Chapter 59: The Mysterious Gate of the Profound Valley

Sunlight filtered through the exquisite window lattices, casting a warm glow over a room furnished with rosewood pieces. Maidservants in embroidered brocade garments moved back and forth with light, cautious steps.

Ning Junruo sat upright at a sandalwood desk, one hand manipulating an abacus while the other swiftly flipped through the gift registries. With the assistance of Huaixi and Zisu, she quickly organized the gift inventories.

Aside from the breathtakingly expensive luxuries such as silks and jade artifacts, the silver alone received this time amounted to a staggering sixty to seventy thousand taels.

Upon completing the verification, Ning Junruo sighed softly, stood up to adjust her elegant plain-silk dress, and walked with a light gait across the winding corridor toward the Prince's study.

Inside the study, the Prince sat idly at his desk, his brows tightly furrowed in deep distress. Seeing Ning Junruo enter, his brow finally relaxed slightly.

Through their time spent together recently, he found that this once high-and-mighty Princess Consort no longer seemed quite so detestable.

"My Lord, the gift registries have all been fully verified."

Ning Junruo’s voice was crisp and melodious. She gently placed the registry in her hand onto the table and continued, "In addition, regarding the ten thousand taels borrowed from Mr. Li, may we arrange to have it paid back?"

Hearing this, Zhao Shenxing’s brows knitted together once more, evidently displeased with this extra expense, yet acutely aware of the stakes involved.

Noticing this, Ning Junruo had no choice but to appeal to reason, "After all, a monthly interest of one hundred taels accumulates into a considerable sum over time. Now that the estate's coffers are well-stocked, saving this interest will allow us to accomplish a great deal."

Had it not been for that previous ten thousand taels, how could the full-moon banquet have ever been held?

And how else would the Prince's estate have effortlessly acquired tens of thousands of taels?

Looking at her flawless, jade-white cheeks, Zhao Shenxing felt a stir in his heart. This Ning Junruo did not seem so bad after all.

Who said the Princess Consort’s heart was not in the estate?

She was actually even thinking of saving money for the household.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Shenxing finally nodded, though his expression betrayed a trace of reluctance.

"What you say is true. Even the smallest mosquito has meat. One hundred taels may not amount to much in this estate, but it can still buy quite a few things. Very well, you may handle it."

Ning Junruo instantly heaved a sigh of relief. The ten thousand taels of silver notes were back in her hands once more, and on top of that, she had gained two hundred taels of interest for free. Why wouldn't she be pleased?

When the two broached the subject of Chang Yuniang, Ning Junruo’s tone turned heavy.

Chang Yuniang’s sudden malaise had occurred in full view of everyone, and that scene still left lingering terror in people's minds.

If they did not invite a renowned physician and make a grand display of treating her, it was feared that the rumors outside would spiral out of control.

Zhao Shenxing’s gaze gradually grew tender, causing Ning Junruo to hurriedly avert her eyes.

"Chang Yuniang's condition must be taken seriously. If we fail to take action, I fear those discussions will prove detrimental to the estate."

"It is still the Princess Consort who considers things so thoroughly." Zhao Shenxing wore a rare trace of a smile.

That greasy appearance was truly sickening. Ning Junruo forced down her discomfort while keeping her expression completely undisturbed, merely nodding gently to maintain the proper etiquette.

"I have heard that the divine physician of the Hidden Valley Mystic Sect possesses miraculous skills that can bring the dead back to life. I have already sent a calling card, and unexpectedly, I received a reply. I wish to visit in person to seek out the divine physician for our two younger sisters."

The Hidden Valley Mystic Sect did not grant audiences to just anyone.

Zhao Shenxing had once sent a calling card, yet as a dignified Prince of Liang, he had received no response whatsoever.

He had even gone to visit in person, only to be turned away under the pretext that the master was in secluded cultivation and declining visitors!

Zhao Shenxing found it hard to believe that they were actually willing to see the Princess Consort!

Still, if they could successfully invite the divine physician to descend the mountain, the illnesses of Chang Yuniang and Xiao Yunjiche would no longer be a cause for worry.

