Chapter 31: Infected with Sickness

Lu Zhaoling currently appeared both beautiful and wretched. Her face was exquisite, but she was extremely thin, her head was bandaged, and her clothes were clearly ill-fitting. Yet, when Mrs. Lin looked into her eyes, they were like two pools of clear, tranquil autumn water. Such a gaze made it impossible for her to feel any aversion.

"Are you calling me, Miss?" Mrs. Lin asked.

Lu Zhaoling nodded. "Madam, my surname is Lu. I have an urgent matter that requires me to reach the palace gates. Could I trouble you to do me a favor and give me a ride?"

Qingbao’s eyes widened. Was her young lady actually asking a stranger for a ride in their carriage? She didn't recognize this woman; she didn't look like the wife of any high-ranking official. Perhaps if she had used the name of the Prince Jin’s mansion, it might have worked? Would this woman even be willing now?

Mrs. Lin was also astonished. It was her first time encountering such a situation, and for a moment, she opened her mouth, not knowing how to refuse. The girl looked pitiful, but she dared not let a total stranger into her carriage.

Lu Zhaoling looked at her and added, "You have a patient at home, don't you, Madam? A difficult ailment that is causing you great distress."

Mrs. Lin’s expression shifted. "How did you know that?"

"Can you give me a ride, Madam? I can explain it in detail on the way," Lu Zhaoling said.

Mrs. Lin gritted her teeth. "Miss, please, get in!"

"Many thanks, Madam."

Lu Zhaoling reached out to Qingbao. Qingbao, as if waking from a dream, hurried to help her into the carriage. It actually worked? Could her young lady really read fortunes? She climbed into the carriage as well, following Mrs. Lin’s maid.

The carriage headed toward the palace. Inside, Mrs. Lin scrutinized Lu Zhaoling, her tone now somewhat sharp. "Where did you hear about my family, Miss Lu? What could we possibly have that would make you go to such lengths?" Mrs. Lin felt certain that Lu Zhaoling must have investigated her family and had specifically targeted her.

"This is the first time I have met you, Madam," Lu Zhaoling shook her head. "I didn't inquire about anything; I simply gathered it from observing you."

Mrs. Lin’s upbringing prevented her from scoffing, but as she looked at Lu Zhaoling, her expression remained tense.

"So, Miss Lu, you can read fortunes?"

Don't make her laugh—could a little girl like this really read fortunes? Even if she could, how could she possibly know there was a sick person at home?

"Madam, my young lady really didn't inquire about your family," Qingbao couldn't help but interject.

Lu Zhaoling waved a hand. "It’s fine. It’s normal for you not to believe me, Madam. But since you are helping me, I must repay you. Do you know Physician Fu?"

"Of course I know the elder Physician Fu," Mrs. Lin’s eyes brightened. "I went to the Fu family to seek medical help just a few days ago, but they said the physician is too old now and no longer sees patients or makes house calls." She had pleaded with the Fu family for a long time, but they had remained polite yet firm in their refusal.

"If you visit them again tomorrow, Physician Fu will agree to come. Consider it a repayment for this ride."

Using the elder Physician Fu as a reward didn't prick Lu Zhaoling’s conscience at all. After all, her purpose in going out today was to save Fu Cheng.

Mrs. Lin’s eyes widened in shock. Her hand unconsciously tightened around her handkerchief, her voice unsteady. "Really? You know Physician Fu?"

Lu Zhaoling nodded.

Mrs. Lin was still skeptical. Lu Zhaoling continued, "The patient is your daughter, isn't she? You have been caring for her yourself these past few days? Did she vomit on you this morning?"

"You..." If they weren't in a moving carriage, Mrs. Lin would have jumped to her feet in surprise. Even if she had investigated her family, how could she know such intimate details? How could she know she had been covered in her daughter’s vomit?

Mrs. Lin suddenly looked at her maid, Xiaoxiang. Only Xiaoxiang knew about this morning’s incident! Xiaoxiang, whose eyes were wide with shock, cried out when she saw her mistress’s suspicion, "Madam, I didn't say anything! I don't even know this young lady!"

Was this witchcraft? Why did this Miss Lu know? Even Qingbao was staring at her own young lady in astonishment.

Lu Zhaoling chuckled softly. "It’s not as magical as it sounds." She pointed to Mrs. Lin’s feet. "You changed your clothes, Madam, but not your shoes. There are some stains on them, and they are emitting a faint odor."

Mrs. Lin looked down at her shoes. Indeed, there were a few spots on the dark blue embroidered fabric that weren't visible at a glance. But she hadn't smelled anything! Was this Miss Lu’s nose that of a hound?

"You are also tainted with the air of illness, Madam. But judging by your complexion, you are perfectly healthy, so it must be someone in your household who is ill. Since you aren't in constant, close contact, you haven't been fully infected," Lu Zhaoling continued. "Your eyes are full of worry, and just now, when we were in front of the pharmacy, you left without buying any medicine—likely because you couldn't find what you needed. Therefore, I deduced that the patient’s condition is quite difficult to treat."

Everyone in the carriage was stunned.

"How... how can you see the 'air of illness'?" Mrs. Lin asked.

Lu Zhaoling pointed to her own eyes. "I can see it."

Mrs. Lin paused. Could she believe this?

"What should I call you, Madam?"

"Our master's surname is Lin," Xiaoxiang said.

Lu Zhaoling nodded. "Then please, Mrs. Lin, go to the Fu family again tomorrow. I will speak with Physician Fu."

By the time they reached the palace gates, Mrs. Lin still felt dizzy and unable to process everything.

"Young Lady, Qingyin is here."

Qingbao had already spotted Qingyin standing by a carriage. Qingbao breathed a sigh of relief—thank goodness Qingyin had brought the carriage!

"Many thanks, Mrs. Lin."

Lu Zhaoling stepped out of the carriage and, supported by Qingbao, walked toward Qingyin. Mrs. Lin watched her retreating figure, murmuring, "Xiaoxiang, pinch me. Why do I actually want to believe her?"

"Madam, I... I believe it too," Xiaoxiang whispered.

Mrs. Lin laughed at herself. "Forget it. I’ll go to the Fu family tomorrow and see! Even if she lied to me, I only gave her a ride; I haven't lost anything." After settling her thoughts, she told the driver to turn back home. But who was this Miss Lu? And what was she doing at the palace gates?

Qingyin looked at the departing carriage, puzzled. "Young Lady, why did that carriage leave?"

"It was someone else’s carriage; naturally, it had to leave," Lu Zhaoling said, looking toward the palace gates. "Was the message delivered?"

"It has been delivered. The Prince will be out shortly. Would you like to wait in the carriage, Young Lady? This is the carriage belonging to Nanny Qing of the Prince’s mansion."

"Alright."

Lu Zhaoling climbed into the carriage and sighed as she leaned against the soft cushions. Climbing into a carriage twice had left her breathless; this body was truly too frail.

Prince Jin was brought out on a palanquin, as his legs could not handle much walking. Seeing the carriage, his eyes flickered. Why did Lu Zhaoling ask him to come out?

"Your Highness, the Young Lady invites you into the carriage," Qingbao and Qingyin said, bowing respectfully.