Lu looked at the lively scene in the garden and thought of what the Madam of Protector Duke said to her today.
She said to her husband with some worry: "At the imperial banquet today, Sister Qu said that it seems like the Marquis of Anxi's Residence has intentions for our lovely treasure!"
Jiang Wenyuan hugged his wife's shoulders and said unconcernedly: "Don't worry. If they come openly, our family can directly reject them. I reckon they wouldn't dare make trouble either. If they dare to secretly play dirty tricks, there's no need for us to make a move. Our lovely treasure can deal with it herself. They can't cause big waves!"
As soon as Lu heard this, she realized it made sense and that she was worrying excessively.
A group of people had made quite a few snowmen, lining them up on both sides of the path. They were fat and extremely cute. There was also a snow tiger and a snow deer.
On the first day of the new year, she went to the palace to pay respects. Jiang Yuqing was pulled to sit beside the Empress by her. The few princesses sat to the side instead. This was enough to see her noble status! After all, the two words "Protecting the Nation" were earned through her own capabilities. Ordinary people really couldn't envy that.
On the third day, Jing Yan came to the Jiang Duke's Residence in plain clothes to "pay new year respects".
Seeing the cute fat snowmen arranged in Jiang's garden, and even the images of Jiang Yuqing's two pets, he couldn't help but feel sour. He said, "Qingqing, you've made so many snowmen, and even gave each a name. Why isn't there one of me?"
Jiang Yuqing said in surprise: "Oh, you like them too! No problem, since you like them, I'll make one for you now. It snowed yesterday, it won't be difficult to make another one!"
Jing Yan immediately smiled, like the sudden warm sunlight: "Good, make it stand together with your snowman!"
"Alright!" It was just a snowman after all, he could arrange it wherever he wanted!
The two of them then spent over half a hour beside Jiang Yuqing's snowman, making another one that was slightly taller than hers.
After finishing it, they followed what the others did and left his name on the snowman's belly.
When Jiang Wenyuan came back from his visit and saw the two snowmen side by side, with the rather glaring "Yan" character on the bigger one's belly, the sourness in the old father's heart was like an overturned vat of vinegar.
At this moment, he truly confirmed that this brat had no good intentions.
No, he had to think of a way to separate his precious daughter from him.
He should first send his precious daughter to Su or back to her maternal home in Qing to avoid this for the time being.
After the Crown Prince takes a Crown Princess, this matter would be forgotten.
As soon as this thought came up, he dismissed it... Thinking that he wouldn't get to see his precious daughter for a long time, he couldn't accept it.
He had to change methods, change to what, he had to think carefully...
On the seventh day, Jiang Yuqing personally sent a carriage full of supplies, all food, to Tai'an Farm. She also took this chance to pay new year respects to the veterans and give them red packet bonuses.
She gave out eighty red packets, and at the same time received eighty red packets as well. Although each red packet she received only contained a few coins, they represented the veterans' blessings for her and were precious.
On the eighth day, government offices opened for a new year. The imperial court held its new year's audience.
There wasn't much government business during the new year. Some ministers memorialized that the Crown Prince was already eighteen and it was time for him to marry.
When Jiang Wenyuan heard this, he was extremely delighted in his heart and almost wanted to give 108 likes to the minister who made that proposal!
He immediately voiced his agreement, a minister makes a reasonable point, this subject concurs!
The other ministers also stepped out in turn to express their agreement.
Seeing Jiang Wenyuan step out at that moment, Jing Yan refused in his heart. He immediately stated at court that he had not yet come of age and proposed to postpone the marriage until two years later.
The ministers persuaded him that it couldn't be postponed two years. As heir apparent, he bore the important duty of continuing the imperial bloodline.
Jing Yan expressionlessly replied, "This prince's stance is decided, ministers need not persuade further!"
Emperor Xia Jing was happy to watch his son be embarrassed. He sat silently on the throne with a smile.
