The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 42

Chapter 42

The next morning, Qu Li was dragged out by Sheng Shiyue.

No one knew what had stirred this ancestor yesterday, but she finally put the long-delayed matter on her schedule.

The carriage stopped at a secluded courtyard. Before stepping inside, a strong smell of medicine hit them. Sheng Shiyue paused at the entrance, then gritted her teeth and said, “Qu Li, knock.”

Qu Li glanced at her with surprise, growing more curious about what happened yesterday to make Sheng Shiyue so determined.

—Knock, knock, knock.

The door was knocked, and soon someone hurried over. With the creak of the wooden hinges, a disheveled figure appeared before them.

The person looked young, around thirty, with messy long hair draped over their shoulders, loose clothes, and a hungover, weary face. Seeing the visitors, they reacted slowly, saying sluggishly, “It’s you.”

Sheng Shiyue’s brows furrowed instantly, and she looked at Qu Li with doubt.

This person seemed more like a drunkard who collapsed on the roadside than a so-called divine doctor.

Qu Li subtly shook her head at Sheng Shiyue, then stepped forward with a clasped fist to greet.

Since the matter was of great importance, they didn’t dare reveal their identities easily. Both wore wide black robes and veiled hats to hide their figures and faces, even speaking cautiously to avoid detection.

Because Qu Li had been like this the whole way, the person was used to it. They pushed the door aside and said, “Come in.”

They walked inside with unsteady steps.

Sheng Shiyue scanned the small courtyard. It was filled with drying herbs, with only a narrow path left, littered with broken wine jars and fragments still smelling of liquor.

Did this person drink all night?

Sheng Shiyue felt this person was even less reliable, but since they were here, she had to give it a try. She stepped forward, following behind.

The person didn’t care if they followed, saying casually, “I’m Xu Sanchi, obsessed with wine, gambling, and medicine. No amount of consultation fees beats good wine. If you can’t find me here, try the gambling house.”

She turned her head, saying groggily, “Got it?”

Sheng Shiyue didn’t respond, only nodded, finding it amusing. How could someone boast about their skills before showing anything? If this was a quack doctor, she’d break their legs so they couldn’t deceive anyone again!

Looking at Qu Li, she seemed used to this, staying silent without a word.

The person suddenly laughed loudly and walked straight into the house.

Under her veil, Sheng Shiyue’s mouth twitched, feeling even less confident. If she didn’t trust Qu Li, she would’ve left already.

Sheng Shiyue reached the door and looked around again.

Compared to the messy courtyard, the inside was fairly tidy. There was a bed, a wooden table, and three walls lined with seven-star cabinets, their countless drawers possibly full.

Qu Li stepped into the room first, ensuring it was safe before letting Sheng Shiyue enter.

They were cautious for a reason. This doctor appeared strangely, and Sheng Shiyue and Qu Li thought it would take much effort and time to find her, yet it was too easy, as if someone deliberately placed her before Qu Li.

Plus, Sheng Shiyue’s sudden accident forced Qu Li to stop observing secretly and rush her back to Bianjing, so they didn’t fully trust this person.

Xu Sanchi didn’t mind, plopping onto a stool, opening a medicine box with her left hand, and pulling out a silver needle with her right. Without hesitation, she pricked herself.

Sheng Shiyue was used to this person’s oddities and sat on the opposite chair, her gaze landing on the medicine box.

It was made of extremely expensive huanghuali wood.

It stood in stark contrast to the person’s plain linen clothes and the simple room.

Sheng Shiyue raised an eyebrow, unsure if this person was pretending or actually skilled.

After Xu Sanchi removed the needle, her eyes cleared, showing no trace of drunkenness, though her speech was still slurred. She complained, “You didn’t even warn me, coming so early in the morning, forcing me to use this method.”

It was indeed their fault.

Sheng Shiyue and Qu Li stayed silent, letting her mock them.

Xu Sanchi grumbled a bit more before stopping, then said, “Give me your hand, let me check your pulse.”

She sounded more like a barefoot doctor on the street, who’d read a few medical books and dared to treat people.

Sheng Shiyue paused but stretched out her wrist, placing it on the table.

Xu Sanchi reached out, touching the pulse for barely a moment before looking at Sheng Shiyue, saying, “Liver heat, kidney deficiency, overindulgence in bedroom matters, and…”

Xu Sanchi added faintly, “Slightly incompetent.”

Silence fell over the room.

Under the black veil, Sheng Shiyue’s face turned livid, clenching her teeth and fists. Whether it was true or not, such blunt words stabbed her heart, making it hard to accept.

