“It seems Her Highness’s death was indeed suspicious…” After Wanqing finished speaking, both her mistress and she wore grave expressions. Qingfeng, however, picked up the conversation.
“Yes, I’ve long suspected as much, but I couldn’t uncover the truth. Qing’er, I’ll leave this matter to you. Qingfeng, you and the other maids must find a way to bring her back to Qing’er’s place. With her care and treatment, I believe she’ll gradually recover. Once she regains consciousness, the truth about Mother’s death will surely come to light. Qing’er, I’ll take you into the palace today. What do you say?”
At Qingfeng’s words, Prince Ning finally regained his composure. He sighed lightly and nodded at his sister. Seeing Wanqing’s agreement and realizing the old nursemaid was in no state to answer questions, he turned to Qingfeng and Honglian, instructing them further. After they nodded, Honglian stepped forward to coax the nursemaid, while Prince Ning approached Wanqing to confirm their plans.
“Very well.”
Her brother’s words weighed heavily on Wanqing’s heart. The thought that their birth mother might have died unjustly, possibly even murdered, filled her with an indescribable gloom. Still, she nodded in agreement and gave the two maids further instructions before following Prince Ning out.
“Brother Daniu, we’d like to take Nurse Xu with us for a few days to care for her. Thank you for looking after her all these years. Here, take this money—please gather everyone here and use it to buy land or find a better livelihood. Living like this, barely scraping by, isn’t sustainable.”
As the siblings stepped outside, they encountered a man—likely the overseer of the slum—who had greeted them upon their arrival. Prince Ning reached into his sleeve, produced a banknote, and handed it to the man, speaking earnestly.
“This… Young Master, you are truly a kind soul! With this money, I’ll make sure everyone here is properly settled. I’ll gather them right away—they’ll be endlessly grateful for your generosity…” The man’s eyes welled up as he recognized the sum on the banknote. Clutching it like a treasure, he turned to call the others.
“Brother Daniu, there’s no need for that. This is simply our thanks for your care of Nurse Xu all these years. Here’s another two thousand taels—please take these people and leave this place as soon as possible to start anew elsewhere. Also, keep our visit and Nurse Xu’s presence here a secret. If trouble arises, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
Wanqing stopped him with a faint smile, producing another banknote from her sleeve. Her tone was light, but her eyes were deadly serious as she issued the warning.
“…Understood. I’ll keep it quiet.”
Though unsure of their identities, the man sensed their nobility—the young master exuded an air of majesty and striking handsomeness, while the young lady, though petite and lovely, carried an equally imposing presence. He could only guess at their connection to Nurse Xu. Watching them exchange a knowing smile before departing, he nearly dropped to his knees in reverence.
“Wait. If we find out you’ve pocketed this money for yourself, your fate will be like this pillar…” Wanqing suddenly turned back, her voice icy. With a flick of her wrist, a dagger flew from her hand and embedded itself deep into a nearby post. The man froze in terror, his earlier joy replaced by dread. Smiling faintly, she retrieved the dagger and left without another word.
Though delicate in appearance, her sudden display of skill left the man stunned. Clutching the banknotes, he sighed—reluctant but resigned—before turning away to distribute the wealth.
“You little…” Prince Ning chuckled, shaking his head at his sister’s antics. “Let’s go. The carriage is waiting. Qingfeng and the others will manage on their own.”
Upon entering the palace, Prince Ning went ahead to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager before returning to escort Wanqing inside.
“Grandmother, Miss Wanqing has come to treat your ailment…” The Empress Dowager, suffering from chronic illness, had agreed to see the physician Prince Ning had recommended.
“Oh, you…” At her grandson’s words, the Empress Dowager looked up. The moment her eyes fell on Wanqing’s face, she froze in shock.
“Your Majesty…”
Wanqing sighed inwardly at the reaction.
“Grandmother, she does resemble her, doesn’t she? But she isn’t Mother. Miss Mu, please don’t mind—Grandmother was very close to Mother, so seeing you has stirred her emotions. I reacted the same way when I first saw you.”
Prince Ning stepped forward, gently reassuring the Empress Dowager before turning to Wanqing with an apologetic smile.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.” At Prince Ning’s prompting, Wanqing bowed gracefully, masking her inner turmoil.
“My, it’s uncanny. If not for Ning’er’s words, I’d think I was dreaming. You’re a physician, child?”
The Empress Dowager finally composed herself, studying Wanqing with warmth. Yet, given her youth, she couldn’t help but doubt her medical prowess—especially when even the imperial physicians had failed to cure her condition.
“Grandmother, don’t underestimate her. She’s the one who healed my leg. Qing’er, please examine Her Majesty.”
Prince Ning’s reassurance soothed the Empress Dowager, who extended her wrist with a curious smile.
“Very well. Your Majesty, please relax—let me take your pulse…”
Wanqing stepped forward, relieved by the Empress Dowager’s fondness for her mother. As she pressed her fingers to the aged wrist, she began listing symptoms with uncanny precision.
“Your Majesty has been suffering from headaches at dusk, chest tightness, frequent nighttime urination, and restless sleep, hasn’t she?”
The Empress Dowager’s maid gasped. “How did she—? Your Majesty, this young lady is truly remarkable!”
“Indeed! Aside from you two, no one knows of these ailments. Yet she described them perfectly. Child, my condition has worsened lately—do you have a remedy?”
The Empress Dowager marveled, her eyes alight with hope as Wanqing withdrew her hand.
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