The Seventh Miss waited anxiously and restlessly for Quan Zhongbai.

She was still young and didn’t need to pull the bed curtains closed to hide herself.

However, her two sisters were both over ten years old. Though the Sixth Miss still bordered on being a child, she already had a sense of shyness.

So they had curtains drawn and hid behind the embroidered drapes, holding their breath, preparing to admire Second Young Master Quan’s bearing through the gaps in the curtains.

Though the Fifth Miss had met Second Young Master Quan face-to-face before, perhaps because she was young at the time, she couldn’t say what made Second Young Master Quan different from ordinary male relatives.

The more mysterious it was, the more curious the Sixth Miss became.

“They say he’s like Pan Yue and Song Ziyu, a handsome man with the elegance of ancient times!” She chattered with the Fifth Miss behind the curtain. “These past years, whenever the capital’s women have headaches or fevers, who doesn’t go to the Quan family for consultation? Second Young Master grew so annoyed he came south to tour…”

“Then why would he agree to treat Seventh Sister?” The Fifth Miss was somewhat puzzled.

The two were still discussing when several matrons led Quan Zhongbai into the room.

Quan Zhongbai was about eighteen this year—by ancient standards, already a young man.

Looking at his appearance, it wasn’t much different from two years ago. Still in a crane cloak, still wearing a Tang-style cap, and still removing both cloak and cap upon entering, revealing underneath a light cyan robe with hidden lotus patterns and a flawless white jade crown.

Just these few motions of removing his outer garments were pleasing to watch when performed by Quan Zhongbai.

However, that jade-like face carried a trace of anger, which made his eyes seem like fired glass—so bright they burned the gaze.

“Master Quan!” The Seventh Miss felt she needed to greet him, then apologize. “I’ve delayed your mountain tour.”

Quan Zhongbai glanced at the Seventh Miss.

Then he rolled up his sleeves, pressed two fingers together, and tested the temperature of her forehead.

“When I examine pulses, I don’t wish to be disturbed.” His expression eased slightly, but his tone still carried coldness.

Several matrons lowered their eyes and withdrew, leaving only Bailu to attend. Quan Zhongbai glanced at Bailu, and even Bailu retreated outside.

Through the glass window, his every movement could be seen—it couldn’t really be considered a man and woman alone.

Quan Zhongbai lowered his head to rummage through his medicine chest.

His movements were large, large enough to almost lose his usual elegance.

“Miss Yang, two years unseen, and your illness has worsened.”

Even the dissatisfaction in his tone was completely undisguised.

The Seventh Miss was stunned.

Though she couldn’t claim to be very robust, she rarely fell ill these past years and usually paid attention to maintenance…

Where was this illness from?

“Master Quan, what do you mean…” She couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Could she have some terminal illness?

Though life in the Yang family couldn’t be called easy, at least her food, clothing, and expenses were envied by countless people. The Seventh Miss wasn’t some transcendent sage—of course she hoped to live longer.

Quan Zhongbai pulled a small wrist pillow from the medicine chest.

“Put your hand here.” His tone was impatient.

Seeing the Seventh Miss’s obvious confusion, he simply grabbed her wrist and brought it to the pillow.

“So young, yet carrying such heavy thoughts!” While examining her pulse, Quan Zhongbai scolded. “As soon as I heard a Yang family young miss was ill, I knew it was you!”

“I… me?” The Seventh Miss could only parrot back.

“Insufficient from birth, inadequate care afterward, excessive worry… Right now you’re still young, naturally you don’t feel it, but after thirty, all kinds of illnesses will plague you!” Quan Zhongbai’s face darkened as he continued scolding, then withdrew his hand. “Last night you worried excessively and didn’t sleep well all night, didn’t you?”

“I…” The Seventh Miss actually felt like being scolded by a teacher.

Just like in her past life when she hadn’t completed homework, how the young homeroom teacher would scold her helplessly: “Besides yourself, who will plan for you? You need to be sensible!”

She cast a pleading glance toward the curtained area.

