Chapter 78: Has He Gone Mad?

What?

Qiao Qingyun almost thought her mind was failing her, to have heard such words. Gazing at Yuan Zaichun before her, her heart stirred. She pondered for a moment but said nothing, turning her face away, unwilling to look at her any longer.

“If Your Highness has any other thoughts, you might as well speak them all at once.”

Qiao Qingyun’s words left Yuan Zaichun momentarily speechless, effectively shutting his incessant chatter.

The next morning, it was unexpectedly Yuan Zaichun who had not left first. Instead, he waited in Qiao Qingyun’s Listening Bamboo Pavilion. Before long, as Qiao Qingyun stepped out, pushing open the door, the same blinding sunlight flooded her vision, and there stood Yuan Zaichun, Zhong Shi, and the others.

“Your Highness hasn’t left yet?”

The woman yawned, rubbing her sleepy, beautiful eyes, her hair cascading down to her waist, paying no heed to the other servants nearby.

When Yuan Zaichun turned around, he gazed at Qiao Qingyun’s flawless skin and youthful oval face, momentarily stunned.

“Weren’t you planning to visit the medical hall? I will accompany you.”

“What?”

Qiao Qingyun was startled, instantly sobering up, even a little surprised. What had gotten into this man today? He actually wanted to go to the medical hall with her? Had he gone mad?

“But Your Highness, are you not busy today?”

As the Crown Prince, shouldn’t he be helping the Emperor with official business?

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zaichun stood up, his black python-embroidered robe making him appear even more handsome and mysterious.

Before everyone’s eyes, he strode forward and lifted Qiao Qingyun in his arms, carrying her into the room. “Qingluo, come in and attend to Her Highness.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Qingluo had been waiting by the door for a long time, intimidated by Yuan Zaichun’s unpredictable mood and afraid to enter, lest she inadvertently disturb Qiao Qingyun and provoke Yuan Zaichun’s wrath.

After some time, Qiao Qingyun was finally led out by Yuan Zaichun, heading straight to the medical hall.

Business at the medical hall was better than elsewhere, though at this time, there were only a few patients, as it wasn’t the peak of illness.

“Greetings to the Crown Prince.”

The patients receiving injections were upstairs—Qiao Qingyun’s arrangement—otherwise the ground floor would be too crowded, risking collisions.

“Rise.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xu Lu, Chun Cheng, and the helpers became exceedingly cautious, though Qiao Qingyun was unconcerned. After all, Bosheng Lian would soon return, and she was merely occupying the title of Crown Princess for this brief time.

“Teacher, these days the patients have mostly had colds, fevers, or allergies, so I’ve been following your methods in treating them.”

Chun Cheng, simple and honest, obediently brought over all recent consultation records.

Qiao Qingyun looked through them one by one. “What’s the net profit lately?”

“About three hundred and fifty taels, after deducting wages for the helpers and ourselves.”

Xu Lu stepped forward, reporting the calculated silver. The woman nodded, “Not bad, at least we’re not losing money.”

“Yes, when we bought and renovated this place, we’ve already recouped our investment.”

Xu Lu spoke with delight—such quick returns were rare, especially with Qin Hao, whose daily treatment fees were high.

Though they charged the minimum, his poison was troublesome, requiring rare medicinal herbs.

“Has anyone come looking for me today?”

Qiao Qingyun set down the account book and asked, her eyes lifting to Chun Cheng and Xu Lu.

The two thought for a moment, shook their heads, and were about to speak when footsteps sounded outside.

“Crown Princess… Greetings to the Crown Prince.”

Li Miaoran perhaps hadn’t expected Yuan Zaichun to come along. As soon as she entered, she wanted to reminisce with Qiao Qingyun, but instead ran right into Yuan Zaichun.

Draped in flowing pink silk, she knelt gracefully. The man glanced at her, “You may rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Li Miaoran respectfully stood, looking at Qiao Qingyun beside her, her face full of helplessness. She hadn’t wanted Yuan Zaichun to come, but the man was acting capriciously.

Who knew what possessed him, as if he feared she would run away.

“Your Highness, perhaps you’d like to go upstairs for some tea?”

Qiao Qingyun summoned her courage to try to send Yuan Zaichun away, but her words seemed to mean something else to him.

His gaze softened suddenly, and he rose, reaching out to stroke Qiao Qingyun’s hair, making her shudder with goosebumps.

She truly could not fathom his intentions.

“Very well, will you come upstairs shortly?”

“Yes.”

How could she dare refuse? At this moment, it was best to comply.

Satisfied with her answer, the man strode upstairs. Qiao Qingyun signaled two attendants to follow and serve him, then sat down with a long sigh of relief.

“If the concubine has anything to say, speak now. As you’ve seen, His Highness is here, so I may not be able to speak freely.”

Upon hearing this, Li Miaoran’s lips curled into a charming smile. “Ha, Crown Princess, you are too modest. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to compete with Bosheng Lian, but now there’s nothing to fear.”

“Clearly, His Highness cares deeply for you.”

Today’s troubles were already plenty, but hearing Li Miaoran say this only fueled her irritation.

“If that’s all you came to say, it seems unnecessary.”

Li Miaoran saw impatience in Qiao Qingyun’s eyes and quickly stepped forward with gentle urgency. “Tomorrow, Bosheng Lian will arrive in the city—she’s now only about a hundred kilometers from the capital.”

“And? From the start, I’ve never feared her. Even if she returns and His Highness decides to bring her back to the Crown Prince’s residence, I will gladly welcome her.”

These words left Li Miaoran dumbfounded, but just then, Qiao Qingyun heard a sharp crack from upstairs.

Looking up, she saw Yuan Zaichun had crushed a teacup in his hand, blood streaming from his palm, his entire body radiating hostility.

His face was so dark it seemed ink might drip from it, yet he said nothing, merely turned away.

Now, Qiao Qingyun’s heart was in turmoil.

This was bad, truly bad—would this man kill her once he returned?

“Crown Princess, your attitude may have angered His Highness.”

Li Miaoran shivered; Yuan Zaichun’s glance had nearly scared her to death.

“You’d better leave, lest His Highness sees you and, in a foul mood, goes to trouble the Fourth Prince.”

With that, Qiao Qingyun quickly walked upstairs to Yuan Zaichun’s room, gently knocking on the door.

“Come in.”