“Please extend your arms, furen!” Physician Xiao Nie said respectfully as he approached the bed.
But the thing that had been extended out was not Yun Qian Meng’s slender lily-white hand, but a sealed up letter.
Physician Xiao Nie was a bit puzzled as he looked at the letter that was half exposed out from the curtain. He did not stretch his hand to take it, after all he did not know whether it was intended for him, or for Chu Fei Yang.
Yun Qian Meng opened her mouth then gently explained, “May I trouble Physician Xiao Nie to take a look at this prescription and see if this will be applicable?”
Having heard this, Physician Xiao Nie glanced at Chu Fei Yang who was standing in a corner. Seeing him nod back at him, he then lifted up his arm to take that sealed letter. He tore off the seal then took out the letter inside then started to carefully read it.
But the more he went down, Physician Xiao Nie’s expression became more and more serious and cold, even his brows could not help but wrinkle.
Chu Fei Yang was standing beside him gazing at the changes in his expression, gradually having the answer in his heart.
When Physician Xiao Nie found the signature at the bottom, those cold eyes could not help but slightly stared wide open, as if they contained an enormous surprise. The solemn and respectful expression in his face suddenly transformed a bit. His eyes concealed with something that seemed like a doubt or puzzled look, being extremely shocked the letter that had arrived so sudden. Feeling astonished towards every word written on the letter, his both eyes just stared fixedly at the last word ‘Fei’, For a very long time he was not able to regain his thoughts.
Chu Fei Yang observed all his expressions and reactions. He knew very well that telling this matter to him out of nowhere without any psychological preparation, it was indeed hard to accept. He didn’t urge Nie Huai Yuan to immediately provide his response, but just stood quietly in a corner, allowing him to digest the shock that was given to him by that letter.
Yun Qian Meng also knew that this matter was truly shocking for a man like Nie Huai Yuan who was wholeheartedly devoted to the art of healing.
Perhaps this was something that he would never have imagined even in his dreams. He was merely just following his principle to help the dying and heal the injured in order to perform his healing skills on the sick persons, but unexpectedly he had also helped in saving the heart of the sick person’s daughter. This woman also possessed a noble status, thus causing numerous hindrance between both of them. Perhaps during this time, Nie Huai Yuan’s heart was full of surprise and contradictions, as compared to Qu Fei Qing who was inside the room, he seemed to be much more intense.
“Physician Xiao Nie, is this prescription feasible or not?” After a long while, Yun Qian Meng spoke slowly, her graceful voice seemed like a feather fan that lightly brushed away Nie Huai Yuan’s confused heart, with a thread of warm breeze, causing his fretful mood to calm down for a moment.
However, he didn’t know whether Qu Fei Qing had written this letter because of being prompted by a sudden impulse or after her careful deliberations.
Regardless of any one of these two reasons, with regards to himself, it was truly very astonishing and surprising. He almost did not have any reason to decline, but he also did not really have any reason to accept it as well.
“Do you need to bring it back to Rong Shan Tang to carefully study it?” Seeing Nie Huai Yuan was not able to form any reply to her from beginning until the end, Yun Qian Meng spoke again.
Indeed, this matter came too suddenly. If it had been anybody else, that person would certainly be at a loss not knowing what to do. And moreover, based on their social standing, Qu Fei Qing was indeed an entirely different existence from Nie Huai Yuan. No matter how much she wanted Qu Fei Qing to seek her own happiness, but under such circumstances, how could happiness be regarded as something which only involved two persons?
In addition, according to Nie Huai Yuan’s current reaction, perhaps the things in his mind, were far more complicated that what Qu Fei Qing had thought about.
“Furen, this prescription is too ferocious. I’m afraid that it might not fit!” And during this time, Nie Huai Yuan suddenly spoke, somehow resolutely speaking out his own opinion and decision.
Having heard what was said, Chu Fei Yang slightly contracted his eyes calmly. Yet he did not say anything, but just silently waited for Nie Huai Yuan to explain.
Inside the curtain, Yun Qian Meng felt his response was reasonable, yet it was still beyond her expectation. Perhaps her cousin who was hiding inside the inner room had also never expected that Nie Huai Yuan would reject her after considering the matter.
