Chapter 35 Dog-eat-Dog
When the people from the Imperial Medical Bureau were hurriedly dragged to the Tang Mansion, the medicine boxes in their hands were almost dropped.
When Governor Xiao's men went to the Imperial Medical Bureau, they looked extremely anxious as if someone had died. Everyone in the Imperial Medical Bureau knew that the little girl who had caused such a commotion in Duke Song's Mansion and had almost fallen to her death was beaten by the people from the Duke's Mansion until she vomited blood.
The imperial physician whose clothes were almost torn was furious. He had originally thought that Governor Xiao's men were exaggerating. But when he actually arrived at the place and saw the little girl lying on the bed, even the knowledgeable imperial physician was shocked. He quickly put down his medicine box and hurried forward.
"Whoever did this is too cruel. He wants to ruin the young lady's face."
"Yes, it's the old lady..." Hua Wu cried, "Please, doctor, my girl has nothing left. Please save her face."
The imperial physician gasped when he heard this.
The wound on Tang Ning's face looked really serious. In the past half hour, the marks left by the slap from Old Madam Song had been fully manifested. Half of her face was swollen beyond recognition. The originally injured part was a little cracked due to the swelling. In addition, Xiao Yan had someone do some special tampering, so bright red blood flowed all over her face. The imperial physician was a little frightened when he saw it.
"This..." He turned around and looked at Xiao Yan, "Master, Miss Song is seriously injured. I..."
He couldn't guarantee that there wouldn't be scars.
Xiao Yan's eyes were cold. "I'll do my best to treat him. If you need any medicine, just let me know."
The imperial physician nodded quickly in agreement.
After the wounds on Song Tangning's face were cleaned, she could only use some medicine for external injuries and then recuperate. After the imperial physician took her pulse, he found that she was deficient in qi and blood, and her body was weak due to the cold. In addition, Hua Wu cried and said that she had been beaten and vomited blood and fainted. The imperial physician did not notice anything unusual, and only felt that the Song family was cruel.
After leaving the prescription and medicine, and leaving Tang Mansion with Governor Xiao's frosty face and returning to the Imperial Medical Bureau, he still felt sad.
When people around came forward to ask curiously, the imperial physician couldn't help but shake his head.
"The people in Duke Song's mansion are truly cruel. Miss Song was so young, yet her face was beaten so badly by the old lady of the Song family that it was almost destroyed. Moreover, she was suffering from a deficiency of Qi and blood, and a cold. When I went to see her, her maid almost fainted from crying..."
"Did it really happen to Madam Song?"
"Who else could it be but her? I heard that she and Minister Song's wife went to Jiyun Lane today. They wanted to force Miss Song to return home to clear up the matter of the concubine because of the impeachment of the Song father and son yesterday. Miss Song was afraid that the eldest son of the Song family would not go back, so she took action directly."
The surrounding imperial doctors were all shocked when they heard this.
"That can't be possible. Miss Song is her granddaughter."
"Yes, that's our bloodline. How could she be so cruel?"
"Tsk, so what if she's a granddaughter? How can she compare to a legitimate grandson who inherits the family line? That eldest son of the Song family was reprimanded by His Majesty for Miss Song's affairs. The second wife of the Song family has been dead for many years. No matter how much friendship they have, how can it compare to that of a living person? Otherwise, they wouldn't have used a concubine's daughter as a concubine and openly allowed her to bully the legitimate daughter."
When a group of people talked about what the Song family had done, they all expressed contempt.
Even though Song Shulan is the descendant of the second branch of the Song family, a concubine's daughter is not acceptable in public. Any other family would hide it if they encountered such a situation. But the Song family seemed to be possessed by demons and could actually do such a thing, which was a disgrace to the Qingliu family.
Someone lowered their voice and said, "This time, Governor Xiao is furious. He previously acknowledged that Miss Song as his sister, but the Song family went to Jiyun Lane to bully people. Governor Xiao not only broke the old lady Song's arm, but also ordered that no one from the Imperial Medical Bureau be allowed to see the Song family."
