Oh no, I've been spotted!
Song Yixuan was so scared that he covered his mouth and nose, then immediately turned around and ran.
He pushed his legs to the limit. His heart in his small chest was pounding heavily out of fear, and an indescribable sharp pain shot through it.
He knew that his weak body couldn't handle such a strenuous run. It might cost him his life.
But the news he'd just heard was too shocking! It turned out that the eldest sister was planning to kill the fourth sister. Even if it meant death, he had to tell the fourth sister this news right away!
However, the next moment, a large hand accurately grabbed him by the neck and covered his mouth and nose.
Song Yixuan looked up and only saw a pair of slanting eyes full of coldness.
...
In the medical clinic in Xile Town, the doctor handed several medicine packets to Song Yihuan and said, "Miss, these are the medicines you ordered. They cost two taels of silver in total. Take them carefully."
Song Yihuan paid the money. After estimating the time, she said to the doctor, "Doctor, my elder sister is not feeling well. I'd like to invite you to come with me and feel her pulse for treatment. Would you please do me this favor?"
Hearing that he was needed for a house - call, the doctor looked at the sky, stroked his goatee and said, "Alright, I'll go with you."
When Song Yihuan led the doctor out of the clinic, it was almost the Xushi hour. Ji Lingchuan was still patiently waiting outside. Seeing her coming out with someone, he accompanied her back to the post - house.
The clinic wasn't far from the post - house. They only had to walk a short distance. When they got back to the post - house gate, Song Yihuan thought Ji Lingchuan would leave on his own, but unexpectedly, he still followed her and walked with her towards the wing - room where she and Song Nanxin lived.
Song Yihuan blinked her eyes and didn't say anything to remind him. Instead, she was a bit looking forward to it. She wondered what kind of reaction the eldest sister would show when she saw Ji Lingchuan coming back with her.
When they got back to the room of the two sisters, Song Yihuan raised her hand and knocked on the door. "Sister, it's Yihuan. I've brought the doctor back. Are you awake?"
Immediately, Song Nanxin's voice came from inside the room. "Come in."
Song Yihuan pushed the door open. She thought she would see Song Nanxin cowering and shivering on the bed, but unexpectedly, Song Nanxin was sitting safely on the chair with a rosy complexion and fair skin. She no longer looked haggard and panicked.
Song Yihuan frowned. She thought Song Nanxin's current state seemed a bit strange.
In just one hour, how could the eldest sister's appearance change so much?
Hearing the sound, Song Nanxin looked up at Song Yihuan. She was about to scold Song Yihuan for coming back so late when Ji Lingchuan stepped into the room on cue.
Seeing Ji Lingchuan, Song Nanxin's face changed. She subconsciously stood up and nervously clasped her hands together.
"Your... Your Highness, why are you here?"
As soon as Ji Lingchuan entered the room, he was sizing up Song Nanxin. His eyes lingered on her bright and beautiful face for a moment, and he also felt that something was wrong.
He said calmly, "I heard from Yihuan that you're not feeling well. I came here specially to check on you."
Song Nanxin was extremely tense at this moment. She didn't notice Ji Lingchuan's rather intimate address at all. She maintained a proper smile on her face.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern. It's Yihuan who is making a fuss. Maybe I walked in a hurry on the way. I was really feeling unwell just now, but after taking a rest in the room for a while, I feel much better now."
Looking at the doctor who had come with Song Yihuan, she took out a small piece of silver and held it out. "I'm sorry to trouble you, doctor, to come all the way here so late."
This meant that she didn't intend to let the doctor feel her pulse.
Song Yihuan just felt it was a pity. Back in the Prince Ning's Mansion, it was she who had disguised herself as the eldest sister and had her pulse felt. Ji Lingchuan didn't know about it. If the Doctor Li could feel the pulse now, it would be good to plant a seed of doubt in Ji Lingchuan's heart.
The eldest sister was indeed cautious enough.
Song Nanxin also thought that the doctor would leave after taking the silver, but unexpectedly, Ji Lingchuan said, "Since we've already invited the doctor, let him feel your pulse so that I can be at ease. Miss Song, please go next door and tell the princess that we'll invite Doctor Li to go there later."
Song Yihuan looked up at Ji Lingchuan. Meeting his deep eyes, she nodded slightly. "Yes."
Watching helplessly as Song Yihuan was sent away by Ji Lingchuan, Song Nanxin was anxious inside, but she couldn't show it at all. In order not to arouse Ji Lingchuan's suspicion, she had to agree. "Then let's have a look."
Actually, there was a bit of luck in her heart. Back in the Prince Ning's Mansion, when Doctor Zhong felt the pulse, Song Yihuan had disguised herself as her. After that day, Ji Lingchuan hadn't suspected anything, and even the night of serving him in bed had been safely covered up. She thought it should be okay to let this doctor take a look.
However, when the country doctor put his fingers on her wrist, she still couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. She even didn't dare to look up in the direction where Ji Lingchuan was.
Ji Lingchuan looked down at Song Nanxin quietly, suppressing the coldness deep in his heart.
Doctor Li carefully observed Song Nanxin's pulse. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and said, "My medical skills are limited. Although the noble lady's pulse seems steady, in fact, her qi and blood are both a bit deficient. But I think it's probably due to the long - distance travel. You don't need to worry too much."
Song Nanxin immediately looked up and said, "Your Highness, you see, I've already said that I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired from the continuous journey."
But Ji Lingchuan didn't let her off.
"May I ask, doctor, my wife and I have been married for half a year, and we've had intercourse quite often, but we still haven't had any offspring. What's the reason for this?"
"Your Highness!" Song Nanxin cried out. Her voice was a bit shrill, and she could no longer maintain the proper smile on her face.
Ji Lingchuan glanced at her and said calmly, "What? Can't I, as her husband, ask about this? Or is the princess hiding something from me?"
Song Nanxin's palms were all sweaty, and her body trembled subconsciously.
Doctor Li didn't understand the hidden meaning between the two of them. Upholding the ethics of a doctor, he looked serious.
"I'm not very proficient in gynecology. I only know a little bit. But in my opinion, although your wife looks in excellent health and has a steady pulse, her qi is actually floating and chaotic. In fact, she is extremely deficient in qi and blood. She should have had a miscarriage before. It may be difficult for her to get pregnant."
"You're talking nonsense! How could I have had a miscarriage? You quack doctor! I'm going to kill you!"
Exposed about the miscarriage, Song Nanxin was both anxious and angry. She immediately rushed towards the doctor regardless. Ji Lingchuan grabbed her wrist and held her back. Then he turned to the doctor and said,
"Leave immediately."
Doctor Li was extremely frightened. Hearing this, he didn't even care about the consultation fee. He picked up his medicine chest and rushed out in a hurry.
"Your Highness, don't listen to that quack doctor. I... I haven't had a miscarriage. I'm in perfect health!" Song Nanxin grabbed Ji Lingchuan's sleeve and pleaded urgently.
Ji Lingchuan looked down at Song Nanxin. There was not a trace of pity in his eyes, only bone - chilling coldness.
"Doctor Zhong felt your pulse in the capital before. He said personally that your body was very healthy and there would be no problem getting pregnant. But in just two months, you've become deficient in both qi and blood and it's extremely difficult for you to get pregnant."
"Song Nanxin, do you really think I'm a fool to be played around by you at will?"