Sister, Please Have Some Self-Respect, I'm Your Sister-in-Law - Chapter 15

Ever since that “thank you” visit to Huichun Hall, Song Zhiyuan had been filled with anxious anticipation.

He practiced in front of the mirror daily, rehearsing how to greet Physician Su naturally and without awkwardness during their “chance” encounter, at least ten times a day. Even his dreams were filled with Physician Su’s gentle smile and clear voice.

“Ally, do you think Physician Su might have forgotten about our tea appointment?” Song Zhiyuan sighed for the umpteenth time as he strolled into Lin Yuehe’s little vegetable garden, watching her steadily fertilize a tomato plant.

Lin Yuehe didn’t even bother to look up, carefully controlling the flow of fertilizer lest she accidentally turn the tomato into a small tree again. “Big Brother, it’s only been three days!”

“Physician Su is a proper, busy practitioner, okay? He’s not like you, a lazy ‘invalid’ young master with nothing to do!”

“How am I lazy?” Song Zhiyuan protested indignantly. “I’ve been diligently studying lately, okay!”

Actually, he’d been reading romance novels, studying how to pursue his crush.

“Sure, sure, you’ve been ‘diligent’,” Lin Yuehe replied sarcastically. Suddenly, she stopped moving and eyed him suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to make me use the Golden Finger again to create some ‘heroic rescue’ or ‘fateful encounter’ opportunity for you? Forget it! The risks are too high!”

Song Zhiyuan, caught off guard, rubbed his nose awkwardly. “No way… I just… asked casually.”

Just as they were bickering, a servant hurried over with an exquisitely crafted invitation. “Young Master, Young Mistress, this is from the Zhang family for Eldest Miss.”

Lin Yuehe’s “sister-protecting radar” instantly went off. She snatched the invitation and opened it. Inside, in ornate parallel prose, was an invitation for Song Qingshuang to admire the maple leaves at Sunset Mountain three days from now. The sender? Scholar Zhang from the Zhang family!

“Admire the maple leaves?! More like he’s just looking for a chance to get closer to Sister Qingshuang!” Lin Yuehe fumed, nearly crumpling the invitation in her fist, her small face puffing up like a steamed bun. “A weasel paying New Year’s greetings to a hen—never a good sign!”

Song Zhiyuan leaned over to read it and frowned. “The Zhang family sure won’t give up. Eldest Sister would never accept this.”

“That doesn’t matter! Just seeing this invitation is bad luck!” Lin Yuehe’s eyes narrowed as an idea struck her. “We need to find a way to completely ruin this date!”

She stroked her chin and began pacing through the garden, her gaze sweeping over the thriving plants as various “destruction plans” flashed through her mind: Should I make all the maple leaves on Sunset Mountain fall overnight? Make Scholar Zhang suddenly get diarrhea right before he goes out? Or…

“Young Mistress! Young Mistress!” Another servant rushed over, panting heavily, his face beaming with good news. “A messenger from Huichun Hall brought word that Physician Su is available tomorrow afternoon and would like to meet you at Qingfeng Teahouse. Does Young Master Song have time?”

“What?!” Song Zhiyuan instantly forgot about the Zhang family’s invitation, his eyes widening like copper bells as he grabbed the servant’s arm. “Really?! Physician Su actually wants to meet me tomorrow?!”

“Absolutely! The messenger is still waiting in the gatehouse for your reply!”

“Of course I have time! Tell him I’ll be there exactly on time!” Song Zhiyuan’s voice cracked with excitement as he spun around twice in place, then threw his arms around the unnaturally thick sunflower stalk (thanks to Lin Yuehe’s growth potion), grinning foolishly. “He asked me out! He really asked me out! Hahaha!”

Lin Yuehe watched his silly display and rested her forehead in her hand, exasperated.

Forget about him. I’ll have to deal with Scholar Zhang myself.

Lin Yuehe brushed the dirt from her hands, her eyes growing determined and… mischievous. So what if she had to ruin a date? She, Lin Yuehe, had plenty of ways to handle this! She couldn’t rely too heavily on her Golden Finger, so it was time for something more “natural.”

“Hey, ‘delicate’ Young Master,” Lin Yuehe interrupted Song Zhiyuan, who was still clutching the sunflower and grinning foolishly. “Stop daydreaming and pay attention! Tomorrow, when you’re having tea with Physician Su, you need to be sharp! Don’t act like a clueless goose! I still have to figure out how to deal with Scholar Zhang!”

