Imperial Physician Zhang had been cautious all his life. He had been a doctor in the Imperial Medical Bureau for 40 years without making any mistakes, and all he had to do was be careful. He only focused on his task and left those complicated or risky cases to someone else.
Mu Mingtang became very anxious when she found out that Imperial Physician Zhang refused to accept her request. She didnât know how long she could stay out more and she really had no time to waste. Out of despair, Mu Mingtang directly pulled out an ingot of gold from her sleeve, and placed it on his table
âI believe that all doctors are kind. Imperial Physician Zhang, youâre a doctor and have saved so many lives. As the saying goes, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-floor pagoda. I can assure that you wonât be involved in anything, nor would I force you to cure the Princeâs illness. All you need to do is to tell me his true health condition, and advise me on ways to nurse him to health.â
Imperial Physician Zhang was tempted by the ingot of gold, but still refused it in the end: â Iâm not qualified and knowledgeable enough to cure the prince. Princess, please look for someone else to assist you.â
Mu Mingtang was keen on getting the Imperial Physicianâs medical help. As Zhang remained silent, she shamelessly continued to place stuff on his table. Anyway, the Jiang family gifted her a huge dowry. She believed that with this huge amount of gift, Imperial Physician Zhang would soon agree to her request.
As she was worried that someone would realise, Mu Mingtang didnât dare to use the palaceâs money and paid him with her own dowry. The key to her dowry was in her own hands, she could use it as many as she wanted. Moreover, she brought along gold bracelets and gold hair pins, instead of jade or jewelry that could be easily recognised.
Seeing that Mu Mingtang was determined and that she refused to give up unless he agreed. He started to have a headache as he moved his gaze away from the pile of shining gold and sighed.
They say couples in distress wouldnât last long, but the princess in front of her was an exception. Imperial Physician Zhang said out of compassion :â Dear princess, itâs not easy to survive out there, please take them back. I know what youâre asking for but Iâm afraid that Iâm not in the position to tell you much.â
âIf you canât tell her anything, how about me?â
This time, even Mu Mingtang was shocked. Imperial Physician Zhang and her turned back, and noticed that the windows were open. They didnât know how long Xie Xuanchen stood in the shadows for.
Mu Mingtang placed her hand on her chest, her heart racing. She took a deep breath and suppressed her voice: âPrince, why are you here?â
Xie Xuanchen walked out from the shadows, the light climbed onto the corner of his clothes, slightly illuminating his face.
âI truly understand that you are trying to save yourself and stay out of trouble, but since youâve been sent to the Qiyang manor, do you think you can really avoid it? â
Imperial Physician Zhang was speechless and he didnât say anything for a while. Xie Xuanchen walked to the middle, Mu Mingtang looked around and ran over to stand beside him.
Xie Xuanchenâs face was pale white under the lights, and his lips were almost invisible: âIf I were you, I wouldnât be so ignorant. Emperors are all skeptical. You were sent to the Qiyang Manor by the Emperor, do you think he will use you in the future? If you accept the princessâs offer, youâll have a plan B. Otherwise, if the meeting today was known by the others, the princess and I would be fine, but you might not be as lucky.â
His cold and merciless words were literally a threat and his actions felt unfamiliar to Mu Mingtang. She was a little uneasy. She could relate with Imperial Physician Zhangâs thinking to protect himself, and she had accepted the fact that no matter what she did, Zhang would not accept her offer. Wouldnât Xie Xuanchenâs words just scare him away even more?
Mu Mingtang gently tugged on Xie Xuanchenâs sleeve. Yet Xie Xuanchen just stretched out his hand to cover the back of Mu Mingtangâs hand.
His fingers were extremely cold. It reminded Mu Mingtang of the autumn breeze outside and she felt bad for him. She sighed and also held Xie Xiechuanâs hand.
Xie Xuanchen was in the midst of talking, and was caught off guard from the warmth on his hand. He raised his brows in surprise, and when he lowered his gaze, he saw that Mu Mingtang was holding his hand intently, trying to keep him warm. Mu Mingtang noticed his movements, she even looked up and smiled at him.
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