Qu Li coughed, placing a hand on Sheng Shiyue’s shoulder to remind her to stay calm.

Xu Sanchi thought she was tactful enough, tapping three fingers on the wrist again, saying, “Why get mad? It’s not like you’re completely useless. Calm down, don’t affect the pulse.”

Sheng Shiyue took a deep breath, looking at her.

Xu Sanchi suddenly warned, “If it’s really bad, practice restraint and clear your mind. No need to push yourself, moderation, my friend.”

Sheng Shiyue: …

She knew she shouldn’t have come!

The hand on her shoulder pressed harder, its warm, broad palm forcing down her irritation.

Sheng Shiyue rolled her eyes ungracefully, slumping her back, looking like she’d given up struggling.

Xu Sanchi clicked her tongue, muttering quietly, “Last night was quite a mess, huh.”

Sheng Shiyue: …

Was this person deliberately retaliating for disturbing her morning sleep and being so cautious, saying these things on purpose?

Sheng Shiyue’s thoughts drifted elsewhere. Last night was indeed… a bit of a mess.

It wasn’t her fault. Ning Qingge was too much, suddenly suggesting another round, making her restless. She ate while worrying, fearing Ning Qingge might do something in the lively Fan Tower.

But after all her anxiety, Ning Qingge didn’t overstep, eating calmly. Yet, back at the mansion, after washing and lying down, Ning Qingge suddenly said, “Your Highness, have you forgotten something?”

Sheng Shiyue thought the matter was over, guessing blindly. Then Ning Qingge leaned over, pressing her down, saying, “I still owe Your Highness one time.”

Thinking of this, Sheng Shiyue got angry. It was clearly Ning Qingge’s idea, yet she blamed her. No wonder she woke up with a sore back, saying it ached.

She finally found the reason for the mockery. It was Ning Qingge’s lack of restraint, making a fuss all night! Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this weak today.

She gritted her teeth, deciding to give Ning Qingge a piece of her mind back at the mansion.

In the distant palace.

Ning Qingge zoned out for a moment.

A subordinate respectfully called, “Lord Ning?”

Ning Qingge’s eyes flickered, regaining clarity. She pointed at the map, saying, “This year’s summer seedlings will be set here.”

The subordinate quickly agreed, hesitating before saying, “I’m just worried Lieutenant Qu won’t agree… They’ve been targeting us lately, opposing everything we suggest.”

Ning Qingge waved her hand, saying, “Ignore them.”

As the morning mist cleared with the rising sun, branches bent under chirping birds, and the wind flipped the herbs in the basket.

Looking through the open door, Xu Sanchi frowned, saying directly, “Your problem is tricky.”

Seeing her finally address the main issue, Qu Li and Sheng Shiyue leaned forward slightly.

Xu Sanchi’s fingers curled on the wrist, puzzled, “Your pulse doesn’t seem poisoned, more like… someone tried to force you to differentiate early. Were you injured before differentiating?”

For the first time since entering, Sheng Shiyue spoke, “Yes.”

“Gland injury?” Xu Sanchi shook her head, adding, “Luckily, it wasn’t too severe, or you wouldn’t even have a chance to differentiate.”

Under the veil, her expression was unreadable, but her usually casual tone grew heavy, carrying a hint of coldness, mocking, “They didn’t have that kind of guts.”

The hand on her shoulder suddenly tightened, gripping Sheng Shiyue hard, signaling her not to dwell on it, but also showing Qu Li’s own uncontrollable emotions. She thought with the Emperor nearby, they wouldn’t dare act, but…

Xu Sanchi didn’t pry. Having practiced medicine for years, she’d seen plenty of grudges, saying only, “Your gland was injured and forced to differentiate early, causing your pheromones to go haywire, damaging your foundation.”

“It’s not a hard problem to fix. If treated in time, it wouldn’t have gotten this bad, but you deliberately ignored it, letting it fester,” Xu Sanchi, though lazy, was still a doctor, her tone growing stern.

She asked, “Can you still sense your pheromones?”

“At first, I could feel a bit, but now…”

Qu Li couldn’t help interrupting, asking directly, “Can it be treated?”

Xu Sanchi sighed heavily, saying helplessly, “It can, but it’s too troublesome and might take a long time.”

Qu Li’s face relaxed, saying immediately, “As long as it can be treated.”

At that moment, Xu Sanchi raised her hand, rubbing her thumb and index finger, saying, “But the consultation fee…”

Sheng Shiyue and Qu Li exchanged a glance, then smiled, “The fee’s not an issue, but Doctor Xu might need to stay somewhere else for a while.”

