Mistakenly Treated The Princess As A Concubine - Chapter 75

“Dr. Mo, you must examine her carefully. If you can cure my wife’s illness, I will double your fee.” Wen Zhuojin said before the doctor began.

“I will naturally do my best.” Dr. Mo replied, though her expression seemed slightly uneasy.

Dr. Mo had initially hesitated to return to the capital, fearing she might be dragged into old troubles. When Wen Zhuojin first sent someone to invite her, she had declined. However, the fee Wen Zhuojin offered was too generous to refuse, so she decided to make just one house call, collect the fee, and then leave the capital far behind.

But the moment she saw the patient, she felt a sense of foreboding.

Back when she worked in the palace, she had seen the Princess a few times. The Princess was ethereal, yet cold as ice, capable of ending lives with a snap of her fingers. Every encounter with her had left Dr. Mo trembling.

The woman before her bore an uncanny resemblance to the Princess, which instinctively filled her with fear.

The woman’s voice, however, was soft and gentle, sounding like an ordinary woman. As a palace doctor, Dr. Mo had never met her before and didn’t recognize her.

Still, Dr. Mo couldn’t shake her unease.

She tried to reassure herself that it was just a coincidence—people could look alike.

Dr. Mo forced herself to calm down and began taking Yan Qinglan’s pulse.

A long time passed, and beads of sweat formed on Dr. Mo’s forehead.

Wen Zhuojin grew anxious but didn’t dare interrupt.

Finally, Dr. Mo released Yan Qinglan’s wrist.

“Dr. Mo, have you found anything? If there’s anything inconvenient to discuss here, we can step outside.” Wen Zhuojin said, worried that the doctor might say something that would upset Yan Qinglan.

“Whatever it is, say it in front of me. Has the doctor diagnosed me with some kind of poison? Am I dying? Whatever it is, I can accept it.” Yan Qinglan interjected before Dr. Mo could speak.

“No, no, it’s not that. I’m still not entirely sure. May I ask, Madam, has your menstrual cycle been irregular and extremely painful for the past five or six years? Have there been any other symptoms?” Dr. Mo asked, her voice slowing, her fear growing.

“Yes, it has. It used to hurt, but not as badly as it does now. Each time, it lasts for two or three days, with abdominal pain, bloating, chills, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and insomnia.” Yan Qinglan replied calmly, describing the agony she endured without Wen Zhuojin by her side. Each period felt like torture.

Wen Zhuojin’s brow furrowed as she listened, her heart aching for Yan Qinglan.

She had been suffering like this for years? How tragic!

Why hadn’t she sought out a doctor or physician? Had she just endured it all this time?!

Wen Zhuojin’s hatred for Yan Qinglan’s “scoundrel of a husband” deepened.

“Dr. Mo, do you know how to treat this?” Wen Zhuojin asked, her gaze fixed on the doctor.

Dr. Mo felt her knees weaken, as if she wanted to kneel.

But when she met Yan Qinglan’s eyes, she didn’t dare.

“It wasn’t easy to invite you here. I hope Dr. Mo can be honest with us. We won’t forget your kindness.” Yan Qinglan added, her voice soft and slow.

Seeing the doctor’s expression, Yan Qinglan sensed that she knew something, so she deliberately hinted at her.

Dr. Mo, having worked in the palace, immediately understood the subtext of Yan Qinglan’s words and felt a chill run down her spine.

Since they had managed to find her, they likely already knew. This was just a test.

If she didn’t tell the truth, she might not leave this room alive.

“Madam, your condition is quite serious. It’s possible that you were given a cold, potent medicine in the past, which has rendered you unable to conceive. The side effects include irregular menstruation and more severe pain than usual. This is just my speculation—it could also be congenital. As for treatment, I have some experience. I can’t guarantee a complete cure, but I will do my utmost to help you.” Dr. Mo said after a moment of thought, deciding to be honest.

Back then, she had narrowly escaped with her life, but it seemed she hadn’t truly escaped after all.

As Yan Qinglan listened to Dr. Mo’s words, her previously relaxed expression shifted, and her hands clenched beneath her sleeves.

