Doctor Wang from Jishi Hall arrived early the next morning as promised.

Rongrong and Xue Xiaoshan greeted him and served him tea. Doctor Wang waved his hand and said, “First, let me see the patient.”

“Yes, please come this way,” Xue Xiaoshan replied.

After returning last night, Rongrong and Chunxing had helped clean up Old Lady Xue and changed her into fresh clothes.

The smell had faded somewhat, but it was still noticeable when they entered the room.

Doctor Wang didn’t mind this. He went straight to the old lady’s side and began to examine her.

But as soon as he saw the severe swelling on her head, he immediately shook his head and said, “I can’t treat this.”

Xue Xiaoshan pleaded, “Doctor, please don’t hesitate. I know my grandmother’s condition is severe and that treating her might be risky, but please do your best. No matter the outcome, we won’t blame you.”

Many doctors are concerned about their reputation and are reluctant to treat critically ill patients.

“Young man, you misunderstand. If there was even the slightest chance to save her, I would certainly try.

But the old lady’s injury is too severe, with such a swollen head, I can’t even begin to treat her.

If she had been brought ten days earlier, there might have been a chance,” Doctor Wang said sincerely.

Xue Xiaoshan felt very guilty. “It’s all my fault for delaying my grandmother’s treatment.”

Rongrong advised, “This isn’t the time for self-blame.” Then she turned to Doctor Wang, “Doctor, I don’t understand medicine, but I have a question… it might be a bit forward.”

“Please, ask your question.”

“Is it that my grandmother’s condition is untreatable by you, or is it that no one can treat it?”

Doctor Wang looked at Rongrong and smiled helplessly. “You’re not being rude.

There are always people more skilled than us, and while I can’t treat this, there might be someone who can.

Whether we can find such a person depends on the old lady’s luck. I must take my leave now.”

As Xue Xiaoshan saw Doctor Wang out, Rongrong was left worried.

Doctor Wang was a famous acupuncturist in the capital, and if he said he couldn’t treat the old lady, no one in the city’s medical centers would dare to try.

Even if someone did, it would be a last-ditch effort.

Rongrong remembered Yuanbao’s innocent suggestion: “Daddy, maybe we should ask Doctor Qin to help Rongrong’s grandmother?”

Rongrong knew Doctor Qin, the top healer in the Imperial Medical Institute, who only treated the emperor.

If Doctor Qin could step in, her grandmother would have a better chance.

Dr. Qin was the one who took the Emperor’s pulse, so even the Crown Prince couldn’t just call on him.

Rongrong was deep in thought and suddenly felt frustrated.

Why was she worried about whether he was inconvenient?

Who was he, and why should she be concerned about it?

Although Rongrong was unwilling to seek help, seeing her dying grandmother on the sickbed made her heartache.

Even though she wasn’t really Grandma Xue’s granddaughter, if she had a way to save the old lady, she should try to do so.

Xue Xiaoshan had brought Dr. Wang back and saw Rongrong staring blankly at Grandma Xue.

He felt even more distressed and regretful.

Grandma Xue had saved him and treated him like a grandson, but he had delayed her treatment.

Standing at the door, he found himself shedding tears.

“Second Brother,” Rongrong said, seeing his distress, “Dr. Wang said he couldn’t cure her, but that doesn’t mean Grandma is beyond help. You stay here and watch over her; I’ll go find another doctor.”

“But… where will you find another doctor?”

“Second Brother, you’ve forgotten that I used to work in the Duke’s residence. I have some connections. Don’t worry, I’ll tidy up and go out to ask around.”

Seeing Rongrong’s determination, Xue Xiaoshan felt a bit hopeful and more guilty. He whispered, “I’m really useless as an older brother.”

“I’ll go get ready now,” Rongrong said, knowing she couldn’t comfort him right away.

The most important thing was her grandmother’s illness.

She went back to her room, changed into proper clothes, and fixed her hair.

Feicui was organizing Rongrong’s things and saw her preparing to go out.

She asked, “Miss, are you going out today?”

“Yes, I need to think of another way to help Grandma,” Rongrong said, then thought that since Feicui was from the Eastern Palace, it might be easier if she went with her.

So she added, “You should change clothes and come with me.”

Feicui quickly set down what she was doing and went to change.

Chunxing happened to come in to take away Rongrong’s basin of water and pouted when she saw Feicui going out with Rongrong. “She’s always lazy. Why are you taking her with you?”

