tea.”

Qu You glanced at him, then sat down on a chair on the other side, calmly accepting the teacup. “Young Master has a kind heart.”

She made no mention of the insult she endured in the hall the previous day, remaining as calm and indifferent as before. Zhou Yang studied her closely, squinting mischievously. “Sister-in-law, is Zhou Tan dead?”

One of the stewards couldn’t help but reprimand him. “Young Master!”

Qu You set the teacup down and responded calmly, “For now, he isn’t dead. I will call a doctor to treat his wounds.”

Zhou Yang hadn’t expected her to remain so composed. Unwilling to give up, he pressed further. “You’re calling a doctor for him? I thought your parents would have instructed you to ensure he dies, even if it meant living as a widow for life. If he survives and sees you, his mood won’t be good. This man harmed even his own parents and siblings—you’d better watch out.”

Zhou Yang was about sixteen or seventeen, handsome with features faintly resembling Zhou Tan’s, though his demeanor was completely different.

Qu You spoke gently, curious about the boy’s motives. “Is that so? How terrifying. Perhaps I’ll sleep with a dagger under my pillow. But tell me, why are you so eager for your older brother to die? You’ve already severed ties with him and stopped associating. Why must he die?”

Zhou Yang’s eyes darted, a flirtatious smile playing on his lips. “Could it be, Sister-in-law, that I’m interested in you?”

He openly flirted with his sister-in-law in front of the servants. Zhou Shengde, standing nearby, turned red with anger and stepped forward. “Young Master, stop this nonsense!”

Qu You raised a hand to stop the advancing steward. Looking at the boy’s youthful, peach-blossom eyes, she smiled. “Me?”

In truth, Zhou Yang didn’t seem like such a frivolous person. Likely, he was unwilling to reveal his true intentions and was deliberately trying to provoke her.

If he wanted to play games, she could join in.

Clearing her throat, Qu You adopted a sorrowful expression and began spinning lies. “Unfortunately, I fell deeply in love with your brother long ago. I’ve always dreamed of marrying him.”

Zhou Yang was stunned. “But… weren’t you married to him by imperial decree? Do you actually like him?”

To Qu You’s amusement, he immediately believed her. She continued earnestly, “Yes, madly in love.”

“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone in Bianjing who genuinely likes him,” Zhou Yang said, wide-eyed, as he attempted to drink his tea but burned his tongue. “What do you see in him?”

“Uh… I liked him long before now. It’s not about what I can gain from him,” Qu You replied, clutching her handkerchief. “You…”

Before she could tease him further, Nanny Yun hurried in.

Quickly shifting gears, Qu You feigned distress. “Your brother is gravely injured. I shouldn’t have met you directly—it’s improper. I thought you respected me, but instead, you insulted me. I’m deeply hurt.”

Turning to Zhou Shengde, she added, “I heard Young Master returned from the military camp and stayed only at the Ren residence. Now that the household is busy, we can’t accommodate guests. I’m just a young woman—how can I handle the provocations of someone like Young Master? I’m very frightened, Uncle De. Please escort him out.”

Zhou Yang was momentarily stunned. By the time he regained his composure, Zhou Shengde had already stepped forward, extending his hand. “Young Master, you didn’t even visit when your brother was critically injured. Now you insult your elder sister-in-law. Please leave.”

Zhou Yang hesitated, feeling humiliated, then stormed off, throwing a parting remark over his shoulder. “You’d better hope he doesn’t die!”

Qu You laughed softly behind him. “Thank you for your kind wishes.”

After sending away the troublesome youth, Qu You felt even more sympathy for Zhou Tan.

How deep must their enmity be? Even if the whole world despised Zhou Tan, surely his younger brother should remember some kindness from the man who raised him.

Though the younger brother seemed somewhat simple-minded—not inheriting his brother’s cunning—teasing the sharp-tongued boy was amusing.

However, Qu You grew concerned when she realized she was already beginning to justify Zhou Tan’s actions.

Who knew if Zhou Tan himself hadn’t abused his brother, causing such animosity? Though he didn’t appear capable of it, she reminded herself not to be swayed by appearances and lose her principles.

Nanny Yun leaned in and whispered that she had visited the designated household. The person said they needed to pack and would arrive later. She left a few servants behind and returned first.

Privately, she worried about the new mistress being confronted by Zhou Yang, who had grown increasingly reckless. However, according to Zhou Shengde earlier, the mistress hadn’t been intimidated by Young Master at all; instead, she made him eat humble pie.

Nanny Yun concluded that the new mistress indeed required no concern.

Qu You had a simple breakfast and discovered that the chef’s skills were abysmal. Clearly, some training was needed.

Just as she set down her handkerchief, a visitor arrived.

The resident at the end of Twelve Sweetwater Lane was a physician named Bai Ying. When she and her younger brother first sought medicine for their mother, they encountered this seemingly unreliable young doctor at the pharmacy.

