Chapter 18 Stage an Encounter

"Steward Liu, are the gifts ready", Yan Xing asked as he came down from the living room.

"Yes, yes, Your Highness, everything is ready", steward Liu immediately replied.

"Then, let's get moving now", Yan Xing said with a smile on his face. He looked like he was going to send betrothal gifts to his long-time lover.

The servants had already loaded the gifts into the carriage and were now waiting for Yan Xing to board the carriage.

Jingsheng followed after Yan Xing and followed him inside the luxurious carriage made of rosewood. 

"Your Highness, what is your motive behind sending the betrothal gifts today and you going personally?", Jingsheng questioned.

Yan Xing can simply let Steward Liu deliver the betrothal gifts but now he was going there personally which made Jingsheng have some doubts. It's simply not because the Green Cloud Qin is inside the Zhao family.

"Yesterday, Xiao Yi reported to me that Venerable Wang will be paying a visit to the Prime Minister's Estate", Yan Xing said as he leaned back on the couch inside the carriage.

"So, Venerable Wang is finally making a move!", Jingsheng muttered.

It was no wonder that the servants had dark circles under their eyes this morning. They had been busy preparing the betrothal gifts the whole night because Yan Xing wanted to stage a chance encounter with the Divine Doctor Venerable Wang. Jingsheng clicked his tongue and thought.

When half an incense stick was burned, they reached the Prime Minister's estate.

Inside the Prime Minister's estate, Zhao Chuan was personally leading a young man towards his daughter Zhao Yue's courtyard. 

He was very respectful towards the young man even though he was the Prime Minister of the Yan Empire. Because that young man is the famous Divine Doctor Venerable Wang whose name and fame have shaken both the secular and pugilist world since his appearance five years ago. 

No one dared to offend him because no one knows when one will fall sick or get injured and might need him to treat them. So, everyone wanted to build a good relationship with him.

"Mister Wang, this time I have to trouble you. Please save my daughter", Zhao Chuan said in a humble tone.

The young man was walking at a moderate pace. His steps were light and his back straight. He was wearing a fiery red robe with white tassels on it. His hair was held together by a white jade crown and half of his face was covered by a silver mask with vine engravings revealing only his snow-white sharp jawline and thin red lips.

Even though he was wearing a mask, it could not cover his extraordinary temperament and beauty. Zhao Chuan was also quite surprised when he saw Divine Doctor Venerable Wang. He heard from the hearsay that Venerable Wang is a young man but he didn't expect him to be someone in his early twenties. 

"I can't promise you anything now Prime Minister Zhao. I have to first take a look at your daughter", Venerable Wang said.

"Yes, yes, please", Zhao Chaun opened the door and led him in.

Inside Zhao Yue's room, concubine Mu was sitting beside the bed with tears in her eyes. Zhao Yue's whole body was wrapped up in bandage-like a mummy. The white bandages were stained with blood and yellow liquid from the puss. 

The whole room reeked of rotting flesh and medicines. 

When Concubine Mu saw his husband entering the room with a young man, she immediately got up and shouted.

"Why are you so incapable? What is the use of your status as the Prime Minister of the Yan Empire? You can't even invite a Divine Doctor to save our daughter and instead brought a white face young doctor, I tell you…"

"Shut up", Zhao Chaun immediately interrupted her and pulled her aside. 

"Mr. Wang, I'm sorry to have let you see this. Our family had made a joke of ourselves in front of you, I apologize to you", Zhao Chuan nervously bowed and apologize while pulling his wife.

"What are you apolo… what? Mister Wang? Are you that Divine Doctor Venerable Wang", Concubine Mu widened her eyes and shouted.

"Quickly apologize, you stupid woman, what are you doing?", Zhao Chuan reprimanded his wife.

Concubine Mu quickly calm down and bowed down, "Mister Wang, forgive me for my words earlier. I didn't know that the famous Divine Doctor would be so young. Indeed geniuses gain fame at an early age"

Concubine Mu tried to flatter him.

Venerable Wang raised his hand and waved, "I don't mind, I am used to it"

"Mister Wang, my daughter..", Zhao Chaun said.

"Let me first have a look at her", Venerable Wang said as he walked towards the bed.

Zhao Yue was lying on the bed motionlessly and only soft and weak whimpers escape from her mouth. She was tormented severely by the disease these past few days.

"Venerable Wang took out a white glove from the box placed on the bedside table and slowly began to untie the bandages on Zhao Yue.

The stench was becoming stronger and unbearable when the bandages began to fall off.

Even Zhao Chuan and Concubine Mu retreated a few steps back. But Venerable Wang who was close to Zhao Yue did not react. He was still calm and did his work patiently. 

Venerable Wang observed Zhao Yue's body for a while and said, " I can save her but…"

He shook his head. 

"Mister Wang can save her.." Zhao Chaun asked tentatively.

"My daughter can be saved!", Concubine Mu asked as she broke down in tears.

"She can be saved but the scars on her skin will not fade away and her face will likely be disfigured even after she is healed", Venerable Wang said.

"What?", Both Zhao Chuan and Concubine Mu were startled by his statement.

Which girl will be able to take this blow. Having a disfigured face is one of the worst nightmares for every girl.

"wu..wu…", Zhao Yue began to whimper hearing the word disfigure.

At this moment, the servant hurried in and reported, "Master, the Fifth Prince is here to deliver the betrothal gifts to Second Young Miss"

"What? He came personally?", Zhao Chuan bellowed in surprise.

Venerable Wang's hand which was holding the bandage trembled a little.