Under the quiet night sky, Princess Ali stood alone in front of the tent. Suddenly, footsteps came from behind her—the sound was light yet gentle, as if stepping one by one upon Ali’s heart. Without turning her head, Ali knew who was behind her. She said softly, “Listen—it seems like someone is singing.”

Li Weiyang listened carefully and discovered that from somewhere on the grasslands came herdsmen’s songs. The melody was very melodious, the lyrics ancient, inexplicably calming one’s mood. Li Weiyang smiled and said, “You’re still very reluctant to leave your homeland, aren’t you? Do you really want to return to Yuexi with us?”

In Li Weiyang’s view, no one wanted to leave their homeland. Even she had once felt deep emotions for Dali. However, her experiences were special—now home and country were no longer important in her heart. But for Princess Ali, who was born here and grew up here, already accustomed to the simple life of herding and singing—perhaps this clean grassland was what suited her. Thinking this, Li Weiyang continued, “It’s not too late now. You can change your mind.”

Ali shook her head. “No, there’s no pure land anywhere. This place is no longer my home.”

Li Weiyang looked at her profile without speaking. Ali suddenly turned around, looking at Miss Guo in the moonlight—raven-black hair, jet-black eyes, snow-white skin, tranquil gaze. Just looking at her gave one a sense of settled peace in the heart. Ali smiled gently and said, “When the Great Khan was here, everyone feared and respected him. But now, Fifth Brother will soon become Great Khan. I don’t think he can control those people. Sooner or later, someone will ignite a great fire on these grasslands.”

Li Weiyang didn’t speak. She knew Princess Ali was right. The Yuexi Emperor supporting the Fifth Prince to ascend to the Great Khan’s position had another important reason left unsaid—the Fifth Prince was cowardly and lacked courage. Within five years, war would inevitably erupt again on the grasslands. Once the chaos began, the alliance of these seventeen tribes would become fragmented, scattered like sand, fighting each other. The grasslands would never again have the strength to unite and resist Yuexi. This was far better than Yuexi spending time and energy overseeing this place. These words—she believed even without her saying them, Princess Ali would understand. Though this girl was naive and simple, she wasn’t stupid.

At this moment, the singing became even more melodious, as if people from all directions were softly echoing. Li Weiyang raised her head—a full moon hung in the sky, its moonlight radiating white brilliance. The entire sky was filled with the silver light of stars. On this beautiful and vast grassland, even every blade of grass reflected the light of stars and moon, inspiring awe in one’s heart.

Li Weiyang looked into the distance and suddenly heard Princess Ali say, “Have you ever seen sunrise on the grasslands?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. Princess Ali smiled. “I want to see the sunrise one last time. Tomorrow morning, I’ll return with you all.”

Li Weiyang nodded. Just as she was about to say something, she was choked by the wind and began coughing. Zhao Yue quickly wrapped Li Weiyang in her cloak. “Miss’s health still hasn’t recovered.”

Li Weiyang’s cold had dragged on for a full fifteen days, worrying Madam Guo sick. Not only had all the accompanying imperial physicians been brought over one by one by Madam Guo to examine Li Weiyang, she had even invited grassland shamans. Every method had been tried, yet Li Weiyang’s condition showed no improvement—instead, it showed a trend of growing increasingly severe. Madam Guo was truly anxious. As soon as the hunt ended, she urgently pressed the Guo family to set out. So they would leave the grasslands the next day. Li Weiyang turned to walk toward her tent, but for some unknown reason, halfway there she turned back around to look at Princess Ali. That slender figure under the quiet sky looked especially lonely—the fiery red silhouette seeming to merge into this pitch-black night sky. Li Weiyang sighed, then said to Zhao Yue, “Let’s go.”

Early the next morning, just as the horizon began to show a blue-white glow, the entire Yuexi camp began to stir. The Imperial Guards adjusted their formation, servants organized luggage, and carriages began the journey home one by one. Li Weiyang gently lifted the curtain. Guo Dao was riding his horse, keeping guard beside her carriage. The wind lifted his black cloak, and in Guo Dao’s eyes flowed a trace of cool silver light. He seemed to sense Li Weiyang’s gaze and turned his head. Seeing her indeed looking at him, he smiled faintly—but in that gaze seemed to be some ineffable emotion.

Li Weiyang’s heart jumped. In that instant, she suddenly gained some understanding of Guo Dao’s feelings. She gently lowered the curtain. Madam Guo asked, “What’s wrong?”

Li Weiyang turned back with a calm, smiling face, as if knowing nothing. “Mother, I just wanted to take one last look at these grasslands.”

