Chapter 23.1
Qiu Jinning’s tone was faint, carrying a trace of confusion.
Yesterday, after she returned to the residence, her father had called her to the study, where she met that Academic Official Zhou. Later, she also learned from her father that Zhou Er was the current Second Prince, born to the Noble Consort. He was now serving in the Ministry of Revenue. For some unknown reason, he had come to Jiuqu County this time and even intended to become an academic official at the county school.
None of that had originally mattered. Although she had the intention to take the imperial examination path, she had no interest in clinging to the powerful.
The important thing was that after she walked near Zhou Er, she would become inexplicably nervous.
“Uneasy? What kind of uneasy?” Qin Chu frowned slightly, and a bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart.
Then she heard Qiu Jinning continue, “Just seeing him is nothing. But once I get close, within about five chi, my heartbeat quickens and my emotions become tense. It feels very similar to when the love gu flares up.”
What was even stranger was that these were all bodily reactions. Her mind was unusually clear—clear and calm—yet she could not stop her body from losing control. It was similar to a love gu flare-up, but not entirely the same.
Qin Chu froze when she heard this. She raised her eyes to look at Qiu Jinning, meeting her confused gaze, and an unusual sourness filled her heart.
“Heart racing, nervous breathing, unable to help yourself? Either you’re afraid of him, or your heart has moved.”
“I only met him for the first time yesterday. Even if he is the current Second Prince, he would not make me feel afraid, and even less would he make my heart move.” Qiu Jinning quickly ruled out both possibilities.
This feeling of losing control made her more inclined to think it was some kind of gu-like reaction. Thinking of the love gu, the first person she thought of was Qin Chu, which was why she had come to discuss it with her.
The current Second Prince?
Qin Chu froze for a moment, then seriously studied Qiu Jinning. If her earlier guess was correct and Qiu Jinning was the female lead, while her cheap elder brother was not the male lead and Eldest Young Master Gu was also a villainous character, then among the men around Qiu Jinning, no candidate for the male lead had appeared for the time being.
Now she understood. It was not that there was no male lead. It was that the male lead had only just appeared.
Especially since Zhou Er was a member of the imperial family. It was similar to many novel settings: the male lead had noble origins, came to the female lead’s side through a twist of fate, and helped the female lead resolve her predicament. He was a fated arrival from the heavens.
Thinking of Zhou Er’s handsome and dignified appearance, Qin Chu’s heart sank, feeling somewhat stifled.
Qiu Jinning watched her without moving, her clear eyes seeming to see through everything.
“Did you think of something?”
Qin Chu pressed her lips together tightly. After a long while, she said faintly, “Perhaps he is your beloved, and you simply fell in love with him at first sight.”
He was merely the fated male lead who had descended from the heavens. If the female lead was conflicted, then she could be conflicted by herself. Why tell Qin Chu all this? It only made people inexplicably irritated.
“Do not speak nonsense. I have no romantic feelings for him.” Qiu Jinning denied it extremely quickly, as if she already had an answer to this question, and that answer was not Zhou Er. That was why she was so certain.
Yet Qin Chu’s heart slowly froze over. The morning sunlight shone through the window into the private room, illuminating her delicate brows and eyes, yet leaving them dim and dull.
“Since Zhou Er is a prince, perhaps he can find aged strong liquor.”
Her tone was heavy, as though every word was extremely difficult to say.
The male lead who could resolve the female lead’s predicament—Qiu Jinning’s current predicament was the love gu. A jar of aged strong liquor should probably not be difficult for the Second Prince, who came from the imperial family.
“Qin Chu, I only met him for the first time yesterday. Do not overthink.” Qiu Jinning’s tone was calm, forcefully suppressing the waves in her heart.
Even though the changes in her body had been beyond her control both times, she had not felt even the slightest desire to approach that Second Prince. On the contrary, she was full of resistance and only wanted to stay away.
The person she wanted to approach was the one before her.
It was Qin Chu.
Qin Chu’s expression paused, and she met Qiu Jinning’s eyes. “Miss Qiu, what if I say that if you want to remove the gu, only he can help you? Let nature take its course first. Perhaps if you interact with him more, the love gu will resolve itself even without being removed.”