“Physician Xiao Nie, have you carefully looked at this prescription? Every drug ingredients inside seemed common yet exceptionally precious, please do not mistaken the pearl as fish eye, when that time comes it will be too late!” Yun Qian Meng knew deep within her heart that Qu Fei Qing’s heart might be unable to accept Nie Huai Yuan’s decision, then as much as possible she tried to fight for her, hoping that Nie Huai Yuan would be able to feel the sincerity of Qu Fei Qing’s heart.
But Nie Huai Yuan was shaking his head facing the curtain. Both his eyes stared at those graceful little words, sounding sincere but with melancholy as he spoke “What the furen said, Nie Huai Yuan understands everything by heart. But, it is exactly due to the fact that every ingredient inside is incomparably precious rare treasure, that made Nie Huai Yuan not easily dare to touch it! Nie Huai Yuan is just merely a physician from a small town, in this life he only hopes to be able to be able to cure the illnesses for the patients, the drugs that he used were merely the most commonly seen ingredients. Consequently such kind of famous and valuable prescription, is not even qualified for the normal common people to use, please take it back, furen!”
Finished speaking, Nie Huai Yuan carefully folded the piece of paper, returned it back to the envelope with care, then stretching out his arm wanted to return it back to Chu Fei Yang. However, the receiving party was in a face as deep as the water as he stood beside the bed, and was not in a hurry to stretch out his arm to receive it, instead seemed as if waiting for Yun Qian Meng who was inside the curtain to speak.
“Then may I ask Physician Xiao Nie, are you not able to touch and accept it because it’s too precious, or is it because you don’t like the prescription, which is why you’ve made such decision?” Although Yun Qian Meng was not able to see all the things that had occurred outside, yet from that subtle sound of paper folding she had been able to hear that there’s something going on, perhaps Nie Huai Yuan would like to return the letter this time.
She could not help but faintly sighed, feeling sad for Qu Fei Qing. It would be better if she liked anybody else, but she only liked this Nie Huai Yuan who only had his heart set on the art of healing diseases.
This time Nie Huai Yuan had thoroughly made his rejection clear, perhaps this person’s mind did not harbor any love or affection. Even if Qu Fei Qing forced him to marry her, perhaps it would be just a waste of time for the two of them in the future.
Nie Huai Yuan had never expected Yun Qian Meng to question him like that. The expression on his face looked slightly startled, after which he knitted up his brows, he could not help but bowed down his head and started to ponder. Apparently this question seemed completely intractable, it was really hard to answer.
Muttered to himself for a long while, within the quiet inner room, his rhetorical question echoed, “Furen, is this question very important?”
Nie Huai Yuan could not understand why Yun Qian Meng would ask such a question. He already declined so it seemed quite unecessary.
From behind the curtain, Yun Qian Meng simply smiled, after which she slowly said, “This is a very important question. It will be essential for us to draw a distinction about your heart’s true desire, I hope Physician Xiao Nie will answer me honestly.”
Despite the fact that she was incapable to do anything more for Qu Fei Qing, but at least she would also like to spend her ultimate effort. Even though being rejected by Nie Huai Yuan, she would also like Qu Fei QIng to understand the true reason for his rejection.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s gentle yet tough tone of voice, in addition to Chu Fei Yang’s eyes which were flickering a gaze in favor of Yun Qian Meng, Nie Huai Yuan sigh in helplessness. Then he slowy said“Furen, the drug ingredients listed on this prescription are extremely precious. The first concern is that the drug isn’t something within the financial means of the common people to use, nor that an ordinary physician like me will be able to afford! And the second concern is, this prescription seemed mild, but extremely dangerous to use. With one single incident of carelessness it will cost a human life. Even though Nie Huai Yuan is only a commoner, I am also a physician, naturally I wouldn’t allow someone to take the medicine in the prescription and lose his life! And as for the third concern, althoughNie Huai Yuan isn’t someone who can be considered an expert in the art of healing, or someone with exceptionally unique skills, but such prescription, he had never seen it before, and he had also never expected that one day he would be able to make a pill out of such prescription. These are my answers, not to know whether furen is satisfied with them or not?”