Xu Sanchi froze, not yet refusing when Qu Li pulled out a prepared contract, saying firmly, “Move to the mansion this afternoon. Besides a hundred taels of silver monthly, there’ll be a thousand jars of fine wine for you to enjoy, plus two servants assigned to you.”

Xu Sanchi smiled slightly, saying, “Pick me up in two hours.”

She added kindly, “If you don’t want to practice restraint, I have a prescription to nourish your kidneys and liver. It works fast, perfect for you.”

Sheng Shiyue’s smile froze, instinctively waving it off, but stopped mid-air, saying stiffly, “What prescription…”

After leaving the courtyard, it was already noon.

The two stepped onto the carriage one after the other. The coachman cracked the whip, and the wheels rolled, crushing the bluestone road, heading not to the mansion but out of the city.

The case of child trafficking in the capital was handled carelessly. Both the court and officials seemed to want to cover it up, hastily dealing with a few people before sending the remaining children home.

Even someone as justice-driven as Fang Huaying felt powerless to investigate further, only able to care for the children more.

Seeing this, Jin Jinglian and others didn’t dare hand over the children they saved to the authorities. They discussed with Sheng Shiyue, wanting to personally escort them home, and this afternoon was the agreed departure time.

When the carriage reached outside the city, everyone was already waiting—not just Madam Jin and the trafficked children, but also Meng Qingxin, Xiao Jing, Fang Huaying, plus Little Lotus, whom Sheng Shiyue had taken in, flanked by the tall Ye Liuyun and Ye Chili, creating a strangely amusing sight.

They expected a warm, reluctant farewell, but a big problem arose.

“What?! Meng Qingxin, say that again?”

“You’re running away from home?!”

Sheng Shiyue and Xiao Jing spoke one after the other, shocked and disapproving.

“Madam Jin and the others have important things to do. How can they let you tag along and make trouble? Besides, if you run off, what about the Meng family?” Sheng Shiyue, in her urgency, said things she’d never usually say.

Xiao Jing quickly added, “Lord Meng just wants the best for you. That’s why she got carried away trying to arrange a marriage. But if you really don’t want to marry, what can Lord Meng do?”

Meng Qingxin shook her head, smiling bitterly, “My mother is set on this. She even schemed a secret engagement. What wouldn’t she do?”

“If I hadn’t gone home early yesterday and caught them, they’d probably have kept it secret until the wedding day, telling me to put on the ceremonial robe and bow.”

Her brows drooped, looking utterly dejected, clearly deeply hurt.

Sheng Shiyue and Xiao Jing opened their mouths but didn’t know what to say. They couldn’t exactly tie their friend up and force her to marry someone she didn’t even know, could they?

Looking closer, Meng Qingxin was dressed in sharp riding gear with a sword, even leaving behind her beloved golden abacus, clearly resolute.

“You two, stop persuading me. I’ve wanted to travel for a long time, and now I can go with Madam Jin and the others, so I’ll have company.”

Meng Qingxin continued listlessly, “Sheng Jiu, you’re waiting to be titled a prince. Xiao Jing, you’ve been studying at the Imperial College for years, just waiting for the next exam. I’m the only one drifting aimlessly every day, unable to do what I love or force myself to learn what I don’t.”

Her clear eyes clouded with confusion, murmuring, “I just want to go out and see the world, then come back.”

The wind lifted her robe. The once carefree girl had finally tasted sorrow.

Sheng Shiyue sighed, saying only, “Take care of yourself.”

Meng Qingxin nodded heavily, still looking troubled.

Sheng Shiyue, helpless, went to Madam Jin. When they said they were leaving, Sheng Shiyue had sent money and carriages.

She couldn’t let them escort a group of kids on foot, risking getting caught again, unsure if they’d be as lucky this time.

Now with Meng Qingxin joining, Sheng Shiyue worried even more, stuffing more banknotes and repeatedly telling Madam Jin to use her name if they faced unsolvable trouble.

But she was overthinking. Madam Jin’s group had survived tough times, with plenty of experience. They wouldn’t fall so easily.

Even if Meng Qingxin’s presence didn’t help, what use was a reckless princess’s name?

Madam Jin didn’t say much, just agreed to everything.

Sheng Shiyue, still uneasy, said, “How about I let Ye Liuyun go with you?”

Her thought was simple. Ye Liuyun had trained in martial arts since childhood, was sharper than Ye Chili, and with her past with Madam Jin in the washroom, she seemed perfect.