Madam Guo found this strange. “This place is so desolate, full of wild beasts everywhere. People live such primitive, barbaric lives—what’s worth seeing? Do you actually like this kind of life?”

Li Weiyang’s gaze was quiet, her smile gentle. “Yes, I like the life here, like the herdsmen here, and most of all I like hearing those incomprehensible pastoral songs they sing. Isn’t that interesting?”

Madam Guo smiled and shook her head. “You always like these strange and peculiar things.”

At this moment, they heard Li Weiyang begin to cough. Madam Guo stepped forward and grasped her hand. “Your hands are still so cold. Zhao Yue, light the brazier.”

Li Weiyang smiled and said, “I’m fine—just this cold hasn’t fully recovered yet. Mother needn’t worry.” Though she said this, she didn’t pay it much mind in her heart. For a cold to recover required at least ten days to half a month—that was unavoidable. Li Weiyang felt that her cold had entered her body, and with the grassland’s strong winds, it had become so severe. Once they returned to warm Yuexi, the condition would naturally improve.

The journey was exhausting. Madam Guo, fearing her condition would worsen, said softly, “I understand. In two more days we’ll reach Qingzhou. I heard there are many famous physicians there. We’ll stop and rest a while.”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. “We’re traveling with the main procession back. How could we delay everyone because of us?”

Madam Guo smiled. “Don’t worry—I’ll discuss this with your father.”

Li Weiyang stopped insisting. She just felt especially fatigued. Moreover, a brazier had already been lit in the carriage, making it warm. Madam Guo wasn’t afraid of catching the cold and stayed beside Li Weiyang, her expression full of worry.

Princess Ali also sat in this carriage. Watching Madam Guo and her daughter, her eyes showed a trace of envy. Seeing Princess Ali, Madam Guo couldn’t help but smile. “Your Highness, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you. Aren’t you afraid your other relatives will be heartbroken that you’re returning with us?”

Ali was startled, then smiled—that smile seemed to carry a trace of loneliness. “Aside from Third Brother, I have no other relatives. My mother passed away when I was ten.”

Madam Guo was stunned, then her eyes showed a trace of pity and sympathy. She beckoned to Princess Ali. Ali very obediently moved closer. She didn’t know why, but she always felt Madam Guo carried a motherly aura—that very warm emotion. Madam Guo gently stroked Princess Ali’s head and said tenderly, “From now on, you’ll live at the Guo residence. Our family has many children and is very lively. The Princess also loves children very much. I think she’ll definitely like you.”

Princess Ali instinctively rested her head on Madam Guo’s knee. Looking at Li Weiyang beside her, she thought to herself: This Miss Guo is truly blessed. To have such a loving and beautiful mother, plus a father and brothers who dote on her so much. Princess Ali’s heart filled with envy, while Li Weiyang there gently opened her eyes and smiled faintly.

The carriage jolted along. Two days later, they reached Qingzhou. After reporting to Duke Qi, Madam Guo finally obtained special permission to stop the carriage first, staying at the Qingzhou government office and quickly seeking famous physicians. However, a cold was still a cold—recovery wouldn’t come quickly. No matter how good the doctors were, the results were all the same—just rest and recuperate peacefully. This angered Madam Guo, who scolded them severely.

Yuan Lie also refused to leave, insisting on staying at the Qingzhou government office. Prince Jing Yuan Ying had duties accompanying the Emperor, so he reluctantly stayed two more shichen before having to depart. Duke Qi, worried about Madam Guo’s party’s safety, decisively left all his personal guards behind. Adding his three sons for protecting Madam Guo and Li Weiyang was more than sufficient.

When they set out again, Li Weiyang’s condition showed no improvement whatsoever. There were even faint signs of lung inflammation—she coughed severely day and night. Although she kept trying to reassure others, they could all see she lacked energy and looked listless. Madam Guo originally wanted to stay a few more days searching for good doctors, but Yuan Lie felt this matter couldn’t be delayed any longer. The doctors here couldn’t compare to those in the capital after all. He wanted to go to the capital to seek famous physicians and cure Li Weiyang as soon as possible. Madam Guo thought about it—Duke Qi’s residence environment was definitely better than this Qingzhou government office. So the two discussed it and declined the Qingzhou officials’ invitation to stay, deciding to set out again. The carriage left the government office and passed through the bustling marketplace. Princess Ali excitedly lifted the carriage curtain to look at everything outside, while not far away, Guo Dun kept watching Princess Ali, his eyes shining brightly.

Guo Cheng looked at Guo Dun, his gaze showing a trace of relief. In his view, this Fourth Brother of his lacked steadiness, but this time with Princess Ali, he was utterly devoted—always instinctively following her around. Even when rejected, he wasn’t discouraged. Clearly his feelings ran deep.