Song Zhiyuan finally calmed down a little, releasing the sunflower (which swayed as if sighing in relief). He straightened his clothes and put on a serious face. “Don’t worry. When this young master steps up, Physician Su will… hmm, definitely see me in a new light!” He turned to Lin Yuehe and puffed out his chest. “As for Scholar Zhang, my ally, go ahead and take care of him! Just let me know if you need help!”

Lin Yuehe rolled her eyes. “Forget it. Just focus on winning over Physician Su. Don’t get so nervous during tea that you can’t even speak!”

“How could that happen?” Song Zhiyuan retorted, sticking his chin up. “I, Song Zhiyuan, have faced every kind of situation!”

Lin Yuehe was too tired to complain about him anymore. Her mind was already racing with plans: should she make Scholar Zhang’s horse “accidentally” spook, or should she unleash a swarm of “enthusiastic” bees on Sunset Mountain?

Sigh, to protect Sister Qingshuang, this “guardian of flowers” really has her hands full.

Meanwhile, her ally beside her, the young master of the Song family, was about to be paralyzed by “first date” nerves. He wasn’t much use right now.

In the Song family’s rear courtyard, everyone was caught up in their own worries, each preoccupied with their own concerns.

The next afternoon, Song Zhiyuan arrived at Qingfeng Teahouse half an hour early, his nerves jangled like he was about to take an exam.

He’d reserved the quietest private room on the second floor, overlooking the street. He’d checked the teaware for cleanliness over and over, made sure the pastries were exquisite, and even smoothed the leaves of the indoor bamboo plant three times with his own hands.

Stay calm, Song Zhiyuan, stay calm! He straightened his clothes and took a deep breath. You’re just here to have tea with a friend and chat. Normal. Yes, perfectly normal!

But when steady footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and that familiar figure in azure robes appeared at the top, Song Zhiyuan felt his heart start pounding like a drum, and sweat began to bead on his palms.

Physician Su still looked as handsome and refined as ever. Seeing Song Zhiyuan, who had been waiting anxiously, a glimmer of amusement appeared in his eyes. He clasped his hands in greeting. “Young Master Song, you’ve been waiting long.”

“Not long at all,” Song Zhiyuan replied, hastily rising and returning the greeting with such vigor he nearly knocked over his chair. Flustered, he steadied the chair and forced a slightly stiff smile. “Please, Physician Su, have a seat!”

As they settled back down, a waiter brought fragrant tea. Song Zhiyuan hurried to pour for Physician Su, his nervousness causing tea to nearly spill. He quickly withdrew his hand, his ears flushing pink.

Physician Su observed his flustered state with amusement. He picked up his teacup, savoring the aroma with deliberate calmness to ease the tension. “This Yunwu tea has a delicate fragrance. It’s this year’s new crop, isn’t it? Young Master Song has excellent taste.”

“Ah? Oh! Right, it’s new!” Song Zhiyuan stammered, his mind going blank. He’d completely forgotten the prepared topics he’d rehearsed. Desperate to fill the silence, he blurted out, “Physician Su… your daily clinic duties must be very tiring, right?”

“It’s simply part of my duties. ‘Tiring’ is hardly the word,” Physician Su replied, taking a sip of tea with gentle composure. “More importantly, I’ve heard Young Master Song has been devoting himself to study at home recently. What have you been reading?”

Reading?

Song Zhiyuan felt a pang of guilt. Lately, he’d been reading trash like Romantic Scholars and Beautiful Ladies and How to Win Your Beloved’s Heart. How could he possibly admit that?

Absolutely not!

“Uh… I’m reading… I’m reading The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine!” Song Zhiyuan blurted out, desperately dredging up the only medical text he could remember to try and connect with the doctor.

“But… but there are some parts that are quite difficult to understand. Would… would you mind explaining them to me, Physician Su?” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. He didn’t even know what was on the first page of The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine!

Physician Su raised an eyebrow, his gaze now tinged with surprise and curiosity as he looked at Song Zhiyuan.

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine? The young master of the Song family, rumored to spend his days philandering, was actually studying medical texts? The shift was too abrupt.

“Young Master Song, you’re actually interested in medicine?” Physician Su set down his teacup, his tone now genuinely intrigued.

“Interested? Absolutely! I’m deeply interested!” Song Zhiyuan forced himself to continue, his eyes wide with feigned sincerity (and a hint of guilt).

“I believe that medicine, which saves lives and alleviates suffering, is the greatest virtue.”

“Especially for someone like Physician Su, whose benevolent heart and skill are truly… truly admirable!”