Not only did this response exceed Yun Qian Meng’s understanding of Nie Huai Yuan, it also made Chu Fei Yang tremble inwardly Originally he was under the impression that Nie Huai Yuan was a person who got obsessed with medicine and could only immerse himself with the art of healing during the time when they were together far away in Luo Cheng, thus did not have any sentiments to spare about the outside world at all.
But now it seemed that he was not without any sentiments, but only because his sentiments ran too deep, as a result he did not have the heart to make connections or get in touch with them. He tried hard to conceal his views and ideas towards the outside world, only gave his all to research about those medicinal books.
But, when faced with problems, Nie Huai Yuan did not dodge away or avoid them. On the contrary, he carefully and cautiously confronted them.
And now based on Yun Qian Meng’s current status, with Nie Huai Yuan being able to reject Qu Fei Qing in front of her, also proved that he was not someone who would follow everything based on trends.
In addition to his response earlier being clear and reasonable, it would be enough to prove that Nie Huai Yuan had an attentive mind. It was no wonder he could develop so many prescriptions for those complicated diseases, without the unbreakable faith, without the careful attention, perhaps he would not have been able to adhere to these boring things.
‘Bang!’ During this time, the sound of a porcelain breaking echoed from an inner room.
Yun Qian Meng fiercely wrinkled her brows. Most likely Qu Fei Qing had already heard such response, causing her emotions to go out of control.
Nie Huai Yuan who was standing in front of bed seemed to have realized something as he lifted up his head and glanced at the small room with its curtain half suspended. Though his heart felt apologetic, yet he did not regret what he said earlier.
The entire room suddenly went silent. After a long while, the curtain of the small room was being lifted up a bit. Yuan Dong walked out from it. Seeing Chu Fei Yang and Nie Huai Yuan, she immediately bowed down, after which she quietly approached beside the bed, sending the letter, which had been already folded properly in her hands, inside the bed.
Yun Qian Meng looked at the circular drop of liquid on the lower portion of the letter. She learned that when Qu Fei Qing was folding the letter she could not hold back her tears from falling down. Her heart somewhat felt pity for her, then she quickly opened the letter and quickly scanned through it. Her heart was somewhat filled with mixed emotions, pinching the letter as her hands slightly clenched tight, after a long while, she slowly spoke, “Thanks Physician Xiao Nie for coming here today! The cold that I had sustained wasn’t really something serious, thanks for troubling Physician Xiao Nie for making a trip here!”
Seeing Yun Qian Meng spoke in this way, Nie Huai Yuan felt his tensed up heart had loosened up a bit.
Even though Chu Fei Yang was able to see his calm expression earlier, with an earnest mood, but in Nie Huai Yuan’s heart he had known very well that, based on Qu Fei Qing’s status, if she was to forcibly marry him, it was also not impossible.
But he truly had no intention to take a wife.If that opportunity came it will certainly give rise to conflicting views between the two families. Perhaps the friendship formed between Nie fu and Fu Guo Gongfu would be ruined by his own hands.
As a result, when he heard of Yun Qian Meng’s current tone of voice, the stifling feeling in Nie Huai Yuan’s heart had fully dispersed.
Seeing his expression suddenly relax, Chu Fei Yang approached him. Lifting up his right hand and gently patted the other’s shoulder, together the two of them walked out of Meng Xin Xiao Zhu.
“Xiaojie, Physician has already left!” Seeing them walked farther away, Mu Chun uttered to remind them, con1veniently handed over the letter, which was given to her by xiangye from before, to Yun Qian Meng.
Yun Qian Meng immediately lifted open the curtain, putting on the embroidered shoes she immediately walked inside the small room. She saw Qu Fei Qing leaning onto the imperial tutor’s seat while she sat down in a slanted position. A llayer of wetness had formed in the edge of her skirt. Although the nearby carpet that was already neatly cleaned up, the water spots on the surface was truly awe-inspiring. Yun Qian Meng knew that after Qu Fei Qing having heard of Nie Huai Yuan’s refusal, she had broken the teacup because of her unstable mood.
And during this time, Qu Fei Qing’s face slightly inclined towards the inner direction. Her right hand clutching the silk fabric was tightly pressing on the side of the lips, and her left hand which was hanging down on the knees was already clenched into a fist. Those slightly trembling hands, intangibly revealed her emotionally moved and sorrowful expression.