But the usually gentle Madam Jin immediately shouted, “No.”

Her words were firm.

Ye Liuyun, standing behind Sheng Shiyue, glanced at her quietly, then looked away.

This was…

A fight?

Sheng Shiyue suddenly felt a headache. Things were usually fine, but now everything piled up.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. Since you’ve helped us so much, we’ll protect Miss Meng with our lives and won’t let her suffer,” Madam Jin said solemnly.

“Not to that extent. She should suffer a little,” Sheng Shiyue touched her nose, glancing back.

The usually sharp Ye Liuyun stood like a wooden block.

What was going on? Ye Liuyun wasn’t one to throw tantrums. Even if they fought, she shouldn’t be sulking now.

Sheng Shiyue frowned. A few days ago, Ye Chili said Ye Liuyun kept going to Madam Jin’s, sometimes not returning all night. She thought Ye Liuyun had come around and was preparing betrothal gifts.

She sighed heavily, saying, “Ye Liuyun, talk to Madam Jin. I’ll check over there.”

She walked away quickly, giving no chance to refuse.

The group stopped in a small grove, so despite the high sun, it wasn’t too hot, with tree shade overhead and a cool breeze.

Sheng Shiyue glanced and saw Little Lotus surrounded by kids. Somehow, this stern-faced kid, after a few trips with Ye Liuyun to the southern courtyard, won their friendship, with kids crying and holding her hand, reluctant to part.

These kids were easy to deal with. Feeling irritated, Sheng Shiyue couldn’t help a mischievous urge, striding behind Little Lotus and vigorously messing up her carefully combed hair.

The hairstyle was ruined.

Little Lotus, powerless, looked up faintly, saying, “Your Highness.”

Looking closely, Sheng Shiyue saw a hint of the Prime Minister’s charm in her.

Sheng Shiyue grinned, not stopping but rubbing again.

If only Ning Qingge could shrink so she could tease her freely. No, back in the palace, she should’ve lured Ning Qingge to her side, made her a head maid, serving her daily.

Just thinking about it made Sheng Shiyue feel refreshed. Before she could dwell on details, someone tugged her sleeve.

Snapping back, she looked down at a Yangzhou kid, smiling gently, flicking their forehead, saying, “What’s up, kid? You can’t bear to leave me and want to stay in Bianjing?”

Teasing, she said, “Want to stay with me? I’ll share half of Little Lotus’s bed…”

Before finishing, the girl made a face, saying, “Big sister, I’m Wei Ying, from Jiangkou County, Yangzhou. If you have time, come play with me. We’ll go to the Immortal Temple to worship.”

“My mother said people who look like immortals get their favor and protection. You must come worship, and I’ll ask the immortal to bless you.”

Sheng Shiyue laughed, teasing, “Wow, you’re impressive, kid, commanding immortals.”

The girl put her hands on her hips, saying, “Don’t underestimate me. Lord Zhu told my mother I’d be the next temple keeper.”

Temple keeper?

Sheng Shiyue was puzzled, about to ask, when Madam Jin shouted, “Enough, no more delays. We need to reach the next city before dark.”

Sheng Shiyue looked up.

Why did Madam Jin’s lips look swollen, like someone bit them, and her clothes slightly disheveled? And Ye Liuyun, who was like a wooden block, was gone. Did she leave?

What drama did she miss?

Sheng Shiyue took a deep breath, saying to Wei Ying, “I’ll go.”

“Go, your Aunt Jin is calling.”

Wei Ying cried and agreed, running to the carriage.

With the jingle of the bell on the horse’s neck, the group gradually disappeared down the road.

Sheng Shiyue and Xiao Jing, in low spirits, said a few words and parted.

The carriage entered the city. Qu Li had errands and left with Ye Chili.

Sheng Shiyue, feeling down and knowing Ning Qingge wouldn’t be back from work yet, didn’t want to return to the mansion. Glancing at Little Lotus, she saw her looking glum too.

She was just a kid, affected by the parting, sad for days.

Passing Yicui Tower, Sheng Shiyue’s tone shifted, smiling at Little Lotus, “Just messed up your hair, and you’re that mad? Come on! I’ll take you to the brothel for pastries.”

Before Little Lotus could speak, she shouted, “Stop the carriage.”

Moments later, the two figures boldly stepped into Yicui Tower.

Onlookers gaped, shocked at Sheng Shiyue.

Who brings a kid to a brothel?

What crazy thing was this lawless Sheng Shiyue doing now? Within moments, this bizarre news spread through Bianjing, reaching the Prime Minister’s ears…