"General, Zhang Can's meridians have been severed, and he was poisoned. He is barely breathing. My subordinates found several physicians, but they have never heard of this poison. I fear that if we delay any longer, it will be too late, so I could only bring him back."
Xia Yunting looked at the person on the bed. His face was purple, and his skin was like old bark, completely devoid of any sign of life. His heart sank.
"Go and invite the imperial physician."
"My subordinates have already sent someone to the Imperial Hospital to request one, but those imperial physicians are arrogant and only serve the Emperor. You specifically asked them to come for Zhang Can, and they might feel you are being presumptuous and will report you to the Emperor."
"Let them. As long as Zhang Can can be saved, they can report whatever they want."
Xia Yunting paced back and forth in the room. He thought of Rong Zhi. If she were here, she could surely resolve this matter. But if he went to find her directly, he would be spotted by those who were secretly monitoring him.
As he was hesitating, someone entered with an imperial physician.
"Greetings, General Xia." The newcomer was tall and thin, with a somewhat haggard face. He bowed politely to Xia Yunting.
Xia Yunting's voice was cold, "Why are you here? I specifically asked for Physician Chen."
Duan Xucheng's voice was humble, "My master still needs to prepare medicine for the imperial consort and cannot come. I can do just as well. My master instructed me before I left that while the General's servant is ill, it is not the responsibility of the Imperial Hospital, but in consideration of the General's recent victory, and your unfamiliarity with the Imperial Hospital's rules, I was permitted to make an exception and come early. General, please take me to see the patient quickly."
At these words, Chen Xing's face darkened. Duan Xucheng was merely an apprentice at the Imperial Hospital, yet he dared to speak so boldly to the General.
Xia Yunting's expression remained unreadable. He gestured, "Imperial Physician Duan, please come in."
Duan Xucheng breathed a sigh of relief. He had originally thought Xia Yunting was someone of great ability, but it turned out to be no more than this. He had only used this opportunity to test Xia Yunting's temper, and it seemed he was not as fearsome as rumored.
After they entered, Xia Yunting called Chen Xing over and whispered something to him.
Chen Xing hesitated, "If we go now, will it cause trouble?"
Xia Yunting said, "Zhang Can's life is more important."
Zhang Can was a friend he had grown up with. Their relationship was more like brothers than superior and subordinate.
"Yes." Chen Xing took the order and left.
Meanwhile, Duan Xucheng had begun to diagnose Zhang Can's condition. He placed his hand on Zhang Can's pulse, a pensive expression on his face, seemingly engrossed.
In reality, he had no idea what he was doing. He had never seen or heard of such an illness.
"How is it, Imperial Physician Duan?"
After the examination, Xia Yunting came over to inquire, his voice very serious, which made Duan Xucheng even more nervous.
"I believe it is due to accumulated internal injuries, which have caused the poisoned appearance of his face. The treatment should focus on internal injuries. I will write a prescription first."
He then took out paper and a pen from his medicine box and began writing. A flicker of killing intent appeared in Xia Yunting's eyes. He dared to prescribe medicine carelessly without even recognizing poisoning.
Just as he was about to react, a hand snatched the prescription.
"You quack, you dare to prescribe medicine haphazardly without even understanding the illness. Are you responsible if the patient dies?"
Accompanying a crisp voice, Rong Zhi, dressed as a man, appeared in Xia Yunting's sight. She had deliberately stuck on a beard and adjusted her voice. If Xia Yunting hadn't seen her dressed as a man before, he might not have recognized her.
Seeing Rong Zhi arrive, a hint of joy appeared in Xia Yunting's heart, but he still maintained a stern face and asked, "Who are you? Who allowed you in?"
"General, I saw this physician at the entrance. He said he could treat Zhang Can's illness."
"Absurd, how can a random doctor from the street treat him?"
Xia Yunting rebuked her perfunctorily, but he did not stop Rong Zhi from approaching the bed. Rong Zhi pried open Zhang Can's eyelids and examined him thoroughly, understanding the situation.
"This is a poison from the Western Regions called Thousand Leaf Grass. After poisoning, the body will resemble bark within three days, and all sense of pain will be lost. If there is an external injury at this point, it will break like a tree trunk."
Listening to her explanation, Chen Xing was amazed. The symptoms were indeed identical. In the days since he rescued Zhang Can, Zhang Can's body had indeed become increasingly stiff.
"What right do you have to say my prescription is fake?" Duan Xucheng was displeased. He was a proper imperial physician, after all, and would not allow anyone to belittle him so easily.
"General, you would rather believe this person of unknown origin than believe me. Is there some hidden reason for this?"
He had heard that Xia Yunting had been missing for a long time and had gone somewhere during that period. Perhaps it was related to witchcraft?
"We only believe those who can save lives." Chen Xing raised his voice. With Rong Zhi present, Chen Xing felt more confident. He found Duan Xucheng an eyesore. "Since you believe you can treat him, why don't you go fetch the medicine yourself and let the facts speak?"
Duan Xucheng snorted, "I'll go right now."
With that, he walked out. As soon as he left, Xia Yunting gave Chen Xing a look, and Chen Xing immediately found two men to detain Duan Xucheng outside the door.
Duan Xucheng, who had been aggressively intending to prove himself, found the door shut as soon as he stepped out. He stamped his foot in anger.
"For a mere servant, you dare to treat me with such disrespect! A general dares to act so high and mighty! I think you are disregarding the law and the Emperor!"
