Chu Ruoyan looked up in a daze, only to see Yun Lang flying in, holding Old Divine Doctor Qin by the arm.
The old divine doctor, upon landing, immediately scolded harshly: "You scoundrel! How many times have I told you, old man, that scaling walls and flying over rooftops is for you young people. Don't come tormenting these old bones of mine!"
Yun Lang shrugged nonchalantly. Chu Ruoyan was overjoyed: "Old Divine Doctor! Please, save my aunt!"
Qin Yiru turned his head. Hearing the weak cries from inside, his expression changed: "Hey, at such an age to be having a child, how could you be so careless as to show signs of bleeding?"
At these words, Imperial Physician Hu, standing nearby, widened his eyes in astonishment.
To diagnose the condition just by the sound... this was more than a divine doctor; even an immortal might not surpass this!
Qin Yiru had no more time to argue with Yun Lang. He grabbed his medicine chest and rushed inside.
Just past the screen, he saw Chief Physician Zhang preparing to pull forcibly. He quickly jabbed a needle into his Quchi acupoint.
Chief Physician Zhang's elbow went numb, and he cried out in pain: "Old Divine Doctor? What are you doing?"
Qin Yiru bumped him aside with his hip: "Shoo, shoo, shoo! This baby isn't dead yet. What are you messing around for?"
Chief Physician Zhang was stunned. Old Madam Cao asked in a trembling voice: "Old Divine Doctor, do you mean... both can be saved?"
Qin Yiru snorted: "Nonsense. If I couldn't save them, wouldn't that make this old man's flight a complete waste?" After saying this, he frowned and looked around. "What are so many people doing here? The air is so thick you can hardly breathe. Out, out, all of you, get out!"
Old Madam Cao hurriedly stood up: "Yes, yes, everyone out, everyone out!"
Cao Yang, holding his wife's hand, frowned deeply: "Old Divine Doctor, I wish to stay and accompany her."
Qin Yiru hadn't noticed him at first. Now seeing him, he exclaimed, "Oh ho! You're awake too, young man? Good, good. Later, this old man will examine you as well. Being unconscious for so long, don't let your brain sleep itself silly!"
And so, except for Cao Yang, the midwife, and Chief Physician Zhang who clung stubbornly to the screen refusing to leave, everyone else was driven out.
Chu Ruoyan held Old Madam Cao's hand: "Please, set your heart at ease. The Old Divine Doctor has saved my uncle and aunt so many times before. This time, he will surely succeed as well!"
Old Madam Cao muttered: "Yes, yes, this time he will surely succeed!"
Yet the hand holding Chu Ruoyan's still trembled uncontrollably.
They waited outside like this for the time it takes one incense stick to burn, then two. Just as the third incense stick began to burn, a loud, clear cry of a baby rang out from inside the room.
Everyone in the courtyard was nearly weeping with joy. Not long after, the midwife came out carrying a swaddled bundle: "Congratulations, Old Madam, congratulations! It's a big, healthy boy, weighing seven catties and six taels!"
Seven catties and six taels—such a large size, no wonder he had put his mother through such an ordeal!
Old Madam Cao did not reach out to hold her grandson. Instead, she asked with concern: "How is my daughter-in-law?"
Xue Ling also watched intently, afraid to hear a single unfavorable word. Who would have thought Cao Yang followed out, his expression relaxed: "Mother, Ling'er, don't worry. My wife was exhausted after giving birth. The Old Divine Doctor applied acupuncture for her. He says her life is saved, but this ordeal has greatly depleted her, and she needs proper quiet rest."
After he finished, Chief Physician Zhang also came out, his face full of awe: "Using ginseng to sustain the vital energy, applying needles to invigorate the blood... it can actually be done like this..."
Although outsiders didn't understand the specifics, it was clear the person should be fine.
Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Old Madam Cao looked at her grandson, whose eyes hadn't even opened yet, and couldn't help saying: "You, child, you've taken half your mother's life!"
Xue Ling felt utterly drained. She glanced casually and immediately shrieked: "Why is he so ugly?"
Chu Ruoyan also took a look. Why was he all wrinkled, like a little meatball?
Fourth Lady Wang, who had given birth before, laughed: "Newborns are like this. After a few days, when he fills out a bit, he'll look better."
Xue Ling and Chu Ruoyan exchanged a look. The latter touched her still not very noticeable belly.
Alright, they truly had no experience...
Then Old Divine Doctor Qin came out, gave a few instructions, and the Cao family went in to visit the aunt.
Seeing that things were settled here, Chu Ruoyan turned and asked: "Where is Auntie Yang?"
Nanny Zhou whispered: "In the main hall, tied up together with that Madam Wei from the Xue family's second branch."
A cold glint flashed in Chu Ruoyan's eyes: "Let's go. Time to settle accounts!"
Inside the main hall.
