Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 370 Mutual Restraint
Li Zhao carried Xue Sui into the bedchamber, his movements very gentle, as if she were not a person, but a fragile glass cup that would shatter completely at the slightest bump.

The hall was brightly lit.

The Crown Prince's physician Zhang Huaicheng and several imperial physicians, who had been waiting for orders, stood at attention, holding their breath. When they saw the pale face in the Crown Prince's arms, they all felt a chill.

this is not……

Miaozhen of Shuiyue Nunnery?

How could the prince hold a monk in his arms like a precious treasure?
The imperial physicians looked at each other, their eyes filled with astonishment and doubt.

Only Zhang Huaicheng dared to step forward, his voice tense: "Your Highness, we are ready and can provide assistance at any time."

Li Zhao nodded expressionlessly, and only after carefully placing the person on the couch and tucking in the blankets did he straighten up and sweep his gaze over them with a deep look.

"I am entrusting the people to you."

What was just an ordinary sentence sent chills down Zhang Huaicheng's spine.

The weight in those eyes was immense; it was an entrustment, but also a silent pressure—failing to save them could be fatal.

The imperial physicians were also deeply concerned and bowed in unison.

"I obey your orders!"

Tian Shu followed closely behind, put down his heavy medicine box, and strode forward.

His usual cold expression appeared even more solemn at this moment. He bowed to everyone and then got straight to the point.

"Gentlemen, my name is Shu, a wandering physician who happened to be at the Xue residence just now. The poison that Lady Xue and the Sixth Miss were afflicted with entered their bodies rapidly, causing symptoms of paralysis of the internal organs, mental confusion, and depletion of vital energy. The toxicity is insidious and domineering, unlike anything seen before. The most urgent task is to identify the source of the poison so that we can prescribe the right medicine..."

Zhang Huaicheng said solemnly, "I have long admired Doctor Shu's reputation. Today's matter is urgent, so we must work together."

The imperial physicians looked grave, each with their own doubts.

On one side is a wandering doctor whose origins are shrouded in mystery.

On one side is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, representing the authority of medical expertise...

An invisible pressure surged silently beneath the surface.

Zhang Huaicheng adjusted his sleeves, leaned forward, and carefully examined Xue Sui's complexion and wounds.

The imperial physicians suppressed their discomfort at having their authority challenged, gathered around to diagnose the patients, and discussed the matter in hushed tones.

"This poison is truly insidious; once it enters the body, it disappears and confines one to a corner—it's quite strange..."

"Judging from his weak breathing and the fact that his internal organs seem to be paralyzed, yet he still retains some life force, it doesn't seem like a sign of impending death..."

"The wound is bluish-purple, but it hasn't spread, which is strange..."

Tian Shu pondered upon hearing this, his gaze falling on Xue Sui, who was barely breathing on the bed, and said softly:

“Just now I took the pulses of Lady Xue and Miss Liu respectively, and the symptoms of their poisoning seemed somewhat similar to the ‘Boiling Blood Powder’ recorded in ancient books, but they were not entirely the same… Boiling Blood Powder spreads rapidly, and after the poison enters the blood, the skin will definitely turn bluish-purple. Lady Xue’s symptoms are similar, but Miss Liu’s wounds are bluish-purple, but her skin does not show this sign. Therefore, I am wondering if this poison… or if it is combined with something else?”

He spoke at a steady pace and with clear logic.

Having said that, he glanced indifferently at Physician Liu.

"May I ask if the Imperial Medical Academy has any records of such a potent and rare poison?"

Physician Liu frowned and pondered, "There is indeed a record, but as Doctor Shu said, her symptoms are slightly different from those of the Sixth Miss, making it difficult to confirm..."

Tian Shu turned his head, his gaze falling once again on Xue Sui.

At this moment, her head was not covered by a hood, and her newly grown hair was pure white.

“I have another question…” Tian Shu cleared his throat, his tone uncertain but every word guiding, “Is Miss Xue’s full head of white hair caused by an old ailment, or is it a sign of poisoning?”

Zhang Huaicheng glanced at Li Zhao, "It's Snow-covered Dry Osmanthus. Its cold poison has invaded the marrow and damaged the hairline."

Tian Shu feigned sudden realization and nodded, "That's it then, no wonder..."

Physician Liu stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes flickering and his expression becoming somewhat strange, as if he were pondering something...

Zhang Huaicheng turned to look at him, bowed slightly, and said, "If Physician Liu has any ideas, please speak frankly?"

Physician Liu composed himself, a barely perceptible hint of tension flashing in his eyes.

