Chapter 72 The People of the Nineteenth Family!

  After a big snowstorm, the capital's Ying Tian Fu seemed to have gotten several degrees colder.

  In the first seven days of summer, except for going to Liangyishuo with Sun Zhengye to discuss timing, she was in the two ear rooms of Chengde Temple with Li Mo. She fiddled with her medicine bottles, while Li Mo stared at her doing things most of the time, and one person was quiet enough to have no voice.

  After waiting for three days, no one from Dong Gong came, but on the fourth day, a letter was delivered by Jin Gong.

  Guessing that Zhuo was a fool who had received news, Xia Zhongqi happily took leave of Sun Zhengye and pulled Li Mo out of the Jin Wangfu in a hurry.

  This time, the messenger gave them another address, not the previous one where people and snakes were mixed together in Jinxiu Building.

  Deep in a bluestone path on Danfeng Street, there is an unadorned residence commonly seen in the suburbs of Yongtai Prefecture. From the outside, it doesn't have any distinctive features, and the old gate appears somewhat worn out. There are two white poplar trees at the entrance, and inside, one can faintly hear the gentle cooing of pigeons.

  Knocked three times on the door, it opened.

  A silly-looking young man poked his head out and took a look at the two of them.

  "Who are you two looking for?"

  Li Mian replied offhand, "Let's have some snacks and drinks. I'll ask the master of the house to join us for a drink."

  This sentence is a bit strange, Xia Qi heard it and was confused, not quite understanding what it meant, but roughly guessing that it was a phrase from the Jianghu world, and couldn't help but admire Li Mo. Sure enough, as soon as the young man heard it, his guard dropped, and his expression immediately relaxed, with a full-on Jianghu-style fist bump.

  "The master of the house is inside, two brothers are invited."

  This is a three-entry courtyard, and the space is quite spacious.

  As soon as he entered the inner chamber, he drew a black and gray curtain, and at a glance saw Yuan Xing lying in bed nursing his illness.

  He was still robust and strong, lying on the not-too-wide bed, taking up more than half of it, like a small hill, his whiskers seemed to have grown thicker and darker, but his complexion looked rosier, obviously he had been well taken care of during these few days, and his spirit was quite good. When he saw Xia Chuyi and Li Mo enter, he covered the wound on his abdomen and tried to get up.

  "Are the two of you here? Please sit down!"

  Xia Zhong Qi hurried over and stopped him.

  "Brother Yuan, don't be like that! You're lying down, we're all brothers from the same family, being polite is just a formality!"

  Yuan Xing knew that Li Miao was a woman, but didn't know that Xia Chuqi was also a woman. His eyes went back and forth between the two of them several times before he gave his order in a loud and clear voice.

  "Second Tiger, aren't you going to serve our honored guest some tea?"

  The one who led them in was Er Hu Zi, who smiled and nodded, then brought up two cups of tea. It's unknown whether it was because she had been spoiled by Zhao Zhu in the Jin Wang Fu, but Xia Chu Qi just took a slight sip, and even if she didn't understand tea, she couldn't help but exclaim that the tea from the Jin Wang Fu was indeed fragrant.

  She put down the teacup, asked a few concerned questions about Yuan Xing's injury, personally sat over to take his pulse, and seeing that there was no major problem, instructed a few sentences before hastily turning to her main concern.

  "Yuan Ge, you asked us to come, but have there been any updates on my foolish son?"

  Yuan Xing was a straightforward and generous man, with no twists or turns in his stomach, he nodded as soon as he was asked.

  "Yes, there is news."

  Summer begins on the seventh day of the first month, "Where is he?"

  She asked too urgently, Yuan Xing was stunned for a moment, but shook his head, "I also got the news only yesterday evening. A few days ago, some of my brothers and the salt gang worked together to transport private salt. At the ferry terminal in Yiling State, they encountered something. It is said that an idiot jumped off the boat and was later rescued by someone. At that time, the ship was noisy, but my brothers just watched the excitement and didn't dare to get close because it was an official ship."

  "What's next? Brother Yuan, is it confirmed?"

  "I'm not sure if that man is the fool you mentioned, but I found him early this morning and he described someone who resembles your description. However, according to my brothers, the people on that official boat are all big shots who can't be messed with?"

  "A great man, but... is it Ning Wang?"

  Yuan Xing slightly stunned, his eyes flashed, "I don't know."

  At the beginning of summer, Xia had already guessed 70 or 80% in her heart. Upon hearing this, she smiled slightly and didn't ask him hastily.

  "Then, Brother Yuan, does your brother know where that ship is headed?"

  Looking at her, Yuan Xing shook his head again.

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, she slightly closed her eyes and took out the silver ticket that Zhao Mianze had given her a few days ago from her bosom.

  "Brother Yuan, this is just a small token of our appreciation. Once we find the person, we will definitely express our gratitude again."

  She originally thought it was because the money wasn't enough, but Yuan Xing intentionally made a show of it. However, he didn't expect that Yuan Xing didn't want the money at all. With a flustered face, he pushed his hand away and said apologetically, "Brother, you and Mo Er are my lifesavers. I, Yuan Xing, will never forget this kindness that's as heavy as a mountain. If it were just a matter of my own life, I would have helped even if it meant sacrificing myself. But now that this matter involves the imperial court... I must consider the well-being of my brothers under me. Even ghosts are afraid of being exposed to light; people in our line of work can't afford to get involved in imperial matters. I think you understand my difficulties."

