Chapter 123 [VIP]

Prince Li was facing both serious illness and imminent death, making his situation even more perilous.

Gu Zhizhuo didn't say anything more, waiting for her to make a decision.

"good."

Princess Li is known for her decisiveness; once she has made a decision, she will not hesitate.

She held Gu Zhizhuo's hands earnestly and said, "Miss Gu, I'm entrusting my master to you."

Fearing she might put too much pressure on her, she added, "No matter the outcome, neither the prince nor I will blame you."

Her eyes were kind yet resolute as she patted Gu Zhizhuo's arm.

Gu Zhizhuo instructed, "The long needles are extremely taxing on the mind. The prince needs to use needles on his head, and I cannot be distracted. After you leave, do not come back in unless I call you."

"Alright." Princess Li took one last deep look at her husband before leaving with Xie Yingchen.

Outside was the lounge area; when they went in, Gu Zhizhuo left the cat there.

"Meow?"

Surrounded by strangers, the cat sat bewildered on the round stool. When it saw Xie Yingchen come out, its eyes lit up, and it hesitantly came over to nuzzle him with its tail. Xie Yingchen bent down to hug it, but it darted away, only to slowly come back to him again.

Princess Li closed the door herself, clutching her sleeves tightly, and stood motionless in place.

"Grandma, please have a seat for a while. It will take quite some time."

The long needle takes anywhere from one to two or three hours to complete.

Princess Li forced a smile and sat down in a grand chair.

Several imperial physicians and concubines who had just been dismissed were waiting in the banquet hall. Concubine Jiang glanced at the closed door and asked, "Your Highness, where is Miss Gu?"

Princess Li looked up, and Consort Jiang hurriedly said, "I have no other intention, I just wonder if we should call Qinrou over to greet Miss Gu."

Xie Qinrou is a princess of the royal family and the granddaughter of Prince Li.

"No need," Princess Consort Li said calmly. "Miss Gu is treating the Prince inside. Consort Jiang, please go back first. I will send someone to fetch you when the Prince wakes up."

Consort Jiang opened her mouth in surprise. Would the Princess really entrust the Prince's life and fortune to a Miss Gu? After thinking it over, she ultimately didn't ask anything.

She sighed, "I'd better stay here. I won't feel at ease if you send me back."

Even though she's already a grandmother, it really makes a difference whether or not this person is in the household.

Princess Li did not insist: "You may sit as well."

They had spent half their lives together and were no different from sisters. Consort Jiang did not stand on ceremony and sat down next to her to wait together.

Sand dripped slowly from the leaky roof corner.

No one spoke.

The cat grew impatient and reluctantly lay down on Xie Yingchen's lap to sleep, sprawled out on its back with its paws in the air, revealing its soft little belly.

Snoring.

"Mother, the Third Prince has arrived."

About an hour later, a sound suddenly rang out outside. The cat twitched its ears, curled up, and went back to sleep.

The prince led Xie Jing in, accompanied by an elderly doctor with gray hair and a young apprentice carrying a medicine box.

Lifting the beaded curtain, Xie Jing immediately saw Xie Yingchen sitting in a round-backed chair by the window.

Xie Yingchen greeted him with a smile: "Younger cousin Jing."

Xie Jing suppressed his dissatisfaction and bowed to him in greeting.

"Mother, Father is saved!" the Prince Li's heir said impatiently. "His Highness the Third Prince has brought an old physician with him to take a look at Father."

No sooner had he finished speaking than one of the imperial physicians exclaimed in surprise, "Are you the legendary physician Zhou Zengxiang?"

"It is indeed I," said Doctor Zhou, stroking his beard.

"Your Highness," the imperial physician exclaimed with delight, "the renowned physician Zhou is most skilled in treating strokes. Your Highness is truly blessed; your misfortune has turned into good fortune!"

Princess Li looked in the direction of the voice: "Dr. Zhou?"

