Chapter 14: I See That Mrs. Ji Still Possesses Her Allure

"Ah, Zhen? Why has she come?"
"Hurry, invite her in!"
Madam Jiang pulled Jiang Qingyue close. At the news that Madam Ji had rushed over, her face brightened with delight, sweeping away all fatigue.
The maid hurried out to bring Madam Ji inside.
"Ah Wen, are you feeling better?"
The woman entering with the maid wore pure white, her demeanor gentle and her features youthful. Perhaps she had ridden through the night, for she had wrapped herself in a white cloth cloak against the chill, which she now removed upon entering. Her curvaceous figure was accentuated beneath the white garments.
Her figure was indeed admirable, yet Ying Shuo saw clearly that the woman’s aura was understated, her eyes betraying a calm beneath the urgency.
It was the composure that comes from years of tranquility, as if she were a sage withdrawn from the world—mysterious enough to stir curiosity.
"Madam Ji certainly retains her charm," he thought.
Madam Ji placed her fingers deftly on Madam Jiang’s wrist, examining with practiced care before her brows finally relaxed.
Madam Jiang reciprocated by holding Madam Ji’s hand, and the others sensibly made way.
"I am much better now, but I must trouble you once again."
"But, Zhen, how did you know I was in trouble?"
Madam Jiang was puzzled; she hadn’t sent anyone to inform the Ji household, yet Zhen had come in the night.
Madam Ji smiled gently as she explained, "My maid went out to buy medicine and happened to meet one of your servants entering the Nine Ginseng Hall. They chatted, and so I learned you were unwell."
"I see. Did your maid go out for medicine because you were unwell?" Madam Jiang asked.
"Not at all. It was merely for charitable consultations," Madam Ji replied.
After some polite conversation, Madam Jiang looked at Ying Shuo with a wry smile. "I owe much to this gentleman Ying—without him, I might not have survived today."
Madam Ji now turned her gaze to Ying Shuo, calm and unreadable.
Jiang Lanfeng, being sensible, relayed what had transpired.
"So that’s how it is. Doctor Zhou is one of the best local physicians, yet young Mr. Ying managed to cure an ailment even Doctor Zhou could not.
May I ask where you studied?"
Madam Ji’s eyes shone with curiosity, and Ying Shuo sensed her interest.
He casually fabricated a school, "I studied under the Green Pouch School, my mentor being the renowned Green Pouch Healer."

"Green Pouch Healer…" Madam Ji murmured, as if puzzled why she had never heard the name.
Madam Jiang explained, "Mr. Ying, do not mind. Mei Zhen was once a physician herself, and her skills are exceptional. She entered the Ji household for this very reason."
"She is keenly interested in all matters of medicine; when not busy, she immerses herself in medical texts, filling her home with them or venturing out for charitable consultations."
"Meeting a talented healer naturally piques her interest. If Mr. Ying does not mind, you could visit the Ji residence to exchange knowledge with Mei Zhen."
Hearing this, Ying Shuo understood why Madam Ji’s pulse-taking was so proficient—she was born to the medical profession.
However…
Ying Shuo, a bit embarrassed, retorted, "Madam Jiang overpraises me. Madam Ji’s status is noble; how could a down-and-out youth like myself presume to visit?"
"Besides, as a strange man, would not Master Ji be displeased if I came to his home?"
Married women were not forbidden from receiving guests, but meeting a strange man alone in one’s own residence was bound to provoke gossip.
Madam Jiang surely knew this, yet openly suggested he visit to discuss medicine. What was her intention?
Ying Shuo’s question left the room awkwardly silent for a moment. Jiang Lanfeng leaned close to explain in a whisper.
"Mr. Ying, Aunt Mei married into the Ji family because Master Ji was frail and sickly and valued her medical skills. She agreed for the sake of her brother, who was imprisoned unjustly, hoping to clear his name."
"But on the day of the wedding, Master Ji died suddenly after drinking and reveling with his concubines."
"The Ji family had no heirs, so the household split, each taking their share of the inheritance. Everyone keeps to themselves, avoiding any disturbance."
"Aunt Mei’s residence is nominally part of the Ji estate, but in reality, she is alone and the true mistress."
In the Qin Yang dynasty, when a patriarch died with no heirs, wives, concubines, and relatives could divide the estate.
But brawling over it would risk the authorities deeming the family disharmonious and confiscating their wealth.
Master Ji was dead, but Mei Zhen’s shackles remained, leaving her to live in widowhood.
Still, even if she were to consort with other men, the other wives would remain silent; a quarrel might risk losing their fortunes.
Besides, none of them would be as faithful as Mei Zhen—they had already taken their shares and sought new love.
"What fortune! This rare treasure has fallen right into my lap,"
Ying Shuo was delighted; such a serene, beautiful woman awakened his desire to conquer.

He then asked, "And her brother? Is he still in prison?"
Jiang Lanfeng was momentarily stunned at the question but answered, "He escaped during transport. They say he disappeared into the deep mountains—his fate unknown."
With his answer, Ying Shuo pondered briefly, then respectfully said,
"It is my ignorance; I beg Aunt Mei’s forgiveness."
"When leisure allows, I shall visit and consult with Aunt Mei in person."
"That room full of medical books intrigues me greatly!"
At this, Mei Zhen’s face lit up; it was rare to meet someone so skilled in medicine with whom to discuss and learn. She replied instinctively,
"No matter, if you have time—"
Then she realized something was amiss.
"You… what did you call me?" Mei Zhen frowned delicately, puzzled.
Madam Jiang spoke boldly, "Oh! It’s no matter if he calls you aunt!"
"Our old master once arranged a marriage for Qingyue, you know? This Mr. Ying is Qingyue’s future—"
"Mother! Don’t say such things!" Jiang Qingyue, startled to hear her mother acknowledge Ying Shuo as her future husband, turned pale and hastily interrupted.
"I refuse to marry a penniless scholar who can’t afford proper clothes."
Seeing Qingyue pout and protest, Madam Jiang decided not to embarrass herself further before her friend.
"I’ll deal with you later! You’ve forgotten all the teachings of virtue I gave you!"
"As for Mr. Ying, I think he’s excellent—a true gentleman, a hidden dragon!"
Ying Shuo shivered at her words.
Did you get the script ahead of time?
An angel investor?
"Mother! He’s just—" Qingyue tried to object, but Madam Jiang would not allow it.
"Enough! Don’t say another word. It’s late, and Mr. Ying hasn’t eaten. Tell the servants to prepare a good meal, and I’ll take the opportunity to chat with Zhen."