Page 64

It was the first time he had seen the gentle and refined Young Lady display such an expression. He could even hear the loud "thud" when she collided with the door frame from afar.

At this thought, Chang Ji's thoughts suddenly paused.

When he went to the Ministry of Punishments earlier, he had mentioned Young Lady's loss of composure.

"Young Lady couldn't even stand steadily. She didn't even realize she had bumped into the door frame. It seems she must be extremely worried about Madam Hou."

Upon hearing his report, his master's gaze softened slightly, and he calmly instructed Chang Ji to fetch someone from the Sun family. However, just as Chang Ji was about to leave, his master called him back and asked,

"Where did she bump?"

It took Chang Ji a few moments to realize that his master was asking where Young Lady had bumped herself.

But how would he know? Didn't his master forbid him from entering the inner courtyard?

All he could do was wait by the Moon Cave Gate of Songsi Courtyard. If not for his keen hearing, he wouldn't have noticed what was happening inside. After Young Lady hurriedly left, he rushed to inform his master, naturally not paying attention to where she might have hurt herself.

Fortunately, his master's question seemed to be casual, and he himself seemed taken aback after asking it. Without waiting for a response, he dismissed Chang Ji to go to the Sun family.

Gu Changjin's act of bringing Sun Daoping to the Qingheng Courtyard was nothing short of a lifeline for Rong Shu, like a ray of light in a dark room or a warm coal in a snowstorm.

Sun Daoping barely glanced at Madam Shen before dismissing the need for a pulse diagnosis. He promptly retrieved a case of needles from his medical kit and, with a serious expression, said, "Madam Gu, time is of the essence. I won't write out a prescription. Please commit these medicinal ingredients to memory and send someone to decoct them immediately."

Upon Sun Daoping's arrival, the previously panic-stricken servants and maidservants in the courtyard found their composure and began working methodically.

As soon as Sun Daoping finished his acupuncture treatment, the herbs that Rong Shu had been instructed to prepare were delivered.

Rong Shu personally administered the medicine and, with a hoarse voice, handed a cup of honey water to the exhausted Sun Daoping. She asked, "Doctor Sun, has my mother been rescued from danger?"

Sun Daoping spoke truthfully, saying, "Madam Hou has indeed stopped bleeding now, but there was an excessive amount of blood loss earlier. I cannot say for certain whether she will regain consciousness; all we can do is exert our utmost efforts and leave the rest to fate. Please be assured that for the next half-month, I shall come to the Marquis's residence daily to administer acupuncture to Madam Hou. This decoction serves to seal the veins and replenish blood, with eight doses prescribed per day. It is imperative that not a single dose be missed."

Sun Daoping never sugarcoated his words, and Rong Shu knew he spoke the truth. Her heart felt as though it was weighed down by a massive boulder, making it almost impossible to breathe.

She nodded gracefully and said, "Many thanks to Doctor Sun for your kindness." With that, she instructed Yingyue to carry the food basket and escort Sun Daoping out of the mansion.

Her countenance was truly unsettling, with a pallid complexion and parched, wrinkled lips - a clear indication that she had neither sipped water nor tasted a morsel of food for several hours.

Sun Daoping parted his lips, intending to speak, yet the consoling words lingered on the tip of his tongue, refusing to be uttered forth.

Human emotions can be difficult to fathom, rendering words often meaningless in such moments. As a physician, she found it more productive to dedicate her energy to studying medical cases rather than engaging in idle talk, with the ultimate goal of curing Lady Hou swiftly.

Chang Ji had been waiting outside the courtyard, observing coldly as Prince Cheng'an escorted a court physician inside. The physician, aware that Sun Daoping had already visited, waved his hand dismissively. "Doctor Sun may be young, but he is highly skilled. With his presence, there is no need for my services here."

What a joke; if even the esteemed descendant of Doctor Sun couldn't cure the patient, what hope did he have? Why bother?

Rong Xun could only watch helplessly as the physician left, pacing back and forth along the corridor in anticipation. He had overheard the conversation between Sun Daoping and Rong Shu.

Yearning to see Shen for himself, he was stopped by Nurse Zhou.

"Doctor Sun mentioned that Lady is currently in a coma, needing peace and quiet now more than ever. His Lordship should return to Qiuyun Hall for rest," she said sternly.

Rong Xun's lips twitched. In the past, Nurse Zhou would always greet him warmly whenever he came to Qingheng Courtyard. Why the sudden cold shoulder?

Yet, Rong Xun found himself unable to rebuke her, nor did he have the heart to do so.

"I just want to see Zhen Niang for a moment," he croaked, his voice hoarse.

Nanny Zhou, however, didn't respond immediately. She glanced behind Rong Xun and said calmly, "Madame has sent someone over, and this old servant really can't leave. I hope His Lordship could lead those people away and inform them at Ho'an Hall on my behalf. Comfort Madame and tell her that our Lady will surely overcome any adversity, so she doesn't need to worry."

The moment the Lady started bleeding, several nannies had arrived at Ho'an Hall and stood guard outside without leaving.

How could Nanny Zhou not know what their purpose was?

They were there to keep an eye on when the Lady would die and how her dowry should be arranged after her death.

At this thought, Nanny Zhou's anger flared up. She leaned close to Rong Xun and whispered through gritted teeth,

"Do you know why the Lady would rather take medicine twice than give birth to that child? It's because she doesn't wish to have another daughter. If she knew that you are such a father, she would rather not have given birth to the first daughter, nor let her suffer in the Cheng'an Marquis Estate. The eldest daughter was forced to leave the estate at the age of four. Do you know that while you were enjoying family bliss with Second Lady and Fourth Young Master in Qiuyun Hall, the eldest daughter was crying out for 'Mother and Father'? She even had to spend her birthdays alone!"

Nanny Zhou's face twisted, and her molars ground together audibly. After finishing her words, she lifted the curtain and entered the room.

The people in the courtyard were too far away to hear what Nanny Zhou had said. Seeing the dazed look on Rong Xun's face, they assumed that the Lady's condition had worsened.

A trusted nanny by Madam Rong's side hurried forward and anxiously said, "His Lordship, is the Lady not well? This old servant must remind you that the eldest daughter is already married. You must keep a close watch on the Lady's dowry to prevent—"

Slap!

Before the nanny could finish her sentence, Rong Xun slapped her across the face.

The nanny clutched her cheek, disbelief etched on her features.

The Marquis was known for his filial piety and had always treated the nannies around Madam Elder with kindness and respect; when had anyone ever seen him so enraged?

Rong Xun closed his eyes briefly before stating coldly, "All of you, return to Ho'an Hall!"

...

Not mentioning the incident in the courtyard to Rong Shu, Amao merely mentioned lightly, "This old servant managed to persuade the Marquis to return to Qiuyun Hall."