There was no alternative at this point. Qingcheng had fallen into the hands of the superstitious old Master Gu, and to save Qingcheng, they first had to save Prince Xia and make themselves his saviors.
"Brother, I'll trust you this once. Don't let me down!"
After a period of silence and contemplation, Boss Zhang finally spoke.
His tone had shifted from the formal "Mr. Gu" to "Brother," subtly indicating another layer of change and progression in their relationship.
"Don't worry, we won't harm you. My husband is a renowned physician; he can definitely save Prince Xia."
At this moment, Hu Lanfang, following her husband's lead, quickly began to sing his praises.
To be called a divine doctor, Gu Chaobei was far from deserving such a title in modern society.
However, in ancient times, treating an injury or illness was a piece of cake, a simple matter of lifting a finger. This was all because he possessed the ultimate weapon that no physician of this era had: antibiotics.
Of course, it all depended on the progression of Prince Xia's illness. If it had truly reached a critical, incurable stage, even divine intervention would be futile.
Therefore, when Gu Chaobei declared he would save Prince Xia, he was also risking his own head.
"Alright, then I'll help you find someone who can bring you to the Princess Consort."
Boss Zhang gritted his teeth and made his decision.
This matter involved Prince Xia. If he gambled correctly, his status in Jinsha City would soar.
But if he gambled and lost, he might lose everything.
However, Boss Zhang was quite the gambler. Back when he left his northern village at eighteen with nothing, he had managed to establish himself to his current respectable position. He was not a man who would shy away from difficult decisions.
The greater the risk, the greater the reward.
This was an opportunity for his family to completely turn their fortunes around. Boss Zhang understood this principle deeply. Thus, he resolutely made up his mind, placing his bet on Gu Chaobei for a grand gamble.
Amidst everyone's anticipation, Boss Zhang, accompanied by Gu Chaobei, boarded a carriage and headed towards Prince Xia's mansion.
Before they left, Gu Chaobei insisted that Hu Lanfang not accompany them. He said:
"You wait here with Mr. Sun. Chat with Sanniang later and wait for me. I will definitely complete the mission and rescue Qingcheng.
It would be inconvenient for you to come along, and you can act as an outside contact here. If anything happens to me, you can still find a way to rescue Qingcheng from the outside."
After speaking, Gu Chaobei handed all the silver he had on him to Hu Lanfang, fearing that if he were somehow trapped in Prince Xia's mansion, Hu Lanfang would be left without money.
The silver he gave Hu Lanfang amounted to over twenty taels. It wasn't that they were short of money; it was just that when they didn't need to spend much, the silver was stored in Gu Qingcheng's cabinet.
Hu Lanfang knew the gravity of the situation. At this moment, she could only be strong and not break down in tears, adding to her husband's immense pressure.
So, she forced a smile and said:
"Alright, I understand. Don't worry, I'll wait outside for you to return."
Gu Chaobei suppressed his sorrow and turned to leave.
If he didn't leave now, he would also start weeping.
This turn of his back might mean a farewell that was akin to death, their future uncertain.
They might rise to prominence again!
Or, their family of three might be separated by life and death, forever lost to each other.
Watching Gu Chaobei's retreating back, Hu Lan forcefully held back her tears.
I can't cry!
It's inauspicious!
She had to believe in her husband!
Her daughter would surely be saved!
On the way, Boss Zhang mentioned that he happened to know the steward in charge of purchasing coal for Prince Xia's mansion and that they had an excellent relationship.
It went without saying that such a relationship between a purchasing steward and a shopkeeper would involve kickbacks and mutual benefits.
Upon arriving at Prince Xia's mansion, Boss Zhang alighted from the carriage. Instead of using the main entrance, he led Gu Chaobei to the back gate.
Boss Zhang skillfully slipped a silver ingot to the gatekeeper, asking him to relay a message to Steward Zheng that he had something important to discuss and wished to meet him.
The gatekeeper, weighing the silver, which was about an ounce, told them to wait outside and indeed went inside to find the steward.
After a considerable wait, Steward Zheng finally appeared hurried. He looked unwell. Seeing Boss Zhang, he offered a perfunctory greeting and said:
"Boss Zhang, why are you looking for me so late? I'm busy inside and can't talk for too long."
"Steward Zheng, to be frank, how is the Prince's health?"
Boss Zhang, observing his demeanor, asked.
"Alas, to tell you the truth, his condition is not good. He probably won't make it through the night. The doctors have already been blunt with the Princess Consort, and there's a lot of crying in the mansion right now.
It's because of our many years of brotherhood that I'm secretly telling you this. You mustn't speak of it outside."
Steward Zheng cautioned.
"If there were a divine doctor from beyond the world who could save the Prince, could you introduce him to the Princess Consort?"
Boss Zhang's words were like a thunderclap, making Steward Zheng tremble.
"Is there truly a divine doctor from beyond the world who can save the Prince? Are you not deceiving me? Who? Where?"
"Steward Zheng, this is the divine doctor, Mr. Gu. He heard about the Prince's illness and volunteered, saying he can definitely save the Prince."
Even though Boss Zhang still harbored some disbelief in his heart, he put on a confident demeanor, patting his chest as he spoke.
"If he can truly save the Prince, brother, I owe you a tremendous favor. All the coal needed by the Prince's mansion in the future will come from you."
Steward Zheng stared sharply at Boss Zhang, as if trying to discern if he was being deceitful.
"Is this something one can joke about?"
Boss Zhang replied calmly.
"Alright, if the Prince is saved this time, even the Princess Consort will surely reward you handsomely. Enough of the pleasantries. Mr. Gu, please follow me."
Steward Zheng was a decisive man. He immediately led Gu Chaobei into the courtyard.
Birds of a feather flock together. Like Boss Zhang, Steward Zheng was also making a grand gamble.
As long as Mr. Gu could save the Prince, as the one who introduced him, he would likely become the chief steward of the Prince's mansion soon.
Moreover, Steward Zheng trusted his judgment. At this moment, anyone who dared to step forward and claim they could save the Prince must have some extraordinary skills. No one would risk their life in jest.
Therefore, Steward Zheng acted swiftly, placing his bet on Gu Chaobei, whom he had just met.
Boss Zhang naturally could not follow them in. Gu Chaobei asked him to return and inform Hu Lanfang that he had gone to see the Prince and that she should rest assured.
Boss Zhang understood and left.
Gu Chaobei followed Steward Zheng, walking deeper into the Prince's mansion, through winding paths and courtyards adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, past pavilions and towers – a clear sign of a wealthy household.
The mansion was immense. They walked for a good twenty minutes before reaching the Prince's residence.
Along the way, Steward Zheng also briefed Gu Chaobei on the Prince's symptoms. Hearing these descriptions, Gu Chaobei became even more confident.
"Princess Consort, I have important news to report. Greetings to His Highness and the Princess Consort. There is a divine doctor who can save His Highness."
Upon reaching the Prince's sleeping quarters, Steward Zheng immediately knelt on the ground and asked the maids in the Prince's courtyard to report.
The servants, who had not even paid him much attention initially, were stunned to hear that a divine doctor capable of saving the Prince had arrived. Their attitudes changed dramatically, and they hurried inside to report.
It was already past eight o'clock in the evening. Gu Chaobei, kneeling on the ground, could faintly hear intermittent crying from inside, as if the Prince was on the verge of death.
He feared that if he were any later, the Prince's life might be lost.