Had she been given a drug to prevent conception five or six years ago?

At that time, various factions had been vying for her hand in marriage.

She had chosen none of them, instead becoming a Taoist nun at Tianxuan Palace, spreading the belief that she was the reincarnation of the Celestial Maiden to stabilize the court and fill the national treasury.

With the northern border unstable and factions forming within the court, she had been consumed with worry every day.

And yet, during that time, someone had drugged her to prevent her from having children, using a medicine that worsened her menstrual symptoms so she wouldn’t suspect anything.

The palace doctors and physicians who had treated her had all given the same diagnosis: “congenital condition.” “incurable.” “can only be managed with care.”

Those who might have been able to treat her had likely been killed, and the doctor before her had only survived by leaving the capital.

As she thought about this, Yan Qinglan’s expression betrayed her emotions. Lost in memories, her eyes burned with anger and pain.

Wen Zhuojin, however, interpreted Yan Qinglan’s reaction differently. She thought Yan Qinglan was upset by the doctor’s mention of her inability to conceive.

Wen Zhuojin had chosen to marry a woman, so the issue of children had never crossed her mind.

But if Yan Qinglan cared about it, then perhaps…

“If you have experience, please tell us how to treat her. Let’s start now. It would be best to prescribe something to alleviate the pain first.” Wen Zhuojin said, taking a deep breath and addressing Dr. Mo.

“Of course. In addition to the prescription, she will need acupuncture every other day. I’ll write down the prescription now. One of the medicines needs to be made into pills, which I will prepare and then explain to you in detail.” Dr. Mo said.

Wen Zhuojin glanced at Yan Qinglan, who was still lost in thought, and led Dr. Mo out to write the prescription.

After the prescription was written, Wen Zhuojin sent someone to fetch the medicine and had a maid take Dr. Mo to her assigned room to settle in before planning the acupuncture sessions.

When Wen Zhuojin returned to the inner chamber, Yan Qinglan was still deep in thought, clearly upset.

Yan Qinglan had her suspicions, but she couldn’t believe that something like this had happened five or six years ago, when Yan Qi was only fourteen or fifteen.

If it wasn’t him, it was someone close to him. And the fact that so many palace physicians had given the same diagnosis suggested that Yan Qi had been involved.

“Sister, Dr. Mo was recommended by Auntie Zheng, so she must be skilled. She should be able to cure you. Please don’t worry about this anymore.” Wen Zhuojin said softly, trying to comfort Yan Qinglan despite her own unease.

“Ah Zhuo, do you think the bond of bl00d is stronger than any other relationship?” Yan Qinglan asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

Wen Zhuojin paused, feeling that Yan Qinglan was indeed concerned about the issue of children.

Her emotions churned, and after taking a deep breath, she couldn’t hold back. She leaned over and pinned Yan Qinglan down.

Yan Qinglan was momentarily stunned, finding herself firmly held in place.

“Brothers fight, and some even kill their parents! What’s so strong about bl00d ties? We are bound by marriage, we are family, we are the closest. You are my life, and nothing is stronger than that.” Wen Zhuojin said, her eyes reddening.

Though her words were forceful, she looked utterly vulnerable.

Yan Qinglan felt the warmth and sincerity in Wen Zhuojin’s words.

“Ah Zhuo, what’s wrong?” Yan Qinglan couldn’t help but reach out to touch Wen Zhuojin’s face.

“Sister, I’m sorry. I… I can’t give you children. It’s my fault. If you want children, I…”

Yan Qinglan’s gentle question brought tears to Wen Zhuojin’s eyes, and she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Yan Qinglan suddenly understood what Wen Zhuojin was worried about.

Back when she had become a Taoist nun and vowed never to marry, she had never given any thought to having children.

Yan Qinglan reached out to wipe Wen Zhuojin’s tears, her mood inexplicably lifting.

“Ah Zhuo, I wasn’t thinking about children. I was just upset because I suspect someone in my family gave me that medicine. I’m married to you now—how could I not know that? Don’t cry.”

Yan Qinglan spoke softly.

Wen Zhuojin’s pained expression froze, and her whole body stiffened.

