Chapter 18 The Princess Consort of this King is Skilled in Medicine

Leaving the toxic environment of the Marquis Mansion did little to lift Murong Jiu's spirits.

She knew she shouldn't have burned bridges with the Marquis Mansion. On her way there, she had already figured out how to fish for information, but upon seeing Marquis Murong's detestable face along with his wife and the Old Madam, all she felt was a deep-seated hatred.

The fact that she hadn't poisoned them was already a testament to her restraint.

Nevertheless, she wasn't afraid. The Marquis Mansion was greedy for wealth, and she had ways to make them come begging to her.

The current state of the Marquis Mansion was nothing more than a shell. Despite holding the title of Marquis, Marquis Murong had little to show for it. He held a nominal position in the Imperial Court which did not bring in money, lounged around doing nothing all day, and had an unpredictable temper. Not many court officials were willing to interact with him.

Those people had also developed a habit of extravagant spending that exceeded their income and had already begun secretly selling off their ancestral properties.

All she possessed was a bit of silver, yet it was always on their minds.

If she were wealthier, the Old Madam herself might come to ask for her help.

And she would become wealthier. She was determined to cut off all the financial avenues of the Second Prince!

The journey to the Prince Mansion passed in silence. As they neared their destination, Murong Jiu suddenly thought of something and said to Jun Yuyan,

"Prince, I heard that the youngest son of the Minister of the War has fallen seriously ill, and though several Imperial Physicians have attended to him, none have been able to cure him. Could you take me to see him?"

Jun Yuyan's gaze sharpened, "The youngest son of the Minister of the War was only suddenly taken ill last night. Ah Jiu, you're more well-informed than I am."

Murong Jiu had no intention of hiding things or fearing Jun Yuyan's suspicions. Her rebirth was so fantastical that no one would suspect it.

Moreover, she bore no ill will towards Jun Yuyan. She would not only refrain from harming him but would also help him.

Thus, she did not explain and merely said, "Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-tiered pagoda. I wish to perform more good deeds and accumulate virtue."

Jun Yuyan was well aware that if Murong Jiu could cure the beloved youngest son of the Minister of the War, the Minister would be deeply grateful to him. Clearly, Murong Jiu understood this too, but she only mentioned performing good deeds and did not seek credit.

He found Murong Jiu increasingly mysterious. The more he interacted with her, the harder it was to grasp her thoughts.

Perhaps, the Second Prince wanted to see Murong Jiu precisely because of the Minister's young son.

As far as he knew, in the past six months, Murong Jiu had secretly treated no less than ten people for the Second Prince.

"Good, do you need to bring anything?" he asked.

"Just have Chun Tao fetch my medicine chest."

With the medicine chest in hand, the carriage headed towards the residence of the Minister of the War.

When passing by a pharmacy, she got off to purchase some common medicinal pills that were ready-made.

They soon arrived at their destination.

Getting out of the carriage, Murong Jiu noticed several inconspicuous carriages parked at the entrance.

Her memories suddenly returned. She recalled that in her past life, the first time she saw the three sons of the General of the Northern Command was at the Minister's residence.

The three sons were good friends with the Minister's eldest son and had come to visit.

However, back then it was Jun Haoze who brought her, and they arrived later than this. By the time they got there, the three sons were leaving, and she merely caught a glimpse of them without getting a clear look at their faces.

Jun Yuyan had a guard announce their arrival, and the gatekeeper hurried over to bow and lead them into the residence while instructing someone to inform the Minister and his wife.

The gatekeeper intended to take them to the main hall for visitors.

Murong Jiu quietly tugged on Jun Yuyan's sleeve and whispered, "The situation is urgent, let's go directly to see the young master."

Suppressing his curiosity, Jun Yuyan took a deep look into her eyes before saying to the gatekeeper, "Lead us to the young master's quarters. My consort has a talent for medicine."

The gatekeeper's eyes widened in surprise as he looked towards Murong Jiu.