Quan Zhongbai also looked over.

The curtain trembled slightly… yet there was no wind in the room.

He remained impassive and rebuked the Seventh Miss. “I’m talking to you!”

The Seventh Miss jumped in fright and looked at Quan Zhongbai with an aggrieved expression.

Quan Zhongbai’s handsome face was written all over with disappointment at her failure to improve.

“You can’t continue like this in the future!” Quan Zhongbai bent down to pull prescription paper from his medicine chest.

Bailu quickly entered to attend with ink and brush.

“When you have nothing to do, talk and laugh with your sisters. Don’t be like a little old lady, worrying from dawn to dusk… What do you have to worry about? Fine clothes and food, excellent family circumstances, parents who love you so much… You need to make yourself happy, understand?”

The Seventh Miss lowered her eyes, about to let out a long sigh.

But quickly covered it up, nervously glancing at Quan Zhongbai.

Quan Zhongbai couldn’t help showing a slight smile.

Then quickly suppressed it and impassively nodded at the Seventh Miss.

“That’s how someone your age should be.” His approval was stern.

The Seventh Miss grinned at Quan Zhongbai. “Thank you for Master Quan’s concern…”

Quan Zhongbai lowered his head to write the prescription. As he wrote, he also sighed. “It’s precisely because of a constitution like yours that you’re already considered rare among the young misses in these grand mansions. Yet you still don’t know to cherish yourself… Little do you know, some people find seeking good health harder than climbing to heaven…”

In that instant, the pain revealed in his words was completely different from that distinctive cheerfulness of two years ago—like two different people.

Two years might not mean much to adults, but for a youth, it could represent two entirely different states of mind.

The Seventh Miss looked at Quan Zhongbai sympathetically.

Of course she wouldn’t be so narcissistic as to think Quan Zhongbai was pitying her.

Surely among those living in grand mansions, besides “complaining without real cause” young misses like herself, there was someone Quan Zhongbai truly pitied.

“Take three doses daily, and the fever will break that very night.” Quan Zhongbai wrote the prescription and handed it to Bailu. “Take two more doses the next day, and you’ll be fine.”

He swept a glance at the Seventh Miss.

“In the future, don’t bottle everything up inside.” He no longer had that urgent concern and indignation, but more outward politeness. “Miss Yang, your constitution isn’t too fragile among women. As long as you maintain it well, you can surely be healthy your whole life. Take care!”

After speaking, he shouldered his medicine chest and left the room without a trace of reluctance.

This Quan Zhongbai came like a gust of wind and left like one too.

Bailu and several matrons all hurried after him, inviting him to the back hall to sit and have tea.

Faintly she could still hear Quan Zhongbai speaking in the courtyard. “…This visit was merely out of courtesy, not necessarily…”

Just then, the Seventh Miss saw Ninth Young Master push open the door from the side room across the courtyard.

“Master Quan!” Ninth Young Master politely saluted Quan Zhongbai.

Quan Zhongbai suddenly stopped.

He beckoned to Ninth Young Master, held his face, and examined it carefully.

Then he brought Ninth Young Master into the Seventh Miss’s room, causing the Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss to hurriedly shrink back.

Quan Zhongbai paid no attention and used the remaining ink in the inkstone to write another prescription.

“These past two years, the old wound on your face itches when spring arrives, doesn’t it?” He asked Ninth Young Master while writing.

Ninth Young Master’s face was full of admiration. Involuntarily, he scratched the side of his face. “Yes. Master Quan truly has excellent medical skills!”

Quan Zhongbai shook his head and sighed.

“I really don’t like treating you young masters and misses from wealthy families.” He began complaining. “Each of you harbors matters in your hearts. As a physician, not asking isn’t right, but asking is even worse…”

Ninth Young Master and the Seventh Miss both froze.

“The wound on your face doesn’t look like it was inflicted by a dagger, but rather by something like scissors or an awl… isn’t that right?” Quan Zhongbai asked while writing.

Ninth Young Master couldn’t help exchanging a glance with the Seventh Miss.