Seeing that his son was firmly against the opposing opinions at court and suppressed the matter, he finally changed the topic and raised other issues.
Jiang Wenyuan saw that his wish wasn't fulfilled and felt rather disappointed.
The other ministers with marriageable daughters felt even more disappointed. After all, the position as national maternal parent of the next heir was highly coveted by everyone.
The eighth day was also the day He An Hospital resumed normal operations.
Jiang Yuqing had let Bai Xiaojiu out these two days. Doctor Qiu's gratitude and favor towards the "lifesaving tiger" rose to new heights.
He personally fed Bai Xiaojiu, combed its fur, and diligently waited upon it. Bai Xiaojiu also thoroughly enjoyed this luxurious and extravagant lifestyle, feeling that he had reached peak life as a tiger.
The bright, sunny weather today, Doctor Qiu took it out to "gather herbs" early in the morning.
Gathering herbs on such a cold winter day was just an excuse to legitimately and openly take the tiger out for a stroll.
With Doctor Qiu not going to He An Hospital, Jiang Yuqing had to show up for a while.
She originally intended to just drop by briefly but there were unexpectedly high numbers of patients today. Jiang Yuqing had to work until the afternoon before riding Bai Xiaojiu back.
When passing through Lanling Main Street, several carriages unexpectedly crashed into each other for reasons like the slippery road. They completely blocked the street.
Jiang Yuqing felt that trying to squeeze through that excited crowd would be rather difficult, so she took a detour through a smaller side street instead.
This side street was extremely remote. Even on normal days there weren't many passersby. Furthermore in this wintry weather, there should be even fewer people logically.
Yet Jiang Yuqing was unexpectedly intercepted and ambushed for robbery by a bunch of gangster-looking people. This was truly preposterous!
There were five people, wielding knives, clubs, with unkind expressions on their laughing faces.
The one in front, One-eyed Man, snorted loudly. Hefting his shiny huge cleaver, he blocked Jiang Yuqing and said, "Little miss, we brothers just passed new year and our pockets are empty, lend us some money to spend eh!"
Before she could even reply, Bai Xiaojiu was crazily laughing in her mind: "This bunch not only didn't run away when they saw you, they even dared try to rob you. They must have eaten leopard gallbladder guts!
Gangsters robbing the female archdemon, hahahaha, this is the funniest joke I've heard all year... It cracks me up..."
"Shut your mouth!" While she originally meant to silence Bai Xiaojiu, the bandits heard it as ordering them to shut up.
One-eyed Man barked, "yo!" Spitting on the floor, he took down the huge cleaver from his shoulders and weighed it in his hand.
"Little miss has got guts! You even dare talk back! Let me say it again, hand over everything valuable, otherwise I'll let you see something you won't like!"
Jiang Yuqing uncultivatedly rolled her eyes. She inwardly thought, aren't the lines for all bandits under the heavens about the same?
She was lazy to waste words with this bunch. She patted the little thorn vine coiled around her waist disguised as a green belt, and was about to start beating people up.
Suddenly, a voice shouted out from the side: "Stop! So many bullying a little girl, what kind of skill is that!"
It turned out to be a fifteen or sixteen year old teenager wearing a golden crown and holding a folding fan. He also had two towering bodyguard attendants behind him.
After shouting for the gangsters to stop, that teenager immediately stood on Jiang Yuqing's side. He reassured her, "Miss, don't be afraid, I'm here!"
The corner of Jiang Yuqing's mouth twitched as she thought inwardly, which eye of yours saw me being afraid?
That golden crowned youth said, then charged forward with his two bodyguards to start a huge fight against the five bandits.
His movements seemed rather impressive, at least quite magnificent. Shortly after, the five gangsters were dealt with.
The youth then straightened his clothes, snapped open his fan with a flick. His face wasn't flushed nor panting as he walked over to Jiang Yuqing and said: "Miss, I've settled them.
This alley isn't safe. Where do you live, let me escort you back!"
