Song Jinzhao had barely opened the door a crack when the Chu family swarmed around her.
Dowager Duchess Chu's hand trembled violently as she gripped Song Jinzhao's sleeve. County Princess, how is my son?
Pleading, trembling, tear-filled, and on the verge of shattering, numerous gazes focused on Song Jinzhao's face like magnets.
She opened the door halfway, stepped over the threshold, and closed it behind her.
The branches have been extracted, and the wounds are sutured. He has passed the first hurdle for now. It all depends on whether Duke Zhenguo can survive the next two days.
Hearing this, Dowager Duchess Chu relaxed and collapsed against her momo, while the Duchess of Zhenguo immediately moved to push the door open and go in.
It wasn't just her; the dozen or so imperial physicians standing behind them all wanted to go in as well.
Did County Princess Linghui really cure Duke Zhenguo?
How did she do it?
What was his current condition?
As medical practitioners, they were incredibly curious about all of this.
Song Jinzhao reached out to stop them, warning sternly, Don't let too many people in. Stand outside the curtain and don't get too close. Your bodies carry too many bacteria and haven't been disinfected.
Although they didn't understand what Song Jinzhao meant by bacteria and not being disinfected, the Chu family nodded vigorously in agreement.
We promise to only look from outside the curtain and absolutely will not go near.
Watching the family of three go in and close the door again, the people from the Imperial Academy of Medicine looked at each other in dismay. For a moment, no one dared to step forward and say they wanted to go in too.
Through the gap in the curtain, Chu Liuyun stared intently at Duke Zhenguo lying on the bed, his eyes slightly wet and his throat choked with emotion.
Even the strongest man could not bear the passing of his parents. For an entire afternoon, the usually resilient Chu Liuyun had been absolutely terrified.
Song Shixue washed all the tools clean in hot water and put them all into the box. This would have to do for now; they would need to be properly sterilized again once they returned.
In several trays lay pieces of bright red, excised flesh, along with clumps of blood-soaked gauze.
Xiao Rongyan furrowed his brows, staring fixedly at Song Jinzhao as he questioned her, County Princess Linghui, is Duke Zhenguo completely out of danger?
Song Jinzhao raised her eyebrows in surprise. Why was Prince Ying here?
Not at all. Successfully extracting the branches and suturing the wounds was merely the first hurdle.
Duke Zhenguo was too severely injured, and it dragged on for too long. His wounds are very deep, coupled with excessive blood loss. The next two days will be the most critical period, and the patient could fall into critical condition at any moment.
Seeing Gu Jupu and Imperial Physician Xu come out, the dozen or so imperial physicians standing in the courtyard immediately surrounded them, asking exactly how Song Jinzhao had treated him just now.
Chu Liuyun stepped out of the room and bowed to Song Jinzhao. Thank you, County Princess, for stepping in to save him. I will never forget this life-saving grace.
You just mentioned that my father will be in great danger over the next two days. I implore the County Princess to temporarily reside in our manor to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
Song Jinzhao replied, It is only right. I hadn't planned on leaving either.
Having finally finished the surgery, she certainly couldn't leave before the patient woke up. Otherwise, if something happened, she wouldn't be able to make it back in time.
I need paper and a brush to write some prescriptions. There are also some items and medicinal herbs that my younger sister needs to fetch from our manor.
Chu Liuyun nodded hurriedly. I will immediately arrange for a driver to escort Second Miss Song back.
The Duchess of Zhenguo, tear tracks still on her cheeks, walked out clutching her handkerchief to thank Song Jinzhao. Thank you, County Princess, for saving his life.
She turned her head and instructed the momo beside her, Quickly, bring paper and a brush. Arrange for someone to tidy up the adjacent room for the County Princess to stay in temporarily. Use the best of everything.
Under the peach tree to the east, Imperial Physician Xu was speaking animatedly, gesturing wildly.
It was as if he had performed the surgery himself, and his words were filled with reverence for Song Jinzhao.
