My Sister Insisted on Swapping Marriages, and I Became a Marchioness Instead

Chapter 173: Taken the Bait

Princess Fuyun stopped crying and looked at Prince Qi in confusion.

Prince Qi said lightly, "Gu Jinghui’s fate is unique; no matter what, he will live a long life."

No matter what?

What does this mean?

Her eyes swollen from crying, she wanted to ask more, but Prince Qi had already turned to leave, leaving only one sentence, "Don’t make the same mistake again."

Princess Fuyun sighed.

The Ninth Princess, born to Empress Lin, was not much younger than her and was also close to the age of selecting a prince consort. The Crown Prince was a sickly man, and her own brother coveted that position as well.

She and the Ninth Princess inevitably had to compete.

Competition was the only choice for this pair of siblings.

...

Hong Ye led the maidservants and nannies to clean up two rooms and instructed others to set up the furniture, carefully arranging everything.

She also plastered the window screens, laid out the bedding, tied up the bed curtains, and placed an incense burner in the room, lighting the medicinal incense configured by Qin Yuan.

It was quite a busy time.

After Doctor Li and Xiao Dong exited the main room, they were directly brought here by Gu Shiliu.

Hong Ye, having finished setting up, smiled and said, "If you two need anything, just let someone inform me."

Xiao Dong looked in a daze at the luxurious and clean room and said, "The Marquis Mansion is really generous."

He had led a simple life at Renhe Hall with Doctor Li, taking care of everything himself, never experiencing anything like this.

The Dingbei Marquis Mansion was truly a pile of riches.

Doctor Li said, "This is already very good, we can mention anything else if we need it, since we will be seeing each other often."

Gu Shiliu added, "Alright, it’s almost time for dinner. The madam has already asked the main kitchen to prepare meals for you, just let a servant go fetch them."

Hong Ye quickly added, "The madam said to arrange a servant for your exclusive use."

This was also to guard against Doctor Liu doing anything suspicious.

As they talked, they reached the courtyard, just in time to see Doctor Liu returning. Doctor Liu saw two unfamiliar people in the courtyard and asked with a flicker of his eyes, "Who... who are these people?"

Everyone turned to look, only to see Doctor Liu still wearing a bib covering the lower half of his face, making it hard to discern his features. He was accompanied by a servant carrying a medicine chest.

Gu Shiliu said, "Doctor Liu, this is Doctor Li from Renhe Hall, and this is his medicine boy, Xiao Dong. The Marquis noted that the number of patients in the mansion is increasing and was concerned that you might be overwhelmed, so he invited Doctor Li to assist."

Doctor Liu paused, displeased, and said, "I have never heard of Renhe Hall. The Marquis should be wary of being deceived by some shallow individuals. It is true there are more patients, but I can undertake more work."

Xiao Dong glared at him, just about to speak.

Doctor Li smiled and said, "It’s not unusual for Doctor Liu not to have heard of Renhe Hall. After all, Renhe Hall is not founded by an Imperial Physician. However, Renhe Hall is a family business of the Li family, and it has been in the Capital City for over a hundred years."

Gu Shiliu praised generously, "To exist in the Capital City for over a hundred years, it truly is an establishment with a legacy, no wonder the madam is always praising Renhe Hall. The medicine prescription used in the mansion to prevent smallpox was provided by Renhe Hall."

Doctor Liu said nothing more, but looked warily at Doctor Li, clearly sensing a threat.

Gu Shiliu tilted his head, gestured with his eyes, and said, "Doctor Li went to the main room to take the peaceful pulse for the Old Madam and others. Should you visit the Sixth Madam’s courtyard tomorrow? The young masters have not been getting better, and the Sixth Madam’s health is frail and can hardly sustain."

Doctor Li understood immediately and smiled, "Sure, I’ll take a look tomorrow. If children get smallpox, caught early, a few doses of medicine will make them better. The concern with this illness is delays and infecting many people, which makes it difficult to treat."

The two cooperated in conversation, noticing Doctor Liu’s increasingly unpleasant expression, both thinking he was hooked.

"Nonsense," Doctor Liu said angrily, "If smallpox were easy to treat, who would be afraid of it? This disease can kill people."

Doctor Li, his hands behind his back, confidently said, "That depends on who encounters it. If encountered by some conceited but incompetent individuals, it’s indeed difficult."

He paused, proudly adding, "Currently, the illness in the mansion was discovered early, and there are not many with smallpox. I have a handed-down formula specifically for treating this. My ancestors practiced medicine in Jiangnan and treated many complex illnesses, even assisting the government in epidemic prevention. Just not fond of constraints, they declined several times, never joining the Imperial Hospital, so the reputation is not prominent."

Doctor Liu left in a huff, saying, "Who doesn’t boast," entering the house with a somewhat staggering step.

Gu Shiliu exchanged another glance with Doctor Li, intentionally speaking loudly and respectfully, "Doctor Li, you have worked hard today, rest early. A servant will go to the kitchen for food; tell him what you would like to eat. If his service is unsatisfactory, just tell me."

Doctor Li smiled and said, "Brother Sixteen, thank you very much. Tomorrow, I’ll only follow Doctor Liu to see those patients. Please reassure the Marquis; I’ll take care of everything."

Only then did Gu Shiliu and Hong Ye take their leave.

Doctor Li and Xiao Dong entered the house, with Xiao Dong whispering, "Master, that Doctor Liu he..."

"Hush," Doctor Li stopped him from speaking, softly instructing, "Concentrate on memorizing your medical books, speak less and observe more with me tomorrow, protect yourself well, remember?"

"Mm," Xiao Dong responded, blinking his eyes, standing on tiptoe, reaching his thin arm to the high table to get the teapot to pour tea for Doctor Li.

The servant arranged by Gu Shiliu had arrived and rushed up in a hurry, supporting the teapot from behind him, attentively saying, "Let me handle this, you take a rest first."

Xiao Dong looked uncomfortable, gazing up at Doctor Li, who was sitting comfortably in a Taishi Chair, crossing his legs, leisurely tapping his fingers on his knee, he asked, "Master, what are we eating?"

The servant had poured the tea and respectfully placed it by the table, hearing the question he immediately replied, "The menu from the kitchen, I’ve noted it all down. If you wish to order, I’ll recite the dish names."

Xiao Dong looked at the servant in surprise.

Doctor Li chuckled and said, "Xiao Dong, this is just the beginning, you should get used to it, lest your shallow eyes can’t handle wealth in the future."

Xiao Dong pouted.

Master is greedy as can be, spending every penny like cutting it in half, talking about wealth.

The servant said nothing as well, standing quietly when there was nothing to do, showing great attentiveness.

In the evening.

After the two finished dinner, washed up, and went to bed, a light birdcall was heard outside.

Xiao Dong immediately got up.

Doctor Li scolded lightly, "What are you doing not sleeping?"

Xiao Dong whispered, "There’s a bird calling outside."

"You fool, if you see them stirring trouble, do you still want to live? Gu Shiliu is outside managing this, sleep soundly, you’re just a little medicine boy."

"Oh," Xiao Dong obediently lay back down, murmuring, "But this is a Marquis Mansion matter, it concerns Senior Sister and Senior Brother-in-law."