Bai Ying noticed the prescription given to her inside the shop, asked a few questions, and declared it incorrect. The pharmacy staff beat him and threw him out. Seeing his pitiful state, Qu You gave him a silver ingot. Later, consulting another doctor, she confirmed the prescription indeed contained an unnecessary ingredient.

Since then, Qu You often sent for Bai Ying to prescribe medicine for her mother. Over time, they became familiar.

Bai Ying wasn’t from Bianjing; he had followed his master here to make a living. Unfortunately, his teacher passed away unexpectedly, leaving him nowhere to turn. He wandered the streets, prescribing remedies for the poor who couldn’t afford medical care, barely scraping by.

After meeting Qu You, his living conditions improved somewhat, and she trusted him enough to secretly invite him to examine Zhou Tan.

Bai Ying frowned deeply while taking Zhou Tan’s pulse, then grabbed a sheet of rice paper from the table and began writing a prescription, conversing with her as he worked. “I heard you got married to this unlucky sickly fellow. Congratulations! I can’t afford a gift, so bear with it.”

Qu You was used to his eccentric way of speaking. “How is he?”

“Not good. If you’d waited a few more days to call me, the wound would have festered completely. Even if he survived, it would have been difficult. Last night, you noticed a high fever. Who knows how many days it’s been? When he wakes up, his brain might be fried. Not good, not good…”

Qu You sighed in relief. “As long as he doesn’t die, it’s fine.”

Bai Ying left the prescription and gave detailed instructions on how to care for Zhou Tan. After receiving a string of coins from Nanny Yun as thanks, he happily departed.

Over the next three days, Qu You devoted herself to caring for Zhou Tan.

His wound showed clear signs of improvement, forming scabs, and the fever gradually subsided. Even his breathing grew steadier. On the third day, Bai Ying paid another visit and declared that Zhou Tan was recovering rapidly. He would wake up soon.

Nanny Yun burst into tears of joy, pulling Qu You’s hand to kneel in gratitude. Qu You quickly helped her up. “Nanny, I’ve said this many times—there’s no need for formalities in this house. Besides, you’re like a senior elder to me. There’s no need for such courtesy.”

“Heaven has finally opened its eyes to grant Master Zhou such a compassionate wife as you,” Nanny Yun wiped her tears and sat beside her, glancing at the bed. “De and I have served since Lin’an. After the Zhou family fell, Master Zhou rebuilt his life and specially brought us old bones to Bianjing. Master Zhou… he hasn’t had it easy. All these years, I’ve hoped he’d find someone who truly cares for him…”

Nanny Yun and Uncle De had served Zhou Tan for so long without betraying him, which surprised Qu You. She intended to ask more about his past in Lin’an when hurried footsteps approached.

Zhou Shengde stood outside the wooden door, lowering his voice. “Mistress, someone has come to visit.”

It had been several days since Zhou Tan’s assassination attempt and subsequent marriage, yet no one had visited until now.

This unexpected guest piqued curiosity. What could they want?

Qu You arranged a screen in front of Xinji Hall to receive the visitor. The man introduced himself as Liang An, a subordinate of Zhou Tan’s in the Ministry of Justice. As soon as he sat down, he requested that Zhou Shengde and Nanny Yun dismiss the servants.

Nanny Yun was uneasy, but Qu You, curious about his intentions, allowed it.

Once everyone had left, Liang An settled into a seat.

“The Ministry of Justice recently received a thorny case requiring urgent handling,” Liang An spoke politely, his voice smooth and sly, his figure somewhat bloated. “However, Lord Zhou remains unconscious due to his injuries, leaving us in a difficult position. Today, I’ve come to request that Mistress transfer Lord Zhou’s official seal to us, so we can proceed with matters more conveniently.”

Though his words were courteous, Qu You wasn’t a sheltered maiden. The laws of the Great Yin Dynasty clearly stated that the seals of the six ministries’ vice ministers were non-transferable. If Liang An obtained Zhou Tan’s seal, wouldn’t he effectively seize the position of Vice Minister of Justice?

Liang An watched the silhouette behind the screen with interest. Everyone in Bianjing knew Zhou Tan hadn’t woken since his marriage. This “Twin Beauty of Bianjing,” left alone in her bridal chamber, was indeed a pity. Judging by her graceful silhouette behind the screen, she must be stunning.

From behind the screen came a cool, detached female voice. Though stern, it was pleasing to the ear, like pearls cascading.

“The seal… my husband’s seal is naturally in his possession. I’ve been married for only five days and don’t understand what Lord Liang is suggesting.” Qu You cleared her throat. “Perhaps you should wait until he wakes.”

Liang An lounged, idly rubbing the calluses on his fingers. Chuckling, he replied, “Mistress jests. Everyone in Bianjing knows Lord Zhou… is unlikely to awaken.”