  Of course I can understand.

  The underworld is formidable, but they don't dare have a real shootout with the police.

  On the seventh day of summer, she retrieved the silver ticket and put it in her bosom, then smiled slightly.

  "Brother Yuan is being polite, it's already important that you can tell me this news."

  "The little brother is a generous person." Yuan Xing half leaned on the bed, as if he had let out a sigh of relief. But when he said this, he suddenly thought of something and hesitated for a moment, "There's another thing, my brothers previously heard that there was someone else looking for that fool too."

  "Another person? Who?"

  Yuan Xing seemed a bit hesitant to say it, but after she asked again, he considered and lowered his voice.

  "It seems like someone from the King of Jin's side, but I don't dare confirm."

  Xia Chui's face changed slightly for a moment, and after a while, she spat out another mouthful of air.

  "That's good."

  Li Mo understood what she said, but Yuan Xing was completely baffled.

  "Brother, what kind of person is this idiot in your family?! He's actually able to attract the attention of both Prince Ning and Prince Jin?!"

  She smiled lightly and said with a pretentious air of nonchalance, "Who else could it be? Just an ordinary commoner, probably just a bit more handsome than usual. Since both the Ning King and the Jin King have a fondness for men, I reckon they've taken a liking to my family's fool. This person is handsome, but it's too dangerous."

  "It's also like that..."

  Yuan Xing nodded in agreement, while Li Mia looked up at the ceiling.

  ……

  ……

  Two people bid farewell to Yuan Xing, left the courtyard, and Xia Chui still hummed with satisfaction.

  If Zhao Yu knew she was talking about him like this, would he want to kill her?

  "Chu Qi, why are you always so cheerful?" Li Mo suddenly stared at her and asked.

  She gave her a sly smile and batted her eyelashes, Xia Chuqi chuckled and said "Guess what?"

  Li Mian obviously didn't have as good a mood to guess, and she pursed her lips and stopped making any more noise.

  "You're such a boring person! Didn't I tell you? One should enjoy life to the fullest!"

  Xia Chuqi patted her shoulder heavily, struck a pose with an air of elegance and refinement, and smiled with curved eyes.

  "Why am I so happy? It's because I just found out that he was also helping me find a fool..."

  She said this and didn't wait for Li Mo's response. Suddenly she stopped, thought for a moment, and then shook her head eerily.

  "No way, would he do a good deed without leaving his name? He didn't tell me, he must be thinking of cheating me out of my money. No way, I have to make preparations in advance, or else when I find such a big living person, I won't be able to marry him."

  Li Mian glanced at her strangely, "He doesn't rob you of your silver, I'm watching you and you're almost ready to give yourself away."

  She gave her a glance, and Xia Chuiqi smiled again, happily curling up the corners of her mouth.

  "Hey, why haven't you grown up yet?"

  "At fifteen, you can get married." Li Mo's face had a hint of coolness, as if blown by the cold wind, and also as if disturbed by some hidden emotions. "Just remember, Ah Chu, what I said before: if he doesn't give you a name, no matter how well he treats you, don't give yourself to him, or your whole life will be ruined. A woman's family reputation is more important than her life."

  "Alright, alright."

  Girls in love are always happy.

  At the beginning of summer, Qī Chōng glared at her with a scrunched up face, then turned his head away, stealing a glance at Lǐ Mò's pale face, which was as white as a piece of paper, and let out a sympathetic sigh.

  "Sister, I found that Yuan brother seems to have a crush on you, what do you think?"

  Li Mian was neither surprised by her words nor did he have any other reaction.

  "There is no idea."

  Xia nodded at 7 o'clock, "Also, he's a man who licks blood from his knife, following him won't bring peace either, forget it."

  Li Mo looked up at the sky and didn't answer her.

  After a while, just when Xia Qi thought she was going to get angry again, she said quietly, "I don't despise his background, but my heart is like still water and can't be entrusted to others."

  "Is your heart as calm as still water? Are you still thinking of that man in your heart?"

  As for Li Mi's mysterious "that man", Xia Chuyi was a bit puzzled - couldn't figure it out.

  "Hey, I'm curious, who is that guy of yours? You said he was gone last time, did he die or... what happened to him?"

  Li Mian no longer looked at her and walked away with big strides, his posture very relaxed.

  She has been pretending to be a man for so long that she gradually got into character and became more and more like a real man.

  "Hey!"

  Looking at her slender back, Xia Chuiqi couldn't help but laugh and feel annoyed.

  As usual, whenever she mentioned "that person", no matter how she asked, Li Mo pretended he hadn't heard.

  She finally gave in.

  "Freak!"

  ……

  ……

  Good luck depends on Feng Shui, and it will squeeze out a nest.

  Just returned to the Jin Wang Fu, another good news came again.

  The people who came to pay respects on the seventh day of the first month of summer in the Eastern Palace have arrived.

  Zhaoyou wasn't at home today, she went to the imperial court early in the morning, and she didn't need to ask for his leave.

  Today is the sixth day of the first month in the twenty-fifth year of Hongtai, and all the government departments have resumed their normal order. He also became busy with them. To say that the current old emperor is a diligent person who makes all officials secretly resentful, not only are there few days off for rest, but besides the morning court, there will also be noon court and evening court, and he personally handles all kinds of miscellaneous matters, not willing to delegate power to others at all. In recent years, he abolished the Chancellor's office and the Prime Minister's position, and only set up six departments, if this doesn't exhaust him to death, it would be enough for him to be remembered for eternity.

