Chapter 345: with translation of chapter title

Jinzhi listened to the imperial physician's words, couldn't help but freeze for a moment, not knowing what the imperial physician wanted to say by asking her to speak privately.

Logically speaking, today she had merely bumped into the imperial physician by accident; it shouldn't make them old acquaintances.

Half-believing, half-doubting, she followed the imperial physician to the neighboring parlor, and Madame Zhao treated her daughter-in-law as if she were her own natal daughter.

Although there are times of indulgence, mostly it is respect, and she does not wish to disturb the imperial physician and her daughter-in-law Jinzhi.

At this moment, the imperial physician walked up to Jinzhi, then took out a jade tablet from his bosom and placed it in her hand.

Jinzhi instinctively gripped it, then turned it over; her expression shifted slightly—it was actually an item personally worn by the imperial family.

Jinzhi lifted her gaze to look at the imperial physician before her.

The imperial physician bowed his hands to Jinzhi and said, 'I found this object in the imperial garden.'

He steadied himself: 'Old man knows that the young lady and Prince Rui are sworn siblings, so I entrust this to the young lady, and my heart feels somewhat eased.'

'I picked this up in the imperial garden during a palace banquet held last spring.'

'That day at the palace banquet, a major incident occurred concerning the eldest daughter of the Gu family.'

'This jade tablet fell outside the room where the Gu family's eldest daughter was staying; I have told no one about this.'

'Now I hope the young lady will return this jade tablet to the prince.'

'I have visited the Prince Rui's residence several times before, but the prince has been too busy with affairs. I hope the prince and young lady can mourn and move on; this jade tablet concerns Princess Consort Rui and the child in her womb, so I ask the young lady to pass it along.'

Having said that, the imperial physician added nothing more, for Prince Rui is so intelligent that he must be able to deduce something.

Moreover, if he were to continue speaking, it would all be hearsay from that drunkard Eunuch Feng, lacking solid evidence, merely his own speculation.

Having said what he needed to, the imperial physician bowed again to the young lady before stepping out.

Just as he reached the door, he turned back and looked at Jinzhi: 'Young lady, this matter is of great importance; the fewer who know, the better—please keep it hidden even from the Zhao family.'

'After all, it concerns Prince Rui; if something goes wrong, it would not be good for the Zhao family either.'

The imperial physician turned and walked out; he still had a wound on his head, so he naturally could not walk quickly.

Madame Zhao hurriedly ordered someone to send the imperial physician back to his lodgings.

Madame Zhao turned and looked at her daughter-in-law beside her, asking nothing.

Although she married into their Zhao family's son, it does not mean she was sold to them.

In the Zhao household, this child Jinzhi can walk sideways or lengthwise, be pampered and indulged, yet they cannot restrict this girl's freedom.

Whom she meets, what she says, what she does—she decides it all herself; as a mother-in-law, she has always refrained from interfering.

Jinzhi felt a slight hesitation in her heart, unsure how to explain the jade artifact the imperial physician had just pressed into her hand.

After all, it involves Prince Rui, and she does not want too many people to know.

But her mother-in-law is like her own birth mother; if the mother-in-law asks, should she lie or stay silent? Either way poses a dilemma.

Unexpectedly, her mother-in-law merely glanced at her without asking anything, and Jinzhi felt a wave of relief.

Madame Zhao took Jinzhi's hand, invited her to eat together, and asked nothing further.

Seeing Jinzhi's furrowed brows, Madame Zhao set down her chopsticks, looked at Jinzhi and smiled: 'Jinzhi, do you need Mother's help with something?'

Jinzhi froze for a moment, took out the small notebook she carried for notes, wrote a sentence, and handed it to Madame Zhao.

Madame Zhao stared for a moment: 'You want to go find your sworn elder brother, Prince Rui?'

'Someone! Go fetch Manager Zhang.'

Manager Zhang entered; Madame Zhao looked at him and said: 'Go make a trip to the Prince Rui's mansion, and take our Zhao family's calling card.'

'Ask whether Prince Rui is at the manor; if he is, return quickly to report to the young lady.'

Manager Zhang took Madame Zhao's calling card, turned, and hurried out.

Not long after, he returned: 'Madam, Prince Rui has not come back to the mansion since he left last night.'

Madame Zhao looked at Jinzhi and slowly shook her head.

It seems that delivering the object the imperial physician gave to Xiao Yin will require waiting a while longer.

Madame Zhao hurriedly instructed Manager Zhang to go to the Prince Rui's mansion every other day to gather news; he noticed that today the imperial physician's gaze toward her daughter-in-law was very tense and solemn, perhaps there truly is some important matter to discuss with Prince Rui's side.

Although the Prince Rui's mansion and the Zhao family have had some grudges, the presence of Jinzhi has gradually eased their relations.

After all, it is the Prince Rui's mansion; the Zhao family still has no right to interfere in its affairs, and can only watch from the sidelines.

The night deepened gradually, and the entire Shang Jing was shrouded in a brilliance of lights.

The great clans were all brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

Faint sounds of string and bamboo music with night dancing drifted from the mansions, but only the Prince Rui's mansion lay in utter silence, adding a touch of tragic hue to the prosperous splendor.

The gate of the Prince Rui's mansion was kicked open with a boom, followed immediately by the urgent sound of horse hooves approaching.

'Quick, you few, help the prince down!'

Ling Feng's urgent shout came over, making the nearby guards grow even more flustered.

They lifted Xiao Yin, who was slumped over the horse's back, down from the mount.

Whether it was from several days and nights without sleep or the immense grief of losing his wife, this man suddenly became frail.

This time they followed the prince all the way to Longzhou.

From that direction came a clue that they had seen a pregnant woman who resembled the princess consort greatly.

After Xiao Yin seized that lead, he raced at breakneck speed for several hundred li, only to find that the woman was certainly not Gu Jiu Ling.

They then raced back toward Jing Cheng, tossing and turning along the way; by the time they reached Shang Jing, Xiao Yin on horseback was already utterly exhausted, and he again showed signs of drowsy lethargy, so the entourage scrambled to help the prince into the warm pavilion.

That night Xiao Yin dreamed nonstop nightmares, which gradually faded before his eyes like passing clouds.

He tried to reach out and grasp, but could never catch hold.

Ling Feng was also utterly exhausted, leaning against the gate of the Eastern Garden where he fell asleep headfirst.

All night long, whether it was Xiao Yin inside or the guards standing watch outside, they were completely worn out.

The next morning, sunlight streamed in.

Ling Feng startled awake, rubbed their face, got up and walked into the warm pavilion, only to find Xiao Yin leaning against the chair back, their complexion ashen.

Ling Feng looked at the Prince, whose face was dead gray and eyes full of gloom, and dared not speak, standing to the side.

Xiao Yin suddenly found it boring, sighed: "No need to keep watch; go rest today, if you die from exhaustion how will you continue searching for people?"

Ling Feng bowed and withdrew, walking to the doorway where a servant waited.

"Prince, the young madam of General Zhao's residence has sent you a notice, saying there is an urgent matter to see you."

"These past days the Zhao household has kept coming to inquire about your news; this matter is likely urgent."

"Jinzhi?" Xiao Yin leaned back against the chair, raised a hand to pinch their tight brows, "Go to the Zhao residence to invite……"

Before the word "please" was finished, another servant hurried in.

"Reporting to the Prince, the young madam of the Zhao family requests an audience."