The two arrived in the room, and Aunt Wang never reappeared until noon when a maid brought them lunch.
However, it wasn't just a maid who came; guards were stationed on both sides of the door.
"You two ladies, please eat first. The Aunt instructed that as this place is remote, if you need anything, feel free to ask the people outside to prepare it for you. Please do not wander around, lest you get lost and cannot find your way back."
While these words seemed to be for their well-being, Gu Qianying understood their predicament.
Grand Tutor Su intended to imprison them here.
Seeing that the guards outside were all wearing swords, she realized that perhaps young Yi Hao and Su Xiu'er were also under Su Qingqing's control.
Su Yuxi, beside her, was a little nervous. She naturally understood that these people were here to watch over them.
Having grown up in a family of renowned physicians, she had always lived a pampered life, accustomed to having her every command obeyed. Being confined like this was unprecedented.
Knowing her nervousness, Gu Qianying slipped her sleeve under the table and patted Su Yuxi's hand, giving her a slight nod to signal that she didn't need to worry too much.
"Alright, we understand. We'll trouble Auntie," Gu Qianying's reply was meant to reassure Grand Tutor Su that they were people of good conduct and would not leave easily.
Su Yuxi also nodded in agreement.
After the maid left, the door was heavily locked by the guards, leaving only the two of them and a table full of food.
"Eat something. Now that we're in the same boat, I won't let you come to any harm," Gu Qianying pushed the dishes on the table, signaling Su Yuxi to relax for the time being.
The two spent the day in worry.
The next morning, Aunt Wang indeed came to escort them to the main house.
Grand Tutor Su was already seated in a chair nearby.
Gu Qianying and Su Yuxi bowed and then knelt on the prayer mats beside them.
"Since it is a competition, you two are not allowed to directly touch the pulse. In front of you are two silver threads. If you are skilled physicians, you shall diagnose the patient behind the screen using the suspended silk pulse diagnosis."
Grand Tutor Su announced the rules for this round and then picked up a teacup, sitting there to observe the two.
Gu Qianying was naturally confident, as she already knew how to perform suspended silk pulse diagnosis.
Su Yuxi was taken aback. She had studied suspended silk diagnosis before but had never practiced it. She was unsure if she could accurately diagnose the condition.
However, with Grand Tutor Su watching, she knew she had to try, even if she felt unsure.
Thus, she followed Gu Qianying's movements, having a maid tie the silk thread to her wrist on the other side, while she delicately probed with her fingers on the armrest.
This silver thread was different from her own Xuan silk. Due to its material, Gu Qianying took a bit longer to diagnose the pulse, but with a calm and focused mind, she discerned the condition of the woman inside.
The woman's pulse was regular, yet there was a sign of a double pulse.
Gu Qianying switched fingers and probed again, confirming her suspicion.
The person inside was not ill but pregnant.
She couldn't help but feel surprised. Pregnancy was always a joyous occasion, and ordinary physicians could diagnose it easily. Why, then, did this person specifically require them to diagnose her?
With this thought, Gu Qianying decided to conceal her findings for the time being. She wanted to know who the person behind the screen was and what her relationship with Grand Tutor Su was before revealing the result.
Thus, she glanced at Su Yuxi beside her. Seeing a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, she felt concerned and spoke up proactively.
"Grand Tutor, the condition of the patient inside is somewhat complex and cannot be easily discerned. We hope the Grand Tutor will understand and allow Miss Su and me to discuss it further before making a final decision."
Her words implied that she couldn't provide a definitive diagnosis.
Su Qingqing frowned, then looked at Su Yuxi.
Knowing that Gu Qianying was stalling for time, she quickly knelt and echoed her sentiments.
"Replying to the Grand Tutor, Gu girl is correct. This condition is indeed peculiar. Although we are not in direct competition, when faced with difficult problems, the patient's safety should be the priority."
Seeing that she echoed the same sentiment, Su Qingqing relaxed slightly.
"In that case, you two shall study diligently in the bedroom. I will give you one day to research, and tomorrow I expect your accurate results."
Her words were not to be refuted, and Gu Qianying and Su Yuxi quickly bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
Aunt Wang reappeared and escorted the two back to their room. To their surprise, more guards were posted outside the door.
It seemed that regardless of whether they could diagnose the woman's illness, leaving was impossible.
"The old servant will arrange for food and drink to be delivered. We hope you two will discuss the treatment method as soon as possible."
Aunt Wang's expression was identical to her master's. Gu Qianying inwardly scoffed, truly a dog following its master.
The two nodded. Seeing that they were reasonably obedient, Aunt Wang left the room.
The door was closed again, and only a long sliver of sunlight managed to penetrate the darkness.
Gu Qianying sat on the bed farthest from the door, signaling Su Yuxi to join her there.
They remained silent for a long time. Only after hearing that the noise outside had ceased did they speak.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't diagnose the woman behind the screen." Su Yuxi lowered her head, having to admit that she was indeed not as skilled as Gu Qianying.
But Gu Qianying didn't mind.
"You don't need to blame yourself. In fact, that woman isn't ill at all." Hearing her words, Su Yuxi looked up in shock.
"What? Not ill? Then what does Grand Tutor Su mean? Is she playing with us?" She was clearly agitated, and Gu Qianying quickly calmed her.
"Don't rush. Although she isn't ill, it doesn't mean she doesn't need our attention."
Seeing that Su Yuxi had calmed down and was listening attentively, Gu Qianying revealed her findings.
"That woman has a fetal pulse; she is actually pregnant."
This statement was even more shocking than her saying the woman was not ill.
The handkerchief in Su Yuxi's hand instantly dropped to the floor. Both of them seemed to have their bones and muscles drained, and they suddenly slumped to the ground.
"It's over, it's over. How could she be pregnant? It would have been fine if she were ill and we could treat it, but why must it be pregnancy?"
Su Yuxi's murmurs grew louder, and Gu Qianying discerned the fear in her voice.
She quickly reached out to help the person on the ground, but her legs had gone weak, and she couldn't stand upright no matter how Gu Qianying pulled.
Seeing her in such a state, Gu Qianying asked sternly.
"Do you know something? If you don't tell me, we will both die. Don't you want to live?"
Her words echoed in Su Yuxi's ears, and she finally regained her senses.
Hearing the word "death," she quickly grabbed Gu Qianying's wrist.
"No, we can't die. But this person, this person cannot be pregnant."