  Xia Ziyu left a message for Zhao Zhu at the General Manager Tian Fu's place, then carried the medical box with Li Mo and boarded the sedan chair to pick her up from the East Palace.

  The Crown Prince's mansion is located within the imperial palace, and compared with other princes, the Crown Prince also belongs to another privileged class.

  Other princes would move out of the palace after coming of age, but the crown prince did not need to do so and could continue living in the imperial palace.

  The palace of the crown prince is located in the east and is also called Donggong. It basically consists of Wenhua Hall.

  The horse-drawn carriage entered from the Donghua Gate, where the Imperial Guards checked the waist cards for entering the palace. After passing through the Donghua Gate, on the right side is the Wenhua Hall, which is also the office of Crown Prince Zhao Zhen.

  But now Zhao Ke is useless.

  Looking at the red wall and green tiles, Xia Chui's heart was racing with excitement.

  The sky is dark and gloomy, the palace is deep and distant, and at a glance it seems that there is no end in sight.

  With every step she took, she felt that she was one step closer to uncovering the truth of the "Wei Guo Gong An" case.

  "Dr. Chu, this way, please."

  He dismounted and got down from his horse, then a small eunuch named Anzi bowed and led the way ahead.

  Compared with the Jin Wangfu, the Eastern Palace's defenses seem even more severe, with armored and sword-wielding Imperial Guards patrolling everywhere.

  In the midst of those crisp footsteps, Xia Chui's mind was filled with unsolved puzzles that made her brain, apart from being excited, exceptionally clear-headed.

  Carrying the medicine box, she tried to walk with ease, not daring to let anyone notice the emotions in her heart - those belonging to Xia Chu, which were constantly surging and fermenting as she entered the East Palace.

  This was originally the place where Xia Chu wanted to get married. Her sorrow, her grievances, and the face she had gazed at the red wall with were all deeply etched in her mind. Every step she took felt like treading on a painful spot. That silly, quiet girl seemed to be standing on Mount Cangying again, looking at the endless red walls of the East Palace, before fluttering away like a butterfly.

  Don't be in a hurry!

  She calmed down and silently comforted those who were "hard to console".

  Because she knew that every step she took now might be perilous.

  But one day she will make the people here...

  Let those who have lost their conscience, those who have done evil...

  One by one, the hypocritical and shameless masks are lifted, revealing the ugliness inside...

  "Minister of Chu, please sit down for a moment and wait for Duke Huang to summon you."

  The Crown Prince's entourage had clearly grown much larger, and the little eunuch led them into the outer chamber of the palace, where they took their seats, were served tea, but still had to wait for summons.

  They were sitting idly, and Anzi was a likable person. After going in for a while, he brought over the medical records of Crown Prince Zhao Ke to let Xia Chuyi understand his condition.

  The medical records have become very thick.

  Those who personally wrote down medical records have almost all lost their heads.

  Xia Zhong Qi furrowed his brow, page by page, but couldn't find anything with any therapeutic significance.

  Because the imperial physicians who treated him before all seemed to be imitating each other's writing style, they all wrote down the same medical record, which can be summed up in two words: "wind and cold". Can a mere wind and cold really make it impossible for the crown prince of a dynasty to be cured? Can it make dozens of imperial physicians in a hospital helpless? The possibility is clearly zero.

  "How is it?" Li Mian asked in a low voice.

  On the seventh day of summer vacation, he put down his medical case on the desk and gazed at her absent-mindedly, but a complex light flickered in the depths of his eyes.

  I want to go to the restroom.

  Her answer was irrelevant.

  Fortunately, Li Miao had already understood her style of doing things. Generally speaking, when there were some inconvenient words to say, she would talk about something else, looking like a person without a regular shape.

  Li Mo looked at Anzi who was waiting by the side after exchanging a glance with her.

  "Little eunuch, would you mind asking, how much longer until we can see the prince?"

  Anzi's attitude was very friendly, "Have to wait for Huang Gonggong to summon."

  Li Mo let out a soft "oh" and asked again, "Say, where is the restroom?"

  The air in the prince's mansion seemed warmer than outside, not so cold, and the ground was clean and dry, without a trace of snow. Under Xia Anzi's leadership, they bypassed a corridor and entered a latrine, where Xia Chuyi looked around and then gave Li Mo an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

  "Sister, next move is yours."

  Li Mian's expression was calm and collected, he just nodded at her slightly.

  "You can rest assured and go."

  He half-closed his eyes, and Xia Qiuli gave him a thumbs up, then casually let out a "high-end pee" before walking out of the toilet.

  "Chu Qi..." Li Mo suddenly stopped her.

  She turned around, but heard her say, "Be careful."

  Xia didn't say a word and gave her an "OK" gesture instead.

  Li Miao understood what it represented and slowly made a similar gesture back at her.

  "Haha..."

  At the beginning of summer, Xia Qī almost burst out laughing. She didn't think it was funny when she was doing it herself, but seeing Li Mò wearing a traditional costume and making an "OK" gesture with such a serious expression, she couldn't help but laugh. Li Mò looked puzzled, and Xia didn't explain to her either. After leaving the restroom, she walked towards Xiao Anzi, who was carrying her medical box, with a smile on her face and took the box from him.

  "Thank you, young master."

  "Dr. Chu, your medical box is really heavy."

  "That's... a lot of stuff." Xia Chun Qi smiled, "Let's go."