Whether out of selfishness or righteousness, she could not use the love gu to obstruct the female lead from interacting with the male lead.
Especially since the original Eldest Miss Qin was the culprit, and Qin Chu hoped Qiu Jinning would no longer be controlled by anyone.
Qin Chu’s heart was in terrible chaos. Countless thoughts rose and fell, yet she could only press them tightly into the bottom of her heart.
Qiu Jinning turned her head away, her hands gently gripping her sleeves. Her tone was extremely flat. “If it is truly as you say, then this love gu need not be removed.”
She would not force herself to approach the Second Prince just to remove the gu.
Qin Chu’s heart moved slightly when she heard this. “Qiu Jinning, you—you are unwilling to interact with the Second Prince? Why?”
If she was the female lead, she should not be acting like this. Unless Qiu Jinning did not like the male lead—at least, she did not like him yet.
Qiu Jinning’s face was calm and without waves. She slowly moved her gaze back. “I suspect there is something strange about him. Those reactions should be related to the love gu. Do you have time today to accompany me to Taohua’an Town to find Divine Physician Han?”
She did not agree with Qin Chu’s words. How could she not know her own feelings?
She had no interest in that Second Prince, only resistance and distress at losing control.
Qin Chu was silent for a moment. “I’m free now. Let’s go. I’ll go with you.”
The two left the private room. Luyao and Guanzi each glared at the other before going to their respective young ladies.
Qiu Jinning instructed, “Go to Taohua’an Town.”
Qin Chu followed behind in silence. Once they walked out of the teahouse, Guanzi could not help asking, “Miss, where are we going?”
Don’t just silently follow Miss Qiu like a lovesick fool. How disappointing.
Qin Chu watched as Qiu Jinning was helped into the carriage by Luyao. “Follow the Qiu residence’s carriage.”
“Got it.” Guanzi answered, then froze. Follow the Qiu residence’s carriage?
Was Miss… going to a secret meeting with Miss Qiu? Miss was mighty!
Inside the Qiu residence’s carriage, Luyao saw that her young lady’s brows and eyes were heavy, her face cold, and could not help asking, “Miss, are you unhappy?”
She had been perfectly fine when they went to the teahouse. Why had she become unhappy after seeing Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing?
It must be Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing’s fault. That good-for-nothing was no good.
How far had they even gotten? Yet she already dared make Miss unhappy.
The carriage traveled smoothly, leaving the city along the road. Qiu Jinning’s face showed melancholy. “Luyao, what do you think of Miss Qin?”
Not much—
The little maid complained inwardly, but went against her conscience and said, “Miss Qin is humble and gentle. She also looks refined and delicate. Her talent in arithmetic is outstanding too. She is a rare good person.”
If she said it like this, Miss should become a little happier, right?
Qiu Jinning froze when she heard this, seeming not to have expected Luyao to evaluate Qin Chu so highly. She lifted the carriage curtain and looked behind them. The Qin residence’s carriage was following at a neither-close-nor-far distance.
“What do you think I am like in her eyes?”
“Miss is as beautiful as a national treasure, exceptionally intelligent, gentle, virtuous, and the best, best, best woman in the world. Whoever marries you would have smoke rising from their ancestral grave and would have picked up a huge bargain.” That’s right, Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing had picked up a huge bargain.
Luyao wished she could recite every good phrase she knew, but unfortunately, her learning was average, so she could only praise her to this level. She still felt she had not described even one ten-thousandth of her young lady’s goodness.
“I fear that is not what she thinks.” Qiu Jinning’s tone was lonely. Otherwise, why would that person tell her to interact more with the Second Prince and say such absurd things as her heart moving and the love gu resolving itself without removal?
“Then she is no good.” Luyao’s face was full of indignation. As expected, it was Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing who had made Miss unhappy. Her Miss was so good, yet that good-for-nothing did not even cherish her.
Qiu Jinning pursed her lips and said no more.
Taohua’an Town was not far from Jiuqu County. Along the way were peach groves, and the road was smooth and broad. The houses were neat and impressive.
