The Martial Doctor

Outside the city, Miao Manor.

Having recently received newfound favor, Ji Fei’Er stayed in her room all day, not coming out, and had her meals brought in.

The price of trying was quite high.

So high that even an expert at the Meridian Passage Realm like her couldn’t get out of bed.

However, the experience was indeed memorable.

"Fei’Er,"

Yue Mei’Er pushed the door open and came in directly, skipping the ’knock’, and smiled slyly at Ji Fei’Er, who was sitting upright on the bed, leaning on a soft cushion, pretending to focus on a book. Upon looking up, Ji Fei’Er put the book down.

"Mei’Er, you’re here."

"Sis, how is it, doesn’t this count as getting what you wanted? You have to thank me for thinking about you, right?"

"I really have to thank you."

"What? Shouldn’t Fei’Er thank me?" Yue Mei’Er said, "You and I are now both people of the Young Master. We should forget past grudges and work together to assist the Young Master in achieving great success."

"Great success, what great success?"

"Naturally, it’s returning to the sect and seizing power," Yue Mei’Er laughed, "The current Moon Worship Sect is already rotten from the inside out. It needs reformation, or else it will eventually decline."

"Why can’t I see that?"

"That’s because you’re in the middle of it, blinded by a leaf," Yue Mei’Er giggled.

"Oh, enlighten me then, how exactly am I blinded by a leaf?" Ji Fei’Er asked.

"Fei’Er, in any sect, what’s most important?"

"Naturally, it’s experts above the Meridian Passage Realm."

"Yes, you’re right. Experts of the Meridian Passage Realm are crucial. Without top-notch forces, a sect can’t safeguard its interests. But that’s just one part. If a sect only focuses on high-level forces, it will be a flash in the pan and, at most, last for two or three generations before declining. What truly allows a sect to endure is its people and resources."

"Your perspective is quite fresh."

"People mean talent. A sect needs a constant influx of fresh blood to grow and thrive. Meanwhile, fresh blood will stimulate internal competition. Resources mean wealth; the economic foundation determines the superstructure. Without financial and resource investment, how can you attract talent, and how can you provide motivation for talent’s development? Our Moon Worship Sect may seem strong, but in recent years, it’s been declining. From what I know, the sect’s revenue has been decreasing annually, and the corruption and embezzlement phenomenon among the four major families is extremely serious. They harbor ill intentions for their interests..."

"Does that not include your Yue family then?"

"And your Ji family. You’re worse than us. Mines, tea plantations, and maritime trade, why does your Ji family, without contributing, take the largest share?"

"That’s the foundation our Ji family has painstakingly built up."

"If it weren’t for controlling the leader and pulling profitable industries into your own bowl, how else would you have all this?"

"It’s all earned through capability; fairness never exists in this world."

"Exactly, anything your Ji family has its eyes on, it seizes by force. Has the voice of rebellion within our Moon Worship Sect been small over these years?"

Ji Fei’Er was silent. Yue Mei’Er spoke the truth. Over the years, the Moon Worship Sect’s internal problems have been piling up with no resolution in sight.

It’s not just the Ji family; it’s the same with the four great families, with internal strife and alienation. Although the high-level strength remains, it’s still a super first-class force.

Yet, with the talent shortage, facing the Dao Inquiry Sect, Spirit Sword Sect, and Reclining Buddha Temple among orthodox sects, it’s already completely on the defensive.

Especially over these twenty years, the influence of the Moon Worship Sect within Da Li is growing weaker, nearly being driven out of the realm.

"Even if what you said is true, relying solely on the Young Master’s return can solve these problems?"

"Of course, it can’t be solved immediately, but the Young Master is a hope. If he can join the central hub and seize the reins of power, there’s a chance for reform. However, the Young Master can’t go back now as he hasn’t yet gained the strength to protect himself. So, on one hand, we need to buy time, and on the other, we need to recruit and cultivate worthy disciples for the Young Master," Yue Mei’Er said.

Ji Fei’Er’s eyelids twitched fiercely, slightly understanding Yue Mei’Er’s implication. This seemed like an attempt to establish another core to directly oppose the leader.

The question was, were they dreaming too big? Could these few individuals really compete with the deeply entrenched Ji family?

There were several hidden Tianyuan experts within the Ji family, not to mention those in plain sight.

In these times, which super first-class force doesn’t have its secrets and foundations? The Dao Inquiry Sect, leader of the orthodox path, possibly had even more old hands still alive.

"Fei’Er, since we’ve found the Young Master, and given the Young Master’s special status, he clearly cannot return now. For the Young Master’s safety, shouldn’t we select some individuals from the sect to assist him, establishing his future team? I think that this request won’t be rejected by the leader and the patriarchs of the four families," Yue Mei’Er finally unveiled her plan.

As Ji Fei’Er listened, her heart skipped a beat. Were they planning to make such a big move?

"Is this the Young Master’s idea?"

"Of course, otherwise, do you think I would have the guts to tell Fei’Er about this?" Yue Mei’Er wasn’t the least bit fazed.