Someone nearby sneered, "It's not just the Imperial Medical Bureau. I heard that other medical clinics in the capital have also been warned that anyone who dares to visit the Song family will be visited by the Black Armor Guards tomorrow."
Who is Governor Xiao? He is a demon who kills without blinking an eye.
Song Jiaming had obviously offended him. Who would dare to touch the tiger's tail and seek death?
Someone hurried in from outside, holding a note in his hand: "Hey, everyone is here. The Duke of Song's mansion sent a note saying that his old lady is ill and they want to invite a royal physician to come and see her..."
The crowd suddenly felt as if a dark cloud was gathering over their heads, and they all started talking at once.
"I don't have time. I need to go to the palace to see Concubine Xin."
"My mother is sick at home, and I have to go back to take care of her."
"Don't look at me. I still have to go check on Old Prince Luo for his pulse. We already made an appointment."
"My son broke his leg and can't wait any longer..."
A group of people came up with a bunch of messy excuses, and in just a moment, the originally bustling Imperial Medical Bureau was deserted, leaving only a younger imperial physician.
Seeing the messenger coming forward with the Song family's invitation and trying to hand it to him, his face tightened and he covered his mouth and began to cough heart-wrenchingly.
"Cough cough cough... I, I seem to have caught a cold. I'm dizzy and can't go out to see patients..."
Doorman: “…”
My lord, your complexion looks rosy and shiny, and you look so fakely sick.
The Song family servants stood outside and waited for a long time. Finally, the person who had gone in with the note came out, but there was no imperial physician following him.
The man said apologetically, "Your arrival is truly unfortunate. There is no one on duty at the Imperial Medical Bureau today, and all the masters are away on business."
"There's not even a single imperial physician?" The Song family servant was filled with astonishment.
The doctor shook his head and said, "Today, there are many people seeking medical advice in the palace. We originally had one doctor on duty, but someone suddenly fainted due to an emergency, so we can't see him. Why don't you go find another doctor in the capital? If it's not an emergency, those doctors can also treat it."
The post was returned unopened, and the Song family servant had no choice but to leave. When he turned around and wanted to ask for help from the pharmacy in the city, he didn't expect that he could not find a doctor who could see patients after running all over the capital.
At the Song family, Song Hong overturned the things on the table.
"In this huge capital, you're telling me there's no doctor? There's no one at the Imperial Medical Bureau, and there's no one at any of the pharmacies in the capital?!"
Are all those doctors dead?!
The servant who was hit quickly knelt down and begged for mercy. The Duke's housekeeper whispered beside him, "Master, calm down. It's not their fault. They did search all over the capital, asking at every pharmacy and drugstore, but the doctors were either out for consultation or were otherwise busy and absent."
"I finally found an old acquaintance and gave him some money to find out the truth. It turned out that someone had warned them not to come to the Song family for treatment."
Song Qin's lips trembled: "Is it Xiao Yan?"
Steward Chen nodded. "The people at the Governor's Mansion have spread the word that the old lady's arm was hit by Governor Xiao. Anyone who dares to enter the Song family to see her today will be visited by the Black Armor Guards tomorrow."
Everyone in the capital city knew that the Black Armored Guards under Xiao Yan's command were a group of mad dogs. Not only did the common people not dare to provoke them, even the imperial physicians with excellent family backgrounds and high ranks did not dare to go against Xiao Yan's wishes. Otherwise, how could such a large Imperial Medical Bureau not have a single person on duty?
Someone clearly saw that the imperial doctors had not come out, but given the status of the Duke of Song's Mansion, they couldn't invite back an imperial doctor?
"That eunuch Xiao Yan is simply going too far! He wants to force Grandma to death!"
Song Jinxiu's eyes turned red with anger. He turned around and tried to walk out, but was stopped by Song Tan.