According to the county records, Song Cheng, the Seventh Prince of the previous dynasty, had once lived here in seclusion. Later, he died in war. Although his wife, Lady Tao, remarried, she did not forget her hometown and donated a great deal of silver for the construction of Taohua’an Town.
Now, the largest restaurant in the Baiyue Dynasty, Upstairs Tower, was Lady Tao’s business. It had spread across the entire country. She was an admirable and extraordinary woman.
The carriage stopped outside a simple, ancient-looking residence. The plaque read: Han Residence.
Luyao helped Qiu Jinning down. When she turned her head, she saw Guanzi also helping Qin Chu down.
Seeing the master and servant had followed, Luyao glared fiercely. Hmph. How dare she make Miss angry.
Guanzi immediately glared back. Who was this skinny maid glaring at?
Luyao rolled her eyes at her and stood guard outside the main gate, not following inside.
This was Divine Physician Han’s rule: those seeking medical treatment could enter, but servants had to stop outside.
“What are you staring at?” Seeing the plump maid keep staring at her, Luyao said irritably.
Guanzi took a deep breath and waved her fist. “Who were you glaring at just now? You even dared roll your eyes. Be careful, or I’ll beat you up.”
Don’t think that just because she was a maid from the Qiu residence, Guanzi wouldn’t dare deal with her. As long as Qiu Jinning was not around, Guanzi was not afraid at all.
“I’m glaring because your master is useless. She can’t even make my Miss happy. Master and servant are both big wooden clubs, and both are terribly annoying.”
“Hey, who are you calling a wooden club? Say that again if you dare.”
Luyao looked straight ahead and raised her head to look at the sky. She knew herself well enough. She could not beat this wooden club.
Seeing that Luyao had become obedient, Guanzi chuckled. “Tell me. Why is your Miss unhappy?”
Luyao ignored her and continued looking at the sky. She refused to pay attention to this plump maid who only knew how to use violence.
Guanzi softened her tone. “Tell me, won’t you? How do I make your Miss happy? I can help my master.”
Although Miss was mighty, she still did not know how to make someone happy. Guanzi had also seen her own Miss looking dejected and Miss Qiu walking out of the teahouse with a cold face.
Luyao’s brows moved slightly. She found the plump maid a little more pleasing to the eye. In the end, she could not hold back and leaned over, carefully teaching her.
Inside the Han residence, Qiu Jinning and Qin Chu had already met Divine Physician Han.
Divine Physician Han was over sixty, but he looked like a spirited old man. He wore a wide-sleeved robe and seemed somewhat like an immortal sage.
After taking Qiu Jinning’s pulse, he stroked his neatly trimmed beard. “Miss Qiu’s spirits are much better. The gu worm has actually settled down. Strange. Could it be that you and the person who can resolve the gu have achieved a proper union?”
Qiu Jinning instinctively glanced at Qin Chu, then slowly shook her head. In her heart, she wondered if it was because of that mouthful of beer yesterday. Because she and Qin Chu had embraced and kissed…
Qin Chu, however, thought of Zhou Er. They had only met twice, yet the female lead’s love gu had been suppressed. As expected of the fated male lead. Thinking this, her heart felt even more stifled.
Divine Physician Han did not know their thoughts. He instructed a young attendant to bring over a pot of wine.
“Drink one cup and try. This old man will see whether the gu worm has truly been suppressed.”
Qiu Jinning hesitated for a moment and looked at Qin Chu again. With this person here, nothing should happen.
She gently raised the cup. The cup had just reached her lips when the person beside her stopped her.
Qin Chu said uneasily, “It’s better not to drink.”
What if the love gu flared up again? Never mind how difficult it would be for Qin Chu to endure. This was outside, with Divine Physician Han watching. How was she supposed to help Qiu Jinning?
“It is fine. As long as you are here.”
Those faint words, filled with trust, made Qin Chu’s mind go blank for a moment. By the time she came back to herself, Qiu Jinning had already drunk all the wine in the cup.
Qin Chu stared at her nervously. Divine Physician Han also watched quietly.
In only the blink of an eye, Qiu Jinning’s eyes were no longer clear. They became heavy and hazy.