Dr. Zhou was at least sixty or seventy years old, but he was in good spirits. He stroked his long beard and greeted the doctor with composure.

The imperial physician said excitedly, "Dr. Zhou has saved many patients with similar conditions to the prince. Your Highness, do you remember the late Duke Anguo? He also suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. It was Dr. Zhou who used his unique acupuncture technique to save him from the brink of death."

Princess Li sighed; of course she remembered.

After the late Duke Anguo woke up, he lay in bed for three whole years before dying. She went to visit him with the prince, and when they returned, the prince had a sorrowful face. He said that if he were to suffer like the late Duke Anguo, it would be better not to save him at all, and that he should have died sooner.

"Your Highness, please let Doctor Zhou take a look first. Perhaps he can revive the Prince." The imperial physician's tone became urgent. If Miss Gu caused the death, they, the imperial physicians in charge, would also be held responsible.

Xie Jing bowed deeply to Princess Li: "Your Highness suddenly fell ill, and Father Emperor was extremely anxious. He specially ordered me to find Doctor Zhou."

The emperor was so engrossed in his pleasures that he completely forgot about Prince Li. It was the Duke of Wei who reminded Xie Jing, and it was also the Duke of Wei who specially invited Doctor Zhou.

Prince Li is the head of the imperial clan. If Xie Jing can be saved, both the imperial clan and the court will hold him in higher regard. The emperor is currently acting unilaterally, and the court will certainly seek an imperial decree to establish a crown prince as soon as possible to stabilize the nation and appease the people. The support of Prince Li and the imperial clan is crucial for Xie Jing.

Xie Yingchen lowered his eyes, paused for a moment while stroking the cat, and gave Chong Jiu a wink behind him.

Princess Li shook her head and said directly, "No need."

The prince was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Mother, why? Doctor Zhou was someone the Third Prince went to great lengths to find. Even if you are angry with the Emperor, you cannot take it out on the Third Prince."

Seeing that Princess Consort Li was staring at the closed door, Xie Jing asked, almost as if possessed, "Could it be that Miss Gu is inside giving my great-uncle acupuncture?"

Princess Consort Li: "Yes."

"Mother!" the prince exclaimed in surprise, "You've gone too far!"

really!

Xie Jing cursed under his breath; Xie Yingchen was indeed plotting the same thing as him.

He's still up to no good!

"Xie Yingchen, you..." Xie Jing rushed towards him, blurting out the words, but then noticed the many people around. He lowered his voice and questioned, "You're using her again! You did it with Chief Minister Song, and you're doing it now. She could have been completely unrelated to this, why did you drag her into it?"

Xie Jing glared at Xie Yingchen, only to be met with the reply: "None of your business."

Xie Jing felt a lump in his throat.

He wanted to yell, but he didn't raise his voice, so he continued in a low voice, "You want to please your great-uncle, but you can't let her take the risk."

If he can be saved, Prince Li will naturally appreciate his kindness.

If he couldn't be saved, he could easily blame it on Gu Zhizhuo; he would still be the upright and untainted young master Chen.

"I'll say it again, it has nothing to do with you." Xie Yingchen crossed his arms, adopting a superior and victorious posture. "Yaoyao is my fiancée, don't overstep your bounds."

His clear gaze seemed to see through everything, making Xie Jing feel inexplicably guilty.

"I……"

Xie Jing hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. He didn't know why he was angry, but Xie Yingchen clearly had ill intentions.

He is the son of a deposed crown prince. He has already lived to this day because of his father's leniency. What face does he have to covet the position of crown prince?

Taking advantage of their marriage agreement, she repeatedly exploited Gu Zhizhuo's medical skills!

Gu Zhizhuo only knows how to struggle with himself, and doesn't even realize that he's being manipulated by others.

"Meow!"

Shen Mao disliked Xie Yingchen's scent.

But he disliked Xie Jing even more, especially since Xie Jing disturbed his sleep.

It brandished its sharp claws and slashed out, tearing his sleeve open with a ripping sound.

