Chapter 453: Medical Skill
Jiang Zhao Yuan wanted to argue his case, but before he could speak, an announcement came from outside.
"Eldest Princess, Your Majesty is awake!"
The Eldest Princess shot to her feet, stunned and overjoyed. "Is it true!?"
The palace servant who brought the news quickly said, "How would I dare joke about such a thing? Second Miss Ye performed acupuncture on His Majesty and had a medicine brewed for him. His high fever has mostly broken, and he’s awake! You must go see for yourself!"
Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess hastened outside.
Jiang Zhao Yuan swallowed whatever he was about to say.
Nothing was more important at the moment, and he certainly knew his priorities.
Chen Songshi started for the door, but after taking just one step, he seemed to remember something and turned back around.
"Oh, right. Those memorials we just approved—have our subordinates act on them immediately. The sooner, the better."
Jiang Zhao Yuan knew exactly what he was planning. His face grew dark. "You make it sound so easy, Mr. Chen! Do you have any idea how many people we would have to mobilize to handle all these matters? It’s not something we can accomplish just by saying so! I say we put it on hold for now. Once we’ve drawn up a detailed plan, then—"
"You may have time to spare, Elder Jiang, but our soldiers and people do not!" Chen Songshi cut him off. "You can afford to wait. But can they, out in the freezing cold, lacking food and clothes?"
Chen Songshi was usually too laid-back to bother with tedious affairs and preferred not to clash directly with Jiang Zhao Yuan.
But today was different. Every word he spoke was brutally direct, sparing Jiang Zhao Yuan no face whatsoever.
Jiang Zhao Yuan’s brow furrowed. "But—"
"Enough with the ’buts.’ His Majesty is awake now. Are you suggesting we dump this whole mess in his lap, Elder Jiang?"
The question left Jiang Zhao Yuan so stunned he couldn’t muster a single word in response.
His jaw tightened, and a vein throbbed on his forehead.
But Chen Songshi had already turned and was heading for the main hall.
He quickened his pace, stroking his beard as he went. ’That girl really is something else...’
’It was one thing to succeed once or twice, but to think she could even cure His Majesty’s illness?’
The few officials left in the room looked at one another, the atmosphere thick with awkwardness.
Finally, one of them spoke up. "Elder, what do you propose we do?"
Jiang Zhao Yuan suppressed the fury boiling inside him. "Do as he said!"
The officials all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The Eldest Princess’s word carried great weight in court. If Jiang Zhao Yuan had truly decided to oppose her, they would have been the ones caught in an impossible position.
"Yes, Elder."
Jiang Zhao Yuan, however, paid them no mind and also strode in the direction of the main hall.
’The Imperial Physicians were useless after all that time, yet this Ye Chutang has only been here a short while and has already woken His Majesty!?’
’I have to see this for myself!’
...
The moment the Eldest Princess stepped into the hall, her eyes immediately darted toward the imperial bed.
Through a folding screen, she could faintly make out a figure robed in imperial yellow lying on the bed.
She quickened her pace.
Hearing the footsteps, Consort Rong turned around. Her face was flushed with emotion, tears welling in her eyes.
Standing beside her was a graceful silhouette.
Who else could it be but Ye Chutang?
The Eldest Princess’s lips parted, but before she could speak, Ye Chutang had already dropped into a curtsy.
"Greetings, Princess."
The Eldest Princess’s gaze fell on the silk roll containing the silver needles, which lay on a small table beside her.
"Chutang!"
Suppressing her excitement, the Eldest Princess took a few more steps forward.
Now, she finally had a clear view of Emperor Muwu’s condition as he lay on the bed.
The unhealthy flush on his cheeks had faded significantly, and a touch of color had returned to his once-pale lips. His breathing had also grown much steadier.
At the sound of her approach, his eyelids fluttered and then slowly, he opened his eyes—