Chapter 327 - Chapter 327: She Was Also His Favorite
Chapter 327: She Was Also His Favorite
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The other medical halls often caused trouble for the Mingren Medical Hall through frequent medical accidents or other tactics.
Whether it was a prescription mistake leading to poisoning or someone dying, there was never a peaceful day.
Without Royal Physician Liu, the Liu family was vulnerable, and anyone could take advantage of them.
Qiao Mai observed coldly as the Liu family’s medical hall operated at a loss.
She continued to diagnose patients, refusing to treat severe cases or prescribe medicines.
Unless she opened her medical hall, she wouldn’t let anyone have a handle on her.
As the weather got warmer, May arrived. In a few days, it would be Zihan’s grand wedding.
Madam Wang had everything prepared except for the ingredients from the Qiao family and a chef.
Although worried. she had become more restrained and dared not trouble Qiao Mai again after the incident last time.
In a year, she had learned a lot. Qiao Mai was not someone she could afford to offend.
As a royal princess consort, Qiao Mai was even sought after by her maternal family to gain favor.
The Qian family, relatives of Magistrate Wang, sent valuable gifts, but Yuan Jiaqi promptly returned them intact.
His rule of refusing gifts applied to everyone, regardless of their background.
The Qian family head was Mayor Qian’s elder brother, Qian Youwei. After the New Year, he received a promotion and became the Minister of Justice. With a recommendation letter from Mayor Qian, he visited the Qiao family with his wife.
Yuan Jiaqi received them. As someone holding an official position and serving the court, he had surpassed the status of a first-rank official.
Although they had met in court before, this was the first time they sat down to talk, thanks to the letter from Mayor Qian.
This first real encounter allowed Yuan Jiaqi to form a general understanding of him.
Fundamentally, Qian Youwei was a decent man, but being in the capital had made him somewhat cunning. Calling him an old fox wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
As for the Wang family, Yuan Jiaqi naturally sought guidance from his mentor.
“Teacher, the Wang family has sent someone over several times. The first time, they sent valuable gifts, but I returned them. Now, they came under the pretext of visiting you. What do you think?”
“Decline it. Since they schemed against Jiaru’s marriage, our relationship with them has been severed.”
“Then I’ll send them back.”
“Jiaqi, wait a moment.”
Old Mistress Wang called out to him, caressing the head of a red cat, hesitant to speak.
“Grandmother, feel free to speak!”
“It’s about Jiaru. Your wife has great abilities. Please ask her to check on Jiaru. If she has corrected her bad habits, we can go to Prince Shunqin’s mansion and beg for her. But if she hasn’t changed, let it be. She’s been confined for many years.”
“Alright, I’ll tell my wife about it when she returns.”
After Yuan Jiaqi left, Old Master Wang glared at her. “You mustn’t act recklessly like your daughter-in-law.”
“No, I only want her to check whether Jiaru has changed.”
“If she had changed, she would have been released long ago.”
“Are you thinking about Zihan’s wedding and hoping to have Jiaru participate?”
“Yeah. As her elder sister, how can she miss such a big event?”
Old Master Wang fell silent too. Jiaru was his granddaughter, someone he had seen grow up. She was also his favorite.
After a day of providing medical care outside, Qiao Mai returned home. Yuan Jiaqi had prepared a meal and was waiting for her. “Wife, are you tired? Have some food first?”
“Hmm.”
The couple sat face to face to eat. Yuan Jiaqi mentioned the request from Old Mistress Wang regarding Jiaru.
“It seems Old Mistress Wang wants her to attend her brother’s wedding.”
“Her stubbornness remains unchanged. Even if she is released, she would still disrupt the wedding. However, Grandmother has never asked me for anything before. I’ll see her in a while.’
“Wife, don’t set up a stall tomorrow. Rest at home for a few days?”
“Okay!”
After dinner, Qiao Mai stood up. “Read your book. I’ll go to Prince Shunqin’s mansion to see her.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you to come back.”
Familiar with the route, Qiao Mai arrived at the courtyard where Wang Jiaru was confined.
The courtyard was pitch black, with only a faint light showing through the bedroom. Inside, a maid was sitting in front of a lamp, sewing.
On the bed lay a woman. Her face was haggard, her lips pale, and a layer of dry skin had formed. Her appearance resembled that of an old lady.
This person was Wang Jiaru, similar in age to Qiao Mai. Qiao Mai was now 31, while Wang Jiaru was 30. Despite her young age, she looked pitiful.
Qiao Mai didn’t feel sentimental. In her previous life, she was an assassin. Now, she stood at the pinnacle of power. How could she become soft-hearted?
“Miss, please go to sleep earlier.”
“How can I sleep? Even though I’m the legitimate wife, I can’t compare to a concubine. I can’t even see my child.” “Miss, have you ever thought about the past?”
“The past?”
“Yes. Back in Wei City, you were cheerful, lively, and kind. You were approachable, never looking down on rural people. You never sought connections with the wealthy and powerful. At that time, your whole family cherished you. But now?”
“Who are you to speak to me like this? Who sent you? What qualifications do you have to make me recall those unbearable pasts?”
The maid sighed. “Miss, do you still not recognize it? The prince liked you back then. Not the current you. No matter how you howl, you will forever be imprisoned here if you don’t change.”
“Humph, are you unwilling to stay with me here? If you don’t want to, leave!” Under the moonlight, Wang Jiaru revealed a ferocious expression, glaring fiercely at the maid.
Qiao Mai watched this scene, knowing that she couldn’t save her. Her heart had already twisted, and changing her was impossible.
The only solution was to erase her memories, making her stay in… stay at the time when she had just married Prince Shunqin. No, what about the two children?
Could she erase her memories from after she gave birth to the two children? Unfortunately, Qiao Mai’s cultivation level was still low. If only she could modify her memories.
Qiao Mai sighed slightly.
The maid finished the last stitch and tidied up the clothes.
“Miss, please rest. I’ll sleep on the pallet nearby. If you need anything, call me.”
The prince’s mansion had sent over people who used to serve her, but seeing that she remained unrepentant, they withdrew them. Now, only the old maid who had been with her before her marriage stayed by her side.
Qiao Mai didn’t want to intervene. Even if she erased her memories, Wang Jiaru could never go back to the past.
Her actions had already left a negative impression on Prince Shunqin’s mansion, and her two children didn’t feel close to her.
It might be better to wipe everything clean. She wouldn’t remember anyone. That way, there would be no harm.
She purchased a Memory Crystal Ball on the platform using her mental power, then instantly appeared by Wang Jiaru’s bedside.
Without waiting for her to open her eyes, Qiao Mai struck her unconscious and pressed her hand on her forehead.
With a single pull and grab, a white light appeared, and she slapped the white light into the Memory Crystal Ball.
The entire process was smooth and silent.
Back home, sitting at the table, she picked up a cup of warm tea and drank it in one go.
“Wife, is it done?”
“She looks like she’s in her fifties. Even in that state, she remains unchanged.
Just like her mother.”
“What do we do?”
“I erased her memory. She won’t cause trouble anymore.”
“Does that mean she won’t recognize anyone from now on?”
“Yes, I’ll go to see Grandmother tomorrow. I’ll ask her to go to Prince Shunqin’s mansion and plead for her. Let’s see if she can come over and stay for a few days. We’ll start with recognizing family members.”
“So, she has to start over?”
“Otherwise, what can we do? I’m giving her a chance at rebirth. It depends on whether she has the fortune for it..