Chapter 52 Am I Really That Inadequate?

When the first wave of dust settled, Qiao Qingyun opened her eyes and began to look around. She paced back and forth, unable to help nodding in approval. "Not bad. This is already a very good place."

"Miss, but it's so old here!" Qingluo clearly disliked the place, considering it no more than a shabby little shack.

"It's fine. Once we tidy up, its true qualities will show," Qiao Qingyun replied. She turned to glance at Feng Ke, who stood nearby with an air of indifference, and smiled, "Young Master Feng, why not find someone to clean up here, and while you’re at it, help me find a few people who have studied medicine."

"But all that together won’t just be three hundred taels," Feng Ke protested, a hint of mischief in his voice. Seeing this, Qiao Qingyun said, "Three hundred fifty taels!"

"Deal!" Feng Ke’s motto was never to turn down easy money. His subordinates understood well that money could move even ghosts, so they rushed over without delay, eager not to miss the chance to earn a little extra.

After a sweep through the place, Qiao Qingyun nodded in satisfaction, glancing at those cleaning with such diligence. "You few, stay. From now on, you'll be helpers here—carrying guests, doing some heavy work. Ten taels of silver a month."

"Ten taels!" Feng Ke was nearly frightened out of his wits. "Are you mad? Even if you're wealthy, you can't just pay like that!"

"Why not? We'll need them often, and besides, I can treat any difficult illness here!" Without waiting for Feng Ke to protest further, Qiao Qingyun walked over to the men and women who had studied medicine.

"Which of you faints at the sight of blood?"

"I do," a young woman timidly raised her hand. Feng Ke had specially fetched these apprentices from the medical hall, none of them fully trained; they were brought here with the promise of money if selected.

"Go home," Qiao Qingyun dismissed her bluntly. Perhaps seeing Qiao Qingyun’s generous side, none of the others wanted to leave—who wouldn’t want to earn good money, especially doing work in their own field?

"Is anyone afraid of needles?"

"Needles? Not at all."

Hearing this, Qiao Qingyun was reassured. After another round of selection, she finally kept only a small handful—just two people, but that would suffice.

"Good. What are your names?" she asked.

The man and woman exchanged glances.

"My name is Xu Lu."

"I'm Chun Cheng."

Their names pleased Qiao Qingyun even more. "Very well." Then she looked at Feng Ke. "I need to draw up some designs now. Young Master Feng, please find some carpenters and highly skilled blacksmiths—only the best. I’ll pay them one hundred taels!"

"Another hundred taels!" Feng Ke was nearly at his wit’s end, longing to inform Yuan Zaichun immediately. This princess consort really knew how to throw money around.

"That’s right." Qiao Qingyun quickly picked up some paper, while Qingluo moved forward to grind ink. They watched as Qiao Qingyun sketched the design for an adjustable sickbed, a medicine cabinet, as well as needles, leather gloves, and medication pouches—specifically, those used for liquid medicines.

Though hard to find at the moment, that didn’t mean they couldn’t be made. When everything was laid out before Feng Ke, he looked at these strange objects and grimaced. "Are you insane?"

"Not at all. Go on! You’ll be paid well," she laughed.

He wasn’t worried about the money, but these things were unheard of! Still, Feng Ke said nothing more. Gazing at the tools like hemostats among the designs, he sighed helplessly. "Alright."

Once Feng Ke left, the helpers followed him, leaving only Qiao Qingyun, Qingluo, Xu Lu, and Chun Cheng.

"You two, come here. There's something I need to tell you." Qiao Qingyun led the pair to the rear, Qingluo trailing behind, holding two pig’s feet in her hands.

These had been purchased at Qiao Qingyun’s request, though Qingluo did not know the reason. Yet, as her mistress commanded, she complied.

"Give me the pig’s feet."

Qiao Qingyun gestured, and Qingluo, startled, quickly brought the sad-looking pig’s feet forward, placing them before Xu Lu and Chun Cheng.

"Look. Try using silver needles to pierce them—into the blood vessels, but do not break them. Understand?"

Faced with this peculiar request, Chun Cheng and Xu Lu were puzzled, but did as they were told.

"How does it feel?" Qiao Qingyun watched them work, feeling increasingly satisfied. Thankfully, she had chosen well; a careless person would have just muddled through.

"Miss, what is this?" Xu Lu asked, confused.

Qiao Qingyun smiled lightly. "From now on, you’ll use needles to pierce patients’ blood vessels. This way, they’ll recover faster."

"Why?" They still didn’t understand exactly what Qiao Qingyun was doing, but as newcomers, all they could do was observe and learn.

"You’ll know in time," Qiao Qingyun replied, her smile mysterious.

Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s residence, Qiao Qingyun had been gone all morning, and by midday, no one had returned to report her whereabouts. Yuan Zaichun was nearly driven to distraction.

He paced back and forth, glancing at Liu Fu who stood nearby, even beginning to doubt himself.

"Liu Fu."

"Yes, Your Highness," Liu Fu answered, startled by the summons.

"Am I really that terrible?"

Liu Fu froze at the question and quickly shook his head. "Your Highness is a dragon among men, a prince of high rank and great power—the dream of every woman in the world."

"Then why does this woman keep making excuses? I only wish for her to fulfill her duties as wife and consort—why is she so reluctant?"

"This..." Liu Fu did not know how to respond, for it was a matter between husband and wife, and not his place to interfere.

"Liu Fu, tell me! What should I do so that this woman will draw closer to me?"

The words escaped Yuan Zaichun’s lips before he realized it, leaving him shaken and silent.

Liu Fu thought for a moment, glanced at Yuan Zaichun, and replied, "Your Highness... you... you towards the Princess Consort..."