Chapter 20

This merit is no small feat; I estimate whoever introduced them could make a tidy sum. I don't know which bastard expert came from, it's a pity I wasn't there—otherwise I could have gotten a turn too.

Jiang Yunzhou thought to himself, "You've asked the right person," but hearing this he still feigned surprise, though his heart felt a pang of pain.

To ensure his identity remained concealed, Jiang Yunzhou did not follow to collect the reward silver.

If he went to collect it, they would surely record it; later a comparison would easily expose him. Fortunately, after yesterday's battle at the Southern Peace Office, he had already established trust.

Brother Zou, do you know Prince Rong?

Prince Rong? Of course I know him—he's a major player......

Although Zou Zhen spoke vaguely and politely, Jiang Yunzhou also got the gist: by seniority, this Prince Rong is the current emperor's third younger brother.

Back then, the late emperor was elderly; the throne should have gone to the Regent Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince suddenly fell ill and died.

By the principle of primogeniture, it should have been this Prince Rong who inherited the crown prince's position, but in his youth he was obsessed with pleasure and ignored state affairs.

The late emperor therefore passed the crown prince's position to the Second Prince, Qin Wang, who though born of a concubine had already achieved notable administrative success—namely, the current Holy Sovereign.

After ascending the throne, the Holy Sovereign also treated this Prince Rong very favorably; later, the prince, who had been flirtatious and unrestrained in his youth, mended his ways in middle age, began organizing scholars from various academies to write and publish, and many libraries across the states of Liang received his patronage.

From this, it appears this Prince Rong is quite a special member of the imperial nobility.

After Zou Zhen finished speaking, he asked again:

Jiang Brother, why are you asking about this? Oh, I get it! You want to try your medical skills on Prince Rong's manor's golden list!

A look of doubt filled Jiang Yunzhou's handsome face:

Prince Rong's manor's golden list? What is that?

You really don't know? The daughter of Prince Rong, Princess Ning Le, suffered a fever as a child that burned her eyes; afterwards Prince Rong sought renowned physicians from all over, but ultimately could not cure her, so Prince Rong's manor posted a golden list offering a reward of one hundred taels for anyone who could cure Princess Ning Le.

So that's it—could the person Senior Sister QIngru wanted me to see for a consultation be this Princess Ning Le?

I don't know why Senior Sister QIngru didn't just tell me directly, but instead acted so cautiously; based solely on those two sentences from Brother Zou, I truly cannot judge whether I can cure her—I'll need to examine her first.

After Zou Zhen and Jiang Yunzhou chatted a few more words, they said their goodbyes and returned to the Southern Peace Office; seeing that the time Senior Sister QIngru had mentioned had not yet arrived, Jiang Yunzhou went to the inner city Prince Rong's manor as agreed.

No wonder he was almost made Prince of Liang—Prince Rong's manor is even more imposing than Dong Pangpang's residence.

Jiang Yunzhou went to the western gate, where not far away a strange carriage opened its curtain; Shen QIngru, dressed in snug light-blue plain clothes that barely restrained her allure, waved softly and said:

Yunzhou, over here.

With no one around, Jiang Yunzhou boarded the carriage and discovered only Shen QIngru inside, her familiar mature beauty accompanied by a faint osmanthus scent.

A lone man and woman, in an outdoor carriage, and it's still spring.

After last night's experience, Senior Sister QIngru still dares to be alone with me in a carriage—she truly has great faith in my self-control.

Senior Sister QIngru, you summoned me to Prince Rong's manor—do you want me to try treating Princess Ning Le?

Shen QIngru raised her willow eyebrows, nodded, and spoke softly:

You also know Princess Ning Le?

Before coming, I consulted Brother Zou; whether I can actually cure her probably won't be clear until after the examination. Senior Sister QIngru summoned me to treat her—are you hoping to cure a member of the imperial nobility and bring fame to the Cang Medical Hall?

Shen QIngru extended her jade hand to smooth Jiang Yunzhou's disheveled sideburns blown by the wind, then flicked her finger against his forehead and said:

Silly, all you think about is the Cang Medical Hall—I just want to help you gain fame.

