Song Chaoyu pushed Tiao Hong: "You go to the Fan family, I'll go to the Zheng family at the Imperial Hospital!"
Tiao Hong was confused: "Imperial Physician Zheng serves the Empress Dowager, will they help us?!"
Song Chaoyu just waved her hand at Tiao Hong: "Just trust me! Hurry up, don't waste time, if you can get Imperial Physician Fan, he can delay things for me!"
Tiao Hong dared not delay. The rain overhead grew heavier, and Song Chaoyu hurried towards Imperial Physician Zheng's home.
She had to be grateful; the memories from her previous life might save her this time! She was confident that as long as she could see Imperial Physician Zheng, she could persuade him.
—
However, Song Chaoyu had thought everything was too simple.
She ran through more than half of the capital's streets in the pouring rain and finally arrived at the Zheng family's gate.
Due to the heavy rain, the Zheng family's gate was tightly shut, with only two doormen sitting in front of it.
Seeing Song Chaoyu arrive drenched in rain, the two doormen spoke first: "Who are you?"
Song Chaoyu dared not reveal her identity, only saying: "I am a maidservant by the side of the old madam of the Ministry of Rites' Song family, specially here to ask Imperial Physician Zheng to see our old madam. The old madam suddenly fell ill today, and I fear no one can go except Imperial Physician Zheng!"
Upon hearing the name of the Song family, one of the doormen stepped forward and extended his hand to Song Chaoyu: "Where is Master Song's invitation?"
Imperial physicians served the palace, and ordinary officials' families needed to issue an invitation to request an imperial physician.
Song Chaoyu had no invitation in hand, so she could only explain: "I came in a hurry, so I didn't bring my master's invitation. Lives are at stake, please be accommodating and let me in to see Imperial Physician Zheng to explain the details, alright?"
The doorman scoffed upon hearing this: "An invitation is the rule. Without an invitation, how can you invite my master? My master attends to the health of the Empress and the Empress Dowager. Even if your old madam is truly ill, you shouldn't be asking my master! Minister Song should understand this much."
This doorman, who clearly judged people by their status, was truly detestable!
Song Chaoyu stamped her foot, knowing she could not retreat: "Please be accommodating, young sir! A physician's heart is benevolent, this is a matter of life and death! If there is any mistake, my master will naturally report it to His Majesty at the morning court tomorrow. If you block me and delay my old madam's illness, can you bear my master's immense wrath?"
Her words did have an effect. The two doormen exchanged glances, and one of them softened his tone slightly: "It's no use begging us. Our master went into the palace early this morning. The Empress Dowager's health has not been good these past two days. Even if he were free now, with such heavy rain, he would have to wait until the rain stopped before returning home. You've come for nothing today, or you can go back and get your master's calling card to invite my master to the palace."
Song Chaoyu hadn't expected Imperial Physician Zheng to not be at the Zheng residence!
A sense of despair began to grow in her heart.
Going into the palace was impossible; she couldn't get a calling card and didn't have time to waste.
Could it be... she had to find another imperial physician? But she didn't have the Song family's calling card, and how would other imperial physicians listen to her?
Seeing Song Chaoyu fall silent, the two doormen sighed and motioned for her to leave quickly.
Song Chaoyu turned her head, feeling the rain seeping in despite wearing her straw hat.
The chilling rain traced across her skin, much like the cold, numb feeling in her heart.
What to do?
Ignoring the torrential rain, Song Chaoyu looked up at the sky.
Raindrops fell into Song Chaoyu's eyes, but suddenly, they were blocked by a large umbrella—
Song Chaoyu was startled and took a step back, only to find that the person holding the umbrella and appearing before her was none other than the eldest son of the Lin family, Lin Muyang!
She couldn't let others know she had sneaked out!
Just as she was about to turn and leave, Lin Muyang's voice rang out: "Fourth sister Song, why are you at Imperial Physician Zheng's residence? Is someone in your family ill?"
She had still been recognized!
Song Chaoyu felt a chill in her heart, but she somehow felt that meeting Lin Muyang was also a glimmer of hope.
She looked earnestly at Lin Muyang: "Young Master Lin, I apologize. It is truly because my grandmother is unwell that I had no choice. Can you take me to find another imperial physician?"
Song Chaoyu's plea to Lin Muyang was indeed abrupt.
Although there was confusion in Lin Muyang's eyes, he still pointed to a carriage at the street corner: "Fourth sister, come with me. Perhaps I can help you meet Imperial Physician Zheng."
Really?!
Song Chaoyu was extremely surprised, but as she walked towards the carriage, she realized that the carriage belonged to Prince Chang!
Song Chaoyu, still wet from the rain, got into the carriage and indeed saw Mu Changxi sitting inside.
He showed no surprise upon seeing Song Chaoyu.
Lin Muyang got into the carriage and put away his umbrella, but did not sit down. Instead, he said to Mu Changxi: "This is Fourth sister Song from the Song family, with whom I am to be betrothed. I believe Prince Chang saw her at the palace banquet. Her grandmother is ill and seeks to see Imperial Physician Zheng. I recall Imperial Physician Zheng having just left the Empress Dowager's presence when I exited the palace. Could I trouble Prince Chang to take this young lady back with you?"
"Alright."
Prince Chang agreed without a second thought.
Lin Muyang cupped his hands to Prince Chang: "Thank you! My father is still waiting for me, so I will alight here; it's not far from my home. Fourth sister, I entrust her to Your Highness. However, a young lady's reputation is of utmost importance, so please, Your Highness, keep this confidential for Fourth sister. I, too, will act as if I saw nothing today."
Even Song Chaoyu had to admit that Lin Muyang was truly a refined and thoughtful man.
It was no wonder everyone praised him. It was a pity... he was to marry Song Yanjiao. At least from Song Chaoyu's perspective, her second sister, who was full of schemes, was utterly unworthy of the gentle and amiable Young Master Lin.
"Alright."
Prince Chang, without another word, agreed to Lin Muyang.
Lin Muyang hurriedly alighted, and the carriage turned around, heading towards the palace gate.
Song Chaoyu, still wet, dared not sit on the soft cushions nearby. She took off her straw hat, placed it by her feet, and stood half-bent in the carriage.
Prince Chang, seeing her like this, tossed her the hand warmer beside him: "Sit down. My cushions aren't that precious."
Only then did Song Chaoyu dare to sit. Prince Chang looked at her: "Will you speak to Imperial Physician Zheng yourself later, or should I?"
"I'll speak myself!"
Song Chaoyu bit her lip: "Thank you, Your Highness, for the ride. If I trouble Your Highness further, it would be my fault."
"Mm."
Prince Chang nodded: "He's a stubborn old man. I'm also curious to see how you'll persuade him!"