"Replying to Your Highness… This old servant wants to go to the outskirt of Ji Prefecture near the Imperial City… This old servant plan of going there at this hour and to come back at noon. Forgive this servant if he did not intend of reporting it to His Highness..." Old Zhou bowed respectfully and spoke truthfully!
"Oh? What are you to do in Ji Prefecture?" Xiao Jinfeng's brows rose as a complicated look flashed in his eyes!
"I heard that Doctor Xiao of the Return of Spring Hall in Ji Prefecture has a type of secret medicine powder that can quickly heal one's wounds without leaving any scars…" No matter how much he had begged Xiao Jinfeng that day, he would not take back his order. Forty military beatings were enough to take the life of the wangfei! Fortunately, the wangfei was fine. If there really was a chance, he wouldn't be the only one who regretted it!
"Are you blaming this Prince?! How dare—...! Was the side concubine hurt that bad…?" Xiao Jinfeng felt the anger in the old steward Zhou's tone, and spoke with a slightly guilty tone!
"This old servant wouldn't dare, it's just that before the old Duke left, he specifically instructed me to take care of the Wangfei, and now that Wangfei is seriously injured, this old servant is ashamed. If possible, this old servant hopes that Wangfei's injuries can be healed as soon as possible! As for the severity… I believe that the prince knows better than this old servant... If Your Highness is fine, then this old servant will take his leave first…" This was the first time that Old Zhou had spoken indignantly to Xiao Jinfeng. Ever since he had become a housekeeper in the Xiao manor, Old Zhou had done his duty and did it diligently. However, this time, he truly felt that Xiao Jinfeng had gone too far! Even if it was a Jade Rabbit from the Moon Palace, it wouldn't be so noble as to take a life! Furthermore, the matter had yet to be investigated thoroughly!
Seeing that the Old Zhou was about to leave, Xiao Jinfeng suddenly took a step and blocked his path. Without waiting for him to speak, he took out a white porcelain bottle from his sleeve!
"This is the secret medicine used by the Doctor Xiao you speak of. I don't know if it will be useful or not, but at least I don't have to bother you this time around!" There was not a trace of emotion in Xiao Jinfeng's voice. Old Zhou took the bottle in disbelief as he looked suspiciously at Xiao Jinfeng.
Seeing Old Zhou's surprised gaze, Xiao Jin Feng coughed lightly and then bitterly opened his mouth!
"
"No matter what, this old servant still thanks His Highness on behalf of Wangfei…" Old Zhou lowered his eyes and spoke respectfully. When his gaze fell on the porcelain bottle in his hand, a light flashed across his eyes, and his heart felt slightly relieved!
"Wait... You couldn't let Duan Muyan know about this! This is not a favour for her!" Xiao Jinfeng purposefully suppressed his last words, and looked at Old Zhou with a meaningful look in his eyes!
"This old servant understands…" No matter what Xiao Jinfeng said, Old Zhou agreed readily. Although he did not know if the relationship between the Prince of Qi and his wife would improve after this matter, it was still a good start!
"You can go back now… I'm going to the barracks!" Xiao Jinfeng spoke lightly as he turned and left! Seeing that figure disappear from his line of sight, Old Zhou did not stay any longer. He turned around and returned to the Xiao manor!
In the dark, Su Jinxiu's eyes were cold as ice, filled with a vicious aura! If she hadn't eaten badly last night, she wouldn't have woken up this early and witness such a scene! Xiao Jinfeng had actually gone to Ji Prefecture to procure a medicine for Duan Muyan?! How was this possible?! Did he soften his heart to that wench?! Was it sympathy? Mercy? Or… Su Jinxiu did not dare to think any further. She did not believe it! She absolutely would not believe that Duan Muyan had already entered into Xiao Jinfeng's eyes! There were facts that would disprove this, thus she wasn't willing to even think about it!
When the Old Zhou returned to the palace, he initially wanted to send the porcelain bottle in his hand to Duan Muyan's room, but it was still early, and Qiu Yue might not have woken up, so she walked towards the kitchen. Since the prince had returned to the army camp, he naturally would not return to the manor to eat breakfast.
"Steward Zhou... You're up early!" When the kitchen manager, Li Ping, saw that it was the Old Zhou, he immediately put down the spoon in his hand and greeted the head of the household management. He was the only one in the entire kitchen, so the area was relatively empty.
"Ha! It seems there are those who woke up earlier than me...! The prince has already left the manor, so there's no need to prepare more for today's breakfast. As for the Wangfei's food, I will prepare for them. For Qiu Yue, she is injured right now, so she wouldn't be eating with everyone, so, just set aside one serving for her to be delivered into her room..." Old Zhou carefully opened his mouth, but just as he was thinking of what else to say, a maid suddenly ran in from outside.
"Steward Zhou! This is not good! Feng Xue and Cui Xin suddenly have stomachaches, it seems like it's very serious…" The maidservant's expression was one of panic as she spoke in a flustered manner!
"Tao Hua! You should be looking for a doctor, what's the use of looking for me?!" Hearing this, Old Zhou frowned. Was he a doctor?!
"Steward Zhou, somebody had already gone to look for a doctor, it's just that they're in so much pain right now. They are already rolling on the ground… We really don't know what to do…" The red-faced maid hurriedly responded, her face filled with an expression of agitation!
"How could this be…" Old Zhou gaze turned cold. If there was only one person, then it wouldn't be suspicious, however, for both of them to have stomachache at the same time... Was this related to Xiao Rou's? Old Zhou did not have time to think further, and just as he was about to leave the kitchen, he suddenly thought of the porcelain bottle in his sleeve!