Li Weiyang leaned against an embroidered pillow to the side, smiling as she watched this scene. Just then, she suddenly heard Madam Guo say, “Stop the carriage.” Li Weiyang was startled and looked at Madam Guo. She saw Madam Guo’s gaze looking outside the carriage window, her expression showing some strangeness. Li Weiyang couldn’t help but ask, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Princess Ali also looked at Madam Guo with surprise. “Why did the carriage stop?”

Madam Guo pointed outside the carriage. “Look.”

Li Weiyang followed Madam Guo’s hand and looked through the carriage window. Not far away was a temporarily erected simple black canopy. Outside the canopy was a long queue—the waiting people all had anxious faces and looked ill. There were dozens of them. Madam Guo said, “What’s happening over there? Send someone to ask.”

Soon someone returned to report: “Madam, there’s a physician treating people there, which is why so many have gathered. They’re all here for treatment.”

Madam Guo couldn’t help but ask in puzzlement, “What physician?”

The guard outside immediately replied, “There were too many people—this servant couldn’t squeeze in, so I asked people outside. They said it’s a woman with very superior medical skills. She just arrived in Qingzhou a few days ago and is treating patients here. Her medical skills are very excellent, with miraculous healing effects.”

Madam Guo’s face showed delight. “I knew it! Qingzhou has plenty of famous physicians. Let’s also stop and ask that female doctor to treat Jia’er.”

Madam Guo was truly desperate for medical help. The imperial physicians had already examined her—could they really not compare to this wandering healer? Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. She wanted to say something but couldn’t help coughing twice before saying softly, “Mother, I already told you it’s just a cold. After returning home and resting slowly, there won’t be any serious problem.”

But Madam Guo disagreed. “Those are all quacks. Who knows what they failed to notice—delaying treatment! No, we must still have this doctor take a look.” With that, she instructed someone, “Go present fifty taels of silver and invite that physician over to treat Miss.”

Hearing this, the guard replied, “Yes,” and disappeared into the crowd.

A full half shichen passed before the guard returned. “Madam, that female doctor is stubborn. No matter how I asked, she absolutely refused to come.”

Madam Guo was stunned. “There are people who refuse to earn silver?”

The guard said, “Indeed—this servant was also puzzled. When I placed the silver before her, she didn’t even glance at it. She told this servant to go to the back and get a number token. When it’s Miss’s turn, she’ll call the number.”

Madam Guo’s face showed worry. “But we must hurry on our way. If we just wait here, how long will it take?” Thinking about it, she instructed the guard to summon Third Young Master. Guo Cheng quickly rode over. Madam Guo said to him, “Go see and present my calling card, saying we’re asking her to come treat Jia’er.”

Guo Cheng quickly said, “Mother, this absolutely won’t do. This would reveal our whereabouts and easily cause a commotion locally. Didn’t you see how those officials at Qingzhou government office harassed us so we could barely rest? If we alarm others again, we probably won’t be able to leave.”

Madam Guo, remembering those officials’ disgusting gift-giving behavior, felt he was right. She frowned. “Then what should we do? With so many people, if we have to wait for numbers, won’t we have to wait until dark? Tell her fifty taels is just a deposit. If she’s willing to treat, there will be a reward after the cure.”

Hearing this, Guo Cheng quickly replied, “Yes, your son will go look ahead right away.”

Li Weiyang coughed softly. In this world, there was no one who didn’t want silver. This female doctor was quite strange—it aroused three parts of her curiosity.

Not long after, Guo Cheng rode back, looking frustrated. “Mother, she won’t make a house call even for one hundred taels. But she gave your son a number—look, it’s already number one hundred thirty. At this rate, we probably won’t be seen until tomorrow.”

Madam Guo’s expression became very anxious. What could they do? They really couldn’t stay here too long. At this moment, Prince Xu Yuan Lie rode over. Seeing Madam Guo, he said gently, “Madam, what’s wrong?”

Madam Guo explained everything. Yuan Lie looked at the number token and only smiled faintly. “Let me try.”

Li Weiyang suddenly stopped him. “Everyone else is queuing. We don’t need to use our power to pressure people either. If it really won’t work, then forget it. Let’s set out for home earlier.”

Yuan Lie shook his head and smiled confidently. “There’s nothing in this world that can’t be accomplished.” Those handsome eyes shone brilliantly in the sunlight. He turned and rode away.

Madam Guo nodded. “Now that sounds more reasonable.”

