Chapter 464: Exposed, Humiliated
Chapter 464: Exposed, Humiliated
Meng Qianqian stood beside Madam Yan, respectfully and solemnly greeting the Liang Emperor, the Empress, and Empress Dowager Hu.
"Your Majesty, Empress, and Empress Dowager, I pay my respects," she said.
Her every move was graceful, and her innate nobility was evident in her gestures. After this display of etiquette, she even surpassed Gongsun Liuying in her demeanor as a noble lady.
It wasn't surprising when considering that Gongsun Liuying, although the eldest daughter of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, had grown up in the jianghu. The etiquette of noble families was something she had to learn from a young age.
However, her identity as Heaven's Chosen Daughter, coupled with her unparalleled medical skills, meant that people didn't bother holding her to the same standards as other young ladies.
She was born extraordinary, transcending the secular world.
There were many well-mannered ladies, but there was only one Phoenix Star.
A subtle hint of admiration flashed through the eyes of the Empress and Empress Dowager Hu.
Even the unpretentious Liang Emperor found the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion disciple before him particularly pleasing to the eye.
"You may stand at ease," the Liang Emperor said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Meng Qianqian replied as she rose.
The Liang Emperor examined Meng Qianqian, not asking her to remove her veil. He wanted to identify someone by their voice and mannerisms: "Which family are you from? I've never seen you before."
He had mistaken Meng Qianqian for a young lady from a noble family.
Gongsun Liuying's eyebrows furrowed slightly, feeling as if someone had stolen her thunder.
Meng Qianqian calmly replied, "I come from a humble background and have not had the opportunity to pay my respects to Your Majesty before."
Empress Dowager Hu took a sip of tea, suppressing her rising anger.
A commoner had just outclassed the eldest daughter of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion in terms of demeanor.
She couldn't help but glance at Gongsun Liuying.
She had been extremely pleased with this potential daughter-in-law, the National Guardian Qilin, who was worthy of the Phoenix Star.
But today, this Heaven's Chosen Phoenix Star had knocked out Jiang Huifei's little grandnephew with her needles, causing Jiang Huifei to beat her up. It was infuriating!
Empress Dowager Hu took a sip of tea to calm her anger.
The Empress spoke gently, "She's a good child. Elder Yan has taught her well."
The Liang Emperor nodded, then addressed Meng Qianqian, "I heard from Elder Yan that you cured Nie'er."
"Yes," Meng Qianqian acknowledged without hesitation.
Everyone was startled, as they had just been impressed by her grace and understanding of etiquette, but now she was surprisingly unreserved.
Only the Liang Emperor's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation. He was used to seeing false modesty, and this sudden display of frankness and openness caught his attention.
The Liang Emperor continued, "Is Nie'er completely cured, or does she need further treatment?"
Meng Qianqian replied with neither arrogance nor humility, "The scratches on her back still require continued medication."
Implied in her words was that the young master was no longer in any serious danger.
Just then, the sound of Jiang Huifei's conversation with the young master came from the neighboring room.
"Nie'er, you're finally awake. Do you feel any pain?"
"Nie'er doesn't hurt. Nie'er is hungry."
"Hungry? That's good! It's good that you're hungry! As long as you can eat! Nie'er, what do you want to eat? Auntie will have it prepared for you!"
Five-year-old Nie'er pointed out the window.
In the courtyard, Bao Zhuzhu, who had just woken up, was drinking milk from a small bottle with both hands, making slurping noises. "Eh?"
Bao Zhuzhu shared half of her milk with Nie'er.
Drinking my milk makes you my little brother, oh.
The two children started drinking milk together in the courtyard, making slurping sounds.
At this, everyone finally felt at ease.
Jiang Huifei arranged for court ladies to look after the children and then returned to the hall, giving Meng Qianqian a grateful look. "How did you cure Nie'er?" she asked.
Meng Qianqian replied, "Reporting to Her Highness, I used the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles."
"The Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles? Isn't that the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion's unique needle technique?"
