Chapter 4 Kill Them All, Leave No One Alive

Earlier, when those officials said that she was the only one to tear down the imperial notice, she found it rather strange.

The rewards offered on that proclamation were exceedingly generous—both wealth and fame. Normally, such enticements should have drawn plenty of interest.

Yet, astonishingly, no one dared to accept the task.

She had secretly instructed Qingdai to investigate, and the truth was more startling than she expected.

On the wedding night, the Princess Consort of Prince Duan had been murdered by the prince himself in a fit of illness, her death gruesome and tragic. When news of this spread, who would dare attempt to treat Prince Duan's illness?

She realized then that the pair of hands Tan Xingyou had brought to her could not possibly be a good omen.

The carriage slowed to a halt.

“We’ve arrived at Prince Duan’s residence. Please step down, Divine Doctor.”

Tan Qingjiu lifted the curtain and glanced outside. As expected, the entrance to Prince Duan’s estate was heavily guarded, lending credence to the rumors.

Her expression paused momentarily as she turned to Qingdai. “You go ahead. I need to prepare some medicines.”

Qingdai obeyed and climbed down. Tan Qingjiu deliberated briefly; based on Qingdai’s findings, it seemed Prince Duan’s illness was not of the body but of the mind.

Judging from the symptoms, it appeared to be schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or perhaps another mental affliction—hallucinations, delusions, agitation, violent outbursts.

Tan Qingjiu quickly retrieved common medications for such conditions from her medical space: haloperidol, olanzapine, and other sedatives. She even stealthily concealed a syringe loaded with tranquilizer on her person.

Once everything was ready, Tan Qingjiu stepped down with her medical kit.

A middle-aged man, looking every bit the steward, waited by the gate and led her inside. The estate seemed typical of noble residences, but every courtyard and doorway was guarded by soldiers, their vigilance strict. Even in broad daylight, several patrols marched back and forth.

It did not look as though they were guarding against intruders—rather, it seemed they were preventing someone inside from escaping.

The steward stopped before the entrance to a courtyard. “This is where the prince usually resides.”

“His Highness dislikes having people around. Normally, there are no attendants here, and entry is forbidden. I’ve already reported your arrival; you may enter alone to treat him.”

“His Highness should be in the rear courtyard now.”

Tan Qingjiu frowned. “I am to enter by myself?”

“Yes,” the steward bowed. “Especially during treatments, His Highness does not tolerate others nearby. If you require assistance, there are bells throughout the courtyard. Simply ring one, and we will hear you.”

Tan Qingjiu felt increasingly uneasy, but...

She frowned again, turning to Qingdai. “Wait here for me.”

Carrying her medical kit, she stepped through the doorway. The courtyard was silent. The steward had said the prince should be in the inner courtyard at this hour.

Tan Qingjiu tread softly. The estate was laid out in two sections, and she was now in the outer yard. Passing through a vestibule would lead her to the inner quarters.

Approaching the vestibule, she faintly heard voices inside.

“If they won’t obey, kill them. Why keep them around?”

“Kill them all. Leave none alive.”

The voices were chilling. Tan Qingjiu’s heart leapt—this was odd. The steward had said the prince disliked outsiders, and there were no attendants here. Who, then, was speaking?

Was it Prince Duan himself?

Suppressing her curiosity, she cleared her throat and called out, “Is anyone there?”

“Who?” A cold, harsh voice responded from within.

“I’m the doctor who accepted the imperial task. I’ve come to treat His Highness,” Tan Qingjiu replied quickly.

There was a murmur inside, then two men emerged from the vestibule.

One led the way, dressed in an elegant black robe, unmistakably the attire of a nobleman.

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze fixed on him, and she was suddenly shaken.

This man...

Wasn’t he the one, six years ago, who passed by in a carriage when she was abandoned in the wilderness by the matron serving Tan Yunge? The man who ignored her desperate pleas for help and even ordered the coachman to drive over her?

Well then—what a twist of fate. What was once impossible to find had come to her effortlessly.

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes, probing, “Your Highness Prince Duan?”

The servant behind the man hastily replied, “Nonsense! This is the heir of Prince Ding. Who brought you here? How could you enter without reporting?”

Prince Ding’s heir?

Tan Qingjiu was stunned. She remembered that Tan Yunge had married Prince Ding’s heir.

That night, Tan Yunge feigned pregnancy and childbirth, and when Tan Qingjiu was cast out, Tan Yunge pretended the child was hers. The heir of Prince Ding, passing by at such a moment—what was he doing in the wilderness?

Could it be that he wasn’t in the capital at the time, but rushed through the night upon receiving news, returning to the city? That seemed likely...

Such a coincidence—Tan Yunge had stolen her child and abandoned her, and her husband, Prince Ding’s heir, had passed by, refusing to help and even seeking to run her over.

All her enemies gathered here.

Excellent.

She could settle her scores together.

Tan Qingjiu lowered her gaze. “The steward brought me here, saying he had already informed His Highness, but the prince dislikes attendants during treatments and requested I enter alone.”

Prince Ding’s heir frowned. “Yes, Uncle Prince Duan is in the rear courtyard. Go on.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded, giving him a deep, lingering look before entering the vestibule and passing into the inner yard.

Prince Ding’s heir watched her departing figure, lips pressed tight, silent.

“My lord,” the attendant whispered, “Did she overhear something? Should we...” He made a slashing motion across his throat.

Prince Ding’s heir simply narrowed his eyes and shook his head, thoughtful. “I’ve seen this woman before. Six years ago...”

He still remembered the blood-soaked, pregnant figure pleading before his carriage. Little did he expect she survived, and now—she was a renowned doctor?

Intriguing.

“The steward did report to me. I forgot.”

“Investigate her.”

His gaze grew cold. After a moment’s thought, he beckoned the attendant. “Come close. Since she’s here, let’s put on a good show for her. Treat her... thoroughly.”