Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Owing Her a Great Debt

The Song family had practiced medicine for generations, serving under three dynasties. Now, in the hands of Young Imperial Physician Song, their renown had only grown greater. Among common folk, countless doctors owed their skills to the famous Song Family Medical Canon.

The name of Imperial Physician Song’s father had even been carved into the Hall of Sages.

But Young Imperial Physician Song simply could not understand why his father would treat Duke Qi’s household, which had even lost its Amnesty Iron Certificate, with such special care.

“Princess Qing Ning,” Imperial Physician Song suddenly murmured.

Young Imperial Physician Song was startled.

Immediately afterward, he heard his father continue, “Our Song family owes Princess Qing Ning a debt as vast as the heavens. As long as she asks, even if I’m too old to rise from bed, I will still come personally to check the Duke Madam’s pulse.”

“Qing Ning… Princess?” Young Imperial Physician Song froze for a long moment before finally recalling, “You mean that Princess Qing Ning who begged to marry beneath her rank, who starved herself nearly to fainting?”

Since marrying into the Duke’s mansion, he had not heard her name mentioned again.

How could their Song family possibly owe her anything?

“Four years ago, do you remember the epidemic among the Northern Frontier troops?” Imperial Physician Song glanced briefly at his son. “The formula that allowed our Song family to reclaim fame actually came from the hand of Princess Qing Ning.”

Imperial Physician Song fell into memories of that time.

Young Imperial Physician Song suddenly stood up in the carriage.

With a loud “bang,” his head hit the carriage roof. But he ignored the pain, eyes wide open in shock. “Impossible! How old was she then? She hadn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony! You’re saying that formula came from her hands?”

“Fourteen!” Imperial Physician Song cast his son a disdainful look.

Young Imperial Physician Song opened and closed his mouth several times before asking, “Are you serious?”

Imperial Physician Song did not bother to answer, merely closing his eyes again.

Young Imperial Physician Song sank back onto the carriage seat. His expression shifted repeatedly as he tried to recall every fragment he’d heard about Princess Qing Ning.

Rumors said Princess Qing Ning had been born to a palace maid favored briefly by the Emperor. The maid had died in childbirth, yet newborn Qing Ning had smiled sweetly, grasping the Empress Dowager’s finger, thereby earning her affection. Raised personally by the Empress Dowager, she even found favor in His Majesty’s eyes.

But due to fragile health, she had to spend winters at the Southern Detached Palace, returning only in spring. Despite her good looks and talent, she was far more famous for stubbornly kneeling and fasting for three days, begging to marry Qi Shu Xian.

The entire capital knew how deeply she loved Qi Shu Xian!

Now, with Qi Shu Xian returning from Cangnan accompanied by another woman, teahouses and taverns across the city were taking bets on how quickly she would allow that woman into the household.

Everyone saw her as merely a lovesick woman lost in her feelings. Who could have imagined she had been the one who saved a hundred thousand soldiers at the Northern Frontier?

Young Imperial Physician Song pinched his thigh fiercely several times, only believing he wasn’t dreaming after the skin turned bruised.

…

After Qi Shu Xian returned victorious, his elder sister, Qi Fei Yan, immediately rushed back home.

Upon learning he had been injured and had stood in the rain for a full day and night to appease Sheng Zhi Wan, she smashed her teacup in anger.

Pieces of fine porcelain flew everywhere, but she did not spare them a glance. “Absurd! Utterly absurd! You’ve been away for two years, risking death countless times, and now you’re finally home. It’s just taking another woman! Yet Sheng Zhi Wan dared let you stand injured in the rain for a whole day and night?”

Qi Fei Yan spoke sharply, her elegant jade hair ornaments shaking with her anger.

“It’s normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines! Every nobleman your age in the capital has lovely wives and concubines in their arms, except you! She’s merely relying on her Princess status to bully our Duke household!”

“Enough, Sister. It’s my fault.” Qi Shu Xian had just changed his bandages, his complexion still pale.

Madam Cui felt heartache for her son and quickly ordered a finely prepared meal to be brought.

Both mother and daughter sat watching him eat a little.

Only then did Madam Cui say, “Your sister is right. These two years, though you’ve been away, I’ve already entrusted the household management to her. I haven’t asked much, only hoping she’d guard the inner household properly while you established your career. Yet today’s behavior clearly shows she lacks the dignity of a high-born wife.”

“Besides, you were a victim of others’ schemes. It wasn’t your fault at all. Yet today, she refused even to step down from her carriage when greeting me. Clearly, she holds resentment,” Madam Cui added bitterly.

Qi Shu Xian pressed his lips together. “But she still agreed.”

“Hmph, would she dare refuse?” Qi Fei Yan sneered. “Don’t forget how eagerly she married into our family. We are not beholden to her. You shouldn’t spoil her so much. Coldness would teach her to recognize her true position!”

“Indeed, such pettiness is unbecoming,” Madam Cui sighed. “It’s not that we intend to bully her, but her royal blood makes her proud. Between husband and wife, the gravest taboo is a weak husband. I fear more trouble in the future. Since you’re a husband, you must suppress her temper.”

“I understand,” Qi Shu Xian answered carelessly, unwilling to discuss these household matters.

Seeing his indifference, Madam Cui knew he wasn’t taking her seriously. Recalling something, she said, “The Red Fox fur you brought back is excellent. I thought to make you a pair of knee pads, warm hand covers for your elder sister and second younger sister. And also Meng Yang—since she’s with child, we must care for her especially.”

Qi Shu Xian paused.

That fox had been meant as a gift for Sheng Zhi Wan.

Before he’d left, Sheng Zhi Wan mentioned the red foxes of Cangnan, asking him to hunt one if possible. He’d agreed immediately, yet now his mother wanted it.

“What, you had other plans?” Madam Cui saw his hesitation.

Qi Shu Xian shook his head. “No, Mother. If you like it, take it.”