Chapter 70: Change of Face

"Since you've already decided, I won't persuade you further." He had come today fearing their family would delay paying the wages; since they had silver, further persuasion would be unnecessary.

The next day, Chi Nan Yi had just arrived in town when a servant came up to greet her: "Miss Chi."

"You are…"

"This humble one is from Squire Zhao's residence. Our master says the things you wanted have already been prepared."

This fast?

Chi Nan Yi was mildly surprised, but on second thought, what kind of influence did the Zhao family wield in this town? Finding a shop was a trivial matter for them.

Arriving at Squire Zhao's residence, Chi Nan Yi had barely entered the rear courtyard when she heard Zhao An Qi's hearty laughter: "Good, good, good! I never imagined my son would truly recover. As a father, I am deeply gratified!"

It seemed the young master Zhao had fully recovered.

Passing through the corridor, Squire Zhao spotted Chi Nan Yi's figure. His earlier hostile demeanor vanished entirely, and he rushed forward with a face full of joy: "Miss Chi, little Divine Doctor, this old man offers his respects."

Seeing this, Chi Nan Yi did not put on airs, and said with a smile: "Squire Zhao is too courteous."

Just then, a young master with refined features stepped forward: "Thank you, Miss Chi, for saving my life. Mu Bai will engrave this gratitude in his heart."

This was the young master Zhao?

She never expected that after the red rashes and blisters on his face disappeared, he would have such a scholarly face — far too different from Squire Zhao.

Squire Zhao looked at her stunned expression and said with a smile: "He looks very much like his mother."

So that was how it was.

"Squire Zhao, you asked me to come today…"

"Oh my, look at me — in my joy I actually forgot the most important matter." He waved his hand, and Steward Zhao beside him hurried forward, a property deed resting on a tray: "You only need to press your fingerprint on this, and that shop in town will be yours."

The steward hurriedly explained: "Miss Chi, that shop in town is the finest shop in all of Changxi Town. It faces the street on three sides, has three floors, and sits in the most bustling and prosperous spot in town."

Chi Nan Yi nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. She knew that having the Zhao family handle this matter for her was the wisest choice.

"In that case, many thanks to Squire Zhao."

"Miss Chi, saying that is far too distant. You cured my son's illness — let alone this shop, even if you wanted every shop on the entire street, this old man would not refuse you anything."

Chi Nan Yi put away the deed and prepared to leave. Just then, a servant stepped forward and whispered a few words into Zhao An Qi's ear.

Zhao An Qi, who had been all smiles, instantly darkened in expression.

The servant's voice was low, and Chi Nan Yi only faintly caught the words "Crown Prince."

She raised her brow slightly, understanding in her heart.

In her previous life, Mo Jun Heng had told the original owner that he went to find Zhao An Qi but was refused — so he had already sought him out this early.

"Just say I am ill and unfit to receive guests."

"But…"

"Tsk, blockhead. Just describe it more severely — the contagious kind."

"Yes."

Zhao An Qi looked at Chi Nan Yi, his eyes shifting, and hurriedly said: "Miss Chi, I must ask you to do this old man one more favor."

Guessing what he wanted to do, Chi Nan Yi nodded and took out a pill for him: "After swallowing it, rashes will break out on your face, just like smallpox. It will be somewhat itchy — do not scratch them open." She had originally prepared this for Mo Jun Heng, only waiting for whenever she encountered him to use it on him. She never expected it would be used on Zhao An Qi first.

Zhao An Qi swallowed the pill without hesitation. Before long, Squire Zhao's face began to redden, and numerous rashes started to appear — at first glance, it was truly somewhat alarming.

Just then, a servant's voice came from outside: "Master, His Highness has arrived."

As the words fell, the door was pushed open directly, and Mo Jun Heng strode in quickly.

The Dark Guards had reported that yesterday Zhao An Qi was perfectly healthy — so how could he fall ill the very day he arrived? Where in the world was there such a coincidence? He was clearly avoiding him — truly an old fox.

The moment he stepped inside, a familiar figure caught his eye.

Why was it her again?

Mo Jun Heng frowned slightly, looking at Chi Nan Yi with some displeasure.

Chi Nan Yi likewise performed a perfunctory bow, and before Mo Jun Heng could tell her to rise, she had already turned back to continue taking Zhao An Qi's pulse.

What an ill-mannered village woman!

"This commoner pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince," Zhao Mu Bai said respectfully. "My father has suddenly fallen gravely ill and failed to welcome you from afar. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

"Rise." Mo Jun Heng's gaze fell upon Zhao An Qi on the bed — his face was covered in dense red rashes.

This sight truly startled him.

"This… this is… smallpox?" He hastily pulled out a handkerchief to cover his mouth and nose, his body subconsciously retreating several steps.

"Your Highness, the exact illness is not yet confirmed," Zhao Mu Bai said softly. "Please, Your Highness, follow this commoner outside, lest you catch the miasma."

Mo Jun Heng was only too eager to leave.

Upon reaching the outer room, the more Mo Jun Heng thought about it, the more something seemed wrong — even smallpox could not produce red rashes this quickly: "I have heard that you are of frail health, so I brought a court physician with me on this trip. Since it is your father who is ill, he can examine him."

Zhao Mu Bai panicked upon hearing this.

He did not know what kind of pill Chi Nan Yi had given his father — if the physician detected something amiss, the Crown Prince would fly into a rage, and the entire Zhao family would suffer the consequences.

"Your Highness, Miss Chi's medical skills are superb. Having her treat him is more than sufficient."

Mo Jun Heng heard this, and the smile on his face slowly tightened. Gao Feng, standing beside him, saw this and gripped his sword hilt: "How audacious — you dare contradict His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"This commoner would not dare!" Zhao Mu Bai hastily dropped to his knees.

"Since you would not dare, then step aside."

Though anxious, Zhao Mu Bai could only step aside. Just then, the door to the room opened, and Chi Nan Yi walked out carrying a medicine chest.

"Young Master Zhao, your father has contracted external wind evil with internal damp-heat. I will write a prescription shortly — just have someone fetch the medicine."

"Yes, many thanks, Miss Chi."

Mo Jun Heng looked at Chi Nan Yi and said coolly: "I hear from Young Master Zhao that your medical skills are quite good?"

"Merely trifling tricks."

"Heh, there is no need to hide your light. Since Young Master Zhao himself says your medical skills are superb, why not diagnose my pulse for peace of mind."

Chi Nan Yi heard the words, hurriedly said: "The Crown Prince's status is noble; how could a humble girl give the Crown Prince a pulse diagnosis?" Actually, just thinking about having to take his pulse made her feel a bit nauseous.

Recalling the sound that came from the manor that day, she seemed to be able to smell an indescribable odor.

"Just take the pulse if I tell you to—what's with all the nonsense?" Gao Feng snapped: "Do whatever Your Highness orders you to do."

Chi Nan Yi rolled her eyes, then said softly: "I'm not good with words; I'm afraid I might say something that offends Your Highness."

"It's fine; I am not a petty person, so I'll forgive you."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chi Nan Yi, thinking about what she would have to do shortly, couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth turn up.

She placed her fingers on Mo Junheng's wrist, and after a moment, said softly: "Your Highness, have you been eating beans or something like that lately? Your bloating is quite severe."

That remark caused Mo Junheng's expression to change.