This young lady claimed to be the Junior Sister of Master Yunzhou.
Steward Chen’s gaze lingered for a moment on the token in Shen Qingyuan’s hand, but he ultimately chose to step aside.
"Miss Shen, please come in."
Steward Chen looked at the clear eyes of the young lady before him.
For some reason, he did not even have anyone in the mansion test her.
He then led her toward the backyard.
Upon reaching the main courtyard, Steward Chen invited Shen Qingyuan into the reception hall.
"Miss Shen, please take a seat."
Shen Qingyuan smelled the medicinal scent in the air and nodded.
"You should go and ask the Prince for instructions."
Steward Chen’s breath hitched, but he quickly replied.
"His Highness has not yet regained consciousness; this old servant will first go to tidy up for him."
Steward Chen was not lying about this.
This young lady wore her hair in a maiden’s style, not that of a married woman.
She had also come alone, without bringing a maid.
It would indeed be improper for a man and a woman to be alone in the same room.
It certainly required some arrangements.
Steward Chen went outside the courtyard gate and walked toward Nanny Cui.
"Nanny Cui, that young lady inside was sought out by the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
She says she is Master Yunzhou's Junior Sister; please make some arrangements for her."
Nanny Cui was the Prince’s wet nurse and an old servant who had been brought along by the Late Empress.
Having spent many years in the palace, she understood the rules and boundaries best and was the most trusted.
Regardless of whether this young lady was truly the Junior Sister or not.
Nanny Cui would be able to test her and settle her properly.
As for Shen Qingyuan’s casual remark, "You should go and ask the Prince for instructions."
Steward Chen did not dare to truly underestimate it.
If she had sensed that the Prince was awake before even meeting him, it meant she truly had ability.
If she was merely sent to spy...
Steward Chen narrowed his eyes; then he would let Nanny Cui keep her in the mansion.
After composing himself, Steward Chen pushed open the door to the room where Prince Jing was.
The guard serving him closely saw that it was Steward Chen and stepped back a few paces.
Steward Chen knelt by the bedside and leaned in to whisper in Prince Jing’s ear.
"Your Highness, there is a Miss Shen here with a token from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, claiming to be Master Yunzhou's Junior Sister."
Prince Jing’s current state was very poor, and he could not turn his head to see Steward Chen’s face.
He could only move his eyes slightly and speak.
"Let her come in."
After saying this, he closed his eyes, pretending to be in a coma.
Steward Chen had practically watched Prince Jing grow up, and seeing him in his current state.
He could not help but feel distressed.
In truth, the Prince in this state was not afraid of being examined.
The toxins in the Prince’s body had moved a few inches closer to his heart.
A few days ago, he could still lift his arm slightly.
Since yesterday, even turning his head had become difficult.
✦✦✦
Outside.
Nanny Cui also brought two first-class maids toward the main courtyard's reception hall.
"Chu Yi, Shiliu, you two go in with this young lady later; if she needs anything, give her a hand.
If there is anything wrong with this young lady..."
Nanny Cui gave instructions to the two head maids.
These two maids were originally prepared by Nanny Cui as personal attendants for the Prince.
But because the Prince was severely injured, Nanny Cui did not dare to let these two girls enter rashly.
The Prince was twenty-two years old this year.
Ordinary men in Great Yong were usually married by seventeen or eighteen.
Yet Prince Jing had been at the border for many years, and the Emperor had been slow to recall him.
He himself was not concerned about marriage.
At his current age, he was still all alone.
Aside from women, he didn't even have a maid by his side.
Nanny Cui was worried; the Duke of Zhenguo's bloodline was left with only the Prince and the Heir Apparent.
These two head maids were carefully selected and trained by Nanny Cui.
Not only were they beautiful, but they also knew martial arts.
Most importantly, they were loyal.
Of course, Nanny Cui did not consider herself a stick-in-the-mud.
If the Prince truly did not like women.
She had actually also prepared two study attendants.
However, it would be best if they were not needed.
She composed her thoughts.
Nanny Cui brought Chu Yi and Shiliu inside.
Her gaze fell on Shen Qingyuan, and she calmly looked her over.
