Chapter 115: Our Princess Has Someone Backing Her Too

Tan Qingjiu curled the corners of her lips without further explanation, merely bringing Xingqi and Xingyou back to the main courtyard.

Shen Yingjue had set up a lounge chair under the locust tree in the main courtyard, listening to an attendant report: "The Princess Consort insists on inviting the manor's physicians. The steward has been by her side the entire time, even having tea and refreshments prepared while he waits with her."

"The physicians from the manor have already arrived and checked her pulse. They said..."

"They said her pulse is weak and floating, which is indeed a symptom of poisoning."

Hearing this, Tan Qingjiu laughed: "A weak and floating pulse is a symptom of qi and blood deficiency. What does that have to do with poisoning? She should be taking more supplements instead."

Shen Yingjue lifted his eyelids: "The Princess has gone to see a guest, yet why does this guest insist on lingering here?"

Tan Qingjiu glanced at him: "Are you blaming me?"

"How could I?" Shen Yingjue chuckled. "Send someone to urge the imperial physicians to arrive quickly. Also, go and invite every renowned doctor in the capital; have them line up to diagnose the Princess Consort."

"Since she wants an explanation, we must ensure she is convinced, don't you think?"

"We must let her know that our Princess of Duan is not without support."

"Understood."

Although the steward was not secretly on the Prince of Duan's side, he remained the manor's steward in name and carried out tasks with great efficiency. Within an hour, an attendant returned to report: "Your Highness, the imperial physicians and the doctors you requested have all arrived."

"Including the city's renowned doctors and the imperial physicians, there are forty-three in total."

Shen Yingjue slammed his hand on the armrest: "Good, good, excellent! Forty-three of them. Have them line up at the main gate of our manor and wait there."

"If anyone asks, tell them that the Princess Consort came for a visit, but after seeing our Princess, she insisted that our Princess had poisoned her. She refuses to leave and demands a diagnosis to see what poison she has supposedly been given."

"Make sure everyone knows. Tell anyone who asks."

"Furthermore, every doctor who enters to treat her must loudly announce their diagnosis to the crowd gathered outside once they leave."

Tan Qingjiu blinked, her eyes curving. Shen Yingjue was truly as his name suggested—what a "unique" man. Yet, she found it quite satisfying.

"Let's go." Shen Yingjue stood up and grabbed Tan Qingjiu, pulling her along.

She stumbled, hurrying to keep up: "Where are we going?"

"To watch the show! Since the stage has been set in our own home, how can we, as the hosts, not show our support?"

Tan Qingjiu thought he was taking her to the reception hall or the main gate. Instead, he led her straight to the inner courtyard gate and had someone set up a... ladder?

She widened her eyes: "What are you doing with a ladder?"

"Climbing onto the roof to watch the show. The view here is excellent; we can see both the reception hall and the main gate at once. Why not?"

"This ladder is for you; I know martial arts." With that, Shen Yingjue leaped onto the roof. Once up, he looked back: "Come on, why aren't you up here yet?"

Tan Qingjiu couldn't help but rub her forehead. She had previously thought Shen Yingjue was quite normal when he wasn't having one of his "episodes." Now, she realized he was anything but normal. His behavior was often eccentric and baffling.

"Hurry up, I've saved the best spot for you."

A moment later, Tan Qingjiu sat on the roof, gazing into the distance with a blank expression. She felt that by climbing up here to watch the spectacle with him, she had also become somewhat... abnormal.

"Look, look! Several doctors have already checked Tan Yunge's pulse. They haven't found anything; her face is turning quite dark."

Tan Qingjiu rolled her eyes toward the reception hall: "Your Highness has sharp eyes. I can barely see her face from this distance, yet you can tell she's looking grim."

"Naturally," Shen Yingjue laughed. "I'm guessing."

Having lived two lifetimes, Tan Qingjiu rarely felt this speechless. As she sat there, she heard a doctor shout from outside the gate: "Li Yungui from Huichun Hall—I have examined the Princess Consort. She shows no symptoms of poisoning."

"Wang Huaren from Mingyue Hall—I have examined the Princess Consort. She shows no symptoms of poisoning."

Doctors periodically announced their findings to the crowd outside. Watching the people whispering among themselves, Tan Qingjiu massaged her temples. Although Shen Yingjue’s methods were insane, they were undeniably effective.

By using the most reputable doctors in the city, the consensus was clear. Before sunset, the news of what had transpired at the Prince of Duan's manor would surely spread throughout the entire city. With dozens of doctors confirming she wasn't poisoned, Tan Yunge would have no way to maintain her false accusations.

Tan Qingjiu smiled. By tonight, Tan Yunge would truly be suffering from the poison. Even if she cried out then, no one would believe her.

As she mused, Shen Yingjue suddenly clapped his hands and sighed: "A tactical error."

"Hm?" Tan Qingjiu turned to him, wondering if he had finally realized how ridiculous they looked sitting on the roof.

"I shouldn't have let the steward invite so many doctors," Shen Yingjue continued. "How long is it going to take for them to finish one by one?"

"About half an hour," she replied.

"Then she has to stay in my manor for at least another half hour?" Shen Yingjue frowned. "I must instruct the steward later to have everything she touched or used removed and thrown away. I find it repulsive."

Fortunately, Tan Yunge didn't wait for everyone to finish. After about twenty doctors had examined her, she rose in a fury, spat out some angry words, and stormed out with her maids.

Tan Qingjiu saw her approaching from afar; Tan Yunge was walking so quickly she didn't seem to notice them.

When Tan Yunge reached the bottom, Shen Yingjue spoke up: "Is the Princess Consort giving up on the antidote? Didn't you say the Princess of Duan poisoned you?"

"Leaving already?"

Shen Yingjue leaped down: "Shall I see you out? After all, you mustn't forget to clarify the truth for my wife at the gate."