The entire imperial city fell into a deathly silence.
Meanwhile, at the Xue family residence in the northern street, wails and cries echoed day and night.
The servants in the manor had no idea what had happened, but the masters certainly did.
They knew even better that if Xue Yongnian were to die within the manor, the entire Xue family would be buried with him.
Upon hearing that the princes had brought physicians to visit her son, the old madam of the Xue family personally rose to greet them.
Although the old madam understood that the Emperor had already abandoned her son and that the princes were merely going through the motions, she still clung to the hope of a last resort. "Thank you, princes, for making this trip. This old woman here will kowtow to all of you!"
The princes present were not here to assert their authority. Seeing this, they quickly urged the old madam to rise.
However, such tasks as assisting someone did not require the princes to intervene. Several high-ranking officials had accompanied them, and upon hearing the princes' words, they vied with each other to help the old madam to her feet.
But after everyone was seated, a young servant rushed to report to the old madam, "Reporting to the old madam, there are four physicians this time. Should they all be sent to the elder master's courtyard, or should they enter one by one?"
At these words, everyone in the room froze.
Five princes, four physicians...
Even someone who couldn't count would notice something was amiss.
The eldest prince, as the leader among the princes, was the first to speak, "Perhaps there's been a mistake. Since we've come to visit General Xue, how could anyone arrive empty-handed?"
Although it wasn't a major issue, it was necessary to clarify.
Upon hearing this, the old madam of the Xue family turned in anger towards the servant, "You accursed servant, can't even get the numbers right?"
The servant, terrified, knelt on the ground and cried out in protest, "Old madam, please be discerning. There are indeed only four physicians, and they are already waiting in the courtyard."
Even if the princes' visit to Xue Yongnian was futile, as subjects, the Xue family dared not say anything.
However, the princes who had come today all wished to curry favor with their father, the Emperor. With such a situation arising, whether it was the third prince or the sixth prince, they were eager to have the physicians waiting in the courtyard enter and speak.
It would be a laughing matter if the Emperor were to misunderstand them as shirking their duties. Not only would they fail to gain favor, but they might even be blacklisted by their father.
The old madam of the Xue family also dared not judge the princes present rashly, so she could only instruct the servant to invite the physicians from the courtyard.
Soon, the physicians were led into the room.
Lined up, there were indeed four of them.
The third prince recognized the physician he had brought and pointed, "This one is mine."
The sixth prince followed closely, "This is my man."
The eighth and ninth princes also chimed in, each pointing out their respective physicians.
Then...
Only one person in the room remained motionless.
The fourth prince.
It was the Tong family patriarch, seated with other officials on the other side, who spoke first, "So, the fourth prince forgot to bring someone."
The Tong family was aligned with the fifth prince. With the seventh prince gaining widespread fame, the Tong family patriarch naturally took a dislike to the fourth prince.
Or rather, he disliked the fourth prince on behalf of the fifth prince.
The people around heard this and also turned their gazes towards the fourth prince.
Now that the evidence was undeniable, it was unlikely the fourth prince could deny it.
However, the princes present secretly chuckled at the scene.
Even if the fourth prince was not highly regarded by their father, he had come along. With one less person to gain favor with their father, they were naturally delighted.
Only the ninth prince looked dazed, lost in thought.
For a moment, countless eyes were fixed upon the fourth prince.
The Tong family patriarch watched this with glee. If the fifth prince were to learn upon his return that he had caused trouble for the fourth prince, he would surely value the Tong family even more.
With this thought, the Tong family patriarch turned to the Xue family servant and said, "Escort these physicians away."
This statement, while seemingly offering the fourth prince a way out, was in fact a condemnation.
By the time these physicians had finished examining General Xue, it would be too late for the fourth prince to send anyone to compensate.
The Xue family servant glanced at his old madam. Seeing that she did not speak, he then led the physicians away.
However, before they could even reach the door, they heard the voice of Xie Jinglan, who had been condemned by the Tong family patriarch, speak softly, "It is indeed my oversight. I forgot to inform the old madam of the Xue family in advance."
Upon hearing this, the Tong family patriarch smiled and said, "It's not too late to say so now. I believe the old madam of the Xue family will certainly be understanding. Old madam, wouldn't you agree?"