Yun Qian Meng lifted up one hand, hinting the servant girls behind her to leave. She and Qu Fei Qing stayed alone inside the small room. She slowly approached Qu Fei Qing, yet did not extend her head to see Qu Fei Qing’s quietly weeping face, instead only gently held onto Qu Fei Qing’s shoulder, carefully supporting her upper body as it slowly leaned closer to her arms, her arms contained the warmth as they wrapped around her cold and trembling body, then she remarked in a gentle voice, “Biaojie, if it is difficult to bear in your heart, it can just cry it out! Just vent out all the pain in the bottom of your heart, everything will just pass by.”
After speaking, Yun Qian Meng felt her waist tightened, the oppressive whimpering sounds suddenly resounded from inside her arms.She lowered her head to take a look, and saw Qu Fei Qing exerting all efforts to hug her, her entire face buried in her arms, her body lightly trembled as she cried softly.
Yun Qian Meng felt the sadness in her heart. Her right hand came up and caressed Qu Fei Qing’s fine black hair. She softly sighed inwardly, what kind of education was this, that although Qu Fei Qing’s heart was already torn with grief, yet she could only repress the pain in her heart. Even if she was to cry, she still could not make herself vent it all out in an unrestrained manner.
She continued to gently caress Qu Fei Qing’s hair. Yun Qian Meng knew that even if she were to said something right now it would come to deaf ears. Thus she just accompanied her quietly.
“Meng’er, am I still not good enough?” After a long while, Qu Fei Qing’s mood had slightly calmed down. Perhaps just like what Yun Qian Meng said, after all the pain that had been gathered together in her heart were being vented out through tears, the entire heart no longer contained the pain just like before, so long as she did not try to think of Nie Huai Yuan rejection, her heart would not feel like being entangled by blades.
When Qu Fei Qing had gradually stopped crying, Yun Qian Meng released her. Looking at Qu Fei Qing whose face was deathly pale with both eyes reddish, Yun Qian Meng took out a handkerchief then softly wiped off the tears surrounding her eyes, after a long moment she remarked, “It’s not that you’re not good enough, but because you are too exquisite, he couldn’t afford to have you!”
Not to mention the current Empress Dowager was Qu Fei Qing’s very own paternal aunt, even without the presence of the Empress Dowager, the status of Fu Guo Gongfu in Western Chu, the position of her maternal uncle as houye, her brother’s position as the Head of a Ministry, were all not the things that Nie Huai Yuan could not compare to.
And Nie Huai Yuan had maintained a calm and clear peace of mind, in spite of obtaining the favor from a fine woman like Qu Fei Qing, he had not displayed the slightest feeling of being arrogant. He had just analyzed things exceptionally calm, which made people treat him with great respect.
“But I have indicated in the letter that I am willing to give up everything, even my position and status, why would he still resolutely reject it?” For the very first time in her life she had really liked someone, after being rejected, Qu Fei Qing’s felt extremely complicated and uncomfortable. Having encountered the resourceful Yun Qian Meng, it made her feel as if she had possessed of a life-line making her unwilling to let go of.
Yun Qian Meng looked at those lily-white hands that were dragging onto to her arms, lifting up one hand she gently patted her both hands, after which she simply laughed and said, “Earlier he also mentioned that your prescription seemed mild, but when it was extremely dangerous to use, when it was not used appropriately it would cost a life! Biaojie, even though your brother wanted you to be happy, and even if grandma and uncle were all standing by your side, but there are many other people who wouldn’t want to see you getting out of their control. And there are even more people who harbor ill intention towards Fu Guo Gongfu, who are waiting for a great opportunity to plan a clean sweep!”
But after hearing all these, Qu Fei Qing forced a bitter smile as a teardrop fell down from her cheek, after a long she plainly spoke, “Meng’er, you and I were wrong! These, are just part of his excuses. The last statement that he said, was actually the real thing that he wanted to say. It was just only because he was unwilling. Although my heart belonged to him, but he was ruthless towards me all the way. You don’t have to comfort me again. With his statement, I understand it clearly in my heart, I will never bother him ever again!”