Divine Physician Han hurriedly reached out to take her pulse, but she forcefully flung him away.
“What are you standing there for? Help this old man restrain her.”
Hearing this, Qin Chu hugged Qiu Jinning. The person who had originally been restless instantly became obedient, docilely leaning into Qin Chu’s arms and slightly raising her head, her eyes full of affection as she looked at Qin Chu.
Divine Physician Han took her pulse again. Qiu Jinning was about to shake him off once more, but Qin Chu quickly gripped her wrist. “Miss Qiu, be good. Let the divine physician take your pulse.”
Qiu Jinning looked confused for a moment, as if she had understood Qin Chu’s meaning. Her fair hand paused and no longer resisted Divine Physician Han’s touch.
Divine Physician Han stroked his beard while taking her pulse. When his eyes swept over Qin Chu, a trace of understanding flashed through them. So this young lady was the person who could resolve the gu.
After Divine Physician Han finished taking her pulse, Qiu Jinning seemed to have been freed from restraints. Her arms wrapped around Qin Chu’s neck, and her forehead lightly rubbed against Qin Chu’s collar. “Qin Chu…”
Qin Chu: “…”
She looked awkwardly at Divine Physician Han. “Divine Physician, do you have sobering soup?”
In just the time it took to say that sentence, Qiu Jinning had already followed the line of her jaw, slightly straightened, and found her lips.
Qin Chu panicked inside and hurriedly pressed Qiu Jinning’s head into her arms. “Divine Physician, please bring the sobering soup quickly. Also… could you please avoid watching for a moment?”
She could not withstand this!
Divine Physician Han smiled. Unhurriedly, he drew a long, thin silver needle from the needle pouch on the table. “Hold down her arm.”
The silver needle pierced her fair wrist. Qiu Jinning let out a soft hum and went still. Her breathing became even, as if she had fallen asleep.
Qin Chu released a breath in her heart.
Good—good—
Otherwise, she truly would not have known what to do.
Divine Physician Han stood. “Place her on the small couch. You, come with me.”
They arrived next door. It seemed to be a medicine room, with wooden cabinets standing on all sides, filled with a dazzling variety of medicinal herbs.
“You are Miss Qiu’s gu-resolving person?”
Qin Chu silently nodded. It was her.
Seeing her nod, Divine Physician Han’s face showed not a trace of surprise. “The gu-resolving person is often the one who planted the gu. Was Miss Qiu’s love gu planted by you?”
The reason he had not said this directly last time was because, judging from Qiu Jinning’s expression, she might have feelings for the person who could resolve the gu. If so, it had not been convenient to say it plainly.
“You could count it as me.” The one who planted the gu was her cheap elder brother, and Qin Chu did not know how much the original Eldest Miss Qin had been involved. Rounded up, Eldest Miss Qin could not escape responsibility.
Hearing this, Divine Physician Han’s expression sank. “Young people do not walk the proper path. Even if you admire someone, you should pursue them openly and honestly. How could you use such methods? Even if there were feelings, they would be tormented away. Does Miss Qiu know this was your doing?”
Qin Chu nodded again, listening with a confused face.
What feelings?
The original Eldest Miss Qin had helped her cheap elder brother plant a gu in Qiu Jinning not because of feelings. The one with feelings was Qin Mo. But such feelings were far too selfish—selfish and vicious.
Divine Physician Han frowned. She knew? She knew and still indulged her? It seemed Miss Qiu’s feelings were deep.
“This old man does not care about your twists and turns. I only treat illnesses. Miss Qiu’s love gu has indeed been suppressed, but only temporarily. If you want to remove the gu, you still need to find aged strong liquor. Otherwise, if this continues, she will find it even harder to leave you.”
Qin Chu’s heart trembled when she heard this.
Even harder to leave?
In that instant, a dark thought suddenly rose in her, then was quickly cast aside. If she used the love gu to bind Qiu Jinning, how would she be any different from her cheap elder brother?
“If she does not drink wine, will she no longer fall into that state?”
