Chapter 57: Begging My Lord to Save Her Majesty

"Get up!"

The man suddenly yanked Qiao Qingyun to her feet. The force of it made her stumble, and she was flung aside, crashing into a table.

"Your Highness!" Liu Fu cried out in alarm. Only then did Yuan Zaichun realize what he had just done.

A sharp breath of pain escaped the woman. She steadied herself, and, under the astonished gaze of those around, bent at the waist and bowed. "Your concubine greets Your Highness."

"Let me ask you: has the Eastern Palace ever failed to provide for you? And yet, you, as the Crown Princess, stoop so low as to open a clinic?"

"Crown Princess?" Some among the onlookers were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped, including the two who had been learning medicine from Qiao Qingyun.

"So, Your Highness has come today to accuse your concubine?" Qiao Qingyun knelt on the ground, her gaze fixed unflinchingly at Yuan Zaichun's feet, as though she already knew what was to come.

"I simply do not understand! Must you bear such a grudge over what happened the other day?"

"I do not understand what Your Highness speaks of," she replied quietly. "I only know today's patients have not yet been seen. If Your Highness wishes to punish or scold me, wait until we return. I will accept whatever you decree. But today, I must care for these patients."

Determination burned in Qiao Qingyun's eyes, and seeing it, Yuan Zaichun's anger only deepened.

"Your Highness," Liu Fu interjected hurriedly, "Her Highness is right. There are too many eyes and ears here. If word of this reached the Emperor, what would become of us?"

At those words, Yuan Zaichun glanced at Qiao Qingyun. "Tonight, come to my chambers."

With a sweep of his sleeve, he turned and strode away.

Only after his figure had vanished did Qiao Qingyun's tears finally fall, wrung out by pain.

Qingluo rushed to her side, eyes red, and helped her up. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Her voice trembled, but the woman shook her head. "It doesn't matter. She can't possibly kill me, can she?"

She let out a cold laugh, then returned to the old man she had been treating. "Uncle, I'm so sorry. I must have frightened you just now. But it's alright—let me give you your injection. Please, don't move."

Her voice was gentle, soothing those before her.

"Crown Princess..." the old man stammered.

"No, no, today I'm just the doctor here. Just call me 'miss.'"

Smiling, she tied the tourniquet around his wrist. As the vein swelled, she picked up the needle and slipped it in gently. "How does that feel?"

"It's fine, miss. But just now, I saw you hit the table pretty hard. Are you alright?"

"That's not important. You must remember to keep an eye on the medicine. When it's time, let Xu Lu and Chuncheng remove the needle. Don't forget."

"Alright."

With that, Qiao Qingyun slowly rose, leaning on Qingluo for support, and returned to the resting room.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Yuan Zaichun had calmed down. He hadn't expected himself to lose control so thoroughly—he'd even pushed Qiao Qingyun.

"Liu Fu."

"I'm here."

"How is Qiao Qingyun?"

Liu Fu hesitated, considering his words. "Your Highness, Her Highness may really be hurt. She hit the edge of the table hard. Luckily it was her waist—had it been her head..."

He trailed off, eyes nervously watching Yuan Zaichun, afraid his words might provoke more anger.

"I don't know what's come over me. It's because of that woman—I lose my temper so easily!"

Yuan Zaichun frowned in frustration.

"Your Highness, if you treat Her Highness this way, I fear she won't wish to return. If that happens, wouldn't Your Highness lose someone who can help with poisons?"

Hearing Liu Fu shift his argument, Yuan Zaichun quickly accepted the logic.

Yes...

If that were the case, he'd nearly pushed Qiao Qingyun away for good.

Recalling her ashen face, he couldn't help but worry.

Chuncheng and Xu Lu, while not as skilled as Qiao Qingyun, managed to administer the injections, though it hurt a bit. They removed the needles deftly.

Qiao Qingyun lay in bed for a long while, Qingluo keeping watch. As evening approached, Qingluo hurried to her side and gently shook her.

"Your Highness, it's time to return to the palace."

But there was no response. Qiao Qingyun's eyes remained tightly shut, silent.

Seeing this, Qingluo grew frantic. "Your Highness! Your Highness!"

No matter how she called, there was no answer. Outside, the patients had all received their second injections, and the clinic was closed.

"Someone, help!"

The others, busy eating, dropped their bowls and rushed in at her cry.

"What happened?"

"Her Highness has fainted!" Qingluo cried desperately.

Chuncheng and Xu Lu hurried forward, taking Qiao Qingyun's wrist to check her pulse.

Her pulse was shockingly weak!

"Qingluo, hurry to the Eastern Palace and tell His Highness. We must summon the imperial physicians from the palace!"

"Yes!"

Qingluo wasted no time, running straight to the main hall of the Eastern Palace without stopping.

In the hall, Feng Ke was still sipping tea with Yuan Zaichun. Seeing Qingluo dash in, Feng Ke joked, "Is the Crown Princess in such a hurry?"

But before the words had faded, Qingluo dropped to her knees with a thud.

"Your Highness, please save Her Highness!"

Feng Ke's face changed, turning to Yuan Zaichun, who looked equally bewildered.

"What happened to her?"

"This afternoon, Your Highness pushed Her Highness, and she struck the table. After giving an old uncle his injection, she complained of back pain and went to rest. But..."

"But when I went to fetch her, she had already lost consciousness. Chuncheng and Xu Lu say her breath is faint. Without an imperial physician, Her Highness's life may be in danger."

By now, Qingluo was sobbing uncontrollably. Feng Ke frowned and looked at Yuan Zaichun.

So it was Yuan Zaichun who had done this. And now, Qiao Qingyun's life was hanging by a thread.

"Where is she?"

"At the clinic. She can't be moved or disturbed."

"Liu Fu, go to the palace and fetch an imperial physician!"

With that, Yuan Zaichun rose and rushed outside, intending to follow Qingluo. Unexpectedly, Feng Ke followed as well.

"Your Highness, the Crown Princess is my partner. Naturally, I should go and see for myself."

Yuan Zaichun said nothing, but did not refuse. Together, they followed Qingluo.

Entering the resting room, they saw Chuncheng and Xu Lu using silver needles to protect Qiao Qingyun's heart.