A large group of people had indeed arrived outside.

Feng Qingyin descended from her carriage surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs.

The two carriages had driven directly into the center of the main hall — the entourage’s display of authority was considerable indeed.

When Xiao Yingtao emerged, Lingling was just helping Feng Qingyin down from the carriage.

Feng Qingyin was dressed in layers of silk and satin, adorned with gold hairpins, jade rings, and an extravagant gleam of pearls and gemstones that dazzled the eye.

At the sight of her, Xiao Yingtao felt much as she would have seeing a ghost. At any other time it would have been one thing — trading sharp words was nothing — but today, with everyone still caught up in work, who had the time to receive this Noble Consort?

Qiao Mu, at least, was more adept at social graces. She stepped forward and inclined her head: “We were unaware of Noble Consort’s visit and failed to receive you properly — please forgive the oversight.”

“Where is Feng Jiu?” Lingling was supporting Feng Qingyin, while the attendants immediately brought a chair so she could be seated.

Lingling said, “Our Noble Consort has come especially to have Physician Feng Jiu take her pulse. Quickly, call Feng Jiu out.”

“I apologize, Noble Consort — Young Master is not taking consultations today. Shall I call another physician of excellent skill to take your pulse instead?”

Though Qiao Mu found this Clear Noble Consort just as tiresome as Xiao Yingtao did, they still had to make their way in this imperial city. Better not to invite unnecessary trouble.

Getting entangled with someone like this would be a nuisance — if it led to people coming here to cause disruptions every day, it would disturb the patients’ rest.

“We have heard that three days ago, the bridge at Temple Street collapsed, and Tianji Hall saved a great many patients. We have come today not only to have Feng Jiu take our pulse, but also to present Tianji Hall with some proper medicines — and to show our concern for the common people.”

Lingling immediately had the attendants bring in two chests of medicines. Xiao Yingtao accepted them without ceremony — they were being given freely, so they would be taken. She had servants carry the chests inside.

Tianji Hall’s medicine stores were truly running low, and Xing Zizhou and Xue Gu had both gone out to purchase more, but the new shipment had not yet arrived.

She would go through it all later with silver needles to test for poison — if it was clean, they would use it.

Anything sent by Feng Qingyin could not be trusted without a test first. That woman was more venomous than a viper or scorpion.

“Where is Feng Jiu? Why is she not coming out to take the Noble Consort’s pulse?” Lingling raised her voice slightly, pressing the point again.

Qiao Mu repeated her earlier position: “Young Master is not taking consultations today. Noble Consort, please…”

“Is Feng Jiu not at Tianji Hall?” Feng Qingyin’s eyes darkened. Rather than showing anger, she smiled coolly and said, “Tianji Hall has all these patients here, and Feng Jiu is not out attending to them — hiding somewhere instead? Surely not resting?”

“Young Master is indeed resting. Before this, Young Master had already…”

“How bold of Feng Jiu!” Feng Qingyin’s expression darkened. She cut Qiao Mu off and said with displeasure, “With so many patients waiting in Tianji Hall, running off to rest — what kind of healer does that? Attendants! Bring Feng Jiu out for us — immediately!”

These words from Feng Qingyin sounded so righteous and upstanding. As for what she actually intended to do — who did not know?

And yet there was nothing technically wrong with the Noble Consort’s words. A physician who was not out treating patients but hiding away instead — what was that about?

Some of the patients here were unaware of the hardship Feng Jiu had endured over these past few days. Those who had come to Tianji Hall naturally hoped to be seen by the famed physician as well.

With so many patients in Tianji Hall and still quite a few waiting, it was only natural that they all hoped Feng Jiu would come out and set their minds at ease.

Sometimes the relationship between physician and patient was a delicate thing — one misstep and it could turn adversarial.

So now, with the Noble Consort having someone “invite” Feng Jiu out, those patients who had already been waiting a while were naturally pleased at heart.

“Yes.” Several attendants acknowledged the order and moved to push through the entrance from the main hall to the rear courtyard.

Suddenly, a figure stepped swiftly forward and blocked the way.

Jian Yi stood in the entrance, his cold eyes passing over the attendants and settling on Feng Qingyin.

Feng Qingyin startled, nearly rising from her seat: “You…”

She had been searching for him for so long — three days, with no trace of Jian Yi to be found — and had assumed he had already left the imperial city.

She had not expected him to be hiding here.

At seeing Jian Yi, Feng Qingyin’s initial reaction was fury — but on second thought, the anger in her chest was instantly suppressed.

“Since there is still a physician here, then have this physician take our pulse.”

She stood, her gaze fixed unmistakably on Jian Yi.

“Noble Consort, he is not…” Qiao Mu began to explain.

Feng Qingyin cut in: “We want him. Or are you trying to force us to summon Feng Jiu?”

Qiao Mu was in a difficult position. Jian Yi was not a physician at all — and for some reason Feng Qingyin seemed drawn to him. Was it simply his striking appearance?

Xiao Yingtao thought the same. In her view, Feng Qingyin was exactly that kind of insufferable woman — the sort who, the moment she spotted a fine-looking young man, simply had to get close.

Truly shameless.

Jian Yi’s large hand clenched into a fist — he was clearly unwilling — but when Feng Qingyin turned and walked toward the consultation room designated for Feng Jiu’s use, he had no choice but to follow her in.

Lingling naturally understood what her mistress had in mind. The entire imperial city held only two people who had seen Jue Yan’s true face, and she was one of them.

Watching the two of them enter the consultation room, Lingling immediately used the pretext of the Noble Consort requiring privacy for her consultation to clear everyone from the surrounding rooms, permitting no one to come within half a step of the area.

The consultation room was no more than a small self-contained chamber — with someone next door, whatever the Noble Consort and Jian Yi said would certainly be overheard.

Once all had been cleared away, Feng Qingyin fixed her gaze on Jian Yi, her expression darkening: “What do you mean by this?”

Jian Yi said nothing, only said evenly, “Feng Jiu has not rested for three days and three nights, and only managed to sleep for a short while this morning. I ask that Noble Consort refrain from making things difficult.”

“You are speaking up for that wretched woman?” Feng Qingyin’s fury ignited at once upon hearing this.

Just a moment ago she had been thinking that Jian Yi, not having gone anywhere, had remained here at Tianji Hall — could it be that he had truly taken her words to heart and intended to eliminate Feng Jiu’er for her?

And yet now he was speaking on Feng Jiu’er’s behalf, with not the slightest indication of any intention to kill her.

Jian Yi had betrayed her.

“Have you forgotten how I once saved you? Have you not always repaid what you owe? What does this amount to now?”

Jian Yi stood to one side, expressionless. “The debt I owe you, I will repay.”

“Words are worthless!”

“Then tell me what you want me to do.” If he could, Jian Yi wished to clear this debt of obligation once and for all.

Over the past half year, in order to repay this one debt, he had lived a life he himself held in contempt — hiding away in the Emperor’s inner palace day after day, sheltering in the shadow of a woman.

“I want you to kill Feng Jiu for me!” They were in Tianji Hall, and though Lingling had already cleared the surrounding rooms, Feng Qingyin still did not dare to raise her voice.

She watched Jian Yi — his face remaining cold and impassive throughout — and knew he must still be angry over what she and Zhan Yuheng had done that night.

She walked toward him, lowering her voice: “What happened that night — I can explain. Why do you refuse to hear me out?”