Ling Feng shook his head.
"When this subordinate heard the steward's report, I immediately questioned the hidden guards. Nothing unusual was found."
The speed of the jade thumb ring turning in the Prince of Pingyang's hand increased slightly.
"Has the entire mansion been searched?"
"Everywhere has been searched..." Ling Feng suddenly remembered, "Except for here and the Princess Consort's chambers, everywhere else has been checked. Nothing."
She hadn't left the mansion, and no one had taken her away. Yet, a mere child—could she have vanished into thin air?
"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!"
A sudden rumbling sound came from the room.
"Your Highness, you must be hungry. This subordinate will have the meal served immediately."
Hearing the sound, Ling Feng suddenly remembered the Prince of Pingyang hadn't eaten breakfast.
However, he saw the Prince make a gesture to him.
Having followed the Prince of Pingyang since childhood, Ling Feng understood his meaning instantly.
"Your Highness, allow this subordinate to push you to the dining hall. Today we have bird's nest porridge, red bean golden-thread rolls, marinated pigeon, and vegetarian three-sheet rolls—all your favorite dishes."
Ling Feng spoke as he pushed the wheelchair towards the door.
The door closed, and the sound of the wheelchair faded away.
After a while, a messy little head peeked out from under the bed.
Duoduo, her bottom in the air, wriggled out from under the bed bit by bit, like a little worm.
She had actually fallen asleep under the bed last night!
Just now, she had been woken by the sound of voices.
She had wanted to sneak out, but the people in the room kept talking, forcing her to stay hidden under the bed.
She waited and waited until her stomach started growling with hunger.
Fortunately, the people in the room had also gone out to eat.
Duoduo patted the dust off her clothes and let out a long sigh of relief.
As she looked up, she saw the Prince of Pingyang sitting by the head of the bed, watching her coldly.
Duoduo was terrified, her face instantly turning deathly pale.
Instinctively, she bolted for the door. It opened, and Ling Feng walked in from outside.
Ling Feng grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and brought her back before the Prince of Pingyang.
The Prince of Pingyang narrowed his eyes, a flash of murderous intent swiftly passing through them.
This child had been hiding under his bed all along!
Duoduo squirmed. "Let me go!"
"Speak! What were you doing hiding under this prince's bed?" The Prince of Pingyang's tone was like the frost of winter.
Hearing his voice, Duoduo shivered in fear.
"Won't talk? Ling Feng!"
Ling Feng hesitated for a moment, then drew his sword and placed it against Duoduo's neck.
Duoduo bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I just accidentally fell asleep under the bed!"
At that moment, the Princess Consort of Pingyang pushed the door open and walked in.
Seeing the scene inside, she was utterly confused.
"Your Highness, what are you doing? Ling Feng, put the child down!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang hurried over and snatched Duoduo from Ling Feng's grasp.
"Your Highness, she's just a child. We can simply send her away. I beg you, please don't kill her!"
The Prince of Pingyang shot a glance at Ling Feng, who sheathed his sword.
The Princess Consort of Pingyang held Duoduo tightly, feeling the little girl trembling uncontrollably in her arms.
She gently patted Duoduo's back. "There, there, it's alright now. It's alright."
Duoduo kept trembling, thinking of Old Maid Li, whom Ling Feng had killed.
At that time, Old Maid Li's eyes were wide open, blood continuously gushing from her chest.
It was like a bloody maw, trying to drag her in.
Duoduo covered her mouth, let out a stifled cry, and then fainted.
She had already been emotionally overwhelmed yesterday and had spent the night sleeping under the bed.
Already hungry, and further stimulated by Ling Feng's threat, the nerves in Duoduo's head finally snapped.
"Oh dear!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was startled and quickly reached out to pick Duoduo up.
"Ling Feng, go fetch a physician immediately!"
The Princess Consort carried Duoduo quickly to a nearby heated daybed and laid her down.
She covered Duoduo with a blanket, then turned to see Ling Feng still standing in place.
"Why are you still here? Go, hurry!" The Princess Consort was very anxious.
The Prince of Pingyang gave a slight wave of his hand, and Ling Feng went out.
Ling Feng was gone for a long time. The Princess Consort had sent people to check several times before a servant finally reported that the physician had arrived.
The Princess Consort quickly stood up, making room for the physician.
The physician stole a glance at the girl on the daybed. It was common knowledge throughout the land that the Prince of Pingyang had no children.
This child... could she be the jinx rumored to have caused the Prince's misfortune?
The physician hesitated. Would treating this jinx bring him bad luck as well?
"Physician, what are you waiting for?" The Princess Consort saw the physician sitting by the bed, not starting the examination.
The physician snapped back to reality. Summoning his courage, he reached out and took Duoduo's pulse.
He was a kind man; healing the sick was an act of accumulating virtue.
Surely, the jinx wouldn't affect him!
Thinking this, the physician felt reassured and began his examination in earnest.
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the physician withdrew his hand and gave a slight shake of his head.
Seeing the physician shake his head, the Princess Consort's heart sank.
"Physician, what's wrong with the child? Can she be treated?"
The physician stood up and bowed to the Princess Consort.
"Replying to Your Highness, this child..." The physician's heart was full of pity. "This child's constitution is extremely weak. Due to long-term malnutrition, her health is very poor."
A look of heartache flashed in the Princess Consort's eyes. No wonder the child looked so thin and small!
She longed for a child but couldn't have one, while others had children but didn't cherish them!
"Physician, are there any other issues with the child?"
The physician shook his head. "The child merely suffers from debility. With proper care and nourishment, she can recover."
The Princess Consort nodded. "Then, please prescribe a tonic to help restore her health."
"Of course, it's my duty!" The physician hastily bowed.
Ling Feng led the physician away to write the prescription. After writing it, the physician didn't dare to look around and kept his head down as Ling Feng escorted him out.
Immediately after, a second physician was brought in by Ling Feng.
Seeing another physician, the Princess Consort was taken aback and looked at Ling Feng.
Ling Feng bowed to the Princess Consort.
"Your Highness, the physician is here."
"Physician, this way, please. I must trouble you to examine this girl."
The Princess Consort, who had been standing by the daybed, walked over and sat down by the Prince of Pingyang's bed upon seeing Ling Feng's actions.
The physician looked at Duoduo on the daybed and actually showed a frightened expression.
"This child's life is nearly at its end! Alas! Forgive this humble one's limited skill. Please seek another, more capable physician!"
The physician didn't even take his fee; he bowed and hurriedly left.
The Princess Consort stood up in shock.
How could that be? The previous physician clearly said she would recover with proper care.
Ling Feng went out, and soon a third physician followed him in.
Trailing behind Ling Feng, he craned his neck to peer at the Prince of Pingyang on the bed.
He immediately began shaking his head.
"It's hopeless! Best to prepare for the funeral arrangements soon!"
The physician covered his face with his sleeve and hastily departed.
Just as the Princess Consort was about to ask Ling Feng what was going on, Ling Feng turned and went out, bringing in yet another physician.
This physician didn't even glance towards the bed before shaking his head outright.
"I can only treat the living and cure the sick; I cannot raise the dead. Please accept my condolences."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang's face turned livid with rage!
Where did these quack doctors come from? How dare they pronounce the Prince dead!
