There was no other reason than to disgust that arrogant old man and let him know that his own Princess Consort was not to be trifled with.
Ye Qingcheng’s thoughts, however, were on the General Shangguan’s mansion.
Lately, things had been far from peaceful at General Shangguan’s mansion; doctors carrying medical chests had almost worn a path to their door.
Whether it was renowned imperial physicians or locally famous doctors, they had all been tried. They entered full of confidence, only to emerge dejected.
People noticed this obvious change, and with a little inquiry, the whole story came to light.
It turned out that their newborn child had contracted a strange illness, which no amount of treatment could cure.
The sudden onset of symptoms threw the entire General’s mansion into a panic. The child’s face would turn blue and purple, as if it couldn’t breathe properly, and even its cries were mere open mouths, unable to produce a sound.
General Shangguan, who had the joy of a child in his old age, was immensely worried. He took leave from court for several days and sought out famous physicians for consultation.
This matter even reached the attention of the young Emperor, who quickly dispatched several of the Imperial Hospital’s most skilled physicians to visit.
However, even with their expertise, no one could cure the General’s legitimate son’s condition; they could only temporarily prolong his life with medication.
The incident caused a stir throughout the city, becoming a topic of conversation during meal breaks, and many people were worried sick about the General’s legitimate son.
Just a short while ago, they had joyfully celebrated the full moon banquet, and now, such a healthy child was on the verge of death. Who could bear to watch this?
In truth, the imperial physicians who had examined the child were not incapable of treating him. The issue was that the child was too young to be administered their prescribed medications.
The General’s legitimate son was barely a hundred days old, and his body could not withstand most medicines, let alone potent ones.
Now, he could only rely on top-tier medicinal herbs to sustain his life, and it was unknown how long he could hold on.
General Shangguan aged over a decade overnight because of this. The once spirited Great General became stooped and sighed constantly.
The General’s wife, even more so, wept every day, her eyes swollen and unceasing, her grief inconsolable.
Not only had they consulted famous doctors from within and outside the capital, but they had also invited renowned physicians from across the entire country. Still, not a single one could confidently claim to cure the child.
Just as the General’s wife was about to break down from grief, a small box on her dressing table caught her eye, sparking an idea.
That box contained a cosmetic product that her maid had bought from a makeup store a few days prior. The box immediately reminded her of Ye Qingcheng, and more importantly, of the words Ye Qingcheng had spoken during the full moon banquet.
The fact that Ye Qingcheng possessed exceptional medical skills had circulated within the palace, and the General’s wife had heard it a few times, though she hadn’t paid it much mind then.
The General’s wife suddenly jolted awake, stood up, and hurried to General Shangguan’s study.
“Husband! Go quickly and send someone to invite the Regent’s Princess Consort!”
Upon seeing General Shangguan sitting in his study, the General’s wife cried out loudly, completely disregarding the many servants present.
But hearing her words, a look of confusion appeared on General Shangguan’s weathered face; he didn’t understand his wife’s intention.
“I recall the Empress mentioning that her health was restored by the Regent’s Princess Consort, which indicates that the Regent’s Princess Consort has very high medical skills. Let’s invite the Regent’s Princess Consort to see our child; perhaps there’s still hope!”
The General’s wife was very agitated and grabbed General Shangguan’s arm, trying to pull him outside, as time was of the essence.
However, as a man of martial arts, General Shangguan was no match for his wife, especially after several days and nights without proper rest.
“Regent’s Princess Consort?”
General Shangguan scoffed, clearly not holding Ye Qingcheng in high regard, nor believing she possessed any skill.
“What capability can a good-for-nothing like her have? Even if she knows some medicine, can a woman compare to the imperial physicians in the palace?”
Unreservedly expressing his inner thoughts, General Shangguan was indeed worried about his child, but he had absolutely no trust in Ye Qingcheng.
With his upright character, he had always disliked Ye Qingcheng, who often caused trouble in the past, and was unwilling to waste any time on her.
But the General’s wife did not concern herself with such matters. She was unwilling to let go of any opportunity; she only wanted to save her child, regardless of who could save him.
Seeing General Shangguan refuse her request, she unceremoniously threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.
“I don’t care, I want her to come and see!”
The servants nearby all lowered their heads, wisely exiting the study and closing the door to give the couple some privacy.
Holding his wife in his arms, General Shangguan found the situation quite troublesome.
“Think about our child, who is still lying in bed. His condition worsens with each passing day. I don’t care if she is Ye Qingcheng or someone else; if she can save my child, we can invite anyone!”
The General’s wife persisted, continuing to cry and insist that General Shangguan invite Ye Qingcheng to treat their legitimate son.
In response, General Shangguan was very helpless and unable to refuse her.
After all, his wife had a point. Even if he was unwilling to believe that Ye Qingcheng truly possessed such abilities, more than ten doctors of varying degrees had already visited, and none of them could offer a solution.
Now, all they could do was try as a last resort; there was no harm in inviting her again.
However, Ye Qingcheng’s status was not that of an ordinary physician; she was, after all, a Princess Consort. General Shangguan had no choice but to order the best carriage prepared and have the steward of the mansion deliver generous gifts to the Prince’s residence.
When the steward arrived to request an audience, Ye Qingcheng was not surprised at all. She gracefully invited him in with a smile.
She had anticipated such a day. Ever since she heard about the General’s legitimate son falling ill, she had visited her clinic less often, waiting at the Prince’s residence for someone from the General’s mansion to arrive.
Taking out the medical chest she had prepared beforehand, Ye Qingcheng wasted no words with the steward from the General’s mansion and directly boarded the carriage, heading straight for the General’s residence.
Hearing repeatedly that treatment was unsuccessful, she too was anxious, but she had never considered going to them herself.
Firstly, due to her status as the Regent’s Princess Consort, she could not lose the dignity of the royal family or disgrace Ming Siyin.
Secondly, she worried that General Shangguan and his wife might not believe her. Instead of seeing the child, she might be considered a troublemaker, adding to their animosity.
Now that the General’s mansion had personally sent someone to invite her, she could legitimately step through their gates.
With the Regent’s Princess Consort’s arrival, General Shangguan and his wife naturally had to personally greet her at the entrance, especially since they were seeking a favor.
Looking at Ye Qingcheng as she entered the gates, General Shangguan’s weather-beaten face held no pleasant expression; he regarded her coldly.
The General’s wife, however, was a bit better, but her heart was anxious, and she didn’t exchange many pleasantries before pulling Ye Qingcheng’s hand and leading her into the mansion.
Fortunately, Ye Qingcheng was also concerned about the child’s illness and did not resist her actions, quickening her pace to keep up.
General Shangguan trailed behind the two, still harboring disdain for Ye Qingcheng in his heart. However, due to her status, he refrained from saying anything more.
As the General’s wife hurried along, holding Ye Qingcheng’s hand, she asked with some doubt:
“Forgive my forwardness, but Princess Consort, did you perhaps foresee my child’s illness?”