Chapter 59: Moving Out

Xu Lu hurriedly pressed the spot on her arm where the needle had been, and rushed to Qiao Qingyun’s side. Almost everyone crowded around as well. The woman lifted her hand and glanced at it. “What’s happened to me?”

“Teacher, you gave us such a scare. The imperial physician said your heart was damaged and you needed blood. Look, I donated a whole bag for you.”

“Oh dear…” Qiao Qingyun sighed helplessly. Turning her head, she caught sight of Yuan Zaichun and Feng Ke. Remembering what had happened earlier that day, the woman’s expression stiffened. No doubt her sudden illness was not unrelated to this lord.

“I pay my respects, Your Highness. My health is poor today, so I will not rise.” With that, Qiao Qingyun turned her head, not sparing him a single glance.

Feng Ke sneered inwardly. Good, let’s see how you handle this. You acted without restraint and nearly killed someone.

“You may all leave.”

“Your Highness, that won’t do. Her Grace’s condition is still unstable. She must examine herself.”

“But a healer cannot heal herself…”

The imperial physician began to protest, but Qinglu shot him a look. “Then tell me, aside from a blood transfusion, is there any other remedy for my lady?”

“This…” The physician was momentarily at a loss for words. Indeed, if he had to come up with an alternative, he truly had none.

The woman smiled. “Thank you, physician, for your care. Now that I am awake, I can attend to my own treatment.” With that, she lifted her hand. Qinglu understood at once, stepped forward, and supported Qiao Qingyun’s arm, helping her up.

The woman curled her lips in a faint smile, pretending to search for medicine behind her pillow, while deftly retrieving a bottle of medicine for internal injuries from her medical space. The price was clearly marked, and it looked expensive; fortunately, if there was one thing Qiao Qingyun didn’t lack now, it was money.

“Pour me a glass of water,” Qiao Qingyun said, glancing at Chuncheng, who hurried to comply. The woman swiftly opened the bottle and poured the medicine down her throat, chasing it with water and forcing it down.

Why the rush? Because the bottle had a warning label—take it quickly, or brace yourself for the bitterness. It was extremely bitter.

Therefore, Qiao Qingyun hurried to swallow it before her taste buds could rebel.

“What… what kind of medicine is that?” The imperial physician was dumbfounded. Qiao Qingyun glanced at him. “It treats internal injuries; it can quickly stop internal bleeding.”

“What?” The physician felt as if he’d arrived somewhere otherworldly. Why were there so many things here that even the palace didn’t possess? Just at a glance, he could tell this was a rare and valuable medicine.

“Your Grace, this…”

“If there’s an opportunity, I shall enter the palace and discuss medicine with you,” Qiao Qingyun said, unmistakably issuing a polite dismissal. The physicians soon left. Leaning back against the bed, Qiao Qingyun closed her eyes to rest, ignoring Yuan Zaichun.

“My little beauty, are you done sulking? Come, let me see if you’ve lost weight. Why are you so frail?” Feng Ke approached with a mischievous grin, hoping to chat, but Qiao Qingyun couldn’t be bothered.

“That’s enough, Qiao Qingyun. Didn’t I bring people to save you?” Yuan Zaichun, accustomed to high status, was not used to being ordered about by a woman. Even if he had lost his temper, hadn’t he already apologized? This thought made his words turn sharp again.

“I am unfortunate. I’ll probably have to stay in the clinic for half a month to preserve my life. Otherwise, going back would be a constant risk—and it would spare you the pleasure of killing me on a whim for your entertainment.”

“You!” Yuan Zaichun was furious and stepped forward, but Feng Ke quickly pulled him back.

“Your Highness, her grace is still angry and weak. Do you really want to let her stay upset?”

“Yes, Your Highness, today the emperor asked me why the crown princess was injured and requested your presence at court to explain.” Liu Fu, always the tactful aide, quickly emphasized the gravity of the situation. Yuan Zaichun’s brow furrowed deeply.

Indeed, he understood the emperor’s intent—to hold him accountable and give Qiao Qingyun an explanation. It wasn’t for any other reason, but because she was the daughter of a distinguished general who had died in service; the emperor would be all the more protective of her.

“Hmph.” Yuan Zaichun flung his sleeve in anger and left without another word. Qiao Qingyun said nothing, not sparing him a glance.

Such a reckless man—if he ever became emperor, who knows what would happen?

“My little beauty, are you alright?” Feng Ke finally relaxed when Yuan Zaichun had gone, but now his worry showed.

“I’m fine, not dead yet. If they hadn’t been so quick-witted, I’d probably be in my grave by now.”

“Haha, well, you’re fortunate and blessed, so don’t be upset. As for the crown prince, that’s just how he is—sharp-tongued, but not a bad person.”

“Whether he’s good or bad is none of my concern. I never expected much from him, so there’s less disappointment now.”

As Qiao Qingyun spoke, it was as if all of this had long been clear to her.

“So you really have to stay at the clinic for a while?”

“At least seven days. Otherwise, I won’t recover my strength.”

Hearing this, Feng Ke understood—Qiao Qingyun hadn’t spoken out of petulance earlier, but out of real necessity, because she was truly injured and unwell.

“Alright, then get some good rest today. I’ll go and bring you more money. The clinic just opened and you’ve already fallen ill, honestly…” Feng Ke said with a wry smile.

The woman’s lips curled. “Thank you, Master Feng.”

Seeing the sky outside lighten, she allowed Chuncheng and Xu Lu to nap for a bit, lest no one be available later to see patients.

Yuan Zaichun returned to his own quarters, veins pulsing in his forehead, but soon the anger faded. Qiao Qingyun’s weakness today had been real, and her crisis had been genuine as well—so how should he account for all this?

The more he thought of Qiao Qingyun, the more uneasy he felt, until Liu Fu arrived with a plate of fruit.

“Your Highness, please eat something,” Liu Fu said. Yuan Zaichun was of delicate constitution—he couldn’t afford to go hungry.

Hearing this, Yuan Zaichun frowned, glancing at Liu Fu, who stood respectfully holding the fruit.

“Liu Fu, I ask you—today I already apologized to her, so why is she still giving me the cold shoulder?”

“This…” Liu Fu was left speechless once again.