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Rui Wang said, "Speaking of which, if she really... I mean, if she really did such a thing, can she still justify herself to the Crown Prince? Can she justify herself to imperial father and the people of the State of Zhao? Eldest brother, should we report this to imperial father as soon as possible?"
If she had an affair with another man, they would be fine with the Crown Prince's head turning green with jealousy. But it happened to be the State of Chen’s hostage prince, and that complicated matters.
Ning Wang paused and said, "Let's not rush. We need evidence before making any accusations. And, third sister-in-law, can you take responsibility for what you said? Are you absolutely certain that you didn't mishear anything?"
Rui Wangfei carefully recalled again and nodded with absolute certainty, "I'm sure!"
Ning Wang continued, "And you didn't alert the Crown Princess, right? I mean, you didn't go to confirm with her?"
Rui Wangfei shook her head, "Of course not! However, she did see me when she came out from behind the rockery. I told her that I had just arrived there, but I don't know if she believed me."
Ning Wang nodded, "Then, besides you, were there any others who heard the commotion behind the rockery?"
Rui Wangfei almost blurted out "Young Miss Gu," but she shook her head at the last moment and said, "No, there wasn't. Initially, I wouldn't have been discovered, but my personal maid and Young Miss Gu came looking for me, and the Crown Princess saw them too."
Ning Wang looked at her intently, "Are you sure they didn't hear anything?"
Rui Wangfei replied, "It was their arrival and calling my name that startled the Crown Princess."
This conversation had conveniently cleared Gu Jiao's name by attaching her to the personal maid. In truth, Rui Wang trusted her eldest brother-in-law, but she didn't want to involve Gu Jiao.
If Gu Jiao was approached by Ning Wang to confirm the incident, the Crown Princess and Yuan Tang might become aware of her, putting her in danger.
Ning Wang's expression turned grave, "I understand. Don't spread this matter for now. I will investigate and uncover the truth. Once I have solid evidence, we can report it to imperial father."
Rui Wang agreed wholeheartedly, "What eldest brother said is right."
After all, the Crown Princess was no ordinary woman. She held a very high status as the Crown Princess of the State of Zhao's imperial family and would eventually become the mother figure to the nation. If there were concrete evidence to bring her down, it would be one thing, but if the evidence was insufficient and she turned it around, all of Ning Wang's years of hard work would be in vain.
Concerned, Rui Wang worriedly said, "But... could Qianqian be in danger? The Crown Princess saw her. If she tells Yuan Tang that their conversation might have been overheard by Qianqian, would Yuan Tang come to silence her? Yuan Tang has such high martial arts skills, and he even attempted to assassinate imperial father..."
As Rui Wang continued speaking, his fear grew stronger.
Why did his wife have to encounter such a situation?
Ning Wang smiled gently and said, "I will send people to protect third sister-in-law in Rui Wang Residence. Third sister should try not to leave the residence for the time being. If it's necessary to go out, take the dark guards that I'll send along."
Rui Wang's anxiety eased, and he bowed with a smile, "That would be excellent. I'll thank eldest brother on behalf of Qianqian!"
Ning Wang patted his shoulder, saying, "We're family; no need for thanks."
……
At the medical hall.
Gu Jiao had just returned from outside, having treated a customer and successfully relocated their dislocated left arm. Second Owner approached her, knocking on the door of her consultation room with a smile. He said, "Little Gu, do you have a moment?"
"Speak." Gu Jiao replied concisely.
Second Owner entered and grinned, "Do you remember what day it is tomorrow?"
"What day?" Gu Jiao asked.
Second Owner pretended to be hurt and said, "You've really forgotten!"
Gu Jiao retrieved the memory in a second, "Isn't it the gathering of the Chamber of Commerce?"
A genius brain never disappoints.
Second Owner smiled, "Correct, it's the Chamber of Commerce gathering at the Sihai Manor in the eastern suburbs of the capital. Shall I have someone pick you up from Bishui Alley tomorrow morning?"
