Chapter 14: A Thousand Taels of Gold

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When Anan opened the door and saw Axi with a gloomy face, he found it quite strange. But when he noticed the person behind him, he was completely stunned. Wondering how Axi had brought her back, Axi forced a smile more unpleasant than crying.

“I brought Miss Tang Er to see the prince’s illness.”

Anan thought Axi was being absurd this time. The prince had left the capital without informing anyone. If the prince found out, wouldn’t this cause trouble?

Yet, since she was already here, sending her away would only raise more suspicion. He shot Axi a sharp glance, then turned to Tang Chaochao and said politely, “Please.”

Tang Chaochao observed their interaction silently and entered the small courtyard. Though the courtyard was modest in size, it was exquisitely arranged, suggesting its owner was a person of taste.

Anan bowed to Tang Chaochao. “Miss Tang Er, my prince does not yet know of your arrival. I will inform him first; please wait a moment.”

Compared to Axi, this guard was much more courteous and composed. It was clear their master was no ordinary person.

Tang Chaochao nodded, and Anan left.

Since entering the courtyard, Axi had been shrinking back as if worried about something. Tang Chaochao smiled slightly, judging from his behavior that inviting her was likely his own decision.

Anan returned quickly, his handsome face naturally cold and indifferent.

“Miss Tang Er, my prince said his illness is chronic and not to trouble you with it.”

Tang Chaochao raised an eyebrow—was this a refusal?

She grinned. “That’s fine. Just making a trip here and earning a thousand taels for the consultation is quite easy.”

Then a slender, pale hand reached out before her eyes.

Anan looked puzzled, glancing at Axi, who was curled up in the corner like a turtle.

Axi’s calm expression was about to crack.

A thousand taels! That fool really dared to invite her.

Although the prince was not short of money, he was not one to waste it like this.

Suppressing his anger, Anan stiffly said, “Miss Tang Er, please wait.”

Before leaving, he shot Axi a fierce look.

Just as Axi wanted to speak, Tang Chaochao turned to Anan’s departing back and said awkwardly, “Gold, thank you.”

Anan froze, thinking he misheard, and instinctively glanced back at Tang Chaochao.

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Tang Chaochao thought he hadn’t heard clearly, so she smiled broadly.

“A thousand taels of gold. Please hurry—I have other matters!”

Anan now heard clearly and stared incredulously toward Axi.

Axi’s face was stuffed into his collar, almost hiding it completely.

Anan’s usually icy facade nearly cracked.

What the hell? A thousand taels of gold just to see a doctor?

Miss Tang Er really knew how to ask for an exorbitant price!

The crucial point was Axi’s foolish expression—it was clearly his decision.

Just as Anan was debating whether to report to the prince or give Axi a beating first, a voice as cold as the winter wind sounded.

“Let Miss Tang Er in.”

Tang Chaochao raised an eyebrow and looked toward the open window not far off. The voice came from there.

Since she saw no one at the window, Tang Chaochao withdrew her gaze.

Anan motioned for Tang Chaochao to enter.

Had he heard that the consultation fee was too expensive and deemed it a waste to refuse treatment?

Tang Chaochao puffed out her cheeks and walked toward the room.

When Anan opened the door, a faint scent of medicinal herbs wafted out.

Tang Chaochao’s nostrils twitched slightly.

Just a light sniff allowed her to identify what kind of herbal decoction the patient had been taking recently.

The veteran Taoist healer’s medical skills were truly miraculous. Tang Chaochao had not only received his genuine teachings but, thanks to her sharp mind and youthful boldness, had surpassed him.

Tang Chaochao looked into the room.

She saw only the back of a figure seated in a wooden wheelchair.

Even from behind, it was the most captivating silhouette she had ever seen.

Long hair fell loosely, and though draped in a heavy cloak, the noble aura was unmistakable.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating him like a fallen immortal cast into the mortal realm.

Tang Chaochao’s eyes did not blink.

Everyone loved beautiful things, and she was no exception.

She was always clear-eyed, even when it came to what people call beautiful love.

To her, love’s beginning was merely desire sparked by appearance.

Having seen this perfect back, she naturally wanted to see his face.

Yet the man remained seated, showing no intention of turning around.

Only when Anan approached and pushed the wheelchair around did Tang Chaochao realize he was a disabled patient.

As the wheelchair turned, she finally saw his face... hidden behind a mask.

Tang Chaochao couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

The prince noticed every subtle expression on her face and, seeing her eye-roll, couldn’t help but smirk.

Tang Chaochao was always the type to do what she wanted.

Now that she wanted to see this man’s face, she wouldn’t give up easily.

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“This patient,” the prince spoke with a voice as cold as the winter wind, “do you know that when a doctor treats an illness, they must observe, listen, inquire, and palpate? How can I diagnose with you wearing such a thing on your face?”

The prince’s eyes flickered with slyness as he looked at the girl dressed in a Taoist nun’s garb.

“Doctors usually diagnose by feeling the pulse,” Tang Chaochao retorted, rolling her eyes.

“That may be for ordinary doctors. My diagnosis is different—I must first see the face.”

The more he refused, the more Tang Chaochao wanted to see.

No one could read the expression beneath his mask, nor discern emotion in his voice.

“Then, Miss Tang Er, please leave.”

Tang Chaochao was outright dismissed, puffing her cheeks in frustration.

“See it or not, my consultation fee remains.”

After a moment of silence, the prince said, “Anan, collect the consultation fee from Miss Tang Er.”

Anan acknowledged and turned to leave.

Tang Chaochao raised an eyebrow.

This gold was earned quite easily—too bad she didn’t get to see his face.

When Anan returned, he held a thick stack of silver notes and respectfully placed them before Tang Chaochao.

Her eyes lit up.

She took the notes and casually glanced over them.

Seeing how readily he paid, she kindly advised, “Your leg disability is likely caused by poisoning. The toxin has now spread to your neck. If not detoxified in time, you won’t live past this time next year.”

As the man turned, she saw faintly darkening veins on his long neck—a clear sign of deep poisoning.

Coupled with the herbal scent of detoxifying decoctions she detected earlier, she was certain this was not a disease but poisoning.

A slow, insidious poison at that.

However, this was no longer her concern.

He was willing to pay but refused to show his face.

There was nothing more she could do.

As Tang Chaochao stepped out of the room, a voice called from behind.

“Miss Tang Er, please wait!”

It was Anan.

As one of the prince’s closest guards, no one knew the prince’s condition better than him.

Tang Chaochao’s diagnosis was accurate, exactly matching what Anbei had said, even estimating the prince’s remaining time precisely.

Anbei admitted privately that he could only delay the poison’s effects but had no idea how long he could hold on.