Chapter 17: Is She Tan Qingjiu?

“What?” Tan Yunge glared at Tan Qingjiu, her face full of disbelief. “What did you just say?”

Tan Qingjiu let out a light laugh. “You heard me correctly. I said, if you want me to continue treating your father and wish for his complete recovery, you’ll have to kneel and beg my forgiveness. Otherwise, when Lord Tan relapses, there will truly be no cure left for him.”

“After all, Princess Consort, you’ve troubled me and picked faults with me again and again today. I’m not one to easily forgive and forget—I remember every slight.”

Tan Yunge hadn’t expected Tan Qingjiu to be waiting for her here. Her face darkened further. She raised a trembling finger, pointing at Tan Qingjiu.

“You’re asking for death!”

With that, Tan Yunge charged at Tan Qingjiu. But as she’d barely made it halfway, Tan Xingyou stuck out his leg, and she tripped and fell hard to the floor, landing almost prostrate.

“Ah…” Tan Qingjiu chuckled. “So Princess Consort is kneeling already? Very well, if you admit your fault and beg my pardon now, I’ll forgive you.”

“In your dreams! Someone, tie her up! I’ll kill her!”

On the bed nearby, Tan Yun had just awakened. Though he didn’t know what had transpired during his unconsciousness, hearing Tan Qingjiu’s words and seeing Tan Yunge’s reaction, he had begun to piece things together.

“Enough!”

Gritting her teeth, Tan Yunge scrambled to her feet, her hair askew. “Father, did you hear what she said? I must kill her today. Don’t worry, Father, I’ll have someone press a knife to her throat and force her to treat you and prescribe your medicine. I don’t believe she’d dare play any tricks then.”

Tan Qingjiu laughed softly. This woman was truly a fool. Hard to believe that six years ago, the old Tan Qingjiu had been outwitted and destroyed by such a vicious, stupid woman.

“Princess Consort, it seems you’ve forgotten—I’m skilled not only in medicine, but in poisons too. If you imprison me or threaten my life, I’ll simply drag everyone down with me. No one will survive.”

“And weren’t you known for your filial piety and gentleness? Yet you won’t even apologize to save your father’s life. Seems you’re not as devoted as the rumors say. In any case, it’s you who’s in the wrong here.”

She turned to Tan Yun, her expression gentle. “Lord Tan, it’s not that I don’t wish to treat you. I’ve already woken you. You can ask your precious daughter what she’s done to me.”

“Well, since the Princess Consort refuses to apologize, I’ll take my leave.”

Tan Qingjiu began packing her things into the medicine chest. “If you change your mind, you can find me at the Fortune Inn. Just tell the innkeeper you’re looking for the Miracle Hand Pavilion and Tan Qingjiu.”

The whole room froze at the mention of that name. Tan Yunge was dumbfounded. “What did you say? What’s your name?”

Tan Qingjiu’s lips curled. “You’ve heard it already, haven’t you? There’s no need for me to say it again.”

A sudden, uneasy panic rose in Tan Yunge’s heart. Tan Qingjiu? Was it the one she knew?

But six years ago, she had clearly ordered the old nurse to dispose of Tan Qingjiu. She’d even cut open Tan Qingjiu’s belly to remove the child—how could Tan Qingjiu possibly be alive?

It must be a coincidence, she told herself. Just someone with the same name.

Yet, faced with the woman before her, recalling her confrontational attitude and the faintly familiar quality of her voice, Tan Yunge couldn’t help but wonder—could it really be Tan Qingjiu?

But how could Tan Qingjiu have become a famed miracle doctor?

Her mind spun with countless thoughts, all converging into one conclusion: whether or not this woman was that Tan Qingjiu, she couldn’t let her leave alive.

She had barely spoken when her throat went dry, and she found she couldn’t utter a sound.

How could this be…

Just then, the doorkeeper rushed in. “Master, Madam, the Prince of Duan’s estate has sent someone.”

Tan Yun, still groggy from his recent awakening, frowned at the relentless string of events. “The Prince of Duan? Why would his estate send someone? We’ve had little contact with them.”

The doorkeeper bowed his head. “The steward of the princely estate has come, saying His Highness is ill. He heard that the Miracle Doctor is here and has come to invite the doctor to treat His Highness.”

Tan Yunge and Tan Yun exchanged uneasy glances, fixing their eyes on Tan Qingjiu.

“The steward said His Highness has seen many physicians over the years, but only the Miracle Doctor’s prescriptions have helped. He’s waiting at the door to personally escort the doctor.”

Tan Yunge gritted her teeth. If this was truly Tan Qingjiu, she must not let her go today. But the Prince of Duan…

She clenched her hands inside her sleeves. She’d met many royals and could charm emperors, consorts, and princesses alike. But the Prince of Duan was unpredictable—a madman, violent and ruthless, recognizing neither kin nor friend when afflicted, and capable of attacking anyone.

She had always avoided him.

Now that the prince’s steward had come for Tan Qingjiu, it was clear he knew she was here. Should she harm Tan Qingjiu, there would be consequences.

Tan Qingjiu remained composed. “Since His Highness requests my presence, I’ll take my leave.”

Without glancing at anyone else, she headed straight for the door. As she passed Tan Yunge, she lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear. “Princess Consort, your tongue is rather unpleasing. So, unless you’re ready to apologize, I suggest you keep silent.”

With that, she walked out.

Tan Yunge stood stunned for a moment, then realized the meaning behind Tan Qingjiu’s words—her voice!

She rushed toward the door, but Tan Yun stopped her. “What are you doing? Someone, keep the Princess Consort back.”

Tan Yunge turned, opening her mouth to speak, but no sound emerged.

Tan Yun’s brow furrowed. “Even as Princess Consort, you are only that. No matter how mad the Prince of Duan may be, he is still the emperor’s son, a prince. Do you mean to snatch the doctor from him?”

Tan Yunge stamped her foot in frustration, pointing to her own throat.

Chen Yueru frowned, not understanding. “You don’t want to apologize to her?”

Tan Yun’s frown deepened. “Come to think of it, I still don’t know what exactly happened. Tell me—how did you offend this Miracle Doctor?”