The Martial Doctor

"I, the Crown Prince, humbly greet Father Emperor." Zhao Yuanze walked into the warm chamber, knelt respectfully before the imperial throne, and greeted.

Zhao Rui glanced at the Crown Prince kneeling on the ground. After returning from Dongshan, the Crown Prince appeared visibly healthier compared to before.

Previously, the Crown Prince always looked listless and dispirited, but now he showed a significant change, likely due to his improved health.

As a father, Zhao Rui knew very well why the Crown Prince went to Dongshan. Although there were no signs of pregnancy in the Crown Princess Consort or any of the women in the Crown Prince’s palace yet, such matters clearly couldn’t happen overnight.

Mr. Fu also mentioned that the Crown Prince’s health needed to be nurtured, and achieving the desired results in a short time was impossible.

Despite the many Imperial Physicians in the court unable to improve the Crown Prince’s health, just one visit to Dongshan yielded positive results, making Zhao Rui increasingly curious about Lin Miao.

Moreover, Mr. Fu admitted that the medication he prescribed was inspired by Lin Miao’s "Pulse Science" theory and was specifically tailored for Zhao Yuanze.

Facts proved that the treatment had excellent effects on him. If Lin Miao were to personally diagnose him, wouldn’t the results be even better?

Zhao Rui considered issuing a decree to summon Lin Miao to the capital, but since Lin Miao was a medical officer residing in Dongshan, even as an emperor, he couldn’t force the man unwillingly.

Treating the emperor involved many restrictions, especially in medication. Even prescriptions by the Imperial Physicians couldn’t be casually used.

No one doubted Mr. Fu’s expertise, but with another person, it was different. Even if Lin Miao wrote prescriptions, whether or how they would be used was beyond his control.

Unlike the Crown Prince, who could gain some freedom when seeking treatment outside, but he also had to bear certain risks.

This time, upon returning, the Eastern Palace didn’t summon the original Imperial Physicians, and all prescriptions were those the Crown Prince brought back from Dongshan.

Even the medicinal ingredients were chosen from the pharmacy and mixed by himself, completely unaided by others.

The Imperial Hospital had already filed a complaint to Zhao Rui.

It was a headache for Zhao Rui; the Crown Prince’s reasoning was simple. He had been consuming the new prescriptions for a month, and his health obviously improved, far better than the ones provided by the Imperial Hospital, insisting not to revert to the old practices. The Crown Prince even refused entry to the former Imperial Physicians who treated him.

Those who lacked medical expertise still brazenly complained under the guise of health interests, sacrificing reputation just for fame and gain.

"Get up; the floor is cold. Your health is already not good. Someone, bring a cushioned stool for the Crown Prince." Zhao Rui commanded calmly.

A young eunuch quickly ran to the side, grabbed a drum stool, placed a soft cushion on it, and brought it over.

"Your Highness, please sit."

Serving by his father’s side, Zhao Yuanze had to respect the eunuchs; otherwise, they could easily sabotage him.

Besides, he had a relatively gentle temperament, treating others kindly, earning a positive reputation among the court ministers.

Otherwise, despite being Crown Prince for so many years, he remained stable, not only through cautiousness but also through benevolence.

This was one of the reasons Zhao Rui disapproved of him, believing that a ruler must be decisive in matters of life and death to lead effectively.

Always treating people kindly, how could he command respect and instill fear?

Over time, ministers might disregard the king, even mock and insult him—could such a ruler be considered qualified?

"What brings the Crown Prince here?"

"I have heard that there’s a hawk message delivered to the capital from Dongshan Prefecture, so I came to see."

"Well, you are quite straightforward." Recently, Zhao Rui noticed significant changes in the Crown Prince, becoming more genuine and less timid, especially in front of his father, showing increased courage.

If one wants to be a ruler, living life timidly is inadequate. However, a strong Crown Prince poses considerable concerns for an emperor.

This contradiction highlights the complexity of human nature.

"Look, this is the hawk message sent by Pei Jian!"

Zhao Yuanze stood up, taking the hawk message passed by the eunuch. Upon skimming the contents, his heart palpitated wildly.

If the matters here were disclosed right now, it would cause an uproar across the court.

"Father Emperor, isn’t Marquis Lingyang too bold?"

All the while, Zhao Rui observed his son’s reaction to the news, noting his genuine surprise, with no sign of prior knowledge.

He knew the Crown Prince’s every move in Dongshan Prefecture clearly, and there was no interaction with Pei Jian, except the last night before returning, when he voluntarily visited Lin Miao for farewell.

He confessed to revealing his identity to Lin Miao, but the Crown Prince wisely concealed Lin Miao’s assistance in his breakthrough.

Regarding the breakthrough in martial arts, it was well explained, considering the Crown Prince had trained for many years, accumulating experience and making progress understandable.

Lin Miao’s relationship with Pei Jian in Dongshan Prefecture was average, reducing the likelihood of collusion between the two.

Pei Jian, being cautious, wouldn’t have confronted the local power-holding Marquis Lingyang directly without concrete evidence.