While speaking, Qu Fei Qing lifted her hand and gently wiped off the drop of tear in the corner of her eye. Though her eyes were still having an expression of lost, but now her they seemed full of determination, not to have expectations anymore.
Seeing Qu Fei Qing who was pretending to put on a strong facade, Yun Qian Meng secretly knitted up her delicate brows, afterwards she pulled Qu Fei Qing’s both hands, looking a bit concerned she said, “Biaojie, you……”
Seeing Yun Qian Meng worried look, Qu Fei Qing could not help but gently laugh. Her heart was full of warmth knowing that someone still cared for her, in return she held Yun Qian Meng’s hands, with a light smile she said, “Silly girl, I will feel better after crying. You need not worry about me. Now that I’ve known about his attitude towards me, there's no need for me to insist on, or else the one who will get hurt will not only be me alone. Besides, since me and him were not destined to be together, then brother doesn't have to worry about me. Moreover he shouldn't sacrifice his own happiness because of my matter, come to think about it, Meng’er, it wasn’t a bad thing after all!”
Watching Qu Fei Qing laughing freely, Yun Qian Meng’s brows tightly knitted up, her eyes looked puzzled and worried as she looked at Qu Fei Qing, fearing that her cousin, who seemed weak, would take things too hard after she returned back home.
The slightly cold fingertips gently touched Yun Qian Meng’s forehead, Qu Fei Qing softly laughed and said, “Silly girl, I am really fine! Now that I am somewhat feeling free from worries, I no longer need to spend my days and nights thinking about what will be his attitude towards me, but instead I’m feeling much more relaxed! But today I truly felt a bit humiliated, fortunately I had listened to your advice as I hid inside the small room, or else if I met him some other day, wouldn’t it be too awkward?”
Seeing Qu Fei Qing had regained her usual liveliness in her speech, Yun Qian Meng felt slightly easy.loosened up, Aafterwhich she instructed the servant girls outside to prepare the things needed for washing the face, permitting Qu Fei Qing to properly make tidy up herself presentable.
But, looking at her very red both eyes, Yun Qian Meng really did not know whathad nothing to do with it, then she spoke urging her to stay; “Biaojie, it will better for you to stay the night here at xiangfu. Or else if grandpa and aunt saw you like this, wouldn’t they be worried?”
Qu Fei Qing lowered her head as she leaned closer to the copper basin., Hher both hands scooped up the warm water as it gently washed off the tear stains on her face, after which she took the towel from Le Yao’s hands then gently patted it dry, then she voiced out, spoke “Grandma and Mother had already gone to bed., Iin a while I shall let Le Yao go to inform them that I am safe and sound, then I will not trouble you anymore.”
Speaking of which, Le Yao had already took out a piece of small porcelain box from her own personal embroidered pouch., She opened opening the lid and she used her fingertips to nitpick some white milk-like cream out, afterwards she softly applied it on Qu Fei Qing’s face then smooth spread it out evenly, finished, then she put the bronze mirror in front of Qu Fei Qing to let her examine her appearance looks once again.
Seeing her rejecting the offer, Yun Qian Meng no longer prompted urged her to stay, she just softly sighed, afterwhich she reminded, her “Tomorrow night at the New Year’s Eve Ppalace Bbanquet, perhaps he might enter the Ppalace to claim his rewards.”
Whether Qu Fei Qing had really relinquished her worries or not, Yun Qian Meng thought that she might still need to be reminded her a bit, so as to avoid having lack of psychological preparation during that time, causing people to having ideasobtain clues.
Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s reminder, Qu Fei Qing slightly paused the swiveling movement in her cheeks, then she softly responded with; “Yes!”
Although it was just a tiny movement, yet Yun Qian Meng had seen it.
But during this time, Yun Qian Meng did not say anything more, after all, in every person’s heart there was always a soft spot inside of it that would never allow any person to touch it, if she were to speak about it again, it will just tear off the wound in heart and it will be dripping with blood.
It would be most likely that as time pass by, the wound in her heart will be able to form a scab and drop off.
“I must return in advance, you should take your rest earlier. Because of the matter concerning me, I might be disturbing you and Chu Xiang’s time of rest.” Permitting Le Yao to fetch her cloak, Qu Fei Qing stood up as she spoke with a simple smile.