Feng Yexuan's eyes darkened.
He couldn't let Chu Qianli have any opportunity to be alone with the Emperor right now.
Yet, this girl had actually proposed it herself.
"Lier..."
"Your Highness, I merely have some heartfelt words I wish to discuss with His Majesty, but I am unsure if His Majesty is willing to grant this humble subject an opportunity?"
The Emperor stared at her face.
He wondered how this young girl could remain so composed when speaking before the imperial might.
What other girl her age could be like this?
"Very well, I shall listen and see what you have to say to me."
...
Chu Qianli invited the Emperor to Feng Yexuan's study.
The Empress Dowager, holding Feng Yexuan's hand, returned to her chambers to rest.
As for outside the study, this time, Fulong and Leng Ji were guarding.
Although Fulong was the Emperor's man, if Chu Qianli were truly in any danger, he would undoubtedly step forward to protect her, regardless of the consequences.
Feng Yexuan saw this clearly.
Inside the room, besides Chu Qianli and the Emperor, Eunuch Qing was also present.
To save time, before Eunuch Qing could speak, Chu Qianli said first, "Your Majesty, you have long suffered from pain in your abdomen and below your ribs, sometimes so severe that life is worse than death, keeping you awake all night. Even the painkillers prescribed by the imperial physicians are basically ineffective."
"What did you say?" Eunuch Qing's face darkened.
The Emperor's brow furrowed.
Although he didn't speak, it was evident that his expression had changed.
"This is something most doctors who take Your Majesty's pulse should be able to diagnose. Of course, I observed Your Majesty's complexion."
"However, there is another point that other doctors might not be able to discern just by looking at your complexion."
Chu Qianli met the Emperor's gaze, speaking calmly, "Your Majesty has also experienced unbearable pain when using the restroom, to the point where tears would uncontrollably stream down your face."
"Presumptuous!" Eunuch Qing roared.
Those outside immediately tensed.
Leng Ji and Fulong exchanged glances, their palms instantly tightening.
As long as Chu Qianli called out, regardless of the outcome, they would have to charge in.
However, besides Eunuch Qing and the Emperor, there should be no one else inside.
In terms of martial arts, they should not be Chu Qianli's match.
Chu Qianli ignored Eunuch Qing's reprimand, her gaze still locked with the Emperor's, her words cold and carrying the firm confidence of a physician.
"Your Majesty, to hide your illness is to be brave for a moment, but it will not help your condition in any way."
"If I have guessed correctly, the imperial physicians in the palace are likely at their wits' end by now."
"You..." Eunuch Qing's expression was peculiar; one moment he was angry, and the next, a glimmer of hope seemed to appear in his eyes.
But he dared not speak.
"Your Majesty, in fact, your illness, though difficult to treat, is not incurable. There is no need to be too disheartened."
"What do you want?" the Emperor suddenly asked.
Eunuch Qing's eyes lit up. Did His Majesty... wish to believe Chu Qianli?
Although Eunuch Qing did not know if Chu Qianli was truly capable.
After all, there were so many imperial physicians in the palace, each a master of medicine.
Yet, for so long, they had been powerless regarding His Majesty's condition.
Chu Qianli, at such a young age, a mere girl... but she had indeed saved Prince Xuan.
One must remember that the two imperial physicians they brought that day were already the most experienced and skilled in the palace.
Yet, they were both powerless.
Could it be that Chu Qianli truly could...
Eunuch Qing dared not act on his own accord and could only subtly observe the Emperor's expression.
Chu Qianli said, "I know that if I were to say I wanted the position of Princess Xuan, Your Majesty would surely be displeased. Even if you agreed now, after I cure Your Majesty, you would find a way to eliminate me."
The Emperor remained silent, and Eunuch Qing dared not speak.
However, her words were not untrue.
This girl was truly intelligent, leaving no room for error!
"Then, what is it you truly want?" the Emperor finally asked again.
"Your Majesty need not rush to ask me what I want. In truth, I myself have not yet decided. However, Your Majesty can first try to see if I can truly treat your illness."
Chu Qianli took a bag from her pocket.
"Your Majesty, are you willing to let me give you an injection to try?"
She took out a syringe.
The Emperor's expression immediately became troubled.
If a person harbored murderous intent towards another, they would naturally be wary of that person.
Before this, he had indeed wanted to kill Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli saw through it but did not expose it.
Killing the Emperor was impossible. The world is the Emperor's land; unless she wished to die, she would not harbor malicious intentions towards him at this moment.
She smiled, "Your Majesty, after this injection, within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, your pain will be reduced by at least half."
"So miraculous?" The Emperor was immediately tempted.
One must know that he had not been feeling well himself today.
He had been in pain all along.
Just as she had said, when using the restroom this morning, the pain had made tears stream from his eyes.
Because of this, the Emperor now dared not even drink tea, as he did not want to feel the urge to use the restroom.
This pain was truly difficult to speak of.
"Your Majesty will know by trying. I naturally wouldn't dare do anything to you, Your Majesty. Your people are all over outside; I don't want to die yet."
The Emperor snorted.
This girl, though bold, at least understood boundaries.
"Very well, I shall give you a chance to try."
Chu Qianli walked to the Emperor's side and instructed Eunuch Qing to roll up the Emperor's sleeve.
While receiving the injection, the Emperor's expression was still somewhat grim.
However, after the injection, as she had said, it felt no more than a mosquito bite, and the pain subsided once the needle was removed.
"Eunuch Qing, why aren't you pouring tea for His Majesty?" Chu Qianli asked with a smile after retracting the needle.
Eunuch Qing's expression immediately became troubled.
The Emperor waved his hand directly, "No need..."
"But Your Majesty, for your illness, you must drink plenty of water. Try to avoid tea, and it is best to drink warm boiled water directly."
"I said, no need!" If he drank water, he would need to use the restroom, and the pain during that time would surely take half his life.
But Chu Qianli, this time, personally poured him warm water and brought it to him.
The Emperor's face darkened, and he angrily said, "Don't you understand what I'm saying? I said..."
"Your Majesty, you have a stone blocking..." Alright, some professional terms might be beyond their understanding.
Chu Qianli had no choice but to use the simplest and most direct words: "It's blocking Your Majesty's way to the restroom... cough, in short, you must drink more water to expel it, and then you will feel comfortable. Otherwise, you will continue to suffer unbearable pain."
The Emperor remained silent, looking at the cup of water, his expression still peculiar.
Chu Qianli added, "Don't worry, after this injection from me, I guarantee Your Majesty will... not be in pain shortly. Otherwise, I will twist off my own head and use it as a ball for Your Majesty to play with, how about that?"
The Emperor glanced at Eunuch Qing.
Eunuch Qing naturally knew what pain he was experiencing.
If he drank water, he would soon want to use the restroom, and if the pain returned...
But even without drinking water, he couldn't hold out for long; the urge would come eventually.
This... how to choose?