As he spoke, he mentally applauded himself: Nice job with the flattery!

Physician Su watched him, clearly clueless about medical texts yet desperately trying to find common ground. He felt both amused and oddly… touched.

This clumsy attempt at flattery seemed more sincere than the straightforward advances he’d encountered before.

“Young Master Song flatters me,” Physician Su said, slightly lowering his gaze to conceal the emotion in his eyes. He followed Song Zhiyuan’s lead: “The Huangdi Neijing is indeed a classic of medicine. If you’re interested, I could offer a brief overview of some fundamental concepts from its ‘Universal Truth’ section…”

And so, Physician Su began to explain the basic ideas from the Huangdi Neijing‘s “Universal Truth” section. His clear voice cited authoritative sources, yet he made the complex concepts accessible.

Song Zhiyuan barely understood most of it, but that didn’t stop him from listening with rapt attention. He was mainly captivated by Physician Su’s focused expression and the pleasing shape of his lips as he spoke.

He nodded occasionally, pretending to understand, but his eyes drifted, his mind wandering far away. Physician Su’s fingers are so beautiful—long and fair. The way he holds his teacup looks like a painting… His eyelashes are quite long too, drooping like little fans… The medicinal fragrance from him smells so nice…

“Young Master Song? Young Master Song?” Physician Su paused his explanation, looking exasperated at Song Zhiyuan’s obvious distraction.

“Ah? I’m here! I was listening!” Song Zhiyuan snapped back to reality, meeting Physician Su’s amused gaze. His face flushed crimson.

Flustered, he hastily picked up his teacup and gulped it down, only to choke and start coughing violently.

Seeing his flustered state, Physician Su couldn’t suppress a soft chuckle as he offered his handkerchief. “Young Master Song, take your time.”

Song Zhiyuan accepted the plain white handkerchief, imbued with a refreshing medicinal scent, feeling his face burn even hotter, his heart pounding so hard it seemed about to leap from his chest.

He clutched the handkerchief as if it were a priceless treasure, forgetting even to cough.

What should have been a refined and enjoyable tea gathering passed in a tense atmosphere, with Song Zhiyuan’s heart racing and his composure frayed, while Physician Su maintained a faint, knowing smile, aware of the young man’s turmoil but tactfully silent.

As Song Zhiyuan was leaving, he mustered the courage to ask, “Physician Su, might… might I have the opportunity to consult you about medicine in the future?”

[Inwardly: Who cares about medicine? I just want to see him again!] 

Physician Su gazed into Zhiyuan’s expectant eyes and paused for a moment.

He naturally understood the true meaning behind this “consultation.” After all, this young master didn’t seem remotely interested in medicine.

Logically, he should maintain distance.

But… looking at the person before him, who was nothing like the rumors, he found himself not minding Zhiyuan’s presence.

“If Young Master Song is truly interested, feel free to visit the clinic during your leisure time,” Physician Su said, his tone still gentle, offering a promise that wasn’t quite a promise.

“Absolutely! Absolutely!” Song Zhiyuan exclaimed, nodding eagerly, overjoyed by the unexpected response.

Watching Song Zhiyuan depart gleefully, like a large dog granted permission to visit its owner anytime, Physician Su remained rooted to the spot, shaking his head helplessly. Yet, a faint smile crept across his lips.

This young master of the Song family… he’s quite… interesting.

Upon returning to the manor, Song Zhiyuan immediately rushed into Lin Yuehe’s room, bursting with excitement. “Comrade! He told me to find him at the clinic! He tacitly agreed! He must find me fascinating!”

Lin Yuehe was trying to cultivate a plant that emitted a calming fragrance, planning to give it to Song Qingshuang. Startled by his sudden appearance, she snapped irritably, “Fascinating? Does he find you fascinating like a fool?”

“What do you know!” Song Zhiyuan was too immersed in his joy to be fazed by her sarcasm. “He smiled at me and even gave me his handkerchief! I’m going to treasure this handkerchief!” He carefully pulled out the plain white square, his eyes softening into a watery gaze.

Lin Yuehe rolled her eyes at his love-struck, irredeemable state. “Fine, fine, be happy. But don’t forget, I still need to figure out what to do about Scholar Zhang! You might be on your way to winning your ‘beauty,’ but I still have a long road ahead!”

Song Zhiyuan patted her shoulder, wearing a “I totally get you” expression. “Good luck, comrade! I believe in your Golden Finger and… uh, your wits!”

Lin Yuehe: “……”

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