Yuan Lie’s fine horse stopped right before the canopy. He dismounted, lifted the canopy flap and looked inside—he was somewhat surprised. Inside the canopy, over ten patients lay densely packed, all seemingly burn victims. Those people clutched their wounds and wailed—their appearance very painful. Hearing the surrounding people’s discussion, apparently a fire had just occurred, and patients were urgently sent here. Yuan Lie couldn’t help but frown slightly. Looking to the side, a young woman was before one of the patients bandaging his wounds. The woman was about Li Weiyang’s age, wearing a light green dress stained with quite a bit of blood. Her appearance wasn’t particularly beautiful, but those eyes shone like gemstones with gentle, soft light—not only dignified and gentle but also approachable.

Yuan Lie spoke up. “Excuse me, which one is the physician?” This was asking despite knowing the answer—there was only this woman here. Hearing this, she raised her eyes and glanced at Yuan Lie indifferently. Surprisingly, she had no reaction whatsoever to this handsome young master and said, “I am.”

Yuan Lie raised his eyebrows. “I have important business to discuss with you.”

That woman didn’t look at him again, lowering her head to continue treating the patient. “I’m sorry—I have over ten burn victims who just arrived, so I don’t have time to talk with you right now. We’ll talk after I’m done.” With that, she had already lowered her head to continue her work.

People nearby helping followed the female doctor’s instructions, holding the patient down, stuffing a wooden gag in his mouth, binding him with cloth strips. The female doctor then took a sharp blade, heated it red over fire, and along the muscle grain, cut away the decayed flesh from the man’s arm. Everyone’s eyes widened—before they could see clearly how she did it, the rotten flesh had already fallen into the copper basin beside them. Then her movements were extremely swift as she used long thread to suture the muscle tissue, applying medicinal paste to the joined areas. Then she began treating the leg broken by a wooden stake—first finding the right position, then using wooden boards to fix the broken bone. Her movements were very fast—the entire process took less than a quarter shichen, and it was successfully completed.

Seeing this scene, Yuan Lie couldn’t help but believe this woman’s medical skills could be called miraculous. The patient removed the wooden gag and kept thanking her. The female doctor said gently, “Rest well when you return. In three months, you’ll fully recover.” Then she turned to treat other patients. These dozen or so people either had burns or bone necrosis. For a full half shichen, she didn’t say a word, treating them one by one. Her body was also covered in bloodstains. Such a thin frame, yet she could persevere even better than ordinary men—this made Yuan Lie look at her with new respect. At some unknown point, all three Guo brothers had come to stand beside Yuan Lie. They watched this woman’s treatment methods in amazement. Guo Cheng said to Yuan Lie, “It seems her medical skills are indeed very excellent.” Yuan Lie nodded, even more determined. “Precisely because of this, we should all the more invite her to treat Weiyang.”

These dozen or so patients were quickly treated. People helped them outside. Those people thanked the doctor profusely. She only nodded lightly. “Next person, come in.” Having said this, she leaned against the wood beside her, seeming somewhat unsteady on her feet. One could imagine she had just stood there for a full half shichen without moving at all. Such perseverance was truly admirable. Guo Dun quietly whispered to someone beside him, “I heard she even gives away medicine for free and doesn’t charge money.”

Guo Dao couldn’t help but say softly, “Doesn’t charge money? Where does she get so much silver from?”

Guo Dun’s voice grew lower and lower. “She extorts wealthy households. I heard earlier she treated Qingzhou’s richest man for just a superficial wound, yet she actually charged him one hundred taels. These wealthy families heard she’s a famous doctor—even for scraped skin, they want her to look. It seems she uses all the money to subsidize these poor people.”

Hearing this, Guo Dao couldn’t help but nod. “Indeed a very interesting physician.”

Just as the next patient was entering, Yuan Lie suddenly took out an ingot of gold and handed it to that patient. “Your injury isn’t very serious. Turn right from here and there’s a large medicine hall. Just go find the physician on duty there—he can treat you just the same.”

That person, seeing the gold in his hand, nearly had his eyeballs pop out. He came here for treatment not because his illness was severe, but simply because the consultation fees here were low. Especially when the physician saw they were poor people, she would give free treatment and medicine. Now such a huge windfall had fallen from the sky—he could easily find someone else to treat him and still make a profit. Thinking this, he accepted the gold from Yuan Lie and turned to leave. The next five patients were all the same. The female doctor was startled and looked at Yuan Lie. “Who exactly are you people? Why are you disrupting my patient treatment?”

Yuan Lie, however, smiled faintly, his gaze showing three parts coldness. “We’re people who came for treatment. However, you refused to go, so we had no choice but to come personally invite you.”

The female doctor knew full well that if she said one more word of refusal, he would probably chase away all her patients completely. She bit her teeth. “Fine, have your young lady come in.”

