Chapter 197 Saving a Life

Chapter 197: Saving Lives

But he had never considered that without Xu Muyan's exceptional ability and integrity, Prime Minister Hua would not have married his daughter to him.

To forge iron, you need to be strong yourself. Xu Muyan had risen to Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple by relying on his own abilities; unfortunately, Ji Huaiche failed to see that.

Seeing Xu Muyan scowl at him, Ji Huaiche sneered disdainfully and said:

"So you're protecting Princess Ye—have you found the murderer who killed Imperial Physician Zhu?"

"No."

"Since you haven't, you cannot let her go." Ji Huaiche's eyes flickered; no matter what, he was determined to keep Ji Yuntang here today.

Since she had entered the gates of the Dali Temple, she should not expect to leave easily.

He wanted everyone to know that Ji Yuntang was implicated in the case of Imperial Physician Zhu's murder and was therefore detained here.

As long as the detention exceeded a day, her guilt would essentially be confirmed.

Xu Muyan strongly disapproved of Ji Huaiche's methods. This time, he did not back down but argued on principle:

"I have already determined that the person who killed Imperial Physician Zhu has nothing to do with Princess Ye. I will later write a memorial to report this matter to His Majesty."

"The Dali Temple is a proper judicial institution, not a mountain fortress that forcibly detains people. We don't act like bandits. Please understand this, Assistant Minister Ji."

"You..." Ji Huaiche was about to say something when he suddenly saw a maid with delicate features running in quickly, her face full of panic.

He recognized her at once—it was Shao Yao, the maidservant of Xu Muyan's wife, Hua Ruyue.

He had seen her a few times before when Hua Ruyue came to the Dali Temple to deliver meals to Xu Muyan.

Shao Yao's sudden arrival at the Dali Temple, clearly looking for him, likely meant something had happened to Xu Muyan's wife.

Sure enough, after running in, Shao Yao was in a panic and said, her voice choked with tears:

"Lord Xu, it's terrible! Madam is about to give birth, but she suddenly started heavy bleeding. She has been in labor for two hours and still hasn't delivered. The midwife said the baby probably won't make it. Please come home right away!"

Xu Muyan's face turned ashen. Panic and alarm suddenly emerged in his usually warm and calm eyes, and his voice was tight.

"With the madam in such a critical state, why didn't you come to me sooner?"

Shao Yao shook with fear. "It—It was Madam who wouldn't let me come. She knew you were busy with official matters and investigating the case, so she forbade me from informing you. She was afraid of worrying you and wanted to give you a surprise after giving birth to the young master. I never expected..."

As Shao Yao spoke, her voice grew softer, and what was meant to be a surprise turned into a fright.

Hua Ruyue had always been in good health. After taking her pulse, the imperial physician said she would likely carry the baby to full term.

But no one had expected that after breakfast this morning, Hua Ruyue suddenly complained of stomach pain, and then her water broke.

The midwife arrived promptly, but during the delivery, a severe hemorrhage occurred, and the baby was positioned incorrectly. After two hours, the baby still hadn't been delivered, and the situation was becoming increasingly critical.

Helpless, Shao Yao had rushed to the Dali Temple to find Xu Muyan.

Panic hit Xu Muyan instantly, and his lips trembled. He could clearly feel pain and guilt deep in his chest.

Suddenly thinking of something, he turned to Ji Yuntang as if clutching at a lifeline, his face pleading.

"Princess Ye, your medical skills are renowned throughout the Dongchen Kingdom. Is there any way you can save my wife and child?"

Meeting Xu Muyan's guilt-filled eyes, Ji Yuntang knew he must love his wife deeply. She nodded without hesitation.

"Thank you for your trust, Assistant Minister Xu. I can try."

Obstetric surgery was one of the procedures Ji Yuntang had often performed in her previous life; she had helped deliver many babies.

From Shao Yao's description, she knew Hua Ruyue's condition was extremely dangerous. When it came to matters of life and death, Ji Yuntang always meant what she said.

"We mustn't delay. Let's go quickly. Can you ride a horse, Assistant Minister Xu?"

Xu Muyan nodded. "Yes."

Ji Yuntang said, "A carriage is too slow. Have two horses brought over. Saving lives is the priority."

The guards soon brought two horses. Ji Yuntang and Xu Muyan each took one. She swung onto her horse with a smooth, practiced motion.

"Giddyup!" She dug her legs into the horse's belly and galloped away.

Ji Huaiche hadn't expected Ji Yuntang to know how to ride, let alone with such skill and smoothness—better than most.

He thought about following them to the Xu residence, but since someone needed to hold down the fort at the Dali Temple, he dropped the idea.

Ji Huaiche sneered inwardly. He didn't believe Ji Yuntang could actually deliver a baby at all.

If anything happened to Hua Ruyue under her care, not only Xu Muyan but the whole Prime Minister's household would probably tear her apart.

Then he'd see who could save her!

The Prince Ye's mansion would reap nothing but trouble. And if it also offended the Prime Minister's mansion, that would be a disaster.

She brought this on herself, and no one could save her.

Ji Huaiche was happy to watch Ji Yuntang embarrass herself.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuntang and Xu Muyan had already raced to the Xu residence on horseback.

This was the house that Prime Minister Hua had specially purchased for them outside the mansion. Though it was a bit far from the Dali Temple, the house was quite lavish and well-appointed.

After dismounting, Ji Yuntang followed Xu Muyan into the Xu residence.

Before they even entered Jin Garden, they heard urgent shouts and a woman's agonized screams.

"Push, Madam! Think of your baby, think of Lord Xu. Don't you dare fall asleep now!"

"Madam, you can do this. Don't give up."

Outside the door, Prime Minister Hua and his wife, Cao Shi, were pacing back and forth, their faces showing clear tension and worry.

"Heaven protect us! My daughter must not be harmed. Let her deliver the baby safely and keep them both alive."

Cao Shi, Hua Ruyue's mother, clasped her hands and bowed to the heavens again and again.

At the sight, Xu Muyan felt deeply uneasy, his guilt growing.

"Father-in-law, mother-in-law, I'm sorry I'm late."

"This is Princess Ye. I specially invited her to help with Ruyue's delivery. Maybe she can save her."

Prime Minister Hua and Cao Shi both turned to look at Ji Yuntang.

The woman before them wore a spotless white dress, poised and graceful like a lotus rising from clear water. Her striking fox-like eyes glimmered brightly, making her impossible to underestimate at first sight.

Cao Shi had certainly heard of Princess Ye, Ji Yuntang. Her reputation in Dongchen Kingdom was mixed—about half good and half bad. Those who liked Ji Yuntang thought she was incredibly talented: even though she came from a rural background, she had mastered impressive medical skills.

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