"Yes! Let's go, we're setting off for Fengcheng!"
Song Shuyu nodded vigorously, "Alright!"
When Madam Song heard that her mother-in-law was taking her daughter away, she hurriedly sent someone to summon Magistrate Song.
However, the servant returned to say that Magistrate Song was not at the yamen, and the people at the yamen did not know where he had gone either.
Madam Song stepped outside just in time to see her mother-in-law being helped into the carriage by a servant.
She hurried over and pulled Song Shuyu into her arms.
"Yuer, your mother can't bear to part with you!"
Song Shuyu impatiently pushed her mother away.
"Mother! Your daughter is going to live a life of luxury, and also to pave the way for Elder Brother and Second Brother. Don't be so shortsighted!"
Song Shuyu had remembered every word Old Madam Song said about her mother.
While Madam Song was still stunned, Song Shuyu broke free from her embrace and climbed into the carriage.
"Mother, you should go back. Once your daughter gains the Second Prince's favor, I will bring you and Father over to enjoy good fortune!"
After saying this, Song Shuyu ducked into the carriage without looking back.
The dark blue cloth curtain fell, cutting off Madam Song's gaze.
The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage began to move.
Madam Song covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
Inside the carriage, however, Song Shuyu was very excited, watching the scenery outside the window and dreaming of her future happy life.
"Princess Consort, Magistrate Song is at the gate requesting an audience with His Highness."
Lingfeng knocked on the door.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang opened the door, "He dares to come? Lingfeng, have him tied up! We'll deal with him after His Highness wakes up!"
Lingfeng glanced towards the bed, "How is His Highness? Should we call for a physician?"
Last night, he had been so worried he couldn't sleep, but without the Princess Consort's permission, he hadn't dared to enter the room rashly.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's face was full of exhaustion.
"His Highness is fine. He didn't develop a fever last night."
"Find another, more skilled physician. I refuse to believe that in such a large Fengyang City, there isn't a single doctor who can cure His Highness!"
"Yes, I will go at once."
"Princess Consort, you've been watching over him all night. Let this servant take over. Please have something to eat and rest for a while?"
Lianxin had the maidservants set out breakfast on a nearby table.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang walked over, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
"No need. In a moment, have the bedding brought to that heated divan. I'll take a short nap there."
"Very well, this servant will have it brought over immediately."
Lianxin went out, and Baihe came over, ladled half a bowl of bird's nest porridge, and placed it before the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang picked up the bowl and ate in small mouthfuls.
She put down the bowl and took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
"Is there anything urgent in the manor today?"
Baihe hesitated for a moment, "Replying to the Princess Consort, Miss Duoduo is missing. Lüdou searched all night but couldn't find her. Her eyes are swollen from crying."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked surprised.
"That child is missing? Did you ask the gatekeepers if they saw her run out yesterday?"
"They say they asked. The gatekeepers said they did not see the young miss leave the manor."
"If she didn't leave the manor, then she must still be inside."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang hesitated. In truth, privately, she still hoped Duoduo would leave.
However, the thought of Duoduo being so young made her heart uneasy.
"Baihe, have the steward take the servants and search the entire manor."
"Oh, and make sure they specifically dredge under the ponds too!"
Baihe was startled, "Princess Consort, the young miss couldn't have...?"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang waved her hand, "Go and do it quickly!"
"Yes!"
Baihe hurriedly left.
At that moment, Duoduo was sleeping soundly under the bed, completely unaware that the entire manor had been turned upside down in the search for her.
"Princess Consort, the physician is here."
Lingfeng's voice reported from outside the door.
"Come in."
Lingfeng brought the physician in. Indeed, this physician was not the same one from yesterday.
The physician approached tremblingly and bowed to the Princess Consort.
"No need for formalities. Quickly examine His Highness and see how his injuries are."
The physician steeled himself and walked to the bedside.
He saw the Prince of Pingyang on the bed, his complexion ruddy, his breathing steady, not at all like the dying man he had heard about.
The physician looked puzzled. He sat down and began taking the pulse.
The pulse was also steady. Although the body had many old ailments, none were severe enough to be life-threatening.
Disbelieving, the physician switched to the other wrist to feel the pulse.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang beside him watched the physician's every move nervously.
After finishing the pulse reading, the physician pondered silently.
"How is His Highness's condition?" the Princess Consort of Pingyang asked impatiently.
The physician stood up and bowed respectfully to the Princess Consort.
"His Highness's body is not seriously ill. However, regarding his old injuries, my skills are insufficient to treat them. I beg the Princess Consort's forgiveness!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang looked suspiciously at Lingfeng. She had told him to find a different physician, but not to bring back a quack!
Lingfeng also looked bewildered. "Physician, our prince fell and injured his knee last night. Please look at..."
Lingfeng stopped speaking because he saw that the Prince of Pingyang's knee, which had been a bloody mess just yesterday, was perfectly fine!
It was as if yesterday's events had been nothing but a dream.
Lingfeng couldn't believe it. He reached out and touched the Prince of Pingyang's knee.
No wound, not even a scar!
Lingfeng's odd behavior caught the attention of the Princess Consort of Pingyang, who came over to look.
"His Highness's leg..." The Princess Consort covered her mouth.
Lingfeng bowed respectfully to the physician.
"We must ask the physician to keep His Highness's condition strictly confidential. Otherwise..."
Lingfeng drew his sword and with one stroke, split a nearby chair in two.
"Rest assured! I will definitely keep it secret! I know nothing!"
The physician's legs trembled with fear.
He never imagined that a single house call would involve his very life.
He must not speak, otherwise, his whole family would be doomed!
Lingfeng escorted the physician out and pressed a heavy purse into his hand.
"Remember, keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, your entire family will be reporting to the King of Hell!"
"I understand! You have my word!"
The physician bowed repeatedly. Lingfeng waved his hand, and the physician took off running.
Lingfeng returned to the room. The Princess Consort was examining the Prince of Pingyang's injured knee.
"Could it be that this ointment's effect is truly this remarkable?"
Yesterday, she had only applied the ointment to the Prince of Pingyang once.
"Might I ask, Princess Consort, is it this ointment?" Lingfeng pointed to the ointment jar by the bedside.
"Yes, this was sent by His Majesty just before we left. It's said to remove decayed flesh and promote new growth."
The Prince of Pingyang on the bed opened his eyes. "What did His Majesty send?"
The Princess Consort joyfully rushed to the bedside. "Your Highness, you're finally awake! Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?"
The Prince of Pingyang shook his head. Yesterday he had hit his knee, but ever since he fell from the horse, he had lost all feeling from the waist down.
"You watched over me all night?"
The Prince of Pingyang saw the exhaustion on his wife's face and the red streaks in her eyes.
"With Your Highness injured and unconscious, how could your consort sleep peacefully?" The Princess Consort of Pingyang gave a slight smile.
"Alright, I am fine now. Princess Consort, go and rest."
"Baihe, help the Princess Consort to rest!" the Prince of Pingyang instructed.
Seeing that her husband was indeed out of danger, the Princess Consort of Pingyang let out a sigh of relief, but then felt a wave of dizziness.
"In that case, I shall go and rest for a while. I will return later to keep you company, my prince."
Watching the Princess Consort of Pingyang leave, the Prince of Pingyang then turned his gaze to Ling Feng.
"How did things go?"