Gu Jiao responded with an "Oh," and asked, "How many days will it last?"
Second Owner gestured with his fingers, "Three days, it'll be quick!"
"Okay." Gu Jiao nodded in agreement.
Second Owner looked at her doubtfully, "Little Gu."
Gu Jiao asked, "Hmm?"
Second Owner said, "Have you gained weight? Your clothes seem tight."
"Really?" Gu Jiao lowered her head and looked at her body. She didn't feel like she had gained weight.
Gu Jiao took out a measuring tool and measured her waist. With the recent increase in exercise, she had actually lost half an inch.
But to say her clothes were getting tight... It was true, it wasn't in other areas, it was the buttons; they were becoming difficult to fasten.
Gu Jiao sighed.
If her development continued like this, it would be difficult for her to continue cross-dressing as a man.
The medical hall was particularly busy today, and Second Owner was quickly called away by Shopkeeper Wang.
Little Jiang Li walked over and said, "Big sister Gu, there's someone outside the door claiming to be looking for you."
Gu Jiao, who was busy organizing the information of the previous patient, replied, "Is it a patient? Tell them to wait in line."
Little Jiang Li shook her head and said, "No, it's not a patient. It's a lady who claims to know you. She said you promised to visit her mistress and provide medical treatment for her."
"I promised to visit her mistress and provide medical treatment for her? Did I?" Gu Jiao searched her mind but couldn't recall any such memory. She asked Little Jiang Li to go and inform the person that she didn't remember such an agreement.
After a while, Little Jiang Li returned, holding an extra token in her hand. She said, "Big sister Gu, the lady said you will understand after seeing this."
"Let me see." Gu Jiao reached out and took the token.
The token bore the emblem of the State of Zhao's imperial family, along with a prominent title: "Ning."
It was from Ning Wang Residence.
Oh, that was right. She had promised Ning Wang to visit and treat Ning Wangfei, but before she could go to the Ning Wang Residence, Ning Wangfei had returned to her maiden home to visit her family.
Although her maiden family also lived in the capital, it would be strange for her to rush there to give a medical treatment.
Gu Jiao said to Little Jiang Li, "I still have three patients here. Ask the lady to wait for a while, and when the next patients come, arrange for them to see Physician Song or Physician Lu."
"Understood, big sister Gu!" Little Jiang Li obediently went off.
Little Jiang Li might be small in stature, but she was very thoughtful in her tasks.
After Gu Jiao finished seeing the three patients, Little Jiang Li brought in the court lady who served by Ning Wangfei’s side.
The court lady politely greeted Gu Jiao, saying, "Physician Gu."
Gu Jiao asked, "Has Ning Wangfei returned to the prince’s residence?"
The court lady smiled and replied, "That's right. Our Wangfei returned to the prince’s residence last night. Today, she went to the imperial palace to pay respects to the Empress and Imperial Consort Zhuang, and when she returned in the afternoon, she suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. His Highness Ning Wang had previously mentioned that Physician Gu is highly skilled, so we specially requested your presence at the residence to examine Wangfei's pulse."
Gu Jiao didn't have much else to do, and it wasn't too late in the day.
Ning Wang Residence was in the same direction as the Hanlin Academy. After seeing Ning Wangfei, she could also pick up Xiao Liulang from his work.
Gu Jiao said, "Alright, please wait for me while I pack my things."
The court lady said with a smile, "The carriage is ready. After treating Wangfei, wherever Physician Gu wants to go, we'll accompany you."
Gu Jiao shook her head and said, "That won't be necessary. I'll take the medical hall’s carriage."
The court lady nodded and replied, "As you wish, Physician Gu."
Gu Jiao boarded the carriage with her back basket. Inside the basket were her medicine chest, some commonly used Chinese herbs, and a few personal items she needed for the journey.
Although the basket looked small, it was quite spacious inside.
Little San drove the carriage.
Their carriage followed behind Ning Wang Residence's carriage and arrived smoothly at Ning Wang Residence.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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