  An softly exclaimed "huh", Xiao Anzi looked back behind her.

  "Officer Chu, where is your attendant? Why isn't he around?"

  At the beginning of summer, she raised the corner of her mouth and mysteriously hooked her hand at him. When Xia Anzhi leaned over to listen, she smiled softly.

  "Big."

  "Huh?" Xiao Anzi didn't understand.

  "Pulling out... feces..."

  Xiao Anzi was taken aback for a moment, then nodded understandingly. Xia Chuqi smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

  "He spends half an hour each time he goes to the toilet, and the turds he produces can fertilize half a mu of land... Let's go first, don't bother about him, otherwise when the prince summons us later and can't find me, you'll be blamed."

  A scoop of porridge irrigates half an acre of land...

  That Xiao Anzi was stunned by her words.

  It wasn't until the seventh day of summer that she didn't expect to see a familiar, smiling face as soon as she walked to the entrance. The crown prince hadn't summoned her yet, but she saw a stunningly beautiful face with a gentle smile, wearing a gorgeous red dress that seemed to be surrounded by a fiery aura. Her scattered hair lightly touched his high-quality satin clothes, giving off an indescribable seductive beauty.

  Eastern Blue Vastness! ?

  She had lived two lifetimes, but every time she saw him, Xia Qi thought to herself - this bastard was the most delicate man she had ever laid eyes on, his skin so good that it made women want to chop him up.

  Unlike Zhao Yun's heroic and majestic appearance, he was actually gentle and handsome.

  "Chu Xiao Lang, we meet again."

  It's obvious that Dongfang Qingyun has been waiting for her here.

  Walking over at a leisurely pace, Xia Chuqi's eyes narrowed into slits like a fox.

  "Grand Commander, you're here too? Today's official duties aren't busy, got some free time?"

  Eastern Qingxuan's smile was extremely faint, her voice extremely soft, "Busy! But I've been thinking about you every day, Chu Xiaolang, and waiting for you to take me in as a concubine, yet there's no news from you. Today, I heard that you came to diagnose the prince's illness, so I came to ask you, are you going to abandon me after playing with me?"

  Xia Qi Qi almost thought she saw a ghost after being startled by a dry cough.

  What's going on with this nonsense?!

  His brain must have been pinched by the door, and it's specified that it wasn't just once, but again and again.

  "Governor, you must be joking! How could someone as coarse and unrefined as I dare to have designs on a noble personage such as yourself?"

  Hooked that one tender pink lip that made all the girls jealous, Dongfang Qingxuan's eyebrows burst open.

  "Chu Xiao Lang is probably still unaware, I judge people, and have never looked at appearances. Because under the heavens, there won't be anyone born more beautiful than me!"

  Narcissist!

  She was secretly mocking in her heart, but Dongfang Qingxuan didn't even look at Xia Chuzi, who was scared stiff, and with a swing of his bright red sleeve, he pulled Xia Chuzi to his side, dragging her several zhang away before spinning her around in a circle, then tightly pressed her against the wall, his tall figure blocking hers, lowering his head and speaking in a low voice.

  "Leave the East Palace immediately, and you will have a way out."

  In the early summer of the seventh month, Zhao Mianze naturally knew that the cheap person who invited him to the East Palace to treat his illness did not have any good intentions. However, Zhao blocked her and she could understand it as concern. What does this Dongfang Qingxuan mean?

  She raised her head, lifted her eyes, smiled slyly, and asked very bluntly.

  "What the Grand Commander said, how could I, a junior, possibly understand?"

  "What's wrong?!"

  She slowly stood up, her head still lowered, one hand propped against the wall, blocking Xia Chuqi's face and her own expression, once again restoring her previous languid and seductive appearance.

  "Didn't Duke Jin of Wang remind you? Don't take the lead in this matter?"

  Of course reminded.

  But she didn't need to tell him.

  At the beginning of summer, Xia Jiuzi blinked her eyes and felt that looking at his fiery red clothes was almost enough to blind her, and she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

  She pressed her hands hard on his chest, and in a low, angry voice, she hissed.

  "You go first and talk, do you understand what is called politeness?"

  He didn't answer her, and Dongfang Qingxuan let out a soft, enchanting laugh again.

  "I'll send someone to escort you back right away and tell them you suddenly fell ill..."

  "You're so anxious, your whole family is anxious..." Xia Chun's face was covered with a big red robe, and he couldn't help but laugh again, curling up the corners of his mouth. "General, you care about me so much, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. Honestly, what are you plotting? The crown prince is ill, and all the people in the country are worried, as a doctor, I should do my best to help him, why did you say that, making it sound like the East Palace is a den of dragons and tigers?"

  "It's not a dragon's lair or a tiger's den." Dongfang Qing's eyes narrowed, "But sooner or later it will cost you your life."

  "Has the Grand Commander not heard? A timid person has a small fortune. The illnesses that the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital cannot cure, if I can cure them, then promotion and wealth will soon follow."

  Dongfang Qingxuan smiled coldly and then composed himself, speaking word by word.

  "Even if cured, it's still death. If not cured, then surely death."

  Is there such a thing?

  On the seventh day of summer, I suddenly understood Zhao Zun's meaning.

  Can the Eastern Blue Dragon...

  She slightly tilted her head, slanted her eyes and calmly sized him up.

  "Stop pretending to be kind! Do you really care about my life or death? Don't be ridiculous, who would believe that? Tell me, why?"

