Time Is Slow - Chapter 23

“I didn’t. I’m tired, I’m going back to my room,” Chi Can said expressionlessly.

“Stop right there!”

Princess Changrong pushed away the handsome man massaging her legs. Her long red dress trailed across the ground as she walked up to Chi Can.

“Speak. Where did you get the painting by Master Qiao? Don’t think that just because they’re all his works, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”

Chi Can simply looked at her.

His mother. Ever since his father’s passing, her gaze toward him had always held more criticism than affection.

A sudden wave of disillusionment washed over him. His delicate eyes curved slightly as he smiled playfully and said, “Since you’ve already found out, Mother, I won’t hide it. I accidentally damaged the painting you collected, so I got another one. Oh, but that wasn’t actually a painting by Master Qiao. It was just a fake I had someone randomly paint.”

With a nonchalant smile still on his face, he lifted his foot and walked forward. After taking a few steps, he paused and turned back.

“So, Mother didn’t recognize it after all. Seems like some things aren’t as important as we think they are!”

As Chi Can’s figure disappeared behind a magnolia tree, Princess Changrong withdrew her gaze and headed toward the study.

Everyone in the princess’ residence knew that aside from the young master, no one else was allowed inside her study. The lady-in-waiting, Dong Yu, clapped her hands.

“Gentlemen, you may leave now.”

The men, who had been either sitting or kneeling in the garden, rose to their feet and followed Dong Yu out in an orderly manner.

In the blink of an eye, the vast garden was empty, devoid of any trace of human presence.

—

Qiao Zhao entered the Green Pine Hall of the Li Manor.

Old Madam Deng sat on the grand teacher’s chair, her face darkening as she sternly shouted.

‘You ungrateful child, kneel before me at once!'”

Before Qiao Zhao had time to react, He Shi grabbed her in an embrace and cried out to the elderly lady.

“Madam, Zhao Zhao has been missing for so many days—we don’t even know how much she has suffered! The spring weather is still cold, she can’t bear kneeling—”

Old Madam Deng’s temples throbbed. Facing her foolish daughter-in-law, she could no longer hold back her anger. “Third Girl’s reckless behavior was spoiled by you! And now you still have the audacity to cry before me? Third Girl—”

Before she could finish, Qiao Zhao had already pushed away Madam He and knelt down.

Her posture was upright. Though kneeling, she did not appear the least bit humble. She lifted her face and smiled.

“Grandmother is right to reprimand me. It was my willfulness that caused so much trouble for the family. These past days, I was lost and stranded, thinking I might never see you or Mother again. Grandmother has always been kind to me. If I have made you worry, then it is my failure as a granddaughter.”

Old Madam Deng raised her eyebrows in surprise. Looking at the young girl kneeling before her, the frustration in her heart suddenly lessened.

She remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

“Third Girl has matured after this ordeal. He Shi, don’t let even a child surpass you in this sense!”

“I was just worried for Zhao Zhao,” Madam He mumbled awkwardly.

She turned to look at her daughter with relief but soon grew distressed again at the sight of her kneeling on the cold floor.

“Tell me, who was the elderly gentleman that brought you here today?”

He Shi instinctively turned to look at Old Madam Deng.

She had thought the old lady would first ask how Zhao Zhao had gone missing and what she had endured these past days. She hadn’t expected her to ask this question first.

Qiao Zhao, however, nodded slightly in understanding.

Her grandmother was a wise woman. How she got lost and what she went through, those were unchangeable facts. But the identity of the person who brought her back would affect her future.

She answered concisely, “That gentleman is known as Zhenhe. His surname is Li, and years ago, His Majesty personally granted him the title of Divine Doctor.”

“What? You mean the same Li Shenyi whom even officials are exempt from kneeling before, the one His Majesty praised as a ‘miracle doctor reborn’?”

The name “Zhenhe” was unfamiliar to her, but “Li Shenyi” was legendary.

