Hearing the roars coming from the ward, Song Jinzhao, who was preparing medicine, curled her lips into a faint smile.
Gu Jinghong's pupils contracted as a cold sweat broke out on his back.
It was nine times out of ten just as he had guessed; County Princess Linghui's shrewdness was simply too deep.
Not long after the sound stopped, Yang Zhong hurriedly opened the door to look for Song Jinzhao.
"County Princess, my young master invites you in."
Inside the ward, Yang Cenan asked impatiently, "May I ask the County Princess, when will the wounds on my chest and abdomen fully heal? Can I ride in a carriage now?"
He wanted to return to Panzhou as soon as possible, the sooner the better.
"You should be able to get out of bed and walk around in about three days, but it is best to wait another ten days before enduring the bumps of a carriage."
"The nerve damage in your brain requires acupuncture combined with medication to recover. It will take at least three months, and up to half a year. I can instruct the estate doctor you brought along, so your treatment will not be delayed after you return."
Yang Cenan slowly shook his head, looking at Song Jinzhao with eyes full of pleading.
"His medical skills are far inferior to yours, County Princess. As long as you are willing to stay in Panzhou for half a year, I am willing to agree to any condition."
Song Jinzhao shook her head without hesitation. "I cannot. My younger siblings at home are still young, so this County Princess cannot leave."
Yang Cenan blurted out, "Then let Second Miss Song go instead. I trust her medical skills."
Since the other party held a noble status, he had not held much hope to begin with.
When Song Jinzhao realized what he meant, her face suddenly turned cold. He had been targeting Shixue from the very beginning.
"The follow-up treatment does not require highly advanced acupuncture skills. Your esteemed estate's doctor is fully capable of handling it. There is no need for this County Princess's sister to go over."
"She is still young. Let alone staying in Panzhou for half a year, I would not even feel at ease letting her leave for a single day."
Yang Cenan still refused to give up. The level of medical skill would definitely affect the treatment's outcome.
What could someone possibly achieve after just a few days of learning? If he was not treated well, would he not be ruined?
"Second Miss Song is eighteen this year. In an ordinary family, she would have already married and had children. We have many talented young men in Panzhou; it would be a perfect opportunity for her to go and meet them. I promise to find her a suitable husband."
Song Jinzhao's displeasure turned into speechlessness.
"My sister's marriage is none of your concern. The treatment starts tomorrow. If he does not want to learn, you can all leave once your wounds are healed."
Watching Song Jinzhao turn and walk away, Yang Cenan grew furious.
Once the door closed, he turned his head to complain to Yang Zhong and Zeng Boyan.
"I have already made concessions, so why is she unwilling? It is only half a year."
"Even the Emperor would not dare disrespect my father, how dare she refuse!"
Yang Zhong rubbed the back of his head and cautiously comforted him, "The Song family has no relatives in Panzhou, so it is only human nature for County Princess Linghui to be worried."
Zeng Boyan said without changing his expression, "The imperial court is highly guarded against the foreign tribes in the southwest. To the Song family, Panzhou is a tiger's den. They will absolutely not go there."
"Since the County Princess said it is not too difficult, it is better to let the estate doctor try. It is more reassuring to rely on our own people."
Yang Cenan took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Forget it. At worst, I will just have my father write a letter to the Emperor when the time comes. They would not dare refuse to come."
He could not use force against his savior; it would ruin his reputation if word got out.
On the way back, seeing Song Jinzhao keeping a dark expression the entire time, Song Qiming's dissatisfaction with Yang Cenan grew even stronger.
The room was not soundproof, so he had heard all the talking just now, including the two angry sentences Yang Cenan had shouted later.
"Do not be angry, Sister. In a few days, I will make them leave. Let's not treat his lingering symptoms either."
His sister was a County Princess personally titled by the Emperor, while Yang Cenan was merely Yang Ruiping's son.
He did not even hold a proper official position, yet he spoke to his sister with such arrogance and even dared to discuss Shixue's marriage. He had to be taught a lesson.
Song Jinzhao snapped back to reality and glanced at Guan Nianshan, who was following behind them.
"I was thinking about something else. It has nothing to do with Yang Cenan."
"Turning gratitude into enmity brings us no benefit. Just let the estate doctor he brought along learn the treatment."
