The Martial Doctor

This is entrusted with the heavy responsibility of developing the pharmaceutical industry of Dongshan.

We must not block all of their financial paths.

...

Li Jing, Imperial Palace Yangxin Hall.

Warm Pavilion.

Zhao Rui had a comfortable winter this year, occasionally going out for a walk, and didn’t catch a cold even once.

In past years, as soon as winter arrived, he could only stay in the Warm Pavilion, even handling state affairs here with no alternative.

His visible physical improvement made Zhao Rui very happy.

This seemed to be the credit of Mr. Fu, but Zhao Rui was well aware that the prescriptions he used this year were different from last year’s, and it was these new prescriptions that took effect.

He was looking forward to his Crown Prince being able to get the women in Changxin Palace pregnant after treatment.

He had been looking forward to having a grandson for a long time.

A state without heirs leaves the political situation unstable.

If he were younger, he might manage for a while, but the problem is, even if he lives for a few more years, what happens when his line ends? Couldn’t possibly resort to adoption from other branches?

Now he still has two sons to choose from, but what about after them?

He is utterly unwilling for the throne he fought hard to gain to have to be returned in such a manner, which would be a joke.

"Your Majesty, it’s time to dine."

"Mm, proceed." Zhao Rui slightly opened his eyes, glanced at Mr. Yao who was prostrating under the imperial table, and instructed.

"Yes."

"Is Mr. Fu here?"

"Mr. Fu just returned home."

"Oh, I see." Zhao Rui wanted to play a round of go with Fu Qingzhu, but unexpectedly, he had just gone back, and calling him back now seems inconsiderate.

At this age, Zhao Rui had already started eating less flavorful food, so there weren’t many dishes for the midday meal, but the food from the Imperial Kitchen was too bland.

There’s no choice, even if it’s bland he has to eat, having eaten it for so many years, he’s used to it.

After a little eunuch tasted each dish, Zhao Rui started eating with chopsticks, as the emperor’s greatest fear is death, strictly preventing poisoning; tasting is a necessary procedure.

Zhao Rui ate slowly, chewing carefully, and there was no one urging him. He was the only one eating in the entire Warm Pavilion.

All the palace maids and eunuchs were driven out by him.

Zhao Rui didn’t like people watching him eat, nor did he want those around him to grasp his preferences for food.

Being an emperor is sometimes more tiring than being an ordinary commoner.

"Your Majesty..." An urgent voice came from outside the Warm Pavilion.

Zhao Rui frowned. He hated being disturbed during meals, about to get angry, when suddenly glimpsing a familiar figure was Situ Zhao from the Imperial City Department. He immediately changed his mind.

This person wouldn’t come for no reason; disturbing during his meal must mean something big happened.

"Did situ come, have you eaten?"

"Your Majesty, I have eaten." Situ Zhao bowed and replied.

"Is there something?"

"There is!"

"You, go down." Zhao Rui pointed at the eunuch who brought in Situ Zhao and ordered.

"Speak, what matter made you storm in while I’m eating?" Zhao Rui took a handkerchief and wiped the oil stains from the corner of his mouth and asked.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince was attacked at Cloud-Riding Ridge."

Zhao Rui suddenly opened his eyes, stood up abruptly, and sternly asked, "Who would dare be so bold?"

"Blood Evil Thieves!"

"Blood Evil Thieves, who are they?" Zhao Rui asked.

"They are a group of bandits rampaging in Lanzhou and Shuozhou, their leader Xuesha is at the Peak of Meridian Passage Realm, with many fierce subordinates!"

"Who’s behind Xuesha, the Fifth?" Zhao Rui’s face darkened, directly questioning if the person behind the Blood Evil Thieves was the fifth prince Zhao Yuanchun.

"We don’t know yet. Originally, they were almost successful, but luckily Pei Jian from Dongshan Prefecture sent people to follow and protect them, rescuing the Crown Prince and his party. However, a mysterious Heavenly Lord supporting Xuesha suddenly intervened. Fortunately, Fahai from Shanglin Temple appeared, stopped the mysterious Heavenly Lord, and drove him away. Now Pei Jian’s subordinate Zhuo Qingfeng and Fahai are escorting the Crown Prince back to the capital."

"Pei Jian and Fahai did well, and they should be rewarded!" Zhao Rui’s eyes gleamed brightly as he announced.

"Your Majesty, it seems the Crown Prince’s secret departure is no longer a secret. The Crown Prince has no enmity with others, yet with Xuesha in front and a Heavenly Lord behind, it’s very strange!" Situ Zhao said.

"Situ, say what you mean, don’t talk in riddles with me."

