Ming Qinghua cleared his throat twice, masking his awkwardness.
"What happened that night was a misunderstanding. I hope the old woman won't be angry! Please also inform the divine doctor that we can apologize to her in person!"
Hong Fu couldn't be bothered to respond. She then took out a bottle of ointment from her waist and handed it to Ming Qinghua.
"This was left by my master, who said it was for Young Master Ming. My master said... if you came looking for us, she would give it to you. If you didn't, she would throw it away!"
"I didn't expect you to come so promptly! I was thinking if you hadn't come by tonight, I would have thrown it away. Since you're here, I'll give you this ointment!"
Ming Qinghua recognized the bottle. Its color was exactly the same as the one Ming Xiajing used.
He hurriedly took it, feeling extremely excited, and then thanked her profusely.
"Thank you, old woman. If the divine doctor returns someday, I, Ming, will pay another visit!" Ming Qinghua clasped his hands in a gesture of respectful salutation, his attitude very sincere.
Hong Fu waved her hand, yawning again. "Alright, take the medicine and leave quickly. I need to rest!"
Ming Qinghua didn't want to disturb her further. After expressing his thanks, he turned to leave.
The moment the door closed!
Peeking through the gap and confirming Ming Qinghua had left the inn, Hong Fu extinguished the oil lamp, put on her night-traveling clothes, and flew out through another window!
The Scholar's Mansion!
"Master, your foresight is truly uncanny. Ming Xiajing is in so much pain, he might not even make it through tonight!"
At this moment, Hong Fu had already shed her old woman disguise and reverted to her stunning appearance as a woman in red.
Qin Yun played with the tea set in her hand, a half-smile on her lips. "The poison affecting Ming Xiajing is likely related to Qin Yu!"
Hong Fu chuckled. "That woman is truly malicious. Although Ming Xiajing is ugly, it's clear he is sincere towards Qin Yu and still deeply fond of her?"
Qin Yun blew on the hot tea by her side, smiling gently. "What does it matter if he likes her? He's a man who thinks with his lower half!"
"Liking is one thing, but it doesn't equate to love!"
Hong Fu nodded, finding the statement reasonable. "When will Master visit the Ming mansion again?"
Qin Yun narrowed her eyes in thought. "Within the next couple of days. If we want to completely suppress the Min family mother and daughter, we must cut off their escape routes!"
Ming Xiajing was currently very fond of Qin Yu and obeyed her every word.
While the Ming family couldn't hinder her much, Ming Xiajing represented Qin Yu's escape route.
If she were to confront Qin Yu directly, with Ming Xiajing in his current state, he would undoubtedly oppose her.
At that point, with the Ming mansion plus the influence of Ming Xiajing's aunt, the County Princess, it would be truly difficult for her.
Only by severing their escape route could she crush those mother and daughter.
She had even considered letting Ming Xiajing die.
That way, Qin Yu would have destroyed her own fallback. However... on second thought, she wanted to retaliate against Qin Yu in a different way.
The poison affecting Ming Xiajing was most likely administered by Qin Yu.
But how had she managed it?
The reason Qin Yu wanted to kill Ming Xiajing was twofold: first, she didn't want to marry him, and second, she believed that with Ming Xiajing dead, her dirty secrets would remain unknown!
Then it would be a case of death proving nothing.
Her minor indiscretions would be kept quiet by Madam Min, and Qin Yuanzhang would also remain silent.
As for the Ming family! If Ming Xiajing died, Ming Qinghua and Madam Ming would not publicize such shameful affairs.
After all, the illicit lover was Ming Xiajing, and Ming Qinghua and his wife would naturally protect Ming Xiajing's reputation.
Alas!
That girl Qin Yu had encountered her as an opponent!
She would certainly not let Qin Yu have her way!
What Qin Yu wanted to conceal, she would expose one by one!
The next night!
Qin Yun and Hong Fu, disguised, went to the Ming mansion again.
As soon as they arrived at the Ming mansion, a servant excitedly went to find Ming Qinghua and his wife.
Upon hearing that the divine doctor had arrived!
Ming Qinghua and Madam Ming hurried out to greet them.
"Divine doctor, I was blind that night and offended you greatly. Please forgive me!" Madam Ming was about to kneel and apologize, but Qin Yun quickly stopped her.
"Ignorance is not a crime, Madam Ming need not perform such a great courtesy!"
Madam Ming wiped away her tears, relieved. "Divine doctor, you are magnanimous. I spoke such harsh words that night, and you bear no ill will. It is I who am narrow-minded!"
"Time is pressing, let's go inside to see Young Master Ming first!" Qin Yun only wanted to finish quickly and leave.
"Yes, yes, divine doctor, please come in!"
Supported by Ming Qinghua and Madam Ming, Qin Yun entered Ming Xiajing's room for the second time.
Upon seeing the divine doctor, Ming Xiajing was extremely excited.
"Divine doctor, you've finally come!"
Qin Yun nodded in response but said nothing.
Then she sat by Ming Xiajing's bedside and began to take his pulse.
Everyone else also fell silent.
The attitude this time was completely different from before.
Madam Ming, afraid of tiring the divine doctor, quickly asked the maids and servants to pour tea and water.
Unexpectedly!
After taking his pulse, Qin Yun looked squarely at Ming Qinghua, who was not far away.
Everyone was stunned by Qin Yun's actions!
They all looked at their master in unison, causing Ming Qinghua to feel a bit bewildered. "Divine doctor, if you have something to say, please speak directly!"
"Master Ming, may I speak with you privately!"
Everyone exchanged glances, not understanding Qin Yun's intentions.
Ming Qinghua looked at Ming Xiajing, who was looking nervous, then at his wife, and finally nodded. "Alright!"
The two walked to a secluded corner, and Qin Yun then said, "Master Ming, what I am about to say concerns the future offspring of the Ming mansion!"
"Because these words are somewhat private and not suitable for discussion in public!"
When Ming Qinghua heard this, he became anxious. "Divine doctor, has that child, Xiajing... developed a problem?"
Qin Yun cleared her throat twice, masking her embarrassment.
To be honest, discussing such topics with an old man was something she was not adept at.
"Whether it affects the offspring depends on whether Young Master Ming cooperates!"
"Could it be... the divine doctor means to personally examine him?"
Qin Yun's face flushed. "I didn't mean that. I want Master Ming to examine Young Master Ming, and then tell me the truth, so I can prescribe the right medicine."
"If I were to ask Young Master Ming, he might not tell the truth. This matter is rather embarrassing for Young Master Ming, so I must trouble Master Ming!"
"It's no trouble, no trouble. I'll go take a look now! And I'll inform the divine doctor of what I see!" Ming Qinghua said, walking towards Ming Xiajing.
"Everyone in the room, please leave!" Ming Qinghua said sternly.
Everyone was sensible and soon left the room.
Ming Qinghua looked at Madam Ming, who had not yet left. "You leave too!"
Madam Ming frowned. "What is there that I cannot know? Do you dare to hide something from me?"
"Xiajing has grown up and is no longer a child. Madam, you should avoid certain things!"
As soon as Ming Qinghua said this, Madam Ming understood instantly. She then left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Father? What is it? Why is it so mysterious?"
"Take off your trousers!"