I have never seen anyone use a curved needle to suture wounds, let alone suture inside the abdomen.
Those blood vessels were so thin I couldn't even see them clearly, yet she was stitching them together with needle and thread. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it.
Seeing Imperial Physician Xu praise Song Jinzhao to the high heavens, the others didn't know whether to believe it or not for a moment.
Just as they were about to confirm with Gu Jupu, they saw him walk quickly to Song Jinzhao's side with a look of longing, following her into the next room.
When Song Jinzhao took up her brush, Gu Jupu watched from beside the table, his eyes constantly stealing glances.
Was this still the highly respected and highly skilled Director Gu of the Imperial Academy of Medicine?
Song Jinzhao knew Gu Jupu was peeking, but she didn't intend to hide it from him. She quickly wrote down several prescriptions on the paper and handed them to Song Shixue.
When you get back, gather the medicine according to the prescriptions and have the servants of Duke Zhenguo's manor bring them over. Older sister won't be going back today.
Song Shixue took the prescriptions and nodded. I will pack some clothes and have them brought over as well. With brother and me at home, you don't need to worry, older sister.
Chu Liuyun arranged for his personal guard to drive the carriage and take Song Shixue back.
He looked at the courtyard full of imperial physicians and breathed a sigh of relief. It is getting late. Thank you all for your trouble today.
The underlying message was that they could leave.
The crowd exchanged glances, somewhat reluctant to leave. They wanted to take a look at Duke Zhenguo but were afraid Chu Liuyun would not agree.
The tactful Gu Jupu cupped his hands toward Chu Liuyun. I still need to return to the palace to report to the Emperor, so I will take my leave first.
If there is any need later, the young duke can send someone to the Imperial Academy of Medicine at any time.
Chu Liuyun twitched the corners of his mouth in a forced smile. Thank you for your hard work today, Director Gu.
Completely ignored, Xiao Rongyan saw that Gu Jupu was returning to the palace to report. A dark glint flashed in his eyes as he greeted Chu Liuyun and left.
The crowded courtyard finally quieted down a bit.
Suddenly relaxing after an enormous drain on her energy, Dowager Duchess Chu felt dizzy, sleepy, and exhausted. Chu Liuyun had to persuade her for a long time before she agreed to rest in the adjacent room.
Before closing her eyes, Dowager Duchess Chu tightly grasped Chu Liuyun's hand and instructed him word by word, If anything happens to your father, you must wake me up immediately.
Chu Liuyun squeezed her hand, constantly reassuring her, Rest assured, Grandmother. With the County Princess here, Father will be fine.
Upon returning to the palace, Gu Jupu immediately requested an audience with the Emperor. Xiao Chengjing stared at the posthumous edict on the dragon desk, its ink not yet fully dry, and sighed softly.
Let him in.
Gu Jupu walked to the dragon desk and knelt.
Reporting to Your Majesty, County Princess Linghui has extracted the two branches pierced into Duke Zhenguo's body. Duke Zhenguo's life is temporarily preserved.
Xiao Chengjing blinked in stunned silence. Preserved? He had thought the man was already dead.
After recovering his wits, he confirmed, County Princess Linghui saved Duke Zhenguo?
Gu Jupu nodded. This humble minister is incompetent and was helpless regarding Duke Zhenguo's injuries. At the critical moment, Duke Qing went to the County Princess's estate and invited County Princess Linghui over. Only then was Duke Zhenguo's life saved.
However, the County Princess said that removing the branches was only the first step. If Duke Zhenguo fails to pull through the next few days, he may still lose his life.
The County Princess is keeping watch at Duke Zhenguo's manor. Seeing that this humble minister could be of no help, I had no choice but to return first.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Xiao Chengjing silently rolled up the imperial edict on the table. According to what you're saying, County Princess Linghui's medical skills are even better than yours, the Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine?
Gu Jupu sighed helplessly and said with great shame, The County Princess possesses miraculous skills. Her medical expertise far surpasses that of this humble minister. I am truly ashamed of my inferiority.
