The Grand Princess's eyes brightened considerably upon hearing Bai Sheng's words. She lowered her voice, "To be honest, Miss Bai, I do have something in that regard. However, I must ask that Miss Bai keep the source of this item, and the contents of our conversation today, strictly confidential."
Bai Sheng patted her chest and laughed, "Your Highness can rest assured. This humble woman is merely a merchant from a farming background. How would I dare do anything detrimental to Your Highness?"
"Very well, then I shall not trouble Miss Bai any further. We shall meet tomorrow at Xi Shi at the Han Gonghou Manor," the Grand Princess said, standing up and hurrying out. As she walked, she cast wary glances around her.
"Alright," Bai Sheng replied respectfully, "This humble woman will see Your Highness out."
After the Grand Princess departed, Bai Sheng informed Lu Ye, Mei Fei, and the others about the purpose of the Grand Princess's visit.
Mei Fei exclaimed, "The Grand Princess is asking Xiao Sheng to treat a face? For so many years, I've never heard of anyone important to the Grand Princess suffering from disfigurement."
Imperial Prince Yu also frowned slightly, "Indeed. Furthermore, this person must be quite important to her for the Grand Princess to personally come here. They must be very significant to her."
"Regardless, let us keep this confidential for now. We will understand more when we go tomorrow," Bai Sheng cautioned.
Granny Wu advised, "Sheng'er, tomorrow, after you see the patient, if you are not confident, do not take the case. I have a feeling that the Grand Princess is not a simple person."
"Yes, I understand, Master. Rest assured," Bai Sheng smiled.
"Aunt Qing, how much do you know about the Grand Princess?" Lu Ye asked Mei Fei, stroking his chin.
Mei Fei replied softly, "The Grand Princess and the Eldest Prince are full siblings. Her mother was an orphan, and also the Emperor's first love. Perhaps, as the Emperor's first daughter, the Grand Princess is deeply doted upon by the Emperor. At least on the surface, the Grand Princess is gentle, magnanimous, amiable, and polite, earning the favor of both the court and the harem. However, still waters run deep. The Grand Princess cannot be as detached from worldly affairs as she appears. In those days, her mother was so abandoned and trampled upon by the Emperor; it's impossible she holds no grudges, even though she was only five or six years old then."
"What is the Grand Princess's relationship with her brother, the Eldest Prince?" Lu Ye inquired further.
Mei Fei knitted her brows, "It's hard to tell how close they are on the surface, but the Grand Princess dotes on the Eldest Prince's eldest son."
"How old is the Eldest Prince's eldest son?" Lu Ye asked, his eyes showing contemplation.
"Thirteen or fourteen," Imperial Prince Yu said. "That child is very intelligent, possessing both courage and strategy."
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng exchanged a look.
At Xi Shi the next day.
Lu Ye drove the carriage and delivered Bai Sheng to the gates of the Han Gonghou Manor punctually.
Bai Sheng, carrying her medicine box, approached the main gate. After announcing her identity to the guards, she was led into the manor by a guard.
Lu Ye drove the carriage to the side of the street, sat in front of it, and waited quietly for Bai Sheng. Even though he wore a mask, passing women couldn't help but glance at him. Even without seeing his face, his demeanor and physique were quite attractive. Annoyed, Lu Ye finally retreated into the carriage.
After the guard brought Bai Sheng into the manor, she was handed over to a grey-robed嬷嬷. The 嬷嬷, with a composed expression and steady demeanor, bowed to Bai Sheng, "This old servant, Mama Cai, greets Miss Bai. Please follow this old servant to see the Grand Princess."
Upon hearing Mama Cai's name, Bai Sheng immediately thought of steamed buns and almost burst out laughing. Mama Cai subtly assessed Bai Sheng from the corner of her eye, inwardly astonished. Even daughters from official families would be somewhat reserved and timid when meeting the Grand Princess. Yet, this young girl, from a farming background, was so relaxed and at ease. Was it ignorance, or genuine confidence?
After navigating winding corridors, Bai Sheng was led to the Grand Princess's separate residence. The Grand Princess ordered Mama Cai to dismiss everyone else. Only Mama Cai remained in the courtyard, tasked with preventing any sudden intrusions.
Bai Sheng finished a cup of tea and exchanged pleasantries with the Grand Princess before being led to the bedchamber. The inner chamber of the bedchamber served as the Grand Princess's dressing cabinet and vanity. The Grand Princess opened a wooden wardrobe, revealing a small hidden door. Bai Sheng was greatly surprised by this action, but she maintained a calm expression. Who among the prominent families didn't have a secret room or hidden compartment? It was normal. However, hiding a person inside was very abnormal.
The Grand Princess turned back, her expression serious, "I hope Miss Bai will maintain secrecy regarding everything that transpires today."
Bai Sheng nodded, "Your Highness can rest assured."
When the small door was opened, it indeed led to an underground chamber. Descending the many steps, Bai Sheng saw a room decorated with meticulous cleanliness and warmth. On the back wall of the room, a small square hidden window was opened. A person shrouded in a black robe sat motionless in a wooden wheelchair, gazing at the daylight filtering through the hidden window, appearing as if petrified.
The Grand Princess turned and lit several candelabras before approaching the wooden wheelchair. She asked softly, "Are you feeling comfortable today?"
"Xuan'er, do we have a guest today?" The person in the wooden wheelchair had a low, hoarse voice, but it was still recognizable as belonging to a woman of considerable age.
The Grand Princess smiled, "Today's guest is the doctor I mentioned earlier. She is very skilled at treating skin conditions, and she will definitely cure you."
The person in the wheelchair nodded, "Then let her try."
Bai Sheng said softly, "I apologize, Your Highness. May I examine the patient's condition? If the difficulty is too great, I might... not be able to guarantee a cure."
A flicker of hesitation crossed the Grand Princess's face. She walked to Bai Sheng and took her hand, saying sincerely, "Miss Bai, to be frank, the patient's treatment is indeed quite difficult. For years, I have sought countless renowned physicians in secret, but none could provide a cure. However, I believe Miss Bai can. You managed to make Xin Yao more radiant than before after her face was ruined; I believe Miss Bai can also cure this patient. Rest assured, the compensation I offer Miss Bai will be most satisfactory."
Seeing the Grand Princess's sincere plea, Bai Sheng could only reluctantly nod, "Then... I will try. Please ask the Grand Princess to remove her robe so I can examine the situation first."
The Grand Princess walked to the wheelchair, gently stroked the woman's head, and then slowly removed the floor-length black robe. Bai Sheng gasped as she looked at the person seated in the wheelchair, her entire body instantly breaking out in goosebumps, and her stomach churning, almost causing her to vomit. The woman in the wheelchair was covered in irregular, bumpy indentations and protrusions. Not a patch of her skin was intact, as if she had been flayed and then doused with concentrated sulfuric acid. It was truly shocking to behold! Bai Sheng had tried her best to control her reaction, but it was still quite pronounced. The person in the wheelchair saw Bai Sheng's reaction and, with a sinister grin, broke into a horrifying smile.