There's no one who isn't in a hurry to get treated. Yi Qing found it strange. If they didn't trust her medical skills, there was no need to invite her here. So she turned to look at Yuan Hecong.
Yuan Hecong bowed and said, "To be honest, this patient is special. Madam Xiao, if you see her, please help our Yuan family keep it a secret."
Hearing Yuan Hecong's straightforward words, Madam Yuan's face immediately turned a bit ugly. When she looked at Yi Qing, her expression was awkward. "Please forgive me, Madam Xiao."
She originally wanted to find some patients to test Madam Xiao's medical skills but didn't want to take risks casually. She never expected her son to expose her plan directly.
At first, Yi Qing didn't think too much about it, but the Yuan family's behavior made her suspicious. Even though there had been a lot of noise about the marriage negotiation with the Xie family before, they couldn't avoid medical treatment now. Was there something she didn't know?
"It's a doctor's duty to keep patients' secrets. I'm only responsible for treating the sick and saving lives. I'm not a gossiping woman. If I get into trouble while treating patients, I, Yi Qing, won't be easily bullied."
Yuan Hecong bowed hurriedly. He knew it was better to be straightforward when talking to Madam Xiao. If he beat around the bush and made all kinds of tests, it would only make her annoyed. "Yes, yes, yes. I'll take Madam Xiao there right away."
He didn't want his mother to go there, worried that she might offend Madam Xiao and cause unnecessary trouble.
Yi Qing stood up, and Madam Yuan also stood up. She knew what her son meant but was still a bit worried.
The three of them passed through several courtyards of the Duke Yuan's mansion and came to a very remote place. They went out through the back door and reached a small courtyard. Yi Qing's legs were sore from walking.
The person who opened the door was very vigilant. When he saw Madam Yuan and the Second Young Master Yuan, he bowed hurriedly.
"How is Miss today?" Madam Yuan asked nervously.
"Miss just fell asleep after taking the medicine," the maid said cautiously.
At this time, a man came out of the side room. He looked about forty years old, with an oily face and a mustache. Maybe because he had gained weight in a short time, his skin had an unnatural tightness, like a balloon blown to its limit.
He was wearing a brocade dark blue robe with a jade gourd hanging on his waist, looking extremely arrogant.
"Madam Yuan is here to see Miss again," Gu Shuqing said arrogantly to Madam Yuan.
Madam Yuan suppressed her anger. "A friend of Miss's came to see her."
Gu Shuqing sized Yi Qing up with a sideways glance.
"How dare you!" Yuan Hecong shouted.
Gu Shuqing laughed indifferently. "Second Young Master, there's no need to be so angry. I've made it very clear that if your family asks someone else to treat Miss, I'll leave immediately. And once I leave, I won't come back. Your family should think twice."
Yi Qing didn't expect the Yuan family to be threatened by such a hooligan. No wonder Madam Yuan had been so cautious before.
"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Madam Xiao," Madam Yuan apologized.
"It's okay. I'll go and see Miss first," Yi Qing thought the Yuan family had their difficulties and didn't mind.
Gu Shuqing sneered and turned back to his room.
When Yi Qing saw the eldest miss of the Yuan family on the bed, she gasped. The girl was extremely thin and sallow, almost skin and bones, except for her bulging abdomen, which gave an otherworldly feeling.
What shocked her was the reason why Miss Yuan had become like this.
Back then, someone had controlled Deng Xiao's mother to threaten him with Ruyi Cake. Even the emperor had had some evil thoughts, but she had nipped them in the bud. The emperor had asked Deng Xiao to investigate the matter. It had been a long time since then, but unexpectedly, she met the Ruyi Cake again.
"How is it?" Madam Yuan saw Yi Qing looking so solemn.
"Does Miss only take medicine when she's in pain? After taking the medicine, she feels comfortable all over, but her condition hasn't improved?" Yi Qing asked.
"Yes," Yuan Hecong's eyes lit up involuntarily. Since Madam Xiao could see the problem, maybe she had a solution.
"Please step aside," Yi Qing said and examined Miss Yuan.
It turned out to be a teratoma. Since it was in her uterus and the environment was suitable, it had kept growing, which was why she had become like this.
"How is it?" Madam Yuan asked after Yi Qing finished the examination.
"It's been delayed for too long. There's a great risk in curing her, and... she won't be able to bear children in the future," Yi Qing said the consequence directly.
Madam Yuan lowered her eyes to hide her disappointment. "It doesn't matter that she can't bear children. As long as she can get better, please prescribe the medicine, Madam Xiao."
"I'll prepare the medicine myself. I'll come to treat Miss in a few days."
As soon as she finished speaking, the door was kicked open. Gu Shuqing swaggered in.
"How dare you!" Yuan Hecong was angry.
"So your Yuan family has found another doctor to treat the eldest miss," Gu Shuqing sneered. "Just this woman. She must be a fraud. But if your Yuan family dares to use the medicine she prescribes, I'll leave immediately."
Yi Qing knew where this man got his confidence. It seemed that the seemingly glorious Yuan family had been reduced to the dust because of their daughter's illness. "Arrest him."
"Come here!" Yuan Hecong ordered.
"Wait a minute," Madam Yuan looked hesitant. "We did promise Dr. Gu not to find other doctors before, but our daughter's condition hasn't improved. Dr. Gu should give us an explanation."
"Then find someone else," Gu Shuqing said confidently.
Back then, Miss Yuan had tried to commit suicide and was rescued. Everyone outside thought she was dead. To keep this a secret, the Yuan family didn't dare to look for doctors in the capital. They sent their trusted servants everywhere to seek folk doctors and alchemists in an attempt to cure their daughter.
Unfortunately, all efforts were in vain, and the situation got worse.
About two years ago, Gu Shuqing somehow heard that the Yuan family had been seeking medical treatment and recommended himself. Although he couldn't completely solve Miss Yuan's illness, he could relieve her pain, so he was treated as an honored guest and almost got whatever he wanted.
Yi Qing didn't know these details, but she couldn't tolerate someone harming others under the guise of treating diseases. "I can cure Miss Yuan's illness. Please trouble Second Young Master Yuan to arrest this man."
"Humph! You can cure it? Do you know what disease Miss Yuan has? It's a fateful grudge. If I hadn't suppressed it with medicine, Miss Yuan would have died long ago," Gu Shuqing said firmly.
Yi Qing thought this explanation of the teratoma made a bit of sense. It was originally a case of twin pregnancy, but one fetus had been devoured and then developed in the other's body. It was really a fateful grudge.
"Well, I think you'll have a bloody disaster today," Yi Qing said and motioned to Xue Miao'er.
"I..." Gu Shuqing sneered.
Xue Miao'er punched Gu Shuqing in the nose. Blood gushed out immediately, and Gu Shuqing was in a complete mess.
Madam Yuan and Yuan Hecong were also stunned. Considering Madam Yuan's reputation in the capital, she had seen all kinds of things, but today she had seen something new.
"I won't let you go," Gu Changqing pinched his nose, with blood smeared all over his face.
"We'll see who won't let who go," Yi Qing turned to Yuan Hecong. "Arrest him and send him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I can cure Miss Yuan's illness."