He knew that Prince Ling had married Miss Murong Jiu from the Marquis Mansion, a plain girl brought back from the countryside, far from the original intended bride, Miss Murong of the Marquis Mansion, around whom rumors swirled that Miss Murong Jiu had snatched the marriage from her elder sister, deemed a vain and vicious woman.

Yet he had never heard that this Miss Murong Jiu possessed medical skills!

And now Prince Ling himself had brought her... This seemed like a farce; the doorman was somewhat undecided.

Well, the mansion was currently in a state of turmoil because of the young master's illness; he might as well bring Prince Ling and his wife over and let the master and mistress decide.

The master had invited the retired Old Imperial Doctor today; he should have a way to cure the young master. There was no need for Princess Consort Ling to exercise any medical skills.

As they reached the outer courtyard of the young master's residence and were announced, the Minister of the War and his eldest son immediately came to greet them.

"This official greets His Highness Prince Ling. My son is gravely ill, and in my distress, I have failed to meet you from afar. I ask for your forgiveness," the Minister said.

Jun Yuyan replied with a gentle voice,

"No matter, no need for formalities. Hearing that your son is gravely ill, I happened to be passing by and brought the Princess Consort to visit. The Princess Consort is skilled in medicine and might be able to help."

At these words, both the Minister of the War and his son were somewhat stunned, their gaze shifting toward Murong Jiu.

Similar to the doorman's thoughts, they held little hope for Murong Jiu, but out of courtesy, the Minister of the War thanked him,

"I thank Your Highness for your concern. However, Old Doctor Chen has been invited to my residence and is currently treating my son. Should there be any need for the Princess Consort's assistance, I will certainly not decline."

Jun Yuyan nodded and said all was well.

Upon entering the courtyard, a bitter medicinal smell assailed their nostrils, and Murong Jiu quickened her pace, even overtaking the Minister of the War and his son to enter the room first.

The Minister of the War frowned, finding Murong Jiu's behavior too impertinent, but with Prince Ling right there, he could not reprimand her, and instead quickened his pace to prevent any mishaps.

The medicinal scent was even stronger inside the room. The young master's chamber was large, yet with three tall and burly young men standing by the window, it felt somewhat cramped. Prince Ling's arrival only made the room feel more congested.

Murong Jiu knew the three men by the window were the sons of the General of the Northern Command, but she had no time to look closely. Seeing the Minister's wife about to administer medicine to the six-year-old young master, she hurriedly exclaimed,

"Wait! Do not feed him the medicine!"

The Minister's wife was startled and spilled half the medicine onto the bed.

Maid immediately came to wipe it up.

"Who are you?"

The Minister's wife stared at the strange woman who had rushed in, looking very displeased.

She clutched the half bowl of medicine – a prescription from Court Physician Chen, filled with precious ingredients; this half bowl spilled was like hundreds of silver coins lost.

Most important was whether the medicine would still be effective, now less in quantity.

Was it any wonder she was angry?

"I am Princess Consort Ling, madam. You must not let the young master drink the medicine in your hand. The properties are too replenishing and will only aggravate the young master's condition," Murong Jiu said.

"Nonsense!"

An aged voice rose from the side, belonging to Chen, the Old Imperial Doctor who had retired from the Imperial Palace. He was quite old, yet his spirit was lively, and his voice strong and commanding.

He scanned Murong Jiu from head to toe with a measure of disdain. Considering Prince Ling's presence, he refrained from speaking unpleasantly and instead told the Minister's wife,

"Madam Zhou, this is an urgent condition that cannot be delayed. You must feed him this medicine immediately and ignore any interference from others."

The 'others' he referred to were clearly meant for Murong Jiu.

Murong Jiu wanted to intervene again, as it was just a child who would suffer, but after the Minister of the War nodded to his wife, Madam Zhou hastily fed the medicine to the young master, eager to avoid any further complications.