"Jin Xiu, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to the Imperial Medical Bureau to find someone. I don't believe there's no justice in this world."
Song Jinxiu's young face was filled with anger. "Grandmother is a royal decree, the Dowager of the Duke's Mansion. If the Imperial Medical Bureau refuses to treat her, I will go to the palace and file a complaint. I don't believe that a eunuch named Xiao can truly control everything. Everyone in the capital is afraid of this cruel and vicious eunuch!"
Song Tan grabbed Song Jinxiu's arm tightly. "Don't be confused. If the people from the Imperial Medical Bureau wanted to come, they would have come long ago. It's useless to force them like this. Besides, the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau are involved in many things, and most of them have concubines and court officials to rely on. If you file a lawsuit against them, even if Xiao Yan doesn't tell you, you will offend everyone in the Imperial Medical Bureau..."
Not to mention those people's backgrounds, just their involvement with the court is enough to cause trouble for the Song family. Offending the Imperial Medical Bureau is the most unwise thing to do.
"So we're just going to watch that Xiao bully our Song family and make Grandmother die of pain?" Song Jinxiu said angrily, "Third Uncle is afraid of that Xiao, but I'm not. At worst, I can go and beat the drum to report it..."
Bang!
Song Qin's face turned ugly when he was questioned by Song Jinxiu, and he pulled the man back with force.
Seeing Song Jinxiu groaning in pain after bumping into the table, he angrily scolded, "You're awesome, you're smart, but you're the most knowledgeable person in the Song family?"
"You think I'm willing to watch your grandmother suffer? You think I'm willing to give in to the Xiaos, but don't you think about what caused today's incident? Your grandmother went to Jiyun Lane and fought with Tang Ning. How many people watched her beat Tang Ning so badly that he vomited blood and was thrown out by Xiao Yan?"
"Believe it or not, everyone outside is cursing our Song family for being mean and vicious, and for your grandmother being unkind and shameless, for forcing an orphan girl whose parents are both dead and has no one to rely on!"
"You're really impressive for yelling at me right now. Why don't you think about why your grandmother would be in such a state if it weren't for the trouble you caused in the mountains?!"
Song Jinxiu's anger suddenly froze and his face turned pale.
Song Tan was also very angry.
When Song Shulan came back before, he already felt that it was not good that his eldest brother wanted to put her into the second house, but he could not argue with Old Lady Song and Song Hong, and for the sake of the Duke title who was about to inherit the title, he had no choice but to follow them. He also forced the thing in Song Shulan's hand to make her a concubine's daughter.
The matter had originally been settled, and Tang Ning had agreed to keep the girl in the mansion. They just needed to take good care of her and find someone to marry her off to. But they insisted on treating her like their own daughter, and repeatedly allowed her to quarrel with Tang Ning. Song Jinxiu was so foolish as to abandon Tang Ning for her and almost killed her.
Now you have the nerve to question him for being afraid of trouble?
Song Qin was so angry that he blurted out, "You know you have to stand up for your grandmother now, but why don't you think about that day in the mountains? If you had had a brain, not only would you have brought Tang Ning back to the capital, but you would have even sent a servant to take her back to Lingyun Temple. The Song family wouldn't be in such a predicament today."
"You've caused so much trouble, and you have the nerve to yell at me like that?!"
The color drained from Song Jinxiu's face, and he whispered, "I didn't mean to..."
"Are you planning on explaining this to Tang Ning and seeing if she's willing to believe you?"
Song Jinxiu's face turned pale.
Song Hong was also angry at Song Jinxiu's confusion, but the incident had already happened, and it was useless to be angry. He said to Song Tan:
"Okay, is this the time to bring up old grudges? Things are already chaotic outside, and Mother is still lying unconscious in bed. What's the point of bringing up the past?"