The Seventh Miss was also completely bewildered.

What happened in front of Huansha Cottage—the Seventh Miss still had no clue about it.

She only vaguely knew that Ninth Young Master’s motivation for acting was to vent anger on her behalf.

“Since you won’t answer, shall I take that as confirmation?” Quan Zhongbai raised his eyes with a half-smile, gazing at Ninth Young Master.

That one glance was like elegant demeanor spilling out like ink water from an inkstone, splashing the entire room with the fragrance of ink.

Removing that layer of carefree and unrestrained exterior, when Quan Zhongbai displayed his romantic elegance, he was actually like this…

The gasps of the Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss penetrated the curtain and faintly reached the Seventh Miss’s ears.

Ninth Young Master lowered his eyes halfway and bit his lower lip, not answering.

“Gold is sour, silver is bitter; sourness brings pain, bitterness brings itching. The weapon that injured you should be a silver implement—am I right?” Quan Zhongbai reproached Ninth Young Master. “Even if you wanted to frame your Cousin Xu, you should have quietly told me the truth. I would have prescribed some medicine for you, and today’s situation wouldn’t exist.”

He blew on the prescription in his hand and stuffed it into Ninth Young Master’s hand. “When it itches, prepare this and apply it. In a few years it will be fine.”

Ninth Young Master stammered, wanting to say something but unable to speak, rarely showing such awkwardness. “Master… Master Quan…”

“What?” Quan Zhongbai stopped and looked back in surprise.

Seeing Ninth Young Master’s hesitant expression, he smiled.

“Don’t worry. That cousin of yours and I—we don’t get along either!”

#

Quan Zhongbai ultimately didn’t enter the back hall for tea and politely declined even the consultation fee.

The First Madam could only save face for herself. “He truly doesn’t lack that bit of silver.”

Both Madam Li and the First Madam only saw Quan Zhongbai’s profile through the window.

Yet they were full of praise. “Though just looking at his features doesn’t seem extraordinary, his bearing and manner are truly elegant and refined—he deserves to be called a handsome man.”

The Sixth Miss was already completely captivated by Quan Zhongbai. “Every single movement makes everyone else seem like mud in comparison!”

Looking at her, Eleventh Young Master had already become yesterday’s flowers.

Indeed, the Sixth Miss was only ten this year. Even if ancient people matured early, she was still far from the age of “this life, this world, unchanging devotion.”

That bit of fondness for Eleventh Young Master was easy to stir up and just as easy to fade.

After taking a few doses of medicine, the Seventh Miss truly recovered.

She sighed to Bailu. “Worry less, worry less… Where is there such a convenient world where you can just say not to worry and truly have nothing to worry about?”

But Bailu wore an expression of infatuated daze. “In the past when serving in Madam’s quarters, I heard Madam praise several Li family young masters for their ‘beautiful bearing and demeanor,’ but the one who truly has beautiful bearing is Young Master Quan!” She paid no attention to the Seventh Miss’s words.

Only the Fifth Miss wasn’t swept away by Quan Zhongbai’s whirlwind.

“It’s not like we haven’t seen people more handsome than him!” The Fifth Miss disdained these daughters’ frivolity. “It’s just that his behavior and manners are elegant and appropriate… I didn’t see what was so good!”

The whirlwind caused by Quan Zhongbai wasn’t limited to the Yang family.

Suzhou had no shortage of high officials and nobles. Besides Jiangsu province’s own bureaus, there was the complete entourage of the Governor-General of Jiangnan.

How could these high officials and nobles’ households lack delicate young misses and sickly young madams?

Naturally, there were also patients with chronic illnesses, bedridden and unable to rise. Plus old masters and old madams with all kinds of wealthy family ailments…

Before even reaching the fifteenth of the twelfth month, the queue of people seeking medical treatment had blocked the gate of Teacher Zhang Weiting’s residence.

Even the Yang family had people coming to seek connections, hoping to invite the young divine physician for house calls.