Chunxing loved to go out and be lively, which made Rongrong a bit irritated.

But seeing her so cheerful made Rongrong smile.

She thought that if she were a man with such charming words, she could easily win over many young girls.

“Miss, I’ve changed the clothes,” Feicui said.

There were only two sets of cotton clothes brought from the Marquis’s residence.

The fabric and style were similar to those worn by second-tier maidservants. Even though Rongrong wasn’t reborn, she could see something unusual.

A disabled maid from the Marquis’s residence was given clothes of a second-tier maid’s standard—this meant she was sent from the East Palace, and the Marquis’s residence did not dare to neglect her.

Though Feicui was meticulous, she didn’t know these clothes were reserved for higher-tier maidservants.

Rongrong didn’t show anything on her face, just nodded to Feicui and led her out.

After walking a lot to find the doctor yesterday and spending the whole morning preparing for Doctor Wang’s visit, Rongrong felt a bit tired, even though it was still early.

Not wanting to push herself, she called for a sedan chair and went directly to the East Palace.

The sedan chair stopped in a street opposite the East Palace, and Rongrong paid the fare.

She walked out of the street and stared at the grand palace gates.

The gates were the last place she stayed in her previous life.

She had felt anxious, joyful, and disappointed there.

She had always been cautious and proper, but it was here that she had harbored deep desires and ended up in a tragic situation.

“Miss,” Feicui said, noticing Rongrong staring blankly at the East Palace gates.

She walked up and tugged at Rongrong’s sleeve.

Only when Rongrong turned did she realize she had been crying, though she wasn’t sure when the tears had started. “Don’t worry, the old lady will be fine.”

Feicui spoke with confidence.

Rongrong wiped her tears and smiled. “Thank you.”

“We’ll be turned away by the imperial guards if we go through the main gate. Why don’t we try the side door?”

“That’s a good idea.” Rongrong knew she couldn’t enter through the East Palace main gate, not in her previous life, and not in this one either.

They walked along the East Palace walls, Rongrong suddenly recalling her past days with Feicui in the East Palace.

When she was pregnant, her figure had rounded out, and the imperial doctors advised her to walk regularly.

Every day, Feicui(Jadeite) would accompany her around the palace, starting from the east in the morning and walking to the west, then after a rest, from the south to the north.

Rongrong had always been worried about her status and her child, but Feicui’s cheerful nature helped ease her worries.

Time had passed, and Rongrong never expected she and Feicui would be walking under the East Palace walls again.

Unfortunately, she was no longer Jingrong, and Feicui was no longer Jadeite the lively maid she used to be.

The East Palace was vast, and it took them a quarter of an hour to walk from the front gate to the back gate.

The security at the back gate was tight.

A narrow entrance was guarded by more than ten imperial guards, all tall and stern, making them intimidating.

When they saw Rongrong approaching, the leader immediately demanded, “What’s your business?”

Summoning her courage, Rongrong stepped forward. “Please inform Eunuch Fuquan that Miss Xue Rongrong requests an audience.”

The leading Imperial Guard frowned and was about to reprimand, but someone behind him touched his sword handle.

He looked up and saw Feicui behind Rongrong.

The Imperial Guard swallowed his reprimand and his tone softened. “Please wait a moment, Miss.”

Rongrong was surprised at how smoothly things were going and sighed with relief.

She and Feicui moved to the side to wait and soon saw Wang An come out.

Since Wang An had been advised by Fu Quan, he knew that Rongrong was favored by the Crown Prince and the Emperor’s grandson, which gave her a special status.

When he saw her, he greeted her warmly.

“Miss Xue, what brings you here today?”

“Lord Wang, I have a request… Is Master Fu Quan not here?” Rongrong asked anxiously.

Wang An smiled and said, “At this hour, the Crown Prince is in a morning meeting, so my master is also in the palace serving him. I’m afraid you might have made a wasted trip.”

Rongrong realized her mistake. “Then I’ll come back later…”

Seeing her frown, Wang An clapped his hands and said, “It seems like you have an urgent matter. Instead of coming and going, why don’t you stay inside and wait? That way, you won’t waste any more time.”

Wang An was quick-witted; he knew Rongrong wouldn’t come to the Eastern Palace without a good reason.

If he could help her now, it would be a job well done for him.

He invited Rongrong and Feicui inside and sent a message to the palace.

