215. Searching for Physician Li

Several days passed like this, and Qu Zijin in the palace was really worried.

He knew that Xiao Tuanzi and his second brother had asked for leave because their eldest brother was seriously ill, but after several days without any news, he finally couldn't hold back and came to the Marquis of Beiding's residence in person.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Marquis of Beiding's residence, the steward, seeing it was him, dared not delay and immediately had someone lead him in.

Upon arriving at Jin Qizhi's courtyard, Qu Zijin heard suppressed sobbing coming from the inner room as soon as he entered.

Qu Zijin walked in quietly and saw the little dumpling sitting on a small stool by the bed, her little shoulders trembling and tears falling onto the back of her hand.

"Teacher?" Qu Zijin called softly.

The little dumpling heard the familiar voice, raised its head, and teardrops still clung to its chubby face.

Upon seeing that it was Qu Zijin, she could no longer hold back. Her lips trembled, and she threw herself into his arms, bursting into tears: "Grand Tutor! Big Brother hasn't been well... Big Brother has been sleeping a lot and coughing. He's taken so much medicine but it hasn't helped..."

The child's cries were clear and pitiful, like tiny hammers striking Qu Zijin's heart.

He crouched down and gently patted the little dumpling's back, his gaze falling through the crack in the door onto Jin Qizhi, who was fast asleep on the bed.

The boy's face was as white as paper, his breathing was weak, and even the brocade quilt covering him barely moved.

Qu Zijin's mood also became depressed.

He could guess that if Xiao Tuanzi and his second brother could ask for several days off, and the Marquis of Beiding was also taking leave repeatedly, then Jin Qizhi's condition must not be too good.

But he didn't expect it to be this bad...

However, he tried his best to remain calm in front of the child, reaching out to pat the little boy's head and gently comforting him, "Teacher, don't cry. We'll find a good doctor, and the young master will definitely get better."

Afterwards, Qu Zijin went to see Marquis Beiding to inquire about the details of his illness.

The Marquis of Beiding felt as if his heart was being torn apart whenever he mentioned this: "Qizhi is now... medicine is ineffective... just two days ago, a doctor even hinted to us that we should prepare for his funeral as soon as possible..."

He refused to prepare; he was unwilling to accept any of this.

He couldn't understand why a child who had been perfectly healthy just a while ago would suddenly become seriously ill and leave them.

Qu Zijin felt sad upon hearing this. He thought for a moment and said, "There is a physician named Li in the palace who specializes in difficult and complicated diseases. He once cured the late emperor's old illness, but he has now retired to his hometown... When I return, I will plead with His Majesty to inquire about his whereabouts and ask him to come and treat the eldest son."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Beiding repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you very much, Grand Tutor Qu. If Qizhi recovers, our Marquis's mansion will certainly repay you!"

"You're too kind, Lord Marquis."

Qu Zijin hurriedly left the Beiding Marquis's residence and rushed to the palace.

-

The Imperial Palace.

It's rare for the little princess and the little prince to get together outside of class time.

Because they all share the same worries.

The two hadn't seen the little dumpling for several days.

Even when Qu Zijin was giving them lessons, he would often be distracted, and his brows were always furrowed with worry.

All of this made them increasingly anxious.

Now that they heard that Qu Zijin had gone to the Marquis of Beiding's residence to check on the situation, the two of them discussed that they must ask Grand Tutor Xiaoyueliang what was going on.

As soon as he looked up, he saw the Grand Tutor looking hurried.

The little princess's eyes lit up, and she ran over first, tugging at his sleeve and asking, "Grand Tutor! Why aren't Yue'er and Jin Er here for class yet? Did something happen to them?"

The young prince followed, his face serious like a little adult, but he couldn't hide the worry in his eyes: "Grand Tutor, you went to the Marquis of Beiding's residence today. Did something happen to Little Moon's family?"

Seeing the two children's anxious expressions, Qu Zijin sighed inwardly and recounted Jin Qizhi's serious illness in detail, but tried to soften his tone so as not to frighten them: "The county princess's elder brother has caught a cold and is very ill. The county princess and the second young master Jin have to stay home to take care of him, so they cannot come to class. I have already promised them that I will recommend the best doctor in the palace to His Majesty to treat the county princess's elder brother."

"What?" the little princess exclaimed in surprise. "Little Moon must be very sad, right? Her older brother is very sick, will she cry?"

Qu Zijin felt a pang of sadness as he recalled the image of the little dumpling throwing herself into his arms and wailing.

He had never seen her so heartbroken.

"What should we do, Grand Tutor?" The little princess paced anxiously.

"I intend to go and request an audience with His Majesty to ask him to recall the retired Imperial Physician Li to treat Young Master Jin."

The little princess nodded upon hearing this: "Grand Tutor, Father loves Jiayou and me the most! Let's go to Father and plead together! That way, Father will definitely agree, and Little Moon's big brother will get better soon, and Little Moon can come to class again!"

