The Crown Princess pulled Jiang Ning aside, asking her to help examine her pulse.
"I truly did not expect to meet the divine physician in the palace…"
The Crown Princess truly had not expected it. She had thought Jiang Ning was a physician from the common folk, but never imagined she was the daughter of the Marquis’s household. For a noble young lady to possess such skill in medicine—who had she studied under?”
Jiang Ning examined the Crown Princess’s pulse. After finishing, she said calmly: "The Crown Princess’s health has already improved. As long as you continue to recuperate, no problems will occur."
"That’s wonderful…" The Crown Princess let out a long breath, stroking her slightly swollen belly.
She then lifted her face and said sincerely: "Many thanks, Divine Physician."
"The Crown Princess need not be so polite; just call me Jiang Ning."
"Alright." The Crown Princess nodded.
Jiang Ning followed the Crown Princess, which drew everyone’s attention. The noble ladies whispered among themselves: how did Jiang Ning come to know the Crown Princess, and be so close with her…?
At this moment, a palace maid came before Jiang Ning and said formally: "Miss Jiang, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."
Jiang Ning knew that the Empress must be summoning her because of the Ninth Prince’s matter.
The last time, she had been summoned specifically to examine the Ninth Prince’s pulse.
The Crown Princess felt astonished, turned her face toward Jiang Ning—The Empress wants to see her?
Jiang Ning nodded slightly. "I’ll go over right away."
The Crown Princess said: "I will also go along to pay respects to Mother Empress."
The two followed the palace maid to see the Empress.
The noble ladies nearby witnessed everything. One of them said: "Isn’t that the Empress’s attendant? Is Jiang Ning going to see the Empress?"
"It must be the Crown Princess who is taking her along!"
They stomped their feet in jealousy. Following the Crown Princess even had such a benefit—being able to see the Empress.
If one could catch the Empress’s eye, the future prospects would be limitless. After all, several princes have not yet married!
Yan Ruoxi’s expression did not look very good.
What she was thinking was not about the princes, but that the Empress and Chu Yunli were family. If Jiang Ning could win the Empress’s favor, would the Empress arrange a marriage?
At this thought, her heart grew cold, and her hand trembled slightly.
"That wretched woman—what trick did she use to win the Crown Princess’s favor?" Princess Hua Lian muttered, her tone brimming with jealousy, wishing she could crush Jiang Ning beneath her feet.
Last time, Jiang Ning was inexplicably favored by the Empress. Now she is also on good terms with the Crown Princess.
Princess Hua Lian stomped her foot in anger.
.........
Jiang Ning followed the Crown Princess to see the Empress together.
The Crown Princess bowed. "I have paid respects to Mother Empress."
"I pay respects to the Empress." Jiang Ning also bowed properly.
The Empress’s gaze fell on Jiang Ning, and she smiled with satisfaction. "That will do, you may rise."
Jiang Ning lifted her face and happened to meet the Empress’s gaze. The Empress gave subtle signal, and Jiang Ning nodded to show she understood.
The Empress’s gaze shifted to the Crown Princess, and she asked gently: "How is your health?"
"Thank you for your concern, Mother Empress. My health has improved greatly, and the child in my belly is well-behaved." The Crown Princess replied with a smile, and their relationship was harmonious.
The Empress had no children of her own, so there was no conflict of interest with the Crown Prince. Therefore their relationship was harmonious, at least outwardly.
"Be more careful."
"Yes," the Crown Princess replied.
The Empress said to Jiang Ning: "Miss Jiang, I wish to speak alone with the Crown Princess for a while. Please go rest in the next room."
Jiang Ning nodded slightly, and a lady official led her to the adjoining room.
Though in words it was said to be for rest, in reality she was being led to examine the Ninth Prince’s pulse.
Jiang Ning entered the room.
The Ninth Prince immediately stood up, his eyes bright. "Sister Jiang!"
"Your Highness Ninth Prince." Jiang Ning walked over. The Ninth Prince’s complexion had become much rosier. He used to be thin and frail, but now he had grown taller, a little higher than the last time.
"Sister Jiang, why haven’t you entered the palace recently?"
Jiang Ning pulled the Ninth Prince to sit down, held his wrist to take the pulse, and said, "The palace rules are strict; I cannot enter at will…"
The Ninth Prince felt a little disappointed. "But…"
But he wanted to see Sister Jiang often.
When his life was hanging by a thread, it was Sister Jiang who saved him. Her hand was warm, and being with her gave him a sense of peace.
After finishing the pulse check, Jiang Ning nodded and said: "Your Highness’s health has improved; the heart pulse is much stronger than before… Next time, in addition to the Heart‑Protecting Pill, there will also be a tonic pill."
The Ninth Prince lowered his face. Though he heard his illness had improved, there was not a trace of joy on his face.
Jiang Ning let go of his wrist. Seeing the pale and frail child before her, she couldn’t help but ruffle his hair and asked, "What’s wrong?"
The Ninth Prince pressed his lips together, remained silent for a long while, then lifted his face, his dark bright eyes fixed on Jiang Ning.
"When I get better, Sister Jiang, will you no longer come to see me…?"
Jiang Ning’s heart softened, and she smiled: "How could that be? When I have time, I will still come to see Your Highness. Heart failure is unlike other illnesses; it requires frequent pulse examinations."
After hearing this, the Ninth Prince finally smiled.
After finishing the pulse check, Jiang Ning stayed to play with the Ninth Prince for a while.
The Empress walked over, saw the harmonious scene, and her gaze grew gentle.
Jiang Ning was patient, played with Little Ninth, gentle and attentive.
The Empress couldn’t help but think: No wonder Li’er likes her. Even I am very satisfied when I see her—she is truly a rare good young woman.
With her by Li’er’s side, he would not be so lonely.
The Empress thought to herself: she must arrange a link between the two.
Jiang Ning then noticed the Empress had arrived. She stood and said: "Your Majesty, I have examined the Ninth Prince’s pulse. His health has recovered well; he can already run like a normal child."
The Empress walked over, held Jiang Ning’s hand, patted the back of it, and said: "Miss Jiang, it is truly thanks to you."
Jiang Ning shook her head. "It’s nothing. I only fulfilled the duty of a physician."
The more the Empress looked, the more her heart felt full.
Jiang Ning felt the Empress’s gaze was burning, and it weighed heavily on her. Then, recalling that the Empress was Chu Yunli’s aunt, she immediately felt even greater pressure.
Without realizing it, she grew a little nervous, her back straightening stiffly.
"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I will leave now."
The Empress nodded. "Go ahead, let Jinglan see you off."
Jinglan was a female official by the Empress’s side, her status far above ordinary palace maids. Even noble young ladies had to treat her with courtesy when they saw her.
Jiang Ning shook her head. "No need to trouble yourself, I can go back on my own."
"Alright then." The Empress did not press further.
Jiang Ning walked out of the room, feeling a gaze fall upon her. Her steps grew unsteady, and she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Only when she could no longer feel the Empress’s gaze did she breathe a sigh of relief.
🐇♡🐇♡🐇♡🐇
Empress: watches Jiang Ning play with the Ninth Prince “What a wonderful girl. Perfect for Li’er!”
Jiang Ning: “Your Majesty, I’m just here to check pulses!”
Empress: “Wonderful! She’s humble, too!”
Ninth Prince: “Sister Jiang, will you visit me again?”
Jiang Ning: “Of course!”
Empress: mentally books the wedding venue.
Jiang Ning, sensing danger: “Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve been diagnosed with something?”
Empress: “Love, my dear. A very serious condition.”
Jiang Ning: “I NEED A SECOND OPINION!”
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