"I dare not."

"I absolve you of blame, speak."

"Your Majesty, if something happens to the Crown Prince, who benefits in the court?" Situ Zhao didn’t dare say it directly, as it’s a matter between father and son, and as an outsider, it’s inappropriate to intervene.

"You mean the fifth?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

"The fifth hasn’t yet recruited experts of the Heavenly Yuan level, right? His biggest recruited martial world force is the Green Blade Sect that pledged allegiance to Marquis Lingyang?"

"Yes, the Sect Leader Shen Yidao of the Green Blade Sect is at the Great Perfection of the Meridian Realm, and it’s said he’s been in seclusion trying to break through to Heavenly Yuan. Currently, there’s no news of his advancement, but his youngest son and brother disappeared in Li Hen City, yet he hasn’t come out of seclusion; it seems he’s at a critical breakthrough stage and unwilling to give it up." Situ Zhao analyzed.

"If that’s true, the man is truly ruthless." Zhao Rui nodded, agreeing with Situ Zhao’s analysis.

"Your Majesty, based on the eagle message from the devotee Zhou Jixiang, Fahai of Shanglin Temple was entrusted to look after the Crown Prince on the way to Shangjing. He didn’t say who it was, and Zhou Jixiang didn’t press for details."

"Do you suspect a mysterious martial world force is supporting the Crown Prince?"

"Not necessarily. The Crown Prince never associates with martial world people. Although Shanglin Temple is in the martial world, they rarely interfere in martial world disputes. With their eight-hundred-year history, they wouldn’t associate with villainous people. So I suspect it’s perhaps Pei Jian, in his capacity as Prefect, who asked for it." Situ Zhao said.

"Mm, makes sense. Whether it’s Pei Jian, we’ll know naturally when the Crown Prince returns to the capital." Zhao Rui nodded, "Since the Crown Prince’s movements are known, there’s no need to hide the news anymore. Quickly arrange a team to meet them and ensure the Crown Prince returns to the capital safely before the annual banquet."

"Minister shall obey." Situ Zhao.

"Where is Mr. Zhao Mingqian from the Inspection Department? His department is supposed to monitor martial world movements, why hasn’t there been any report?"

"Mr. Zhao is not in the capital. He’s still in the big crack of Little Dang Mountain." Situ Zhao explained, this isn’t really Zhao Mingqian being incompetent, but the fact that he’s just not in the capital, without the director’s supervision, the department’s laxity is understandable.

"Alright, I understand." Zhao Rui didn’t say anything, just waved his hand, "Love from ministers, go handle the task."

...

Imperial Palace, Consort Xue’s Rouyi Palace.

"Mother Consort, Mother Consort..." The adult Zhao Yuanchun was not supposed to enter and leave the harem freely, but Zhao Rui favored him, and Consort Xue indulged him.

Zhao Yuanchun could come and go from the harem anytime, even staying overnight wasn’t a problem.

"Chun’Er, why are you here? Aren’t you studying verdicts in the Ministry of Justice?" Consort Xue was surprised to see her son walking in from outside.

"Mother Consort, I got news that the Crown Prince was ambushed!" Zhao Yuanchun said excitedly to Consort Xue.

"What, the Crown Prince was ambushed, when did this happen?" Consort Xue was shocked upon hearing this and directly stood up from her seat.

"The news just came, the Crown Prince encountered Blood Evil Thieves at Cloud-Riding Ridge and his life is uncertain." Zhao Yuanchun walked directly to Consort Xue’s side and sat down hard.

"Cloud-Riding Ridge, Blood Evil Thieves, does your uncle know?"

"He knows, the news was told by Cousin Five at uncle’s behest. If they manage to kill the Crown Prince this time..."

"Stop, Chun’Er, don’t talk nonsense if someone overhears it, disaster will befall you and your mother immediately!" Consort Xue hurriedly scolded.

"Mother Consort, are you afraid someone will hear here in your palace?" Zhao Yuanchun was indifferent.

"Chun’Er, even in the mother consort’s palace one must be careful, unless you indeed ascend to the Crown Prince’s position one day, understand?" Consort Xue warned.

"Understood, Mother Consort." Zhao Yuanchun smiled mischievously, "I have eyes on a woman, can Mother Consort help me?"

"So young, already not learning well. Tell me, who is it this time?" Consort Xue was indifferent.

"A lady doctor from the Imperial Pharmacy."

"Alright, I will have her summoned to the palace later." Consort Xue said nonchalantly, being very indifferent to such matters.

The son is already grown up, as long as he can father imperial grandchildren, everything is permissible.