Her attire was simple, her temperament was clean, and her eyes were frank.
Sitting there, she showed no sign of prying or panic.
Nanny Cui was somewhat satisfied.
She stepped forward and performed a proper bow.
"This old servant, Cui, greets Miss Shen. Steward Chen has already taken people to tidy up His Highness's room."
She then signaled the head maids behind her to serve tea.
"Chu Yi, Shiliu."
The two maids, one serving tea and the other offering pastries.
After doing this, they stood properly behind Nanny Cui.
Shen Qingyuan glanced again at the maid named Shiliu.
The moon is roundest on the sixteenth, but the fifteenth is the full moon.
When the moon is full, it begins to wane; it was not considered a very good omen.
And this girl had the fate of an orphan, so she could not bear such a name.
But this was someone else’s family business, so it was not her place to say much.
Besides, no one had asked her.
Master had warned her when Shen Qingyuan descended the mountain.
After descending, unless necessary, do not reveal that you can read fortunes, not to mention getting involved in Karma.
If others found out, they would be very clingy.
Shen Qingyuan lowered her head to drink tea; the Prince’s Mansion’s tea should theoretically be excellent.
But as Shen Qingyuan drank it.
Why did she feel it wasn't as good as the tea at the temple?
Perhaps it was because they were still doubting her authenticity.
Shen Qingyuan tasted it twice and stopped drinking.
Nanny Cui assumed that this young lady had excellent upbringing.
She never thought that it was because Shen Qingyuan disliked the tea she had brewed.
Because Nanny Cui had not treated her lightly, she had brewed West Lake Longjing, which was specifically for guests.
It was mild and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste.
Seeing that Shen Qingyuan was sitting there bored, Nanny Cui, who never talked much in the palace, spoke cautiously.
"Miss Shen, I heard you are the divine doctor sought out by the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"
Nanny Cui was a person of the Late Empress, and although she was not from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
She still had a very good impression of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
Unexpectedly, Shen Qingyuan shook her head.
"No, I came on my own."
Nanny Cui was startled; she came on her own?
Nanny Cui’s mind raced, but her expression remained unchanged as she followed the conversation.
"Then Miss Shen and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion..."
Then why did she have the token of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?
"My mother's surname is Gu."
Shen Qingyuan replied simply, without saying more.
Gu?
Nanny Cui quickly went through the Gu families associated with the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion in her mind, combined with Shen Qingyuan’s age.
She couldn't think of a single one.
Nanny Cui was just about to continue probing.
Steward Chen appeared at the door.
"Miss Shen, everything is ready on the Prince's side."
Nanny Cui kept the surname Gu in her heart and bowed to Shen Qingyuan.
"Chu Yi and Shiliu will accompany Miss Shen inside; if you need a hand or need to fetch anything, just instruct them."
Shen Qingyuan stood up; those two maids knew martial arts.
Their steps were steady, their breathing was deep, they were indeed good helpers.
After all, looking at the situation, Prince Jing probably couldn't move even if he were awake.
She didn't want to lift anyone herself.
She nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."
Steward Chen led the group toward that side.
Nanny Cui called over one of the Prince’s confidants.
"Go quickly and investigate the Gu families associated with the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion."
✦✦✦
The closer they got to the bedroom, the stronger the medicinal smell became.
Steward Chen pushed open the door and stepped aside to invite Shen Qingyuan inside.
Shen Qingyuan only felt a wave of Death Qi rushing toward her, so thick it was about to cover the original Gold-Purple Fortune.
On the bed, Prince Jing lay with his eyes closed.
His complexion was pale, his breathing shallow, looking no different from being in a coma.
But Shen Qingyuan did not care about these things.
She had sensed outside the mansion that this person was still conscious.
Clearly, his fortune was still fluctuating, which should have been caused by intense emotional ups and downs.
She walked in, intending to see what kind of poison this Prince Jing had been struck with that even the imperial physicians could not save him.
Or if it was because the Emperor did not want him to recover.
If it was the latter, then she did not intend to save him.
He would die anyway after being saved, so she would not waste the effort.
Shen Qingyuan walked closer and took just one look.
She immediately closed her eyes.
✦✦✦