Ji Fei’Er fell into deep thought.

The Young Master, not returning, but using this method to establish his team clearly showed a lack of trust in the leader. Would the sect’s upper echelons agree?

But on the other hand, this is also a good opportunity to place someone close to the young master.

As for the intrigue within, it depends on each one’s methods.

...

These more than twenty days have been extremely difficult for Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze; he felt that Lin Miao was intentionally being perfunctory with him.

However, his medical skills were evident.

Previously, when he was inside the palace, all he heard were words passed through several layers; now he was among the common people, hearing the true voice of the populace.

Lin Miao could bribe one or two people, or even hundreds, but he couldn’t possibly bribe an entire city of people, could he?

Some cases he witnessed with his own eyes.

Could it be that he hired people to act as if they were sick?

Lin Miao, this state-selected physician, was far more resourceful than the two impoverished ones. The Medicine King Sun He and Xu Mitu have the backing of the powerful Medicine King Sect and the Reclining Buddha Temple, with vast resources at their disposal, so it’s believable they could engage in deceit.

But Lin Miao came from a small place and was almost targeted by the entire medical community of Dongshan City; without real abilities, he would have been exposed long ago.

Therefore, he dared not disbelieve Lin Miao.

However, following Lin Miao’s medical advice, taking medicine on time and undergoing therapy, the Crown Prince clearly felt more energetic than before, especially experiencing the vigor of his teenage years when waking up early.

Previously, he was somewhat resistant to marital affairs, faced with the immense pressure of having a son, he even found it difficult to rise to the occasion.

The consorts in the palace tried every method, but the results were not satisfactory.

He came to Lin Miao truly as a last resort, a desperate gamble.

If it really didn’t work out, he would give up, voluntarily relinquish the position of Crown Prince, and become a monk.

This was the only way he could think of to ensure his life and freedom.

Lin Miao rekindled his hope, but how substantial this hope was, he didn’t know, but as fate would have it, Lin Miao went to Li Hen City.

He went to participate in an auction, hoping to retrieve a lost Physician’s Token. To others, this token was insignificant, but it was the token from his esteemed mentor and held immense importance.

Thus, the Crown Prince understood this and was empathetic, but several days had passed since the auction, and Lin Miao had yet to return.

Although Dongshan City is not very far from Li Hen City, in such weather, a round trip would take at least four or five days.

Moreover, the Crown Prince did not dare to easily use the Inspection Department’s resources to track Lin Miao’s whereabouts, because once he moved, it was very likely he himself would be exposed.

A Crown Prince far from the center is very dangerous, especially with a brother constantly eyeing his position, which is even more dangerous.

He couldn’t take the risk.

However, he couldn’t continue to stay in Dongshan; he had to return to Li Jing before the end of the year, as if he didn’t appear for a long period, his followers would become anxious.

Even if his father helped cover for him this time, could the Fifth Prince and Consort Xue not know about his secret in Dongshan?

But, as long as something happened to him in Dongshan, his father would definitely suspect his fifth brother, but so what, if he were to die, his father would have no choice.

"Your Highness, you must set off for the capital as soon as possible, or else you won’t make it back for the year-end banquet hosted by His Majesty. If you attend the banquet, it could trigger unpredictable consequences." The accompanying guard had advised several times.

But Zhao Yuanze just wanted to see Lin Miao one more time before he left; he felt that if he left like this, he might never get another chance to come back.

There were some matters he wanted to clarify.

"No rush, let’s wait a bit longer." Zhao Yuanze gritted his teeth, thinking that if he hurried on the road, he should be able to return to Li Jing before the year-end banquet.

"Your Highness..."

"Here there is no ’Your Highness,’ nor is there a Crown Prince, only Mr. Zhao."

"Yes, Mr. Zhao." The guard was very anxious, looking up at the Crown Princess Consort Yua with the hope she could persuade the Crown Prince.

"My Lord, no one knows when Mr. Lin will return, and things in Li Jing cannot be delayed any longer. If you don’t appear at the year-end banquet, those who support us will begin to waver. Over time, those unaware of the situation might truly abandon Your Highness."

"It’s just as well if those wavering and disloyal ones leave; this departure from the capital is an opportunity to test who is truly loyal." Zhao Yuanze said angrily.

Consort Yuan sighed, the Crown Prince was ill and in seclusion, even high-ranking ministers hadn’t seen him, and rumors in court had already begun to spread. If His Majesty hadn’t forcefully suppressed them, the entire capital would be abuzz with gossip by now.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Fifth Prince was fervently recruiting ministers in court, forming a powerful faction almost comparable to the former Third Prince.

Consort Xue was also vigorously recruiting support in the harem, suppressing dissent, even the Empress now was unwilling to confront her directly.

During this period, this mother and son had really been in the limelight.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense; clearly, no one could persuade the Crown Prince at this moment.

"Master, he’s back, he’s back..." Just then, an urgent voice came from outside, as if someone was rushing over.