"Then I must trouble the Princess Consort." Zhao Shenxing’s voice carried an unprecedented gentleness.

Chang Yuniang’s legs still possessed no sensation whatsoever.

Medication, acupuncture—the estate physicians had tried every possible method without providing any relief.

Although Xiao Yunjiche had improved considerably, she constantly complained of dizziness and nausea, unable to keep any food down.

Though the Prince and the Princess Consort harbored friction between them, Xiao Yunjiche, despite being a secondary consort, still came from a superior background compared to Chang Yuniang. Upon learning that Xiao Yunjiche was pregnant, the Dowager Consort had been beaming from ear to ear.

Hearing that she had suddenly fainted, the Dowager Consort not only kept vigil at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion herself but also sent the finest restorative tonics, specifically instructing the estate physicians to protect the child at all costs, no matter the price.

As this news spread, discussions buzzed both inside and outside the Prince's estate.

"I heard the Princess Consort is visiting every renowned physician she can find, desperate to secure the secondary consort's child?" whispered one maid to her companion as they walked.

"Indeed. By comparison, Lady Chang's side is utterly desolate. Lady Chang was previously counting on Young Master Qing to make a comeback, but looking at it now, that seems nothing more than a fool's daydream..." another shook her head with a sigh.

Walking along the covered corridor, these fragments of conversation drifted into her ears from time to time. Ning Junruo maintained a calm facade, though her heart was a swirl of mixed emotions.

"Princess Consort, where are you headed?" asked a guard respectfully.

"I plan to make a personal trip to the Hidden Valley Mystic Sect to seek medical treatment for my two younger sisters," Ning Junruo replied with a firm tone, her eyes flashing with unquestionable resolve.

"With the Princess Consort going in person, you will surely move the divine physician!" admiration overflowed from the guard's words.

The Hidden Valley Mystic Sect was located outside Liangzhou City, perpetually shrouded in mist and exuding a mysterious, unfathomable aura.

After enduring numerous hardships, Ning Junruo and her entourage finally arrived at the gates. Several disciples who were meditating were interrupted by the sudden visitors, casting surprised glances their way.

"Pardon the interruption. I am Ning Junruo. Daoist Nun Miao Shandao said your sect leader wishes to see me? My primary purpose in coming here today is to seek an audience with the divine physician of your esteemed sect," she offered a polite bow.

"The sect leader wants to see you?"

A disciple who appeared to be the leader stood up, looking Ning Junruo up and down, "However, the divine physician of our Hidden Valley Mystic Sect cannot be easily disturbed by secular affairs. The Princess Consort is likely to return disappointed from this trip."

Ning Junruo smiled faintly, taking a letter from her sleeve to hand to him.

The disciples exchanged glances before the leading disciple finally took the letter. After reading it carefully, his attitude changed drastically, "So it is Mr. Li's granddaughter! Please forgive my disrespect! This way, please."

After a series of twists and turns, Ning Junruo not only met the legendary sect leader but also uncovered the reason why he wanted to see her.

Never could she have imagined that the legendary, worldly-detached sect leader of the Hidden Valley Mystic Sect would actually harbor curiosity about such a matter...

With this connection established, Ning Junruo successfully gained an audience with the legendary divine physician—True Person Yunyin.

Following a sincere and earnest discussion, True Person Yunyin was moved by her sincerity and agreed to descend the mountain.

On the return journey to the estate, Ning Junruo calculated in her mind how to arrange the medical treatments for her two younger sisters, while a new thought quietly took root in her mind...

As soon as she re-entered the estate, Zisu hurried forward to greet her.

"Zisu pays respects to Divine Physician Yunyin!"

After offering grateful thanks, Zisu said excitedly, "Our young lady is truly resourceful! To be able to invite even the divine physician of the Hidden Valley Mystic Sect—this is the greatest honor imaginable!"

"Not knowing of the True Person's grand arrival, I failed to welcome you from afar!"

Hearing the announcement, Zhao Shenxing also hurried over, "The True Person's arrival brings immense splendor to our estate. I offer my gratitude here!"