Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 17: Chapter 11 Bring the consultation fee

Du Chenzhi’s portly frame shivered upon hearing the words. The brocade of his summer robe also swayed as he nervously rubbed his hands together, realizing that the subject of yesterday’s disgraceful incident had been brought up. He made a respectful bow, and with a smile said, “Lady Changsheng, please don’t be offended. It was indeed presumptuous of me yesterday. Here, I offer you my apologies.”

“I’m not blaming you.” Was there anything to blame when the fight hadn’t even happened? Gu Changsheng waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was no matter, then looked back at him with renewed interest, “Young Master Du, compared to yesterday, your appearance today seems quite the transformation!”

So disillusioning! He was a street ruffian yesterday, a bully among men and women, but today, he’s transformed into a refined gentleman—the disparity too great, making Gu Changsheng feel as though the person before him was somewhat unfamiliar.

“Young Master Du, let’s speak frankly, you were very imposing yesterday, intent on taking away my maid Han Qiu, and now you are showing such concern for your wife—I am somewhat puzzled. I wish for Young Master to clarify this confusion,” Gu Changsheng said, setting down his teacup and straightening his sleeve.

“This… this…” Du Chenzhi glanced at Han Qiu and her brother, who stood silently to the side, stammering without a clue of how to explain.

They were his wife and son’s lifesavers, benefactors who had rekindled life into the Du Residence, and he must not offend them at any cost.

Han Qiu stood by, her gaze drifting uncertainly, as if lost in thought.

“Not to hide anything from Lady Changsheng, but I truly bore no malice towards Miss Han.” It seemed like Du Chenzhi mustered his courage to speak, and fearing that Gu Changsheng wouldn’t believe him, he hastily added, “Lady Changsheng, you’re just passing by this place and might not know, I truly had no ill intentions. When I forbade people from purchasing the Han siblings, it was really because… Wanniang, she’s not one to make room for others…”

Mid-sentence, Du Chenzhi unwittingly hung his head, the fact that his wife was jealous being an unflattering thing to spread around.

Understanding, Gu Changsheng uttered an “Oh…” and drew out the tone.

In simple terms, having a Mother Tigress at home meant even a monkey couldn’t be boisterous. Having the intention was one thing, but turning it into reality was another.

“Lady Changsheng, you’ve misunderstood!” Seeing her reaction, Du Chenzhi realized she was thinking differently from what he was trying to express, but he didn’t know how to begin his explanation.

Unable to bear watching any longer, Han Qiu stepped forward and bowed her head, “Madam, actually, Young Master Du meant no harm.”

“Right, right!” Harm might have been absent, but as for other intentions, well, that was debatable, Gu Changsheng nodded in agreement, her Red Phoenix Eyes sparkling brightly as they fixed on the scene before her. Someone once said that we should use black eyes to spot the “yellow” infidelity.

Xiao Cui, after finishing the tedious task of peeling lychees for the Young Master and Han Mo, put down the brocade handkerchief and looked up, only to see her mistress smiling with a shrewd, gleeful sparkle in her eyes, and with a slight pout assessed that her mistress was certainly not thinking of anything good!

After exchanging a look with Xiao Cui and gaining an instant understanding, Han Qiu continued in a solemn tone, “Madam, it’s not what you’re thinking! Du and I have known each other since we were little.”

“Yes, yes!” Du Chenzhi hastily concurred.

Gu Changsheng’s eyes shone even brighter, the corners of her Red Phoenix Eyes lifted high with enthusiasm. Childhood sweethearts, innocent companions from a tender age, it seemed she and Madam Du were oblivious meddlers, disrupting a pair of lovebirds—a lack of tact indeed.

“Ah! I’m sorry! Truly, I apologize, I didn’t realize you two…” Gu Changsheng, always ready to admit her mistakes, immediately acknowledged her error. It’s better to demolish ten temples than to destroy one marriage; she was wrong to have misjudged Young Master Du at first sight.

Actually, it wasn’t her fault; Young Master Du didn’t really carry the image of a decent man!

“Lady Changsheng, it’s really not what you think. Miss Han and I have known each other since childhood, and there was indeed a time when I sought her hand in marriage. However, my father is a member of the Imperial Cabinet, and Miss Han’s late father was also a High-ranking Official, circumstances preventing the match. Yet, the affection of many years stands, and I could not simply watch her suffer at the hands of another household, which is why I spared no effort to purchase their freedom. I had no other intentions, how could I, but Wanniang…” In a rare moment of insight, Du Chenzhi knew he had to make himself clear, for fear of making things worse and more so if his words reached Wanniang’s ears.

If I were your wife, I, too, would have sent Han Qiu away; childhood friends indeed pose a significant threat to peace in the Inner House!

But Gu Changsheng finally understood—it was all a misunderstanding on her part. Ancient people surely didn’t have such convoluted thoughts. It seemed that being overthoughtful was not always advantageous.