In the noble circles of the capital, there was not a single person who hadn’t heard of him—the doctor who had once pulled the Empress Dowager back from death’s door with a single needle!

“Are you certain that man was really Li Shenyi?” Old Madam Deng could hardly contain her shock and asked again.

Qiao Zhao responded calmly, “He has no reason to deceive me.”

“That’s true.” Old Madam Deng nodded, finally shifting her attention to the story of Qiao Zhao’s abduction.

Qiao Zhao, however, left out her encounter with Chi Can and the other two, replacing it with the presence of Li Shenyi instead.

Her voice was clear, her speech unhurried, and her tone as soft and sweet as fragrant honey. She recounted her experiences over the past few days in such an engaging manner that everyone in the room was utterly captivated.

By the time she finished, there was a long silence before Old Madam Deng finally snapped out of it.

She took a sip of tea, subtly concealing her embarrassment.

For a moment there, she had actually felt like she was listening to a storybook.

She must really be getting old!

Cough, cough.

Old Madam Deng coughed twice.

“At this moment, the maidservant Qing Yun, dressed in a rose-red jacket, stood at the doorway and reported.

“Madam, someone from the Eastern Residence has arrived. They request you to bring the Third Young Miss along.”

Madam He’s face instantly turned pale with fear. She didn’t even dare to make a sound and instead looked pleadingly at Old Madam Deng.

The Li family was large and prosperous, but few of its members held official positions. The only two branches remaining in the capital were those of two blood-related brothers.

The eldest great master’s family resided in the Eastern Residence. He had already retired, and his wife, Old Madam Jiang, was of imperial descent, holding the title of Xiangjun. Their eldest son, Li Guangyan, currently serves as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

The second great master had passed away at a young age, leaving behind two sons who had been raised by Old Madam Deng. Both were exceptional scholars, passing the imperial examination with high ranks. The eldest son, Li Guangwen, had ranked third in the national exams the year they moved to the capital, and with the eldest great master’s support, their family was settled in the Western Residence.

Although they were from the same lineage and closely related, the Western Residence had long relied on the Eastern Residence for support. This meant that Old Madam Jiang had significant influence over the Western Residence.

Unfortunately, Old Madam Jiang was also someone who valued rules and reputation above all else.

Just thinking about this made Madam He’s legs go weak. If that old woman from the Eastern Residence decided to punish her daughter, she swore she would fight to the death!

Under Madam He’s desperate, pleading gaze, Old Madam Deng remained calm. Without a hint of hesitation, she lifted her eyelids slightly and extended her hand toward Qing Yun.

“Help me to the Eastern Residence.”

As Old Madam Deng walked unhurriedly outside, supported by the head maid, Madam He grew more and more anxious. Her precious daughter was still kneeling on the ground!

Panicked, she cried out, “Madam!”

Old Madam Deng turned back, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. Without even glancing at Qiao Zhao, who was still kneeling, she said indifferently.

“Third Girl’s body is frail. Didn’t she already faint when I punished her to kneel earlier? He Shi, why haven’t you taken this disgrace away yet? Or do you plan to keep her here as some decorative display?”

“Huh?” Madam He was momentarily stunned before realizing what she meant.

Overjoyed, she quickly responded, “Yes, yes! I’ll take Zhao Zhao back to her room at once!”

—

The Eastern and Western Residences were separated by only a narrow alley, so Old Madam Deng arrived in no time. Before long, she was escorted inside.

As soon as Old Madam Jiang saw her, she frowned.

“Where is Third Girl? Why didn’t you bring her with you, Sister-in-law?”

Old Madam Deng’s face darkened, and she spoke with a resentful tone.

“That disgraceful girl is utterly useless. I only punished her to kneel for an hour, and she actually fainted from it! I had intended to bring her here to apologize to you in person, but now I have no choice but to come alone. Sigh, I hope you won’t hold it against me, Xiangjun.”