Even before entering, they could hear Auntie Yang inside smashing things: "Scoundrels! I am, after all, the head stewardess by Noble Consort's side. How dare you detain me?"
The Cao mansion servants didn't dare to reply. Chu Ruoyan's cold voice rang out: "Detention is lenient. If anything had happened to my aunt, I, the County Princess, would have your life!"
A chill ran down Auntie Yang's spine. She watched Chu Ruoyan enter with a sullen look.
With others, she could still rely on her status to exert pressure, but she absolutely dared not do so with this Chief Grand Secretary's wife.
Forcing a smile, she said: "County Princess, there's a misunderstanding. This old servant was also following Noble Consort's orders to show concern for Madam Cao..."
"Whether it was concern or causing trouble, you know perfectly well in your heart. Don't forget how Aunt Yuru, who held your position before, died!"
Auntie Yang was stunned, remembering that Yuru had taken the blame for Noble Consort, confessing to the crime of harming Prince Qin...
A sense of dread filled her heart, and she shut her mouth.
That's right, when it came down to it, this was a grudge between the Noble Consort and the Cao family. There was no need for servants like them to charge into the fray for her!
Seeing she had realized this, Chu Ruoyan gave a cold laugh, then turned her gaze to Madam Wei: "Second Madam Xue, if I remember correctly, you and my aunt were the closest of friends. In the past at the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion, she took great care of you. How is it that now you would deal a fatal blow?"
Swept by that bone-chilling gaze, Madam Wei trembled all over: "N-no... it wasn't me... I accidentally..."
"Accidentally pushed my aunt against the table? Accidentally caused her to show signs of bleeding? Accidentally nearly cost her and the child their lives?"
Chu Ruoyan waved her hand lightly. Slap after slap, over a dozen strikes landed.
Nanny Zhou knocked out two of Madam Wei's teeth!
Spitting blood, Madam Wei kowtowed: "County Princess, spare me! County Princess, spare me! It was my mother-in-law... my mother-in-law threatened me with Baiqing! I had no choice!"
Old Madam Xue!
It was her again!
Hatred flashed in Chu Ruoyan's eyes. She looked at Madam Wei again: "Second Madam Xue, were you truly left with no choice? Threatened by your mother-in-law, couldn't you have feigned compliance, or reported to the authorities? Or is it that in your heart, you were also willing? After all, my aunt married a first-rank official, while you... are jealous and resentful, isn't that so?"
Madam Wei's mind was thrown into chaos, as if she had been seen through from head to toe.
Yes, how could she not be jealous and resentful?
Her elder brother-in-law was demoted to a commoner, the Xue family's marquis title was revoked, her husband consequently drank day and night and even beat her viciously. As for her mother-in-law... ha, that mean old woman who only knew how to weep for her son all day, constantly finding fault with her here and there.
The entire Xue family was like a quagmire of rotten mud, and she was struggling bitterly within it!
Why? Why could Chu Jing keep rising step by step, marrying into such a good family? Why could she enjoy a loving marriage and the deep affection of her mother-in-law?
Jealousy and hatred, like a venomous snake, made her hold nothing back at the moment she acted, maliciously wishing to see both mother and child perish!
From the look in Madam Wei's eyes, Chu Ruoyan knew she had hit the mark.
The entire Xue family was truly a perfect match of scoundrels, rotten to the core!
"Since you have confessed, a life must pay for a life. Yulu, take her to the authorities. According to Xia Dynasty law, the minimum sentence should be execution. However..." She paused, a trace of mockery curling at the corner of her lips. "Before you die, the other prisoners in the jail would surely be delighted to see a noble lady like you. Can you imagine how they might entertain you?"
Madam Wei's eyes filled with terror. "No, no! County Princess, I was wrong, I admit my fault!"
She kowtowed repeatedly, but Chu Ruoyan did not even glance at her.
Just then, a commotion arose from outside. A servant from the Cao residence hurried in, pausing in confusion upon not seeing their master. Chu Ruoyan said, "Speak. Who is at the door now? It wouldn't be the Xue family, would it?"
The servant was startled. "How did you know, County Princess? It is indeed Old Madam Xue! She insists we are detaining someone from their household and is demanding we release the person!"
A faint smile touched Chu Ruoyan's lips. She walked straight out of the residence.
Old Madam Xue was indeed still there, arguing with the gatekeeper. Seeing Chu Ruoyan emerge, she was taken aback. "You? What are you doing here?"
Without a word, Chu Ruoyan gave a slight wave of her hand. Nanny Zhou rushed forward, seized Old Madam Xue, and began bundling her into a carriage.
"Hey! What are you doing? What are you doing?!"
Chu Ruoyan said calmly, "Didn't Old Madam Xue come to demand someone's release? Perfect timing. The Cao family also wishes to bring charges against Old Madam Xue. Since this cannot be resolved here, let us go before His Majesty to settle the matter."
