Chapter 357: Chapter 358: Long Admired

Qi Jiayuan, hearing his rambling words, dragged Shao He outside while waving at him.

“Don’t worry, I will definitely take good care of your prospective imperial consort.”

As Shao He arrived at the gate, she saw a person mounting a horse and immediately envisioned her heroic figure on the battlefield, which made her want to ride as well.

Qi Jiayuan, seeing what she was thinking, turned his head and instructed his subordinate, “Bring a horse for Doctor Shao to ride.”

“Yes.”

The guard brought over a docile white horse, and Shao He cautiously approached, gently touching its fur, which was soft and glossy.

“Can I really ride?” Shao He asked, somewhat incredulously.

“Of course,” Qi Jiayuan said with a smile, nodding his head as he leapt down from the horse’s back and instructed her on how to ride.

Shao He, having never ridden a horse before, was somewhat nervous.

“It’s alright, just stay calm,” Qi Jiayuan reassured her, patting her shoulder.

Shao He took a deep breath, grasped the reins, and placed her foot in the stirrup.

Seeing this, Qi Jiayuan supported her waist with one hand and held the saddle with the other, helping her slowly off the ground and onto the horse’s back before letting go of the saddle.

Shao He exhaled softly as she settled into the saddle, her hands still sweaty with nerves despite her mental preparations.

“I didn’t scare you, did I?” Qi Jiayuan asked with concern.

Shao He shook her head to indicate she was alright and, after calming herself for a while, gradually settled down.

“How do you feel now?”

“Great!” Shao He replied joyfully, clenching her legs around the horse’s belly and charging forward, causing the horse to immediately start galloping.

“Ah… hahaha…”

She burst into boisterous laughter, and Qi Jiayuan joined with a soft smile, his eyes filled with indulgence. Then, he mounted his horse, and together they raced forward.

The two rode side by side away from there, speeding southward, with Shao He feeling the breeze on her face.

And the sound of the wind rushing past her ears brought a cool sensation that exhilarated her spirit and delighted her mood, which she found incredibly fresh and thrilling.

Soon, the two arrived at a mansion. The signboard read “General’s Mansion” in bold letters.

“Your riding skills are quite good; have you really never ridden before?” Qi Jiayuan was not one to give false praise; how could a beginner ride with such ease?

Shao He smiled and nodded. “This is my first time; it feels wonderful.”

The two entered the General’s Mansion, where Qi Jiayuan promptly ordered the maids to prepare a meal.

“Where’s the patient? Since the meal isn’t ready yet, why don’t we check on the patient first?”

“That won’t do,” Qi Jiayuan firmly refused. “Pei Huaian strictly instructed that you must eat first; I promised him that.”

“We can eat after a bit; it’s not like I said I won’t eat. Besides, if you don’t tell him, how would he know? Come on, show me the way.” Shao He was indeed not very hungry.

Qi Jiayuan, however, would not agree no matter what, and he finally suggested they start with a few pieces of cake to tide her over, then attend to the patient after the meal.

Qi Jiayuan then agreed and specifically ordered the kitchen maids to bring out the Hibiscus Osmanthus Cake bestowed by the Emperor.

Only after they had finished the plate did Qi Jiayuan nod in satisfaction, stand up, and say, “Let’s go.”

Shao He followed closely behind, and they went to the training yard within the mansion where General Qi was conducting military drills.

Upon seeing Qi Jiayuan and Shao He arrive, he quickly stopped his movements and respectfully said, “How come you returned so early, girl? Is the feast over?”

“Dad, let me introduce you to a friend, her name is Shao He, she is…”

“Ah, Doctor Shao, I have long admired your reputation.” Before Shao He could finish introducing herself, General Qi interrupted her.

General Qi, clad in a silver armor and a long sword at his waist, had slightly graying hair but still stood tall, his eyes clear and resolute.

“Dad, you know Shao He?” Qi Jiayuan was a bit surprised.

General Qi chuckled, “In the Capital City, who doesn’t know Doctor Shao’s great name? I heard that Doctor Shao has superb medical skills, even having cured the Crown Prince’s leg; I have long been aware of this name.”

“General Qi, you flatter me. Compared to you who struggle valiantly on the battlefield, I am insignificant,” Shao He felt they were the true heroes worthy of praise and admiration.

General Qi did not respond, but the pride in his eyes clearly showed his appreciation for her.

“Dad, I invited Shao He over to examine you,”

“Nonsense, what illness do I have? Moreover, I know my own body well, it’s nothing serious,” General Qi rebuked with a frown.

“What do you mean ‘nothing serious’? I see every time you feel discomfort,” Qi Jiayuan exasperated, couldn’t help but snap at his father.

“What would you know? That’s just a residual ailment from my youth, as long as I rest well it won’t hurt,” General Qi explained.

Taking the opportunity, Shao He checked his pulse and observed his complexion, then spoke, “General, do you often feel chilly, particularly prone to sweating, your heart rate accelerates, and you frequently experience a soreness in the lower back? Sometimes, you even feel a sharp, stabbing pain in your body.”

General Qi was momentarily taken aback and after a pause responded, “These symptoms describe exactly what I experience.”

By now, General Qi was completely convinced of Shao He’s medical skills.