Yuan Lie shook his head and only said slowly, “Her health is poor—she can’t be exposed to wind and can’t dismount from the carriage. I must ask you to make the trip.”

The female doctor couldn’t help but frown and ask coldly, “Who is your young lady?”

Yuan Lie glanced at her, his gaze ice-cold. “You don’t need to know this.”

The female doctor’s face darkened. “There are all patients here. They can all come—why can’t your young lady? It’s just a few steps—what does it matter?”

Yuan Lie smiled faintly. He said, “If the doctor is willing to make the trip to treat her, I’m willing to donate one thousand taels of silver.” Having said this, everyone in this canopy was stunned. Though Yuan Lie’s gaze was light, it showed a trace of cunning. “With this thousand taels, Miss can treat more people, dispense more medicine. Even treating all the patients in Qingzhou would be more than enough.”

That woman was startled, then her gaze swept across Yuan Lie and the Guo family members one by one. The people before her were young, handsome, and dressed luxuriously—clearly not of small standing. She had just arrived and if she offended these people, she probably wouldn’t be able to continue practicing medicine. She thought carefully and bit her teeth. “Alright, I agree. Take me to see the patient.”

This woman followed Yuan Lie and the others all the way to the carriage. Yuan Lie made a gesture of invitation. She bowed and entered the carriage compartment. First she saw Madam Guo’s gentle, dignified face and couldn’t help but be startled. Then beside her, a round-faced girl looked at her curiously—her cheeks rosy, not looking ill at all. She said softly, “Which one is the patient?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly and extended her hand. Only then did the female doctor notice her. This woman’s presence wasn’t particularly strong, so much so that she hadn’t noticed her just now. But those jet-black eyes, snow-white skin, plus Li Weiyang’s very moving aura—one felt she was very special. The female doctor thought for a moment, then placed her hand on Li Weiyang’s pulse. Before she could speak, she heard Li Weiyang say, “My family was anxious about my condition and was discourteous to the doctor. I apologize.”

The female doctor raised her eyes and looked at Li Weiyang, seeming somewhat surprised she would say this. Originally she thought these people were just relying on wealth and power to force her to treat them. She hadn’t expected that the people in this carriage didn’t seem particularly domineering—on the contrary, they were quite courteous.

Li Weiyang explained, “We’re from out of town and can’t stay here too long, which is why we had no way to queue for numbers. I know doing this was very wrong and delayed Miss from treating others. How about this—I’m willing to donate another five hundred taels as Miss’s consultation fee.”

The female doctor looked at her in surprise. “I haven’t treated you yet, and you don’t know if I can cure you. Why would you give me so much money?”

Li Weiyang glanced at that long queue and said softly, “That so many people are waiting patiently shows two things: first, Miss is a kind-hearted person who charges very low consultation fees; second, your medical skills are very excellent. Otherwise, why would countless medicine hall apprentices just now have deliberately come to cause trouble?”

The female doctor was startled, then said, “I wondered why no one came to make trouble today—turns out you all helped block them for me. Forget it—I originally thought you were bullying people with power, but you’ve also done good deeds. Fine, I’ll treat you.” With that, she pondered carefully for a moment, suddenly frowned, then released Li Weiyang. She turned and wrote a prescription on the writing desk, then said to Yuan Lie standing beside the carriage, “Return home and fill this prescription. I guarantee seven days and she’ll be well.”

Yuan Lie accepted the prescription, his smile warm. “Thank you.”

That woman didn’t speak but extended her hand toward him. Yuan Lie understood and handed over a note. The woman looked at it—indeed, it was a bank note for one thousand five hundred taels. What a generous gesture. In all her travels north and south over the years, this was the first time she’d seen someone so generous. Moreover, the female family members in this carriage were clearly not ordinary wealthy people—they emanated an air of nobility. She nodded. “The one who should say thank you is me. On behalf of Qingzhou’s common people, I thank you.” With that, she descended from the carriage. But she heard Li Weiyang inside the carriage say, “Miss, if you’re alone in Qingzhou, carrying such a large sum of silver might not be appropriate.”

The female doctor turned around, her gaze growing heavy. “Do you want to take the money back?”

Li Weiyang coughed softly twice and gently shook her head. “Third Brother.”

Guo Cheng quickly responded, “Yes, I’m here. Jia’er, what is it?”

Li Weiyang said, “From our personal guards, select two people to protect this young lady. After she withdraws the silver, buys medicine, and safely finishes treating patients, they can leave.”