The young prince immediately nodded, "Yes! Let's go find Father! Father will definitely have a solution!"

Before Qu Zijin could stop them, the two children held hands and ran towards the Imperial Study.

Qu Zijin quickly followed behind.

-

Inside the Imperial Study.

Wei Xiuming was burying the first batch of memorials he was reading when he heard footsteps outside. He looked up and saw two children running in, their faces showing anxiety.

"Father!" The little princess rushed to Wei Xiuming's side. "Please send Physician Li to the Marquis of Beiding's residence immediately! Little Moon's older brother is very ill and is dying!"

Wei Xiuming paused for a moment, then looked at Qu Zijin who had followed him in. Qu Zijin quickly stepped forward and explained Jin Qizhi's condition.

Upon hearing this, Wei Xiuming couldn't help but feel worried.

Qu Zijin continued, “Your Majesty, the Marquis of Beiding is loyal and devoted, and the eldest son of Jin is a diligent child. I humbly request Your Majesty to recall Physician Li and send him to the Marquis of Beiding’s residence to treat the child and save him.”

Wei Xiuming readily agreed: "Granted. Someone, convey my decree to find Imperial Physician Li and have him take the best medicine to the Marquis of Beiding's residence immediately to treat the eldest son of the Jin family! Do everything in your power to save him!"

-

"His Majesty sent Imperial Physician Li?"

"Great! Qizhi is saved!"

Wei Xiuming sent a team of guards to find Physician Li and asked them to inform the Marquis of Beiding's residence along the way.

Everyone in the Beiding Marquis's mansion was overjoyed upon hearing the news.

The guard replied, "My lord, my lady, all we know is that Physician Li retired to his hometown and is in the outskirts of the capital. We will find Physician Li as soon as possible and bring him here."

Watching the adults' conversation, the little dumpling raised her hand: "Daddy, Mommy, Yue'er is going to fetch Physician Li! Yue'er is a lucky star, Yue'er will definitely find him quickly!"

Jiang Xiyue hugged her daughter and shook her head: "No, no! The outskirts of the capital are far away and windy. You're only three years old. What if you get cold? What if you encounter bad people? I absolutely refuse!"

"Moon isn't afraid of the cold! Nor is it afraid of bad people!" The little dumpling's round eyes were full of stubbornness. "The guards are so powerful, they will protect Moon! Big Brother is still waiting for Physician Li, Moon can't let him wait too long!"

Marquis Beiding also disagreed: "No, Yue'er, you stay in the manor. I will send my most capable subordinates to bring Physician Li back as soon as possible."

"No!" the little dumpling cried, "Yue'er wants to help too!"

The second brother stood up to support his sister: "Father, Mother, let my sister go. Last time, my sister stayed by my side, and my brother's fever broke that very day. Her good fortune really works! Besides, His Majesty sent more than a dozen guards. They look very capable and will definitely be able to protect my sister."

Jiang Xiyue turned around and glared at her second son: "You're joining in the nonsense! How old is Yue'er? Do you think we're going to the street to buy sugar paintings?"

"I'm not being silly!" The second brother's face turned red with anxiety, gesturing with his little hands. "What if my sister finds Physician Li a little earlier, and that little bit of time comes in handy?"

The little dumpling immediately agreed, gently tugging at her mother's sleeve with her tiny hand: "Mother, Second Brother is right! If Yue'er goes there, she will definitely be obedient, not run away or make a fuss, and try her best to find Doctor Li as soon as possible. Please agree to Yue'er's request!"

Looking at his daughter, and then thinking of his eldest son who was still unconscious, the Marquis of Beiding felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He remained silent for a long time before shaking his head: "No, the outskirts of the capital are not like the city. If we encounter danger, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"No way!" the little dumpling said confidently. "Yue'er will definitely find Doctor Li quickly to save big brother!"

Looking at her daughter's stubborn little face, Jiang Xiyue lowered her head and wiped away her tears: "How could my Yue'er be so foolish? For her older brother, she didn't even care about her own safety..."

"If my older brother encountered this, he would do the same for Yue'er!"

The second brother seized the opportunity to say, "Father, Mother, there must be a reason why my sister is so insistent. She's a lucky star. Besides, the guards were personally dispatched by His Majesty, and they're all very capable. They're only going to the outskirts of the capital. If we're lucky, they'll be back on the same day. Don't worry!"

Marquis Beiding and Jiang Xiyue exchanged a glance, looked at the little dumpling, and then thought about their eldest son's critical condition. Finally, they relented.

Jiang Xiyue knelt down and tightened the cloak belt for the little girl, then stuffed a hand warmer into her arms: "Keep this safe, warm yourself up if you get cold, stay in the carriage and don't go out into the wind, okay?"

Marquis Beiding grasped the hand of the guard commander and instructed him, "I trouble you, Commander, to take good care of my daughter."