After resolving Shen Jinxiu's matter, Song Zhiyu remembered her promise to the Duchess of the State to treat General Ling's leg, so she packed her medicine box and went out.
Ling Chen spotted Song Zhiyu's figure from afar. While wondering, he couldn't help but turn to look at Zhou Xingzhi, "Isn't that Miss Song? Where is she going with her medicine box?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xingzhi slowed his pace and fixed his gaze on Song Zhiyu.
Ling Chen chuckled. He noticed that the Crown Prince changed completely when he was around Song Zhiyu; his eyes could only see her.
"Judging from the direction she went, it seems she's heading to the Duke's mansion." Ling Chen watched as Song Zhiyu was respectfully led into the Duke's mansion by a servant.
"My father is concerned about the health of the General Who Protects the Nation, and he asked me to come to the Duke's Mansion to visit him."
"The imperial decree cannot be disobeyed, and today presents a perfect opportunity." After saying this, Zhou Xingzhi did not wait for Ling Chen's response and strode straight towards the Duke's mansion, his walking speed noticeably faster than before.
Seeing this, Jiang Huai scratched his head in confusion, "I feel like His Highness the Crown Prince has become a different person." But he couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.
"Foolish." Ling Chen tapped Jiang Huai on the head with his fan, his smile full of meaning.
*
With the Duchess's prior instructions, Song Zhiyu was quickly led into the mansion by a servant.
"Miss Song, Madam is in Tingfeng Courtyard. This servant will take you there right away."
The Duke's Mansion, Tingfeng Courtyard.
"Madam, Miss Song has arrived." The servant led her to the Duchess and then quietly withdrew.
"Zhiyu, you've finally arrived." The Duchess jumped up from her chair, grabbed Song Zhiyu's hand, and smiled gently, unable to hide her affection for her.
Song Zhiyu bowed, showing her goodwill towards the Duchess. "Madam, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"I heard about your assassination attempt. Were you injured?" The Duchess asked with concern. She genuinely liked Song Zhiyu, this kind-hearted girl, not just because she had promised to treat Yuan'er's leg.
"Thank you for your concern, Madam. I'm fine. Where is Young Master Ling? I'll go check on his leg first." A warm feeling washed over Song Zhiyu, and her smile became even more genuine, but she didn't forget the purpose of her visit today.
Seeing that Song Zhiyu was alright, the Duchess was relieved. "He's in his own courtyard. I'll take you there."
Before the two had even stepped out of the courtyard gate, Ling Chen's voice reached their ears.
"Sister-in-law, I heard you found a doctor for Ling Yuan."
"Yes, Zhiyu's medical skills are excellent." The Duchess smiled, her tone full of certainty.
Song Zhiyu never expected to run into Zhou Xingzhi at the Duke's mansion. To make matters worse, the man looked at her with a smile and spoke in a familiar tone, "Miss Song, we meet again."
"Your Highness." Song Zhiyu bowed, not expecting to run into Zhou Xingzhi twice in one day.
"You know each other?" The Duchess was somewhat surprised; they seemed to know each other in more ways than just acquaintances.
Zhou Xingzhi's lips curled up slightly, his gaze towards Song Zhiyu filled with tenderness, "Miss Song is my savior."
The words "savior" came out of his mouth with a drawn-out ending, creating a subtle sense of ambiguity.
"I see. I never imagined that Zhiyu was the benefactor you've been longing for. What a coincidence." The Duchess's smiling gaze swept between the two of them, and she trusted Song Zhiyu's medical skills even more.
Now the entire palace knows that His Highness the Crown Prince has fallen in love with the female physician who saved him, and has filled his study with her portraits.
However, the female physician wore a veil, so her true face was not visible, and even the emperor did not know what the crown prince's savior looked like.
Hearing the phrase "the benefactor I've been longing for," Song Zhiyu looked away uncomfortably from Zhou Xingzhi's tender gaze, her ear tips turning slightly red.
"Madam, Young Master Ling's leg..." Song Zhiyu sensed that the atmosphere was a bit strange and couldn't help but whisper a reminder.
"Your Highness, Ling Chen, I'll take Zhiyu to Lingyun Courtyard first, you..."
"Let's go together." After saying this, Zhou Xingzhi stepped to Song Zhiyu's side.
"The medicine you gave me before was very effective; my wounds are now completely healed." Zhou Xingzhi lowered his eyes to look at Song Zhiyu's still flushed ears, his gaze suddenly darkening, his Adam's apple bobbing, and his clear voice becoming slightly hoarse.
Song Zhiyu smiled and said in a light voice, "I developed that medicine myself. If Your Highness needs it, I can give you some more."
"Okay, I'll find you." Zhou Xingzhi replied, seemingly ignoring the question, his voice so gentle it could melt hearts.
The Duchess, two steps behind, watched the two figures getting closer and closer with a smile in her eyes, feeling that they were a perfect match.
*
Lingyun Courtyard.
"Young master, the madam has arrived, and she brought a physician with her. She says she's here to treat your leg." The servant looked at Ling Yuan on the training platform with some concern.
If it weren't for the enemy's machinations, their young master would still be the spirited and dashing General Ling, galloping across the battlefield.
Ling Yuan stared blankly at his numb legs. "No one can cure my legs, but I can't refuse my mother's kindness. Please invite them in."
As soon as Song Zhiyu entered Lingyun Courtyard, the first thing that caught his eye was the magnificent martial arts training platform in the courtyard.
The bluestone slabs on the platform have been polished smooth by the owner's countless practices, and the marks on the wooden stakes are still visible, telling the story of the hero's past.
"Mother," came the man's deep, hoarse voice.
The man in the wheelchair wore a dark blue robe. He was tall and imposing, with rough, bronze skin that added to his imposing presence. His black hair was tied up high, and he had sharp, angular features and a deep, piercing gaze, giving him an air of arrogance and unruliness.
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