Jiang Huifei's gaze fell on Gongsun Liuying, "Miss Gongsun, I heard that you also used the Thirteen Ghost Gates Needles to treat Nie'er?"
I wonder, why is your acupuncture technique so poor? Could someone have instructed you to harm Nie'er on my behalf?"
In Jiang Huifei's eyes, Gongsun Liuying had treated countless patients and had an established reputation. It was impossible for her to make such a mistake.
Jiang Huifei firmly believed in her earlier suspicion: Nie'er must have stumbled upon some secret, causing Empress Dowager Hu to want her future daughter-in-law to harm Nie'er.
Empress Dowager Hu was furious, "Jiang Huifei, I have no grudge against you. Why are you targeting me? Moreover, isn't the person fine now?"
Jiang Huifei replied, "It wasn't your granddaughter-in-law who saved her!"
"You—"
Empress Dowager Hu had always acted arrogantly in the palace, relying on her relationship with the Emperor. Even Jiang Huifei was no exception.
However, on this matter, she was indeed in the wrong and had wrongfully accused Gongsun Liuying.
But she truly didn't intend to harm Nie'er!
Jiang Huifei stared at Gongsun Liuying, "Miss Gongsun, tell me, is it that your medical skills are lacking, or do you have some hidden reason?"
Gongsun Liuying fidgeted with her fingers.
Her fingers moved swiftly, and she seemed to be calculating something.
Jin Wang's brows furrowed.
This was bad.
Regardless of the reason, the situation was not in their favor.
However, a single mistake was far less severe than having malicious intentions.
Choosing the lesser of two evils.
Jin Wang understood this principle.
"With the grand wedding approaching, it's likely that Liuying is overworked and made a momentary mistake..."
"Your Majesty!"
Lu Zhaoyan, along with Lu Yuan, entered the inner hall. She interrupted Jin Wang's plea at the right moment, "Your Highness, I heard that a divine physician from Qianji Pavilion has arrived and brought Nie'er back from the brink of death. May I request this divine physician to examine Yuan?"
The Liang Emperor nodded, "That's a good idea. Miss Yan, please examine my grandson's pulse."
"Yes."
Meng Qianqian approached Lu Yuan calmly, maintaining a detached demeanor, "Young Master Lin Yuan, please give me your hand."
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Which hand?"
Lu Zhaoyan wanted to kick her rebellious son! Was he flirting with his wife at such a critical moment?
Meng Qianqian replied, "The right hand."
One dared to ask, and the other dared to answer.
Empress Dowager Hu whispered to Jin Wang, "Is there any significance to the right hand?"
Jin Wang furrowed his brows, "I don't know either."
Meng Qianqian examined Lu Yuan's pulse with utmost seriousness.
Lu Zhaoyan asked with concern, "Divine Physician, is there a cure for Yuan's Han Zheng?"
Meng Qianqian looked at the father and son in surprise, "Han Zheng? What Han Zheng?"
Lu Zhaoyan was shocked, "My son doesn't have Han Zheng? Just now, didn't the eldest Miss of Qianji Pavilion confidently state that my son was suffering from Han Zheng?"
Lu Yuan grimaced in pain, "Yes, I have headaches, backaches, and leg pain!"
Meng Qianqian asked, "Did Young Master Lin Yuan engage in strenuous activities yesterday? Did he sleep late? And what time did he wake up today?"
Lu Yuan replied, "I swung on two swings until midnight and then entered the palace early this morning to attend to the Empress Dowager."
The Empress was suddenly put on the spot and felt embarrassed.
Meng Qianqian withdrew her hand and said calmly, "Young Master Lin Yuan's body aches are due to overwork and insufficient rest, unrelated to Han Zheng."
Lu Yuan extended his left hand, still wanting to prove his point, "Why don't you check the left side too?"
Lu Zhaoyan elbowed her son.
You've gone too far...
Jiang Huifei gave a cold laugh, "This is interesting. So, you're saying that the mistake was due to overwork, and now you can't even take the pulse accurately? Miss Gongsun, are your medical skills fake?"
(End of Chapter)
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