Everyone was startled, including the female doctor. She looked at Li Weiyang, her gaze very hesitant. She hadn’t expected this Miss, though so delicate, to be someone who thought very thoroughly. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly stopped, involuntarily turning back to look at Li Weiyang. “Miss, you seem to have grown up in the south and haven’t suffered much hardship, so your constitution is weak and you caught a cold. Combined with exhausting travel and mental stress along the way, the cold pathogen entered your body, lingering without dispersing. Your qi and blood have congealed, worsening the condition. Now your symptoms are dry mouth and coughing. The cause is simply external wind-cold contraction. Gentle medicinal warming and gradual adjustment should have been prescribed. Unfortunately, you somehow encountered a quack who used highly supplementing medicines. Combined with your depleted vital energy and hidden blood deficiency, that’s why you’ve been unable to recover.”

Yuan Lie didn’t understand other things, but he suddenly heard the words “quack doctor” and instinctively looked at this female doctor with ice-cold eyes. “You’re saying someone deliberately used highly supplementing medicines—what does this mean?”

The female doctor smiled faintly and looked at Yuan Lie. “Were there ginseng in the previous prescriptions?”

Yuan Lie thought about it, then nodded. “Correct—there was ginseng, and it was old mountain ginseng.”

The woman shook her head. “Truly a quack. How could they prescribe ginseng for a Miss who needs gentle adjustment? Miss comes from a noble family—her body is delicate and weak. To prescribe medicine for her naturally requires gentle supplementing methods. Yet those quacks prescribed ginseng! Hmph, I’d say eighty percent it was deliberate.” Having said this, she felt she had spoken out of turn and quickly said, “This isn’t really my concern, but if you trust me, don’t take those old prescriptions anymore.”

Yuan Lie narrowed his eyes. He looked at Madam Guo. “Madam, did you hear what this doctor just said?”

Madam Guo nodded. “I heard.” At this moment, her voice carried a trace of icy coldness. The ones who initially treated Li Weiyang were imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau. Four imperial physicians were changed, and the prescriptions they wrote were all identical. What did this indicate? Someone deliberately wanted Li Weiyang’s condition to worsen, even hoped she would never return. If they hadn’t encountered this woman in Qingzhou, by the time they returned to the capital, Li Weiyang would have long since breathed her last.

To make four imperial physicians simultaneously keep silent showed this person’s tremendous power and influence. Yuan Lie suppressed his anger and asked again, “We saw countless doctors in Qingzhou. Why didn’t anyone say what you just said?”

The woman shook her head. “First wind-cold, then quack medicines—now Miss has many conditions mixed together. Ordinary doctors can’t tell. This isn’t strange. Alright, I still have many patients. I won’t say more. Farewell.” With that, she smiled faintly and had already quickly walked toward the canopy.

Madam Guo looked at Li Weiyang, her gaze cold and heavy. “It seems when we return, we’ll need to settle accounts with those imperial physicians!”

That the Crown Prince wanted to use this opportunity to take her life wasn’t particularly strange. Li Weiyang watched but shook her head, then had another coughing fit. Though she coughed until her face turned completely red, she still watched that female doctor’s retreating figure, her gaze showing a trace of smile. She always felt this doctor had a stubborn temperament and was very interesting.

Guo Cheng also looked at this doctor’s retreating figure with gratitude. “It seems even Qingzhou has famous physicians.”

After the carriage passed through Qingzhou, they prepared medicine according to the doctor’s prescription. After Li Weiyang drank it for three days following that prescription, her condition had already greatly improved. She could even walk out of the carriage compartment to see the scenery outside. Yuan Lie, seeing this, was overjoyed beyond measure—he wished he could return to give that female doctor another thousand taels. Li Weiyang laughed at him for being like a child. Yuan Lie didn’t care. After passing Qingzhou came Lanzhou. Lanzhou was quite prosperous, so they stayed two extra days, traveling around mountains and waters leisurely. With Prince Xu Yuan Lie and numerous Duke Qi residence guards protecting them, this journey was very smooth and peaceful with no petty criminals harassing them. They traveled and played all the way back to the capital. Entering the city gates, Yuan Lie’s face showed disappointed expression. If he could choose, he’d rather stay on the road longer. Why be so anxious to return? But Madam Guo, seeing Li Weiyang’s condition had recovered, feared Duke Qi and others would worry, so she hurriedly returned to the capital.

When Li Weiyang returned to the Guo residence, everything seemed very calm. She was forced by Madam Guo to convalesce for three days before being allowed out. Since the grassland trip, the Guo family’s reputation in the capital flourished. Many young ladies’ banquets invited Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang would attend one out of every three—neither refusing people’s kindness nor being overly enthusiastic. Gradually, Duke Qi residence’s Miss Guo became one of the top renowned ladies in the capital. More and more matchmakers began coming to Duke Qi residence—the threshold was nearly trampled to pieces.

