Security in the East Wing had been upgraded to the highest level, reflecting the status of its residents.
Gu Jingtian and Zhu Yanyi passed through layers of questioning before entering the private ward.
Inside, a blonde girl lay in bed. She slept sweetly, her complexion rosy and healthy, lacking the pallor of a typical patient. Three people stood by her side: a guard, the royal physician, and a special nurse who also served as a translator.
After introductions, Zhu Yanyi took the sleeping girl’s pulse to check her condition.
About a minute later, Zhu Yanyi released the girl’s hand, stood up, and signaled for everyone to step outside.
Once in the hallway, Zhu Yanyi spoke directly. “Who here has the authority to make decisions?” She did not wish to waste words; she needed to speak with the person in charge.
“Hello, Little Divine Doctor,” said Gana, the translator and special nurse, seriously. “The one who can decide is Duke Peter, Princess Eliza’s fiancé. He is currently away, discussing bilateral development matters with officials from your country.”
Zhu Yanyi nodded seriously. “In that case, we will discuss Princess Eliza’s condition whenever the Duke is available.”
“Can’t you treat her directly now?” Gana asked.
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. “If Princess Eliza were an ordinary patient, I could treat her immediately. But given her status, I require a special document signed by the person who has full authority over her affairs before I can proceed. Otherwise, I cannot treat her.”
International patients often brought complications. Zhu Yanyi was not afraid of complex illnesses, but she dreaded entanglements with family members. Thus, she insisted on clarifying matters with the family first.
“Your princess’s condition is not immediately fatal. So, wait until the Duke is free. We will talk then, and discuss treatment after.” Zhu Yanyi spoke bluntly.
It was suspicious that someone of Princess Eliza’s sensitive status was hospitalized without a decision-maker present. Even if there were external affairs, a representative with authority should have been left behind. The current situation, relying on messengers, was another reason Zhu Yanyi refused to treat her at that moment.
“Very well. I will contact the Duke immediately.” Gana realized the Little Divine Doctor would not act that day.
As Zhu Yanyi and Gu Jingtian left the ward, Gu Jingtian asked, “What is wrong with Princess Eliza?”
“Senior Brother, have you heard of the Sleeping Curse?” Zhu Yanyi smiled slightly. As a shamanic doctor, she believed Gu Jingtian would know of such things.
“The third special curse in shamanic medicine, the Sleeping Curse?” Gu Jingtian looked at her. “You mean Princess Eliza has been hit by the Sleeping Curse?”
The Sleeping Curse was a top-tier shamanic spell, ranking among the top three. Victims appeared physically healthy but gradually increased their sleep duration. It started with sleeping for over ten hours a day, eventually progressing to sleeping for years. Without proper nutrition, they would starve to death in their sleep.
It was essentially a form of euthanasia. However, some considered this method too cruel, so it fell out of use. The cruelty lay in the uncertainty: no one knew if the victim would wake up years later. If declared dead and buried, waking up would mean being buried alive. Thus, it was classified as a cruel curse.
Gu Jingtian frowned slightly. “Shamanic medicine is an ancient Chinese medical tradition. How did such a person end up in Country A?”
Zhu Yanyi rolled her eyes. “Don’t ask me. I don’t know the details. I once read a miscellaneous note saying Country A’s ancestors were actually capable people from our side of China. But I don’t care if it’s true or false. Besides, I don’t need to know who the shamanic doctor is. I’m just curious how Princess Eliza offended a shamanic doctor.”
“Given Princess Eliza’s rumored personality—cheerful, gentle, and pure—she shouldn’t have offended anyone,” Gu Jingtian speculated. “Perhaps the curse was placed in a grave, and she accidentally triggered it.”
The royal family of Country Y valued etiquette and upbringing. Even if they hated someone, they would not openly offend them.
Zhu Yanyi said calmly, “That is why I do not want to treat her now. I need to understand the cause and effect.”
“Do you think Duke Peter definitely knows the cause and effect?” Gu Jingtian asked.
“It doesn’t matter if she knows or not. They must have the responsibility to bear the consequences. I will not idly break a person’s curse. I also don’t want to do good deeds that backfire and harm myself.” Zhu Yanyi was not afraid of shamanic doctors, but she did not want to offend one for a stranger.
Princess Eliza and Duke Peter were members of Country Y’s royal family. They had no connection with Zhu Yanyi. She had no reason to save someone without cause. Even with a kind heart, she would not help someone for nothing.
“I don’t know if the Duke knows about the Sleeping Curse. But since she is not present in the princess’s ward to make decisions, nor has she sent a representative with authority, I will not treat her.” Zhu Yanyi looked at Gu Jingtian. She knew she understood her meaning.
Gu Jingtian naturally understood. To break a shamanic curse, someone had to bear the backlash. If Zhu Yanyi broke it without authorization, the backlash would fall on her or her loved ones. Therefore, she would not easily save someone. If someone with authority signed a shamanic agreement, the backlash would affect the signer or their relatives, having nothing to do with Zhu Yanyi.
Princess Eliza’s status was special. Such a patient should naturally have family members present to make decisions. Yet, aside from a special nurse, a bodyguard, and a family doctor, no decision-makers were present. This seemed abrupt.
Gu Jingtian even suspected that Duke Peter knew about the Sleeping Curse. That was why he avoided the situation—to escape bearing the backlash.