Chapter 90: Such a Ruthless Heart

As soon as the storyteller began, someone in the audience called out, “Is it the Miracle Doctor?”

The storyteller chuckled. “That’s right, it’s the Miracle Doctor.”

“But today, we won’t be speaking of what happened six years ago with the Miracle Doctor. After all, so much time has passed, and none of us can say for certain what truly happened back then, so let’s not judge. Today, let’s talk about recent events…”

“Lately, the Miracle Doctor has made quite a stir in the city due to several incidents and was eventually welcomed back to the Tan Manor for her unparalleled medical skills.”

“What I’m about to tell you today is something I’ve heard from the servants at the Tan Manor. I went out of my way to verify it with several servants who have been there for nearly ten years.”

“This matter concerns not only the Miracle Doctor but also the Princess Consort of Prince Ding. It is said that the prince’s carriage suddenly went wild on the road and was saved by the passing Miracle Doctor. Prince Ding himself went to thank the Miracle Doctor and met her in person. When the Princess Consort heard of this…”

“A few days ago, the Princess Consort returned to her family’s estate, waiting for the Miracle Doctor at Tan Manor, saying she had something to discuss with her. When the Miracle Doctor returned, she was summoned to the Pavilion on the Lake. That pavilion is surrounded by water on three sides and is very secluded.”

“On that day, all the servants were left on the shore, so no one knows exactly what happened. Suddenly, a cry for help rang out from the pavilion, followed by a splash—someone had fallen into the lake.”

The storyteller struck his gavel with a flourish, then smiled, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a mysterious smile on his lips. “Now, who do you think fell into the water?”

The audience erupted with guesses and excited chatter.

Qingdai glanced around. “It seems that person has left?”

Tan Qingjiu laughed softly. “Probably went to leak the news. After all, anyone hearing the start of this story would know what the storyteller is getting at.”

“Is it far from here to the Prince’s Manor?”

Qingdai quickly nodded. “Don’t worry, my lady, it’s very close—just a few dozen steps from here to the Prince’s Manor. The Princess Consort can easily get here in no time.”

“That’s good.”

After the crowd had made their guesses, the storyteller continued, “Some guessed wrong, some guessed right—the one who fell into the water was the Miracle Doctor.”

“After the Miracle Doctor fell in, there were plenty of servants in the courtyard, but knowing it was her, none dared to help. It was only the maid the Miracle Doctor had brought back with her who, seeing this, jumped into the water in a panic. Why, you ask? Why did the servants of Tan Manor stand by and watch their own young lady drown? We’ll get to that in a bit.”

“When the Miracle Doctor was finally rescued, she was unconscious, and only after her maid had worked for a long time to get the water out of her did she slowly come to. Master Tan arrived, but before the Miracle Doctor could speak, the Princess Consort rushed over and told him that the Miracle Doctor had jumped in herself.”

Tan Qingjiu raised her brows. No wonder so many people liked listening to storytellers. When she had just arrived in this world, she found the lack of entertainment hard to bear. Only after she filled her free time with study did she begin to feel fulfilled.

There was so little entertainment here—listening to stories, drinking tea, watching a play, and that was about it.

When Tan Yunge arrived, the storyteller was saying, “You all may not believe that the Princess Consort pushed her in, right? But as I said, I spoke with servants who have served in Tan Manor for over a decade. They told me that, six years ago, the Miracle Doctor’s days in Tan Manor were not easy.”

“Her birth mother died early, and when there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather too. It’s said that the Miracle Doctor was often bullied by all sorts of people in the manor. Her clothes weren’t patched or ragged, but they were never new.”

“The maids said that every season, the Miracle Doctor received only two sets of clothes, and most of the time, even these weren’t new. They were usually hand-me-downs, discarded by the Princess Consort, who was a year older.”

The crowd hissed with disapproval.

“But the Princess Consort doesn’t seem like that kind of person, does she?”

“Yes, and the Miracle Doctor doesn’t seem so innocent either, does she? Didn’t they say she was caught in an illicit affair six years ago and was pregnant before marriage?”

While the crowd whispered among themselves, Tan Yunge strode in from outside, her face cold as ice. “Let me see just who is here slandering me.”

The person being discussed had suddenly appeared. The crowd in the teahouse murmured even more fervently.

Tan Yunge’s gaze fell on the storyteller. “Guards, seize him! Slandering a member of the royal household—by law, that is punishable by death.”

Tan Qingjiu laughed softly and leaned out from the window of her private room. “This storyteller was only speaking the truth, Sister. How can you accuse him of slander? And even though you married into the Prince’s household, that doesn’t make you a true member of the royal family. How can a Princess Consort be counted among the royal blood?”

The onlookers raised their heads to see Tan Qingjiu, and the room buzzed even louder.

“Heavens, the Miracle Doctor is really here?”

“Both main characters of the story are present!”

“And did the Miracle Doctor just say the storyteller was only telling the truth? Could it really be so?”

“Hush, not so loud! Don’t you see the Princess Consort is still here? What if she decides to arrest you too…”

Tan Yunge had known Tan Qingjiu was present, but she hadn’t expected her to cause a scene in front of so many people.

Tan Yunge’s face was a mask of disbelief. Had Tan Qingjiu lost her mind?

What good could come from making such a scene?

Tan Yunge frowned deeply at Tan Qingjiu, her mind racing. She was already married into the Prince’s household, but Tan Qingjiu still lived at Tan Manor.

If Tan Qingjiu caused such a disturbance today and their father found out…

Tan Yunge clenched her teeth, recalling what Chen Yueru had told her, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes. “Sister, how can you say such things? You know I never did those things, yet you let the storyteller speak such nonsense, ruining my reputation. I truly don’t know what I’ve done to offend you that you would treat me this way. I’ve always treated you well, yet you… your heart is truly cruel.”