"Meow!"

The cat let out a loud meow.

Even the cat bullies him! Xie Jing angrily flung his sleeve and said to Princess Li, "Your Highness, Physician Zhou's medical skills are superb, and he will certainly not disappoint you."

"No."

Princess Li shook her head and refused again without even thinking.

"Mother!" The prince tried to persuade her again and again, but she wouldn't listen. He couldn't help but raise his voice, "Can you please stop being so stubborn? Miss Gu is only a few years old. No matter how good her medical skills are, how good can they be? Father's life is more important. His stroke can't be delayed. You should at least let Doctor Zhou take a look at Father first. If you trust Miss Gu, then it wouldn't hurt to let her discuss it with Doctor Zhou."

“Yes, Your Highness. Don’t listen to…” Xie Jing glared at Xie Yingchen and said, “Don’t listen to Xie Yingchen’s nonsense.”

"Mother, it's decided then..."

"Your Highness." Princess Li's expression turned cold.

The prince's heart skipped a beat. His mother calling him that meant she was angry, very angry.

He was also worried about his father, and what he said was true.

“Huan’er,” Princess Consort Li said coldly, “The Prince has collapsed, and anyone can see that the outcome is grim. For the past day and night, it was Prince Chen who has been working tirelessly for the Prince, and it was also Miss Gu who came running here without any hesitation after learning the news.”

"Your father always taught you not to treat others like fools."

Miss Gu was well aware that risking her life to save someone would bring her no benefit, yet she still took the risk.

"We, the Prince Li's Mansion, cannot turn our backs on this kindness."

The prince opened his mouth, but could not refute it.

“It was I who begged Miss Gu to save the prince. How can I be fickle and say that I don’t need her to save him just because another doctor has come?”

Princess Li said, "I believe in Miss Gu. You are the heir of the Prince's Mansion, and you cannot act rashly now. You can wait here with me."

The prince hesitated, glanced at the closed door, and bowed his head, saying, "Yes... Mother."

The princess sighed softly.

Huan'er is kind-hearted, but his only flaw is that he is too indecisive.

The prince also said that as the elder brother, he could take good care of his younger brothers and sisters after inheriting the palace, but he was not suitable to succeed as the head of the clan.

He couldn't handle the complexities of the imperial family.

Seeing that the princess was determined not to change her mind, Xie Jing said with feigned helplessness, "Since that's the case, then forget it."

The princess smiled and said, "Your Highness, thank you for your efforts on behalf of my lord."

Xie Jing exchanged a few pleasantries, then suddenly turned around, ran over, and pushed open the door.

Princess Li was startled and exclaimed, "Your Highness the Third Prince!"

Xie Jing had just touched the door when a hand grabbed his collar from behind and pulled him back forcefully.

Xie Jing lost his balance and stumbled, falling heavily onto the armchair, his tailbone throbbing with pain.

who? !

When he turned around, he saw the man who followed Xie Yingchen around like a shadow all day long; he remembered that his name was Chongjiu.

"Don't disturb her."

"Did you understand?"

Xie Yingchen remained seated in the armchair, his hands clasped together on his knees. He leaned slightly forward, a faint smile playing on his lips, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it exuded a chilling sense of oppression.

A tabby cat sat on his shoulder, its golden eyes looking down upon all living beings.

"I……"

Xie Jing opened his mouth, then hesitated.

He had asked the imperial physicians, and they said that even if Prince Li had survived, it would have been difficult; to bring him back to his senses and make him speak fluently was simply impossible. Even the old doctor Zhou could only keep him conscious for a few months at most with acupuncture.

Xie Yingchen insisted that Gu Zhizhuo go to save him. Hmph, he wanted to see if he could actually save him!

"Dr. Zhou, are you going back, or..." the princess asked.

She planned to have the nanny give him a thick red envelope.

Xie Jing said expressionlessly, "Stay."

Dr. Zhou could not object.