"That's right! This bottle is for the Wangfei to apply into her wounds. Hand this over to Qiu Yue when the meal ends! Do you understand!" As he spoke, Old Zhou handed the bottle to Li Ping. Then, he turned around and quickly left with Tao Hua.
Li Ping held the bottle in his hand and placed it on the tray. Then, he walked to the stove! Pick up the spoon and taste the salt! However, unbeknown to him, somebody came over without saying a word, opened the lid of the porcelain bottle on the tray and pour a chili powder inside. After which, that person shook it twice then covered it back before rushing out as silently as possible.
"Pillar, you've come at the right time. Quickly add some fire…" Li Ping felt some movement behind him and thinking it was his assistant, he opened his mouth casually, but after a long while, no one answered. He turned his head, only to see that other than him, there was no one else in the kitchen. Li Ping shook his head and was at a loss. Could it be an illusion?
As for Old Zhou, when he reached the side room, Feng Xue and Cui Xin were still rolling on the floor in pain. Their foreheads were dripping with cold sweat as they moaned incessantly due to severe discomfort!
"What are you all looking at?! Help them up quickly! Where's the doctor! Why isn't the doctor here yet!" Old Zhou spoke solemnly, ordering the servants at the side to help the two maids onto the couch!
"In reply to Steward Zhou. Jinxiu has gone to get a doctor. They'll be back soon." Tao Hua trembled in response!
"Xiu'er? You, go and hurry them up!" Old Zhou waved his hand, indicating Tao Hua to go find Su Jinxiu! At this moment, Su Jinxiu led the doctor and rushed in!
"Doctor Zhao is here…" This Zhao YuXun was originally Chu Shirou's doctor, his medical skills were one of the best in the Imperial City, but ever since Chu Shirou had left, Old Zhou had instructed not to look for this man to visit the Xiao manor to prevent him from opening old wounds to the Prince of Qi! Now that they were face to face, Old Zhou was naturally smiling as he greeted them. However, when his gaze flashed past Su Jinxiu's body, it was sharp as a blade!
Behind him, Su Jinxiu knew Old Zhou was angry, but she didn't care too much about it. She had already invited him over, how could he just chase them away?
"Doctor Zhao, quickly take a look at what happened to the two girls." Old Zhou temporarily ignored Su Jinxiu's intentions and looked at Zhao Yu Xun worriedly. The entire room slowly quieted down, and only the occasional moans of Feng Xue and Cui Xin could be heard.
Zhao Yu Xun read the pulse of the two, then he stood up and looked at Old Zhou.
"Steward Zhou, don't worry. These two girls must have eaten something unclean that caused their stomachs to go into chaos. That's why they are in pain like this. I will make a prescription and give it to them for three times, then they'll be fine!" Zhao Yuxu respectfully said, then wrote down the prescription and handed it to Su Jinxiu!
"Steward Zhou, if there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave…" Zhao Yuxu carried his medical kit and respectfully bowed!
"Doctor Zhao is too serious. Tao Hua, send Doctor Zhao out!" Steward Zhou cupped his hands in return. After Zhao Yuxu left, Su Jinxiu held onto the prescription and walked over to Old Zhou.
"Steward Zhou, this medicine… there was no pharmacy opened yet at this hour... Is it okay to let Feng Xue and Cui Xin suffer?" Su Jinxiu said softly, not caring at all about Old Zhou's sharp gaze!
"It's up to you… Everyone, leave the room!" What's the use of scolding Su Jinxiu?! It was rare for the Prince of Qi to treat his wife a little better. If Su Jinxiu would 'cry' at this time, the consequences would be unimaginable… Since it had nothing to do with life and death, he could just let her do whatever she wanted!
After Old Zhou left, Su Jinxiu immediately closed the door. She then looked at Feng Xue and Cui Xin who were still moaning. Her red lips slightly curled up, and a strange light flashed in her eyes!
"Enough… No one's here now, so no need to continue pretending...!" Su Jin walked to the side of the table and sat down slowly. She threw the prescription to the side and poured herself a cup of hot tea. She took a sip and breathed in a sigh of relief. 'Duan Muyan… I want you to have a taste of what is called a heart-wrenching pain!'
"Su JinXiu! You're too ludicrous! Don't forget! You gave us that rabbit! We are all in the same boat, if you give us out, don't even think about it!" Seeing that the door was shut tightly, Feng Xue glared fiercely at Su Jinxiu!
"Exactly! You're threatening us now! You are the real mastermind!" Cui Xin was also indignant!
"Heh… Do you really think so?" Su Jinxiu narrowed her eyes slightly. Her piercing cold gaze shot towards Feng Xue and Cui Xin, but her voice was abnormally calm.
"En… Of course…" Feng Xue flinched in response. Cui Xin was also momentarily speechless. Towards Su Jinxiu, they were still quite afraid!
"Wrong, wrong! It is true that we are on the same boat, but if we were to capsize, you would be the only ones to fall in. As for me… Do you think His Highness will believe you? I treat Xiao Rou so well, why would I harm it?! Heh heh heh…" The temperature of the entire room suddenly dropped!
By the side, Cui Xin and Feng Xue knew of this principle, otherwise they wouldn't have played along with her! After this, they no longer had any choice but to follow Su Jinxiu! As for the outcome... Whether it was good or bad, they couldn't care less.
Imperial Palace
When Duan Zitong arrived at the Sage Storage Pavilion, Duan Xingyi was nowhere to be seen!
"Qing Lan! You go and stop them first! I will arrive shortly! Remember, no matter what you do, you must not let the Second Prince leave the palace!" Duan Zitong couldn't understand why her younger brother would go against him time and time again! What was so important about that damned woman!