  His eastern blue eyes, like pale amber, flickered slightly, bringing out a faint smile, but unable to conceal that hint of extremely faint mockery.

  "I've told you before, your value is beyond what you can imagine. That's why you cannot die."

  "Since I have human value, since I cannot die, naturally I will live well. Commander, don't bother yourself, you should take care of yourself and stop causing trouble for the common people, your merits are few and your virtues are lacking."

  "Why are you so stubborn and unyielding?"

  "Great Commander, I just want to smile and tell you that the stories in fairy tales are all lies..."

  Eastern Qing Xuan raised an eyebrow, listening to something incomprehensible, while Xia Chuqi smiled and narrowed her eyes, taking the opportunity to push him away. She took a long breath of cool air, originally wanting to stretch again, but then heard Xiao Anzi's coughing sound.

  "Cough, Chu Medical Officer——"

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, he glanced sideways and saw that a stout and short old eunuch was standing at the door. He seemed to be displeased with the two big men doing such indecent things in broad daylight, and he flicked his dustpan with a look of discontent, humming heavily before speaking in a sharp and shrill voice.

  "His Highness requests your presence."

  ……

  ……

  Not yet entering the crown prince's bedroom, on the seventh day of summer, she smelled a strong medicinal scent.

  Pungent and foul-smelling.

  Judging from her innate sensitive sense of smell, it seemed that there was also a scent of wormwood.

  Are they disinfecting?

  The guards outside are so strict, is it isolation?

  "As soon as she heard the word 'epidemic', she became even more spirited."

  Fortunately, she was well-prepared and had taken antiviral medication. She also made herself an improved mask and a pair of gloves, which could prevent some infection.

  She looked past the hanging curtain.

  All that could be seen was a beautifully carved and intricate yellow rosewood bed, on which lay a man.

  She guessed that it was Crown Prince Zhao Ke.

  On the seventh day of summer, he stood outside the curtain with his feet planted firmly on the ground. Before anyone had even approached him, that yellow-robed official let out a displeased hum.

  "Haven't you gone to pay your respects to His Highness the Crown Prince yet?"

  It's been a long time since I last knelt down to someone, Xia Qi is a bit unaccustomed.

  But a person under another's roof cannot avoid kneeling down, this principle she understands very well.

  She put down the medical box, first made a bow to the sickly-looking boy, then slowly walked past under the gaze of Huang Gong's beady eyes.

  The closer you get to the bed, the stronger the smell of mugwort.

  The curtains have been drawn up, and the person wrapped in the brocade quilt is none other than the current crown prince.

  But having just glanced at him, Xia Chuyi almost jumped up.

  A hand as thin as a skeleton hung beside the bed, with knuckles bulging like an eagle's claws. His face was also devoid of any fleshiness, with deep eye sockets and sunken cheeks, his entire person presenting a withered and pale appearance.

  Of course, she was a doctor and had seen all sorts of unsightly patients. Zhao Ke's appearance was pitiful, but not to the point where it made her want to jump up.

  What really shocked her was that the person lying on the sickbed had a familiar face. Although he was pale and thin, it almost subconsciously reminded her of someone - Ah Si.

  That's right, the fool looks just like the current noble prince, especially that nose, forehead and thick lips, more like Zhao Mianze than him...

  The Duke of Ning catches a fool, and the fool looks like the Crown Prince. Is it just a coincidence?

  A flash of inspiration suddenly dawned on her.

  Could it be...

  "Hurry up and take his pulse, what are you staring at?" The eunuch shouted in a low voice as he saw her not moving.

  With a apologetic smile, she put aside those thoughts and sat down on the stool prepared for her at the bedside, carefully taking the wrist of the man who was either asleep or awake.

  She looked around quietly for a while, then furrowed her brow and turned her head to look at the yellow-robed old man.

  "Your Excellency, may I investigate the situation with His Highness the Crown Prince?"

  "How bold!"

  Huang Gonggong drank unhappily and then, as if afraid of waking up the prince, lowered his voice, with disdainful emotions filling his eyes.

  "Your Highness is of noble birth, how can you be looked at casually by someone like you?"

  He's just a dying man, what's there to be proud of?

  On the seventh day of summer vacation, Xia was secretly scolding in her heart, hating these pretentious rules, but had to force a smile.

  "Your Highness, please calm down. I have examined the pulse of the Crown Prince and found it to be fine and wiry. The damp-heat evil has probably invaded his kidneys, and the damp toxin has flowed into his sinews and bones. I suspect there are other pathological changes in his body. His throat is sore and swollen, and his tongue is swollen below. I would like to examine his mouth and body further to make a definitive diagnosis and administer treatment accordingly."

  That eunuch Huang had followed Crown Prince Zhao for a long time, but the crown prince had been ill for so long that he had seen many famous doctors, yet not one of them could cure his illness. He had lost hope in these doctors long ago, so how could he possibly put any faith in Xia Chuqi, a young and inexperienced physician?

  With his hands clasped together, he spoke in an official tone, his voice shrill, "This matter our family cannot take charge of. The eldest grandson has instructed us not to let the doctor trample on the body of the crown prince at will, it's better if Dr. Chu doesn't make things difficult for our family..."

  A short and stout man holding a chicken feather as a commanding arrow.

  How can you confirm that you have contracted a disease without looking at the lesions on your body?

  She was just about to retort when she saw the person on the bed move slightly.

  "Huang Mingzhi..."

