Chapter 37: I Don’t Know, and I Dare Not Ask

Seeing that someone had already stepped in to mediate, Zhang Shen decided not to press the issue any further.

“Miss Mu, you were hired by me, after all. You can’t just side with Jiang Muyun, that little rascal, all the time!”

“Mr. Zhang, that's not quite fair. Yes, you did hire me, but my main responsibility is to serve Miss Jiang. Don’t you agree?” Mu Qiao replied with measured seriousness.

Thinking it over, Zhang Shen had to admit she had a point. Still, seeing how protective Mu Qiao was of Jiang Muyun put his mind at ease.

“All right, let’s put this matter behind us. Miss Mu, show us what delicious dishes you’ve made.”

“I was just coming to call you all down for dinner.”

Zhang Shen’s stomach was already growling, and he could almost smell the aroma of the food wafting upstairs. Without another word, he dragged Jiang Muyun downstairs in haste.

There wasn’t much food, but the portions were generous, and the enticing aroma filled the air, whetting everyone’s appetite.

“Stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, minced pork with eggplant, braised spring chicken, and a bowl of steamed egg custard,” Mu Qiao announced as she deftly set the rice bowls on the table.

Zhang Shen wasted no time. He picked up his chopsticks, scooped up some food, and put it straight into his mouth, exclaiming between bites, “Delicious!”

After a few more bites, he couldn’t help boasting to Jiang Muyun about his contribution. “Finding such a good assistant—don’t you think you should thank me? If it weren’t for me, would you get to eat such wonderful food?”

“All your credit, fine! Even a table full of hot dishes can’t keep your mouth shut,” Jiang Muyun retorted, rolling her eyes at him.

Just then, Jiang Muyun noticed someone important hadn’t yet sat down. She quickly turned to Mu Qiao, “Sister Mu, come and eat with us! Your cooking is truly wonderful.”

“As long as you like it, Miss.”

“Of course I like it,” Jiang Muyun replied. Beside her, Zhang Shen, his mouth full, could only nod enthusiastically in agreement.

Only then did Mu Qiao sit down to join Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun at the table.

“Miss Mu, have you trained in cooking?” Zhang Shen asked suddenly.

“I’m all right. I used to cook at home often. If there’s anything you don’t like, please forgive me.”

“You used to cook a lot? So did I! Back when I was training with my master in the mountains, I was in charge of meals. One day, I’ll take you both to where I studied medicine, and I’ll cook noodles for you. My master always praised my noodle-making skills.”

Hearing this, both Jiang Muyun and Mu Qiao were momentarily stunned.

Noticing their odd expressions, Zhang Shen suddenly realized his words could be taken another way. He hurried to explain, “Hey, you two, don’t get the wrong idea! That’s not what I meant!”

“Oh? Then what did you mean?” Jiang Muyun shot back.

“It’s nothing, nothing! Let’s eat. Miss Mu’s dishes are fantastic.”

Jiang Muyun pretended to ignore him, but the conversation took a turn Zhang Shen hadn’t expected.

“You’re so dirty-minded!” Jiang Muyun scoffed, then went on eating.

Only now did Zhang Shen realize both young women had caught the double meaning, and were only playing along.

Once the meal was over, Zhang Shen thought to himself that he should find some time to check on Zheng Ke’s condition at Zheng Tiande’s house.

“I want to go too!” Jiang Muyun clamored upon hearing his plan.

“All right, let’s all go together.”

When the three of them arrived at Zheng Tiande’s home, they found Zheng Ke in the middle of taking her medicine. Zheng Tiande’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Zhang Shen.

“Divine Doctor, what brings you here?”

“Oh, I’ve come to check on Zheng Ke’s progress.”

Looking at Zheng Ke, who was still taking medicine, Zhang Shen turned to Zheng Tiande. “She seems much better.”

Hearing this, Zheng Tiande was full of gratitude. “It’s all thanks to your treatment, Divine Doctor.”

At that moment, Zheng Tiande noticed Mu Qiao standing quietly behind Jiang Muyun and inquired, “And who is this young lady?”

Before Zhang Shen could reply, Jiang Muyun spoke up, “This is Sister Mu. She’s now my…” Jiang Muyun hesitated, feeling that calling Mu Qiao her personal assistant sounded a bit off, but couldn’t think of a better term.

“Hello, my name is Mu Qiao, and I am Miss Jiang Muyun’s personal assistant.”

“Personal assistant?”

The term clearly puzzled Zheng Tiande. Why would a young woman need a personal assistant? But it was a private matter, not his to question.

Zheng Tiande led Zhang Shen to his daughter’s bedside. “Ke, this is your savior, Divine Doctor Zhang Shen.”

After so many days of treatment, color had returned to Zheng Ke’s cheeks. She said, “My father often speaks of the Divine Doctor. To have the honor of meeting you today fills me with gratitude.”

“You’re much improved now. In a few more days, you’ll be almost fully recovered.”

“Thank you so much, Divine Doctor!”

Zheng Tiande could barely contain his joy upon hearing these words.

At that moment, a servant hurried in. Glancing around the crowded room and seeing Zheng Ke awake, she whispered something quickly into Zheng Tiande’s ear.

A troubled expression immediately crossed Zheng Tiande’s face.

“Dad! Has that woman Wei Xiaorong come again?” Zheng Ke guessed from her father’s furtive look.

Knowing he couldn’t hide it, Zheng Tiande replied, “Yes, your Aunt Wei has come to visit you.”

“I don’t want to see her. Tell her to leave.”

It was obvious Zheng Ke had a strong aversion to Wei Xiaorong.

“Ke, your Aunt Wei has come several times now, and you’ve refused to see her each time. At least let her in, just for a moment.”

“No means no!”

Zheng Ke turned her head away, refusing to respond.

Zheng Tiande doted on his only daughter, especially given her poor health. But her stubborn attitude toward Wei Xiaorong left him at his wit’s end.

Seeing the discord between father and daughter over Wei Xiaorong, Zhang Shen felt it was a shame. After all, Wei Xiaorong had always treated him well. By reason and by feeling, he felt he should help resolve their conflict.

He approached Zheng Tiande and asked, “President Zheng, may I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course, Divine Doctor. Please go ahead.”

“Do you want to be with Wei Xiaorong?”