“Sister, are you serious? You’re not just saying that to comfort me?” Wen Zhuojin asked.

“Why would I lie to comfort you? In the future, say what’s on your mind instead of guessing.” Yan Qinglan said with a smile.

Wen Zhuojin immediately threw herself onto Yan Qinglan, hugging her tightly.

“Wuwuwu, I thought you were going to leave me again.” Wen Zhuojin sobbed.

Yan Qinglan patted Wen Zhuojin’s back to comfort her, and soon Wen Zhuojin’s mood improved.

“I’m sorry. You were upset about something else, and I misunderstood. Sister, don’t worry, you still have me. From now on, you’ll be free from illness and disaster. Even if it’s not about children, this illness needs to be treated properly.” Wen Zhuojin said earnestly.

“Mm.” Yan Qinglan responded softly, her eyes shimmering.

“Later, you’ll need acupuncture. Are you scared?” Wen Zhuojin asked, kissing Yan Qinglan’s forehead.

“Acupuncture?” Yan Qinglan frowned at the mention of it.

“Every other day, for about half an hour each time.” Wen Zhuojin added.

Yan Qinglan’s expression darkened further. She really wasn’t fond of acupuncture.

“Sister, don’t be afraid. I’ll be with you.” Wen Zhuojin quickly reassured her.

As they talked, Dr. Mo soon arrived, ready to perform the first acupuncture session.

Wen Zhuojin covered Yan Qinglan’s eyes and stayed by her side, talking to her throughout the process.

The acupuncture didn’t seem so unbearable after all.

Dr. Mo didn’t dare look directly at the two of them, focusing solely on the acupuncture.

With the medicine Dr. Mo prescribed, Yan Qinglan felt slightly better over the next few days. After resting for a couple more days, she finally returned to normal.

During this time, the two of them didn’t do much else. Once Yan Qinglan recovered, Wen Zhuojin got up early, had breakfast, and hurried off to tend to the shop.

When Yan Zisang arrived, Yan Qinglan was already dressed and ready.

“Your Highness, good news! The head of the Cui family, one of the four great families of the capital, has requested to meet you. The Cui family has always remained neutral. If they support you, it will be a tremendous boost to your cause.” Yan Zisang reported excitedly.

Yan Qinglan, however, didn’t feel elated upon hearing this. Instead, she immediately thought of something.

Wen Zhuojin had mentioned that Xuanzhen was planning to set a trap to capture her.

The Cui family was indeed a faction she wanted to win over.

But at this moment, the head of the Cui family requesting to meet her might not be a good sign.

“I won’t be meeting the head of the Cui family for now. Send someone to keep an eye on the surroundings and report back if anything happens.” Yan Qinglan said after a moment’s thought.

“You’re not going?” Yan Zisang hesitated, thinking he had misheard.

“No, I’m not. I’ve written a few letters. Have someone deliver them later.” Yan Qinglan confirmed, handing over the letters she had written in her spare time.

“Also, investigate what happened in the palace six years ago. Find out if any female doctors or physicians died under suspicious circumstances or were convicted of crimes.” Yan Qinglan instructed, adding another task.

Based solely on what Dr. Mo had said, Yan Qinglan wasn’t entirely convinced. She wanted to gather more information to confirm the doctor’s claims.

“Also, assign a guard to keep an eye on Dr. Mo, who has recently moved into the estate. For the time being, don’t let her leave or send any messages.”

Though Dr. Mo had been cooperative, Yan Qinglan wasn’t entirely at ease. She wanted a guard to watch her to prevent any mishaps.

After Yan Qinglan finished her arrangements and planned whom to meet that day, she ran into Qing Chenning as she was about to leave.

Without Yan Zisang’s help, Qing Chenning had struggled to climb the high wall of the new estate and looked quite disheveled upon landing.

Seeing Qing Chenning, Yan Qinglan was surprised. She had told Qing Chenning not to come for a while, so why had she returned so soon?

“Your Highness, forgive me for disobeying your orders. But Wen Zhuojin is in danger, and this place is no longer safe!”

Qing Chenning spoke urgently.