  The voice was like it hadn't been used for a long time, rough and hoarse, like a fish out of water, sounding very dry.

  He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Xia Chuqi for a few moments, his gaze seeming to be dazed.

  "You are..."

  "Your Highness." Xia Qiuran, who had already considered him as a senior in his own household, gritted her teeth and knelt beside the bed. "I am Chu Qi, a good doctor from the Jin Wang Fu, and I have been ordered by the Crown Prince to come and diagnose Your Highness's illness. As it is difficult to determine the condition through pulse diagnosis, may I ask you to remove your clothes for a physical examination?"

  "Is it the old nineteenth house?"

  Zhao Ke murmured weakly, but Xia Chuqi's ears turned red.

  The Lao family of nineteen...

  Hehe, this title made her heart warm, "Yes, it's from the 19th Master's house."

  After panting for a few breaths, Zhao Zhen thought of sitting up, but he was powerless. In a low voice, he instructed, "Huang Mingzhi, help me get up."

  "Yes, Your Highness."

  That winter melon is still called Huang Mingzhi? Not intelligent at all.

  Under Huang Mingzhi's support, Zhao Ke leaned against the head of the bed with a soft cushion behind his back.

  He wore his nightclothes, with a pale complexion, looking about forty years old. His long hair was all combed back to the top of his head, and his gentle eyes also had some resemblance to Zhao Mianze.

  Smiling at Xia Chuyi, he panted and asked, "Is it Chu'er?"

  A sudden sentence scared Xia Chuqi a big jump, and even Huang Gonggong was frightened.

  "Your Highness, he is a good doctor from the Jin Wang Fu."

  Zhao Zhen coughed heavily, his breathing was a bit tight, and his voice wasn't very clear.

  "Am I seeing things?"

  He paused for a moment and looked at Huang Gonggong again, "Help this palace take off its clothes..."

  "Huang Mingzhi hesitated, 'Your Highness, you have a weak body and can't withstand the wind...'"

  "Are you not going to listen to what I have to say?"

  Zhao Zhuo's body was originally weak from his long illness, and when he got angry, he became agitated, and his whole body shook. Huang Mingzhi's face turned pale as he hastily helped him calm down, not daring to delay any further. With gentle hands, he carefully undid Zhao Zhuo's robes, revealing a skeletal frame that was all skin and bones. He took one glance, then lowered his head, not daring to look again.

  "Hurry up and let His Highness examine you?" He could only whisper to Chu Qi.

  As a doctor, Xia Chuyi felt some sympathy for this patient.

  Things are getting out of hand!

  Even with all the curtains drawn in the house, she looked and looked but still couldn't see very clearly.

  "Trouble Huang Gonggong, bring the lamp over, it's too dark in the house."

  That Huang Gongzi glared at her again, helped Zhao Ke lean back, and then went to light the lamp. With the bright light of the lamp, Xia Chuyi finally saw the lesions on his body clearly.

  It's almost as bad as she thought, no, it's even worse than she thought.

  Only his shoulders, back, chest and limbs were covered with pus-filled blisters, and some atrophic scars. His whole body was red and dotted, looking very itchy to the eyes.

  "Your Highness, open your mouth and stick out your tongue."

  That yellow old man was about to yell when Zhao Ke had already cooperated and opened his mouth, sticking out his tongue.

  On the seventh day of summer, she put on a "mask" over her mouth, biting it tightly, and her body felt a little numb.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, his lips and oral cavity also had ulcers, which should have spread to the tonsils and throat.

  She asked a few more questions about his condition and combined with the symptoms on his body, she could basically confirm that it was - syphilis.

  No wonder all the medical records only dared to write "wind and cold", who would dare say that the current prince actually got a venereal disease? In order to avoid the prince's identity, apart from not being able to disclose the true condition of the illness in the medical records, even the imperial physician had to intentionally use some auxiliary medicines to deceive people. This is also why Dongfang Qingyun said "even if you cure it, you will die, and if you can't cure it, you will die too".

  This gonorrhea thing is caused by unclean sex, as the crown prince, he has contact with many women, which one wouldn't be dirty? Why would he get this filthy disease?

  "The doctor from Chu just speaks straightforwardly."

  Zhao Ke was like a person who was about to die, had already made mental preparations, and his voice was very calm.

  "Your Highness, you don't have a cold, but rather Yangmei disease."

  It was probably the first time he had heard of this disease, Zhao Ke was stunned for a moment before forcing a smile.

  "Hmph, I knew it wasn't just a cold... You're the first doctor who dares to tell the truth."

  He paused slightly and didn't wait for her response before asking, "Is Yangmei disease curable? Is there a way to treat it?"

  Avoiding his gaze, Xia Chuqi thought for a moment before responding.

  "It is a contagious disease, with an 80% chance of cure."

  His syphilis symptoms have passed the second stage and are developing into the late stage. In an era without penicillin, using only traditional Chinese medicine to treat late-stage syphilis has a very small chance of cure, and the treatment cycle is extremely long. It's estimated that before the disease is cured, someone will want to kill her. However, even if she understands the severity of the situation, she doesn't dare tell him the truth directly.

  Everyone values their life, and the prince is no exception.

  She only said that as long as one has confidence in oneself, life will be long.

  Zhao Zhu was taken aback, and then let out a dry, low laugh.

  "All the imperial physicians who took my pulse before said that it couldn't be cured..."

  So didn't those imperial physicians get killed by the old emperor to silence them?

