Chapter 467: Xiao Wu’s Illness
Xiao Chengqi was noncommittal. "Who knows."
...
The next day, just as Ye Chutang finished brewing Emperor Muwu’s medicine, a palace attendant announced that Chu Qiyuan had arrived.
Consort Rong was delighted. "Quick, show Chief Doctor Chu in!"
Chu Qiyuan was soon led inside by a palace attendant.
Ye Chutang turned to look and saw him hurrying in, covered in the dust of his journey. It was clear he hadn’t rested much along the way.
Chu Qiyuan also spotted Ye Chutang at once, and his anxious heart was finally put at ease.
He impassively averted his gaze and bowed.
"This old servant greets Your Majesty and Consort Rong."
Consort Rong said, "Chief Doctor Chu, you must be weary from your journey. But with His Majesty’s poor health, we had to trouble you to come and take his pulse as quickly as possible."
Chu Qiyuan readily complied. He brushed the dust from his clothes and then stepped forward.
Ye Chutang immediately stepped aside.
Emperor Muwu was awake, but his throat was still uncomfortable, and he could only manage a few hoarse sounds.
After a moment, Chu Qiyuan withdrew his hand.
"Your Majesty’s health is no longer in any serious danger. He simply needs to rest quietly to recover."
Consort Rong’s eyes instantly brightened. "Is that true?"
Chu Qiyuan stroked his beard. "This old servant would not dare to speak falsely. I hear that Second Miss Ye has been the one attending to His Majesty?"
Consort Rong couldn’t help but glance at Ye Chutang, praising her profusely. "Yes! The Eldest Princess was adamant about bringing her here, and she is truly remarkable!"
Chu Qiyuan replied instinctively, "Of course she’s n—"
Halfway through his sentence, he remembered where he was and abruptly stopped. He turned his head and coughed forcefully twice, then said, "Anyone the Eldest Princess has chosen would naturally be without issue."
"Yes!"
Consort Rong recalled the situation that day and still felt a chill of fear.
"His Majesty’s condition was critical. If the Eldest Princess hadn’t insisted against everyone’s objections, who knows what today’s outcome would have been."
Chu Qiyuan was taken aback for a moment, but he immediately understood.
’Who else could have objected to such a matter, besides that same group of people?’
At this thought, Chu Qiyuan’s brow furrowed slightly.
’It seems a lot has happened while I’ve been away from the capital...’
Ye Chutang said, "Chief Doctor Chu, this is the medicine I brewed from my own prescription. Might I trouble you to take a look and see if there is any room for improvement?"
Chu Qiyuan’s beard twitched.
But the charade had to be maintained. Seeing that Ye Chutang had already brought the medicine over, Chu Qiyuan had no choice but to agree.
After examining the prescription and tasting the medicine himself, Chu Qiyuan nodded. "Excellent. There’s nothing wrong with this formula."
A smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips. "I’m relieved to hear you say so."
Chu Qiyuan shot her a pointed look.
As if she hadn’t noticed, Ye Chutang handed the medicinal decoction to Consort Rong, then asked casually:
"By the way, I have some questions about pharmacology I’d like to ask your advice on. I wonder when you might be available?"
Chu Qiyuan was surprised for a moment, then immediately understood. ’She has something she wants to discuss with me!’
He nodded. "I’m about to return to my residence. You can leave the palace with me."
...
As Emperor Muwu’s condition stabilized, the amount of time Ye Chutang spent at the palace each day grew shorter.
When they reached the palace gates, the attendant who had escorted them respectfully departed.
Chu Qiyuan said, "Second Miss Ye, please ask whatever you wish. This old man will tell you everything he knows."
Ye Chutang said, "To be honest, I do have something very important I’d like to ask you."
Chu Qiyuan raised his hand, gesturing for her to go ahead.
Ye Chutang lowered her head, gently stroking Xiao Wu’s round hair bun.
Xiao Wu looked up innocently and gave her a brilliant smile.
Ye Chutang paused for a moment, then looked back at Chu Qiyuan and asked:
"I want to ask... can you treat Xiao Wu’s illness?"