Jiang Yuqing smiled as she cupped fists in salute at him, "Thanks for helping me, Young Master!" Then she pointed at the bandits on the ground and asked, "What about them? How will they be handled?"
The movement of the golden crowned youth's fan faltered. He smiled rather awkwardly, "On such a cold day, being able to come out and commit robbery means their family situation must be dire and they had no choice. Why don't we let them go just this once! Have them no longer rob people in the future!"
Jiang Yuqing oh-ed and approved, "Young master is truly generous and kind. Young miss admires it." However her next words immediately froze the smile on the golden crowned youth's face.
She said, "I have a bit of a bad temper, tend to bear grudges and be petty. So for people who have offended me before, I normally wouldn't let them off easily. Also, these people are bandits. If they dare rob me today, they'd rob others tomorrow too. After all, not everyone is as lucky as me to be able to receive Young Master's timely rescue, right? So we should still send them to authorities for a permanent solution."
After saying that, Jiang Yuqing took out a bundle of thin hemp ropes from her own bag, jumped off the deer's back, and quickly tied the five bandits into a string. If anyone dared resist, she would directly kick them and they would instantly become obedient.
The golden-crowned youth and two family guards watched with their eyes wide open as Jiang Yuqing tied the string of bandits to the deer's butt and left, even remembering to tie up their weapons and take them away together. Their faces were all green.
Those few bandits were staggered as they were dragged away, and they kept looking back at the few people frequently. Their intention was: Don't just stand there stunned, hurry up and find someone to come rescue us!
One of the golden-crowned youth's subordinates said in disbelief: "Do young ladies nowadays like to carry ropes with them everywhere?"
Another said: "No wonder she didn't shout for help. This young noblewoman is too strong. Forget about the five of them, even if you add the three of us we still might not be her match."
The golden-crowned youth opened his mouth, and finally knocked a fan in frustration on the wall, yelling at them: "What are you still dazing around for, hurry up and send people to the government office to rescue them!"
"Ah, yes, yes we'll go right away..."
The things that happened on the eighth day of the lunar new year were not even worth a bubble in Jiang Yuqing's eyes, and she had already thrown it far away beyond the clouds.
However, in less than two days, she saw Wei Caile again in a teahouse near the hospital.
This time he had on a jade crown, still the bright crimson satin robe and folding fan. "Miss, we meet again, what a coincidence!" Jiang Yuqing smiled and said: "Indeed quite a coincidence!"
"A fated seam brings people together, may I invite you for tea?"
Jiang Yuqing immediately called to the waiter: "Bring this gentleman your best Bi Luo Chun tea, and calculate the bill for me!"
Then she said to the youth: "I still have matters to attend to, I must take my leave. Consider this pot of tea as thanks for you saving me the other day!
Also, a word of advice: it's not good to fan yourself in the winter. Either people will think you're sick, or you'll really make yourself sick." After speaking, she saluted to him with folded hands and strode off towards the counter to settle the bill.
The youth: "......"
The third time Jiang Yuqing saw him was in her own consultation room.
The youth seemed very surprised to see her again, his surprise somewhat exaggerated.
"I didn't expect that the young miss is the famous prodigy doctor, the Princess Protector of the State. I have been discourteous."
"I am Wei Caile of the Anxi Marquis's Western Manor. The Marquis of Anxi is my father."
Jiang Yuqing indifferently hmm-ed, looking him up and down: "You've come to see a doctor today?"
Wei Caile said: "Yes, I've been feeling a bit uncomfortable!"
"Where are you uncomfortable?" Jiang Yuqing placed her fingers on his wrist. His pulse was powerful and robust, strong enough to kill an ox.
She took back her hand: "Very good, no major issues!"
Then she swiftly wrote down a long string of medicine names on paper, and when she was done, placed it in front of him: "Go get these medicines to treat the excessive acne on your face. Too dense, bad for your image."
"......" Wei Caile's face that was already not very eye-catching instantly turned bright red. Clutching the prescription, he ran out as if his life depended on it.
