Chapter 344

Jinzhi hurriedly got off the carriage and walked to the side of the fainted Imperial Physician Song.

She gestured, and the maids on either side helped Imperial Physician Song onto the carriage.

The carriage carrying Imperial Physician Song soon returned to the Zhao family's general's residence.

Jinzhi never expected her carriage to hit someone, injuring an old man to this extent; she immediately felt guilty and personally stayed by Imperial Physician Song's side.

Upon hearing the news, Lady Zhao hurriedly came to Ke Yuan.

Jinzhi placed Imperial Physician Song in Ke Yuan; shortly after, Lady Zhao strode into the outer hall, first grabbing her daughter-in-law's wrist and sizing her up from head to toe.

"Jinzhi, how are you? Are you hurt at all?"

"You must be careful these days; you've just become pregnant, the fetus isn't stable yet—if anything goes wrong, it won't be good for your body either."

Zhao Lang had been away for about a month and a half; unexpectedly, shortly after Zhao Lang returned to the frontier, Jinzhi discovered she was pregnant.

Although she wasn't showing yet, this made Lady Zhao overjoyed, and the entire Zhao household treasured Jinzhi like a precious gem.

This time, when Gu Jiu Ling encountered trouble, Jinzhi insisted on going to the suburban temple to burn incense and summon the soul for Gu Jiu Ling and her child, though Lady Zhao originally did not want her to go.

But Jinzhi shared a deep bond with the Princess Consort of Rui, their relationship was close; she couldn't stop her daughter-in-law, so she ordered everyone to follow her to the suburbs to offer incense.

On the way back to the city, something still happened; Lady Zhao hurriedly checked Jinzhi's condition, and seeing her daughter-in-law was unharmed, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning around, she then unleashed a torrent of scolding on the attendants beside Jinzhi, after which she went next door and looked at the Imperial Physician Song lying on the bed.

"Where did this old man come from? He's dazed and foolish—could he have been bewitched?"

Lady Zhao sat in the chair beside the bed, staring at Imperial Physician Song's blood-streaked, aged face.

Just now, while scolding the coachman, the coachman said plaintively that he hadn't intended to hit anyone; it was just that the old man at the turn had lunged straight into the carriage.

No matter how tightly he pulled the reins at that moment, he couldn't stop the horse's hooves, which caused him to knock the old man down.

Lady Zhao also didn't hesitate; since they had hit someone, they naturally had to take responsibility, so she quickly ordered someone to fetch a doctor.

After being busy for about an hour, Imperial Physician Song gradually came to.

Yet he found himself facing the faces of two noble ladies; an old man being stared down like that by two women startled him, and he hurriedly propped himself up to sit on the bed.

But as soon as he sat up, a wave of dizziness and vertigo struck, and the pain from the wound on his forehead made his brows furrow involuntarily.

Jinzhi gestured, wanting to say something, her eyes full of guilt and remorse.

Lady Zhao at her side pulled her back, then turned to Imperial Physician Song: "Elder, where do you live?"

"I'll have someone send you home shortly; today's incident is our fault."

"If you have any demands, just say them; we'll cover the medical expenses and provide some nourishing food for your injuries—name your amount and we'll pay double."

Although we hit Imperial Physician Song today and both sides bear responsibility, the Zhao family is not the sort that bullies people.

Imperial Physician Song usually operates in the cold palace of the Imperial Harem and has little contact with aristocratic families.

Lady Zhao, too, is a newcomer who has just moved to Jing Cheng and doesn't know Imperial Physician Song.

Imperial Physician Song noticed the lavish décor of the room he was in; at a glance it didn't look like a modest household, and a feeling of melancholy crossed his mind.

This family is not bad; at least their attitude is gentle.

He slowly climbed down from the bed, feeling a bit dizzy, and Lady Zhao ordered the maids on either side to support him.

Imperial Physician Song cupped his fists toward Lady Zhao and said, "I'm not that kind of extortionist; I don't want money—if you're willing, just send a carriage to take me home."

A flicker of surprise crossed Lady Zhao's eyes; she hadn't expected this person to be so agreeable, and she felt a touch of respect, smiling as she asked, "May I ask your esteemed surname?"

Imperial Physician Song calmly replied, "My humble surname is Song; I am an imperial physician of the palace's Imperial Medical Institute."

"Imperial Physician Song! My apologies for the discourtesy."

Lady Zhao has always been outgoing; even a stray dog on the street could grab a few words of conversation from her.

Now seeing Imperial Physician Song's proper conduct, she felt a bit more respect: "My son is Zhao Lang; he just went to the frontier a month ago."

"As for today's matter, the Zhao family's responsibility cannot be left unsettled; we might as well consider ourselves friends, and I'll have someone send the medical expenses and such to your residence."

"General Zhao?"

Upon hearing the three words "General Zhao," Imperial Physician Song shuddered involuntarily.

I have long heard that Zhao Lang is not only superb in warfare and strategy, but also upright in character; if I could plead my grandson's case before General Zhao...

... but to save my grandson, I would inevitably have to oppose the Third Prince.

Although the Third Prince has been deposed, the Duan family and the Third Prince's forces still remain; they cannot be utterly eradicated.

As for the Zhao family, I am merely a stranger to them—what merit or ability could possibly move them to help me?

At this moment, Imperial Physician Song could no longer hold back; he fell to his knees with a thump before Lady Zhao.

Lady Zhao was startled, and quickly bent over to help him up.

Imperial Physician Song refused to rise, and instead kowtowed three times with loud thuds before Lady Zhao, leaving her dazed.

"Imperial Physician Song, please… please get up—what are you doing? Are you trying to curse my longevity?"

Imperial Physician Song could no longer suppress his grief; tears streamed down his face as he lifted his head to plead with Lady Zhao: "I am truly driven to desperation; I beg Lady Zhao to help me, to save my grandson."

"In my next life I will bear a bit and eat grass to serve Lady Zhao as an ox or horse, to repay this lifetime's kindness."

At that moment, Lady Zhao helped Imperial Physician Song to his feet.

Lady Zhao has always had a sense of chivalry; Imperial Physician Song told her the full story of his son's situation.

Upon hearing it, Lady Zhao could not help but fly into a rage—such wanton taking of life exists in this world? She quickly ordered someone to bring paper and brush, then personally wrote a letter to her son.

Meanwhile, Jinzhi helped grind the ink, while Imperial Physician Song stood there stunned, never expecting Lady Zhao to agree so readily.

His heart suddenly surged with both shock and joy; he couldn't speak, only offering endless thanks and repeatedly apologizing to Lady Zhao.

If we had Zhao Lang, the Pillar-of-the-State Grand General, on our side, my grandson would likely be released soon.

At this moment, Imperial Physician Song glanced at Jinzhi standing beside Lady Zhao, and a thought suddenly struck him.

He still held in his hand the jade tablet left behind by Prince Rui.

Since he couldn't see Prince Rui in person, if he gave the jade tablet to Miss Jinzhi to pass on to Prince Rui, that would also count as repaying this favor.

Although this feeling of repaying kindness is a little strange.

He bowed to Jinzhi with clasped fists: "Young Madam, I have something I want to say to you, Young Madam, may we step aside to talk?"