Looking at the Duke of Zhenguo, who lay on the bed and still had not woken up, the worry in Song Jinzhao's eyes grew deeper.
The Chu family's anxious gazes darted back and forth between her and the Duke of Zhenguo, their hearts filled with extreme unease.
Why had he not woken up yet? Could something have gone wrong?
Song Jinzhao leaned over and lifted the Duke of Zhenguo's eyelids, discovering a slight asymmetry in the size of his pupils. This had not been there an hour ago. Although the difference was subtle, it was already a dangerous signal.
She removed the gauze on his forehead. The wound was very shallow, and the surrounding skin was smooth; it shouldn't be affecting him.
After pondering for a few seconds, she turned her gaze to the Duke of Zhenguo's head. Reaching out, she parted his thick hair, her eyes sweeping over every inch of his scalp.
It wasn't until her hand touched the back of his head, which was supported by the pillow, that she felt a slightly bulging, elastic sensation with a hint of fluctuation.
The heart that Song Jinzhao had been keeping suspended finally settled down.
She crouched down and slightly lifted the Duke of Zhenguo's head. Bring me a candle.
Just as the maid was about to turn around, Chu Liuyun took two large strides over, lifted the lampshade on the table, and handed the candle right to Song Jinzhao's hand.
The scalp wasn't broken, but it was already swollen. Judging from the condition of his pupils, a blood clot must be blocking the blood vessels in his brain.
How is it? The crowd's gazes followed the angle of Song Jinzhao's line of sight.
Because the distance was too far and Song Jinzhao was blocking the way, they could not see the lump on the back of the Duke of Zhenguo's head. They could only guess from Song Jinzhao's expression that something might have gone wrong.
Song Jinzhao slowly lowered the Duke of Zhenguo's head and stood up with the candle in hand. He must have hit the back of his head when he fell down the steep slope. It looked fine yesterday, but now it has swollen up. Blood clots are blocking the blood vessels in his brain. The blood circulation is poor, so we must remove the stasis and stop the bleeding as soon as possible.
She lifted the curtain, walked to the next room, opened her medical box, and took out four or five pre-packaged herbal bundles to mix a new prescription.
The hearts of the Chu family rose and fell with trembling. In their eyes, besides worry, there was also the helplessness of not knowing what to do.
At this moment, the butler walked quickly to the door of the room. Seeing the three masters standing silently in place without moving, his expression immediately tightened.
Young Master, many people have come outside the gates wanting to visit the Duke. The Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and even Prince Qi have sent people.
Chu Liuyun's cold gaze shot straight at the butler. His voice was not loud, but it was as sharp as a bladed tip.
Before my father wakes up, the manor's doors are closed to all guests. We will see no one.
The butler nodded heavily. Yes, this servant will go and send them away right now.
The officials from the Six Ministries, along with the butler from Prince Qi's estate, were persuaded to leave before they even entered the gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's estate.
Sitting in his carriage blowing his nose, Xiao Rongyan looked at the tightly closed doors of the Duke of Zhenguo's estate and ordered his guards to go knock.
His trusted guard spoke up hesitantly, Your Highness, the Duke of Zhenguo's estate has closed its doors to guests. Even the many officials from the Six Ministries couldn't get in. I'm afraid the Duke of Qing won't see you either.
Xiao Rongyan gathered his outer robe around himself. I don't care whether I can see him or not, as long as the Duke of Qing and my imperial father know that I have been here.
When the butler heard that Prince Ying had come, the anger in his heart flared even higher. Yesterday, the gatekeeper had already told him about Xiao Rongyan coming to mourn.
His own Duke had risked his life to save him, yet this man had come to mourn before even figuring out the situation. Such behavior was truly chilling; he had saved him for nothing.
We will not see him. The Young Master has spoken: our doors are closed to guests, and we are seeing no one.
The gatekeeper opened the side door just a crack and spoke coldly to the guard, The Duke has not awakened. My Young Master and Madam truly do not have the energy to entertain guests. Please ask His Highness Prince Ying to come back another day.
Having received the message, the guard immediately walked back to the carriage and told Xiao Rongyan.
Watching the carriage turn around and leave, the gatekeeper hatefully spat on the ground.
He didn't even get out of the carriage. You might as well just play dead.
Song Jinzhao personally kept an eye on the medicine pot. As soon as the medicine was brewed, she immediately brought it over and fed it to the Duke of Zhenguo.
