Song Chaoyu lowered her gaze, thinking of her grandmother. Her eyelashes trembled slightly. "I will not use the Song family's reputation, my own reputation, my grandmother's life, or my friend's innocence to exchange for this opportunity. Imperial Physician Zheng, I understand how important this matter is to your Zheng family. I will help you find your son, and you will help me save my grandmother and prove my friend's innocence. Once these two things are done, no one will mention them again!"
Although Song Chaoyu was just a young girl, Imperial Physician Zheng found himself beginning to believe her words when he looked at her. "You know where they are, mother and son?"
Song Chaoyu nodded. "They are not in Zhangzhou, which is why no one from the Zheng family has been able to find them."
As the carriage headed towards the Song family's residence, Imperial Physician Zheng began to believe Song Chaoyu's words. "Then where are they? Is that child truly my son?"
"Yes."
Song Chaoyu was certain. "You are an imperial physician; you will have your own ways to determine if this child is yours. I am not afraid of any method you use to verify. I can help you find the child, and I ask that you help me."
Imperial Physician Zheng's gaze remained fixed on Song Chaoyu's face. He could not detect any hint of deception in her.
When Prince Chang's carriage stopped at the main gate of the Song family residence, Imperial Physician Zheng and Song Chaoyu hurried out of the carriage—
The Fan family's carriage was already at the entrance.
With each holding the other's secret, Song Chaoyu was not afraid to reveal all of the Song family's affairs to Imperial Physician Zheng.
The gatekeeper, seeing Song Chaoyu return, stepped forward. "Where did Fourth Miss go? Master is looking for you everywhere!"
Upon seeing Imperial Physician Zheng, the gatekeeper paused. "Is this... Imperial Physician Zheng?"
Song Chaoyu gestured for Imperial Physician Zheng to enter. "We need to see Father and Grandmother. Hurry and announce us. Don't delay Grandmother's treatment!"
The gatekeeper scurried back. Song Chaoyu, with Imperial Physician Zheng, hurried through the heavy rain.
As they entered the inner courtyard, Song Yuan was also approaching with everyone.
Seeing Song Chaoyu, he frowned. But upon seeing Imperial Physician Zheng, he was taken aback. "Imperial Physician Zheng? What brings you here?"
Imperial Physician Zheng merely pointed towards the inner courtyard. "Let us see your Old Madam first. I know everything. I will do my best to treat your Old Madam. Please, Master Song, preserve all of the Old Madam's medicinal dregs and the medicine box of that Fan medical woman. Do not let anyone touch them!"
He added, "Rest assured. I have known your Fourth Miss for many years. When I went to the countryside to gather herbs, she and her mother helped me greatly. Therefore, I will not speak of your family's affairs carelessly. Master Song, please lead the way."
Imperial Physician Zheng said what he could and should say. Although Song Yuan was surprised that Imperial Physician Zheng referred to Song Chaoyu as "young friend," there was a dispute in the inner courtyard, and the Old Madam's condition was not good. Due to Fan Jiangyue, even if Imperial Physician Fan had come, he would not have dared to trust him completely.
Now that Imperial Physician Zheng had arrived, he was like a "savior" to the Song family, dispelling Song Yuan's other concerns and leading Imperial Physician Zheng into the inner courtyard.
Many people had already gathered in the Old Madam's courtyard.
Doctor Zhou and Imperial Physician Fan were both present. Doctor Zhou was at a loss regarding the Old Madam's condition. Imperial Physician Fan had methods, but he was being blocked by the First Madam and the Second Concubine, who claimed that as the father of Fan Jiangyue, the "poisoner," he could not be trusted.
Song Yuan had also sent a servant with a summons to the Imperial Hospital to request someone, but it was likely due to the difficult travel in the rain that there had been no news.
The Old Madam's life was currently being sustained by a single slice of superior ginseng from Doctor Zhou. Upon his arrival, Imperial Physician Zheng, knowing the urgency of the situation, quickly took out needles from his medicine box and began to detoxify the Old Madam.
Imperial Physician Zheng was a leading figure in the Imperial Hospital, and the Song family had no reason not to trust him.
He determined that the poison affecting the Old Madam should be treated with Imperial Physician Fan's method. Only then did Song Yuan allow Imperial Physician Fan to enter and assist.
Fortunately, the Old Madam's poisoning was not severe, and she soon showed signs of improvement.
Song Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and then walked to the main hall, looking at Song Chaoyu. "What is going on?"
Before the First Madam could make an accusation, Song Chaoyu knelt on the ground. "Please punish me, Father. Daughter should not have left the manor without permission. It was a measure of last resort. Daughter knows her mistake!"
Song Yuan had been furious when he couldn't find Song Chaoyu.
But now that Imperial Physician Zheng was present, as long as the Old Madam could be saved, Song Yuan would not be angry with Song Chaoyu.
Especially seeing Song Chaoyu drenched in rain, he waved his hand. "Go change into dry clothes nearby, and then come back and speak with me."
Song Chaoyu also breathed a sigh of relief. After changing her clothes, the bone-chilling cold she felt slightly subsided.
Upon returning to the main hall, good news also came from Imperial Physician Zheng: the Old Madam was out of danger. As long as she took medicine according to the prescription, the toxins would be expelled within seven days.
There was still one matter that Imperial Physician Fan requested: he hoped Imperial Physician Zheng could testify that the mandrake in Fan Jiangyue's medicine box and the Old Madam's medicinal dregs did not originate from the same place, so as to clear Fan Jiangyue's name.
Imperial Physician Zheng readily agreed.
Song Yuan looked at Song Chaoyu, who was walking out from the side room, his brows furrowed. He felt he could no longer see through his own daughter. "Since Imperial Physician Zheng is willing to vouch for you, we will let today's matter pass. However, you must not do this again. If you need to go out to find someone, you can tell me. Regarding the Old Madam's well-being and the reputation of your Painting Academy, would I possibly refuse?"
Now that everything was resolved, Song Yuan spoke in this manner.
Song Chaoyu felt a chill in her heart, but her eyes still showed gratitude towards Song Yuan. "Thank you, Father!"
Song Yuan sighed. "It is difficult for you, with your filial piety towards your grandmother, to still trust Fan Jiangyue. But are you sure Imperial Physician Zheng will not speak of this matter?"
"He will not."
Song Chaoyu, at this moment, seemed to hold a certain sway over Song Yuan. "Imperial Physician Zheng serves in the palace. He must consider your position as Minister of Rites. He would not speak carelessly of palace secrets, let alone our Song family. Father, please rest assured!"
"That is good."
Song Yuan finally relaxed, leaning back in his chair. He instructed the First Madam, "Go release that Fan medical woman, and then retrieve the superior Changbai Mountain ginseng and deer antler that others sent to the storeroom last time. This will be an apology gift for Imperial Physician Fan and a token of gratitude for Imperial Physician Zheng."
He looked at Doctor Zhou, who was standing at the doorway with his head bowed, and finally showed some anger. "Settle Doctor Zhou's bill, and we will not need him anymore. I will find a more suitable doctor to serve the Zhou family. Such an ignorant physician, who nearly caused my mother's illness to worsen today and wrongly accused Fan medical woman, is someone the Song family absolutely cannot use."
His eyes held anger, so even if the First Madam wanted to speak up for Doctor Zhou, it was no longer possible.