Madam Guo held a thick stack of calling cards in her hands. She carefully selected them without letting Li Weiyang know. In her view, what was wrong with having more son-in-law candidates? Why fixate on Prince Xu Yuan Lie alone? Madam Guo’s thinking was somewhat selfish. Though she knew Li Weiyang and Yuan Lie’s relationship was very good, after the grassland trip, she viewed both Yuan Ying and Yuan Lie with some wariness. She always felt getting involved with imperial family members led to nothing good. Better to choose a good family’s son for a proper life. She’d rather her daughter marry an ordinary person than hope she’d be drawn into imperial family disputes again.

Li Weiyang, however, was completely unaware of all this. This day she left the residence, heading straight for the capital’s most famous book repository, the Treasure Scripture Pavilion. This Treasure Scripture Pavilion stored various precious ancient texts from across the realm. Moreover, Miss Guo was a regular customer, so whenever the owner received new books or ones he thought Li Weiyang would like, he would send someone to the Guo residence personally for her to select. But Li Weiyang still preferred riding in her carriage to the Treasure Scripture Pavilion—treating it as a pleasant outing. Princess Ali accompanied Li Weiyang on outings. She was still so fascinated by everything in the capital—seeing anything interesting, she wouldn’t leave. She always liked strange and peculiar things, especially the pinwheels in children’s hands that she’d clearly never seen before. She actually chased after people’s children, scaring them to wailing tears. She also loved sweets—standing at a sweet osmanthus cake shop entrance with wide eyes drooling. When Li Weiyang wouldn’t buy for her, she still wouldn’t leave, acting just like a child.

“Ah! Jia’er, look at that person performing tricks!” With that, Princess Ali stopped the carriage, then without waiting for Li Weiyang’s answer, immediately prepared to jump down. Seeing Princess Ali again captivated by some strange thing, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. Just then, she saw not far away a young woman with a pack on her back, looking like she was traveling in haste. She was startled and called to Princess Ali, “Look—who is that person?”

Ali turned back and looked at the woman. Her gaze showed a trace of pleasant surprise. “Isn’t that the doctor?”

Li Weiyang nodded, then instructed the carriage to quietly follow that woman to see where she was going. Ali looked at Li Weiyang strangely. “I’ve never seen you care so much about anyone before. What’s she doing in the capital? Treating people?”

Li Weiyang shook her head. “She’s holding a piece of paper in her hand, as if asking for directions.” That woman kept walking forward. Just as she turned a corner, she suddenly stopped. Li Weiyang instructed the carriage to quietly follow at a distance without letting her see, but they saw the female doctor stop before a small girl. That little girl had big eyes, wore tattered clothes, and had a stalk of straw stuck in her hair—clearly preparing to sell herself.

The female doctor looked at the little girl, then rummaged through her pack but found nothing. She actually pulled the jade bracelet from her wrist and pressed it into the girl’s hand, then continued forward. But she hadn’t walked two steps before she stopped again, turned around, and even removed the only gold hairpin from her head, pressing it into the little girl’s arms. That girl looked very moved and kowtowed to her in gratitude.

Watching this scene, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but smile. Ali said, “She traveled all the way from Qingzhou to the capital—she should have walked very far. That’s why she kept stopping along the way to treat people. But having treated so many patients, she should have a lot of money. Moreover, Prince Xu just gave her five thousand five hundred taels. Could it all be used up?”

Li Weiyang smiled and said softly, “Yes, I guess she must have bought all the silver in medicine and given it to poor families.”

Princess Ali involuntarily frowned. “How can there be such foolish people in this world?”

Li Weiyang, seeing Ali’s puzzled eyes, smiled faintly. “Yes, how can there be such foolish people in this world?” Then she instructed the driver, “See where that Miss is looking for. Let’s give her a ride.”

The driver immediately acknowledged and drove the carriage toward the woman. Only then did Li Weiyang feel something was wrong, because she saw this road was very familiar. Before she could instruct the driver to slow down, that woman had already stopped before a residence gate. Above the gate hung a plaque with three large characters written: “Duke’s Residence.” Li Weiyang was startled. Ali had already called out loudly, “How did she come home with us?”

Li Weiyang looked at that woman, her brows furrowing slightly, then suddenly spoke up, calling Zhao Yue. “Zhao Yue, go tell the gatekeepers to invite this Miss inside.”

Duke Qi residence was heavily guarded. Without calling cards or the Guo family master’s permission, entry was absolutely impossible. But when those guards saw the Duke’s residence Miss’s carriage and Zhao Yue made gestures to them, they immediately understood and respectfully welcomed the female doctor inside. The female doctor’s face showed a trace of surprise, but she still patted her bundle and followed these people into the magnificent and solemn Duke Qi residence.