  Listening to his gentle voice, Xia Chuqi suddenly felt that the person in front of her seemed not as despicable as she had imagined. Although he and Zhao Mianze shared a common trait - both appeared gentle and kind-hearted. However, perhaps it was his smile that looked too silly, making Xia Chuqi feel that he looked more sincere when smiling.

  And the way he looked at her, although he was a patient and seriously ill, did not show any despair, but rather a kind of optimism and contentment that made her feel a little envious.

  A person like this, if he were an emperor, should be a benevolent ruler, shouldn't he?

  Alas, he unfortunately contracted syphilis!

  She didn't make eye contact with him again and stood up respectfully to bid farewell.

  "Your Highness, I will go and prepare the prescription now."

  Just two steps away, unexpectedly heard Zhao Ke shouting, "Wait, Officer Chu."

  Xia Chuqi glanced at him and returned to her seat, "Is there anything else Your Highness would like to instruct?"

  Zhao Ke looked at her and suddenly waved his hand at the yellow old man, "You go down first."

  Huang Gong was shocked, "Prince..."

  "Get out!"

  Although others were ill, their dignity was still there. Huang Donggua didn't dare to make another sound and retreated with his head down. Zhao Ke turned around, just looking at her wearing a "mask" that looked a bit strange, and remained silent for a long time.

  It was quiet on the seventh day of summer, and there was no sound in the inner room.

  "I won't live for much longer, yet you still want to come and cheer me up?"

  He suddenly said an opening remark, Xia Chuyi thought for a moment, but just smiled.

  "Your Highness, don't say that, there is still hope for healing, it's just that the process will be a bit long, I'll definitely find a way..."

  "No need to say anything nice..."

  "Your Majesty, I really didn't," Xia Chuyi said, pausing for a moment, his eyes flashing slightly. "Another thing, Your Majesty, as a doctor, I must remind you that all the women in the palace should be thoroughly examined to see if anyone has contracted this disease..."

  She admitted that she had thought of the Crown Prince's wife, Dongfang Amur, very much.

  Zhaoyi weakly waved her hand, and it was easy to understand what she meant. "No need, I haven't touched them for a long time before I fell ill..."

  Didn't even touch a woman and still got sick, did you go whoring around?

  There's a question in my heart, but it's one that can't be asked...

  Unexpectedly, Zhao Ke stared at her and suddenly trembled at the corner of his lips, "You look very much like your mother..."

  In the early summer of July 7th, her heart skipped a beat, but on the surface, she wore a faint smile without making a sound.

  "Your Highness spares me, but I really don't understand your meaning. And you, do you also know my mother?"

  "Chu Er, as soon as I look at you, I know that you've deceived me."

  I didn't expect the prince to directly confront her, not giving her any chance to explain. As she looked at his increasingly weak hand, she was thinking about how to respond when he continued, "As for what happened to your father back then, I also tried to stop it, but unfortunately, I was on a mission from the Emperor in Xi'an Prefecture at the time and didn't make it back to the capital in time before the incident occurred..."

  Isn't he quite close to Xia Chu's father?

  But no matter what, Xia Qi Qi cannot admit her true identity at this moment.

  "Is the Crown Prince referring to the Seventh Miss of the Wei State Duke's Manor? This is a long story, and I am not her. Earlier, Grand General Longsun also had suspicions..."

  "Manze?"

  "Yes, it is indeed Prince Changsun."

  He let out a breath, somewhat panting, "Are you surnamed Xia? Your given name is a single character 'Chu', taken from the Book of Songs. Chu chu refers to thorns, meaning to remove its prickles... Chu, it's an appearance..."

  Chu Chu was a thorn, and thorns grow grass. So, Xia Chu changed her name to Xia Cao?

  "But, Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding, I truly..."

  "Chu Er..." The crown prince's pale face seemed to have some blood in it, but also looked even more confused. He continued talking to himself, not caring about her defense, as if he hadn't chatted with anyone for a long time. Breathlessly, he said, "Your marriage to Mian Ze was arranged by me and your father... I don't believe your father would collude with Li Chengren to rebel against the Northern Di, but the evidence is conclusive! Mian Ze is my own son, born with a pure and kind nature, I trust him..."

  When he mentioned that matter, Xia Chuyi simply shut her mouth.

  Neither acknowledge nor deny, let's see what he can come up with.

  But unexpectedly, Zhao Ke changed the subject as soon as he said that.

  "Chu Er, if Meng Ze treated you like that back then, would you still be willing to marry him now?"

  Marry Zhao Mianze? On the seventh day of summer, she hated him so much that she wanted to stab him to death, and now marry a ghost?

  Her body tensed up for a moment, but she still had a smile on her face, looking like a doctor who was just discussing the case.

  "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please do not overexert yourself. Your illness will definitely be cured. I, a humble official, dare not speak falsely, nor can I say it is one hundred percent certain, but the hope is extremely great - please believe me."

  Zhao Ke smiled suddenly, "Alright, I believe you. After all, I still trust you..."

  What does it mean? It's inexplicable!

  At the beginning of summer, he estimated that his brain was a bit confused.

  He went on, mumbling another even more obscure sentence, "I've lived this life, it seems like I've lived too long. I've been waiting for that day, waited for a long time, always waiting, my hair is almost white from waiting. Can't live, can't die, can't even get to the Yellow Springs, right? Don't know if there's an afterlife, don't know if we'll meet again."

