Resplendent – Chapter 388

 Chapter 388: From Arrogance to Humility

For a man, such a realization was a devastating blow! Privately, Prince Tai sought out countless renowned doctors and even consulted the imperial physicians in the palace. He consumed numerous medicinal concoctions, yet nothing proved effective.

Later, he heard that the Gu family’s ‘Liuwei Dihuang Wan’ from Jimin Pharmacy were highly effective for male conditions like his. After pulling many strings, he managed to acquire a bottle and did feel some improvement after a period of use.  

Unfortunately, the Liuwei Dihuang Wan were in such high demand that they sold out almost as soon as they arrived. Even after using his father’s influence, he still couldn’t obtain a sufficient supply for his needs.

Sigh… He was about to run out of pills this month and was utterly desperate—the Gu family’s medicine was simply too popular and wildly sought after!

Seeing that this girl had been able to diagnose his condition so precisely with just a pulse check, Prince Tai felt a glimmer of hope. He was about to ask her how to treat his illness when an excited voice interrupted him.

“Aunt Master!” Jiang Zhongtian had heard news that his little aunt master and her family would be arriving in the next day or two.  

With nothing else to do, he decided to try his luck near the southern city gate. From a distance, he saw a crowd gathered and learned that a noble brat’s reckless riding had almost trampled someone.

Some of the capital’s nobility were truly out of line. Someone ought to teach them a lesson. Upon squeezing through the crowd, he was astonished to find the person standing there was none other than his long-missed aunt master, confronting a richly dressed, portly aristocrat. He quickly stepped forward and greeted her. 

In fear that his aunt master would suffer a loss, he positioned himself at her side and glared angrily at the pudgy nobleman. 

Huh? The portly man seems oddly familiar. Who was he again?

“Aha!  Brother Jiang, what a surprise to see you here!  I had originally intended to invite you to a garden outing on the outskirts of the capital today, but it seems I missed you. Never expected we’d cross paths here!” Prince Tai greeted Jiang Zhongtian with a broad smile, showing more enthusiasm than one would for a blood brother.

“Oh, you’re that…?” Jiang Zhongtian had a vague memory of this man.  

Ever since arriving in the capital, countless noble visitors had come to pay respects to his father, each overflowing with hospitality—too many for him to remember clearly!

“Yes, yes!  It’s me! Prince Tai, Nangong Liu. Three days ago, I had the privilege of calling on your esteemed father, the Grand Pharmacist Jiang, and felt an immediate camaraderie with you.” Nangong Liu grinned and, without hesitation, draped an arm over Jiang Zhongtian’s shoulders, acting like they were old friends.

Jiang Zhongtian’s expression turned a bit stiff as he gently shrugged off the prince’s hand and turned his gaze to Gu Ye. “My little aunt master has arrived in the capital today, and I’m here to welcome her…”

“Your little aunt master? Where?” The prince was intrigued.  

Jiang Zhongtian’s aunt master? That meant she must be the junior martial sister of Grand Pharmacist Jiang. 

Nangong Liu’s intelligence network wasn’t half bad; he was already aware that Grand Pharmacist Jiang’s master, the Sage Apothecary, had taken a final disciple, who was said to be remarkably skilled.  

This disciple was also the founder of Gu’s Pharmaceuticals. She was responsible for producing all of their innovative medicines. However, it was only today that he realized the Sage Apothecary’s last disciple—the founder of Gu’s Pharmaceuticals—was actually a woman!

Prince Tai followed Jiang Zhongtian’s gaze, and his face instantly changed. 

Oh sh… He almost cursed out loud. He could never have imagined that the girl he had almost trampled with his reckless riding was actually the founder of Gu’s Pharmaceuticals! 

This girl who had chastised him as if he were her grandson was none other than the Sage Apothecary’s last disciple and the junior martial sister of Grand Pharmacist Jiang! 

No wonder she was so confident! If he had two renowned grand pharmacists backing him—one of whom was revered among all healers—he would walk with as much swagger too!

His thoughts raced, but his face had already shifted to a fawning smile! “Oh no! Little Aunt Master, what a misunderstanding—it’s really like the flood dashes against the Temple of the Dragon King, family not recognizing family! They say a good beating builds friendships, and today, I am honored by Little Aunt Master’s lessons. It is a lifelong memory!”

Gu Ye felt exasperated—who was this ‘Little Aunt Master’ he was trying to claim her as? 

He sure knew how to take advantage of a situation! Hadn’t he just been strutting around moments ago, eager to punish her?  

Now, here he was, playing the humble grandson. Still, Gu Ye couldn’t help but note that, despite his status as a royal, Prince Tai had none of the usual haughty airs. He certainly knew when to bend and when to stand tall!

“Little Aunt Master, Brother Jiang, what a fortuitous encounter! I have prepared a modest banquet at Qingfeng Pavilion to welcome your family and wash away the travel dust,” Prince Tai said, worried that he had deeply offended them earlier. He pulled Jiang Zhongtian aside, whispering, “Brother Jiang, help me out here!”

Gu Ming huffed and glared at him, saying, “Who are you calling Little Aunt Master?  Stop acting all familiar!”

Prince Tai squinted his eyes, smiling like a Buddha: “This young man showed impressive skill just now—subduing a galloping horse with his bare hands! Truly a hero among youths. Little Brother, I’m like a brother to Jiang here, so naturally, his Little Aunt Master is my aunt master too!  Aunt Master, if anyone in the capital dares to trouble you, just mention my name, Prince Tai, Nangong Liu!”

He patted his broad chest, looking ready to offer his full support.

Jiang Zhongtian had a helpless expression; dealing with cloyingly persistent nobles like this one was truly a challenge. He first greeted Gu Xiao, then exchanged pleasantries with Jun Qicheng and Gu Ming. Meanwhile, Prince Tai respectfully saluted the elder with cupped hands and warmly tried to engage Gu Ye in small talk.

From the intense confrontation at the beginning to this harmonious scene, the bystanders watching were thoroughly bewildered. Many onlookers thought, For the Prince to fawn over this young girl so eagerly, she must be someone of great importance.

Jiang Zhongtian, noticing that everyone was still lingering in the middle of the street, said, “Grandpa Gu, Aunt Master, you must be exhausted from the journey!  What do you think? Should we grab a bite to eat first or head to the inn for some rest?”

There was indeed a special inn for the Pharmacists’ Association’s members in the capital, but usually, only apothecaries ranked Level 8 or higher had the privilege of staying there.  

Every grand pharmacist was allocated a private courtyard. Concerned that the Gu family might not yet have accommodation after their arrival, Jiang Zhongtian invited them to stay at the inn.

Before Gu Xiao and Gu Ye could respond, Prince Tai, eager to maintain his new connection with Jiang Zhongtian, chimed in, “It’s already this late; Little Aunt Master and the Elder must be hungry. Come, come! Let’s head to Qingfeng Pavilion. I insist on hosting! Aunt Master, please mount the horse.”

Since Gu Ming had badly startled his horse, he commandeered his attendant’s horse and, with great enthusiasm, offered it to Gu Ye. Amused by the Prince’s abrupt shift in demeanor, Gu Ye chuckled and said, “No need; I have my own horse!”

As she spoke, her horse, Xueyun, was brought over. Gu Ye swiftly mounted it with practiced ease. Prince Tai wasted no time showering her with compliments, praising her for being ‘a heroine rivaling any man’ and calling her ‘valiant and graceful’… 

Hearing this made her skin crawl, and she could hardly resist the urge to yank out the portly prince’s tongue and stomp on it!