The Martial Doctor

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity." Lin Miao expressed his gratitude, knowing that even if it wasn’t genuine, he had to pretend; it was the way of survival.

"Dear Mr. Lin, on this return journey, I fear I will not be able to visit Dongshan again. Only after walking down here did I realize the hardships of the common people. Previously, even though I resided in the palace, what I saw and heard were from the reports of my subordinates. Even when venturing outside the palace, the routes were fixed, and what I could see was merely the bustling capital, yet beneath that prosperity, what I saw..."

"Has the Crown Prince never traveled incognito?"

"In my position, how many are watching over me—do I have such an opportunity?" Zhao Yuanze chuckled at himself.

"Then how did you manage to sneak past so many spies and leave the capital for Dongshan this time?"

"If it were up to my abilities alone, it certainly wouldn’t have been possible. This journey was only achieved through requesting a favor from His Majesty, and without his support, my movements would have been long exposed." Zhao Yuanze explained.

"His Majesty still holds high hopes for Your Highness." Lin Miao quickly said.

"Mr. Lin seems to pay close attention to court affairs?"

"Well, I have a good relationship with Mr. Wen, and have heard him mention a few things before. Please forgive me, Your Highness." Lin Miao quickly explained.

"Mr. Wen?"

"Wen Ruyu, he is Mr. Fu’s most trusted disciple, and was sent by the court to serve as the chief of the Medical Bureau in Dongshan."

"Oh, indeed, that is the case." Zhao Yuanze recalled, "Physician Wen from Yongning Hall..."

"That’s him, Your Highness." Lin Miao smiled awkwardly, having coaxed the chief of the Medical Bureau to sit in his own clinic, despite knowing it surely invited complaints from the Benefit People Medical Hall.

But this was at Wen Ruyu’s own will, and aside from that, Lin Miao was the deputy chief. Even if the Benefit People Medical Hall was dissatisfied, what could they do?

"On this return to the capital, I fear I won’t have the chance to come again. In truth, I wanted to stay, but it’s impossible. If I don’t return soon, I won’t be able to keep my position."

"Your Highness is the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation. His Majesty understands this, foundations cannot be easily moved, and you need not isolate yourself." Lin Miao advised.

"Mr. Lin, how many have said this to me? I used to believe it, but now, I don’t believe it anymore; the title of Crown Prince, the foundation of the nation, is merely a word from my father the emperor. If he wishes to abolish it, he can abolish it." Zhao Yuanze smiled sorrowfully.

Lin Miao didn’t know how to respond to this; he could only remain silent. Criticizing the emperor was something the Crown Prince might do, but Lin Miao could not.

Especially not in front of the Crown Prince.

"Tell me, Mr. Lin, do you think I still have hope?"

Lin Miao’s eyelids raised slightly; how could he respond to this? As a mere sixth-ranked minor official, how dare he casually speak of royal matters?

"Your Highness, as physicians, we have a saying in medicine: do your best, have a clear conscience."

"Do your best, have a clear conscience. Well said, Mr. Lin, I understand now. There are things I have done my best for, and if it truly is destiny, I can only accept it." Zhao Yuanze said, casually taking off a jade pendant from himself, handing it to Lin Miao, "This is a jade pendant I carry with me; I’m gifting it to Mr. Lin as a memento."

"Your Highness, this is your cherished item, how dare I accept it?"

"I haven’t had many friends in this lifetime; during my days in Dongshan, I realized the harsh living conditions of the common people and longed to do something for them and this country. Your medical skills can assist me; please do not refuse!" Zhao Yuanze insisted.

"Your Highness, my humble medical skills can only treat physical ailments; as for other matters, I fear they are beyond my capability." Lin Miao understood Zhao Yuanze’s intention; he wanted to recruit him.

"I knew Mr. Lin wouldn’t refuse." Zhao Yuanze joyfully forced the jade pendant into Lin Miao’s hand.

Lin Miao was momentarily taken aback.

This Crown Prince must have misunderstood; he merely stated that he was just a physician, not keen on delving into court conflicts.

Now holding the jade pendant, it was too late to return it.

Luckily, he had made it clear that he only possessed modest medical skills for treating illnesses, and wasn’t involved in other matters.

What Zhao Yuanze needed was precisely Lin Miao’s medical expertise, which could serve as his greatest leverage at key moments.

People live on grains; who can ensure they’ll never fall ill? Once they’re sick, they need a physician for treatment.

And the availability of quality medical resources, scarce and precious, could certainly become a significant leverage for Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze.

Once he wore the label of the Crown Prince, removing it wouldn’t be easy.

However, with his low official rank, he wasn’t truly choosing a side yet, as long as the Crown Prince didn’t publicly speak of giving him the jade pendant.

Then no one would know about his relationship with the Crown Prince.

Even if they knew, what does it matter? He wouldn’t be involved in the Crown Prince’s succession battle; if someone were to unjustly take out their anger on him, well, he’d face it head on—who fears whom?

Having thought it through, Lin Miao calmly accepted the white jade pendant and said, "Thank you very much, Your Highness. I’ll diagnose you now and provide treatment shortly to reinforce the effects."

"Thank you kindly." Zhao Yuanze expressed gratitude.

Lin Miao diagnosed Zhao Yuanze’s pulse, finding that medication and therapeutic exercise, along with a period of moderation, had indeed improved Zhao Yuanze’s pulse considerably since his arrival. But full recovery would require more time.

Naturally, as the Crown Prince, Zhao Yuanze could afford some premium medicinal herbs, allowing for adjustments in treatment.

Thus, having been presented with a valuable jade pendant by the Crown Prince, naturally, he should reciprocate.

The Crown Prince is the heir to a nation; he has seen treasures alike, so whatever he repaid, it likely wouldn’t catch the Crown Prince’s interest.

His primary concern was himself.

Although he had previously administered acupuncture therapy to the Crown Prince, it was just conventional practice, nothing beyond ordinary methods. Lin Miao thought to experiment on the Crown Prince with the Rejuvenation Skill, guiding inner breath to attach to silver needles and stimulate body points to treat his infertility.

The result? That was still unknown, only trying could tell.

"Shouchang, arrange for a warm room." Lin Miao instructed Mr. Xie.

"Yes, owner."

"Your Highness, please, I’ll provide one more treatment for you; henceforth, it will depend entirely on yourself." Lin Miao said solemnly.

Zhao Yuanze nodded.

The charcoal furnace was lit.

"Your Highness, feel carefully, I’m about to perform acupuncture which will stimulate your internal potential; if you can’t bear it or find it unbearable, do inform me early." Lin Miao warned seriously.

"Alright, I understand."

Following Lin Miao’s instructions, Zhao Yuanze removed all clothing, leaving only undergarments.

"It might hurt a bit, bear with it!" Lin Miao fetched silver needles, without calling for assistants, and after sterilizing the needles over fire.

A needle pierced into the Yongquan point at the foot’s sole.

The pain was sharp, enough to make the usually pampered Crown Prince grunt and nearly retract his foot.

But remembering Lin Miao’s words, he endured.

Seeing Zhao Yuanze endure, Lin Miao nodded slightly. Proceeding to Taixi, Sanyinjiao, Yingu...

These were all points along the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin.