Chapter 322: Chapter 322: The Death of Xiao Cui
322 Xiao Cui’s Death
However, Zhao Zhitong was constantly surrounded by people, and she couldn’t find an opportunity.
At this moment, she suddenly saw Wei Zijian and thought that he was Divine Healer Zhao’s apprentice, so she decided to tell him about the matter.
Just as she was preparing to approach Wei Zijian while serving the drinks, she was suddenly stopped by the princess.
"Xiao Cui, what are you doing here? Why aren’t you attending to the Princess?"
Xiao Cui hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, the Princess said she was hungry and wanted to have some snacks. I went to the kitchen to get some for her. However, just as I arrived at the kitchen, Wang Momo said that Amber was injured. She went to find someone to replace Amber and asked me to serve the guests drinks first."
"Oh, I see." The princess nodded and asked, "Have you finished serving? If you have, go and get the snacks for the Princess quickly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Xiao Cui couldn’t help but look back at Wei Zijian, finally gritting her teeth and lowering her head to leave.
It’ll be fine, Dr. Zhuo won’t be able to harm Divine Healer Zhao so quickly. she kept consoling herself on the way. When I return, I’ll tell Mistress about this, and then Mistress can send someone to warn Divine Healer Zhao to be careful.
Thinking about this, Xiao Cui couldn’t help but quicken her pace.
However, just as she passed a rockery, she suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of her head. The next moment, she fell to the ground unconscious.
...
At the time, the banquet was in full swing, and no one noticed a little maidservant’s quiet disappearance.
Amidst the compliments from the guests, the banquet came to an end.
Princess Anping had her servants bring a tray covered with red cloth.
Princess Anping smiled and said, "Divine Healer Zhao, we are grateful for your help in treating the Princess. This is a little token of appreciation from our Princess Mansion. Please don’t refuse."
She then uncovered the red cloth, revealing a plate of silver ingots.
Zhao Zhitong accepted the gift after expressing her gratitude and politely declining.
It’s only right to receive payment for medical consultation. Now that I’ve received the money from the Princess Mansion, I won’t owe any favor. This will also help me avoid being involved in any power struggles in the future, which will save me trouble.
「 」
After the banquet ended and the group bid farewell to the princess, they returned to Wuyou Inn. When Zhao Zhitong got back to her room, she put the silver ingots into her space, leaving only one or two in her baggage.
There are probably many people who know about my reward from the Princess Mansion after I openly returned. I’m afraid thieves will target me.
Surprisingly, Zhao Zhitong’s guess was correct.
During the night, a thief actually tried to steal the money, but Xiao Ge was in the next room. The thief was caught by Xiao Ge the moment he tried to pry open Zhao Zhitong’s door.
Of course, the thief didn’t get away with anything. He was not only beaten up by Xiao Ge but also sent to the officials.
Xiao Ge’s decisive actions deterred quite a few people. For some time, they enjoyed peace without any trouble coming their way.
Even if someone wanted to find trouble, they would weigh Zhao Yu’s strength first.
The results of the imperial examination were set to be announced in April. While waiting for the results, they planned to enjoy themselves in the Capital City.
However, before they could have much fun, Zhao Zhitong became too busy to stand on her feet.
Because the news of her successfully treating the Princess had spread in the Capital City, Zhao Zhitong was now quite famous. Anyone who had a minor illness wanted her to treat them.
From then on, one could see various luxurious horse carriages parked in front of Wuyou Inn every day.
One day it would be a young master from the Wang Family, the next day it would be the wife of the Li Family. Today, she had just returned to the inn from a consultation when someone from the Princess Mansion arrived again.
The person said that the Princess had been frightened. She was unable to sleep well, had no appetite, and shivered constantly. They requested Zhao Zhitong to go to the Princess Mansion to treat the Princess.
So, before Zhao Zhitong could even sit down, she was asked to leave again.
Qiao Muchen, Zhao Yue, Zhao Yu, and Wei Shulan, who were waiting at the inn for Zhao Zhitong to go out and play, were extremely aggrieved.
Wei Shulan said, "Ah, why is someone always trying to steal Tongtong from me wherever we go?"
Zhao Yue said listlessly, "Sigh! What about going out to play as we promised? Weren’t we going to boat on the lake?"
Qiao Muchen drank tea with a poker face.
Zhao Yu, cradling his saber, shook his head, "Sigh, my sister is too outstanding; it’s not a good thing either."
Wei Zijian shouted, "Master!" and hurriedly followed her out.
...
Soon, the horse carriage arrived at the Princess Mansion. After Princess Anping personally received Zhao Zhitong, she explained the situation, "The Princess suffered a shock and has been feverish for the past few days. I hope Divine Healer Zhao can help take a look."
Zhao Zhitong nodded. "Take me to the Princess’s room."
With that, the princess led Zhao Zhitong to the Princess’s room.
After examining her pulse, Zhao Zhitong nodded and said, "She’s recovering very well. She’s just been frightened. Prescribing some calming medicine will be fine; there’s no serious problem."
Upon hearing this, the princess finally breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that her daughter would relapse, as it had taken a great effort for her to recover.
At this time, Zhao Zhitong continued, "When the weather is good, the Princess can properly exercise, relax, maintain a good mood, and try to shift her focus."
The Princess, lying on the bed, said to Zhao Zhitong, "Okay, thank you, Divine Healer Zhao."
Zhao Zhitong smiled, handed the calming prescription to a servant to fetch the medicine, and said with a smile, "Then Princess, you should take good care of yourself. I will take my leave first."
After that, she bid farewell to the princess and prepared to leave.
"Alright," the princess, supported by her maid, stood up. "Thank you, Divine Healer Zhao. Bin Er, send off Divine Healer Zhao."
The maid named Bin Er responded and hurriedly escorted Zhao Zhitong out of the Princess’s courtyard.
Before leaving, Zhao Zhitong looked back with doubt.
Strange. The maid who had been attending the Princess before was always a girl named Xiao Cui. Why has she changed now? The reason my impression is so deep is because that maid was very devoted. When the Princess was bedridden, she was the most heartbroken and distressed. The princess also trusted this maid very much. However, this time I came, I didn’t see that maid. But I only felt doubt for a moment and didn’t ask. After all, this is their family matter, and it isn’t strange for a Princess to change her maid.
Just as Zhao Zhitong was thinking about this, Wei Zijian ran over.
Zhao Zhitong only glanced at him. Seeing there were outsiders around, she didn’t say anything. It was only after they left the Princess Mansion that Zhao Zhitong asked, "What were you doing running around in the Princess Mansion?"
"Master, I didn’t run around. I went to find Xiao Cui," Wei Zijian explained.
Zhao Zhitong couldn’t help teasing, "As soon as you came to the Princess Mansion, you went to find Xiao Cui. You must be fond of her, right?"
Wei Zijian said, "What are you talking about, Master? I wanted to see if she had fetched medicine as I instructed."
He then whispered, "And then, I didn’t find her. Master, can you guess what I heard?"
Zhao Zhitong casually asked, "What?"
Wei Zijian lowered his voice. "The servants in the Princess Mansion are all saying that Xiao Cui is dead!"
Zhao Zhitong frowned, looking at Wei Zijian in disbelief. "What?"
Wei Zijian nodded heavily. "They said Xiao Cui went out to get food for the Princess after the thank-you banquet, but she never came back. It wasn’t until the day before yesterday that she was fished out of a well. Her body was swollen and looked terrifying. It was this that had frightened the Princess."