The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 899 - 899 415 The Truth About the Illness (Two Updates)

Chapter 899: 415 The Truth About the Illness (Two Updates) Chapter 899: 415 The Truth About the Illness (Two Updates) Gu Jiao had nothing else to do now, and it wasn’t too late outside.

The prince’s residence and the Hanlin Academy were in the same direction. She could go and diagnose the prince’s wife and then pick up Xiao Liulang from his service.

Gu Jiao said, “Good, just wait for me. I need to gather my things.”

The court lady smiled and said, “We have prepared the carriage. Once the prince’s wife’s treatment is done, wherever you wish to go, Gu Doctor, we will take you.”

Gu Jiao shook her head, “There’s no need for that trouble; I’ll take the carriage from the Medical Hall.”

The court lady complied, “We’ll follow Gu Doctor’s wishes.”

Gu Jiao carried a small basket on her back as she boarded the carriage. The small basket contained her first aid kit, some commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a few personal items she needed for travel.

The basket didn’t look large, but it was quite accommodating.

Xiao Sanzi was driving the carriage.

Following the carriage from the prince’s residence, they arrived at the residence without any obstructions.

This was Gu Jiao’s first time entering an ancient royal residence. She hadn’t gone inside when she sent the Rui prince’s wife home last time; this time, she could take the opportunity to see what a royal residence looked like.

The residence of the prince covered a vast area, including an entire street within its boundaries, though merely a small street, not a busy thoroughfare like Chang’an Avenue or Xuanwu Avenue.

Both sides of the small street were lined with living quarters for the prince’s servants, and the closer they got to the residence, the tighter the security became—surely those living closer held extraordinary status.

Physicians had a low standing in Zhan Country, and a female physician’s status was even lower. Normally, she wouldn’t qualify to enter through the main gate, but Gu Jiao’s unique status meant that the court lady from the prince’s residence still led her in through the south gate, just not through the central gate but a smaller side gate instead.

This was a royal rule; the main gate was solely for the prince, the princess, and the royal family’s legitimate direct descendants. Apart from them, only the emperor and the empress dowager could use it; it was forbidden for others.

Even if Madame Zhuang came, she would have to enter through the side gate.

The court lady told Gu Jiao her family name was Yao.

Gu Jiao noted silently, the same surname as the Yao Family; what a coincidence.

The landscape of the prince’s residence was more orthodox than she had imagined, complementing the prince’s temperament, but details like pavilions, terraces, and corridors, as well as the songs of birds and fragrance of flowers, still revealed the touch of the prince’s wife’s design.

Court Lady Yao led Gu Jiao to the prince’s wife’s courtyard.

Remembering that the prince had once mentioned he would allocate her a separate courtyard if she was interested, Gu Jiao suddenly became curious about where the prince initially planned to settle her.

“Gu Doctor, we’ve arrived,” Court Lady Yao said at the entrance to the courtyard.

Gu Jiao nodded and stepped over the threshold into the prince’s wife’s courtyard.

This was a three-section courtyard, much larger than the usual. Gu Jiao felt it was more appropriate to call it a Sleeping Palace rather than a mere courtyard.

It seemed the Emperor’s fondness for his eldest son was more than evident.

At the doorstep of the main hall, the maids outside bowed to Court Lady Yao, who opened the curtains for her.

Court Lady Yao personally welcomed Gu Jiao into the room.

The prince’s wife sat on the couch-like bed, leaning against a pillow, and covered with a thin quilt, engrossed in a book she held.

This wasn’t Gu Jiao’s first encounter with the prince’s wife, only that last time was in a dream—the prince’s wife was knocked down by a white cat that startled Xiao Liulang, resulting in a miscarriage and Xiao Liulang took the blame for it.

With Yuan Tang’s help, the white cat was captured and did not startle Xiao Liulang or bump into the prince’s wife, but the prince’s wife still had a miscarriage.

The Rui prince’s wife said that the prince’s wife had miscarried three times.

It wasn’t hard to understand why her complexion was so pale and why there seemed to be an unresolved touch of sorrow between her brows.

“Your Highness, Gu Doctor has arrived,” Court Lady Yao reported softly as she stepped forward.

The prince’s wife looked up, pressing the book to mark the page, and stretched out her hand. A maid by her side, understanding the gesture, quickly presented a bookmark with both hands.

The prince’s wife placed the bookmark in the book, closed it, and turned to Gu Jiao, “So you are Gu Doctor? I have heard His Highness speak of you; the Empress Dowager is very fond of you.”

Her eyes swept over the birthmark on Gu Jiao’s face, but they didn’t linger for long, nor did she betray any surprise or discomfort.

This was the composure of a noble daughter and a prince’s wife, who wouldn’t make the guests feel embarrassed on the spot.

Although Gu Jiao was a physician, the Empress Dowager’s fondness ensured her status was above others.

The prince’s wife said, “We’re all family here; there’s no need to be overly formal. Please have a seat.”

Her choice of words was careful—not offering a seat out of charity but treating her like a genuine guest.