Only then did Li Weiyang descend from the carriage. Princess Ali was even more puzzled. “What is she doing at the Duke’s residence? Looking for us?”

Li Weiyang said indifferently, “Whether or not, we’ll know once we go inside.” With that, she had already quickly entered the gate.

Nalan Xue waited quietly in the flower hall. Her gaze didn’t linger half a moment on the residence’s luxurious furnishings. In fact, no matter how precious Duke Qi residence was, it couldn’t attract her slightest attention. She just sat, eyes lowered, looking at her clothing hem with slight unease, as if with some inexplicable nervousness. Just then, she suddenly heard someone laugh. “Doctor traveled thousands of li to find the Duke’s residence—could it be the bank note we gave you wasn’t honored?”

Nalan Xue was shocked and abruptly raised her head. She saw Madam Guo and Li Weiyang walking in side by side at the entrance. Nalan Xue’s face immediately showed an embarrassed expression. She hadn’t expected this noble lady before her would actually be Duke Qi’s wife—also the person she traveled thousands of li to find. For a moment, she was struck dumb.

Li Weiyang looked at her, her smile gentle. “Miss, how did you find this place?”

Nalan Xue opened her mouth, wanting to explain she didn’t come to collect consultation fees. Seeing people’s smiling faces—clearly they were only joking, absolutely not thinking she came chasing money—she spoke up. “I searched a long time before finding this place. If I’d known you were Guo family people, I definitely wouldn’t have…”

Before she finished speaking, she heard from the entrance the tinkling sound of jade ornaments. Her gaze looked that direction and saw two young, beautiful women surrounded by maids, entering from the side door. One woman had an oval face, almond eyes, wearing a goose-yellow dress, adorned with very simple yet dazzling precious gems. Walking brought a gust of fragrance. She walked smiling to Madam Guo’s side and said, “Mother, you’ve returned?” Madam Guo had gone to offer incense today. Returning, she happened to meet Li Weiyang, which is why she came in with her. At this moment, holding her hand was Chen Bingbing.

Madam Guo patted her hand. “Come, let me introduce you to Jia’er’s life-saving benefactor.”

Chen Bingbing looked at Nalan Xue curiously. Madam Guo introduced them. “These two are my daughters-in-law. This is my eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Jiang. This is my second daughter-in-law, Madam Chen. This young lady saved your younger sister’s life in Qingzhou. Come, quickly thank her.”

Hearing these words, Nalan Xue, who had been smiling just moments before, instantly changed expression. Of all the people seated, no one noticed her expression was wrong—only Li Weiyang in that instant saw Nalan Xue’s discomfort. Nalan Xue looked at the beautifully dressed, lively Duke Qi residence’s second daughter-in-law Chen Bingbing, then instinctively lowered her head, looking at her own old clothes. Her embroidered shoes were damaged from long travel—clearly completely out of place in this magnificent location. She paused slightly, gently stepped back, and in a flash had picked up her bundle. “I’m sorry—I went to the wrong place.” Then she bowed slightly and quickly walked toward the door.

Madam Guo was astonished. “Miss, why leave after coming without saying a few words? Aren’t we the people you were looking for?”

Nalan Xue bit her teeth, holding back tears welling in her eyes. When she turned back around, her face was completely calm. She said, “The people I’m looking for are surnamed Guo, but they’re not here.” With that, she said nothing more and had already quickly walked out.

Madam Guo was puzzled. “What’s wrong with this girl?”

Chen Bingbing also looked at Nalan Xue’s retreating figure, her face showing a surprised expression. “This girl is so strange. Just saying she was Jia’er’s life-saving benefactor, she ran away. Is she afraid we’ll hold onto her and not let her go? She said she’s looking for Guo family people—how did she end up at Duke Qi residence?”

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Only Li Weiyang’s face showed a trace of contemplation. She looked at Nalan Xue’s retreating figure, silent for a long time, until Madam Guo gently pushed her. Only then did she startle and turn around. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Madam Guo smiled. “You seemed lost in thought—I’ve been talking to you for ages with no response.”

Li Weiyang smiled. “It’s nothing. I just feel this young lady is somewhat strange. She traveled all the way from Qingzhou to the capital, yet wouldn’t even drink a cup of tea before leaving. What person is she really looking for?”

Princess Ali bounced in, seeing everyone standing there. She couldn’t help but say, “Why did that young lady leave? I specially greeted her, but she ignored me, just walked out without looking back. Isn’t that very strange?”

Li Weiyang said softly, “Yes, it’s very strange. Who exactly is she?”