"Snow-covered poison is extremely cold. Accumulated cold damages the body and harms the hair marrow, which is why Master Miaozhen's hair turned white prematurely... And this poison is as fierce as fire. The two poisons, when they clash, seem to restrain each other... Perhaps this is why Master Miaozhen did not show any signs of purplish-blue skin..."

Zhang Huaicheng's eyes suddenly lit up. "That's absolutely right. One hot and one cold, one violent and one stagnant, should be like ice and charcoal in a furnace, colliding violently and aggravating the injury... But although Master Miaozhen's pulse is dangerous, the stagnation and blockage have been relieved... It's as if the cold poison in her internal organs has been stimulated by the strong poison, showing some signs of being shaken?" He said it without much certainty.

The imperial physicians were also very surprised and suspicious.

This discovery is too bizarre.

Tian Shu's gaze, however, remained remarkably calm...

The imperial physicians' words only confirmed the vague idea that had been in his mind.

He slowly looked at Xue Sui's white hair, then at the strange bluish-purple tinge on her fingertips.

"So, Sixth Miss's white hair is actually a blessing in disguise? And the cold poison in her body has become a buffer?"

Zhang Huaicheng shook his head: "Although it's a buffer, it's still extremely dangerous. The internal organs will be torn apart sooner or later..."

Physician Chen said, "Since cold and heat are battling each other, should we first resolve the cold toxin or break the heat toxin?"

Physician Liu frowned: "If we treat the cold poison first, the potent poison will attack the heart like a runaway horse in an instant..."

The imperial physicians nodded repeatedly, but none of them spoke first to prescribe the medicine.

Tian Shu said at the opportune moment, "There is no time to lose. Please, all the imperial physicians, devise a solution that satisfies both sides..."

Zhang Huaicheng looked at him, "In Dr. Shu's opinion..."

Tian Shu bowed modestly, "In my opinion, the best course of action is to first remove the poison using a prudent method, supplemented by a tonic to strengthen the body and protect the heart. The Sixth Miss's pulse is weak and slippery, but her constitution is extremely resilient. If we proceed slowly, there will surely be a chance for a turnaround..."

The imperial physicians all nodded in agreement.

Clearly, they all prefer safe and conservative treatments.

Li Zhao stood with his hands behind his back beside the couch, remaining silent.

Until Tian Shu raised his eyes and looked at him intently.

Li Zhaocai said, "Let Doctor Shu take the lead. If Ping An is awake, she will believe you."

This means that Ping An trusted in Him. Therefore, he also chose to trust in Him.

It has nothing to do with authority, but only with understanding and respecting that person's will.

A slight ripple appeared in Tian Shu's eyes, which then returned to solemnity.

He accepted the order and took the opportunity to search for clues. "I thank you, Imperial Physician. Please consult all the detailed medical records and antidote prescriptions of the Imperial Hospital regarding similar potent poisons. Perhaps you can find some clues and trace the source of the poison..."

"Physician Chen, please prepare Si Ni Tang, add old ginseng and decoct it to prolong life and strengthen the body's vitality."

After saying that, he turned to Zhang Huaicheng, "Imperial Physician Zhang, please take good care of Lady Xue. Stabilize her life first, and use acupuncture to strengthen her body and prevent the poison from further affecting her heart..."

Tian Shu calmly assigned tasks, revealing a composed demeanor.

Finally, he looked at Xiao Zhao, whose face was full of anxiety.

"Once all the medicinal herbs are prepared, boil three bowls of water down to one bowl of medicine. You need to watch the brewing process."

Xiao Zhao nodded vigorously, "This servant understands. I must stay by your side at all times and ensure the cooking time is perfect."

Although the imperial physicians still had doubts, they had no choice but to follow their instructions and get busy.

Zhang Huaicheng followed Tian Shu to the outer room to prepare the medicine and couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Doctor Shu, what school do you follow? I've observed that your diagnosis and prescription are quite unusual, unlike the usual medical methods."

Upon hearing this, Tian Shu paused slightly, without raising his head, and said indifferently, "A country quack doctor who happened to obtain a strange book, nothing worth mentioning. Doctor Zhang is too kind; saving lives is the most important thing."

His tone was distant and polite, clearly indicating that he did not want to talk much.

Zhang Huaicheng looked at his handsome profile, shook his head, suppressed his many questions, and devoted himself to the intense treatment without saying another word.

Xue Ji's situation was more dangerous than Xue Sui's.

Her breath was so weak it was almost nonexistent, and her body twitched intermittently. Zhang Huaicheng administered acupuncture and gave her an antidote pill, barely managing to maintain that sliver of life that could be cut off at any moment.

Soon, only the clinking of utensils, the turning of papers, and the bubbling of the medicine furnace remained in the vast hall.

Tense yet orderly.

(End of this chapter)