Volume One, Chapter 15: How Could She Be So Bold!

Su Yi’an took a shortcut and deftly climbed over the wall into the Northern Prince’s mansion.

This time, as soon as she entered, the patrolling guards spotted her.

Two long spears glinted coldly as they pointed at her.

“Who goes there?”

Su Yi’an’s tone was calm.

“I’m Ling Lingqi, here to see General Wu Er.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Er hurried over anxiously.

“Doctor Ling, you finally came. The prince has taken ill; he’s in the ice cellar.”

“Sorry, I had matters at home today and only just found the time.”

Wu Er suppressed his irritation. “It’s good you’re here. Please, this way.”

The two of them strode quickly forward. Su Yi’an’s steps were swift, yet her mind was unhurried, even playful.

“I didn’t expect your Northern Prince’s mansion to have guards patrolling now. That was close—I almost got skewered just now.”

“Our prince’s reputation is well-known; normally no one dares to trespass. But there are always fools without fear. So I set up sentries. Didn’t frighten you, did it?”

Su Yi’an felt this man was teasing her with utmost seriousness, but she had no proof.

“Just a little. I was a bit startled.”

Outside the ice cellar stood four tall, sword-bearing guards, each with a face as pale as a silver basin and a burly build, exuding a strong sense of security.

Inside, however, the ice cellar remained as when they first met—a single small kerosene lamp casting a dim light.

Xiao Beiming still wore a thin, translucent white undergarment, lying on the ice in a near-death state.

Su Yi’an administered acupuncture. After a moment, the faint flush on Xiao Beiming’s face faded, and he regained consciousness. Upon opening his eyes, he furrowed his brows and demanded harshly,

“How are you a court physician? Why did you come so late? Do you want to die?”

Xiao Beiming’s domineering attitude as a man of high rank greatly annoyed Su Yi’an.

Though she had accepted a modest fee from him, their relationship was strictly doctor and patient—she was no servant!

She had been enjoying herself at a brothel and still remembered to treat him; that was already professional enough. What more did he expect?

“Prince, please calm down. Doctor Ling had urgent family matters today,” Wu Er nervously tried to smooth things over, but Xiao Beiming’s irritation barely lessened.

This woman clearly had the means to ease his pain but delayed all day, causing him great discomfort.

Looking at Xiao Beiming’s fierce yet handsome face, Su Yi’an suddenly entertained the idea of pricking him until he fainted and then selling him to the brothel.

With his noble features—well-defined bones and exquisite features—he could fetch at least two hundred fifty thousand taels, far above the male courtesan’s price.

Afraid her thoughts showed on her face, she quickly lowered her gaze but caught sight of Xiao Beiming’s rough, calloused hand and murmured to herself:

“This broken hand definitely can’t play the pipa—subtract a million taels.”

“I’m asking you, don’t play dumb!” Xiao Beiming’s eyes flashed angrily as he questioned her again.

Su Yi’an met his gaze:

Bad temper, dull expression—minus another million taels.

No social skills, can’t speak properly—minus yet another million taels.

All told, she’d owe the brothel five hundred thousand taels. He was a complete loss-maker.

Not wanting to confront this overly macho man head-on, she decided to tell a small lie. Her eyes misted over.

“Sorry, Prince, my mother-in-law suddenly had a stroke today. I spent the entire day tending to her and only just found the time to come. Filial piety is paramount. From now on, I must care for my bedridden mother-in-law and likely won’t be able to treat you anymore. Acupuncture points are fixed—any doctor could do the same for you.”

Mentioning fees, Xiao Beiming’s anger cooled; after all, he hadn’t fully paid her yet, so he couldn’t fault her dedication.

“I’ll give you an IOU. I’ll definitely repay the money later. You focus on treating me. Leave your family matters to the servants. From now on, your priority is my illness.”

“If Your Highness won’t recognize the debt, an IOU is just worthless paper. I’m just a commoner; how could I dare defraud you?”

Hearing this, Xiao Beiming’s brows furrowed sharply in anger.

“Do you think I would renege on a debt?”

Su Yi’an lowered her eyes and spoke softly,

“I wrongly suspected Your Highness’s noble heart with the mind of a petty person. But as a woman trying to make a living among men, I’ve been deceived too many times. Now, with a bedridden mother-in-law and a three-year-old son, not extending credit has become my rule of practice. I beg Your Highness’s understanding. I don’t want an IOU—I want the jade pendant at your waist.”

“What audacity!” Xiao Beiming’s anger flared, his face turning red.

This shameless rogue dared to extort the family heirloom of his maternal clan!

Wu Er, standing nearby, was equally shocked and angry.

How could she be so bold?

To dare blackmail the prince’s precious jade pendant!

But Wu Er dared not speak out; now she was the prince’s last hope.

Xiao Beiming reconsidered.

His mother had repeatedly warned him that this jade pendant was meant for his future princess. Since he didn’t plan to marry in this lifetime, his own life was more important. If his mother inquired, he’d just say it was lost.

He pulled the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to her.

“Don’t sell it cheaply again.”

When Wu Er retrieved the pendant, she had told the prince it cost two hundred taels to buy back, fearing his anger might harm his health.

Su Yi’an raised an eyebrow and accepted the pendant.

“Rest assured, Your Highness, I won’t sell it for less. When you have two hundred thousand taels, I’ll redeem it for you.”

Xiao Beiming’s eyes widened in surprise.

Two hundred thousand taels?! She had just raised the price on the spot!

Who gave her the nerve to extort his lordship like this?

Su Yi’an’s mind raced:

What’s with that expression? You told me not to sell it cheaply, and now you’re upset that I’m demanding a high price?

Su Yi’an appeared calm and composed.

“Your Highness, rest assured I will use your money diligently to cure your illness. But during the day, I must care for my paralyzed mother-in-law. If I don’t do it myself, the neighbors’ gossip will crush me. From now on, I’ll come in the evenings to treat you.”

Xiao Beiming’s eyes burned with resentment, sparks flying. He gritted his teeth.

“Very well, but remember to come every day!”

Su Yi’an tucked the jade pendant into her bosom and turned to leave, tossing over her shoulder with a carefree air,

“See you tomorrow night~”

Watching her slender, graceful figure disappear into the shadows, Xiao Beiming asked coldly,

“Any news on that woman’s background?”

Wu Er knelt, shamefaced.

“My incompetence deserves death, Your Highness. Please punish me.”

“Don’t give me empty talk!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Wu Er stood up, feeling guilty but resolved.

“Doctor Ling said her mother-in-law is fierce and unreasonable, forbidding her from going out to practice medicine. She sneaks out to treat patients to earn money for her son. We investigated her to protect her. In this world, it’s already hard for women to survive, let alone a widow. I feared pushing her too hard would make her stop coming, so I ceased surveillance. I thought we could investigate again once Your Highness recovers.”