Chapter 500 The Mortal World

Chapter 2 The Second Day

The next day, Li Man’er went to take the Emperor Chenghua’s pulse as usual.

“His Majesty’s health is no longer in grave danger. He will recover soon,” Li Man’er said as she rose. “This humble woman will go and prepare the medicine.”

“Why should such a small matter as preparing medicine trouble Princess Anning? Let someone else do it.”

Li Man’er glanced at Eunuch Xia, who quickly said, “Princess Anning, please rest assured, this old servant will personally oversee it.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

Eunuch Xia withdrew, leaving only Emperor Chenghua and Li Man’er in the side hall.

“Anning, what has Ninth Brother been busy with recently?”

Li Man’er looked a little embarrassed. “Your Majesty, you’ve forgotten. He’s been busy with his wedding preparations.”

“Ah!” Emperor Chenghua lightly patted his forehead. “I am getting forgetful. The wedding is at the end of the year, and it’s time to start making arrangements. By the way, how is your maternal uncle’s injury?”

Ning Daocheng had finally been released from her spatial dimension and appeared openly before the world.

Previously, A’si had gone to Jiangnan to deliver a letter to the Ning family.

In her letter, Li Man’er had mentioned the suspicious circumstances of Ning Shi’s death and Madam Wu’s betrayal. More importantly, she had told the Ning family that she had found Ning Daocheng in Mobei and had specifically invited her maternal grandfather and uncle to reunite with him.

However, she had made one request. Regarding Ning Daocheng’s return, she did not want to take credit, stating to outsiders that the Ning family had spent a large sum of money to find him.

When the Ning family received this news, they were ecstatic. Ning Liancheng nearly fainted and later took a boat to the capital himself to handle the affairs.

When they traveled from Jiangnan to the capital, as instructed by Li Man’er, they deliberately found a thin, disabled person to impersonate Ning Daocheng. They did not hide him, merely stating that he was being brought to the capital to be treated by Li Man’er.

Thus, through this clever arrangement, Ning Daocheng met his family and reappeared before everyone after many years.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Anning is humbled. My maternal uncle’s eyes are still undergoing treatment. His legs are crippled, and he will likely never walk again, relying on a wheelchair for mobility. However, his hands show promise of recovery. While they may not be as nimble as before, they should regain four to five tenths of their former function.”

Emperor Chenghua seemed satisfied with this outcome. “You must exert your utmost effort in his treatment. The Ning family has rendered great service to the state. If any medicinal herbs are lacking, do not hesitate to request them from the palace.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“I never expected that you, despite your young age, would possess such abilities.”

Li Man’er thought to herself: Here it comes!

“My medical skills are shallow, and I am not worthy of Your Majesty’s praise.”

“Anning, why be so self-deprecating? Duan Xu is not as capable as you, having lived a lifetime in vain. I also heard that you treated the son of Minister Li, is that true?”

Li Man’er nodded. “Yes!” Of course, she knew that Minister Li, whom Emperor Chenghua referred to, was Li Nian. The Iron Gallant Marquis was now paralyzed by a stroke and no longer deserved the title of “Minister.”

“You can even treat the ‘Three Terminations’ illness?”

Li Man’er took a deep breath, striving to maintain a calm expression. “It was merely a stroke of luck.”

“You have quite the audacity, daring to deceive your emperor.” Emperor Chenghua’s expression suddenly changed, and his imposing aura descended, causing the air in the hall to thicken.

Li Man’er had been mentally prepared and immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness.

“Anning would not dare. May Your Majesty forgive my transgression.”

“Dare not! Tell me, how did you cure the young man’s ‘Three Terminations’ pulse?”

“This humble woman, this humble woman…” Li Man’er rested her forehead on the cold bluestone, her body trembling slightly.

Emperor Chenghua was pleased with the display. “Duan Xu said you held something back, and I didn’t believe him. Now it seems Minister Duan’s words were not without merit.”

Li Man’er quickly looked up, her expression a mix of defiance and anger. However, upon seeing Emperor Chenghua’s scrutinizing gaze, she immediately lowered her head and said with feigned guilt, “At the time, treating Qingyan was a matter of necessity. The child was on the verge of death, so I had to try everything. Before treating him, I informed his third uncle and third aunt that I could not guarantee his full recovery. The child was fortunate, like a withered tree blooming anew, with everything revitalized, and thus had a chance to live.”

“What about me! I know my own body best. You and Duan Xu colluded to deceive me before, saying there was no serious issue. How can I be sure I am not critically ill?”

Li Man’er quickly prostrated herself. “Your Majesty, please forgive me. This humble woman observed Your Majesty’s pulse, and it has indeed greatly improved! However, Your Majesty personally led the army in quelling the western rebellion in your early years, and there are old ailments lingering within your body…”

“You have not exhausted your methods.”

“How can Your Majesty’s dragon body be treated with such unorthodox methods?”

Emperor Chenghua, however, said, “What if I insist that you do?”

Li Man’er was stunned.

That evening, the Ninth Prince entered the palace and had a heated argument with His Majesty. The two brothers nearly destroyed the study, terrifying Eunuch Xia to the point of near incontinence.

Li Man’er was selecting herbs in the storeroom when Duan Xu ran over to deliver a message.

“They’re fighting!” The palace was full of informants, but no one would come here at this moment, making it a safe place.

“They won’t fight, don’t worry!”

Duan Xu wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. “This is only because it’s the Ninth Prince. Anyone else might have lost their head by now.” The Emperor’s other princes, they were all princes and grandsons, yet none possessed such spirit!”

“Your Highness, do you really intend to refine elixirs?”

Li Man’er shook her head. “His Majesty is forcing me. I don’t want to. This has happened throughout history! Those sorcerers and Daoist priests, none of them met a good end.”

That was true!

Duan Xu scrutinized Li Man’er for a moment and then quietly asked, “Your Highness, when you have some free time, could you perhaps teach me some of this alchemy? I would like to…”

“Don’t even think about it. Continue being an imperial physician and be careful not to invite trouble,” Li Man’er said, giving him a cold glance. “To put it bluntly, your aptitude is poor, and you are not suited for our sect.”

Duan Xu almost pinched his philtrum to revive himself. That was too cruel…

The following day, Emperor Chenghua had returned to his normal demeanor, and the Ninth Prince had not left the palace, choosing to reside in the Wuwai Palace where he had lived as a child. The brothers acted as if no argument had ever occurred, leaving the eunuchs serving them thoroughly terrified, cowering like quails.

Master Du’e entered the palace again. This time, he did not even meet Emperor Chenghua, going directly to find Li Man’er.

“Amitabha, greetings, Princess. I trust you have been well.”

Li Man’er bowed slightly. “Master, have you been summoned to the palace? His Majesty’s morning court will conclude shortly, so Master will have to wait a moment.”

“This old monk has come to see the Princess.”

Li Man’er was somewhat surprised. “Looking for me?” She wondered if this eminent monk was here to cause trouble. After she successfully refined elixirs, His Majesty might convert to Taoism, and the monk’s livelihood would be threatened.

“Indeed!”

Li Man’er pondered for a moment, then invited him into the side hall and ordered tea to be served.

“Master, please speak your mind directly.” She had heard of Master Du’e’s reputation before. Princess Wuyou had received his criticism, which had led to her becoming the Emperor Dowager’s adopted daughter.

Of course, this was also very likely a behind-the-scenes maneuver by Qi Yihan.

Monks were not truly detached from worldly affairs.