Rongrong and Feicui were taken to the Eastern Palace’s back garden.

Even though the winter garden was well-arranged by the gardeners, it couldn’t compare to the vibrant colors of spring and summer.

Wang An seated Rongrong and Feicui in a room by the garden.

This was a storage room for tools, not a reception area.

Rongrong knew her place and was grateful for any spot she was given.

The room was warm with a stove, neatly arranged tools, and a table with tea.

Rongrong sat in the center, trying to avoid looking at the crane-feeding pavilion, which brought back overwhelming memories she wished to forget.

Since Wang An had to prepare lunch for the Emperor’s grandson, he didn’t stay with them.

Rongrong and Feicui sat quietly, watching the palace servants coming and going.

Around noon, Wang An returned and told Rongrong, “Miss Xue, my master is available now. Please come with me.”

Wang An only called for Rongrong to come with him.

She left Feicui behind, confident she would be fine, and reminded her not to wander around or speak out of turn.

Fu Quan, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, lived in a small courtyard within the palace.

Although the courtyard housed several other eunuchs, Fu Quan occupied the most spacious and well-lit main rooms.

At this moment, Fu Quan was resting in his main room, with a new apprentice kneeling nearby, massaging his feet.

Wang An bowed and approached Fu Quan, saying, “Master, Miss Xue has arrived.”

Fu Quan opened his eyes, saw Rongrong, and immediately stood up, dismissing the apprentice. “Ah, a rare visitor. What brings Miss Xue to my humble abode?”

“Lord Fu, I have an urgent matter at home. I had no other choice but to come to you for help,” Rongrong said.

“What request? I’m just a servant. You can ask me to do anything,” Eunuch Fuquan said with a gesture, and Wang An immediately pulled out a chair for Rongrong, indicating for her to sit.

As soon as Rongrong sat down, someone brought over hot tea, treating her like an honored guest.

“Take your time, no need to rush,” Fuquan said with a kind smile.

Rongrong then explained her grandmother’s illness from the beginning.

Although Fuquan already knew about it from Feicui’s report the previous night, he listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

When Rongrong finished, he sighed and said, “Human lives are very important; this is a serious matter.”

However, after that remark, he said nothing more.

Rongrong didn’t understand Fuquan’s intention, so she directly asked, “Yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince promised to send an imperial doctor to treat my grandmother. I didn’t realize how serious my grandmother’s condition was at the time. Today, I ask you, sir, to inform His Highness about this.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince values you greatly and will surely agree to your request. However, I’m reluctant to pass on the message.”

Rongrong had hoped that Feicui’s words from Yuanbao would make things smooth today, but she didn’t expect Fuquan to refuse to pass on the message.

Seeing the smile on Fuquan’s face, Rongrong knew he had more to say, so she said, “Please, Eunuch Fuquan, enlighten me.”

Fuquan wiped some of the smile from his face, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, “As a servant, I shouldn’t comment on my masters’ affairs. What I’m about to say is just casual talk.”

Rongrong understood that Fuquan’s “casual talk” wasn’t trivial.

Since she needed his help, she listened carefully.

“You once saved Prince Yuanbao at the Hot Springs Villa, and he has always remembered your kindness.

So, when he heard about your injury, he immediately asked the Crown Prince to help you.

In return, it could be said that this is just repaying your kindness.

Prince Yuanbao has always been concerned about you, knowing you’re alone, and had Liuli secretly protect you.

But something happened when you returned home for the New Year. As for reciprocity, it’s now time for you to return the favor,” Fuquan said slowly, taking another sip of tea and glancing at Rongrong.

Indeed, reciprocity was required.

Yuanbao had helped Rongrong twice, and her life-saving grace… well, it was more about supporting Yuanbao when he fell.

Even without her help, Yuanbao, dressed so warmly, wouldn’t have been hurt much from the fall.

Rongrong hadn’t felt much about it before, but now, hearing Fuquan’s explanation, she realized something unusual.

It seemed like she had always been benefiting from Yuanbao’s kindness.

While she could easily accept favors from the Crown Prince, given the huge loss she had suffered in her past life, accepting favors from Yuanbao—a sweet child who liked the meals she prepared and had been kind to her, saving her twice—felt different.

Yuanbao had helped her greatly, protecting her leg and her reputation.

Such great favors deserved to be repaid with something of equal value.