Time Is Slow - Chapter 20
A slender, fair hand emerged from the carriage first, delicate and flawless, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
That hand, steady and poised, rested in Ah Zhu’s as the young girl rose, stepped forward, and descended. Every movement was graceful and composed.
She was fragile in appearance, as slender as a delicate white magnolia blossom, as if the lightest touch would break her. Yet, the deep blue of her dress subtly tempered that fragility, lending her an unexpected resilience. For a fleeting moment, she seemed less like a fragile flower and more like a steadfast poplar tree—tall, vibrant, and unyielding in the face of wind and frost.
Some habits were ingrained in one’s very bones. Qiao Zhao had learned ease and composure from the renowned scholar Qiao Zhuo, but she had also undergone the strictest training in ladylike decorum under her grandmother and mother.
She adjusted her dress and took a few swift steps forward. She was just about to kneel in greeting to Old Madam Zheng when He Shi suddenly rushed over and pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Zhao Zhao, my dear child! I thought I’d never see you again! Wuwuwu—”
He Shi clung to Qiao Zhao, sobbing uncontrollably.
Qiao Zhao, held in an almost suffocating grip, barely managed to lift her head and offer an apologetic smile to the stunned Old Madam Deng.
A strange feeling arose in Old Madam Deng’s heart.
This girl had always been willful and unruly, accustomed to currying favor with the powerful while looking down on her own mother. When has she ever displayed such poise and elegance?
Although her background was unremarkable, Old Madam Deng had lived long enough to recognize refinement when she saw it. Just now, when the Third Miss stepped down from the carriage, she moved swiftly yet gracefully, her steps light but steady, not even causing the pearl earrings at her ears to swing wildly. This kind of composure—so natural, as if it was second nature—was something she had only ever seen in her exacting and fastidious sister-in-law from the Eastern House. Even that woman’s meticulously trained granddaughter couldn’t manage such effortless grace.
Watching He Shi cry and cling to Qiao Zhao in such an unseemly manner, Old Madam Deng suppressed her thoughts and said coldly, “Why are you still standing around at the gate? Hurry up and take the Third Miss inside.”
Then, turning to Doctor Li, she gave him a formal bow. “I must apologize for this spectacle, sir. Please, do come inside. I have already ordered a small feast to be prepared as a token of gratitude for saving that wretched girl’s life.”
Doctor Li nodded to himself.
So the Third Miss had a rather foolish mother, but at least her grandmother was sensible.
“No need,” he said, waving a hand. “I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay long.”
He then beckoned to Qiao Zhao. “Come here, girl.”
“Mother… ” Qiao Zhao softly reminded He Shi.
Reluctantly, He Shi loosened her grip, tears streaming down her face.
Unable to bear the sight, Qiao Zhao pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. “Mother, wipe your face first.”
He Shi took the handkerchief, stared at Qiao Zhao in a daze for a moment, and then suddenly covered her face and wailed, “Wuwuwu—”
Her daughter was handing her a handkerchief to wipe her face! No, this was bad! Her daughter must have suffered terribly outside to have become so thoughtful and well-mannered!
The more He Shi thought about it, the more her heart ached. Clutching the handkerchief, she sobbed even harder.
Qiao Zhao: “…”
I was wrong. This was a mistake!
Not daring to provoke He Shi further, Qiao Zhao hurried over to Doctor Li.
He raised a hand and gently patted her head before turning to Old Madam Deng.
“I rescued this girl from human traffickers. I found her rather agreeable, so I’ve taken her as my god-granddaughter. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
Old Madam Deng was taken aback but quickly replied, “Of course not. That would be a great blessing for the Third Miss.”
This old man had an imposing presence, and even the servants accompanying him were extraordinary. Clearly, he was someone of considerable status. If he was willing to acknowledge the Third Miss as his god-granddaughter, then at least she would have a path forward in life.
Thinking of her recently returned granddaughter, Old Madam Deng felt deeply troubled.
