With a clatter, the teacup dropped onto the table.
Ignoring the water-soaked memorials, Xiao Chengjing stood up abruptly, his voice striking toward Zhao Yande like a thunderbolt.
"How bad are his injuries? Why would Prince Qi go to the Huitong Guesthouse? Shouldn't he be staying in his manor?"
Zhao Yande looked at his apprentice.
The eunuch who had come to deliver the news hurriedly knelt down and reported, "They say the conflict started over a royal physician. His Highness Prince Qi tried to strangle Wang Nie, the chief envoy of the marriage delegation, and was subsequently beaten by the guards of Shuobei. It seems someone even died."
As if struck by something, Xiao Chengjing quickly calmed down.
Prince Qi must have sought out the marriage delegation to get a royal physician to treat his eyes.
Could it be that the royal physician sent by Shuobei couldn't cure him? Is that why they fought?
Xiao Chengjing clenched his fists and issued orders to Zhao Yande in a rapid-fire tone.
"Pass on my verbal decree: have all the royal physicians on duty at the Imperial Academy of Medicine today head over there immediately. Both Prince Qi and Wang Nie must remain unharmed."
Zhao Yande asked with a nervous expression, "Your Majesty, should we also summon County Princess Linghui today?"
Xiao Chengjing's eyes lit up, and he said without hesitation, "Have County Princess Linghui go as well. Once she has examined them, she is to enter the palace immediately to report back."
Cupping his hands holding the fly whisk forward, he replied, "This servant obeys the decree."
Lan Xi had barely ridden out of the manor when the people from the palace arrived.
The little eunuch waited before Song Jinzhao and urged her, his voice trembling with anxiety.
"County Princess Linghui, something has happened to Prince Qi at the Huitong Guesthouse. His Majesty asks that you hurry over to take a look."
Song Jinzhao looked at him with a cold expression, while beside her, Song Shixue was rolling her eyes so hard they almost reached the heavens.
There are so many royal physicians in the palace, yet they have to invite her elder sister every single time. Are they all just useless freeloaders?
Song Jinzhao slowly opened her mouth, her tone calm and devoid of any fluctuation.
"Have the royal physicians not gone over?"
The little eunuch's back was covered in sweat, his clothes soaked from running.
"Director Gu has already hurried over, but His Majesty is not at ease, so he wishes for the County Princess to go and take a look as well. Furthermore, it is not only Prince Qi who is injured; Wang Nie, the envoy sent by Shuobei, is also hurt."
Song Jinzhao lifted her eyelids in surprise. "Prince Qi got into a conflict with the Shuobei delegation?"
The little eunuch scrunched up his face and stomped his feet in urgency. "Time is of the essence, County Princess, please don't ask any more questions. Hurry and follow this servant over."
Outside the Huitong Guesthouse, Song Jinzhao had just stepped down from the carriage when she saw several yamen runners carrying stretchers walking out from inside.
The stretchers were covered with white cloths, looking like they held dead bodies.
"Greetings, County Princess."
Seeing Song Jinzhao approach, the yamen runners carrying the stretchers quickly stopped, placed the stretchers on the ground, and bowed to her.
Lifting the white cloth, it was indeed a corpse.
The knife wound on the chest was wide and deep, unlike those caused by ordinary swords. It was likely the work of someone from Shuobei.
Not only were there injuries, but someone had also died. It seemed today's incident was no small matter.
Upon entering the rear courtyard, Xiao Rongche had already been carried onto a bed in the side room.
Gu Jupu, his face weathered by time, looked as if he had aged several more years.
"This kick was too ruthless. Not only did it damage his heart meridian, but the stagnant blood has also blocked his airway, which is why he cannot wake up."
"We must first dissipate the blood stasis, otherwise, his life may be in danger. This official will write a prescription immediately."
Cao Mo stood nearby, nodding continuously, his chin bobbing like a chick pecking at rice.
"My Lord, please write it quickly. This lower official will immediately have someone brew the medicine."
Outside the room, a man from Shuobei wearing a hat was eavesdropping.
Hearing that his life might be in danger, the man immediately turned and ran into the main room.
Song Jinzhao, whose right foot had just stepped onto the stairs, saw everything clearly.
"County Princess Linghui!" Inside the room, Cao Mo unconsciously cried out in surprise upon seeing her enter, his expression appearing particularly agitated.
Gu Jupu, who was sitting on a stool writing the prescription, snapped his head up.
After clearly seeing who had arrived, he quickly finished writing down an herbal ingredient, then picked up the prescription and walked up to greet Song Jinzhao, briefly recounting Xiao Rongche's condition to her.