But no matter how he yelled, there was no response from inside.
In the room, Rong Zhi pulled a silver needle from an acupuncture point on Zhang Can's abdomen.
"Pfft!" Zhang Can spat out a mouthful of black blood, and the purple color on his face gradually receded, returning to a normal human complexion.
Rong Zhi handed Chen Xing a prescription, "Follow this prescription to get the medicine."
Chen Xing took it, and his expression changed slightly upon seeing the words on the prescription, "This..."
"The medicinal ingredients are somewhat precious, but they should not be too much for the General's Mansion, right?"
Chen Xing was unsure and looked to Xia Yunting.
"Regardless, get the medicine."
"Yes."
Chen Xing was inwardly shocked. Every single ingredient on this prescription was valuable, and some were priceless, only available in the Imperial Hospital's pharmacy.
However, since the General had given the order, he would go through fire and water to obtain it.
Now, only Xia Yunting and Rong Zhi remained in the room.
In the silence, the atmosphere was somewhat delicate. Finally, Rong Zhi broke the silence.
"It seems this young master is very important to the General."
"He is my friend." Xia Yunting asked, "When will this illness be cured?"
"As long as we have the medicine, his life can be saved. However, his meridians have all been severed. To fully recover will require long-term treatment." She stood up and looked into Xia Yunting's eyes, "I wish to stay here."
No matter what Xia Yunting was facing, she wanted to stay by his side. Even Rong Zhi herself didn't understand why, whether it was because she feared he would break his promise, or for some other reason.
"If he shows improvement, I will naturally ask you, sir, to continue the treatment."
With this, Rong Zhi had a reason to stay. She felt a sense of relief.
In the quiet of the night, Rong Zhi stayed in the room to care for the patient. In the flickering candlelight, Rong Zhi propped her head with her hand, appearing to be asleep, but in reality, she had extended her senses, carefully listening to the movements around her.
Xia Yunting dared not acknowledge her, likely because there were ears everywhere. But Xia Yunting was a cautious person. If he truly wanted to find a place where they could speak freely, would it be difficult? Yet, he hadn't. This could only be because the monitoring was too powerful, making Xia Yunting also wary. She wanted to see who this person was.
As Rong Zhi concentrated, she seemed to perceive the courtyard outside, with figures hidden in the shadows. Some were Xia Yunting's hidden guards, but one was different from the others. That person possessed a powerful aura and was very close to her.
Rong Zhi suddenly opened her eyes. She went to the window and pushed it open. Seeing the hazy moonlight outside, casting a soft glow over the silent courtyard, not a soul was visible. Who would have thought that countless guards were hidden in the dark?
She concealed a silver needle in her sleeve and was about to shoot it out to test the other person's strength when suddenly a gust of wind sounded in the night sky, and a dark figure landed silently on the ground, instantly disappearing behind a tree. Their movements were so swift that an ordinary person could not discern them.
Rong Zhi noticed the person heading towards the main house and stopped her action, quietly following.
The main house was not far from here. As Rong Zhi rounded a corner, the dark figure was blowing knockout powder into the house. After a while, he likely assumed the people inside were drugged and then jumped out through the half-open window.
"Ah!" A scream came from the room. The dark figure was kicked out in a clumsy manner, falling to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Simultaneously, two black-clad hidden guards emerged from the surroundings and captured the person.
Lights turned on in the room, and Xia Yunting pushed the door open, with Xing Jiahui, whose clothes were in disarray, following behind him.
As she witnessed the two of them emerge side-by-side, Rong Zhi narrowed her eyes, feeling as if a vinegar bottle had been overturned in her heart, making her feel sour and sad.
Xia Yunting approached the assassin, removed his mask, and asked, "Who are you? Why did you come to assassinate?"
The black-clothed man's throat twitched. Xia Yunting knew he was about to take poison and immediately pressed his pressure points. The black-clothed man's eyes widened, and he became immobilized.
"Take him down and interrogate him."
Two black-clad hidden guards took the order and led him away. The entire process was swift. If it weren't for the bloodstains on the ground, no one would have believed an assassin had been there.
"Yunting, you scared me to death..." Xing Jiahui threw herself into Xia Yunting's arms, weeping profusely.
"Let's go back." Xia Yunting's voice lowered. This was a rare gentleness from him.
Rong Zhi shook her head. They truly were a loving couple.
Unexpectedly, Xing Jiahui returned to her room alone, and Xia Yunting walked towards Rong Zhi.
"Why did you come out?"
Rong Zhi said, "I heard some commotion here and came to see what was happening."
"It was just an assassin. It's dangerous outside, so you shouldn't come out carelessly." His tone was flat, but his eyes held a hint of anxiety, which made Rong Zhi feel a little better.
"General Xia should focus more on your wife. I am not a delicate young lady who can't even fend for herself. You don't need to worry about me."
Was this jealousy?
Sensing this, a ripple of emotion stirred within Xia Yunting's heart.
"My friend's life is in your hands. Your safety is equally important."
"Thank you for your concern, General. I will be going back."
Rong Zhi smiled and bid farewell. She wasn't one to be overly sentimental. After all, Xia Yunting and Xing Jiahui were only married in name. However, her inner feelings were beyond her control.
Upon returning to her room, Rong Zhi suddenly noticed a shadow standing at the doorway. The figure and appearance were very familiar, but she couldn't quite recall who it was.
As she was pondering, the person suddenly threw a handful of powder towards her and then flew outwards.