The crowd wanted to cry out, but were interrupted by the cough of Physician Zhang.
Then they lowered their voices and said, "Did Prime Minister Bai take the Heart-Erosion Pill?"
Prime Minister Bai, who had just regained consciousness, showed no fear upon seeing Physician Zhang, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "You truly cannot hide anything from me."
"That thing is very damaging to the body, you should avoid it in the future. I'll leave you a prescription. If you truly need to feign illness for an important matter, you can use that prescription."
Feigning illness? Fake? Or was it medicine Prime Minister Bai took himself?
In an instant, everyone present was stunned by Physician Zhang's words.
Before anyone else could speak, Physician Zhang cleared his throat and said, "Prime Minister Bai's illness is dangerous. We will likely need to find a thousand-year-old Ganoderma and Hundred Frost Grass first. With them as medicinal guides, there might still be a chance of recovery, otherwise even I will be helpless."
Those outside were standing not far away and could hear most of what was being said.
"I will acupuncture Prime Minister Bai first, so he can wake up and take his medicine."
The imperial physicians outside were truly impressed. Regardless of anything else, just looking at Prime Minister Bai.
Someone who was almost declared terminally ill in their hands could still be saved in Physician Zhang's eyes?
Although a thousand-year-old Ganoderma and Hundred Frost Grass were not easy to obtain, with Prime Minister Bai's current status, His Majesty would surely provide full assistance. Perhaps Prime Minister Bai could truly be saved by him.
For a long time afterward, there was no movement from inside.
Those outside waited anxiously but dared not force their way in. If they disturbed Physician Zhang's acupuncture, no one could bear the responsibility.
Inside, they communicated silently through paper and ink.
The reason Prime Minister Bai feigned illness was also for the consideration of the Feng and Bai families.
Firstly, the Duke of Wei was chasing his son-in-law, Feng Hai, in court, which was clearly problematic. Recalling what Feng Jin Yao had told him a few days ago, he had to be wary.
Secondly, he had promised Prince Ding that he would help him secure the position of Supervisor of the Grand Canal. Although he didn't know who would be sent at the moment, it certainly wouldn't be Liang Quan Bin. If he were to be promoted to this position, wouldn't that be aiding and abetting evil?
He decided to feign a critical illness himself and disrupt the Duke of Wei's plan.
It would also be more convenient to make arrangements privately.
Da Lang had conveyed his intentions to Feng Jin Xu a few days ago, and he should be setting off in the next couple of days.
Bai Da Lang looked at what his father had written on the paper and immediately replied.
"Father, rest assured, while you are 'critically ill at home,' my fourth brother and I will stay at home to take care of you."
Prime Minister Bai nodded, this was what he wanted.
Let the outside world think that the Bai and Feng families had encountered an inauspicious event, leading to successive life-threatening crises. In this way, they could "feign a plank road in the open, and make a secret sortie to Chencang."
Physician Zhang didn't know what they were up to, but he knew about the Heart-Erosion Pill. This item was only possessed by that brat, and it was highly likely that he had reached some kind of deal with Prime Minister Bai.
He was truly... closely involved with the Bai and Feng families.
After arranging everything, Prime Minister Bai lay back down on the bed. The door opened from the inside, and Bai Si Lang came out with tears in his eyes, saying, "Father has woken up!"
The imperial physician was shocked. Who said folk doctors were unreliable!
To investigate, he entered the room faster than the two ladies. He saw that Prime Minister Bai indeed had his eyes half-open and was mumbling as if trying to speak, but no one could understand him.
Seeing this, Old Madam Bai quickly leaned her ear closer. After a moment, she said to the imperial physician, "My lord means to ask the imperial physician to report to His Majesty that he is not in serious condition."
The imperial physician almost cried out. Prime Minister Bai was indeed loyal and patriotic. He immediately clasped his fists and said, "Prime Minister, rest assured, I will report to His Majesty truthfully. However, I wonder if the divine physician has diagnosed any problems? It would be helpful for my report."
"Hmph, lacking in skill and unable to even state the illness? I think the Imperial Hospital should also come out and see the world outside."
Physician Zhang was always sharp-tongued, and no one could withstand his verbal attacks.
The imperial physician smiled bitterly, acknowledging that the other was speaking the truth. He bowed deeply to Physician Zhang, his words filled with sincerity, "I hope the divine physician will not hesitate to impart his wisdom."
"Forget it, why should I argue with a junior like you? Prime Minister Bai has merely been toiling day and night for the nation, and there is a blockage of stagnant blood in his chest. If this stagnant blood is not expelled with a golden needle, he would have died in three days." He then deliberately exposed the large bruise on his chest for the imperial physician to see.
"So that's how it is. It is my incompetence that almost harmed the Prime Minister." He was about to kneel and beg for forgiveness, but Bai Si Lang, standing beside him, quickly helped him up and comforted him.
"The imperial physician usually treats nobles in the palace, you must not do this."
"Alas, the Bai family is magnanimous and does not blame me for my dereliction of duty." At this point, Prime Minister Bai was also tired. The imperial physician saw that the brewed medicine was at the right temperature. A servant brought it over, and Physician Zhang sniffed it, quickly reciting his prescription.
"You do have some skill." Physician Zhang's praise was sincere. The Heart-Erosion Pill was too rare. If he hadn't known its properties beforehand, he might not have detected Prime Minister Bai's problem so quickly. To be able to prescribe this medicine without knowing the details was not a sign of ignorance.
"Compared to the divine physician, I am but a humble servant. Since the Prime Minister has been diagnosed, I shall return to the palace."
"Imperial physician, I will escort you." With Prime Minister Bai awake, Bai Si Lang could spare some energy to deal with other matters.
Soon, the news of Prime Minister Bai's critical illness spread. Few among the common people knew, but among the royalty and nobility, the matter was widely discussed.
After all, he had fainted during the morning court, and everyone had seen it.
In the palace, Emperor Qi heard that Prime Minister Bai had finally woken up, but was still very weak. As the imperial physician had predicted, he immediately ordered the precious thousand-year-old Ganoderma and Hundred Frost Grass to be sent from the imperial treasury, thus demonstrating the imperial family's benevolence and harmonious relations between ruler and minister.
The Bai family received these life-saving items and was extremely grateful, kneeling and offering thanks towards the northern imperial palace.
With these two items and Physician Zhang's miraculous healing, Prime Minister Bai's condition was barely stabilized.
For seven or eight consecutive days, the Bai mansion refused all visitors.
The Xu family did visit under the guise of delivering medicine, and the Bai family accepted it. The Wei family then tried to do the same but was refused.
Enraged, Wei Da Lang cursed at home, while Duke Wei remained calm.
"It's even better that he fell ill. This way, Liang Quan Bin's appointment will be much simpler."
"But Father, didn't His Majesty say this matter would be postponed?"
"Even if postponed, there will always be a solution, won't there? Can we delay, but can Liang Zhe delay? The vast power of the Grand Canal Supervisor cannot be borne by anyone but our Wei family."
His tone was not one of empty boasting, but of boldness cultivated over many years.
Wei Da Lang, standing beside him, felt his anger subside somewhat upon hearing this. "Hmph, the Xu family is uncooperative, and the Bai family is no pushover. When the Ninth Prince achieves his great undertaking, they will be the first to be dealt with!"