The Elder Master couldn’t help sighing to the First Madam. “Before, I didn’t understand why the Quan family had their second son study medicine. Now I understand—among all three hundred sixty professions, each produces champions. Even if the top scholar came to Suzhou, he probably wouldn’t receive such treatment.”

The First Madam was thoughtful. “I heard Young Master Quan’s health wasn’t very good since childhood—long illness made him a good physician. Yet you can’t tell at all.”

The Seventh Miss was also somewhat surprised: though Quan Zhongbai didn’t look robust, he couldn’t be connected with frailty at all.

However, he did seem thinner than ordinary people.

No wonder she always felt his clothes were particularly loose.

“That’s unclear, but the Da family’s Third Miss truly has poor health.” The Elder Master pondered. “I don’t know if this is why, but although the Da family discussed marriage with the Xu family and Liu family successively, in the end they betrothed their only unmarried daughter to the Quan family.”

The First Madam was moved. “The Xu family? Which son? Not Fengjia?”

The Elder Master’s expression was somewhat mocking. “If not Fengjia, who else? It was precisely two years ago, when Fengjia snuck out to come south with you.”

The First Madam’s expression turned somewhat ugly.

Those years, almost every letter from Madam Xu mentioned the match between the Fifth Miss and Fengjia.

Since Fengjia caused such a scene at the Yang family, Madam Xu never brought up old matters again…

So there was this hidden affair within.

“Third Sister probably felt somewhat embarrassed too!” She explained defensively to the Elder Master. “After all, Fengjia caused such a mess…”

“The Da family’s Third Miss is concubine-born.” But the Elder Master didn’t engage with the First Madam’s line of conversation. “Though registered under her legitimate mother’s name… Even though Imperial Concubine Hui has enjoyed extraordinary favor these years, betrothing a concubine-born daughter to the Duke Pingguo’s legitimate son—the Da family was truly overreaching.”

“More than overreaching!” The First Madam was indignant. “Simply shameless! The Da family could actually think of such a thing!”

The Elder Master looked at the First Madam with a smile. “The Quan and Da families forming a marriage alliance is tantamount to adding another source of support for the Eldest Imperial Prince.” He reminded the First Madam.

Court winds were surging, brewing tremendous changes.

Quan Zhongbai and the Da family’s Third Miss were merely conversation starters.

Thinking of court matters, the First Madam’s expression also darkened. “Has Father made up his mind?”

“Father-in-law plans to submit a memorial to the Emperor in March or April next year, urging the Crown Prince to leave the palace for his studies.” The Elder Master’s expression was inscrutable. “Privately, he’s already coordinated with over twenty officials.”

“What names?” The First Madam’s brow furrowed tighter.

The Elder Master named over ten names.

Every single one was a prominent military or administrative official. Duke Pingguo Xu Heng’s name was conspicuous among them.

“Third Brother-in-law is currently guarding the frontier with Fengjia…” The First Madam’s words stopped halfway.

It was precisely because Duke Pingguo was at the frontier training troops that his opinion carried such weight.

As the son-in-law of Teacher Qin, and as Governor-General of Jiangnan, when Teacher Qin wanted to coordinate officials to ensure the Crown Prince’s studies, naturally he thought first of this excellent son-in-law.

This wasn’t like the minor skirmishes of the past. One wrong step could lead to the Yang family’s destruction.

The First Madam thought it over, her face showing hesitation. “What does the Sun family think?”

“The Marquis Dingguo hasn’t agreed yet.” Master Yang’s expression was grave. “Still waiting for our position.”

“Let’s wait and see how things develop.” The First Madam bit her lip. “What do you think, Master?”

Though a daughter of the Qin family, at the critical moment, the First Madam still considered matters from her position as the Yang family’s mistress.

The Elder Master’s gaze softened. “There are still several months. Let’s get through the new year first.”

The First Madam also laughed self-deprecatingly. “Yes, it’s the new year—we shouldn’t be frightened!”

After the new year, the Crown Prince would be thirteen.

Victory or defeat would be decided next year.