Seeing Song Tan's frown, Song Hong tried his best to suppress his anger and said, "Third brother, I know you are dissatisfied with Jin Xiu, but no matter how dissatisfied you are, you must first take care of the present. Mother must not be in danger. If something happens to her, you and I will have to mourn, and the future of the Song Guogong Mansion will be ruined."
Song Qin's expression changed slightly: "But doctor..."
"There will always be a doctor." Song Hong said in a deep voice, "Take my invitation and go to the Lu family. They have a doctor in their house who treats the harem. Go and invite him back to deal with it temporarily and keep mother safe."
"But is the Lu family willing to get involved..."
"They have to agree even if they don't want to. Lu Zhinian also had a hand in the matter of the mountain. Tang Ning was so cruel to the Song family, but they thought Lu Zhinian could get away with it? Besides, it was Xiao Yan who took action today. He beat up the imperial edict and injured the women of the Duke's Mansion. Lu Chongyuan would only be happy to hear about it."
Xiao Yan has had a feud with the aristocratic families for a long time, and the Lu family is eager to find something to hold against him. No matter what the reason is, Xiao Yan was wrong for beating a court lady, so how could the Lu family miss such a good opportunity?
Song Qin also reacted and said quickly: "Brother is really smart. I will go to the Lu family now."
Song Hongcai turned to Song Jinxiu and said, "You stay here and take care of your grandmother. Don't go out and cause trouble."
"Then father..."
"I have things to do."
This time, Song Tangning really broke off relations with the mansion. Although Zou came back crying, she told the whole story.
She and Old Madam Song injured Song Tangning and were thrown out of Jiyun Lane by Xiao Yan. It goes without saying that rumors are already spreading in the outside world.
Xiao Yan is not easy to mess with, and Tang Ning is not as obedient as before. He has to clean up some things to avoid any setbacks.
Seeing Song Hong hurriedly leave, Song Tan also went to the Lu family with the invitation. Song Jinxiu looked through the screen at the unconscious Old Madam Song inside, biting her lips tightly, and didn't understand how things turned out like this.
Everything was obviously fine before, and Tang Ning was still pulling him and calling him brother coquettishly not long ago, but why did she seem like a different person after Shan came back?
He didn't mean to abandon her in the forest. He just didn't expect that Lu Zhinian and Xie Yin didn't leave anyone to protect Tang Ning.
He was just careless...
But why did Tang Ning insist on holding on to it? Why did it have to become like this?
"Tang Ning..."
As Song Jinxiu murmured softly, resentment was also tinged in his heart.
They are obviously close siblings, why is she so heartless?
Song Shulan stood behind the porch pillar outside the house, looking at the pale-faced Song Jinxiu inside, and her lips turned pale.
She originally thought that Old Madam Song could personally bring Song Tangning back, or at least make her look unfilial and save the situation. However, she didn't expect that even such a shrewd Old Madam Song would fall into Song Tangning's hands.
She bit her teeth hard and silently cursed "old waste", her eyes filled with resentment.
Why was Song Tangning so lucky, born into wealth and prosperity, enjoying every opportunity, even without Song Jinxiu and the others, yet still having a sworn brother to protect her? Why was she always able to so easily gain support that others couldn't even ask for, ruining the good situation she had worked so hard to create?
Song Shulan dug her nails into the beams. She resented how Tang Ning could get close to Xiao Yan, and was also annoyed at her own miserable life.
If the Song family really fails, what should she do?
She felt a little panicked, and her gaze fell on Song Jinxiu in the room. Her originally frightened eyes quickly calmed down.
No matter what, Song Jinxiu must stand on her side!
Song Shulan straightened her dress and messed up her hair a little, then rubbed her eyes with a handkerchief until they turned red, revealing Song Jinxiu's usual look of caring for her, and walked into the room sobbing softly.
"Brother..."
"Shulan?"
"Brother, what should I do? Tang Ning is so cruel, I'm so scared..."
She cried bitterly, and Song Jinxiu supported her lovingly, "Don't be afraid."
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