  Listening to his incoherent narrative, Xia Chuyi suddenly plucked up her courage.

  Looking back, he saw that there was no one in the bedroom, so he lowered his voice and asked, "Your Highness, have you ever lost a son?"

  Zhao Zhen's eyes widened in surprise, and he stared at her for a long time as if he had understood, then shook his head.

  On the seventh day of summer, Xia's disappointed eyes drooped down, and he was about to retreat first, but then he heard him let out a weak sigh.

  "This palace has never lost a son, but it has had a son die. The eldest son of this palace... Mianheng, he died before the age of eight."

  "So, is Crown Prince Changsun the eldest legitimate son?"

  She asked with some urgency and a hint of surprise, but after asking, she felt something was off, and Zhao Zhen was staring at her strangely.

  Fortunately, the strange mask on her face blocked some of her expression, so she wouldn't look too emotional. So she smiled awkwardly.

  "Your Highness, please forgive me, I was momentarily curious."

  She thought he wouldn't answer, but after a moment of silence, Zhao Ke spoke up, "Yes, Mian Ze is the second son... But Chu Er, how did you know this secret?"

  What's up?

  Would you easily tell others?

  Xia Zhong Qi smiled slightly and reminded him, "Your Highness, it was you who told me."

  Zhao Ke let out a soft "oh" and turned away, as if she didn't have the energy to speak, waving her hand weakly.

  "Go on, Dr. Chu..."

  “……”

  Another change of title.

  Is he sober or drunk?

  When Li Qiye came out with a puzzled look on the seventh day of summer, Li Mi had already been waiting outside for a long time. The two looked at each other and didn't say much before sitting down to open the prescription.

  Still spoken by Xia Zhongqi and written down by Li He.

  "Glycyrrhiza 5 parts, Astragalus 3 qian, Poria 3 qian, Phellodendron 1.5 qian, stir-fried with salt water, Rehmannia 4 qian, Fritillaria 1.5 qian, Mung bean skin 3 qian, Lonicera 3 qian, Anemarrhena 1.5 qian..."

  She made three sets of medicinal soups and external treatments for skin problems, and after they were ready, she watched as Zhao Zhuo took them. She also personally demonstrated how to treat the wound infection, then instructed Huang Mingzhi on what medicine to use in different situations. Finally, she carefully explained hygiene, disinfection, and prevention of infection issues to him before leaving the East Palace with Li Mo.

  She let out a sigh of relief.

  Never saw Dongfang Qingyun again.

  Of course, he also didn't notice Dongfang Amu who had been wanting to see her true appearance.

  It was still the same carriage, and it drove out of Donghua Gate again along the original route.

  The coachman outside was a person from the East Palace, and Xia Zhicheng didn't have the chance to ask Li Mo about what happened with the matter he went to take care of. He could only play with the gold ingot he had just received in his arms, feeling very happy in his heart.

  I actually got a gold ingot, it's so cool!

  She has even more money now...

  From time to time, she would take out the gold ingot and glance at it, swing it in front of her eyes, and listen to its sound. She suddenly found that things like gold and silver were more likely to arouse her interest and possessiveness.

  As expected, she is indeed the unbeatable Little Overlord of Greed!

  Humming a little tune cheerfully, under Li Mo's gaze of repeated disdain, she was considering how to quietly stash this money away, without letting Zhao Zhu get his hands on it.

  Before she could gather her thoughts, the carriage had already stopped in front of the Jin Wang Fu.

  She was just about to get off with Li Mo when they heard Tian Fu's voice outside the curtain.

  "Has Dr. Chu returned?"

  On the seventh day of summer, he still had a good impression of this general manager. With a smile, he lifted the curtain and said, "General Manager Tian is looking for me, what's the matter?"

  On Tanaka's round face, a flattering smile that never changes with the seasons.

  "The doctor from Chu has just sent someone back and said that he will be late returning to the mansion today."

  He came back later, why tell her?

  Hey! Alright! It's okay if she comes back later, she has enough time to digest the gold first...

  Xia Zhiqi curled up the corner of his lips, "I understand, thank you Director Tian."

  Never thought that Tian Fu would smile and say, "Grandfather also instructed, please ask Chu medical officer to wait in the Chengde Temple, do not allow random running, when Grandfather returns, you must fulfill your promise."

  Promise? What promise?

  Xia Chuqi thought for a moment, and her ears suddenly turned red, which was also expected.

  "Got it."

  The words had barely fallen when a bigger blow came.

  "Grandfather has entrusted me, Doctor Chu, you must bring your gold and silver..."

  Digression

  Roar, forgive me for not understanding love. Only today did I learn that ordering a special price book, 100 yuan can get an evaluation vote, and 1,000 yuan can get a monthly ticket. It seems that some sisters have spare yuan that can't be spent, so they can go to the special price area to order books and grab votes for Er Jin (the special price area only needs yuan, no need to spend Xiangxiang coins, daily check-in sisters, more yuan, now Android and Apple systems can both check in - those who don't know can join the group and ask other sisters, Jin Gong Comprehensive Group [36138976], Medical Consort V Group [385060371]).

  Note: After voting, you can get a few more tickets, thank you for your support, muah muah.

  PS: Still that old monk - chanting away, Amitabha, come from the moon ticket bowl!

  Acknowledgments:

  Dear [18735913010], [сhen小Yīи￡23_09], and [201314gcm], congratulations on upgrading to Yuan, Wooden Horse dear, thank you.