No matter how little affection she had for the girl, she still hoped for good fortune for her family’s descendants.
Meanwhile, Qiao Zhao was just as surprised as everyone else.
She quickly masked her emotions, but deep inside, a warmth spread through her heart.
She hadn’t expected Doctor Li to have made such plans for her.
Was it because he saw a shadow of the original Qiao Zhao in the little girl, Li Zhao?
At this thought, a surge of emotions that had long been buried deep within Qiao Zhao suddenly welled up, making her eyes sting with heat. Silent tears slipped down her face.
No matter what, “Qiao Zhao” had not completely vanished from this world—there would always be people who remembered that she had once lived.
Seeing her tears, Doctor Li was momentarily surprised. However, he quickly masked his reaction with a warm smile and gently patted her on the head. “Girl, once Grandpa Li finishes his work, I’ll come visit you. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell me!”
Qiao Zhao composed herself, bowed slightly to him, and responded firmly, “Zhao Zhao understands.”
Doctor Li narrowed his eyes.
Was it just his imagination, or was this girl, Li Zhao, becoming more and more like Qiao Zhao?
“That’s settled then. Grandpa will be off now.”
With that, Doctor Li nodded toward Old Madam Deng in farewell.
Old Madam Deng quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare to delay you, sir, if you have matters to attend to. However, may I ask for your esteemed name? It would be only right for us to know the identity of our benefactor.”
Doctor Li lifted his chin with an air of pride and declared, “My surname is Li. My courtesy name is Zhen He. Since your lord is a court official, he should know who I am.”
Leaving those words behind, he turned and strode onto the carriage. The guards, who had been growing impatient, immediately urged the carriage forward, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared at the entrance of Apricot Alley.
The carriage traveled westward at first, then veered north, looping several times in seemingly random directions before finally slipping quietly through the side gate of a grand estate. It proceeded to a secluded and elegant courtyard, where it finally came to a stop.
Doctor Li stepped out with a dark expression, glancing around before fixing his gaze on the courtyard gate, unmoving.
“Sir—”
He turned a sharp glare at one of the guards and asked in a furious tone, “Where is this place?”
Without waiting for an answer, he sneered, “Don’t tell me it’s some minister’s residence. I’ve been keeping track. Since we entered the side gate, it took a full two quarters of an hour to get here. No minister’s estate is this large!”
The guards exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak.
Their master had deceived the old physician by claiming it was a minister’s residence. But now, it was clear they couldn’t keep up the pretense.
“Indeed, the Divine Doctor has sharp eyes!”
A man in his early thirties stepped out from the courtyard, bowing respectfully to Doctor Li.
The four-clawed dragon pattern on the man’s sleeves made Doctor Li’s eyes narrow. His eyebrows twitched.
“Prince Rui?”
It had been a long time since he had dealt with the imperial family, but he still remembered the only two remaining sons of the current emperor.
The fifth prince held the title of Prince Rui, while the sixth prince was Prince Mu. They were of similar age, but Prince Rui was frail and noticeably thinner than his younger brother.
“What business does Your Highness have with me?”
Doctor Li felt an ominous premonition.
Greed was indeed a dangerous thing. He had walked right into a trap for the sake of a rare medicinal herb.
He should have questioned why a mere minister’s estate would possess such a precious plant. Yet, he had been desperate and had taken the bait.
Prince Rui had long heard of the old physician’s eccentric temper. Despite his royal status, he did not dare to act haughtily and quickly explained, “I have been unwell for many years and wish for the Divine Doctor to examine and treat me. Please, sir, let us speak inside.”
The two entered the main hall of the courtyard, leaving only Prince Rui’s trusted attendants outside.
Under Doctor Li’s impatient gaze, the prince hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. “For many years, I have had only two sons, both of whom died in infancy. I wish for the Divine Doctor to examine me and determine if there is anything wrong with my health…”