Steward Wu’s extreme deference left Steward Chen utterly bewildered.
"Steward Wu, surely you must be mistaken? This is just that foolish son-in-law from the Lin Family!"
Steward Chen’s voice was loud, as if he were deliberately offering a reminder.
Hearing this, Steward Wu frowned and said sternly, "I have certainly not mistaken the man. This gentleman is an honored guest of our Prince of Zhennan's Estate!"
"What? An honored guest?" Steward Chen was stunned. He looked at Xiao Chen, then scanned him up and down with great scrutiny. "No, Steward Wu... how could a fool be an honored guest of our Prince’s Estate?"
"Am I the steward, or are you?" Steward Wu’s brow furrowed in annoyance. "Does it take your approval to decide who is an honored guest of the Prince of Zhennan's Estate?"
Hearing this, Steward Chen dared not speak further and shut his mouth in frustration. "Yes, yes, it was my place to be silent."
Seeing Steward Chen’s humble posture, Xiao Chen couldn't help but smile. "Steward Chen, why are you so quiet now? Weren't you just acting arrogant and overbearing, threatening to ensure I wouldn't leave here in one piece?"
Seeing this, Steward Wu’s brow immediately tightened, and the look he cast at Steward Chen was filled with anger. "Steward Chen, I think you’ve grown a heart of a bear and the courage of a leopard, to dare offend an honored guest of our Prince of Zhennan's Estate?"
Steward Chen was bewildered and hurriedly spoke to excuse himself. "Steward Wu, this is all a misunderstanding. I truly had no idea that this person was... was actually an honored guest of the Prince's Estate..."
"Now that you know, why haven't you apologized to the guest?"
Steward Wu’s expression grew even more unsightly. He knew that Xiao Chen was a master physician. Currently, the entire Prince of Zhennan's Estate found it exceedingly difficult to beg for Xiao Chen to treat Chai Keqing. Having finally tracked down Xiao Chen’s whereabouts, Steward Wu had chased after him in a panic, his sole purpose being to invite him to the estate to save the Princess.
Yet, as soon as they arrived, Steward Chen had managed to provoke him in such a manner. If Xiao Chen decided he was unwilling and walked away, who would treat Chai Keqing’s illness? For this reason alone, Steward Wu had to force Steward Chen to apologize; he absolutely could not let Xiao Chen harbor any resentment.
"What? Apologize to him, a fool??" Steward Chen had never imagined this. He had been so arrogant a moment ago that his eyes were practically fixed on his own forehead. Now he had to apologize? The slap to his face was coming far too fast.
"Who are you calling a fool?" Steward Wu lunged forward and kicked Steward Chen right in the knee. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto his knees before Xiao Chen. "Daring to speak to an honored guest this way, I think you're tired of living!!"
Steward Wu’s tone was icy, and Steward Chen finally realized that this man was no ordinary person. If he didn't offer this apology today, it would be difficult to escape the consequences. Though he was unwilling in his heart, Steward Chen looked up at Xiao Chen. "Honored guest, today I failed to recognize your greatness. Please, do not take it to heart!!"
Xiao Chen frowned slightly. Though he remained silent, it was clear he was not satisfied with the attitude of the apology.
Steward Wu stepped up and kicked him again. "Who taught you to apologize like that? Kowtow to Mr. Xiao and beg for mercy!"
Steward Chen felt a surge of grievance, but he had no choice but to obey Steward Wu. He kowtowed heavily before Xiao Chen. "Please, honored guest, forgive me!"
Xiao Chen still did not speak, so Steward Wu shouted, "Keep going!"
Steward Chen knocked his head against the floor again and again, all while muttering pleas for mercy. Meanwhile, Steward Wu hurriedly stepped forward and offered the gifts he had prepared from the start.
"Mr. Xiao, these were prepared for you by the Prince. I hope you will accept them. As for this blind fool, please do not lower yourself to his level."
Xiao Chen looked coldly at Steward Chen, then at Steward Wu. Finally, without saying a word, he turned and walked away. Seeing this, Steward Wu hurriedly followed. "Mr. Xiao, please wait!"
By the time Xiao Chen and Steward Wu had left, Steward Chen had already kowtowed over a dozen times. It was only when their footsteps faded into the distance that his body slumped, and he finally stopped. However, Xiao Chen’s attitude had left Steward Chen harboring a grudge!
He was nothing but a fool who married into a wealthy merchant’s family! How could he possibly be an honored guest of the Prince of Zhennan's Estate? Steward Chen gritted his teeth. *Xiao Chen, don't be so smug. I have kept today's events in mind. One day, I will find a chance to pay you back in full!*
At this time, Xiao Chen had already exited Zuichun Tower. Steward Wu followed close behind, half-pleading. "Mr. Xiao, today’s incident was indeed our oversight. But the Princess’s condition is growing worse by the day. Please, be the bigger man and come to the Prince of Zhennan's Estate to treat her!"
Steward Wu kept chattering on behind Xiao Chen. Once they were out the door, Xiao Chen came to a sudden halt. Steward Wu had been following so closely that he nearly crashed into him.
"Oh my, Mr. Xiao, my apologies. Are you alright?"
Xiao Chen glanced at him, his eyes filled with a trace of frost. "When did I ever say I wouldn't go to the Prince of Zhennan's Estate?"
"Ah?" Steward Wu was dazed, unable to react for a moment.
Xiao Chen said coldly, "Since you want me to go save someone at the Prince of Zhennan's Estate, why aren't you leading the way, Steward Wu?"
Hearing that Xiao Chen was finally willing, Steward Wu was overcome with joy. "Yes, yes, I shall lead the way for Mr. Xiao at once..."
And so, Xiao Chen was invited into the carriage and soon arrived at the Prince of Zhennan's Estate. Upon entering, Steward Wu immediately brought Xiao Chen to Chai Keqing’s room. At that moment, Noble Consort Liu, the Prince’s consort and Chai Keqing’s aunt, was attending to her. Seeing Steward Wu bring someone in, she immediately asked, "Who is this? What is he here for?"
"Answering to Noble Consort Liu, this is Mr. Xiao, the master physician invited by the Prince to treat the Princess!"
"A master physician?" Noble Consort Liu frowned slightly. "What is his background?"
"The physician is named Xiao Chen, the son-in-law of the Lin Family," Steward Wu replied awkwardly.
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Liu’s expression shifted. As the wealthiest family in the region, the Lin Family was naturally known to many. As for their foolish son-in-law, many had heard rumors; after all, such trivial gossip was common fodder for dinner-table conversation. Noble Consort Liu had heard of him as well.
"The Lin Family’s son-in-law? Isn't that the fool?" Noble Consort Liu set down the medicinal soup in her hand, looking displeased. "You call a fool a master physician? Do you really take me for a fool?"
"Noble Consort..." Steward Wu looked distressed. "But... Mr. Xiao really is a master physician!"
"Hmph!" Noble Consort Liu let out a cold laugh, stood up, and walked toward Xiao Chen, scanning him up and down.