Beyond vague legends and a few ambiguous descriptions of appearance, all that remained of the divine physician was Bian Siyue’s abstract painting.
However, having something was better than nothing.
Xiao Yun immediately decided to print several hundred or even thousands of copies and plaster them all over the streets and alleys of Da Sheng.
After all, everyone knew that Prince Ding'an was searching for a divine physician for the Princess Consort, so it wasn't a particularly unusual matter.
Xiao Yun set about handling it the very next day.
The weather grew hotter with each passing day, and it was then that the old matriarch of the Wang family fell ill.
Originally, the old matriarch's illness had little to do with Wang Qingyao. Although she was her paternal grandmother, Wang Qingyao was "blind." Sending someone to inquire, or sending precious medicinal herbs and tonics, would have been considered fulfilling her filial duty.
But the old matriarch insisted on seeing Wang Qingyao.
She claimed she missed her dearly and absolutely had to see her, perhaps her illness would be cured upon meeting.
Wang Qingyao knew full well that the old matriarch was spouting nonsense, but out of respect for filial piety, she had no choice but to visit the Wang family.
Bai Junya's due date was in August, in early autumn.
Her belly was already quite large, yet she still came out to pay her respects to Wang Qingyao.
Wang Qingyao quickly had Yin Zhu support her, saying, "You are with child, there is no need for such formalities."
Bai Junya led her to the old matriarch's courtyard and quietly told her as they walked, "A few days ago, Grandmother brought another cousin home."
Wang Qingyao's eyebrows shot up, and she let out a cold "humph."
The old matriarch's memory was truly poor. Had she forgotten that the grass on Han Suiqin's grave had grown quite tall?
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Wang Qingyao said to Bai Junya, thanking her. Although she didn't take the old matriarch's petty tricks seriously, she was still grateful for Bai Junya's heads-up.
Bai Junya smiled shyly.
These past few days, Gu Shi had been the one attending to the sickbed.
Whether the old matriarch was truly ill or feigning illness, she had worn Gu Shi down to the point of looking haggard and losing weight. Her steps were unsteady.
Wang Qingyao was startled when she first saw her complexion.
Gu Shi, being young, had a face that was originally like a flower. These past few days, she had withered rapidly as if deprived of water.
"Is it Yao Yao who has arrived?" the old matriarch called out weakly from behind the curtains, hearing the commotion.
Gu Shi immediately stepped forward and said, "It is the Princess Consort come to see you."
As she spoke, she helped the old matriarch to sit up halfway.
Bai Junya did not enter the room. The old matriarch feared passing on her illness to her, so she only allowed her to pay her respects from outside the room. After paying her respects, Bai Junya took her leave.
Wang Qingyao, supported by Yin Zhu, slowly walked to the old matriarch's bedside.
She wasn't faking it after all.
Her complexion was poor, with dark circles under her eyes, and her breath carried an unpleasant odor when she spoke. Even while half-sitting, half-lying, she was panting and occasionally cried out in pain.
"Grandmother," Wang Qingyao greeted her.
The old matriarch responded, patted the bed, and gestured for Wang Qingyao to sit closer.
Wang Qingyao didn't want to be that close to her. Since she couldn't see anyway, she remained standing.
Yin Zhu, with her keen observation, brought a chair and helped Wang Qingyao to sit down.
Seeing this, the old matriarch stopped fussing and slowly said, "Grandmother's illness is likely incurable. These past few days, Grandmother has felt a tightness in her chest. Grandmother fears that once I am gone, you, Yao Yao, will have no one to look after you and will be bullied in the scheming environment of the Prince's mansion..."
She coughed as she spoke and wiped away tears.
Wang Qingyao was speechless. After a long moment, she managed to suppress the urge to roll her eyes and softly asked, "Grandmother is blessed with good fortune; you will be fine."
She then turned slightly towards where Gu Shi was standing and asked, "Eldest Aunt, what did the doctor say?"
"Replying to the Princess Consort," Gu Shi said with perfect etiquette, "the doctor said..."
At this point, the old matriarch turned her head and glared sharply at Gu Shi. Gu Shi's tone became hesitant.
"The doctor said... the doctor said..."
The doctor said that the old matriarch had merely overeaten, which had upset her stomach. Coupled with her intolerance to the summer heat and her insomnia and excessive dreaming, she hadn't rested well. She looked very ill, but in reality, with proper care, she would recover completely.
Gu Shi was not adept at lying, but her hesitant tone undoubtedly confirmed the old matriarch's words.
The old matriarch sighed and said languidly, "I have lived for many years, and it is enough. Now, with your eldest uncle supporting the Wang family, it is becoming more prosperous and flourishing. You sisters have all married well, Brother Jing's career is bright, and his wife is about to give birth. When I go to see your grandfather in the underworld now, I will have a face to do so."
The old matriarch listed the future prospects of everyone in the Wang family one by one.
Listening, Wang Qingyao felt a chill. Although she disliked Wang Qinglin, as the old matriarch's once most favored granddaughter, she was now completely forgotten.
Wang Qingyao remained silent.
The old matriarch continued, "Grandmother's only worry is you, Yao Yao. You lost your parents at a young age, so Grandmother doted on you more than other granddaughters. Grandmother knows your temperament; you are pure, kind, and delicate. Such a temperament is a disadvantage for a Princess Consort. Even before your eyes were blinded, Grandmother was somewhat worried. Now that your eyes are blind, Grandmother has not had a peaceful day worrying about you."
Frankly, Wang Qingyao was truly impressed by the old matriarch's ability to speak falsehoods with a straight face.
She doted on Wang Qingyao?
Was her memory truly that muddled?
Wang Qingyao still remained silent, waiting for the old matriarch to reveal her ultimate purpose.
Indeed, seeing that Wang Qingyao had not responded, the old matriarch became a little anxious, even straightening her half-reclined body.
"You have a cousin..."