These words were undoubtedly forcing the old madam of the Xue family to nod in forgiveness.
In fact, even without the Tong family patriarch's words, the old madam of the Xue family would not dare to blame a prince.
When she heard the Tong family patriarch's words, the old madam of the Xue family felt uncomfortable. What was he trying to do? Was he still expecting her Xue family to forcibly bow their heads and admit fault to the fourth prince?
The Tong family patriarch would not truly force the old madam of the Xue family to bow and admit fault, but making her feel uncomfortable was enough.
Seeing this, the other princes also began to smooth things over.
"Fourth Brother is in the Ministry of Revenue. Although it's different from our official posts, he is the busiest."
"Sixth Brother speaks the truth. Ultimately, Fourth Brother is fortunate to be able to work tirelessly for the people."
"I believe the old madam of the Xue family is not one to be overly concerned. Why don't we just let it go?"
The seventh prince had gained considerable prestige in Luoyi County. Now that these princes had found an opportunity to criticize the fourth prince, they naturally seized the chance to attack him.
The eldest prince, finding his own words insufficient, turned to the silent ninth prince, "Ninth Brother, wouldn't you agree?"
The ninth prince, having been addressed, looked at his brothers as if waking from a dream, unsure whether to nod or shake his head.
The Tong family patriarch, whose relationship with the fifth prince was not yet clear, had intended to subtly trip up the fourth prince and then withdraw gracefully. He now remained silent, watching as the other princes attacked the fourth prince.
Suddenly, Xie Jinglan, sitting opposite him, raised his face and smiled faintly at the Tong family patriarch, "My people did not fail to arrive. So, what is there for the old madam of the Xue family to understand? Master Tong, you so confidently negated it for me. Do you perhaps know something that I do not?"
The Tong family patriarch was taken aback. "There were clearly only four physicians just now..."
Xie Jinglan's smile remained unchanged. " My people are still on their way. They should arrive shortly."
Tong family patriarch: "..."
He had calculated everything, but he never expected the fourth prince to resort to outright denial!
The smiles on the faces of the other princes also gradually faded.
Since the fourth prince said his physicians were on their way, they had no grounds to make further accusations. All they could do was wait...
There was nothing left but to wait.
Xie Jinglan picked up the teacup by his side and took a leisurely sip.
He had come with the princes today merely to go through the motions.
To his surprise, he had been set up.
With the physicians still absent, Xie Jinglan already had a clear understanding of the situation.
Everyone present, let alone the princes, were accustomed to the comforts of their own manors. Sitting in the Xue residence for half an hour made them all feel as if they were on pins and needles.
To make matters worse, the fourth prince had drunk eight cups of tea, yet still, the so-called physicians had not appeared.
The Tong family patriarch, rubbing his aching lower back, couldn't help but ask, "May I know where the fourth prince's people have reached?"
Xie Jinglan heard this and chuckled lightly. "Still on their way." Su Dan Novel Network
Tong family patriarch: "..."
His lower back hurt even more.
The other princes, who were gradually losing their patience, began to cast glances at the servant kneeling on the ground.
If it weren't for this servant insistently reporting the number of physicians, they wouldn't have gloated and tried to mock the fourth prince. But now, the fourth prince had clearly adopted a delaying tactic, and instead of seeing a joke, they too were forced to sit here and wait.
A young servant rushed into the room. "Reporting to the old madam, there is someone outside who claims to be a physician recommended by the fourth prince."
At these words, everyone in the room felt a mix of relief and frustration.
Although the physicians had arrived, and they no longer had to endure sitting here, the thought that the fourth prince had truly prepared a contingency plan left no one feeling comfortable.
The group of princes sat on their chairs, their chests tight with unspoken frustration, their expressions quite dramatic.
To their surprise, Xie Jinglan, who had remained calm and collected, faltered for a moment.
When the physicians he had brought had not appeared, he had known they would never show up.
What he had said earlier was merely a stalling tactic.
To be honest, Xie Jinglan had not expected any physicians to arrive.
The Tong family patriarch, sitting opposite the fourth prince, looked at his stunned expression and felt a pang of anger in his chest.
He was clearly prepared, yet now he was pretending to be a kind soul.