That warm jade hand and her slightly resentful words left Jiang Yunzhou somewhat dazed:

Help me?

Shen QIngru stretched her slightly sore and numb jade legs inside the carriage and explained:

Yesterday you were threatened by the Southern Rebellion rebels; this made me worry and toss and turn. As the sole disciple of your elder brother, you must not come to harm.

Since I won't let Lord Dong participate, I think the best way to protect you is to have someone in the court looking out for you, so I want you to try treating these imperial nobles.

If you actually manage to cure one or two and gain fame, with a prince or marquis shielding you, no one would dare move against you—not even the Splendid Longevity Pavilion.

Jiang Yunzhou sensed Senior Sister QIngru's goodwill, and this almost amounted to risking being poached himself to let him come out for treatment.

I understand, but Senior Sister QIngru, this consultation is overly cautious, isn't it?

Being careful is good; fortunately Prince Rong is away, and the people of the Splendid Longevity Pavilion haven't come to visit. If they found out you came to Prince Rong's manor, they might join in and cause trouble—it's uncertain.

Besides, I know this little Princess Ning Le as well, so under the pretense of delivering medicine I can bring you for a private consultation; even if we can't cure her, it won't be spread about.

Indeed, Senior Sister QIngru's consideration is thorough—truly beautiful outside and wise within!

Bai Zhi wasn't by her side, so Shen QIngru relaxed a bit:

Your slick talk and flattery—did you practice that teasing little girls in Mist State?

Senior Sister QIngru, you're joking; in Mist State I have a master watching, so I wouldn't dare spout nonsense—it's just that seeing you makes me unable to restrain myself.

Shen QIngru gave Jiang Yunzhou another gentle glare with her beautiful eyes, thinking to herself, "Now you're spouting sweet nothings; last night you almost devoured me, this little troublemaker—just thinking about it makes my face flush a bit." She then turned her head and explained Princess Ning Le's situation to Jiang Yunzhou.

Prince Rong's beloved daughter, Princess Ning Le, named Zhao Zhinan, is nineteen years old; at seven she suffered a fever that blinded both eyes, and Prince Rong has been seeking renowned physicians to cure her ever since.

I've heard even the master of the Splendid Longevity Pavilion and top-tier experts of Liang have been invited, but none could cure her; for now she is merely maintained with medicinal nourishment.

At the same time, Zhao Zhinan is also a talented lady; though blind, she can remember any teachings she has heard, and occasionally her excellent poems are circulated.

Since we had already communicated beforehand, Jiang Yunzhou and Shen QIngru passed smoothly through the western gate into Prince Rong's manor.

The two, one after the other, followed a maid to the eastern side garden where Princess Ning Le resides within the manor.

Unlike the solemn and dignified atmosphere of Prince Rong's manor as a whole, upon reaching the eastern side garden one sees walls covered in green.

On the red walls, the creeping vines are trimmed very neatly—neither showing neglect nor lacking vitality.

Before even turning to enter the garden, one hears the splashing of water from within.

Next comes into view an artificial mountain with flowing water, green willows shading the riverbank, the marble pavilions swept clean; although one knows this is inside Prince Rong's manor, the feeling is as if one were in the wilderness beyond, a scene bursting with vitality.

It's hard to imagine that a blind person lives here.

Jiang Yunzhou and Shen QIngru followed the maid across the small stone bridge; upon just arriving at the main hall, they heard the laughter of several girls coming from the eastern study.

"Mei'er, Ping'er, I wonder if my guess is right or not?"

Jiang Yunzhou furrowed his brow slightly: "Mei'er? Ping'er? That sounds somewhat familiar; I'm just missing a Jinlian to have the set."

———————

As Jiang Yunzhou and Shen Qinqing entered, at the gate of Prince Rong's Mansion a huge pale-yellow four-horse carriage stopped; supported by attendants on either side, a middle-aged man in deep purple brocade stepped down from the carriage, his beer belly straining the fabric.

The guards at the gate knelt and said:

"Your Highness!"

From the following light-green small carriage stepped a thin man with a long, thin eight-character beard, holding a medical box, wearing a fawning smile; he hurried forward and followed the Prince into the mansion.