Not long after, the butler came over with a dejected face to report, Young Master, Director Gu from the Imperial Academy of Medicine has arrived, saying he came under imperial orders to help.
Chu Liuyun closed his eyes in frustration and let out a deep breath. Let him in.
Gu Jupu also knew that he wouldn't be of much use coming here, so he simply took over the job of brewing the medicine.
Inside Biluo Palace, Princess Yongjia, who hadn't slept well all night, looked anxiously at the maid walking in. How is it? Has the Duke of Zhenguo woken up yet?
The maid shook her head. No. The Duke of Qing has ordered the doors closed to guests and is seeing no one. The situation is probably not very good.
Xiao Yongjia's slender shoulders slumped in disappointment. No, I need to go to Baohua Hall and burn some more Buddhist scriptures.
Yesterday they thought he was certain to die. Now that there was finally hope, nothing must go wrong.
At the County Princess's Manor, Song Anhao, who didn't have classes today, pouted unhappily and asked Song Shixue, Second Sister, when is Big Sister coming back?
Song Shixue, who was currently recording the process of yesterday's surgery, looked up. It might be another two days. The uncle who got hurt hasn't woken up yet.
Song Anhao disappointedly buried his head into Xuetuan's warm belly and rubbed against it.
Song Qiming, who had finally gotten a day off for his monthly break, hadn't gone out today either. Walking in and seeing his youngest brother wiggling on Xuetuan like a worm, he couldn't help but say, A gentleman should stand like a pine, sit like a bell, walk like the wind, and lie like a bow. What does it look like, twisting around like this? You should start practicing martial arts with us some other day.
Song Anhao lifted his head and said righteously, I am a child right now, not a gentleman. Brother, you are sounding more and more like Mr. Ye.
Having been retorted to, Song Qiming sat down helplessly and pulled Song Anhao onto his lap. It's not that I'm becoming more like my teacher; it's just how scholars are.
You'll know once you enter the academy to study in the future. If your back curves even a little, the teacher will hit you with a board, hitting you until you can't bend down anymore.
Song Anhao, who had never been beaten, stared at Song Qiming with wide eyes. After pondering with terrified eyes for a long time, he jumped off Song Qiming's lap and drilled into Song Shixue's embrace, saying muffledly, Then I just won't study.
Song Qiming smiled and played with the small round pom-pom on his hat. Not studying definitely won't do. The teacher even said that you could be the top scholar in the future.
Song Anhao awkwardly kicked his two legs, looking like a little turtle that couldn't climb onto a rock to sunbathe.
A servant walked into the room, bowed, and reported, Answering the Young Master, Young Master Dongfang is visiting outside the manor, saying he has come to look for you.
Song Qiming stood up in surprise and straightened his clothes. Didn't I already send someone to tell him that I wasn't going to the poetry club today? Why did he still come over?
Waiting in the main hall, Dongfang Yukun was drinking the milk tea brought up by the servants with a look of utter satisfaction. He had to admit that the tea drinks at the County Princess's Manor were truly unique and sweetly delicious.
After walking in, Song Qiming asked in confusion, Why are you here? Didn't you go to the poetry club?
Dongfang Yukun downed his cup in one gulp and signaled the maid to pour another. It's no fun going alone if you're not there.
Song Qiming was puzzled. Didn't Gao Li go?
Dongfang Yukun spread his hands and looked up at the ceiling. They don't have the skill to compete in poetry with me. The feeling of being invincible is just this lonely.
Song Qiming rolled his eyes at the ceiling speechlessly. Once Cui Zhengyang from Jiangnan enters the capital, you won't be this lonely anymore.
The corners of Dongfang Yukun's mouth froze. Upon hearing this name, he suddenly felt that the milk tea in his hand wasn't as sweet as it was a moment ago.
"Ever since you found out about Cui Zhengyang, you have been constantly bringing him up. Don't forget, even if he shows up, he will still be nothing more than my defeated opponent."
Song Qiming picked up the pearl milk tea that the maid had just poured and took a sip.
"If I didn't bring him up, your ego would soar to the heavens. Even as a defeated opponent, he is the kind that forces you to stay vigilant. If he surpasses you in this upcoming metropolitan examination, the throne for the most handsome man in the Dongzhao Kingdom will have to change owners."
Dongfang Yukun fiercely chewed the tapioca pearls in his mouth to a pulp. "He can dream about surpassing me in his next life."