If this were an ordinary family, Dr. Zhou would have definitely turned and left by now. However, this is a royal residence, and as a doctor from the lowest rung of society, he cannot stand up to the powerful and wealthy.

The imperial physicians were at a loss for words. One of the physicians who had recognized Doctor Zhou earlier went over and invited him to sit down, showing him Prince Li's medical records.

Perhaps he will have to take action again in a while.

Princess Li asked her maid to bring her a cup of warm water, which she sipped slowly, but it still didn't relieve the dryness in her throat.

It took him almost half an hour to drink that one bowl of water.

Click.

An extremely faint sound broke the suffocating silence of the banquet room.

Princess Li's hand trembled, and the already cooled water spilled all over her dress. She didn't notice at all and immediately stood up. Consort Jiang reached out to support her, their hands clasped tightly together in tension.

The door opened.

A gust of wind blew in my face; it was a gentle breeze carrying warmth.

Gu Zhizhuo walked out from inside.

Huh, were there this many people when I arrived?

Dr. Zhou was curious and wanted to know who was more confident than him in treating stroke. He never expected that the girl who came out was not even a young girl yet.

Medical skills depend on talent, and some people are indeed exceptionally gifted and achieve fame at a young age. But at the very least, recognizing medicinal herbs and memorizing medical texts are essential. At this young girl's age, even if she started learning from the womb, she would at most be a beginner by now.

"princess……"

Gu Zhizhuo's forehead was covered in sweat; she just wanted to find a place to lean against before she could talk.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, an arm appeared behind her back. She leaned against it comfortably and gave Xie Yingchen a sweet smile.

"Miss Gu," Xie Jing asked sarcastically, "how is the Prince?"

Seeing that she didn't speak, Xie Jing assumed that she had made things worse for the prince but didn't dare to say it, so he sneered, "I told you not to be so stubborn! Doctor Zhou, go in and take a look."

Before Dr. Zhou could respond, a strong voice suddenly rang out from inside the room: "I'm hungry!"

Forehead?

"Where's the food?"

"Aru."

The sound of "Aru" made the usually calm and reserved Princess Li burst into tears. She covered her face with a handkerchief and let out soft sobs.

Gu Zhizhuo finally calmed down: "Your Highness, prepare some porridge and rice soup, something light."

"If a person lies in bed for another three to five days, they can try to get out of bed and walk around."

"Don't keep the windows closed all the time, and give the prince a thinner blanket."

Gu Zhizhuo gave all the necessary instructions.

"You may go in now."

Princess Li didn't even have time to ask a few more questions before rushing inside.

"Your Highness, you're really awake."

Princess Li burst into tears of joy, then scolded, "You old fool, you almost scared me to death!"

"Aru, ouch, don't hit me."

The crown prince gave an awkward laugh during the break.

Gu Zhizhuo leaned against Xie Yingchen and whispered to him, "I almost couldn't be saved, but luckily my master taught me all about Zhuyou. I used Zhuyou extended needles and barely managed to save him."

The herbal healing process was particularly demanding, as was the use of long needles; she was so tired that she didn't want to move.

Gu Zhizhuo looked up at him and asked, "Am I amazing?"

"Impressive." Xie Yingchen praised her skillfully, helped her to sit down in the armchair, and poured her some warm water.

Gu Zhizhuo finished her drink in one gulp, and the tabby cat licked the water droplets that had splashed onto the back of her hand, meowing sweetly.

What is he doing here?

Gu Zhizhuo was asking Xie Jing.

Tsk, she looks so pitiful, like a little wretch.

Xie Jing stared intently at her and suddenly asked, "You really cured the prince?"

"Otherwise what?" Gu Zhizhuo rested his chin on his right hand, smiling happily.

Her eyes darted around, and instead of standing up, she beckoned to Xie Jing with her finger.

After he walked over, Gu Zhizhuo whispered with ill intent, "Have you heard? Liu Ling has taken a fancy to an old blind man and is making a huge fuss about it."

A note from the author: