One of the largest ships, flying a banner representing the royal identity of Prince Xia, was embroidered with a fearsome and majestic dragon, its fangs bared and its mouth open.
This vessel was immense, capable of carrying over 200 people. Currently anchored in the sheltered harbor, it loomed like a colossal behemoth.
As the boat ferrying Gu Chaobei slowly approached the grand ship, rope ladders were lowered from the vessel, and Gu Chaobei and his companions ascended.
Gu Qingcheng had no choice but to moor her boat at the side and wait.
Gu Chaobei had not returned since boarding the ship.
Hu Lanfang fretted, "Honestly, what illness could it be? After so much examination, do they need surgery again?"
"There's no surgery planned currently. If there were, Father would have brought out surgical knives and other instruments. Since the cabinet remains undisturbed, there's likely no operation."
Hu Lanfang paused before saying, "Oh dear, what time is it? You must be hungry. Shall we get something to eat?"
Hu Lanfang herself had little appetite, but she couldn't neglect the children. They had to eat on time, and even a half-hour delay in mealtime made her feel guilty.
Mi Guo volunteered to cook, and knowing no one was in the mood for elaborate meals, she prepared a simple pasta.
Hu Lanfang also busied herself squeezing fresh orange juice for everyone.
Mi Guo gulped down a large glass of orange juice, wiped her mouth, and exclaimed, "This is delicious."
Gu Chaobei remained absent from home. As midnight approached, a letter was shot over by bow from across the water.
Upon seeing the handwriting on the envelope, Hu Lanfang recognized it as Gu's. She quickly opened the letter.
Gu Chaobei wrote that he would be delayed for two to three days due to some matters and that his family need not worry, as he would return when the time was right.
How could Hu Lanfang not worry?
The letter's tone was casual, but Gu Chaobei's usual demeanor in times of great events was an even greater show of calmness.
Hu Lanfang held the letter, her face etched with concern.
"I wonder what has happened that they are hounding your father like this? It's so annoying. If only we had quickly sailed away earlier and ignored them."
Gu Qingcheng sighed, "We were caught off guard. If we had known they were still looking for Father, we shouldn't have lingered here and should have headed straight for Phoenix Village."
Alas, there's no buying back time, no compensation for losses, no free lunch...
Mother and daughter murmured to each other, but having received a letter, they felt somewhat more at ease.
Hu Lanfang had no interest in enjoying the yacht's luxurious amenities. She simply took a bath and went straight to bed.
Don't ask why she could sleep. As a doctor's wife, she was long accustomed to her husband working night shifts, and she would sleep even if the sky were falling.
If something truly happened, wouldn't she need to sleep well to have the energy to deal with it?
Gu Qingcheng and Mi Guo, however, were still energetic. After their mother slept, one read a book, and the other watched a drama.
Gu Qingcheng walked onto the deck, gazing at Prince Xia's ship in the distance, and said to Mi Guo:
"Doesn't Prince Xia's ship look rather eerie?"
Mi Guo squinted and replied:
"Indeed, not a single light. It looks like an abandoned ghost ship."
"Your description sends a chill down my spine. But since we encountered them, we've only seen Prince Xia, not the Princess or the young heir. Something feels off, doesn't it?" Gu Qingcheng mused suspiciously.
Looking at the sinister ship opposite them, Mi Guo couldn't help but shiver.
"Now that you mention it, it really is strange," Mi Guo said.
Gu Qingcheng had witnessed too many unsettling events in the past two days, and the entire Prince Xia's mansion gave off a peculiar vibe.
In the past, Prince Xia would have at least made an appearance to boost morale. Why was it always the heir showing up now?
Gu Qingcheng considered a possibility and said to Mi Guo:
"Could it be that the heir, taking advantage of the natural disaster and the ensuing chaos, launched a coup d'état? And perhaps killed Prince Xia, the Princess, and their retinue?"
"That seems unlikely, filial piety is the first of all virtues!" Mi Guo exclaimed in shock.
"Haha, who filled your head with that nonsense? Our filial piety stems from an innate inner gratitude towards our parents for giving us life, for their sacrifices, and for raising us.
But in these noble families, such notions are non-existent, you see.
They only instill these ideas in others while forging their own unconventional paths.
In their eyes, there are only power, money, women, and the pursuit of self-interest. There is no room for affection between father and son.
Consider how many imperial successions throughout history were achieved through usurpation, and how many former emperors became souls claimed by the swords of their successors. You'll understand then."
To be honest, Mi Guo hadn't read many books, but listening to Gu Qingcheng speak, he felt a sense of sudden enlightenment. He asked, confused:
"Sister, what should we do now?"
"If something has indeed happened, let's observe the situation. Our priority is to ensure Father returns safely."
Gu Qingcheng's mind raced.
Gu Chaobei, aboard Prince Xia's grand ship, was also feeling uneasy.
Gu Chaobei said to the heir:
"Prince Xia's current illness is fierce and aggressive. My expertise lies primarily in surgery."
"But you cured my father when he was near death last time, didn't you?"
The heir maintained a polite tone.
"Young Master, you know that each doctor has their specialization; no two doctors are proficient in the same areas.
Last time, Prince Xia's illness was due to external injuries, which is my area of expertise.
But this time is different. I've administered medication, and it's had no effect. I believe traditional Chinese medicine might be more suitable."
Gu Chaobei, though a Western-trained doctor, had some understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine due to the influence of the country he grew up in.
For instance, he recalled a wealthy elder in his nineties who, after taking a long-preserved Hexiang Pill, saw his fever subside and symptoms clear. Gu Chaobei believed in its efficacy.
Especially in this era, TCM's effectiveness should be even greater. The herbs used then were not falsified. They were naturally grown and wild-harvested, without the use of greenhouse cultivation or pesticides, thus possessing potent medicinal properties and offering superior results.
"My father has been experiencing intermittent fevers for over ten days, Dr. Gu. His symptoms were quite similar last time when you saved him. Is he truly beyond help this time?"
The heir, Xia Hui, looked deeply worried.
"Young Master, we've known each other for a long time. If I had a solution, I would never withhold it," Gu Chaobei said sincerely. "The Prince and you have always treated me with great kindness, and I, Gu, will never forget it. I could lie, but for Prince Xia's well-being, I am speaking the absolute truth."
A good steed is easily found, but a good doctor is hard to come by.
The heir hesitated for a moment before relenting. "Since that's the case, I won't press further. Dr. Gu, you may return to your family. I will contact you if there are any changes."
Gu Chaobei felt an immense sense of relief, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
He had feared the heir wouldn't let him go.