Chapter 10: A Scheme Within a Scheme

Since Qin Wanyi had already said as much, Zhong Qiyu knew the outcome. There was no longer any need for Han Chengxu to cover things up, so he could only offer words of consolation.

"Young lady, do not grieve. The most important thing right now is to set your mind at ease and focus on recovery. Marriages are fated; you will surely encounter someone meant for you."

"Many thanks, Imperial Physician Han." Qin Wanyi held back her tears and choked out a few sobs. "I must trouble you to prescribe some medicine. I have heard that Tianshan snow lotus has the effect of beautifying, preserving youth, and moisturizing the skin. It is said that South Sea pearls can whiten the skin, nourish the face, and replenish vital energy. Legend has it that gentian can soothe, calm, and nourish the skin, and there is also firethorn, which can inhibit melanin to maintain a fair and beautiful complexion..."

Qin Wanyi spoke with high spirits and burning enthusiasm, rattling off a list of precious medicinal herbs in one breath, leaving Imperial Physician Han dumbfounded. Some of the herbs she mentioned, he had never even heard of.

Fearing that Han Chengxu might see through her greed, Qin Wanyi said timidly, "Imperial Physician Han, the cost of the herbs does not matter. As long as they are effective, even if I have to sell everything I own, I will buy them. I cannot let the neighbors point fingers at the Prime Minister's estate and say that the estate has produced an ugly woman."

Qin Zheng, standing to the side, could hardly bear to listen. However, hindered by Zhong Qiyu’s presence, he could only glare in frustration, nearly suffering internal injuries. The Prime Minister's estate had lost all its face because of Qin Wanyi; he couldn't believe she could actually say such things.

Zhong Qiyu also wore an expression of contempt and mockery. He hadn't expected that after being disfigured, she would become so mercenary, acting like a common street rogue. A person like this still dared to dream of the position of Crown Princess.

"It is not quite that serious," Han Chengxu chuckled, his tone somewhat stifled. "I am here under the Emperor's orders to treat you. If I can help you, I will naturally do my best. If a mere medical consultation were enough to make the Prime Minister of the Great Xing Dynasty sell his household belongings, wouldn't everyone be rushing to open medical clinics?"

"With Imperial Physician Han saying that, I am relieved." Qin Wanyi’s eyes curved into crescents, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth before she quickly reined it in. Since the marriage was off and her chance to become the future Empress was gone, she should be acting heartbroken.

"It is just that I came out in a hurry today. These herbs require special storage, and I must seek the Emperor's permission for a few of them, while others are not even available in the palace. Once I return and take inventory, I will have someone send some over." As he spoke, Han Chengxu stood up.

That would have to do. A verbal promise could be forgotten the moment he turned around. It wasn't that she didn't trust Han Chengxu's character, but he was, after all, the Head of the Imperial Hospital, serving the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince—he had no spare time to worry about her.

"Imperial Physician Han, you are a busy man of high status; there is no need for you to attend to me personally. If people see it, I fear there will be no end to the gossip." Qin Wanyi’s eyes darted to the medical assistant behind Han Chengxu. He was currently moving the stool Han Chengxu had sat on back to its original place and hoisting the medicine chest onto his shoulder.

She hadn't paid attention before, but looking now, the man was in his early twenties, looked honest, diligent, and willing to work without complaint. He would surely be reliable.

"I shall wait for this official to grace the Prime Minister's estate and bring me the good news from Imperial Physician Han." Qin Wanyi pointed at the assistant.

"Miss Qin is quite the opposite of the rumors," Han Chengxu remarked, eyeing Qin Wanyi thoughtfully. Rumor had it that the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's estate was arrogant, domineering, and bullied others by abusing her status. Having met her now, she was somewhat inscrutable.

"Is that so?" Qin Wanyi knew that general rumors were rarely good, so she busied herself with her medicine. "I wonder what Imperial Physician Han thinks?"

Han Chengxu glanced at the assistant and instructed, "Very well. Ding Pu, after we return to the palace, you will prepare the herbs for Miss Qin. Just let me know when you are done."

"Yes, Imperial Physician Han," Ding Pu replied.

As the group turned to leave, Qin Zheng grew anxious. He couldn't very well question Qin Wanyi about her plans in front of them. They had agreed yesterday to turn the situation around, yet she hadn't taken any action today.

As they turned, Qin Zheng glared at Qin Wanyi with reddened eyes.

Qin Wanyi, still in a state of extreme excitement, felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Only then did she remember the real business at hand and hurriedly called out.

"Your Highness, please stay a moment."

Zhong Qiyu stopped upon hearing this and turned around, but he remained standing where he was. "What is it?" he asked impatiently.

He was so reluctant; if it weren't for the sake of having an easier life in the Prime Minister's estate later, she wouldn't have bothered to stop him.

"This commoner has something to report. It is a matter of great importance, so I ask that Your Highness spare a little time." Qin Wanyi secretly curled her lip.

Zhong Qiyu hesitated. He had nothing left to say to her, and he didn't know what kind of trouble she wanted to stir up now. Even if he gave her another chance, she wouldn't change his mind.

After cursing Zhong Qiyu thoroughly in her heart, Qin Wanyi put on a fawning smile. "After we part today, I fear it will be difficult to see Your Highness again. Is Your Highness unwilling to spare even this little bit of time?"

"Your Highness, I just remembered something I need to ask Prime Minister Qin. I shall wait for you outside," Han Chengxu said with a faint smile before walking out.

Qin Zheng followed Han Chengxu's lead. Although he didn't know if this would work, since everything rested on Qin Wanyi, he had no choice but to bet on her. He stepped out a moment later, and Ding Pu turned to close the door behind them.

"What else do you have to say? Say it all at once." Zhong Qiyu stood with his hands behind his back, refusing to take a single step closer, as if the person lying on the bed were a monster. He wanted nothing more than to sever all ties with Qin Wanyi.

Qin Wanyi scoffed inwardly; that saved her from having to fetch him a stool. What was the use of just having a handsome face? If it weren't for the position of Crown Prince supporting him, how impressive could he really be?

He couldn't even put on a decent act. Without any cunning, he still wanted to be a good Crown Prince? She drew a circle in her mind and cursed him to lose his position as well.

Qin Wanyi scanned the room from her bed, then gently pulled a thin braided cord, lowering the gauze curtains of the bed to create a barrier between them, so they wouldn't have to look at each other.

"Are you going to speak or not?" When Qin Wanyi didn't respond for a long time, Zhong Qiyu urged her, "If you have nothing to say, don't waste my time."

Did he really think he was such a busy man of importance? He couldn't even handle his own marriage; how could he handle the affairs of the state?

"Heaven does not grant people their wishes. Everyone says this commoner is pitiful, but I understand that the one who suffers the most in this matter is none other than Your Highness."

"I am to be pitied?" Zhong Qiyu scoffed. "You hide in here, so you probably don't know how others are gossiping about you. Do you really think you are as radiant as you once were?"

Qin Wanyi clenched her fists, struggling to restrain herself, fighting the urge to kill him instantly. "The matter began because of me. I have long heard what others are saying, but they do not know the difficulties Your Highness faces."

"What do you know? What difficulties could I possibly have?" Zhong Qiyu said dismissively.

"Is that so?" Qin Wanyi wore an expression of someone watching a show. "I wonder what conditions Your Highness agreed to, for the Emperor to allow you to break off the engagement and marry Miss Fan as your Crown Princess instead?"