Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Saving the Emperor
334 Treating the Emperor
Judging from how others addressed him, Zhao Zhitong knew this must be Prince Xiao—Xiao Jinyi—whom Qiao Muchen and the others had been talking about.
Hearing Xiao Jinyi’s words, Princess Anping lifted her eyelids slightly and finally nodded. "Jinyi is right. Treating the Emperor is the top priority!"
Immediately, they wanted Zhao Zhitong to treat the Emperor.
However, this treatment method might indeed offend His Majesty. Therefore, Zhao Zhitong was well aware of the consequences if she failed to save the Emperor.
The choice of Crown Prince had not yet been decided, and now the Emperor had fainted and remained unconscious. The entire Great Zhou Dynasty was in a state of turmoil, with the ever-present threat of descending into chaos.
Lord Zhang and Song Renying held high expectations for Zhao Zhitong.
However, at the same time, many members of the Xiao Clan did not wish for the Emperor to regain consciousness, so they voiced their opposition to Zhao Zhitong providing medical treatment.
Their reasons were simply that Zhao Zhitong was merely a countryside physician, or that her proposed treatment was a folk remedy, unsuitable for the ruler of a country.
In the end, only under the strong guarantee from Lord Zhang and others, who even staked their lives, was Zhao Zhitong finally permitted to treat the Emperor.
Originally, Zhao Zhitong truly hadn’t been very nervous. But suddenly, the lives of the two Elders pressed down on her like two great mountains, making her shoulders instantly feel heavy. Her heart clenched with tension as well.
When Zhao Zhitong’s gaze fell upon Song Renying, he waved his hand and nodded at her with certainty. "Go ahead."
Just two simple words, exuding complete trust.
Zhao Zhitong nodded. After taking a deep breath, her entire demeanor changed in that instant.
She went to the table, picked up a brush, and quickly wrote down a prescription, which she handed to Princess Anping. "Princess, these are the medicinal herbs and the quantities I need."
After receiving the prescription, Princess Anping immediately ordered people to prepare the medicinal herbs according to it and then asked, "What else do you need?"
Zhao Zhitong replied, "I also need a room with sealed doors and windows, and four medicine braziers to be placed at the four corners of the Emperor’s bed, each guarded by a maidservant..."
To save the Emperor, Zhao Zhitong didn’t hesitate to trouble the Princess with her requests. She clearly explained everything she needed and finally stated, "During the fumigation, no one must be allowed to disturb the Emperor. If His Majesty awakens after six hours, then the treatment will have been a success."
The princess noted Zhao Zhitong’s instructions and issued orders one by one. Instantly, the entire Imperial Palace bustled with activity.
The Emperor’s personal attendants removed all his clothing. He was then placed on a wooden bed in the center of the room, and medicine braziers were positioned at the four corners of the bed.
Once everything was ready, Zhao Zhitong inspected the windows and door seams. She ensured there was no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and that the treatment would allow the Emperor’s pores to open. Then, she closed the door and left.
Princess Anping, Duke Gong, Lord Zhang, and a group of other ministers did not leave. Instead, they guarded outside the hall, waiting to confirm the Emperor’s well-being at the earliest possible moment.
Of course, Zhao Zhitong, the physician, also had to remain.
Time passed, bit by bit, and the people waiting outside grew increasingly anxious.
Even Elder Zhang and Elder Song, men who would remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before them, now had beads of sweat on their brows.
In truth, Zhao Zhitong was also very nervous. She wasn’t entirely sure if this method could actually awaken the Emperor; she couldn’t be one hundred percent certain.
If the Emperor didn’t wake up, her head would roll.
However, she didn’t let it show. She was the physician, after all. If even she appeared worried, the others would likely lose all hope.
Therefore, she pressed her lips tightly together, stood quietly to one side, and maintained an appearance of calm.
"What time is it now?" Princess Anping asked.
A servant immediately replied, "Your Highness, three hours have passed."
Princess Anping nodded and said no more.
It’s been so long.
Zhao Zhitong mentally calculated the time. No wonder her legs ached from standing so long.
Xiao Jinyi, who had been standing inconspicuously to the side, tilted his head and glanced at Zhao Zhitong upon hearing the time.
Unexpectedly, the young lady was quite composed.
This young lady is extraordinary.
This was his first impression of Zhao Zhitong.
However, it was only a brief moment of surprise before he averted his gaze.
Meanwhile, Qiao Muchen and the others waiting at their lodgings were as restless as ants on a hot pan.
They went out from time to time to inquire about the Emperor’s condition.
"How is it? How is it? Has the Emperor shown any signs?" Wei Shulan rushed forward, grabbed Zhao Yu, who had just returned from gathering news, and asked anxiously.
Zhao Yu shook his head. "Not yet."
Hearing this, Wei Shulan became even more worried.
After answering, Zhao Yu once again gripped the hilt of his sword and stood guard at the door.
Qiao Muchen and Zhao Yue sat silently at the table, not speaking a word.
Wei Zijian was not as composed as they were. He felt restless and paced back and forth in the room.
Already anxious, Zhao Yue found his head aching as Wei Zijian paced back and forth in front of him.
He couldn’t help but rub his temples. "I say, Wei Zijian, aren’t you tired? Can’t you sit down and be still for a moment? You’re making my head spin."
Wei Zijian, his face etched with anxiety, exclaimed, "Ah, how can you all sit so still? I feel like these palace benches are pricking my backside!"
Wei Zijian continued to pace around the room.
"Aren’t you all worried? You still have the mood to drink tea!"
Qiao Muchen, who had been called out for drinking tea, set down his teacup and sighed. "What’s the use of worrying? Let’s just wait quietly. Only three hours have passed; there are still three more to go, aren’t there?"
Wei Shulan rubbed her temples, walked over, and pushed Wei Zijian onto a stool. "Just sit still for a while. What good does worrying do? Don’t you always boast that your master can cure any illness? What’s wrong? Are you doubting your master now?"
Although Wei Shulan’s words seemed to be for Wei Zijian, she was, in fact, also trying to calm herself.
Wei Zijian replied, "I’m not doubting my master. It’s just that this Imperial Palace is full of man-eating tigers and thousand-year-old foxes."
"My master is like a little lamb, all alone in that den of foxes. It’s so dangerous!"
After saying that, he felt it wasn’t quite right. No, wait, my master is so smart; she’s no little lamb.
Wei Shulan ignored him, and he began to mutter to himself.
"This trip to the Capital City with Master has been so thrilling, one thing after another... If we can get through this, and I make it back alive, I’ll have so much to brag about to my brothers..."
Wei Shulan was speechless.
Time passed, minute by minute. The night deepened; it was now the dead of night. Yet, many in the Imperial Palace could not sleep.
Zhao Yu periodically ran out to gather news. As the striking of the main night watch gong resounded, Qiao Muchen and the others simultaneously rose from their chairs.
"Time’s up!"
Then they all hurried out.
Meanwhile, outside the Emperor’s bedchamber, the exhausted crowd waiting there suddenly became alert.
Princess Anping and Duke Gong were the first to rise and approach the hall entrance to inquire about the Emperor’s condition.
Following them, Elder Zhang and Elder Song, supported by their attendants, also rose and slowly made their way towards the hall entrance.