Chapter Seventy-One: Order in the Front Hall, Turmoil in the Rear Courtyard

"Your Highness, both sides were involved in the scuffle—why are only we being punished? Are you just picking on us concubines?" At this moment, Chunhong could no longer contain her anger and began to complain.

"Oh, you finally noticed? Yes, I am picking on you. So what? What's wrong with that? Three against one, and you still have the nerve to complain? You're the only one who can't accept it, right? Before you lock her up, give her twenty slaps. Alan, you do it—treat it as letting off some steam." Su Jingluo most enjoyed this part; how could Alan feel better if no one stepped out to take the blame?

"Oh, and by the way, slapping hurts your hand. If your hand can't take it, use a shoe instead—it's quicker and more effective. Ruihuan will also prepare some ointment for you later, so your face doesn't scar. Otherwise, how will you ever get married?" Su Jingluo generously shared the secret technique of slapping. After all, even hitting someone required skill and effort.

"Yes, madam!" Alan was a little moved, her voice trembling with emotion.

Su Jingluo actually wanted to stay and give some hands-on guidance, but there were still many guests waiting outside, so she had to leave for now.

Outside, some guests had instructed their servants to present their gifts, while others had come in person. Servants, of course, could be sent away with a small reward, but the officials' wives had to be received in person. Su Jingluo had never experienced such meetings before, and seeing a room full of women, she felt a bit lost, unable to tell who was who.

Fortunately, the ladies understood the situation and each introduced themselves in turn. After some polite greetings, Su Jingluo slipped into her "clinic mode." Most women of this era valued dignity and elegance, so they rarely did much physical work and tended to be on the heavier side. Su Jingluo checked their pulses one by one.

"Madam Zhang, you need to move more. Not only will it help you lose weight, but you'll also stop feeling so short of breath."

"Madam Li, your sleep is poor. I'll prescribe you some medicine. Once you sleep better, the acne on your face will clear up a lot."

"Madam Wang, drink more brown sugar water before and after your time of the month, maintain a balanced diet, and I'll prescribe you some medicine as well. Over time, your menstrual pain will gradually disappear."

...

What was meant to be a business gathering turned into Doctor Su holding court for medical consultations. All these ladies had heard from their husbands that Su Jingluo was an extraordinary woman worth befriending, and they had long heard she was an obscure but talented healer. They had their doubts—could she really be as miraculous as rumored? But after meeting her today, seeing her instantly spot their hidden ailments and hand out prescriptions, they were all delighted.

Su Jingluo also shared many beauty tips—cucumber slices, egg white masks, and so on. The ladies listened in amazement. They had arrived full of suspicion but left in high spirits.

It wasn't that Su Jingluo wanted to show off, but after receiving so many gifts—some of which were especially valuable—although Xiao Jingxuan had sent out return gifts, Su Jingluo felt generous and magnanimous. Besides, it didn't cost her anything, so why not?

Just as she finished seeing off the guests, Qiuhong was anxiously waiting near the front hall for her.

"Your Highness, finally you have a moment! Please, come quickly to the back courtyard," Qiuhong hurried to Su Jingluo's side.

"What happened?" Su Jingluo didn't have much fondness for Qiuhong and instinctively took a step back.

"The young prince said Chunhong and the other two were disrespectful to you. Not only were the other two slapped, but now he wants to have their faces cut with a knife," Qiuhong was nearly in tears with anxiety.

What on earth? What was Yunbai doing now? Why was he involved in everything? At such a young age, could he really be so ruthless? Su Jingluo rushed off toward the side room without delay.