Chapter 66: You Seem to Know Quite a Lot

“Teacher, how should we proceed this time?” Xu Lu and Chun Cheng watched from the side; after all, most physicians at this time were men, so there was little need for decorum.

“Just observe.” With that, Qiao Qingyun stepped forward, placed the oxygen mask on the pregnant woman, and administered the anesthesia powder. Soon, the woman lost consciousness, though her breathing remained steady. Several servants assisted nearby, listening to her heartbeat with stethoscopes.

Qiao Qingyun glanced at them, then moved to push down the woman’s trousers and pressed gently on her abdomen. There were tools available for inducing miscarriages, but at six months, a curettage would be necessary, inflicting greater harm on the woman’s body. Though there were blood packs at hand, Qiao Qingyun intended to act swiftly; no one wished to linger over such matters.

“Miss?” Qingluo watched Qiao Qingyun, worried, as the woman reached her hand inside the womb—her main task was to extract the entire placenta. But with the placenta’s attachment varying, and lacking comprehensive instruments, only the most primitive methods could be used.

“Fortunately,” Qiao Qingyun sighed, her hands already having removed the placenta. With a final tug, a fully formed male fetus was brought out with it.

“The child cannot be saved—bury it outside,” she instructed, pointing to the extracted remains. Qingluo nodded, and as expected, Chun Cheng and Xu Lu were overcome with nausea, retching violently at the sight.

Qingluo, now accustomed to such scenes, remained unfazed. Once the woman’s condition stabilized, Qiao Qingyun moved her to a general ward for observation during the first hour, watching for signs of awakening.

A young man stayed by her side throughout, surprising Qiao Qingyun. Many, losing their child, would vent their anger on the mother, worsening her mood and risking depression.

“Madam, someone outside wishes to see you. He says the Crown Prince sent him,” Qingluo approached gravely. Hearing the mention of the Crown Prince, Qiao Qingyun paused, frowning.

“Very well.” The two hurried downstairs, leaving Chun Cheng and Xu Lu in the room. There, they saw a man clad in black robes, whose aura of menace unsettled Qiao Qingyun.

“Greetings.” She smiled and nodded, but the man was unbearably arrogant, refusing even to glance at her.

He carried himself with such hauteur, his chin almost raised to the heavens. “The master says you’re to examine me.”

Qiao Qingyun did not take offense; since this was a matter of cooperation, she resolved to act accordingly. “Certainly. This way, please.”

She gestured toward the consultation room. Ignoring her entirely, the man strode in with large, purposeful steps.

“Madam, isn’t this man excessively arrogant?” Qiao Qingyun sighed in resignation—what a burden. She regretted her earlier impulse to claim the clinic was established because of Yuan Zai Chun; now, it seemed all future affairs would converge here.

“Madam…” With some reluctance, Qingluo wished Qiao Qingyun wouldn’t help, but seeing her resolve, she held her tongue.

“It’s all right.” Qiao Qingyun smiled gently. “I’ll go see to him. Wait here.”

“Yes.” Qingluo remained at a distance, watching anxiously, as if fearing for Qiao Qingyun’s safety.

“May I ask who you are?” Qiao Qingyun inquired.

“No need for introductions. Just do your job.” The man’s bearing was imposing; on his shoulder was embroidered a golden dragon with four claws.

Qiao Qingyun was startled. Only the Crown Prince was entitled to such attire, and none but the prince could wear it. Yet, this man was not Yuan Zai Chun, suggesting he must be from an allied nation.

“Very well,” she replied, seating herself angrily opposite him and producing a consultation form. “Your name, and where do you reside?”

“What do you mean by that?” The man was displeased, but Qiao Qingyun shrugged. “I work for the prince, so I must keep records and collect payment.”

Her explanation was sensible enough. The man pondered briefly and answered, “My name is Qin Hao.”

“Very well.” After noting this down, Qiao Qingyun reached for his pulse, but at the first touch, her brow furrowed tightly.

“How long has it been?”

“What?” Qin Hao was puzzled by her question.

“I’m asking how long you’ve been poisoned.”

Qin Hao was taken aback—how could she discern his affliction so quickly? “It’s been nearly half a year.”

“Half a year?” Qiao Qingyun frowned, carefully checking his pulse. “You likely have a traitor close by. The dosage is well controlled, and you haven’t had any break from it in this time.”

“What?” Qin Hao grew agitated, standing up as the menace in his gaze deepened.

“Why would I lie to you? If you think you’ve found the culprit, let me tell you: you haven’t, for they’re still poisoning you.”

Her words struck directly at Qin Hao’s pride. Qiao Qingyun was not one to endure disrespect, especially from someone so imperious and demanding.

“So, what do you suggest? Can you cure it?”

“You’ll have to wait. This poison is not easily dispelled. If you’re impatient, I can do nothing.”

She spoke with indifference, provoking Qin Hao to a bitter laugh. “Is this how you serve your Crown Prince?”

“I serve His Highness, and my clinic is open to his people. As for you, a Crown Prince yourself, there’s no need for such trouble, is there?”

At her words, Qin Hao’s face turned icy, like snow in winter, and he regarded Qiao Qingyun with utmost caution.

“You know more than you should.”

“I know more than a little. If you hadn’t been careless, I wouldn’t have discovered it—isn’t that so?”

Qin Hao was stunned. “Careless?”

“Why else would you come here in a princely robe? Four claws mark a dragon for the Crown Prince alone.”

“The Crown Prince of my nation is Yuan Zai Chun. As for you, I neither know nor wish to know, lest I court disaster. Just this: if you want treatment, stay in the clinic and pay your fee.”