“No. Miss Qiu was previously only in the early stage of being affected by the gu. If she encountered wine, drinking sobering soup would suffice. Just now, she drank a cup of strong wine, which stirred the gu worm, and then it was forcefully suppressed by the silver needle. From now on, even if she does not drink wine, it may still flare up.” Divine Physician Han stroked his beard with a calm face, as if that cup of wine just now had not been something he had told Qiu Jinning to drink.
Qin Chu was speechless. Then why did you have her drink it! Wasn’t this tricking people?
As if seeing through her thoughts, Divine Physician Han said gravely, “This old man only wanted to know why her love gu had been suppressed. You need not be anxious. You only need to stay by her side at all times, and nothing major will happen.”
Qin Chu: “…”
Nothing major would happen? This did not count as major?
How could she possibly stay by Qiu Jinning’s side at all times? Even if Qin Chu were willing, would Qiu Jinning be willing? Taking another step back, even if Qiu Jinning was willing, County Magistrate Qiu and Madam Qiu might not be.
They were neither relatives nor anything proper to each other. With no name and no status, how could they accompany each other every day?
Divine Physician Han had dug a huge pit…
Seeing her troubled expression, Divine Physician Han’s face turned cold. “You used gu to trick someone into your hands, and now you regret it? What a fickle lecher.”
“No, you misunderstand. Actually, the one who planted the gu was my elder brother. Between Miss Qiu and me, it was a twist of fate. It is truly inconvenient for us to stay together all the time.” Seeing that the divine physician had misunderstood, Qin Chu hurriedly explained clearly.
She had not regretted anything. No, that was not right. She was not a fickle person.
Divine Physician Han studied her. Seeing that Qin Chu did not seem to be lying, he coughed lightly. “It is not that serious. Just do not let her smell alcohol. Since you are not the original culprit, find the aged strong liquor as soon as possible and bring it here. This old man will remove the love gu for her then.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Divine Physician Han thought of Qiu Jinning’s gentle expression when she mentioned the person who could resolve the gu. Perhaps that Miss Qiu was not necessarily hoping for the love gu to be removed soon.
Qin Chu repeatedly agreed, then carried the sleeping Qiu Jinning and took her leave.
Outside the door, the moment Luyao saw Qin Chu carrying her unconscious young lady out, she cried out in alarm, “What did you do to my Miss?”
The corner of Qin Chu’s mouth twitched. “Miss Qiu drank a cup of wine and became drunk. In the future, do not let your Miss smell alcohol again.”
Luyao stared at Qin Chu suspiciously for a moment. Miss’s tolerance for alcohol really was getting worse and worse. For now, she would believe this good-for-nothing’s words. In Divine Physician Han’s residence, Qin Chu probably did not dare act recklessly.
The Qiu residence’s carriage slowly drove away. Qin Chu sighed inwardly.
Originally, Qiu Jinning simply could not drink wine. After this whole ordeal, she could not even smell alcohol now. If Qin Chu had known earlier, she would not have made this trip.
Inside the carriage, Guanzi looked at her young lady’s tightly furrowed brows and thoughtfully said, “Miss, are you thinking about how to make Miss Qiu happy? I know. I’m very clear on it.” The skinny maid had told her.
“Mm.” Qin Chu absentmindedly responded. Mm? What?
Guanzi said mysteriously, “Miss Qiu likes hearing nice words. You should praise her more. She especially likes hearing people say, ‘Miss Qiu is truly a virtuous wife. Whoever marries her must be blessed for three lifetimes.’”
That was what the skinny maid had meant, right? Guanzi really had not expected that Qiu Jinning, who looked so cold and aloof, would have such unique preferences.
The corner of Qin Chu’s eye twitched. This was somewhat difficult to digest. What nonsense was this?
“Stop talking nonsense. Go back to the residence and prepare. Come with me to visit the Qiu residence.” Qiu Jinning now could not even smell alcohol. Qin Chu needed a reason to often accompany Qiu Jinning.
A reason County Magistrate Qiu and Madam Qiu could accept. Otherwise, hanging around their daughter all day would not be very appropriate.
“Got it.” Guanzi felt greatly relieved. Miss was truly proactive. She had only just learned what Miss Qiu liked, and she was already putting it into action.
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